The TasteBreakers music festival is a celebration of our exceptionally talented local and regional original artists and music-loving community! The weekend includes a diverse line-up of performances that will delight your musical palate and professional development workshops with industry experts for those looking to broaden their horizons. Come for the music you know, stay for something new, and leave inspired to keep expanding your musical boundaries!
Schedule of Events:
Friday- June 24, 2022
5:30pm Open Mic
- Main Lobby
- Free and Open to the Public
- Calling all singer/songwriters! This is your opportunity to take the mic. Test out a new original song or share your favorite cover. It’s up to you. The most important thing is to share a song for all to hear in this welcoming, supportive, and creative environment.
6:30pm-Songwriting Party
- Studio Theater
- Hosted by Hannah Shaleen and Eric Saab
- Friday Performance Pass or All-Access Pass Required
- Ever want to write your own song, but don’t know where to start? This is your chance to learn how in a fun & accessible way! Grab a friend and join the “songwriting” party! (Ability to read music or play an instrument is NOT required).
8:00pm- Songwriter Swap
- Main Stage
- Friday Performance Pass or All-Access Pass Required
- Featuring: Koren Grace, Hannah Shaleen, Rob Oliver, K’bana Blaq, Otis Brooks and Eric Staab
- Each songwriter brings their indelible creative fingerprint to their original songs. But what happens when another songwriter layers their creative fingerprint on top? That is what you will hear at this Songwriters Swap featuring 6 Hampton Roads songwriters performing their original music as well as each other’s!
Saturday- June 25, 2022
2:00pm- Violet Bell Workshop: Where Do Songs Come From
- Main Stage
- All Access Pass Required
- “Where Do Songs Come From?” Is an interactive workshop that explores creativity, self-acceptance, and empowerment through the lens of songwriting. Anyone can write a song, including YOU. This workshop will help you connect with your own creative power to find inspiration anywhere, and empower you to hone raw source materials into finished work. Learn mindsets, tools and practices to cultivate a rich inner creative landscape and sustainable creative process.
3:30pm- Creative Office Hours Workshop – Liz and Sibel
- Studio
- All Access Pass Required
- Join Elizabeth Terrell (Series & Concert Producer) and Sibel Galindez (Community Engagement Director) to find out just how CREATIVITY meets OPPORTUNITY at The Z through our various programs to include our Heart of Art Workshop and The Z Unplugged and Proteus.
5:30pm Open Mic
- Main Lobby
- Free and Open to the Public
- Calling all singer/songwriters! This is your opportunity to take the mic. Test out a new original song or share your favorite cover. It’s up to you. The most important thing is to share a song for all to hear in this welcoming, supportive, and creative environment.
6:30pm Z Unplugged Showcase
- Studio
- Saturday Performance Pass or All Access Pass
- Featuring the fabulous talents of the 757: Jim Bulleit, Jena Lawlor, Akeylah Simone and Roy Ira Moats. Join us as each featured singer/songwriter shares their work in what we call a song-circle–accompanying each other and sharing stories about their songs & creative process.
8:00pm- Violet Bell Performance
- Main Stage
- Saturday Performance Pass or All Access Pass Required
COVID-19 Protocols will be followed based on the CDC’s defined transmission level.
