Pick: Women in Film

The Indie Short Film Series returns with the Women in Film edition, bringing a new slate of stellar flicks to the big screen. This installment features up to seven domestic and international shorts, written or directed by women from a variety of genres. Stick around after the credits for a panel discussion with the filmmakers […]

Pick: Pigeons Playing Ping Pong

Psychedelic funk band Pigeons Playing Ping Pong has played more than a thousand shows across 44 states since its inception at the University of Maryland over a decade ago. “When touring shut down in 2020, we gained immense perspective,” says guitarist and vocalist Greg Ormont. “Now more than ever, we recognize that you only get […]

Flour garden

Chris Martin has baked in cities from Chicago to San Francisco, but she has rarely found local ingredients like those in central Virginia. That’s one reason bakernobakery, her pop-up bakeshop, boasts one of the most unique menus at the City Market. “Sourcing ingredients is really a delight here in Charlottesville,” says Martin, creator of delicacies […]

Sound choices

Mariana Bell  Still Not Sleeping (self-released)  In the 19 years since her debut album, Mariana Bell has matured. On her eighth studio LP, Still Not Sleeping, Bell’s voice, production, and songwriting talent shine as she blurs the lines of vintage pop and country rock in songs that celebrate life. Bell’s new songs evolved as she […]

Stretching the canvas

“One of the best things about collaborating with another artist is I learn a great deal about the other person’s sensibility to materials, aesthetics, and mark making,” says artist Diego Sanchez. His work is currently on view at the Quirk Gallery, together with fellow Richmonder Mary Scurlock. In “Conversations,” each artist has eight paintings on […]

December galleries

Baker Gallery Walker Fine Arts Center, Woodberry Forest School. “New Works,” landscape paintings featuring scenes from Charlottesville by Richard Crozier. Through December 31. First Fridays reception. The Center at Belvedere 540 Belvedere Blvd. A small-works open exhibit featuring over 30 artists, including Meredith Bennett, Susan Trimble, Joan Griffin, Frannie Joseph, and Judith Ely. Through December […]

Exquisite taste

Ask Alicia Simmons about her happiest childhood memories, and she immediately recalls the many hours spent in the kitchen with her twin sister and grandmother at the family’s farm in the Shenandoah Valley. “We made lunch for dad and grandpa every day,” says Tavola’s executive chef. “That’s how I fell in love with cooking.” Growing […]

Savoring the seasons

A menu is a canvas for Executive Chef Alicia Simmons, who presents Through the Seasons, a thoughtfully crafted dining experience, every three to four months at Tavola. The seasonal one-day-only dinner is filled with the restaurant’s recent daily specials, prepared in collaboration with chef de cuisine Kendall Moore. Simmons typically handles the dessert course, while […]

Byrd’s-eye view

Charlottesville-based wellness guru Renee Byrd was a successful influencer before being an influencer was cool.  Byrd launched her blog, Will Frolic for Food, in 2012. The goal was to “provide free tools for living well … recipes, advice, yoga videos, and entertainment to sensitive souls.” In a few short years, she was working part-time hours […]

Better with friends

Blenheim Vineyards taps Fine Creek Brewing Company for new release There’s nothing that forges stronger bonds and solidifies friendships quite like collaboration. Whether combining resources, such as different raw materials, or providing an area of individual expertise, it’s exciting to work as a team to produce a new or better result. Blenheim Vineyards and Fine […]