As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, the turmoil and division the country faces feel more 1850s than 1776. Historian Matthew Pinsker’s Boss Lincoln: The Partisan Life of Abraham Lincoln, released earlier this year, draws from a trove of private letters and documents to reveal that the president we celebrate as a saintly martyr […]
With punk rock bona fides running through his veins, Chuck Ragan brings forward a gritty brand of Americana music. Known as one of the distinctive voices co-fronting Hot Water Music, Ragan infuses folky rhythms with rock riffs and working-class ethos, creating a harder-edged sound than the plucky bluegrass acts that usually come through town. The […]
Celebrating the culmination of Shakespeare Production Camp from DMR Adventures, the Bard’s fast-paced comedy full of love triangles, mistaken identities, and practical jokes comes to the stage. Twelfth Night follows a shipwrecked set of twins who each think the other has drowned. Courtesan drama unfolds, centered on disguises and a lovelorn duke. Set to a […]
Rodgers and Hammerstein’s enchanting musical comes alive in Charlottesville Opera’s take on Cinderella. Experience the magic of the classic fairy tale scored by a live orchestra, with incredible costumes and stunning sets inspired by the romantic 1965 made-for-TV production. Fit for the entire family, the show plays up the most memorable beats of the story, […]
When I was in college in the early 1990s, I got swept up in the Riot Grrrl music movement despite the fact that I wasn’t female, Queer, or even female-presenting. Sure, I wore a skirt and a shit-ton of makeup to go out—but this was New York City and I was at my gothiest with […]
As an artist and botanical illustrator, Lara Call Gastinger’s work reflects our local environment, detailing native plants near her Charlottesville home and in the nearby mountains. She was the chief illustrator for the Flora of Virginia Project, a botanical reference book and app cataloging the rich biodiversity of our Commonwealth, and she is also widely […]
The String Cheese Incident brings its signature blend of American jam rock from the mountains of Colorado for another show that’s certain to be a fun-do. The band undoubtedly shreds, packing setlists with grate originality, no matter how you slice it. From face-melting riffs to rich and complex vocals, SCI spreads its sonic flavor through […]
The Virginia Theatre Festival opens its 2026 season with Moriarty: A New Sherlock Holmes Adventure. Penned by Tony Award-winner Ken Ludwig, the play features just five actors who play multiple roles. When an investigation into the Bohemian king’s stolen letters cascades into an international mystery filled with spies, blackmail, and intrigue, Sherlock Holmes and his […]
Charlottesville’s urban Renaissance faire returns for its fifth iteration with Fae Festival 2026. Revelers are invited to don their finest fantasy garb and meander through a medieval market featuring wares and fare that dazzle the eye and satiate appetites, while roaming performers and musical magicians perform to lift spirits and incite celebration. A performance of […]
This year’s Monticello Wine Week (June 22 to 28) includes a new event that deserves further conversation. On June 27, Eastwood Farm and Winery will host the Feast of Reason dinner at the Virginia Wine Collective, with chef Leah Branch in the kitchen and food historian Deb Freeman at the table. Branch, a Virginia native […]