The poems in John Keene’s latest collection, Punks: New & Selected Poems, span three decades, saturated with the desire, loss, and reflections of a Black gay man who lived through the early days of the AIDS epidemic and continues to navigate our contemporary traumas and tragedies. Keene received the 2022 National Book Award for Poetry […]
The poems in John Keene’s latest collection, Punks: New & Selected Poems, span three decades, saturated with the desire, loss, and reflections of a Black gay man who lived through the early days of the AIDS epidemic and continues to navigate our contemporary traumas and tragedies. Keene received the 2022 National Book Award for Poetry […]
Writing a book is an admirably impressive feat in its own right, but adapting an Old English epic—that happens to be quite violent—into a tale palatable for children? Yeah, Zach Weinersmith did that. Bea Wolf (pronounced Bee-wolf) is Weinersmith’s illustrated, comedic retelling of Beowulf that follows a gang of troublemaking kids as they defend their […]
As a youth, George Floyd dreamed of being a Supreme Court justice, a professional athlete, a rap star. Washington Post reporters Robert Samuels and Toluse Olorunnipa document those dreams and the impact of systemic racism on Floyd’s life in their book, His Name is George Floyd: One Man’s Life and the Struggle for Racial Justice. […]
A Romance Salon: American Royalty Tracey Livesay’s steamy rom-com American Royalty is the first in a new series inspired by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s real-life love story. Rapper Danielle “Duchess” Nelson turns the palace upside down when she falls for reclusive Prince Jameson. Livesay will discuss her work, answer questions, and sign copies at […]
Groove out with Charlie Ballantine and his trio at a special evening of jazz infused with rock and folk influences. Ballantine showcases his versatility across an impressive body of originals and standards, feathering intricate guitar grooves with complex compositions. His 2020 release, Vonnegut, features original compositions inspired by the writing of fellow Midwesterner Kurt Vonnegut. […]
Saddle up for The Wild Caldonia Rodeo, a sensual, burlesque play from Nu Rodeo Caldonia, a queer BIPOC production team and artist collective from Richmond. Set in Virginia City, Nevada, and inspired by a few historical people and events, the rodeo features an enticing blend of singing, theater, and, of course, the art of the […]
Charlottesville’s Boxed Lunch performed its first show as a band at Holly’s Diner in 2019. A few years and an EP later, the group returns to the diner for a late-night set. The band, which includes Justin Storer, Joel Streeter, Emily Gardiner, and Zack Beamer, combines melodic songwriting, killer harmonies, and skilled musical chops for […]
When Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live brings its Glow Party event to the John Paul Jones arena on March 25 and 26, the newest face in the cab will be Taylor Holman. Holman, driving the Demo Derby truck on the tour, grew up around monster trucks. But she only climbed behind the wheel about eight […]
Rob Derhak thinks of Charlottesville fondly. The bassist, vocalist, and founding member of the band moe. recalls playing here “back in the old days,” when there was “that old bar behind the railroad tracks.” Trax? “Yeah, I think that was it,” he says, but it’s like he still doesn’t quite believe it all happened. Derhak’s […]
A classical masterpiece is updated with stunning modernity in Orpheus and Erica: A Deaf Opera. The culmination of a years-long collaboration between Victory Hall Opera and a team of deaf theater practitioners, Orpheus and Erica sees a young couple battling illness and fertility tempt fate by using modern medicine. The clever production weaves together Italian […]