Enter the Promised Land: VIP Membership at the NorVa Gets You a Full Year of Live Music

The NorVa, one of Tidewater's premier concert venues, can take music lovers to The Promised Land. That's the name of NorVa's VIP membership program, on sale now through NorVa Productions.

NorVa's Promised Land VIP membership provides patrons with a full year of special access and pampering at the NorVa.

First, membership includes admission for two people to all shows at the NorVa for one year. Since NorVa expects to host between 130 and 150 concerts a year, that's a lot of music. With a full year of live music just there for the taking, owning a VIP pass makes it easy to check out new acts and different genres. Acts appearing at the NorVa have included Stone Temple Pilots, Matchbox 20, Blues Traveler, James Brown, Brian McKnight and Prince. (Ann Powers, at the Los Angeles Times music blog, Pop & Hiss, reports that Prince has announced he will release three new albums in 2009, including the tentatively titled MPLSOUND.)

Acts on deck at the NorVa in 2009 include Funeral for a Friend, Musiq Soulchild, Combichrist, Big Joe and the Dynaflows, Cute is What We Aim For, and Disco Biscuits.

Major tribute bands on stage in 2009 will be Limelight---Tribute to RUSH (Friday, January 16, 8:30 p.m.); Badfish---Tribute to Sublime (Saturday, January 17, 8:00 p.m); The Machine, billed as "America's Top Pink Floyd Show," which includes an Interstellar Light Show (Friday, February 6, 8:00 p.m.); and Zoso---"Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience" (Friday, February 27, 8:00 p.m.).

Depending on the artist, VIP members can attend meet-and-greet events before or after the show. VIP members also can purchase tickets to sold out shows.

Want to share the love? VIP members can transfer show passes to friends, family and employees, although the NorVa requires a written request at least two days before the show to do so.

The NorVa is a general admission venue with limited seating available on a first-come, first-served basis. NorVA Promised Land members have access to a private balcony for each show. They also can chill in a private lounge, the actual "Promised Land," which is full of goodies such as leather couches and chairs, stage viewing on a flat-screen, BOSE-equipped TV, and a full bar. (Underage drinking is strictly prohibited at the NorVa.)

As always, The Backstage Café, located directly behind the venue, serves up dinner and snacks to NorVa guests looking for eats before or after a show.

The NorVa is in downtown Norfolk, VA, near the Waterside and across the street from the MacArthur Mall. The address is 317 Monticello Avenue. Call 757-627-4500 for the NorVa concert line. Box office phone is 757-627-4547.

The Backstage Café is at 320 Granby Street. For reservations, call 757-622-5915. Reservations are recommended.

For more information on The Promised Land, NorVa's full-year VIP membership program, visit NorVa's Promised Land. Times and artists subject to change.