Indie bands Superchunk and Sigur Rós are cut from different cloth

The term “indie rock” is so widely used that it has come to mean drastically different things to different people. It’s had a strange life over the past 25-odd years, one that weaves its way through significant changes in musical styles and cataclysmic shifts within the record industry. In many ways, the story of the […]

Hard pressed: Books become art in the VABC member show at Cityspace

A reader’s world is fast and bright these days, an infinite scroll through limitless content. To slake our thirst for information, we swallow so many words we can’t taste them. Even books are designed for disposal: laser-printed for mass consumption and for cheap resale. Once upon a time, however, the written word was a work […]

Hong Seong Jang’s mostly tiled floor

Material based sculpture can be immensely captivating, transforming everyday and unexpected objects through scale, quantity, and precision of assembly into breathtaking constructions. The untitled work of Hong Seong Jang currently installed at the Second Street Gallery falls into this category. Like many found object works of art, however, it struggles with the contrast between low quality […]

Light House Studios fundraiser showcases films by local youth

Light House Studios, the award-winning program of filmmaking workshops for local youth, will present its 12th annual screening of student work on Friday, September 13th at the Jefferson Theater. “This year we have more narrative films than usual, including an FX-heavy Sci-Fi adventure called Space Girl.” said Light House program director Jason Robinson. The program […]

Virginia Folklife apprenticeships promote the arts of everyday life

In a world of exploding tuitions, shaky job markets, and ubiquitous unpaid internships, the notion of an apprenticeship sounds like an antiquated luxury. In the Virginia Folklife Apprenticeship Program, however, the system of master and apprentice is alive and well, not only offering hands-on education but the cultivation of inter-generational connections and preservation of Virginia […]

ARTS Pick: Miami Nights, Earthling, and Salvaticus

Abandon all hope and prepare yourself for a night so cloaked in gut-wrenching metal glory,  that you’ll have to crawl your way out. Step out of the confines of the Charlottesville music scene, and indulge in some raw, yet alluring, heavy progressive music. It’s rare that such notable black metal performances congregate together, yet fitting that […]

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 […]