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Silver Steve as a human statue.
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Stephen Neese at work in Aroma's kitchen.
Stephen “Silver Steve” Neese shares what makes his Perfect Day in Williamsburg shine.
Stephen Neese is the kitchen manager at Aromas Coffee, Café & Bakeshop on Prince George Street, but perhaps he is better known around Williamsburg as ‘Silver Steve,’ his human statue persona at the 2nd Sunday’s Art & Music Festival.
Neese, a Williamsburg native, first began performing as a human statue donned in silver from head to toe in New Orleans, where he lived for four years before returning to the area in 2011.
“A friend was a street performer and asked me to give it a try,” Neese said. “I did it for two hours on my first day and just fell in love with it. I love entertaining people and seeing their different perspectives when they first see me as a human statue. Some people think I am a real statue. Some are scared, but most people love it.”
So how would Neese entertain himself on a perfect day off in Williamsburg?
A Morning on the Water
Neese’s parents, Dave and Deborah, have always been avid boaters and passed their joy of local waters on to their son. “I love the freedom of being on the water,” Neese said. He lives along Jamestown Road near the James River, so Neese would begin his perfect day kayaking for a few hours. His other favorite paddling spots are the Chickahominy Riverfront Park as well as Waller Mill Park, where he often takes his parents’ dogs Scout and Sea for a jaunt at the dog park there. “I love Waller Mill Park because it is so quiet and peaceful,” he said.
An Afternoon of Thrills
Neese’s parents also recently introduced him to Chopsticks Pho Grill, a Vietnamese restaurant on John Tyler Highway. “It’s a hidden place with really good food and great service,” he said. After fueling up on Pho for his mid-afternoon meal, Neese would hop on his bicycle and take a ride along Duke of Gloucester Street to explore the sites in Colonial Williamsburg or head over to Busch Gardens for some thrills. “I’m 44 but I still love those roller coasters,” said Neese.
A Night on the Town
For Neese, a perfect day in Williamsburg wouldn’t be complete without a visit downtown to either Paul’s Deli or the College Delly, where he worked back in the 1990s. “Paul’s Deli is a Williamsburg landmark for me,” said Neese. “It just has a great atmosphere.”
Neese would indulge in his favorite sandwich at Paul’s Deli, a roast beef sub dubbed the ‘Chandler,’ and then wander over to another deli in New Town, Cogan’s Deli, for some live local music.He prefers to jam to the sound of Blind & Dirty, a popular Grateful Dead tribute band.
At one point, Neese thought he would never leave New Orleans. He relocated back to Williamsburg, though, to be closer to his family and couldn’t be more content.
“There is a lot to see and do here in Williamsburg,” he said. “Williamsburg has become quite hip, thanks to people like Shirley Vermillion and CultureFix.”