NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk's newest summer concert is taking over Scope Arena on Saturday!
Preparations for Cousinz Festival started early Friday morning in Downtown Norfolk.
Pusha-T and Fam-Lay are coming together to host the one-day festival on Aug. 31. Pusha-T called the festival "the last dance of the summer" on his Instagram.
Organizers say the festival evolved from Norfolk’s RnB Block Party.
It will feature performances by Erykah Badu, Jermaine Dupri, Art of Noise RVA, Larry June, Lion Babe, DJ Envy, Jae Murphy, and more. Musical performances and DJ sets will be split up between two stages — with performers taking to the main stage at Scope Arena and DJs at Scope Plaza at the RnB Block Party stage.
"I think tomorrow we'll see joy. In its own right, concerts and events alone naturally bring that. But when you do something and give people an opportunity for it to feel like there is, I think that's the energy that you'll see tomorrow," Organizer Antonio Dowe said.
The music isn't the only thing organizers are excited to share. A lineup of vendors and food trucks from Georgia and Texas will make their way to the Scope. Plus, festival-goers can find merch and a cooling station at Chrysler Hall.
Less than two days before the festival, Pusha-T posted a collaborative video with Something in the Water to his Instagram: "In VA, we’re all cousins, one big family. @somethinginthewater showed us what’s possible when we all come together. See you at our family reunion this weekend. Yes, @somethinginthewater is coming, but first—cousinz."
With a focus on family and community, the team behind Cousinz Fest has donated free tickets for teachers, and partnered with Dominion Energy to renovate a woman’s house.
The Something in the Water music festival will be returning to Virginia Beach in October. The lineup has yet to be announced.
Both festivals focus on bringing the Virginia community together, highlighting creativity, culture and diversity, and creating a sense of unity for everyone who attends.
Cousinz Festival organizers have been working hard to get the word out around Hampton Roads, and also giving back to the community, reinforcing their commitment to bringing both fun and a feeling of family to Norfolk.
Tickets for Cousinz Festival are still available on their website. Visit Seven Venues for more information and the full lineup.