VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Piece by Piece, the LEGO animated biopic about music icon and Virginia Beach native Pharrell Williams is in theaters now!
Saturday morning, Delegate Michael Feggans (D) hosted a special screening of the movie at the Kemps River Cinema Cafe.
More than 80 people signed up for the free private movie screening.
The White family was first in line, arriving before 9:30 a.m.
“I wanted to see this movie to see what Pharrell went through as a music producer,” said 13-year-old Kayden White. White currently plays the trumpet at his middle school with aspirations to play in high school.
Kayden and his little sister Kendall White told 10 On Your Side they are music lovers and wanted to see the movie about Williams and his friends like Timbaland, Snoop Dogg, and Jay-Z.
“We’ve heard most of those producers that are in it. So I wanted to see what they all did with Pharrell because I know Pharrell can make really good songs, with people and by himself,” said Kayden.
Kendall added, “I like music a lot! Maybe next year, when I will go to middle school, I’ll play an instrument like him!”
White downloaded the song by Pharrell and the Princess Anne High School’s band.
“The main song , which is the name of the movie ‘Piece by Piece,'” said White. “That’s one of my favorite ones from the whole movie.”
Earlier this week on the TODAY Show, Pharrell Williams traced his love of music back to his time in the Princess Anne High School marching band. The band also got the opportunity to appear on the TODAY Show to showcase their musical talents.
“I’m a Pharrell fan! I used to teach preschool, and the kids really liked the ‘Happy’ song, and we used to probably play it almost every day,” said Cathy Malley, an educator with the Virginia Beach Education Association.
Like many, Malley is hopeful that more students in the area are inspired.
“It can happen here, in Virginia Beach. What we perceive as a little town, can be a big player,” said Malley. “This is a community unification event. Everyone is proud of Pharrell. It’s a good symbol for Virginia Beach! If you’re from Virginia Beach, if you’re from Hampton Roads, that you can do anything in this world.”
Feggans made his own LEGO character animation ahead of the film, to showcase his creative roots in production and design.
“I believe that… just because you’re involved in politics, that [doesn’t mean] we can’t have fun,” said Feggans. “This is a love letter to Virginia Beach. It really shows, you know, everything in terms of a Pusha T, Pharrell, Chad everyone that’s been involved in putting Virginia Beach musically on the map not just in the U.S., but around the world. This movie is really going to show how special Virginia Beach is. There really is something in the water about Virginia Beach.”
The Something in the Water Festival was canceled this year, it was initially scheduled for this weekend.
“I know so many of us wanted to have Something in the Water but seeing everything that we’ve known about Pharrell he’s a perfectionist in terms of wanting to make sure it’s right,” said Feggans. “If he’s going to be showcasing our beautiful city, he wants to make sure that the festival was right. While we’re disappointed that it’s not happening this weekend, we’re looking forward to it happening next year. This weekend with the movie I think it’s going to be really a great opportunity just to show what’s really special about Virginia Beach.”
Later Saturday morning, Pharrell made a surprise appearance at his childhood apartment complex, Atlantis Apartments, where he gave away LEGO and Adidas items.