By Kyle Daly, Brendan Fitzgerald & David T. Roisen
Rent eats up our paychecks on the first of the month. The price of gas is still through the roof. Insurance costs an arm and a leg, and, let’s be honest— work sucks.
We deserve all the R&R we can get. And what better way to savor life than to share it with someone else? Whether you’re stepping out with that cutie at the bar who just gave you her number, a boyfriend of several months, or—gulp!—an actual, honest-to-goodness spouse, you don’t need to spend like a Kluge to have a great night on the town. Fortunately, this town is rich with opportunities for people who aren’t rich. C-VILLE’s got the skinny on cheap dates. Read on, star-crossed lovers.
Give her some eye candy
Should you think the art scene in Charlottesville is the domain of beret-wearing, angsty moaners and bearded academics, well, you’d be right—but only rarely! By and large, the area’s artists and the community around them are eager to chat about their work, making for a convivial scene at the local art scene’s monthly soirée. That would be First Friday, when some two dozen art galleries on and around the Downtown Mall open their doors to the public for a night of hobnobbing in celebration of their new exhibits.
Of course, art isn’t for everyone. Fear not, dear Philistines. Just as there is balm in Gilead, there is free booze at First Friday. Nonprofit galleries, like the McGuffey Art Center and the Second Street Gallery, usually distribute wine to the admiring public, a practice sure to lend some pep to your gallery-going adventures.
Expect to encounter a wide variety of media, everything from oils and acrylics to sculpture and even performance pieces. With this many exhibits, you’re bound to find a few quality works in the bunch, the kind that will stick in your head well after the night is over. As for the possibility that you and your honey will also view more than a few pieces of crap, just consider them fodder for the inside jokes that make great dates memorable.
Tickle his ears
This city is alive with music, and in music as in love, there’s something for just about everyone. Whether it’s the plink-plink-plink of a piano playing jazz or the doob-doob-doob of an acoustic bass keeping time for a fast bluegrass tune, you and your date can enjoy some tunage, for no cover charge, almost every night of the week.
 See Jim Waive and The Young Divorcees for a song…actually, for free at Atomic Burrito. |
If your relationship’s the rowdy type, head to Atomic Burrito on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month to see Jim Waive and The Young Divorcees. The bearded crooner and his high-energy band pack a twangy country punch. (Actually, Atomic hosts all kinds of bands five nights a week, and the venue never charges a cover. Are you falling in love yet?)
For a more intimate experience, try The Virginian, where high-backed booths offer a measure of privacy for listening to rocker Mike Meadows on Sunday nights and singer-songwriter Micah Berry on Wednesdays. A few doors down at Jabberwocky, Travis Elliott does his thing on Mondays. Another comfy, low-key environment is the South Street Brewery, where you can hear jazz pianist George Melvin most Monday nights.
Fellini’s #9 offers music five days a week and rarely charges a cover. Ivories are often tickled there during the dinner hours, and the Hogwaller Ramblers bring in the funky bluegrass most Sunday nights. And don’t forget Miller’s: Free acts include the jazz and blues man Matthew Willner on Mondays, a local songwriters’ night every Tuesday, The Mike Rosensky and Jeff Decker Quartet on Wednesdays, and the raunchy guitar and cello duo B.C. on Sundays. Speaking of B.C., you can also see them on Tuesdays at Outback Lodge, which also hosts The Gladstones on Mondays.
For some variety, try Orbit Billiards, offering up a different act every Wednesday night. Other quality one-time performances happen in the Starr Hill cocktail lounge.
Show her the Big Dipper
We hate to state the obvious, but stars are, like, sooo romantic. You need absolutely no cash, nor a reservation, to soak up the universal love vibes at UVA’s Leander J. McCormick Observatory, situated on top of the aptly named Observatory Hill, when it opens its doors to the public on the first and third Friday of every month (starting after dark, around 9pm these days).
 Public nights at the McCormick Observatory provide a whole new meaning to "star-crossed" lovers." |
This is quiet, no-frills dating: think quality time with your main squeeze under a starry sky. If that’s not exciting enough, take a turn at the observatory’s monster telescope, which measures a respectable 32′ 6" in length and gathers 17,225 times more light than the naked human eye. Visitors can also catch a lecture by a UVA astronomy prof and take a quick tour of the observatory’s museum, which features lots of pretty pictures and more than its fair share of meteorites.
A word of warning: The biweekly event attracts a bevy of young children, and all the yelping and running around may be too distracting for a first date. On the other hand, the presence of so many kids creates a great way for family-minded types to screen their dates for attitudes toward reproduction. Even better is the fact that, besides one of the area’s greatest night views of the city, the observatory offers all sorts of out-of-the-way nooks for the study of—forgive us—heavenly bodies. (For more information see www.astro.virginia.edu.)
Show him your wild side
Are you outdoorsy, or just trying to prove to a rugged mate that you’re not scared to pee in the woods? Take a hike! Acres and acres of local wilderness are just waiting for the two of you, so pack a lunch (don’t forget the heart-shaped chocolates), grab some water and hit the trail.
In the Ivy Creek Natural Area, there are over seven miles of trails in a largely undisturbed wooded area overlooking Ivy Creek. The area, maintained by the nonprofit Ivy Creek Foundation, is located on Earlysville Road and is open from 7am to sunset.
The foundation also maintains the Ragged Mountain Natural Area, at the end of Reservoir Road off Fontaine Avenue. The main trail here has you aerobicizing through an elevation change of 850′, so be prepared for a bit of uphill huffing and puffing. (Need we remind you that sweat is summer’s sexiest accessory?) The climb is well worth it for the views, however, especially from the Round Top Overlook. In all, the main trail loop takes less than three hours to complete—perfect for a morning excursion followed by lunch. Mimosas, anyone? The area is open from 7am to sunset.
The big daddy of local trails, however, is the Rivanna Trail. Maintained by the Rivanna Trails Foundation, this footpath encircles the city and includes more than 20 miles of hiking. Amble under railroads, past streams and through meadows and woods —just avoid the sewage treatment plant near Woolen Mills, which smells nothing like roses. There are frequent trailheads and parking spots along the way; the Rivanna Trail is open from sunrise to sunset. (For more information, see http://ivycreekfoundation.org and http://avenue.org/rivanna/trails.htm.)
Drive her crazy
A drive in the country seems like one of those quaint relics of the early days of automobiles, but, done right, it’s not just for goggled Model-T drivers wearing flapping scarves. There’s a vast network of scenic routes in greater Charlottesville, so go ahead and get lost. One caveat: Driving aimlessly to isolated parts of the Blue Ridge may not be the best idea to set the tone for a first date. For the better-acquainted, though, there’s a world of idyllic beauty out there to explore. Here are a few places to get started:
Get on I-64 West and take the Crozet exit. Then hop on Route 151 toward Wintergreen and beyond. Watch the foliage and rolling valleys pass by as you climb the mountains. Or, get on Ivy Road and veer right onto Three Notch’d Road towards Crozet. (Small town: very cozy.) Take a detour to Beaver Creek or Mint Springs, or take Jarmans Gap Road straight to Skyline Drive. Or don’t. Take Route 20S towards Scottsville or 29S towards Lovingston and take any turnoff that strikes you. You might head to Yogaville out in Buckingham. Honestly, you can take virtually any road out of Charlottesville and you’re bound to strike gold—the real fun is in mapping out your own route. So suit up—driving cap optional—and hit the road. (For a map and other information, see www.charlottesvilletourism.org.)
Get wet
Swimming pools are all right, but unless you find gaggles of screaming children doing Lord-knows-what in the water unbearably romantic, they’re not the greatest venue for a date. That’s where the swimming hole at Sugar Hollow comes in, and when the weather’s right, you can’t hope for a nicer place to take a couple’s swim.
 The swimming hole at Sugar Hollow: a secluded, screaming-child-and-urine-free way to get wet with your date. |
The Sugar Hollow Reservoir’s name alone gives it away as a rural gem (doesn’t “Sugar Hollow” sound like, say, the setting of a lesser Thornton Wilder play?), and indeed, it’s beyond White Hall, which is to Crozet as Crozet is to Charlottesville. Getting there is easy enough: It’s a straight-shot down the road that begins as Barracks practically the whole way, which means stay the course as White Hall comes and goes on your right, even as the road drops to one lane. Follow the signs to the reservoir, park when you can’t drive any further, take a gentle 15-minute hike and you’re there.
There are signs urging you on to Blue Hole, but you’ll see a smaller swimming hole on the trail and that’s where you want to be. Bring a picnic to eat on one of the sunning rocks and you’ve got yourself a date. And then of course there’s the swimming: Steel yourself to the cool mountain water and wade among the minnows. Show off by clambering up the slick rocks that define the rivulets and baby waterfalls feeding into this natural pool. You might run into a screaming child or two on the trail, but they won’t spoil the mood. (For more information, see www.swimmingholes.org.)
Bear fruit
in Afton (opens May 1), Rare is the date that doubles as an errand, but with the right mindset, you can certainly turn a fresh produce run into a romantic outing. There are several orchards and berry farms in the area that let you pick your own fruit, and what could be more romantic than feeding your date strawberries fresh off the…vine? Tree? O.K., so we may not know a whole lot about strawberries, but we do know where you can go to get ’em. The Berry Patch in Free Union, Critzer Family FarmHilltop Berry Farm in Nellysford, and of course, Carter Mountain Orchard (opens July 1) and Chiles Peach Orchard (opens May 5) in Batesville all offer pick-your-own deals. Depending on how far you’re looking to drive, there’s a whole host of other such places down into Nelson County, up into Orange County and beyond.
The various orchards and farms all grow different varieties of fruit and produce, so call ahead to make sure that you’re going to find what you’re looking for. While you’re at it, find out if your desired fruit is in season. We’d hate to send you out in search of fresh strawberries, only to have you come back with a bushel of zucchini and an angry date. (For more information, see www.pickyourown.org/VA.htm.)
Give him a taste
These days, it’s getting so you can barely leave Charlottesville city limits without tripping over a winery—grapevines have descended on the city like kudzu. And though a sun-dappled ride out past Monticello certainly offers plenty of chances to sample the local flavors, nothing spoils a first date like a DUI (and there’s also the alarming rate at which those nominal tasting fees add up). So before you end up stranded in Nelson County absent 60 bucks and the basic motor skills necessary to drive home, try another way.
The Market Street Wineshop hosts free tastings every Friday evening from 5pm to 7:30pm at the Downtown location just off the Mall as well as on Saturday afternoons from 2pm to 5pm at the uptown location in the Shoppers World shopping center. A word of caution, however: You and your date will most assuredly be elbowing a path through throngs of disgruntled oenophiles, especially if you stroll in at 6:30 at the Downtown spot—so arrive early and keep your head down. It might also be advisable to swirl the glass and sniff deeply as if you know what you’re doing, and avoid descriptors like “classy-like” if at all possible. By the time the eighth glass rolls around, any first date jitters will be gone, and you’ll be glad you’re not in Afton, fumbling for your car keys. (For more information, see www.marketstreetwine.com.)
Seduce him with song
The Japanese word for “having a few too many, getting up on stage in front of total strangers and wailing out a rendition of a song so tortured that it must violate the Geneva Conventions” is karaoke. Karaoke makes for great dating because it gives couples lots of time to people-watch and talk. And bars never charge a cover for karaoke nights, so you can usually expect a strong turnout at your venue of choice. Arrive early, snag a good table (not too close to the speaker!) and get ready to observe your fellow humans in action.
Few things in life bring together fans with such wide-ranging musical tastes as does karaoke. Unlikely lovers everywhere can find hope in the eclectic mix of tunes. Nowhere else would one hear Garth Brooks’ “Friends in Low Places” cozy up next to Bonnie Tyler’s “Total Eclipse of the Heart.” Indeed, in a world where James Brown’s “I Feel Good” coexists with Evanescence’s “Bring Me to Life,” love must truly flourish.
or There are chances to listen most nights of the week. On Tuesdays, try your luck at Baja Bean or Big Al’s Restaurant and Saloon. On Wednesdays, head to Saxx Jazz & Blues Lounge, Jabberwocky or Fat Daddy’s. Thursdays mean Buffalo Wild WingsOutback Lodge. As for the weekend, your best bet is Baja Norte on Fridays and the Lazy Parrot Grill on Saturdays.
Of course, the truly bold of spirit—and the already safely wedded— will get on stage themselves. “Love Shack” won’t just sing itself, you know!
Expose your big brain
Beware: Trivia night is only a cheap date if you know your stuff. So if you can’t remember the capital of Chad or what the 17th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution is about, maybe it’s best to skip out on this one. But if you knew instantly that the capital of Chad is N’Djamena and that the 17th Amendment is about the direct election of senators, then by all means, head to a local trivia night.
Fellini’s #9, Jabberwocky and Mellow Mushroom all hold weekly trivia nights, where you can put your knowledge to the test and reap the benefits. Each venue offers drink specials on Trivia Night, but there are also prizes. At Fellini’s, winning gets your tab cut in half (up to 20 bucks), plus there’s a “shot question” that nets you 25-cent shots if you get it right. At Jabberwocky, first, second and third place finishes get you a hefty amount of “Jabberbucks,” redeemable for anything on the menu at a later date. Similarly, battling the UVA crowds to win at Mellow gets you gift certificates along the same vein. So it’s not so much a cheap date as an investment: Buying a few rounds but coming out victorious sets you up for at least a couple of absolutely free dates down the line. That’ll surely impress your date, maybe even more than your knowledge of the periodic table.
Role play
Although they’re not technically free, pay-what-you-can nights at the theater are quite a steal; some of the most refined performance venues in the area like to spit shine new productions in front of an audience, and you get a cheap glimpse of the next Laurence Olivier or Helen Hayes before anyone else.
 Take in a show without spending a lot of dough at Live Arts’ pay-what-you-can nights. |
A standard ticket to a Live Arts performance will set you back anywhere from $10 to $20, but on Wednesday nights you and a date can enjoy a play for less than the cost of a single ticket. Choose your price for summer-season productions of Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire and Harold Pinter’s Old Times. If you plan wisely, you can even grab a free ticket from C-VILLE for a preview performance on the evening before opening night (typically Thursday), available—like cute dates—on a first-come, first-served basis. (For more information, see www.livearts.org.)
If you and your lad or lass are committed spectators, you might consider making the drive west for pay-what-you-can previews at the Blackfriars Playhouse, situated on a picturesque downtown street in Staunton. The drive over the mountain’s a journey perfect for discussing the merits of the American Shakespeare Center’s finest performers. Now that the Actors’ Renaissance Season has drawn to a close, check the Blackfriars website (www.americanshakespearecenter.com) for preview night listings for Love’s Labours Lost, The Winter’s Tale and that old romantic standby, Romeo and Juliet.
