Pick: Ti Ames and Ivan Orr

Saved by song: If anyone can Save the Music, it’s Ti Ames and Ivan Orr (pictured). Powerful vocalist Ames, well-known for their thespian talents (writer, director, and the first black actor to win the English-Speaking Union National Shakespeare Competition in 2012), is accompanied by pianist, vocalist, and saxophonist Orr, for an evening of song that […]

Pick: The Fralin from Home

A fine time: For a novice, there’s no denying that extracting the earthy notes in a French Bordeaux or analyzing Matisse’s contribution to Fauvism are intimidating exercises. But put them together, and fine wine and fine art become more approachable. The Fralin from Home series’ Virtual Wine & Art Night features a talk by museum […]

In brief: Sad grads, Spanish cuts, running for justice

  For the first time in nearly 200 years, the University of Virginia will be honoring its graduates not on Grounds—but online. Starting at 1pm May 16, students, their families, and friends will be able to tune in to the university’s virtual celebration and conferral of degrees on its website, as well as on UVA’s […]

Quick change artists: Teachers deserve kudos for adapting on the fly

By Virginia Daugherty “We teachers stay in touch and try to keep up our morale.”  “Children aren’t meant to sit in front of computers all day.” “I’m upping my skills daily.”    “I didn’t sign up for this.” It’s Teacher Appreciation Week, and this year our local educators deserve a special shout-out as they try their […]

Pick: Puff Pastry from Scratch

Rise and shine: How’s your bread game? There’s no end to the crusty loaves being touted on social media these days. One glitch in this rising trend, though: There’s a run on yeast. But don’t let that deflate you. There’s another baking movement that doesn’t require a leavening agent at all. The Happy Cook’s Puff […]

In brief: Drive-up dentist, neighborly love, and more

Open wide Parking lots have become the scene of all kinds of new activity in our virus-crippled world. Students are sitting in their cars to access school Wi-Fi. Religious congregations are meeting without getting out of their vehicles. And here in town, the Charlottesville Free Clinic is offering parking lot dental services for its patients: […]

Creating space: Designers share where they’re spending time

For an at-home twist to our annual design issue, we asked a handful of local artists, architects, and designers where they’re spending the most time these days, and what spaces or objects are bringing them joy. Here’s what they had to share. This space has become increasingly multipurpose. It used to be a guest room […]

In brief: Deadly disparities, graduation guesses, and more

Deadly disparities While the COVID-19 pandemic has affected people of all backgrounds across the globe, statistics show that it has had a disproportionate impact on black Americans. Data is limited, because only about 35 percent of U.S. cases specify a patient’s race, according to the CDC. But its numbers show that black people comprise nearly […]

Pick: Ike Anderson’s HipHop Dance WorkShop

All the right moves: Ike Anderson started crafting his own dance routines in middle school, connecting moves to build confidence and battle stress. In recent years, he’s prepared dozens of teens for step and hip-hop dance competitions through his classes at the Music Resource Center. Anderson’s free online HipHop Dance WorkShop series couldn’t come at a […]