At times in life when we don’t have an answer, a parent’s oft-repeated aphorism sometimes comes to mind—whether we like it or not. For Sons of Bill guitarist and vocalist James Wilson, it’s a saying from his father, William Wilson, a retired UVA theology professor: “Never miss out on an opportunity to let the world […]
Sarah White and her friends are back to deck the Southern Café and Music Hall with boughs of holly, twinkly lights, giant plastic peppermint sticks, Christmas cookies, Santas galore and so much more at the annual Country Christmas Show. The (All New) Acorn Sisters, Ian Gilliam, Charlie Bell, Ned Oldham and others strike the harp—er, […]
Let the holidays unravel with Ugly Sweater Party: Parts 1 and 2, a musical experience exploring two different genres over consecutive nights. The Ugly Sweater fun begins with indie electronic tunes featuring Ethan Lipscomb, a classically trained pianist who combines samples with aggressive lyrics to create his own style of dance-rock. Duo Playdate also brings […]
Open Mike Eagle Brick Body Kids Still Daydream (Mello) Chicago’s late-but-beautiful bloomer Open Mike Eagle moved to L.A. in his mid-20s, joining underground hip-hop collective Project Blowed and founding the trio Thirsty Fish before releasing his solo debut in 2010. Since then he’s authored an NIH study on the cognitive effects of freestyle rapping (!) […]
Legendary duo Robin and Linda Williams (below, left) have played Americana music for longer than the genre has existed. Their musical beginnings trace to North Carolina, where Linda was a school teacher and Robin played full-time on the coffeehouse scene. Connecting through “a robust blend of bluegrass, folk, old-time and acoustic country,” the husband-and-wife musicians […]
Not many people are able to fail their way to success, to turn what ought to have been their most humiliating defeat into fame and profit. Then again, Tommy Wiseau is not most people. A perplexing mix of sincerity and complete mystery, Wiseau gained notoriety as the writer, director, producer and star of what is […]
Charlottesville Ballet’s The Nutcracker is a skillfully choreographed, engaging take on tradition for all ages. The story begins when Clara receives a wooden nutcracker as a holiday gift, and it comes to life along with other toys that accompany her on a journey through an enchanted land filled with dancing dolls and evil mice, guided […]
Director Michael Slon conducts the 90-member strong Oratorio Society of Virginia for Christmas at The Paramount. Composed of some the area’s finest vocalists, the chorus performs English carols and traditional Spanish holiday compositions, as well as J.A.C. Redford’s Welcome All Wonders: A Christmas Celebration. Choirs from local high schools join in, and an audience sing-along […]
Local author and historian Andi Cumbo-Floyd came of age on the Bremo Plantations in Fluvanna County. In central Virginia, “there are plantations everywhere, but we don’t call them that,” says Cumbo-Floyd. “We call them farms or estates.” While she knew “people had been enslaved there,” she says she “didn’t really have an awareness of what […]
Charlottesville’s Second Draw has declared a new style of acoustic rock it calls “bluejam.” Founded in a raw, energetic style, somewhere between country and jam rock, the group’s self-proclaimed genre blends driving guitar with bluegrass instruments including mandolin, banjo and accordion. The desire to break new ground is evident on SD’s debut album, White Dog, […]