Art history, ballet, and musical theater coalesce in Little Dancer

Little Dancer: A New Musical, an original play written and produced by local daughter-father duo Olivia and Chris Colvin, is set for its stage debut. Inspired by the life of Marie van Goethem, the young ballerina who modeled for Edgar Degas’ famous sculpture Little Dancer Aged Fourteen (1878–81), the performance imagines how van Goethem’s years […]

Bella White at The Southern 5/8

Bella White stretches her sonic blueprint beyond her bluegrass roots to arrive at a moodier brand of contemporary folk. The Calgary, Canada, native recently relocated from Vancouver Island to New Orleans, spurring explorations into indie rock, and expanding a homespun sound steeped in Appalachian traditions mixed with modern singer-songwriter stylings. Nashville-raised singer-songwriter Erin Rae performs […]

Spring Crozet Arts and Crafts Festival 5/9 & 5/10

Enjoy a full weekend of art, music, food, and family fun at the Spring Crozet Arts and Crafts Festival. The bi-annual juried arts and crafts event brings together more than 125 artists and artisans in a spring showcase, offering high-quality goods across an array of disciplines—including pottery, jewelry, woodcraft, fiber art, and more. Explore kids’ […]

Elijah at Old Cabell Hall 5/10

The Oratorio Society of Virginia’s staging of Mendelssohn’s Elijah is presented with a full orchestra led by music director Michael Slon. Experience the power of 100-plus voices singing in harmony, bolstered by soaring guest soloists including soprano Caroline Worra, mezzo-soprano Isabel Randall, tenor Brenden Christie, and bass-baritone Richard Ollarsaba (pictured) as Elijah. Together, the singers […]

Lauren Catlett on working with Carmelita Estrellita

Recently re-released in a 10th anniversary edition, Little Star is the memoir of Carmelita Estrellita, a trans poet, artist, and educator who lived in Charlottesville until her death in 2016. Edited by Lauren Catlett, the book combines Estrellita’s writing, stories, and drawings to share reflections on her life and to offer comfort, affirmation, and inspiration […]

The Head and the Heart takes it back to the beginning

Over more than 15 years, The Head and the Heart has produced dozens of relatable, sentimental songs, establishing itself as a folk-pop band full of choral harmonies, catchy songwriting, and inviting performances. The group’s sixth album Aperture came out in May 2025, and as part of a current anniversary tour the band is playing its […]

Swan Lake at The Paramount 5/5 & 5/6

“Our mission is simple: ballet everywhere, ballet for all,” say Los Angeles-based World Ballet Company founders Sasha Gorskaya and Gulya Hartwick. With a nod to Broadway grandeur, the company’s lavish production of Swan Lake brings together 50 dancers, handcrafted costumes and sets, and Tchaikovsky’s timeless score to spin the tragic tale of cursed lovers. $45–105, […]

Embedded/The Tell Tale Cell Phone at Live Arts 5/1 & 5/2

As the season heats up, Charlottesville Opera’s Wallace Worx offers a weekend of chilling operas based on Edgar Allan Poe stories. Embedded (“The Cask of Amontillado”) follows a news reporter trying to maintain her top slot and stave off younger competition. The Tell Tale Cell Phone (“Tell-tale Heart”) is a short, suspenseful work that builds […]

How-To Festival at the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library 5/2

Special talents and expertise converge at Jefferson-Madison Regional Library’s How-To Festival, where attendees can “learn 30 things in three hours.” The drop-in workshops are open to curious minds of all ages and cover a range of topics from cooking techniques and how to use AI, to crafting a leather bag and mastering your Scrabble game. […]