Listening with heart: JMRL turns to Southern roots for The Big Read

For a decade, the National Endowment for the Arts has awarded Jefferson-Madison Regional Library a grant to participate in The Big Read, an effort to engage communities in reading and discussing literature. The application process is competitive as the NEA seeks nonprofit groups reaching audiences of all ages and demographics, aiming to return reading for […]

Album reviews: The Jezabels, Lissie, Lake Street Dive

The Jezabels Synthia/Self-released As much an ode to self-acceptance as it is to bearing the standard of feminism, Synthia is equal parts euphoric and cathartic in its exploration. The epic synth-rock opener “Stand and Deliver” finds singer Hayley Mary revisiting her childhood and begging her daddy to prioritize her over his work. “My Love is […]

ARTS Pick: A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline

The life of a country music icon plays out in the nationally acclaimed musical, A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline. In her short, notable career, Cline created the term crossover hit, as she intertwined country, pop and gospel, and proved a female headliner is a force to be reckoned with. This production captures her spirit […]

All that jazz: Local musicians join forces for a good cause

When Greg Thomas sent an audition tape of the Albemarle High School Jazz Ensemble to Swing Central last fall, he didn’t give it a second thought. He figured his group had no chance of being one of the 12 bands accepted to the elite three-day competition and workshop that are part of the Savannah Music […]

ARTS Pick: Leon Russell

If Leon Russell had stopped making records after his eponymous release in 1970, the 73-year-old pianist-songwriter-producer would still be a legend today thanks to his extensive collaborations with the founders of rock ‘n’ roll. The album’s credits list Mick Jagger, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Ringo Starr and Steve Winwood among other musical royalty of the […]

Film Review: Gods of Egypt goes off the rails

At the advance screening for Alex Proyas’ megabudgeted misfire Gods of Egypt, someone in the row in front of me turned on his phone in plain sight of those behind him and started texting. Under normal circumstances, I’d be more than happy to yell at a complete stranger over this sort of thing, but when […]

March First Fridays Guide

Local artist Eliza Evans has been painting acrylic portraits from real-life scenes since 2006, and she always tries to capture a good likeness as quickly as possible so the subject doesn’t get uncomfortable sitting. Her latest exhibit is a collection of self-portraits along with some portraits of her close friends and family on canvas, wood […]

ARTS Pick: Harlem Globetrotters

It’s been 90 years since the Harlem Globetrotters began showing off their goofy, talented basketball antics, and to mark the anniversary season, the team named Pope Francis as an honorary member. The Globetrotters are also celebrating the addition of El Gato Meléndez—the team’s first player born in Puerto Rico—who got his nickname after repeated incidents […]

A closer LOOK3: New director brings new approach to photo fest

This year marks the 10th year of LOOK3 Festival of the Photograph but promises to bring a new approach to the popular programming, taking place June 13-19. The festival has continued to evolve throughout its decade of public programs to meet the interests of the field’s amateurs and professionals alike. While doing so, it has […]

ARTS Pick: Fall Out Boy

Fall Out Boy has evolved into a mainstream pop band, but you can still hear the angst that emanates from its formative years in Chicago’s hardcore scene. Its sixth studio album, American Beauty/American Psycho, is studded with chart-topping singles that comment on pop culture and the trials of modern living. Wednesday 3/2. $29.50-65, 7pm. John Paul […]