Meet Whitney Metzger: This Norfolk, Va. resident is basically an unintentional mass-marketing genius. She put up a bunch of flyers and a Facebook event page for an event called “Survive Norfolk,” a massive game of zombie-themed tag. She only put up the event a couple of weeks ago, expecting just a couple hundred people to come. Instead, nearly 10,000 people will probably be there tonight. This event, actually based in our old neighborhood of Ghent, has drawn so much attention that USA Today did a story about her. We’re proud of this event: If any community would be able to support an event like this, it’s Ghent, one of the most engaged single neighborhoods we’ve ever seen. Sigh. We miss Ghent. source
In our continuing effort to try new things, here’s our latest: Band coverage! This time, a good friend of ours, Skye Zentz puts down her ukulele and throws us some love! Want to see your band here? E-mail us or bug us on Twitter!
Listen to her
Q1: In 15 words or less, describe your sound:
Tropical entree smothered in bluesy overtones on picnic blanket next to Joni Mitchell’s dulcimer.
Q2: Name three influences that inspire you, with three words each on why they’re awesome: Chris Merritt: Brilliant Melodic Bodywash Ani DiFranco: Feminine Guts Galore Rufus Wainwright Second generation folky
Q3: What’s a recent song you’ve been digging? Write ten words explaining why: Beyonce – “Ego”: It plays with your head. Love those early Motown nods.
Q4: In 140 characters or less, how do you use social networking to get the word out: I do what I can with what little digital prowess I have. In short, I connect. Tweet tweet, ya’al. From myspace to your face.
Q5: In 15 words or less, what’s next for you?
Bowling Alley Tour (Praying!), Nursing home and library gigs (Seriously.), Jello Slip-n-slide?source
Linder Lue Lawrence, a.k.a. Hollywood, is the queen of Norfolk, Virginia. She’s an icon of the city and the Ghent neighborhood. Despite living a life of hard knocks as a developmentally disabled adult, thanks to the Hope House Foundation, she has not only survived, she’s thrived. She regularly shows up on billboards, in newspapers, and other unexpected places. When we launched, we gave her a shout-out. Here’s another one. ‘Cause the world needs to know how awesome she is.source
