Thomas Jefferson—you love him, or you love to hate him. Either way, wouldn’t it be interesting to ask ol’ TJ some questions? We thought so, so we spoke to historical impersonator Bill Barker, Monticello’s resident Thomas Jefferson. A veteran historical actor and interpreter, Barker portrayed Jefferson in Colonial Williamsburg for 26 years before coming to […]
Cool beans It’s all about the flavor at Cumbre Bakery, a culture-fusing concept on East Jefferson Street. Owners Tito and Juanchi blend flavors from Italy and Argentina in their mouth-watering alfajores, medialunas, and empanadas, served alongside aromatic coffees. It’s easier than ever to get your caffeine fix on the go with the opening of Future […]
It’s the most wonderful time of the year—holiday baking shows are hitting the air. This year, one of Charlottesville’s own chefs is making his TV debut. Charles Zimmerman works as assistant pastry chef at Farmington Country Club, where he whips up everything from delicately frosted wedding cakes to small-but-sweet seasonal bites. Zimmerman is currently showcasing […]
There’s always a special energy in the air when musicians play their hometown stage. Guitarist Joe Lawlor is usually on the road with Dave Matthews Band, where he works behind the scenes in the audio crew. An accomplished musician in his own right, Lawlor is a founding member of several progressive funk and rock bands, […]
And just like that, the Virginia Film Festival is a wrap. The five-day fest was full of memorable on- and off-screen moments, from Jon Batiste’s piano serenade, to the U.S. premiere of award-winning filmmaker Ava Duvernay’s Origin. A biographical drama inspired by Isabel Wilkerson’s nonfiction book, Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, the film follows […]
Nobel Prize-winning author William Faulkner arrived at the University of Virginia more than 60 years ago to begin his tenure as the first writer-in-residence. During his time in Charlottesville, Faulkner visited English classes, kept office hours, worked on his novel The Mansion, and left a lasting impact on the area’s literary, and wine, scene (His […]
By now, your Virginia Film Festival watch schedule is filled with moving documentaries, riveting dramas, and mighty shorts—but don’t overlook this year’s series of panel discussions, where industry experts discuss their careers, share stories, and more. One of those experts, Rebe Malaret, is a film and television producer, UVA cheerleading alum, and former VAFF intern. […]
At some point, you’ve probably watched actors get hot and steamy in a movie or show and wondered, “How the heck do they do this? Isn’t that awkward?” Enter Laura Rikard, an intimacy coordinator for film and television and a choreographer for theater. Rikard works with actors to develop and choreograph any and all intimate […]
Charlottesville is home to many dedicated and hardworking nurses who make a difference in their patient’s lives every day. One of those nurses is Rachel Brown, who supports patients with cancer or blood disorders in UVA’s acute hematology/oncology and stem cell transplant clinic. Brown was recently recognized with a 2023 DAISY award, a nomination-based national […]
A decade-spanning love story, a curmudgeonly prep school teacher’s Christmas break, a musical documentary—the 2023 Virginia Film Festival features a variety of moving, lyrical, and laugh-out-loud cinema across its 120-plus programs. The festival takes place from October 25–29 at various theaters around Charlottesville, opening with Bradley Cooper’s highly-anticipated Maestro, which focuses on the relationship between […]