Ah, springtime in Charlottesville, a veritable petticoat junction of daffodils, bluebells, and redbuds tossing their skirts in the breeze—as Shakespeare might say. After all, Shakespeare coined the phrase “petticoat junction” in one of his most excellent comedies, Much Ado About the Beverly Hillbillies. What’s that you say? My cultural references smack of senility? Fie on […]
Ah, springtime in Charlottesville, a veritable petticoat junction of daffodils, bluebells, and redbuds tossing their skirts in the breeze—as Shakespeare might say. After all, Shakespeare coined the phrase “petticoat junction” in one of his most excellent comedies, Much Ado About the Beverly Hillbillies. What’s that you say? My cultural references smack of senility? Fie on […]
Longtime pals Ben Affleck and Matt Damon have re-teamed to make Air, the true story of the development of Nike’s Air Jordan sneakers. If this doesn’t sound like promising material, it isn’t. Although Air, directed by Affleck, undeniably has its moments—and there is plenty of talent involved—overall, it’s a story that isn’t worth devoting an […]
John D’earth knows Charlottesville music. Since settling in town in 1981, he’s come to define the local jazz scene—and beyond—with his considerable crossover into pop genres, and reach as a music teacher. So when D’earth decides to bring a French jazz pianist stateside for a local residency, culminating with a show alongside himself and the […]
This Saturday, Zach Miller will be one of many jockeys competing for a win at Foxfield Races, Charlottesville’s bi-annual steeplechase event. It’s a meaningful homecoming, years in the making, for the Charlottesville native, who’s raced, and won, at Foxfield numerous times—Miller even met his wife after a 2005 win. Foxfield has been hosting steeplechase races […]
After being canned from his job at Disneyland, struggling actor Alex hits the jackpot when he lands a gig working in Barbra Streisand’s Malibu basement mall—talk about dream job. Alex isn’t the biggest Barbra fan, but when the icon shows up, he can’t help but be charmed. The subterranean emporium (yes, it’s a real thing) […]
Natalie Merchant’s ninth studio album, Keep Your Courage, is a lush and beguiling examination of love in all its guises. In her first record of new material in nine years, Merchant mentions love 26 times across songs including the delicate “The Feast of Saint Valentine,” the horn-filled “Tower of Babel,” and “Eye of the Storm,” […]
Try as we might to not judge a record by its cover, good art makes the music sound even better, and impacts our perception of theartist and their work. Three experts discuss Music Album Cover Design in the latest installment of the Art in Life lecture series.Ernie Cefalu has designed for rock legends, including the […]
Exercise, for the mind and body, is easy to find in Charlottesville. With fast access to trails, pools, sports for all ages, lectures, book talks, and trivia nights, the options are endless, and welcoming communities like De La Roll skating and the Prolyfyck Run Creww make stepping outside your comfort zone a breeze. Perhaps less […]
The latest book by novelist TJ Klune features a cast of robots who love to garden, make sex jokes, listen to Miles Davis, and watch Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. From more familiar robots, like a loyal vacuum cleaner named Rambo and a sadistic robot health professional named Nurse Ratched, to extremely futuristic robotic killing […]
DJ Rush is one of the newest baristas at Kindness Cafe + Play, where he serves up perfectly brewed beverages and delicious eats. The mission-driven coffee shop provides meaningful employment for adults with cognitive disabilities, and features items from many local businesses, including Found.Market, Allens Scottish Shortbread, Grit Coffee, and Innisfree Village (hello, granola bars). […]