Rising Appalachia pairs global influences with a soulful, folk-roots sound on its album, Leylines. The quartet is joined by West African musician Arouna Diarra on the ngoni and talking drum, and Irish musician Duncan Wickel on fiddle and cello. The band, fronted by sisters Leah and Chloe Smith, tackles tough topics in its songs. “We’re […]
Rising Appalachia pairs global influences with a soulful, folk-roots sound on its album, Leylines. The quartet is joined by West African musician Arouna Diarra on the ngoni and talking drum, and Irish musician Duncan Wickel on fiddle and cello. The band, fronted by sisters Leah and Chloe Smith, tackles tough topics in its songs. “We’re […]
Kick off your shoes, fill up your reusable cup, and rock out on the banks of the river at the Rivanna Roots concert series. Hunter + The Gatherers get the party started with heady grooves, virtuosic tenor, and spacey guitar work, then The Oversteppers (left) keep the party going into the night with reggae beats […]
Audra McDonald is one of the most decorated performers in the business. The Juilliard-trained soprano has won a record-breaking six Tony Awards for her work in productions like Carousel and A Raisin in the Sun, two Grammy Awards, and an Emmy. As an actress, she starred in the “Grey’s Anatomy” spin-off “Private Practice,” and more […]
Comedian Jade Catta-Preta returns to her hometown for an evening of late-night laughs. The Charlottesville-raised comic will deliver her first local stand-up performances at Live Arts Theater and Common House as part of Live Arts’ Waterworks Festival, a month-long celebration of new and emerging theatrical voices. Catta-Preta currently hosts Hulu’s “Hotties,” a dating-food-comedy show where […]
In Bora, a naïve grad student encounters a rebellious stoner while on a road trip to celebrate Day of the Dead. The new feature film from director Tiffany Toney follows Elon, played by Queen Ajima, who picks up a hitchhiker named Bora (played by Toney). The two embark on an unexpected journey that turns Elon’s […]
“In the human body: trillions of cells, 78 organs, five senses. Though sight was neither the first nor the last to evolve, it is the pinnacle sense in my mind. The eye is the eminent organ. Next to it, the hidden organs quiver, the minor senses falter.” So begins the forthcoming book, Small Pieces, a […]
The beauty of Judy Blume Forever, Davina Pardo and Leah Wolchok’s outstanding documentary, is, whether you’ve read Blume’s books repeatedly or not at all, you will be touched, amused, riveted, and even moved by her story. For generations of kids, Blume is a beacon of empathy, a haven of straight talk among the most awkward […]
Few people are as active in the local theater community as Edward Warwick White. He’s worked with Live Arts, Heritage Repertory Theatre Festival, and Four County Players, where he acts, directs, produces, and serves on the board of directors and as marketing director. His first role with Four County Players was in 2011’s Annie, and […]
Singer-songwriter Eli Lev pens heartfelt and uplifting lyrics and melodies for everyday enlightenment, and offers up bits of wisdom gained through a lifetime of travel and self-discovery. His latest release, Walk. Talk. Dance. Sing., is a genre-spanning five-song collection inspired by the highs, lows, and in-betweens of the pandemic. Lev tunes listeners in to a […]
The three little pigs go on an epic journey in Albemarle Ballet Theatre’s Once Upon a Time. Furious over an encounter with the Big Bad Wolf, the trio heads to Wonderland to plead their case to the Red Queen. Along the way they meet familiar characters including Snow White, Puss in Boots, and the Mad […]