In her new book, August Wilson: A Life, author Patti Hartigan traces the life of the late playwright, from his childhood in Pittsburgh to Broadway. Through interviews with friends, theater colleagues, family members, and Wilson himself, Hartigan tells the story of the writer who opened the door for future playwrights of color. Hartigan is joined […]
By Greg Roberts I first noticed the wooden cylindrical pod at the Ix farmers’ market. Weird, I thought. What is that thing? Some new age-y meditation tube? A hipster’s repurposed RV, like the ones I’d seen on Instagram during the pandemic? A few weeks later I saw two seemingly sane people emerge from the pod […]
Future federal funding On August 18, Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine announced more than $111 million in funding earmarked for Virginia community projects passed as part of Senate Fiscal Year 2024 draft funding bills. A portion of the appropriations would go to Charlottesville projects organized by the Piedmont Housing Alliance, the University of Virginia, […]
Three local organizations have joined forces to tackle food insecurity in our community. Visible Records, Common Field Community Garden, and Plenty recently launched Charlottesville’s Little Free Fridge, which provides 24/7 access to foods like fresh fruits and vegetables, bread, canned goods, dairy products, and prepackaged Plenty meals. According to reports from Feeding America, food insecurity […]
At age 84, Del McCoury is still in the business of bluegrass. An award-winning singer and guitarist, McCoury entered the music scene in the ‘60s, when he joined Bill Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys before going on to found the Del McCoury Band. The ensemble, which includes McCoury’s sons Ronnie and Rob on mandolin and banjo, […]
Formed in 2015 by songwriter Patrick Taylor, Trash Panda draws on elements of neo-psychedelia, soul, indie rock, and pop oncrowd-favorites “Aging Out of the 20th Century,” “Off,” and “Check Please.” Best friends Jade Long and Jessica Thompson of co-headliner Hotel Fiction blend dynamic vocals and piano with guitar and soft harmonies on Soft Focus, its […]
The Virginia Film Festival presents Fremont, a tale of insomnia, fortune cookies, and yearning for something more. Newcomer and real-life refugee Anaita Wali Zada (above) gives a powerful performance as Donya, a 20-something Afghan translator whose routine changes when she’s promoted to writing fortunes at a fortune cookie factory. Shot in black and white, the […]
Slam-dunk summer Sky-high temps didn’t deter area basketball players and fans, who braved the heat for the Tonsler League All-Star Weekend August 12 and 13. On Saturday, the self-described “#1 Premier Summer Basketball League in Virginia” hosted three-point and dunk contests and an all-star game. They cranked the heat up even higher on the “concrete […]
Four pieces of the Berlin Wall that called UVA home for nine years were removed last week. The concrete slabs were loaned to the university by Robert and MeiLi Hefner to commemorate the 1989 fall of the wall. A spray-painted mural, titled “Kings of Freedom, by graffiti artist Dennis Kaun adorns the sides that once […]
Shaping up On August 5, the Southwood community celebrated the dedication of Village 1, the first section of the resident-led redevelopment effort. Charlottesville residents showed up in droves on a sweltering Saturday for the dedication ceremony, which highlighted those moving into the mixed-income village. Speakers included community development and nonprofit leaders, and local celebrities. Speeches […]