Alum's hip-hop club contender in VH1 contest
Happy to represent Chris Livingston '00 owns and operates a Virginia Beach hip-hop club, The Cave, in the running for top honors among musical venues in the south. His is the only Virginia venue in the contest. Photo by Wendy Livingston
William & Mary alumnus Chris Livingston was able to take his degree in history and go an entirely different route to success by opening The Cave Nightclub and Grill in Virginia Beach in November of 2002. Livingston’s club is arguably the best nightclub in Southeastern Virginia, a fact proven by the club's current standing as a finalist in the contest for VH1’s best hip-hop venue for 2010 in the South. The Cave is the only club competing from Virginia.
“They didn’t actually say how they selected us, I heard it was from people recommending us.” said Livingston. “They only chose us from Virginia.”
When Livingston graduated W&M in 2000, he had no idea that he would own a nightclub one day, let alone the most popular nightclub in the state, and possibly in the South. “It just ended up that way.” said Livingston.
Aside from being one of the most popular hip-hop clubs in the area, The Cave is among the favorite hang outs for musicians and athletes on the Virginia Beach strip. Livingston says that they regularly see NFL players and other celebrities swing through. R&B star Ginuwine made an appearance not too long ago.
The Cave hosts many theme nights including “red carpet Fridays” and “celebrity night”.
The winner of VH1’s 2010 Hip-Hop Honors: The Dirty South will be announced live on VH1 June 7 at 9 p.m. ET. In Hampton Roads, VH1 may be seen on Cox Cable channel 67. The public may vote in the contest online through Sunday, June 6.
“I think winning this award would be a big recognition of how hard we have worked the past nine years to make this the best club down here.” said Livingston.
Livingston is married to Wendy Livingston, also a graduate of William & Mary and currently the senior assistant dean of admission at the College.
According to VH1.com, the show will celebrate the South and the honorees who infused the southern story into hip-hop’s global message. This is the first time that Hip-Hop Honors has recognized a particular geographic region.
The different places in the South that are being recognized as areas that produce hip-hop royalty are Houston, Miami, New Orleans, Atlanta, and last but not least, Virginia Beach.
According to VH1.com, out of all the great places in the South, these five are famous for the hip-hop superstars that started their journeys there. Virginia Beach is home to the mega-famous Missy Elliott and Timbaland. Elliott will be performing on the night of the show and VH1 will honor Timbaland for his talent in the music world.
