Rare air

This past Presidents’ Day, the Rotunda played host to a genuine piece of American celebrity: a very rare surviving copy of the Declaration of Independence. UVA’s McGregor Dunlap broadside—one of just 26 known copies still around—was printed in Philadelphia in July 1776 and rushed across the colonies as the 18th century’s version of viral news. […]

Bestival 2026 on The Downtown Mall 8/29

Best of C-VILLE expands the celebration of Charlottesville’s excellence with Bestival 2026. This brand-new community festival offers opportunities to engage with local businesses while enjoying amazing food and entertainment. Stop by an “ask-the-expert” table for some sage advice on a variety of topics. Get down to the sounds of tracks on wax spun by WTJU […]

SlumberCLAW at Random Row 8/29

Set your alarms and break out your pajamas for SlumberCLAW. This sleepover-themed event pulls together public acts of foolishness, comedic chaos, and high-octane arm-wrestling to raise funds for Out and About, one of Charlottesville’s premier LGBTQ+ empowerment organizations. General admission tickets get you standing-room entry to this popular event, while VIP packages offer a selection […]

Mariana Bell at The Southern 8/29

Australian-born, Charlottesville-raised Mariana Bell brings throwback vibes to the album release party for her latest record, Give It a Go!. Channeling the big hair and big feelings of the late ’80s and early ’90s, Bell offers a sonic time capsule of poppy sounds and cinematic influences to induce nostalgia. Carrying relatable narratives couched in expressive […]

Happy Landing at The Southern 8/19

Oxford, Mississippi’s Happy Landing fell into the scene in 2020, quickly earning festival appearances at Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, and Summerfest. Working to spread a new wave of Americana music rooted in Southern rock, punk, and folk peppered with poppy inflections, the five-piece outfit’s smooth sound is anchored by solid instrumentation and superb vocals. The ability to […]

Stars and Sparkles at Leander McCormick Observatory 8/22

Stars and Sparkles offers an opportunity to engage in amateur astronomy alongside an out-of-this-world tasting. Present Company Wine debuts its Rosé Pét Nat and provides a selection of light bites to enhance an evening of stargazing led by professional astronomers. Enjoy views of the night sky through a century-old 26-inch refracting telescope while feeding your […]

Ramona & the Holy Smokes at Rivanna River Company 8/22

Rivanna Roots matches the scorching summer temps with piping-hot honky-tonk from Ramona & the Holy Smokes. The band channels country and western styles of the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s into contemporary tracks that push classic Southern sounds into new territory, led by Ramona Martinez’s powerful vocals and catchy lyrics. Guam-born, Virginia-raised Rebecca Porter opens the […]

Rooted in style

Soul of Cville’s Legacy Lounge brought generations together at The Fralin Museum of Art on August 12 for a garden party inspired by the art, music, and fashion of the Harlem Renaissance. Guests arrived in period-inspired looks, listened to live jazz, viewed work by artist Jacob Lawrence, and recorded messages to their past or future […]