Toscano’s wife releases statement on attack, describes friendship that turned “unsettling”

Nancy Tramontin has released a statement with details about her family’s relationship with the woman arrested earlier this week after allegedly attacking her. Tramontin, the wife of Charlottesville Delegate David Toscano, says she and her husband and son met Greene County teacher Claire Ogilvie in 2010, when Ogilvie and the Toscano family participated in a Semester […]

ARTS Pick: Blooddrunk Troll

Mention hand drums to most metal heads and you’re likely to get virulent responses, or worse. But the members of local band Blooddrunk Troll prove that hippie drums can be hardcore. John Jones, the dark master of the hand drum, bangs out serious beats on his djembe, laying the foundation for Luke “Beer Troll” Smith’s […]

ARTS Pick: Kopecky Family Band

Experience runs thicker than blood with dynamic folksters Kopecky Family Band. Shared circumstances rather than chromosomes drew the six Nashville natives together to form a group with thoughtful, emotive lyrics and booming, intelligent musical arrangements. Its latest record, Kids Raising Kids, experiments with sound, building on the rich country history and playful pop beats that […]

ARTS Pick: War Horse

A young boy and his beloved horse Joey are plucked from tranquil farm life in Devon and thrust into the depraved and violent landscape of World War I. Such is the tale of War Horse, adapted for the stage from the book by Michael Morpurgo, and broadcast live from the National Theatre in London. In […]

Overheard on the restaurant scene: This week’s foodie news

The Downtown Grille is officially back open for business after being closed for an extensive six-week renovation. Located on the west end of the Downtown Mall, the restaurant has been serving up steakhouse-style fare for 15 years, and managing partner Robert Sawrey said it was time for a change. The entire interior, from the host […]

On its sophomore record, Hospitality goes dark

Trouble, Hospitality’s sterling sophomore record, announces itself by proffering a warning. “If you go to sleep, dear,” warns guitarist and singer Amber Papini on “Nightingale,” “you’ll see ghosts in your bed.” Later, she cautions against other mythical creatures—sirens, vampires—that threaten sleepers. But Papini said the trouble that inspired the record is a bit more existential. […]

ARTS Pick: Six Pack Songwriters Series

Virginia-native tunes abound at the Six Pack Songwriters Series, a quarterly collaboration of local artists founded by Jason Burke. This fourth installment features a wide range of original music from veteran singer-songwriters John Kelly and Gene Mills, as well as guitarist Bill Staton. Drink in Kathryn Caine’s dark side Americana or Alice Clair’s alternative acoustic […]