Film Review: Riddick is more fun, less serious than previous series installments

When we last left Richard B. Riddick (Vin Diesel), in the boringly-yet-appropriately titled The Chronicles of Riddick (2004), he was installed as the leader of the Necromongers, a race of humanoids bent on turning everyone in the universe into Scientologists. Whatever else happened in The Chronicles of Riddick has been long forgotten, mostly because it’s […]

ARTS Pick: Willie Nelson

Country music great Willie Nelson continues his support of family farmers with a concert to benefit the Local Food Hub. Inspired by picking corn in his Texas childhood, Nelson founded Farm Aid with fellow musicians John Mellencamp and Neil Young in 1985, and remains a strong farming advocate as well as a legendary performer in […]

ARTS Pick: Taylor Swift

YouTube singer-songwriter turned pop music icon Taylor Swift performs her signature country crossover in support of the Red Tour. Prepare for stuck-on-repeat radio hits like “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” and “22,” alongside “You Belong With Me,” the infectious tween ditty that started it all—and expect lots of shrieking and bright red lipstick. […]

ARTS Pick: Carnival of Wonders

Fill up on sword swallowing, fire eating, and other illusions at the Carnival of Wonders, an evening of fantastic performances led by career magicians Peter Monticup and Steve Pittella, assisted by Miss Electra and The Rubber Girl. Their big city stunts and sleights of hand will kick off PVCC’s 15th season of fine and performing […]

ARTS Pick: concorDance

Crozet-based contemporary dance company concorDance presents Tripping the Light Fantastic, a concert of playful choreography that celebrates mirth and merriment in movement. Pieces range from “Shamone,” a carousing number that conjures Bob Fosse, Michael Jackson, and Austin Powers to “Elevator Theory,” a duet that imagines love in a short ride between floors. Performances include live […]

A descendant of Thomas Jefferson explores inheritance through poetry

In The Forage House, published by Red Hen Press, Tess Taylor explores the historical and individual toll of inheritance and how we are shaped by the legacies that come to represent our past and present realities. A descendant of Thomas Jefferson, Taylor was greatly affected when, in 1997, University of Virginia biologist Eugene Foster discovered a […]

The Fire Tapes release the impressive Phantoms before disbanding

In 2010, The Fire Tapes were virtual unknowns in Charlottesville. Made up of recent transplants from D.C. and Richmond, they had a strong sound and solid songs, but had yet to gather a following or make local connections. Three years later, they’ve become a beloved staple in the rock community. Their second album, the excellent Phantoms, […]

ARTS Pick: Charlottesville Chamber Music Festival

Loose strings Refresh your appreciation for classical music with the Charlottesville Chamber Music Festival, a month of small group performances that range from the kid-friendly Carnival of the Animals to edgy improv with modern masters. The festival includes Downtown in the Key of C-ville, a four-day lineup of concerts in mid-September. Quartet Brooklyn Rider, an […]