In anticipation of the Virginia Film Festival this weekend, I’ve been considering geographical predispositions when it comes to movies. Predictably, as a student, French New Wave films were guaranteed pleasers. These types of geographical tastes exist for many. French films carry a different prestige than Hollywood movies. India’s Bollywood and Nigeria’s Nollywood each have their […]
In anticipation of the Virginia Film Festival this weekend, I’ve been considering geographical predispositions when it comes to movies. Predictably, as a student, French New Wave films were guaranteed pleasers. These types of geographical tastes exist for many. French films carry a different prestige than Hollywood movies. India’s Bollywood and Nigeria’s Nollywood each have their […]
Dum Dum Girls is a throwback band that’s a force to be reckoned with. Take spitfire riffs, increase the attitude, and spice generously with talent for an adrenaline rush coupled with a healthy dose of introspection. Moving beyond simplistic ballads, frontwoman Dee Dee Penny explores a wealth of emotion, defining rebellion in life, love, and […]
The collaboration between Killer Mike and El-P, the two indispensable and bomb-throwing emcees who form the uncompromisingly raw and forward-thinking rap duo Run the Jewels, has been as perfect as it was unexpected. They seem, at first, like odd bedfellows: El-P’s a noise-loving Brooklyn firebrand with an independent streak as long as Bedford Avenue; Atlanta […]
The Rural Alberta Advantage Mended with Gold/Saddle Creek The Rural Alberta Advantage’s newest project will make you sweat. Between the perpetually chugging drum beats, driving guitars, and lead singer-songwriter Nils Edenloff’s singing, there’s no aspect of this album that doesn’t scream, “Dance, dance, dance!” Oddly enough, however, this is not a happy record, and much […]
To celebrate the first birthday of her online literary journal Full Grown People on October 4, editor Jennifer Niesslein published a book. “Full Grown People: The Greatest Hits, Volume 1 gives you a good idea of our breadth,” she said. “It covers a lot, from parenting issues, when you’re looking at maybe your kids leaving […]
Far from the ordinary costume party, TRIX at Ix promises to up the ante on All Hallows’ Eve with a jam-packed live music lineup featuring Chamomile & Whiskey, We Are Star Children (above), Shagwüf with Sally Rose, EurythmIX with Lauren Hoffman, and Girl Choir. Local artist Russell Richards demonstrates his trademark mask creation while the […]
Leave a barrel of fun size bars on the porch and immerse yourself in the madness of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein played out by a highly talented cast. The horror classic is brought to the screen from London’s National Theatre, and directed by Academy Award winner Danny Boyle. Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller alternate the […]
It’s about time to revisit the way we talk about Keanu Reeves. For over two decades, his name has been synonymous with stiff acting and dim surfer dudes. But between his stint as a stunningly capable interviewer of film greats in 2012’s Side by Side and his thoroughly enjoyable directorial debut with last year’s Man […]
Local playwright, actor, UVA drama lecturer, and wellness coach Denise Stewart is on a sugar fast. “I’m on day four because I thought it would be interesting and fun and maybe something to blog about. It’s already hard,” she said. But not as hard as the 30-day raw food fast she did earlier this year. […]
Legendary pianist Allen Toussaint has been a staple of the New Orleans R&B scene for more than half a century, playing theaters and clubs and influencing and collaborating with marquee names like Paul Simon, Elvis Costello, Joe Cocker, The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, and NOLA’s own Preservation Hall Jazz Band. In honor of their shared […]