ARTS Pick: The Paisley Fields

The Paisley Fields is a country band that could easily be heard on commercial radio, but what differentiates the Brooklyn act from the mainstream is its open approach to same-sex relationships. Frontman James Wilson grew up in Iowa and draws from influences such as Dolly Parton and Garth Brooks to write songs that reflect the […]

Screen scene: Afrikana Independent Film Festival comes to town

There’s a film festival coming to town, but it’s not the one you’re thinking of. Beginning on October 30, the Richmond- based Afrikana Independent Film Festival will launch a series of screenings at Second Street Gallery. “Afrikana started with the mission of showcasing cinematic works of art from people of color from around the world, […]

ARTS Pick: The Sweetest Swing in Baseball

An outlandish collision between baseball, fine art and mental illness takes the stage in UVA Drama’s production of The Sweetest Swing in Baseball. When painter Dana Fielding’s life implodes, she’s admitted to a psychiatric hospital for a brief respite and finds it’s not covered by her insurance. She attempts to outplay the health care system […]

ARTS Pick: Modest Mouse

Modest Mouse’s new album, Strangers to Ourselves, debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 in March. The band’s first record in eight years, it’s full of dark themes offset by the group’s trademark energetic tempos and inimitable vocal delivery. Rolling Stone magazine called it “perfect,” and the New York Post deemed it “wonderfully bizarre.” […]

Album reviews: Julienne Dweck, Silversun Pickups, Brooke Annibale

Julienne Dweck Black Licorice/self-released Four-plus years after her delightful debut album, On Paper, Dweck is finally back with a new release, and it was worth the wait. Fans will note that much of what they loved about her relationship-focused songs, occasional bits of whimsy and adventurous musical choices are still here. “If Only” has a […]

ARTS Pick: Naytronix

Nate Brenner, aka Naytronix, has spent the past four years on the road as the bassist for tUnE-yArDs and views the touring life almost like living in a dream. As a solo act, the talented multi-instrumentalist delivers a blend of indie electronic and poignant experimental pop that glides like a hovercraft over the intense sonic […]

Film review: Crimson Peak is more than just a ghost story

As tempting as it is to call the ghostly gothic romance Crimson Peak a return to form for writer-director Guillermo del Toro, let’s take a moment to truly appreciate his role in shaping the movie-going experience as we know it today. It’s been nine years since Pan’s Labyrinth, del Toro’s dark fantasy that got surprising, […]

ARTS Pick: MarchFourth!

In a world toppling with conformity, the internationally acclaimed performance troupe MarchFourth! makes its own rules. No less than 20 musicians, dancers and artisans combine jazz, salsa, hip-hop and rock to create a foot-stomping, hand-clapping, trailblazing musical spectacular. Enhancing the experience are the stilt walkers, hoopers and vaudeville dancers who successfully combine art forms for […]