NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Homecoming season is upon us, as people from all over visit the Mermaid City.
Each year more than 20,000 alumni, students and friends come to Norfolk State University’s homecoming. On Saturday Oct. 26, the Spartans will face off against the Howard Bison at William “Dick” Price Stadium.
Ahead of the big game, The RnB Block Party returns to the Scope Arena on Friday, Oct. 25. General Admission is $30, the tickets are on sale now.
“It’s a beautiful thing for me, as a Norfolk State Alum, somebody that’s been in the culture of HBCU’s for a really long time and seeing how we did last time in 2022 for homecoming, it was just an amazing event,” said Leon Rothwell is one of the RnB Block Party co-founders. “When homecoming comes around, nobody sleeps! Everybody gets on the yard as soon as they can get there… Then you come right over to the block party to get those vibes musically, organically, with everybody that’s going to be in the space.”
Rothwell is excited for six DJs to take over the stage leading up to Grammy Award-winning producer Jazze Pha.
“A lot of people know him as a producer, but he’s also a DJ! When I was in school around the 2003 to 2007 time, Jazze Pha was making those hits with a lot of people in the R&B and rap space. A lot of people like Ciara, Sammie, T.I., YoungBloodz… people that were really important to music in that time, and those hits still last now,” said Rothwell.
The RnB Block Party powered the Cousinz Fest on Aug. 31 with big names like Erykah Badu, Jermaine Dupri and DJ Envy.
Erykah Badu to headline Cousinz Festival at Norfolk Scope
Antonio Dowe, Cousinz Festival & RNB Block Party co-founder tells 10 On Your Side’s Kiahnna Patterson, “Producing Cousinz Festival for me was a once in a lifetime experience! It was one of those things where you have an idea. You bring it to your peers. Everybody’s like ‘eh, it could work.’ Then next thing you know, you’re out here with thousands of people having an unforgettable experience. It was one of the best days of my life.”
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Fam-Lay, a Norfolk native music artist and co-founder of Cousinz Fest received the proclamation from Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander.
Dowe is proud of the family-centered event, “It was successful! It has to make you happy as a producer. Festivals are so hard to produce. Kudos to every single person who put it together because we did it in ten weeks… It only gives you excitement for what’s to come next year.”
The music lovers are hopeful the same energy continues this weekend.
“We love things that lift us up and give us a good energy,” said Dowe. “RnB Block Party is a need although we use the word party, it’s really an experience and gives you a memory every time.”
There is also something to look forward to for the food lovers, several local food trucks will be at the Scope grounds.
Doors open at 6 p.m. Oct. 25 to learn more and to buy the tickets visit sevenvenues.com/events/detail/rnb-block-party-8