Pick: Holiday Music Series

Seasonal classics are revitalized with dazzling virtuosity and merry fervor at the Quirk’s Holiday Music Series. In this weekly installment, violinists Minchae Kim and SoHyun Ko, violist Jerome McCoy, and cellist Dilshod Narzillaev of the Heifetz International Music Institute perform a seasonal program. Highlights include glittering solo pieces, Baroque gems, chamber masterworks, and some special […]

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 […]

Pick: Thankful Dead

Get ahead of the gravy boat by dancing your ass off at the Thanksgiving eve jam band party Thankful Dead. Grateful Dead tribute band Bigfoot County puts a unique spin on the Dead’s songs while staying true to its spirited jams. Sisters & Brothers, led by vocalists Andy Tichenor and Davina Jackson, draws from the […]

Pick: Yevgeny Kutik and Anna Polonsky

The Tuesday Evening Concert Series features an elegant program of Brahms, Milhaud, Strauss, and Ravel performed by Yevgeny Kutik and Anna Polonsky. Violinist Kutik is known for his technical precision and poetic interpretations of standard works, as well as newly composed pieces. His recent release, The Death of Juliet and Other Tales, highlights Russia’s rich […]

Pick: American Authors

Chances are you’ve heard American Authors’ anthemic hit single, “Best Day of My Life.” The 2013 release went triple-platinum, and has been featured in over 600 movie trailers, TV shows, and commercials. In 2020, the New York-based rock band released Counting Down, a condensed album that continues the group’s evolution to a sound that’s recognizable […]

Pick: Sunflower Bean

Sunflower Bean’s third album, Headful of Sugar, is a psychedelic head rush made to be played loud with the windows down. Laden with catchy basslines, punk energy, and vocals that alternate between gritty and divine, the record marks a new freedom for the indie rock trio. “We weren’t precious about anything, there was a gleeful […]

Pick: Michael Clem and Andy Thacker

Local musicians Michael Clem and Andy Thacker team up for an afternoon of bluegrass and folk jams. Clem, known for his songwriting and multi-instrument talent, is also a member of Eddie From Ohio, has his own trio, and hits the stage with a number of other bands. Clem’s recent solo release, Rivannarama, features five new […]

Pick: Stray Fossa

After years of pandemic-forced confinement, indie-rock trio Stray Fossa is ready to reemerge. Its sophomore album, Closer Than We’ll Ever Know, examines the intricacy of distance—which is no surprise considering the band was split across two continents during the album’s creation. “These songs have an urgency to them, as if they are on the brink […]

Pick: Brent Cobb and Hayes Carll

Travel buddies Acclaimed country musicians Brent Cobb and Hayes Carll are on the road for a special run of collaborative concerts. “We’re gettin’ together to give ourselves, as well as the crowds, something that I believe we’ll all talk about for a while,” says Cobb, who performs his new gospel album, And Now, Let’s Turn […]

Pick: Fall Concert for Youth

Spirited youth Albemarle Symphony Orchestra presents a program of contemporary and classical works at its Fall Concert for Youth. Conductor Philip Clark, who has played for the queens of England and Holland, will lead the orchestra through compositions from Harry Potter, Moana, Ghostbusters, Bach, and more. The evening also features a mystery emcee to keep […]