The cult classic coming-of-age movie Napoleon Dynamite turned 20 last year, but the main characters—Napoleon, Pedro, and Uncle Rico—are still kicking around their old stomping grounds. About five years ago, the film’s core ensemble of Jon Heder (Napoleon), Efren Ramirez (Pedro), and Jon Gries (Uncle Rico) hosted a Dynamite film screening and post-movie conversation with […]
The cult classic coming-of-age movie Napoleon Dynamite turned 20 last year, but the main characters—Napoleon, Pedro, and Uncle Rico—are still kicking around their old stomping grounds. About five years ago, the film’s core ensemble of Jon Heder (Napoleon), Efren Ramirez (Pedro), and Jon Gries (Uncle Rico) hosted a Dynamite film screening and post-movie conversation with […]
Singer-songwriter, composer, concert pianist, and playwright Rebecca Magnuson brings her life story to the stage in She Sings: A Soaring Musical. The one-woman show shares a deeply personal story of escape from physical, mental, and financial abuse. Following Magnuson’s journey growing up as a piano prodigy and daughter of a conservative hell-fire preacher, the show […]
Claire Boyer “The Scarecrow,” Mountainside Studios Charlottesville resident Claire Boyer went viral after humming along to the drone of a fan on TikTok. “Kitchen Fan Lullaby” has since amassed nearly 14 million streams on Spotify and garnered Boyer a following of more than 200,000 on the music platform. Now she invites listeners on an eerie […]
More than 100 performers from DMR Adventures come together with graduating seniors, regional artists, and Broadway talents for Broadway at The Paramount, a celebration of arts education that showcases unforgettable acts. Drawing from the most memorable moments featured in DMR Adventures’ latest season, this fusion of song, dance, and stagecraft offers selections from Elf, Shrek, […]
The L.A.-based World Ballet Company presents a visually stunning new production based on the classic novel The Great Gatsby. Featuring lavish sets and costumes, multimedia effects, and amazing acrobatics, the performance puts the narrative of wealth, romance, and tragedy tied to the American dream to an original score of jazz-inspired arrangements reminiscent of the Roaring […]
It’s not every day that one gets to meet stage royalty. In that respect, drag shows offer a unique opportunity to connect with multiple monarchs at once. I’ve always been intrigued by drag, but had never attended a live show. I voted for drag diva Shangela on the reg when she performed on “Dancing with […]
The classic coming-of-age story spotlighting sibling support takes center stage in a new production of Little Women. Erin Riley’s acclaimed 2019 adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s most famous work follows the March sisters—Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy—as they navigate the pitfalls of life, love, and a nation at war with itself. Set against the backdrop […]
“This stage is for you. You don’t have to be an artist to share a story.” This is Ty Cooper’s message to anyone attending his One Mic Stand shows, a live series staged for more than 10 years at Piedmont Virginia Community College. “We just wanted to provide a platform for artists to express themselves […]
A day-long celebration of creativity, talent, and dedication showcases student filmmakers at the Virginia Student Film Festival. With more than 15 films under 20 minutes long, the festival features works by current college and university students from across the country, presented in two screening blocks. In addition to the screenings, the day includes a panel […]
If you need a laugh, look no further than Sheng Wang’s deadpan, matter-of-fact standup. The L.A.-based comedian, originally from Houston, Texas, has been featured on HBO’s “2 Dope Queens,” wrote for the ABC show “Fresh Off the Boat,” and has his own Netflix special, “Sweet and Juicy,” produced and directed by the hilarious Ali Wong. […]