- 18
- Episodes
- 2021
- First episode
About Open Channel
WHRV invites you to explore a layered history featuring real stories about the people, culture, art, events, and human experience that make Hampton Roads unique. You can also dig deeper, offer story suggestions, and learn more about WHRV’s Open Channel at whrv.org/openchannel
- Publisher
- WHRO Public Media
- Category
- history · society & culture
- Language
- en
- Explicit
- Yes
- First episode
- 28 Oct 2021
- Latest episode
- 16 Dec 2022
Latest episodes
18 episodes in the feed.
16 Dec 2022
Legends of the Fall: Amy Ferebee
Amy Ferebee epitomizes the term"Legend" in local music circles. For fifty years, she's been a mainstay in Southeastern Virginia- performing at local venues, festivals, and opening for national touring acts. When not performing, she shares her talent as a teacher, helping to further fuel the region as a major hub for local acoustic musicians. She shares her journey on this episode.
3 Nov 2022
Legends of the Fall: Roy Muth
Roy Muth is a veteran, musician, and educator. He performed with the US Navy Band and, after settling in Hampton Roads, became a sought after local artist, performing in countless local bands, as well as working with National Touring Acts that stopped in the region. He’s shared stages with Motown Royalty like Aretha Franklin, Smokey Robinson, and the Temptations. He’s toured with The Lynard Skynard Band and has worked with traveling Broadway productions. Today, he also works as an instructor at the Governor’s School for the Arts. In this episode of our “Legends of the Fall” series, we hear from Roy about his career, changes in the music industry, and the importance of arts education.
23 Sept 2022
Legends of The Fall Woody Norvell
Hampton Roads has been a fertile ground for outstanding musicians. Many were pioneers in their genre. Gary US Bonds, Gene Vincent, Ella Fitzgerald, and Bill Deal, all hailed from the region. And there were others too- The Phelps Brothers, Pearl Bailey, Bob Zentz, Bruce Hornsby, Tommy Newsome, and Ruth Brown all called Tidewater “home.” However, in addition to these well-known figures, there exists an almost underground like group of composers, singer-songwriters, and talented artists from the area. These are the artists who have so enriched the area and cemented it as a place where great music is made. Woody Norvell is a part of that distinguished group. He’s a local composer who has worked with the Las Vegas Philharmonic, as well as leading the Coast Guard Band. A Norfolk native, he’s written numerous symphonies and musical pieces including a tribute to the beaches of Normandie, - and also, after living in Phoenix for a number of years, and missing the beaches of the Atlantic Ocean, a symphony which was a homage to his home back in Virginia. He was a former personal assistant to the great humorist Victor Borge and today lives within sight of the Chesapeake Bay, back in his hometown. This edition of Open Channel celebrates the first in a series of “Legends of The Fall” local artisans with Woody Norvell.
31 Aug 2022
Title IX: Fifty Years Later
Jan Trombly came to Old Dominion to play basketball for the famed Lady Monarchs when they were the premier women's basketball program in the nation. ODU won back to back national championships in 1979 and 1980. The best players in the game flocked to ODU, creating a legacy that today, over forty years later, is still talked about. How did a small commuter college in southeastern Virginia become the dominant women's basketball program in the nation? ODU was among the first to offer female athletic scholarships under the auspices of legislation known as Title IX. The mandate, passed in 1972, requires educational institutions which receive federal funding, to prohibit sex-based discrimination. After Title IX, High Schools and Colleges had to reverse historical practices of ignoring female athletics and create new programs and practices to ensure equity. Former High School Girls Tennis Coach Carol Chory recalls the inequities she faced when Girl's Tennis was added as a sport. And two current students reflect on what playing sports has meant for them.Open Channel looks at how the landmark legislation Title IX quite literally changed the game for women's athletics. This episode of Open Channel was produced with the assistance of WHRO student intern Nya Muir
1 Aug 2022
The Duckworth Mystery
In 1972, legendary former Norfolk Mayor Fred Duckworth was found murdered just feet from one of the city's busiest corridors. Police spent years trying to solve the crime. They never did. Fifty years later, WHRO's Barry Graham remembers the case.
24 Jun 2022
Gay Rights in Hampton Roads Part 2
By the mid 1970s, White Flight was ravaging Norfolk. The LBGTQ community took notice. Ghent became a safe haven and was often referred to as a "Gay Ghetto." Several businesses catering to gay clientele opened in downtown. However, as the gay community became more visible, it also came under fire. In 1977, Anita Bryant brought her infamously anti gay " save the children crusade to Scope. The gay community saw huge gains in public support and approval and as the 80s ticked by, public opinion began to shift. Many who launched the gay rights movement in the 70s said they never dreamed they would see the degree of support that exists today.
16 Jun 2022
Hampton Roads Pride Part 1
June is Pride Month, complete with festivals, parades, government proclamations, and seemingly, rainbow flags everywhere. Corporate support for gay rights is now standard. Representatives from major corporations march in Pride Parades while others, like Starbucks and its “Pride Cup” offer specific items emblazoned with rainbow colors. Elected officials openly court the gay vote and are seen at LGBTQ events. Public opinion also finds widespread acceptance of gay rights. A recent poll found that 80% of Americans support legislation to protect LBGTQ from discrimination. In Hampton Roads, the road to acceptance for the gay community had many obstacles. Many gay veterans upon leaving the military, decided to stay in the region. Following the Stonewall Riots in 1969, the gay community of Hampton Roads began to slowly jell and emerge. The Unitarian Church became an early ally. A group organized a gay caucus within the church which began hosting conferences, workshops, and support groups. Eventually, a newsletter began circulating to keep people informed about the church’s activities. The newsletter would morph into “Our Own” Newspaper which according to founding member Fred Osgood was” the crown jewel” of the gay caucus. It was so widely read and circulated that it was practically the gay newspaper for the entire state. Three gay vets shared their story for Open Channel. Bill (he asked that we not use his last name due to discussions he makes about his previous workplace) said that being a gay man in the 1950s and 60s was perilous as a military member and worker in civil service. Joe Amos stayed in the region after leaving the US Army in the early 70s. Fred Osgood left the Air Force and remained here after attending Old Dominion University. All three were influential in helping the local gay community to organize and push gay rights into the public consciousness. In this first, of a two part series, local gay rights history beginning in the 1950s, is remembered.
6 Jun 2022
Motherhood and Mental Health
According to The Blue Dot Project, depression and anxiety impact 1-in-5 pregnant and postpartum people. That’s 20%. The first week of May is Maternal Mental Health week. In the month where we honor the maternal figures in our life, it’s important to remember that not only does it take a village to support our kids – it also takes a village to support our parents. In this episode of Open Channel, we hear from Mandolin Restivo, the Executive Director of Postpartum Support Virginia, and Kelly Sokol, a locally-based author whose novels highlight the vast experiences within motherhood.
17 Feb 2022
Ken Wright
Ken Wright is the head of the local Buffalo Riders, a group of black cowboys who pay homage to the Buffalo soldiers - the African American cavalry and infantry units. Wright is also an artist. Barry Graham spoke to Wright about his work with the group and his art in November. In this episode of Open Channel, we hear highlights from that conversation.
10 Feb 2022
Edgar Cayce: Enlightening the Shore
If you’ve lived in the Virginia Beach area for a while you’re probably familiar with Edgar Cayce, also called “The Sleeping Prophet.” Jessica Newell is an archivist at the Edgar Cayce Center, which was built on Cayce’s decades of work. For this episode of Open Channel, WHRV's Jordan Christie visited the Center and spoke with Newell about its history and current activities.
3 Feb 2022
Thelma Peterson: "Of Salt & Sand"
Thelma Peterson is a musician and visual artist who lives on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. Her music and art celebrate the natural beauty of the Eastern Shore—and she has a new CD that’s raising money to help protect it. The title of the album is “Of Salt and Sand,” and proceeds go to the Barrier Islands Reef Center and the Eastern Shore Conservancy. WHRV’s Barry Graham spoke with Peterson for this episode of “Open Channel.”
19 Jan 2022
Commentary: Not Quitting Falcon Squad
The last couple of years has had a strange effect on many of us. WHRV's Gina Gambony is no exception. For this episode of Open Channel, she reflects on a new hobby she acquired quite unexpectedly ….
17 Dec 2021
Derelict Vessels in Virginia Waters
Just adjacent to First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach sits Broad Bay. Legend has it Blackbeard used to hide among its inlets. Anchored just off the shoreline sits a sinking boat – a potential environmental disaster. WHRV’s Barry Graham spoke with retired naval officer and boater Mike Provost about the situation for this episode of Open Channel.
13 Dec 2021
Marie Osmond has a new album--and visits Norfolk for "A Symphonic Christmas"
It turns out superstar performer Marie Osmond is … a little bit opera. Her new album, called “Unexpected,” was released last week, featuring popular selections from the songbooks of opera and Broadway. And Osmond will be in Norfolk on Monday, December 13 performing “A Symphonic Christmas” with the Virginia Symphony at Chrysler Hall. Music from “Unexpected” will be part of the show as well. WHRV’s Gina Gambony spoke with Marie Osmond for this episode of “Open Channel.” Information about Osmond's performance with the Virginia Symphony and other special guests are at VAFEST.org
2 Dec 2021
Danny Epperson Remembers Mal Vincent
The world lost a big personality who lived among us in Hampton Roads. Film critic Mal Vincent passed away on Saturday night, November 27 at the age of 83. On this episode of “Open Channel,” WHRO’s Jordan Christie offers a remembrance of Mal from the perspective of one of his good friends and producer: Danny Epperson.
12 Nov 2021
The Buffalo Riders
Locals Anthony Sutton and Ken Wright have formed the Buffalo Riders who pay tribute to the legendary Buffalo Soldiers who helped the US to settle the West and, to the Black Cowboys who have been often overlooked in US History.
12 Nov 2021
The 1922 Roma Airship Disaster
On Norfolk's Little Creek Road is historical marker KV-9 which marks the location of the 1922 crash of the Airship Roma. At the time, it was the greatest aeronautical disaster in the nation claiming 34 lives.
28 Oct 2021
The legacy of Grace Sherwood, the alleged "Witch of Pungo"
Most of us know Witchduck Road for construction, traffic, and eminent domain, but it actually has a much deeper history that dates back more than 300 years.
Host of Open Channel?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.