Havivra at Ruth Caplin Theatre 2/5 &2/6

Tracing the evolution of musical expression through the life of a natural disaster survivor, Alexandra Déglise’s Havivra employs history and sound to explore culture. The jazz cabaret is based on the childhood and youth of Havivra Da Ifrile, one of two survivors of the 1902 Mount Pelée eruption on the Caribbean Island of Martinique. The […]

Darnell Lamont Walker builds community around grief and loss

Charlottesville native Darnell Lamont Walker is a death doula whose debut book, Never Can Say Goodbye: The Life of a Death Doula and the Art of a Peaceful End, publishes on February 10. Equal parts memoir and death primer, the book shares stories from Walker’s work and offers guidance and perspective on topics from writing […]

February exhibitions

City Clay 700 Harris St., Suite 104. “A Bad Case of Stripes,” wheel-thrown ceramics by Maddy Watkins. February 6–March 1. First Fridays opening reception February 6, 4–6p.  Crozet Artisan Depot 5791 Three Notch’d Rd., Crozet. “Craft Lights,” one-of-a-kind lamps made from salvaged industrial and domestic objects by Bill Craft. “The Beloved,” geometric minimalist sculpture, wall […]

Phil Hanley at The Jefferson on 1/31

A favorite on the late-night TV circuit, comedian, actor, and writer Phil Hanley began his stand-up career performing at open mics around Vancouver. The Oshawa, Ontario, native has become a staple of the New York City comedy scene, uniquely blending material and crowd interaction in unpredictable, reflective sets dispatched with sharp observation. He’s delivered his […]

New Lettuce record blends music varietals and wine, too

Having a pair of Berklee College of Music-educated parents with two drum sets in the basement likely didn’t hurt Adam Deitch’s love of music—the drummer has been writing songs since he was 10 years old. That early access to instruments—and wading through his parents’ record collection, replete with Earth, Wind & Fire and Tower of […]

Drum Tao at The Paramount on 1/29

In an awe-inspiring performance full of fire, athleticism, and pageantry, renowned Japanese group Drum Tao brings The Best to town. Blending traditional Wadaiko drums with modern energy and theatrical flair, the show features vibrant costumes, dramatic synchronization, and choreographed movement accompanied by traditional Japanese instruments, including flutes and harps, alongside the massive drums. $41.25–68.50, 7pm. […]

Susto Stringband at The Southern on 1/29

A compelling blend of rock, folk, and psychedelia with vivid storytelling floods the stage when Susto Stringband brings its 2026 winter tour to town. From an early age in the rural community of Puddin’ Swamp, South Carolina, frontman Justin Osborne was inspired by gospel, bluegrass, and folk. In addition to leading the stringband, Osborne has […]

Schuyler Jackson at UVA’s Old Cabell Hall on 1/30

 I don’t know about you, but when I think of chamber music, the bassoon is not the first—nor the second or third—instrument that comes to mind. A standard string quartet, or some seven-piece collaboration among instrumentalists seated around a piano, captures what I imagine most of us would anticipate for a highbrow Friday evening. Maybe […]

Skatin’ like it’s 1986

Picture it: 1980s upstate New York, a roller rink awash in the purple-blue glow of blacklights, my ocean-wave of bangs—hairsprayed as though my life depended on their height—to protect my head if I fell as we skated to hair metal, synth pop, and Madonna—oh, the Madonna! After hours of skating alone in my basement, the […]