Virginia Beach Oceanfront Seeks Live Performers
Beach Events Virginia Beach is holding auditions on March 7-8 for its "Live! On Atlantic" performance series. The organization produces a variety of festivals and events at the oceanfront, including the upcoming East Coast She-Crab Soup Classic and Bulls and Bar.
The "Live! On Atlantic" series, which was previously known as BeachStreetUSA, transforms the sidewalks and streets of the Virginia Beach oceanfront into stages. From mid-June through Labor Day Weekend, visitors can expect to see magicians, jugglers, aerialists, musicians, and other costumed characters performing for free along Atlantic Avenue, primarily between 16th and 25th streets. These smaller-scale street performances are part of a broader tourism and events strategy that has a significant financial impact on the city. In 2023, tourism in Virginia Beach generated a total economic impact of $3.8 billion, with visitors spending $2.5 billion. This activity supported 33,836 jobs and offset the annual tax burden for each household by $1,819. The upcoming East Coast She-Crab Soup Classic is a competitive culinary event where regional restaurants vie for both Critics' Choice and People's Choice awards for the best soup. Set at the 31st Street Park, the ticketed event allows attendees to sample various recipes against the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean. Proceeds from alcohol sales at the event benefit the Virginia Legends Walk Foundation. Another featured event, the Bulls and Barrels Beach Rodeo, brings a Southern Extreme Bull Riding Association (SEBRA) sanctioned competition directly onto the sand. The event, which includes bull riding, barrel racing, and mini bull riding, competes for a $12,000 purse and was named the "Best New Outdoor Event" by SEBRA in 2023.
