FROM WARDS CORNER TO THE NORVA: ONE JEWISH KID’S SOUNDTRACK TO REBELLION
NorVa co-founder Rick Mersel
Author of All Revved Up and Ready to Go: My Life in Concert
Thursday, December 4, 2025, 7:30 PM
Join Rick Mersel, the local Jewish kid who traded jazz for punk and helped build The NorVa from the ground up, for a loud, raw, and wildly funny journey through Norfolk’s back alleys, bar mitzvah dance floors, and beer-soaked music venues. All Revved Up and Ready to Go isn’t just a memoir, it’s a mixtape of Norfolk’s hidden soul, for anyone who ever felt like an outsider until the music hit.
Free & Open to the community.If there’s such a thing as a lifetime backstage pass, Rick Mersel has earned it.”
—Leona Baker, Coastal Virginia Magazine
Pre-registration required.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rick Mersel is a lifelong music lover, concert aficionado, and entrepreneur with an unshakable passion for live performances.
Growing up surrounded by the pulse of rock, punk, and jazz, he learned early on that music was more than just sound, it was an identity, a movement, and a way of life. His journey took him from swapping records at Tracks in Norfolk to navigating the chaotic energy of punk shows, all the way to co-founding The NorVa, one of the most celebrated music venues in the country.
Rick’s career in the music industry has been defined by his ability to bring legendary artists to the stage and create unforgettable experiences for fans. As a key figure in the transformation of The NorVa, he helped turn the historic venue into a nationally recognized destination.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Before The NorVa became one of the most legendary live music venues in the country, before the sold-out shows and chaotic energy of the pit, there was just a kid searching for something, something louder, something real.
From trading his first record at a local shop to getting swallowed by the raw power of a punk show, this is the story of a life shaped by music. It’s about finding belonging in the sweaty, deafening pulse of a crowd, about reckless nights, fake IDs, and the friendships forged in the glow of neon jukeboxes and midnight drives.
Set against the backdrop of Norfolk’s music scene and the wild, rhythmic heartbeat of New Orleans, All Revved Up and Ready To Go: My Life in Concerti s a coming-of-age journey fueled by rebellion, discovery, and the unshakable power of song. With humor, grit, and an unfiltered lens, this book captures what it means to grow up chasing the sound of your own story.
For anyone who’s ever lost themselves in a song, for anyone who’s ever found a home in the music, this one’s for you.
ABOUT THE MODERATOR
Jessica Gordon is a talent buyer and concert promoter who has booked live entertainment for over two decades. She is co-owner of Broadberry Entertainment Group and co-founder and President of the Independent Promoter Alliance, a nonprofit organization for promoters. Jessica grew up in Virginia Beach, was a member of Temple Emanuel, and taught English in Israel while in graduate school. Jessica holds an interdisciplinary PHD in Media, Art, Text and was a professor of English at Virginia Commonwealth University for over 20 years.
PRAISE
A fun read, especially for anyone who loves music, grew up in Hampton Roads, and enjoys getting lost in a well-crafted story.
—Jeff Maisey, VEER Magazine
Thanks to the generous support of the Bartel Family, in honor of their parents and grandparents, Alan & Dolores Bartel, the following accessibility accommodations are available for UJFT's programs (depending on the program location). Accommodations must be requested at least a week prior to the event.
- Interpreting services for Deaf or non-English speakers
- Assisted listening services to amplify sounds
- Preferential seating near a presenter to aid in comprehension
- Sensory fidget tools
- Noise-reducing headphones
- Stand-assist devices
- Audio recording of written materials for the visually impaired
