Extra terrestrial

What popular radio show is hitting the road for a night of comedy that’s not subject to FCC scrutiny? It’s the Wait Wait Stand-Up Tour, hosted by show regular Alonzo Bodden. The audience can snark and snicker along with some of the show’s regulars, and really get to know what their favorite “Wait Wait…Don’t Tell […]

Shining a light

Growing up, Tony Keith Jr. felt the boogeyman was always chasing down his internal monologues—his Blackness, his desire for higher education, and his feelings for boys over girls. His YA memoir, How the Boogeyman Became a Poet, details his battle through poverty, racism, and homophobia to become an openly gay first-generation college student. Keith will […]

Army of the ordinary

Director James Hawes’ One Life does justice to the moving, true story of modest World War II hero Nicholas Winton, a London stockbroker who rescued hundreds of children from the Nazis. Based on the book, If It’s Not Impossible… The Life of Sir Nicholas Winton, by his daughter Barbara, the film is deeply compelling, even […]

Timeless and seasoned

We first heard The Zombies in 1964 when the hit single “She’s Not There” crossed the pond from UK pop charts and gave the group some stateside bona fides. The band, featuring founding keyboardist Rod Argent and lead singer Colin Blunstone, is still delivering its hits on stage, including “Time of the Season” (What’s your […]

What love has to do with it

Directed by Ti Ames and set in 1963 at the beginning of the civil rights movement, Fireflies (above), the second part of Donja R. Love’s trilogy, delves into the lives of Reverend Charles Emmanuel Grace and his wife, Olivia. The couple, whose marriage is in trouble, wrangles with secret queer love, infidelity, and alcohol abuse […]

Trading the lead

If you know banjo, you know Tony Trischka (right). As one of the most influential pickers of the last 50 years, Trischka has followers throughout the bluegrass genre, from Béla Fleck to Steve Martin and Billy Strings. His latest project involves transcribing rare and unreleased Earl Scruggs’ recordings for a touring show he’s named EarlJam, […]

For the rest of us

Festival Friday is a fest within a fest, with area shops staying open late to spotlight the Virginia Festival of the Book. The evening’s events include readings, tastings, comic-book signings, a bookmaking workshop, and a poetry critique circle. Stop in at trans-owned antifascist bookstore The Beautiful Idea to hear writer, musician, radio host, and all […]

Keeping it short

Three days of screenings, competitions, and talks take place across Charlottesville as filmmakers from around the globe present their work at the Indie Short Film Festival. The fest grew out of the Indie Short Film Series, established locally by writer, director, and event marketing guru Ty Cooper in 2019. After touring to other markets, Cooper […]

Taking flight

Originating from a 1765 commedia dell’arte by Carlo Gozzi, The Green Bird gets a modern staging that is “40 percent improvised,” says Director Dave Dalton of UVA Drama’s update. Gozzi’s version had serious undertones that were meant to expose what he considered dangerous ideas of Enlightenment thinkers. At UVA, the play is a hilarious ride […]

VA Book Fest

The Virginia Festival of the Book is back in action March 20-24, with five days of panels, parties, and events to celebrate all things literary. Renowned authors flock to our city for engaging talks, everyone on the Downtown Mall has a book or two in their arms, and our too-long reading lists get even longer. […]