Arts

DJs Robin Tomlin and Colin Powell retrofit classical American soul for modern dance parties under the handle Grits ‘n’ Gravy. Their spin repertoire spans the canonical masters of soul from James Brown to funk dynamos Parliament, while including a bevy of lesser known acts. The duo blasts infectious dance tunes such as the Heatwaves’ blustering psychedelic romp […]

New Orleans-based singer-songwriter Ruby Ross makes a hometown return with local guest musicians to celebrate the release of her new EP, Solid Ground. Emotional and unpretentious vocals showcase her Appalachian roots, and NOLA jazz influences her folksy acoustic Americana on tunes that recall feminine folk icons like Joni Mitchell and Joan Baez. Saturday 12/28 $5, 8pm. C’ville Coffee, 1301 […]

It’s not likely you’ll find another band that’s opened for both Lionel Richie and Widespread Panic, in the same year no less. Call it a perfect example of the high-energy celebratory versatility of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, a four-decade New Orleans musical institution that’s well known for delivering good time horn-driven grooves. “We just […]

The all volunteer, not-for-profit community theater Play On! stages family friendly performances at First Night Virginia’s arts festival with an eclectic grouping of theater newbies and seasoned stage veterans singing children’s Broadway favorites. The shimmering medley of uplifting tunes includes hits from Annie and The Sound of Music, and Disney classics. The popular show tunes […]

Good news. Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues is not as bad as the following comedy sequels: Caddyshack II. Analyze That. Teen Wolf Too. Dumb and Dumberer. Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise. Fletch Lives. The Hangover Part II. In fact, Anchorman 2 is not bad. The sheer volume of jokes guarantees some will […]

Live music is as important now as it’s ever been. With the days of the huge record contract all but behind us and the era of the small label in full swing, most bands can’t make a living without hitting the road hard. “It’s a hard business,” Cold War Kids front man Nathan Willett told […]

10.Travis Where You Stand/Red Telephone Box After a five-year hiatus, the Brit rockers came back with a beautiful vengeance. Where You Stand possesses an almost magical quality throughout due to Fran Healy’s cracking falsetto, the pleasing combination of dreamy rock and piano pop, and thought-provoking lyrics 9.Trixie Whitley Fourth Corner/Strong Blood Records Newcomer Trixie Whitley’s […]

Formed in the late ’80s amid the underground Atlanta rock scene, Drivin’ N Cryin’ boasts a genre-melding sound gleaned from a record collection of diverse influences that ranges from Bob Dylan and The Rolling Stones to The Ramones. Guitarist and vocalist Kevin Kinney’s Midwestern roots shine through in his earnest lyrical odes to the American workforce. The […]

Thurston Moore, at 55, is seemingly the oldest teenager in the world, juxtaposing self-consciously dumb classic rock energy with legitimately compelling avant-garde noise-rock riffs and he’s worth seeing live under any circumstances.