The learning issue: Get smart!

“Humanity does things that have never been done before just by sitting around and thinking about it.” That’s educator Matt Shields on the lesson he tries to teach students in Charlottesville High School’s BACON (Best All-around Club of Nerds). The group meets weekly to imagine and create—they program virtual robots and build physical machines. They […]

LIVING Picks: Week of February 15-21

FAMILY Toddler Time at Monticello Saturday, February 18 Toddlers and their adult caregivers are introduced to the world of Thomas Jefferson through interactive stories, activities, crafts and playtime. For ages 18 months to 4 years. $10 per child, advance registration required; 9-10am. Monticello’s Griffin Discovery Room, 931 Thomas Jefferson Pkwy. monticello.org NONPROFIT Fundraiser for SARA […]

In brief: Dissent in the air, taco shop heist and more

Rolling Stone resists The magazine was back in court February 9 in Roanoke to ask a judge to throw out a $3 million jury award to UVA administrator Nicole Eramo for defamation, arguing Eramo didn’t prove reporter Sabrina Erdely acted with actual malice and that running a correction isn’t defamatory republication. Judge Glen Conrad will […]

ARTS Pick: Houston Person

Tenor sax legend Houston Person counts Charles Brown, Lena Horne and Lou Rawls among his long list of collaborators, but for a large part of his career he was best known for his partnership with vocalist Etta Jones. Their musical pairing lasted for more than 30 years, included extensive touring and accounted for many of […]

ARTS Pick: ‘Roots Down’ redux

In September, WVTF ’s “Roots Down” host Luke Church gathered four area songwriters—David Tewksbury and Willie DE of Charlottesville met Roanoke’s Phil Norman and Corey Hunley in a live show that united the performers through instant chemistry. In a musical equivalent of finishing each other’s sentences, the session found the musicians harmonizing, swapping verses and […]

ARTS Pick: Funnyman Skiba

Not only does Funnyman Skiba keep things rolling between bits during the annual United Nations of Comedy show, he cultivates new talent while maintaining a stand-up career of his own. Skiba has shared the stage with Martin Lawrence, Dave Chappelle and Kevin Hart, and is referred to by peers as a comedian’s comedian. The Washington, […]

ARTS Pick: That 1 Guy

Feeling bored with, and restricted by, his instrument, classically trained bassist Mark Silverman traded his bass for a homemade rig he calls The Magic Pipe, and started slapping out and looping bizarre, futuristic, psychedelic funk songs with titles like “The Moon is Disgusting,” “Buttmachine,” “Suckatash” and “Laser Beans.” Silverman, who performs as That 1 Guy, […]

In brief: Scary legislation, same-sex education and more

Sheriff ponies up Albemarle’s Chip Harding says he’ll write a check for $5,000 and has raised another $28K to donate to the Virginia Crime Commission, chaired by Delegate Rob Bell, to help study the effects of collecting DNA for misdemeanor convictions. Harding and Hannah Graham’s parents say it would have saved her life if Jesse […]

LIVING Picks: Week of February 8-14

FAMILY UVA men’s basketball vs. Virginia Tech Sunday, February 12 Watch the UVA men’s basketball team face off against its in-state rival, Virginia Tech, on the big screen. Free, 6:30pm. The Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. Reserve tickets at theparamount.net NONPROFIT Galentine’s Pop-Up Market Saturday, February 11 Local artisans such as crafters, […]

ARTS Pick: Spafford

Spafford takes everything it learned from jam legends such as Widespread Panic, Umphrey’s McGee, Particle and EOTO and channels it into a self-proclaimed form of “electro-funk therapy.” The Arizona foursome lays down epic meldings of dance rock, most of which clock in between 10 and 25 minutes, relying as much on its hard-driving sound as […]