So here’s the thing: There’s always going to be a worse year. 1347, when the bubonic plague erupted across Europe, beginning a pandemic that would eventually eliminate at least a third of the existent human population, is right up there. 1862, when the devastating charnel house of the American Civil War reached a destructive peak, […]
FAMILY First Night Virginia Saturday, December 31 Annual community celebration of the arts includes many family-friendly activities on and around the Downtown Mall. Wristbands $6-16, times vary. Downtown Mall. firstnightva.org. NONPROFIT New Year’s Day 5K Sunday, January 1 Race a fairly flat out-and-back, 3.1-mile course to start the new year off right and benefit the […]
Fate of the Republic The 1980s Republic Plaza on West Main has been brought to its knees over the past month to make way for luxury student apartments. By Christmas, a claw had relentlessly chomped away its top two floors. In its place will be The Standard, a six-story, mixed-use structure with 189 apartments and […]
Set to live jazz from the early 20th century, the third installment of Butchertown Burlesque is a nightlife experience from days gone by, “harkening back to yesteryear when flappers and bootleggers reigned,” featuring the Butchertown Cats Orchestra and a roster of dancing starlets from around the U.S. Hostess Deanna Danger encourages revelry and cocktail attire. […]
Named by OffBeat Magazine as the New Orleans musical icon for the millennial generation, Trombone Shorty’s groundbreaking fusion of jazz, funk, blues, rock and hip-hop has been compared with other Big Easy greats like Louis Armstrong, Fats Domino, Dr. John, Professor Longhair, Wynton Marsalis and The Neville Brothers. In addition to making music, in 2015 he found […]
New Year’s Eve Pajama Dance Party featuring Lauren Hoffman’s Secret Storm, Shagwüf, Synthetic Division, Ships in the Night, Just Sex and DJ Cadybug. $15-20, 8:30pm. The Southern Café and Music Hall, 103 S. First St. 977-5590. Irish New Year with King Golden Banshee and a live broadcast from Dublin. No cover, 7pm. Tin Whistle Irish […]
FAMILY Kwanzaa celebration Monday, December 26 A discussion will follow a showing of the first feature film on Kwanzaa, The Black Candle: A Kwanzaa Celebration. Free, 3-5pm. Jefferson School African American Heritage Center, 233 Fourth St. NW. jeff schoolheritagecenter.org NONPROFIT Operation Silent Night Through December The Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA is reducing adoption fees by 50 percent […]
Gather around the Christmas tree (or plastic Santa Claus) with some of Charlottesville’s favorite singer-songwriters during The Country Christmas Show, hosted by songstress Sarah White. Decked out in party dresses as The (All New) Acorn Sisters, White and Siân Richards perform a set of down-home tunes, with appearances by Luke Wilson, Carleigh Nesbit, Jim Waive […]
More than 30 years after making its debut at the Mineshaft Cellar, Charlottesville musical mainstay Indecision is still fostering a happening scene with its accomplished, jazzy jams. Covers and originals honed through extensive touring with heavyweights such as Phish, The Neville Brothers, Widespread Panic and Dave Matthews Band are the foundation for this rare musical […]
Coming home for the holidays can be hectic, but Sam, Abe and James Wilson et al make a party of it every year with the annual Sons of Bill & Friends show. Expect raucous covers, heartfelt traditionals, original faves and lots of laughs between the seriously good musical collaborations in what’s become a who’s who […]