House call

By Kristin O’Donoghue Virginia’s House of Delegates plays a vital role in the state’s lawmaking—the chamber’s 100 representatives are responsible for both originating legislation and voting on the state Senate’s bills. In 2019, Democrats took control of the House for the first time since 1998. Democrats outnumber Republicans in the House 55 to 45.  Four […]

Pick: Jukebox the Ghost

We will rock you: Since 2006, cult favorite Jukebox the Ghost has rocked us with a medley of piano pop stacked with classic rock, retro vocals, and lots of influence from Queen. The band—Ben Thornewill on piano, Tommy Siegel on guitar and bass, and Jesse Kristin on drums—has charmed festival crowds and late-night TV show […]

Pick: Stray Fossa

Jam packed: As kids, brothers Nick and Will Evans teamed up with their friend Zach Blount to write music. The three reconnected in 2018, moving to Charlottesville to build a music studio in their attic, and performing under the name Stray Fossa. In April, the trio released their self-produced pandemic baby, With You For Ever, […]

Pick: O’Keeffe!

O’ yeah: You may recognize Georgia O’Keeffe’s close-up paintings of flowers, but how much do you know about her as a person? The artist comes to life in Lucinda McDermott’s one-woman play O’Keeffe!. McDermott embodies the fascinating, fiercely independent icon (who studied at UVA for five summers), and provides answers to questions about her art […]

Cops on the Corner

By Kristin O’Donoghue UVA’s police force has beefed up its presence on the Corner. The establishment of a new unit—the Community Oriented Policing Squad, COPS for short—comes after a year in which violent incidents around the university have increased.  Four COPS officers will patrol the Corner and surrounding areas between the hours of 7pm and […]

In brief

Botanical garden plans move forward   City Council unanimously approved the lease of city park land to the Botanical Garden of the Piedmont at Monday’s meeting, a significant step forward in the decade-long endeavor to establish a garden in McIntire Park.  Formerly called the McIntire Botanical Garden, the garden’s name was changed by the board […]

Eat like a kid!

Kids have four preferred main food groups: fried stuff, creamy stuff, cheesy stuff, and condiments. And while we’ll admit that we’re into all of that too, we expect a little…elevation. In this issue, we’re focusing on grown-up versions of childhood staples, from PB&J to ranch dressing. Dig in (food play encouraged). By Nathan Alderman, Shea […]

In brief: Climate strike, school updates

Call to action  Two years ago, Charlottesville City Council committed to cutting the city’s greenhouse gas emissions nearly in half by 2030, and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Yet to many local climate activists, the city has done very little so far to meet these goals. To push the city government to take immediate, concrete […]

Shop talk

By Kristin O’Donoghue Tired of government regulations standing in the way of his wife’s whiskey distillery, Denver Riggleman decided to enter “the belly of the beast” and run for public office.  Riggleman hoped to help understand the rule-making processes and regulations that affect small businesses. “We need people who understand how that dance happens,” he […]

Galleries: October

October shows The Bridge Progressive Arts Initiative 209 Monticello Rd. “Dispatches From The Outpost” features Jennifer Almanza’s Old World collections and contemporary pieces, including glass, carved wood, shells, metal, and scavenged items, which showcase evidence of the existence of rare cryptozoological and alien lifeforms. Opens October 1. The Center at Belvedere 540 Belvedere Blvd. “A […]