In brief 11/06/2024

Culture of care The Women’s Initiative received a grant of $50,000 from Sentara Health, according to an October 31 press release. The grant will support the organization’s culturally responsive mental health care offerings, including Sister Circle, Bienestar, and LGBTQ+ programs. Founded in 2007, The Women’s Initiative is a Charlottes­ville-based nonprofit supporting women and others affected […]

In brief 10/30/2024

Roll it back On October 27, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower court ruling ordering the Youngkin administration to add more than 1,500 Virginians back onto voter rolls. Both Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Attorney General Jason Miyares said they will appeal the case to the Supreme Court, calling the decision an attempt […]

The Great Rotumpkin

Local artist Jeff Dobrow and The AV Company return for another year of The Great Rotumpkin, a ghoulish good time celebrating the spooky season. Skeletons, pumpkins, cauldrons, and more appear on the exterior of UVA’s Rotunda as projected vignettes, accompanied by haunting music, cycle through scenes that send shivers down the spine. This year, Kiki […]

Terroir Tapes Listening Sessions—Act II

Exploring geographies that produce distinctive flavors, the Terroir Tapes Listening Sessions—Act II blends hip-hop history with wine-tasting in a bold and vibrant manner. Hosted by Emmy Award-nominee Jermaine Stone of the Wine and Hip Hop podcast, the sessions inform guests of the environmental factors responsible for shaping the flavor profile of a particular wine region, […]

“Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors”

Drac is back in a sexy and sarcastic off-Broadway production making a regional debut that’s bound to be A-positive. Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors takes Bram Stoker’s titular Count and turns up the camp with gender-bending, nonstop antics that’ll have you screaming with laughter. This riotous reimagining follows the basic beats of the Gothic novel […]

November Exhibitions

Artisans Studio Tour Various locations. A self-guided tour of artisans studios in central Virginia. Free and open to the public, with a passport program for audiences to earn store credit from participating creators. Map and directions available at artisanstudiotour.com. November 9 and 10, 10am–5pm.  The Center at Belvedere 540 Belvedere Blvd. “Landscapes and More,” featuring […]

Ilya Tovbis in the HotSeat

Overseeing the programming of more than 120 films and nearly 100 guests as artistic director of the Virginia Film Festival, Ilya Tovbis knows how to curate a celebration of cinema. He’s worked with the San Francisco Independent Film Festival, the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival, and the Mill Valley Film Festival (organized by the California […]

Getting reel

By Justin Humphreys and Tami Keaveny Images courtesy VFF  This year the Virginia Film Festival coincides with Halloween, and along with some great horror movies, the five-day program offers the escape of comedy, journeys to the unknown, classic stories retold,cautionary technology tales, and documented accounts of war, redemption, and environmental peril, plus invaluable on-stage discussions. […]

Choice cuts

By Lisa Provence, Kristie Smeltzer, and CM Turner Images courtesy VFF Mapping the movement Georgia O’Keeffe: the Brightness of Light November 3 | Culbreth TheatreWith discussion  Academy and Emmy Award-winning independent filmmaker Paul Wagner has directed many amazing documentaries that shed light on subjects in American culture. His new film, Georgia O’Keeffe: the Brightness of […]

In brief 10/23/2024

Off court Tony Bennett retired as head coach of the University of Virginia men’s basketball team after leading the program for 15 years. UVA announced Bennett’s immediate retirement on October 17, shocking the Cavaliers faithful since it came just 20 days before the team starts its regular season and four months after the coach signed […]