In brief

Activists accuse ACPD of biased policing  From July 1, 2021, to February 28, 2022, 20 percent of drivers stopped by the Albemarle County Police Department were Black, though Black residents make up only 9.6 percent of the county’s driving-age population, according to a 2022 traffic stop data report released by the Virginia Department of Criminal […]

In brief: Local publisher allegedly killed by girlfriend

Local publisher allegedly killed by girlfriend Shawna Marie Natalie Murphy was arrested on October 25 for the murder of her boyfriend, Matthew Sean Farrell, at his home. Shortly before 8:30am, Albemarle County police and fire rescue responded to a domestic disturbance report on the 2100 block of Stony Point Road. When officers arrived, they found […]

Pick: Sunflower Bean

Sunflower Bean’s third album, Headful of Sugar, is a psychedelic head rush made to be played loud with the windows down. Laden with catchy basslines, punk energy, and vocals that alternate between gritty and divine, the record marks a new freedom for the indie rock trio. “We weren’t precious about anything, there was a gleeful […]

Pick: Michael Clem and Andy Thacker

Local musicians Michael Clem and Andy Thacker team up for an afternoon of bluegrass and folk jams. Clem, known for his songwriting and multi-instrument talent, is also a member of Eddie From Ohio, has his own trio, and hits the stage with a number of other bands. Clem’s recent solo release, Rivannarama, features five new […]

Pick: No Home but Ropes and Stakes

Haunting, hopeful, and striking, No Home but Ropes and Stakes is an original one-act play written and directed by Charlottesville High School senior Stella Gunn. Set in the 1930s, the atmospheric play follows an intriguing group of performers as they navigate the dark underbelly of a magnificent yet derelict circus. Eddie the Clown narrates as […]

November galleries

Artisans Studio Tour Various locations around central Virginia. Tour the workshops of over 30 artisans. November 12-13. The Bebedero 201 W. Main St. “Art Inspired by the Spirit.” Local artists created original art based on their experiences with mezcal and tequila. $30, November 6, 6pm. The Center at Belvedere 540 Belvedere Blvd. A small works […]

In brief: City updates policy, and more

Personnel policy updated  The City of Charlottesville has updated its personnel policy months after controversy erupted over Allen Groat, a city IT employee who attended the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. The new policy offers guidance on city employees’ use of social media and prohibits off-hours behavior that undermines trust in […]

Fighting hate

By Lauren Dalban and Brielle Entzminger A string of racist crimes at the University of Virginia this fall has sparked fear among Black students, and sowed further distrust between the student body and UVA administration.  It started on September 7, when someone placed a noose—a weapon used to lynch Black people for centuries—around the neck […]

Pick: Stray Fossa

After years of pandemic-forced confinement, indie-rock trio Stray Fossa is ready to reemerge. Its sophomore album, Closer Than We’ll Ever Know, examines the intricacy of distance—which is no surprise considering the band was split across two continents during the album’s creation. “These songs have an urgency to them, as if they are on the brink […]

Pick: The Great Rotumpkin

Spooky, scary images send shivers down your spine at The Great Rotumpkin. The seasonal celebration blends the architecture of the Rotunda with pop-up projections to create a variety of haunting scenes featuring new designs from multimedia artist Jeff Dobrow. Eerie music accompanies visceral vignettes of dancing skeletons, ghostly graveyards, bubbling cauldrons, ghoulish pumpkins, and more. […]