Where you’re always welcome: In an increasingly expensive city, downtown day shelter The Haven is a model of community and ‘radical hospitality’

Photos by Zack Wajsgras In January, The Haven will celebrate 10 years of serving homeless and extremely low-income people in the heart of Charlottesville. As the Downtown Mall has been revitalized, the area has become increasingly expensive, home to luxury residences like C&O Row and the 550. The Haven, in a 19th-century church at First […]

ARTS Pick: Tracy Howe, Rev. Sekou, and The Nashville Freedom Fighters

New trails: Tracy Howe’s social gospel soul album Things That Grow honors marginalized communities while celebrating beauty and resilience. Tracks like “Frack Me” and “Our Strength” are rallying cries against misogyny and predatory capitalism, and “Bury Me,” a protest song about white supremacy, has gained traction around the country. Howe is co-headlining with Rev. Sekou […]

Another adios: La Taza closes its doors after 13 years in Belmont

La Taza owner Melissa Easter has recently struggled with a big decision: Should she close her restaurant of the past 13 years or expand? Ultimately she decided it was time for a lifestyle change, and she and her ex-husband, Jeff, sold the restaurant and building to new owners. “I’ve been thinking about it for a […]

The Charlottesville Women’s Choir sings for all

In the wake of the 2016 massacre at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Amanda Korman knew what she needed to do. Sing. At a local vigil, Korman sang songs of solidarity, mourning and protest alongside fellow members of the Charlottesville Women’s Choir “to say we do not want this violence in our country. We want […]

LIVING Picks: Week of March 7-13

FAMILY Caromont Farm open house Thursday, March 8 Stop by Caromont Farm for a tour, to browse the pop-up shop selling cheese-centric items, and—the main attraction—baby goat snuggling. Reserve slots in advance to spend quality time with the kids. $10 (ages 4 and under free), 11am-4pm. Caromont Farm, 9261 Old Green Mountain Rd., Esmont. 831-1393. […]

LIVING Picks: Week of December 13-19

FAMILY Mrs. Claus Invites Wednesday, December 13 Mrs. Claus and her friends invite kids of all ages to enjoy singing, storytelling, craftmaking and more. Advance tickets required. $10, 4-6pm. Omni Hotel Charlottesville, 212 Ridge McIntire Rd. virginiagingerbreadchristmas.com NONPROFIT Bengali cooking class fundraiser Saturday, December 16 Mahabuba Akhter demonstrates how to prepare authentic Bengali dishes from […]

Blue Moon pop-ups feed the community

Although Blue Moon Diner is closed during construction of 600 West Main, the six-story mixed-use building going up behind the restaurant, that hasn’t stopped owner Laura Galgano from serving her customers. “I am a social being, and quite simply, [I] want to know what folks are up to, how their lives are and what new […]

Get your fix at new mobile cake bar

Have your cake and eat it, too: The newly launched Sliced. Cake Bar offers homemade cake by the slice, buttercream shots and cake flights (like a beer flight, but with cake). Co-owners Megan and Rock Watson got the idea after visiting a popular Dallas cake bar. Only Rock thought the sweet treats couldn’t hold a […]

ARTS Pick: Arthur C. Greene Rising Star Awards

“Talent is an accident of genes—and a responsibility,” said the late actor Alan Rickman. For the past 20 years, the Piedmont Council for the Arts has identified more than 250 area high school students as bearers of that responsibility through its annual Arthur C. Greene Rising Star Awards. This year, teachers and nonprofit organizations have […]

LIVING Picks: Week of March 1-7

NONPROFIT GenR: Charlottesville launch party Thursday, March 2 This organization’s inaugural fundraiser supports the International Rescue Committee’s work in helping refugees resettle here and rebuild their lives. $35-75; 6:30-9pm. Old Metropolitan Hall, 101 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. rescue.org/event/genr-charlottesville-launch-party FAMILY ArtFest in the West Friday, March 3 This “magical medieval” fundraiser for arts education showcases […]