Not sure what to expect from this year’s Virginia Film Festival? A whole lotta funny business, that’s what. That’s what you can expect from this week’s cover story, too. Consider it your personal guide to the Festival, complete with jokes from locals and comedy legends. Read the feature here, and check out the jokes here. And don’t forget to leave comments—the funnier the better!
Civil War diaries: Robert Knox Sneden’s voluminous work discussed in Shadwell
“The Civil War was a uniquely visual and literary war,” keynote speaker, Dr. Charles F. Bryan, explained Wednesday night at the Bradley T. Arms Detachment 1256 in Shadwell. The program, “Civil War Artist, Diarist, and Prisoner of War,” was sponsored by the Marine Corps League and featured the
Film Review: Star Trek Into Darkness
A great trick director J.J. Abrams and screenwriters Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman pulled with Star Trek (2009) was to shake the Etch-a-Sketch and start over. After all, how does one deal with the monster that is the Star Trek universe? One doesn’t. Abrams destroyed, on screen, nearly
Green happenings: Charlottesville environmental news and events
Each week, C-VILLE’s Green Scene page takes a look at local environmental news. The section’s bulletin board has information on local green events and keeps you up to date on statewide happenings. Got an event or a tip you’d like to see here and in the paper? Write us at news@c-ville.com. Fun
The great Divide: The making of Continental’s perfect tuna tostada
This started out as a nachos survey, with me sampling some platters from a few establishments around the village perimeter, plus one on the Downtown Mall, just to establish a baseline. But I knew all along where it was going, where I would end up directing my sunshiny prose. I wanted to be in a [...]
First Annual Day of Dance makes moves on Saturday
The streets will sound with tapping and twirling, leaping and jigging this Saturday, May 25, as the first annual Charlottesville Day of Dance takes over the Downtown Mall. This family-friendly event features an international array of dance forms and fitness practices, from Ireland to India,
Red dirt roundup: Road projects to watch out for in Charlottesville-Albemarle
The latest developments in the Western Bypass planning process may be getting the lion’s share of the road-related ink lately, but what about other local road construction? Here’s an update on pending and ongoing city and state projects worth noting as we barrel toward summer. Route 250
ARTS Picks: The Steel Wheels at The Southern
Entertaining audiences across the country with a heavy brew of original music, The Steel Wheels roll strong with influences from the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia and old-time musical weaving of four-part harmonies, upright bass, fiddle, and mandolin. Saturday’s show opens with a set by Ana
Warm welcome: Group show at McGuffey invites colorful observations
If you’re in need of an instant mood-elevator, I suggest you head straight over to the McGuffey Art Center where dazzling light and vibrant color (and some pretty nifty painting) is on full display at a group show featuring the work of Karen Blair, Jessie Coles, Priscilla Long Whitlock, and
Vote for the earth: A grandmother’s letter to Virginia Senator Mark Warner
At the time of this writing, I stand in the center of a miracle as I witness my 60th Virginia spring and the sixth month of my grandson’s unfolding life. As the steward of a homestead in central Virginia, I witness and participate daily in the mysteries of seed, sun, soil, and water. As a [...]
ARTS Picks: George Melvin Tribute at Fellini’s #9
It’s been four years since we lost George Melvin, but the mark he made on the local jazz scene remains indelible. An accomplished touring musician, bandleader, and all around entertainer, Melvin delighted audiences for over 40 years. Matty Metcalfe kicks off the George Melvin Tribute, followed
UPDATE: Police continue to investigate fatal shooting of 10-year-old in Crozet
UPDATE, 2pm Thursday: Police have announced that the Richmond Medical Examiner’s Office has ruled the death an accident. The investigation into the shooting continues. Those who would like to give to support the family or to charity in Maggie’s name can visit this online donation
ARTS Picks: The Duchess of Malfi at Blackfriars Playhouse
Vicious but mesmerizing, The Duchess of Malfi tells the story of one of the stage’s greatest women and two of its greatest villains. The widowed Duchess disobeys her two brothers by secretly marrying her household steward. When they reveal her sham, a slew of dreadful events are planned that
The cellar of your dreams (Or, just a nice collection of wine, stored well)
The first thing that pops into your mind as an everyday wine drinker who’s looking to start laying down a few bottles is, inevitably: “Don’t I need a big temperature-and-humidity-controlled dungeon, replete with rustic stone walls, candles, and old first-growth Bordeaux?” The answer is “No.”
A bug’s life: Cicada emergence is a mysterious, massive phenomenon
Sachin Gadani and a few friends recently spent a weekend combing Charlottesville for cicadas. The UVA MD-PhD graduate student is head of the University’s entomology club, and he and several fellow amateur bug lovers haven’t had to look hard to find the first local representatives of one of the
Diva Fatigue
Throughout her career, Beyoncé has been universally adored. But next month, when the extremely successful singer, songwriter, dancer, actress, and lady with fantastic hips brings her tour stateside, I imagine things will be different. It has been almost taboo—up until this point—to say you
Walking the talk: Buster Keaton refines the art of comic timing and heroism at The Paramount
“Chaplin or Keaton?” is one of those eternal questions, like “Star Wars or Star Trek?” “The Beatles or the Stones?” There’s no correct answer, but the side you pick can reveal fundamental aspects of your character. Charlie Chaplin is far more famous today, with his “Tramp” character’s
Editor’s Note: Sports as a metaphor for life
I have a friend who is a sportswriter of the old school, like Frank Bascombe or George Plimpton. He sees the game as a metaphor for every noble human experience from tragedy to exaltation. In that world, Mickey Mantle’s story is about an Okie who conquers the Big Apple with raw physical talent,
Diamond anniversary: Ten years after Coach Brian O’Connor’s arrival, UVA baseball is a powerhouse
It was Sunday, April 21, 2013, Brian O’Connor’s 42nd birthday. Virginia had taken both games of Saturday’s doubleheader against No. 5 Florida State and was an inning away from its first-ever sweep of one of college baseball’s most dominant programs. Pitcher Kyle Crockett stepped into the
Bell is out, UVA raises $3 billion, and Barefoot’s on TV: News briefs
Check c-ville.com daily and pick up a copy of the paper Tuesday to for the latest Charlottesville and Albemarle news briefs and stories. Here’s a quick look at some of what we’ve had an eye on for the past week. Obenshain beats out Bell for AG nomination Albemarle Republican Delegate Rob Bell
Overheard on the restaurant scene… This week’s restaurant news
Now open in the former Pita Pit space on 14th Street: Onyx Lounge, a crêperie, sandwich shop, and hookah bar. It’s open until 4am Thursday-Saturday, giving Littlejohn’s a little competish on the late-night scene. Also open? The C’ville Cheese Store on Fifth Street SE in the former Downtown Deli