Pick: Studio 51

Party on Earth: E.T.s have crash-landed on Earth just in time for Studio 51: An Out of This World New Year’s Eve party. The Studio 54-meets-Area-51 event will feature dangerous intergalactic art installations, dancing, and a champagne toast at midnight. And the evening wouldn’t be complete without alien queens emerging from a wrecked UFO to […]

In brief: UVA hires new football coach, county split

Lining it up New congressional map would split Albemarle County Virginia’s 2021 redistricting cycle is nearing a close. Last week, the state Supreme Court-appointed map drawers released drafts of the Virginia Congressional, State Senate, and House of Delegate districts that could go into effect next year. In the past, the party in control of the […]

Blue and orange and green?

By Kristin O’Donoghue What do they want? Divestment. When do they want it? Now. That was the message from UVA students and community members who gathered at the Rotunda December 4 for a rally protesting the university’s investment in the fossil fuel industry. Following remarks from student organizers, the group marched to Madison Hall to […]

Pick: Brew & Buddy Run

Calling all elves: Don’t be a cotton-headed ninny-muggins—treat yo’ elf to the Brew & Buddy Run followed by a screening of the holiday classic Elf. The three-mile run includes brewery breaks before heading to the theater for a journey through the candy cane forest, sea of swirly-twirly gumdrops, and the Lincoln Tunnel. Sunday 12/19. $5-25, […]

Pick: Christmas at The Paramount

Carols everywhere: The Oratorio Society of Virginia returns to the stage after nearly two years for Christmas at The Paramount. Directed by Michael Slon and composed of some of the community’s finest singers, the choral group will perform an assortment of seasonal favorites, including excerpts from Antonio Vivaldi, Sergei Rachmaninoff, and Virginia’s own Adolphus Hailstork. […]

Pick: Potter’s Wassail

Spirits chasing spirits: Enjoy hot mulled cider, fire pits, and sing-alongs at Potter’s Craft Cider’s seventh annual Wassail, a British drinking tradition to bless the orchards and scare away evil spirits, ensuring a bountiful harvest in the year to come. The lively day-long celebration includes face painting, wreath crown crafting, live music by the Blue […]

Keeping it seasonal

By Chris Martin As they hurry to set up their stalls on a frosty November morning, breathy clouds billow from the mouths of market vendors while they exchange coffee and hand warmers, and gab about the items they’ve brought to the market to sell. Excitement typically revolves around what’s new from the gardens and kitchens, […]

Pick: Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Merry Rockmas: Rock the silent night away with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, a progressive rock band that takes holiday tunes to the next level. The group is celebrating 25 years since the release of its debut rock opera, Christmas Eve and Other Stories, with a live show featuring wailing strings, lasers, lights, and effects synchronized to […]

Woolley, we hardly knew ye

Marc Woolley was introduced as Charlottesville’s interim city manager on November 5. During a virtual press conference that day, the former Harrisburg and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, bureaucrat claimed he was used to “high-stress environments” and was not fazed by Charlottesville’s recent high-profile departures. “I’ve been doing this for many, many years, and I’ve been in almost […]

Pick: WinterSong

S’mores-gasbord: It’s time to celebrate, and WinterSong has everything you need to get the revelry started. The festive gathering features holiday caroling, gourmet food trucks, shopping, and more. Stay warm—and make s’mores—at one of the crackling fires and enjoy your choice of beverage at this family-friendly event. Artisan gifts from local and regional vendors will […]