by Debra Persons

“Originally, this whole Dome documentary was what I referred to as simply a ‘passion project’ that would be 10 minutes at best in length, like a simple mini-documentary of sorts. When the pandemic hit 3 years ago, I had a good amount of time on my hands. With that, the damn film just kept growing beyond what I could ever predict it would become today. Finally it’s completed.”

-Paul Unger (May 2023)

When Paul asked me to write a few words about his new documentary on the Dome in Virginia Beach, I immediately thought about asking our friend Kathy Wilson, who is an actual history teacher, to watch with Grey and I and share her thoughts on the historical aspects of the film.  We sat down together one evening a few weeks ago and had the privilege of watching this wonderful work.

We agreed I’d keep this brief. Not sure I can do that. Along with many of you, I’ve been anxiously awaiting the release of Paul’s new documentary.  I know what kind of editing talent Paul brings to the table having made the Hardcore Norfolk documentary with him (and Andrea Rizzo) in ’10-’11.  But for this project Paul worked alone and did an outstanding job of pulling together interviews, archival footage (including some amazing audio of early local radio shows), all kinds of print media, and mixing it all together with his Unger-style of magic to make something that is more than a movie.

I have my own memories of the Dome. A political rally in the mid-70’s when my dad was running for City Council.  The Psychedelic Furs in the '80's. These memories are all wrapped up in a lifetime of living in Hampton Roads. Paul transported me back thru time for the 80 minutes of his film and I couldn’t have loved it more.

He goes through the decades giving us a brief overview of the area, including Norfolk, in the ‘40’s and ‘50’s lending needed context to the overall story of how the Dome came to be.  We also get a lesson, with the help of Professor Brian Diederich!, on the history of the geodesic dome.  There is wonderful footage of the Dome under construction.

Once Paul gets into the ‘60’s and the heyday of the Dome’s most amazing shows (think Hendrix, Stones, etc.) the film soars. The excitement, the music, the fashions…Paul brings it all to life.  Even the sad ending with Teddy Dean sharing his memories of the end days with leaking ceiling and asbestos falling.

As Kathy notes below, Paul does not shy away from the obvious when covering life in Virginia Beach in the ‘60’s and I’m proud of him for that.

Kathy, from her history teacher chair, addresses that segment as well as Paul’s use of Virginia’s old state song (replaced in 2015):

At the beginning of the movie Unger includes and mentions Virginia’s OLD state song “Carry Me Back to Old Virginny”.  It was written post-Civil War by black minstrel performer James Bland and it supposedly tells the tale of a freeman longing for the days of slavery,... complete with the use of the term “darky”. As repugnant as it is to hear, we must recognize that not all history is “pretty” and sometimes uncomfortable experiences are the most dutiful teachers. We can not ignore history (because it does NOT ignore us) and Unger does not shy away from the obvious. In this documentary he acknowledges the Jim Crow South as well as the historical and on-going “less than tolerant” attitudes and behavior of the Virginia Beach Police at multiple gigs. The fact that one of Jimi Hendrix' two Dome gigs coincided with Dr. King’s assassination in 1968 aids him in driving home the point that racism was very real in public life then as it is today. As of 2015 a more enlightened Virginia adopted “Our Great Virginia” (Greenly/Papoulis) as her official state song, while Robin Thompson’s “Sweet Virginia Breeze” was elevated to the status of “popular” state song.   

I have pages of notes on things that stood out to me, but I think, obviously, you need to watch this film yourself. It will be a delightful 80 minutes of your time, I promise you that.

-Debra Persons

Facebook ‘Event’ Page for the South Beach Grill in Virginia Beach FREE showing on June 1st at 8pm, Click Here!

Trailer for the Documentary “That Was Our Room” from Youtube below here…