Meet me at The Z for the FREE Proteus Block Party! Showcases of music, comedy, theater, kid’s entertainment, open mics, and interactive art projects take over Town Center this October in the don’t-miss free event of the season! Come see what The Z is all about-there’s no arts fest like Proteus!

FEATURING:

On the Terrace & Plaza: Join in our community art project and outdoor performances, plus an open mic sampler featuring a preview of our spring musical, Rathskeller: A Musical Elixir!

Studio: Rotation of performances by the Children’s Theater of Hampton Roads, Plan B Comedy, and more!

Main Stage: Relive some of our favorite performance highlights and see what our main stage is all about!

Main Lobby: Interactive art projects, a vendor fair, and family fun area!

VIEW THE FULL PROTEUS LINEUP

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: 

Dust off your sheet music, warm up those vocal chords, and step into the spotlight! Join your fellow musical theater enthusiasts for a night of songs from The Great White Way. Come and see the finest of Hampton Roads’ Broadway-worthy talent. Those looking to sing may sign up at the door. Limited spots! Performers at June’s Undiscovered will have the opportunity to be considered for our upcoming “New Musicals Cabaret”!

Artist Members have early access to sign up for performance slots via private link. Learn more about Artist Memberships here. 

***********

OPEN MIC SERIES: Step on stage and showcase your talents! Writers, comedians, musicians and performers of all kinds can test-drive works-in-progress, debut new pieces, or take the mic for fun in this welcoming, supportive environment. New talent starts here! 

In partnership with Virginia Musical Theatre, Fox Music & the Hurrah Players. 

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

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

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. 

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: 

• Social Media
• Website
• Music

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: 

• Social Media
• Website
• Music

---

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.