Something in the Water Adds New Activities & Programs Showcasing the “Magic of the Virginia Beach Community”

Pharrell Williams has revealed the lineup for his highly anticipated SOMETHING IN THE WATER festival, returning to Virginia Beach from Friday, April 28 – Sunday, April 30.  See the full line-up here.

In addition to the two primary stages on the beach and the Sunday Pop-Up Church stage, live music will also be offered at three oceanfront parks located at 17th Street, 24th Street and 31st Street.  According to a press release, each stage will be free to the public and include a marketplace component of local businesses and non-profits.

SITW will offer festival-goers “a taste of the magic of the Virginia Beach community” during a citywide dining event called “Something on the Menu.”  The weeklong event will take place from April 23-30, 2023 in partnership with The Virginia Beach Restaurant Association.

Additionally, “A Seat At The Table” will take place on April 27th from 6-11 pm to celebrate Black arts and culture featuring live music, prominent artists, food trucks and more — to benefit the Urban League of Hampton Roads, Inc. hosted by Virginia MOCA.

Organizers will also host a small business event at Mt. Trashmore with live music and food on April 14th, partnering with the Public Libraries to highlight their broad offerings, the Department of Human Services to highlight wellness initiatives within the community, and the Convention and Visitors Bureau “to draw national and international attention to the city’s broader entertainment-centric positioning and destination offering,” according to a press release.

The festival will also work to give back to Hampton Roads, bringing 5,000 + plant-based meals and education resources to local communities for the next year in a partnership with Support + Feed.

“By investing in local plant-based restaurants and working with community leaders Support + Feed will continue to create impact long after the festival has ended,” organizers shared.

With support from Walmart as a Presenting Sponsor, Pharrell’s Black Ambition, a nonprofit initiative working to close the wealth gap through investments in Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs, will host a series of curated events and funding opportunities for entrepreneurs.

This will include an exclusive So Ambitious Dinner to connect founders with funders and a Pull Up & Pitch competition hosted in collaboration with Black Girl Ventures that will award more than $50K to local entrepreneurs.

Learn more at SOMETHINGINTHEWATER.COM.