Annual festival moves online

By Clinton J. Sosna

This year’s summer Weekend in Norfolk (WIN), in its fifth installment, comes amid a global pandemic. A situation ripe with mandates, social distancing requirements, reopening phases, spikes, shifts and updates. Our experience of normal is no longer normal. Neither will be this year’s Weekend in Norfolk.  

Despite the pandemic, WIN is still being held, from July 31 to Aug. 2. Only this year, it will be presented remotely, using technology, innovation, inspiration and inventiveness. Sue Frisch, co-founder of WIN and co-chair of the WIN committee, says the process “is interesting, and we are learning a lot.” She also thinks “it is good practice” for the future. There’s no way of knowing whether winter WIN will also require virtual attendance, but if it should, the WIN committee is confident they will be even better equipped to coordinate the event. 

Programs will be offered either on-demand, which means prerecorded and available to be watched at the viewer’s leisure, or live-streamed, where an event will have a scheduled time and those interested will join virtually through a platform such as YouTube, Instagram Live or Zoom.  On-demand events include musical performances, nature programming, children’s workshops and tours of Norfolk and its historical sites. Some of the live streaming includes a puppet show and workshops in watercolor painting and crafting up-cycled metal flowers. All of the events will be posted on the WIN website: https://weekendinnorfolk.org. 

Frisch says, “We had to change the way we presented the event to the public.” The website is the best way to stay current with events, schedules and any changes. 

For previous WINs, John DeShazo provided audio and lighting equipment and assisted various performers. This year he stepped in as the committee member overseeing technical direction. Commenting on this summer’s programming, he said, “We asked artists who participated in the past how they wanted to present their work, whether prerecorded or live. Most of them will be providing prerecorded video.” Together with a small team, DeShazo aided in producing the videos and will help out with the live-streams as well. He thinks there is a unique opportunity in offering performances this way. “It opens WIN up to those out of state or otherwise unable to attend” in person.

Rest assured, this will be a WIN to remember. Share the website with your family and friends out of state, or overseas. Share the beauty and artistry of Norfolk in a new way.