In brief

Warrenton Police Department Chief Michael Kochis will be Charlottesville’s next police chief. During the December 5 City Council meeting, interim City Manager Michael Rogers announced that he had chosen Kochis after a months-long community engagement, recruitment, and selection process led by POLIHIRE. After receiving 19 applications, Rogers formed a screening committee, which narrowed down the […]

Pick: Phil Kline’s Unsilent Night

The streets of Charlottesville are alive with the sound of music at Phil Kline’s Unsilent Night, an interactive soundscape designed specifically to be heard outside during December. Bring your walking shoes and a speaker (phone, bluetooth, boombox) for a luminous promenade through downtown Charlottesville. Each participant will play one of four tracks, creating a moving […]

Pick: Women in Film

The Indie Short Film Series returns with the Women in Film edition, bringing a new slate of stellar flicks to the big screen. This installment features up to seven domestic and international shorts, written or directed by women from a variety of genres. Stick around after the credits for a panel discussion with the filmmakers […]

Pick: Pigeons Playing Ping Pong

Psychedelic funk band Pigeons Playing Ping Pong has played more than a thousand shows across 44 states since its inception at the University of Maryland over a decade ago. “When touring shut down in 2020, we gained immense perspective,” says guitarist and vocalist Greg Ormont. “Now more than ever, we recognize that you only get […]

Sound choices

Mariana Bell  Still Not Sleeping (self-released)  In the 19 years since her debut album, Mariana Bell has matured. On her eighth studio LP, Still Not Sleeping, Bell’s voice, production, and songwriting talent shine as she blurs the lines of vintage pop and country rock in songs that celebrate life. Bell’s new songs evolved as she […]

In brief

Youngkin announces mental health reforms following shootings A day after a manager shot and killed six people and injured several at a Walmart in Chesapeake before killing himself on November 23, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced his administration will propose legislation to the General Assembly this winter that would increase mental health resources and address staffing […]

December galleries

Baker Gallery Walker Fine Arts Center, Woodberry Forest School. “New Works,” landscape paintings featuring scenes from Charlottesville by Richard Crozier. Through December 31. First Fridays reception. The Center at Belvedere 540 Belvedere Blvd. A small-works open exhibit featuring over 30 artists, including Meredith Bennett, Susan Trimble, Joan Griffin, Frannie Joseph, and Judith Ely. Through December […]

In brief

UVA shooting investigation continues  New details have emerged since a shooter killed three students and injured two others at the University of Virginia last week. On November 13, suspect Christopher Darnell Jones Jr. and 21 other students, along with a professor, traveled to Washington, D.C., to see a play. As the group’s bus arrived back […]

Better with friends

Blenheim Vineyards taps Fine Creek Brewing Company for new release There’s nothing that forges stronger bonds and solidifies friendships quite like collaboration. Whether combining resources, such as different raw materials, or providing an area of individual expertise, it’s exciting to work as a team to produce a new or better result. Blenheim Vineyards and Fine […]

What’s for dinner?

Charlottesville loves to eat. With a restaurant scene that prides itself on punching above its weight class, there is no shortage of options when an out-of-towner asks me the obligatory “where should we eat?” question. That list of options has evolved over the years, taking stock of the ever-changing landscape. The following is a highlight […]