THE Z OPEN MICS: The Z Unplugged

an Open Mic Event

September 10, 2024

7:30pm

Studio Theater

Calling all singers, songwriters, and musicians! 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. In partnership with Jim Bulleit and Fox Music Artist Members have early access to sign up for performance slots via private link. Learn more about Artist Memberships here. 

Justin Kauflin Quartet

Live at The Z Music Series

March 22, 2024

7:30pm

Main Stage Theater

Justin Kauflin is an internationally renowned & award-winning artist who is currently managed by music icon, Quincy Jones and endorsed by Yamaha. After losing his sight at the age of 11, Kauflin gravitated towards playing jazz piano and was performing professionally by age 14, most notably with the Jae Sinnett Trio. He graduated summa cum laude from William Paterson University, NJ where he studied with his heroes, Mulgrew Miller and Harold Mabern, as well as being mentored by and performing with the legendary trumpet/flugelhorn player, Clark Terry– his mentorship with Clark Terry was the focus of the Oscar shortlisted documentary “Keep On Keepin’ On”.
Ft. musicians:
Chico Pinheiro (guitar)
Jimmy MacBride (drums)
Evan Gregor (bass)

In partnership with: 

Live at the Z: Chloe Youtsey

Live at The Z Music Series

April 19, 2024

7:30pm

Studio Theater

The winner of the Proteus Music Contest performs live at The Z!

Recently at a show, a regular informed Chloe, that “Every time I hear you I think of a different word for your voice. …Velvet. Chocolate. Today’s is whiskey.” She is also frequently mistaken for having hailed from New York and has one of those faces that reminds everyone of someone they know. Having been told her whole singing career she sounds just like Norah Jones, Diana Krall, or Alicia Keys, she assumes that none of that can be true and the common denominator is she’s simply a girl who sings and plays the piano. For the first time in her musical career she will put aside the funk, rnb, soul, and jazz covers and do an entire set of her own original music with nods to all of those styles, written intermittently over a decade amidst college, city living, marriage, children, loss, heartbreak, joy, and faith. You may leave not knowing exactly who she reminds you of or where she’s from (she doesn’t know either, thanks to her military childhood) of but you will definitely have found yourself shedding a tear, grooving in your seat, and feeling free to share the experience with your grandma. This is as wholesome and funky as it gets, folks.

 

In partnership with: 

Songwriter Swap

Live at The Z Music Series

May 24, 2024

7:30pm

Main Stage Theater

The Songwriter Swap returns featuring 6 songwriters swapping songs and singing each other’s original music! In partnership with Big Juicy Entertainment

Featuring:

Chloe Youtsey & Louissa

daughter & Mike Milbourn

95 Leo & Aniela Salinas

6:45pm to 7:15pm- Opening performance in the Lobby
7:30pm- Headlining Performance in the Main Stage 

The Z Unplugged Open Mic

an Open Mic Event

March 11, 2025

7:30pm

Studio Theater

Calling all singers, songwriters, and musicians! 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. Artist Members have early access to sign up for performance slots via private link. Learn more about Artist Memberships here. 

Proteus Festival Music Contest: TA Gatling

a part of Proteus Festival 2022

June 16, 2023

7:30pm

Studio Theater

The Z presents the winner of the Proteus Music Contest: TA Gatling

TA Gatling is a Dirty Rock and Soul artist hailing from the Virginia Beach area. His love of music led him to begin singing and performing when he was young, and he has never looked back. He enjoys performing both acoustic and full band versions of his music, and has played some of the biggest venues in his hometown. And it has placed him on a track that has seen him share stages with national artists, such as Tyler Braden, Omarion and Jason Michael Carroll.

In 2021, TA Gatling released his debut EP, Respect the Shadows, which has since garnered rave reviews from music critics and fans alike. He is currently hard at work writing and recording a double EP with the assistance of his signature band “The Guns” which is sure to be even bigger and better than his debut release.

CONNECT: 

with opener Jared Farrell:

Jared Farrell is songwriter and producer who is excited to introduce the audience to his catchy melodies and story-driven music backed with electronic production. Jared has just released his 2nd full length LP, “Electric.” The album was written, produced, mixed and mastered out of his home studio in Virginia Beach.

CONNECT: 


This performance will be standing room. Limited ADA compliant seating is available for patrons who need special accommodation. Please call the Box Office to reserve special seating.

This performance contains lighting and video with strobe effects and flashing lights. This performance contains haze and fog effects.