ARTS Pick: Nuit de Fantaise Classic Burlesque & Vaudeville Showcase

Enjoy a refreshing splash of fantasy á la risqué when the Nuit de Fantaise Classic Burlesque & Vaudeville Showcase pulls off a unique performance with burlesque star Deanna Danger and drag performer Magnolia Jackson Pickett Burnside. Succumb to a world of extravagance, charisma, and comedy with plenty of vintage eye candy, and in the spirit […]

Review: Rediscovering the masterworks of Ansel Adams

Ansel Adams’ photography is one of those things that’s easy to dismiss because we’ve seen so much of it reproduced in calendars, outsize posters, and the like. But after spending time with the actual photographs now on view at UVA’s Fralin Museum in “Ansel Adams: A Legacy” through October 13, I rediscovered the magic in […]

ARTS Pick: The Audience Live Screening

A Helen Mirren flick is always a good excuse to head to the box office—but this time, her performance on the silver screen will be live. Broadcast in HD from London’s Gielgud Theatre, Peter Morgan’s new play, The Audience, stars Mirren as Queen Elizabeth II. The show, part of the National Theatre Live series, breaks […]

ARTS Pick: Aaron Lewis

Nouveaux country artist Aaron Lewis knows how to make a re-entrance. Stepping away from rock music, he arrived on the Nashville scene in 2011 with legends George Jones and Charlie Daniels in his posse and struck gold with the hit single “Country Boy.” He was further introduced to new fans by breaking into the Billboard […]

Best beer selection 2013: Beer Run

Beer Run 156 Carlton Rd. #203 984-2337 beerrun.com Runner-up: Blue Mountain Brewery 9519 Critzer Shop Rd. (Afton) (540) 456-8020 bluemountainbrewery.com With seven breweries in the immediate area, it’s clear we live in a beer town—and Beer Run is no exception. It’s the one spot you can get it all and then some. At Blue Mountain […]

Best frozen dessert 2013: Splendora’s Gelato

Splendora’s Gelato 317 E. Main St. 296-8555 splendoras.com Runner-up: Sweet Frog 219 W. Main St. 293-7123 Barracks Road Shopping Center 293-1130 Hollymead Town Center 975-3764 sweetfrogyogurt.com Gluttony may be one of the seven deadly sins, but a giant cup of gelato is perhaps one of heaven’s greatest virtues. And not just any gelato. Splendora’s gelato. […]

Best new restaurant 2013: Citizen Burger Bar

Citizen Burger Bar 212 E. Main St. 979-9944 citizenburgerbar.com Runner-up: Ace Biscuit & Barbecue 711 Henry Ave. 202-1403 facebook.com/AceBiscuitBbq There’s currently a radio commercial for McDonald’s in which the narrator says the Big Mac is “the best thing to happen to your mouth since teeth.” Readers beg to differ. The best thing to happen to […]

Best Chinese 2013: Peter Chang’s China Grill

Peter Chang’s China Grill Barracks Road Shopping Center 244-9818 peterchangscharlottesville.com Runner-up: Red Lantern 221 Carlton Rd. 979-9968 redlanterncharlottesville.com When readers want Chinese, they go straight to the top. Peter Chang’s, which opened in 2011 to much fanfare due to its elusive founder, serves up authentic Szechuan cuisine at the Barracks Road location. At Red Lantern, […]

Best tacos 2013: Guadalajara

Guadalajara 3450 Seminole Trail #101 977-2677 805 E. Market St. 977-2676 2206 Fontaine Ave. 979-2424 395 Greenbrier Dr. 978-4313 108 Town Country Ln. 293-3358 charlottesvillemexicanfood.com Runner-up: Continental Divide 811 W. Main St. 984-0143 Runner-up: La Michoacana (tie) 1138 E. High St. 409-9941 When people say such-and-such is the greatest thing since sliced bread, they should […]