The 2nd Annual Sea Level Singer/Songwriter Festival, held April 9-11, was a tremendous success, raising more than $7,500 to support the arts-in-healing programs of Tidewater Arts Outreach.

The festival was kicked off by national recording artist Jonatha Brooke at a concert at the Naro, with local favorite Jesse Chong as opener. Throughout the weekend, Sea Level buskers filled the street corners in Ghent with music, and other TAO artists played smaller venues for intimate concerts. The first Emerging Artist Showcase was a huge success as well, with two winners emerging from that evening, Nicole Belanus and Gayla Robinson. Both will appear on “Hunter at Sunrise” with Hunter Hughes (www.hunteratsunrise.com) and on WHRV’s “Out of the Box” with Paul Shugrue.

Our thanks go out to everyone who helped make the festival grow and fulfill our dreams. We had an unbelievable committee, and we owe a huge amount of gratitude to all the street buskers, happy hour artists, art auction contributors, and emerging artist contestants. Our thanks also to our sponsors that made the event possible: BOB-FM, WNIS, WTAR, Norfolk Department of Development, Old Point National Bank, Ghent Business Association, Albano Cleaners, San Antonio Sam’s, Imperio Inca, No Frill Grill, The Green Onion, and Otani Grill.

Stay tuned for the 3rd Annual Sea Level Singer/Songwriter Festival, and let us know if you’d like to get involved.