ARTS Pick: Rhinoceros

Eugène Ionesco lived in France as World War II broke out. In the heart of Europe, he was able to observe firsthand the virtually unchecked spread of Fascism and Nazism among a seemingly reasonable population, and this sudden transformation had a deep effect on him. A generation of European artists saw the same, and from […]

Virginia Film Festival announces programming with more to come

On Tuesday afternoon The Virginia Film Festival announced the bulk of its programming for the November 1-5 event with special attention to the commemoration of its 25th anniversary. While a few of the choice feature films and special guests are still waiting for final confirmation, festival director Jody Kielbasa announced an impressive list of highlights […]

ARTS Pick: Verbs & Vibes

Roscoe B is a decidedly forthright individual with an artisanal approach to telling it like it is. The Richmond native, born Douglas Powell and self-anointed Roscoe Burnems, looms as a local spoken-word giant, crushing open mic nights and blowing up poetry slams around the area for the last three years. As a card-carrying member of Slam […]

The Melvins lighten up and break a record

For almost 30 years, The Melvins have been playing their own peculiar brand of rock ’n’ roll. While their early sound was reminiscent of contemporaries like late-period Black Flag and the Butthole Surfers, The Melvins soon found their true calling by playing their songs half as fast and twice as heavy, regressing Black Sabbath-style metal […]

October’s First Friday Listings

First Friday is a monthly art event featuring exhibit openings at many Downtown art galleries and additional exhibition venues. Several spaces offer receptions. Listings are compiled in collaboration with Piedmont Council for the Arts.  To list an exhibit, please send information two weeks before opening to arts@c-ville.com.   First Friday exhibitions: BozArt Gallery 211 W. […]

Film review: Looper

In 2072, living bodies can be tracked. When they’re no longer living, the authorities are alerted. Pity the mafia, which faces the prospect of not killing anyone it wants killed. Luckily for future bad guys, there’s time travel. The mafia sends the poor souls it wants dispatched to the past. Disappearances don’t raise hackles—presumably because […]

A fan’s guide to cooking up a stellar Festy Experience

It’s all about your approach. Literally. Wherever it is you may be coming from, once you hit Highway 151, master your anticipation. Ease off the gas, let the windows down, huff you some of that crisp mountain air, and scope the vibe. Check the backdrop. The rolling Blue Ridge is vibrant green, idyllic, a tree […]

Live Snapshot: Jack White at the Pavilion

Jack White, the rock virtuoso known for his participation in more bands than a hand can hold —The Raconteurs, The White Stripes and The Dead Weather, to name a few—released his highly anticipated debut solo album Blunderbuss back in April. Last night, his tour supporting this critically acclaimed record brought him to Charlottesville’s nTelos Wireless […]

ARTS Pick: How The West Was Won

There was a time in the film industry when a movie was not wholly judged on its returns, when the merit of a film could be found in its effort to capture the spirit of an important moment in human history. They were called “epics,” they cost a lot of money, and they aren’t made […]

ARTS Pick: Vidur Kapur

There’s more to comedian Vidur Kapur than years of LGBT activism, various film appearances, contributions to books, nominations from entertainment and social progress groups galore. Raised in an upper middle-class household in New Delhi and an alumnus of the straight-laced London School of Economics, Kapur defies convention by merging the conflicting identities of a waggish foible-pointer-outer and sincere […]