“The Nutcracker”

It wouldn’t be Christmas without Clara dancing through her fantastical dream, accompanied by a dashing prince who conquers the dastardly Mouse King! Charlottesville Ballet presents The Nutcracker, with live music from the Charlottesville Symphony conducted by Benjamin Rous, and collaborations with Cantate Children’s and Youth Choir and Central Virginia Ballet. Audiences of all ages can […]

17th Annual XMAS JAM

If you don’t get enough rockin’ around the Christmas tree on the 25th, head to the 17th Annual XMAS JAM. Spun out of the Charlottesville Music Showcase, a weekly series featuring prominent local performers—begun at Orbit Billiards on the Corner way back when—this seasonal gig continues to shine a light on some of C’ville’s brightest […]

Disco Risqué

Looking to dance away 2024 and usher in the new year with funky fun? Disco Risqué is shakin’ up the Lobby Bar on NYE at the newly rechristened Doyle Hotel. This five-piece dance-party band brings a distinct brand of rock ‘n’ roll defined by its high-energy performers. Searing guitar solos and a driving rhythm section […]

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Thursday 12/19 at John Paul Jones Arena I thought I knew enough about Trans-Siberian Orchestra, but it turns out that just about everything I had in mind was wrong. For starters, I let the name fool me—its founding members were American, with the band’s visionary producer, composer, and lyricist, the late Paul O’Neill, born in […]

The best reasons to have left the couch in 2024

It’s all too easy to get disgruntled about some of the usual entertainment in a tight town like ours—that is, if you close your eyes and ears too tightly and just stay home all the time. Here are some of the events that made me glad I got my ass off of the couch. Please […]

The five worst films of 2024

When we asked our Screens columnist, Justin Humphreys to do a round-up of the year’s movies, he made his feelings clear: “I’m going to have to be very honest and say how precious few good movies there were this year.”  His top five losers are below. Joker Folie a Deux Nicknamed Joker Filet-o-Fish online, few […]

Six books I didn’t read in 2024

Earlier this fall, I had COVID and, among its other health impacts, one bears mentioning here: For a time, I lost the ability to read. That is, I couldn’t read anything longer than a sentence without losing the rest of the day to a blinding headache. As a fervid reader, this was crushing. I spent […]

Christmas with Elvis

Break out your bedazzled jumpsuit, it’s time for Christmas with Elvis! Reigning King of Rock and Roll tribute artist Matt Lewis performs holiday hits and other classics from Elvis’ repertoire, including selections from his rockabilly era, the “’68 Comeback Special,” and the Viva Las Vegas years. Backed by the 12-piece Long Live the King Orchestra—aka […]

“Let There Be Light”

“Let There Be Light,” the annual outdoor exhibition of light-centered artworks, returns as the days get shorter and the nights get longer. The show features glowing art installations, performances, and an appearance by the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts’ VMFA on the Road—an artmobile showcasing the exhibition “Love, Laughter, Tears: An Artist’s Guide to Emotions.” […]

Indigo Girls remain steadfast in melody and activism

By Alan Sculley Most musicians found their activities curtailed during the pandemic. For the Indigo Girls, the COVID-19 years were a particularly creative time, resulting in a proliferation of current projects. The duo—Emily Saliers and Amy Ray—recently released a concert film, Look Long: Together, they’re the subject of a new documentary It’s Only Life After […]