ARTS Pick: The Santaland Diaries

An unlikely holiday tradition took hold when David Sedaris told the sour, witty story of his experience as an unemployed writer who takes a job as an elf at Macy’s in The Santaland Diaries, which gained public recognition on NPR in 1992. Staged by the American Shakespeare Center, Sedaris’ sardonic tale offers an unvarnished glimpse […]

ARTS Pick: KnucklesCracker

Ballet meets burlesque in KnucklesCracker, a reimagining of the classic Nutcracker story, set in the bygone era of speakeasies and vaudeville entertainment. This whirlwind of ragtime rambunctiousness features an array of performers and live music by The Judy Chops. Vintage or cocktail wear encouraged. 18-plus. Sunday 12/13. $12-60, 8pm. The Jefferson Theater, 110 E. Main St., […]

Album reviews: Foo Fighters, Shovels & Rope, Dead Professional

Rock steady Foo Fighters Saint Cecilia EP/RCA Records If the Saint Cecilia EP is indeed the Foos’ last recording—and Dave Grohl has hinted it could be—then it’s one final shotgun blast that will leave your ears ringing long after it ends. There is a rawness to these five tracks that’s been missing on the past […]

Night vision: Ash Lawn Opera’s annual holiday gift

When Georgia Castleman takes her third and final curtain call for the lead in Amahl and the Night Visitors on Saturday, she will be giving up a role that was a gift to the opera world. In 2012, Ash Lawn Opera expanded into a winter season and introduced local audiences to Amahl, a one-act opera […]

Film review: Chi-Raq is Spike Lee’s latest wake-up call

Spike Lee’s Chi-Raq is not a film with a message. It’s not an allegorical tale of tragedy with unstated yet entrenched sociopolitical implications made so Hollywood could pat itself on the back for its good conscience. Chi-Raq is a wake-up call in a world that seems increasingly determined to repeat the mistakes of history while […]

Eyes all aglow: James Yates curates holiday magic at PVCC

James Yates is on a quest to bring magic back during the holidays. “When I was a kid, we used to drive around the town looking at Christmas lights. I remember how awesome that was: me being in the back of the station wagon, drinking hot chocolate, looking out the windows,” the artist says. “Several […]

ARTS Pick: Steep Canyon Rangers

Wild and crazy guy Steve Martin’s affiliation with the Steep Canyon Rangers may have led to wider recognition for the group when he invited them to tour as his backing band in 2009, but the North Carolina-based bluegrass act already held a stellar reputation among fans on the pick ‘n‘ grin circuit. With the release […]

Art on demand: Rally ’round at Second Street Gallery

“It’s a fascinating place. It’s in my neighborhood, within walking distance from my house, but I had no idea it was there,” says filmmaker Jason Robinson, describing Moore’s Creek Wastewater Treatment plant. This type of facility probably doesn’t top most people’s list of neighborhood places to explore, but the allure was quick to present itself […]

ARTS Pick: Family Holiday Concerts

Former U.S. Poet Laureate and Pulitzer Prize winner Rita Dove guest narrates The Night Before Christmas at the UVA University Singers and the Charlottesville Symphony Family Holiday Concerts. The joint performance will include seasonal favorites such as “Sleigh Ride” and “Winter Wonderland” and crowd-pleasers from The Polar Express and Frozen soundtracks. Saturday 12/5 & Sunday […]