C-VILLE Weekly | July 23 - 29, 2025

Down with lanternflies! Why the little buggers are so bad P.9

A revised county ordinance makes it easier to go solar P.13 Metalheads Üga Büga to defy expectation at the Southern P.27 JULY 23 – 29, 2025

Outof office

C-VILLE staffers hit the road for a series of nearby daycations—no autoreply required

See this guy at Scottsville's SCAN Land.

Build Your Business

“Being part of the Chamber connects me with other valuesdriven leaders who care about growth, community, and impact. It’s a space where meaningful conversations turn into real partnerships. That kind of shared momentum is rare, and I’m honored to help strengthen it.” with Charlottesville & Albemarle County’s

Andrea Johnson, The Intentional Optimist LLC

Incoming Chair, Chamber Business Women’s Round Table (BWRT)

Hello, Charlottesville.

Thank you for reading C-VILLE Weekly.

7.23.25

Before I took the job as C-VILLE’s editor, I was based in central Florida. I arrived in 2018 after getting married, and while it wouldn’t have been my first choice (my husband’s job took us there), as soon as we got settled, we started asking locals for must-see attractions near Lakeland, eager to figure out what made the place appealing to so many.

A lot of noteworthy places were checked off the list before we moved back to Charlottesville: Cocoa Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Naples, Sarasota and Long Boat Key, St. Augustine, Disney, Alys Beach. By the time we left, we felt like we’d really “done” Florida—and could point tourists in the direction of the best that was around.

This week, we applied that same pride of place to our cover story (p.16), sending C-VILLE staffers on daytrips in Orange, Nelson, Crozet, and beyond. We wanted to know: What makes these nearby spots special? What would we recommend to someone passing through—or to a longtime local who just hasn’t explored in a while? The result is a guide to easy escapes, packed with hidden gems, good eats, and reasons to hit the road. Whether you’ve lived here for years or you’re new in town, we hope it inspires a little adventure.

Hey, thanks!

This week’s contributors

These generous benefactors of C-VILLE have supported our work through our Save the Free Word campaign. If you’d like to contribute, follow the QR code.

Towns Ackerman

Susan Albert

Catherine Anninos

Lori Balaban

Timothy Bambury

Catherine Barnes

Julie Basic

Susan Battani

Jennifer Beachley

Mayanna Bean

Denise Benson

Anne Bergamesca

Rebecca Berlin

Kim Biasiolli

Patrick Bird

Paddy Bowman

Paul Brewer

Claudia Murray Brindle

Sumner Brown

Colette Brown

Jack Brown

Kate Buford

Cathleen Burgess

Patricia Burkett

Michael Callahan

Brian Carlton

Helen Cathro

Janelle Catlett

James Clark Jr.

Karen Collins

Emily Currier

Maria-Eugenia Dalton

Pam and Peter Dennison

Nancy Dettor

Martha Donnelly

Charlotte Drummond

Louise Dudley

Lee Elberson

Jane Elmore

Karen Emmitt

Ken Engebretson

Elizabeth Engle

Rosa Ellen English

M. Fife

Lavonne Fitts

Kevin Foley

Barbara Fornoff

Joan Forrest

Gerald Giammatteo

David and Janna Gies

Stephanie Goodwin

Cara Hall

Kendra Hall

Madeleine Hawks

Mary Haynes

Chris Hellings

Stephen Herrick

John Heyser

JoAnn Hofheimer

Lisa Hogan

Laura Horn

Christina Horton

Deb Jackson

Garth Jensen

Nina Johnston

Nicole Jones

Diane Jones

Janet Jospe

Brian Kelly

Trish Kenney

Tom Kirk

Kathryn Kluge

Julie Lacy

Marcia Langsam

Jacalyn LaPierre

Aaron Lawrence

Eric and Diane Lawson

Elizabeth Lawson

Frances Lee-Vandell

Sean Libberton

Angeline Lillard

Peppy Linden

Jessica Lino

D. Little

Phillip Long

Rob Lynch

Jeff Martin

Erin Mayer

Kieran Mcdowell

Mary McIntyre

Gretchen McKee

Ruth McWilliams

James Mernin

Nicolas Mestre

Tim Michel

Parthy Monagan

Vic Monti

Hilary Moorman

Michael Morency

Harold E. Morgan

Michael Moriarty

Catherine Moynihan

Jim Mummery

Karen Myers

Monica Newby

Kathy O’Connell

Dennis O’Connor

Cynthia Van Osch

Annette Osso

Annette Owens

Timothy Palmer

Joe Peacock

Elizabeth Perdue

Joann Peters

Damon Pettitt

Elayne Phillips

Anne Price

Ernest Pugh

Harry Purkey

Leslie Quenichet

Frances Racette

T. Radsky

Scott Ransom

Sarah Ratcliffe

Stots Reele

Marjorie Rein

Cindy Richards

Kevin Richardson

David Robinson

Julia Rubarth

Carol Gilbert Sacks

Audrey Sarate

Joan Schatzman

Sandra Schmidt

Eric Schultz

James Seitz

Elaine Shaw

Chuck Shelton

Paul Shettel

John Smith

Kristina Smith

Meredith Smoot

Mickey Speck

Maria Spence

Jim Spencer

David Stackhouse

Nichole Taylor

William Terrell

Emily Thiede

Reid Thompson

Prue Thorner

John Titus

Jessica Tobin

Erica Toy

Jill Trischman-Marks

Susan Uland

Rick Vergot

Christina Walker

Steven Ward

David Waters

Chris Waugaman

Phoebe Weseley

Kelly West

Gary and Anne Westmoreland

Jay Wildermann

Marcia Wilds

Andrew Wolf

Natalie Yancey

Suzanne Yeaman

Nura Yingling

Kelly Zalewski

Kathleen Zenker

Ella Powell has written for The Cavalier Daily as a life columnist, interned at Iris Magazine through the UVA Women’s Center, and is a former C-VILLE Weekly intern. Her work primarily engages with arts and culture events and music, but her academic interests extend to the health of media ecosystems. Read her work on page 29.

Kristie Smeltzer is a writer, writing coach, and teacher. Her fiction has been published by Scribes*MICRO* Fiction, MonkeyBicycle, and Atticus Review. Smeltzer earned her MFA in creative writing at the University of Central Florida. She also teaches creative writing classes for WriterHouse. Read her work on page 31.

Microneedling stimulates collagen production to improve

FEATURE 16

Hit the road

From fried chicken to beaded bracelets and peach ice cream, there’s plenty to love in these nearby towns.

NEWS 9

Battling spotted lanternflies and red imported fire ants.

Schedule

July

11 More affordable apartments, and UVA Health execs exodus.

13 Real Estate: New rules make installing solar in the county easier.

CULTURE 25

27 Stages: Üga Büga plays the Southern.

28 Stages: The SpongeBob Musical is fun for all ages.

29 Sound Choices: MaySuns, Strange Boutique, and more.

31 Tried it in C’ville: Black Barbers of Cville historical tour.

Sudoku

Crossword

Free Will Astrology

ED I TORIAL

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Caite Hamilton editor@c-ville.com

ART DIRECTOR

Max March max@c-ville.com

CULTURE EDITOR

Tami Keaveny tami@c-ville.com

NEWS REPORTER

Catie Ratliff reporter@c-ville.com

NEWS CONTRIBUTOR

Sean Tubbs

ASSOCIATE CULTURE EDITOR

CM Turner arts@c-ville.com

COPY EDITOR

Susan Sorensen

NEWS INTERN

Patrick McDowell

CONTRIBUTORS

Rob Brezsny, Dave Cantor, Matt Dhillon, Carol Diggs, Shea Gibbs, Claudia Gohn, Mary Jane Gore, Maeve Hayden, Andrew Hollins, Erika Howsare, Matt Jones, Sarah Lawson, Kristin O’Donoghue, Lisa Provence, Sarah Sargent, Kristie Smeltzer, Jen Sorensen, Julia Stumbaugh, Paul Ting

ADVERTISING

advertising@c-ville.com

DIRECTOR OF SALES Bianca Johnson bianca@c-ville.com

REAL ESTATE & CLASSIFIED ACCOUNT MANAGER

Brian Hrozencik brian@c-ville.com

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Stephanie Vogtman-Say stephanie@c-ville.com

Jacob Phillips jacob@c-ville.com

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Tracy Federico designer@c-ville.com

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR

Faith Gibson ads@c-ville.com

BUSINESS

PUBLISHER

Anna Harrison anna@c-ville.com

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Debbie Miller debbie@c-ville.com

A/R SPECIALIST

Nanci Winter (434) 373-0429

CIRCULATION MANAGER

Billy Dempsey circulation@c-ville.com

C-VILLE HOLDINGS, LLC

Bill Chapman, Blair Kelly

C-VILLE Weekly is Charlottesville, Virginia's award-winning alternative newspaper. Through our distinctive coverage, we work to spark curiosity and enable readers to engage meaningfully with their community.

“Jordan

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Insect invasion

The latest on spotted lanternflies, and a recently arrived invasive insect BY CATIE

RATLIFF

NEWS ENVIRONMENT

July has brought more than scorching temperatures and humidity to Charlottesville. There has also been a sharp increase in spotted lanternfly sightings.

First found in the United States in Pennsylvania in 2014, the spotted lanternfly is an invasive species from Asia. How the insect arrived in the country is unknown, but it likely entered on imported goods, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Since its original discovery, the SLF has been found in 18 states, including Virginia—which first reported it in 2018.

More than half of Virginia counties and cities now have known SLF populations, including Charlottesville and its surrounding counties. As of this March, Virginia no longer requires quarantine procedures when moving regulated materials from areas where SLF have been spotted.

Early advice regarding the SLF was to stomp or otherwise kill all life stages of the insect, and use Virginia’s invasive species reporting tool (invasivespeciesva. org). Sightings should still be reported in areas without known populations, but killing the insects is unlikely to be effective at this point.

“Absolutely, knock yourself out, stomp them and scrape the egg masses when you see them,” says Carrie Swanson, agriculture and natural resource extension agent for Albemarle County. “There’s nothing wrong with that, but … it’s not going to be the end solution.”

While there was concern about the insect’s impact on agriculture, given its lack of predators, Virginia has not seen impacts at the same level as Pennsylvania. Ahead of the large-scale arrival of the invasive insects, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services worked with organizations statewide to educate on inspection, prevention, and management.

“For most homeowners … this is going to be a nuisance pest, this is really not going to be a pest that causes a great deal of damage,” says Swanson, also noting the SLF are not harmful to people or pets. “There are a lot of contact insecticides that can be effec-

tive against them, but there’s not really a need, in most cases, to use them. … The same insecticides can be harmful to beneficial insects. So we’re trying to spread the word of a little patience and tolerance.”

The agriculture industry, and vineyards in particular, have been the most affected by the spotted lanternfly. Beyond their preferred food source, tree of heaven (which is also invasive), the insect feeds on plants including grapes, hops, and hardwood trees. When feeding, the SLF excretes a sticky substance commonly referred to as honeydew, which then causes mold.

In vineyards, the Virginia Cooperative Extension recommends increased insecticide use, especially during peak SLF season. The insects hatch between late April and early May, developing into adults in July and increasing in population before laying eggs from September until the first freeze.

More than smashing the insects, one of the best ways to fight spotted lanternflies is to kill tree of heaven plants.

For Virginia entomologists, spotted lanternflies are largely old news. But a hot new insect has entered the villa: red imported fire ants.

Unlike fire ants that are native to Virginia, red imported fire ants are an invasive, aggressive, and venomous species. While they first arrived in the U.S. around 1918, the spread of RIFA has been relatively slow. The species has been in Virginia since 1989, but has been mostly contained to the far southwest and southeast of the commonwealth.

The species is small, and its mounds vary in appearance, ranging from inconspicuous, almost flat dirt to a more classic anthill look, making them difficult to spot.

The first RIFA mounds were officially documented in Albemarle County earlier this year in and around the Kohl’s parking lot in Hollymead Town Center and the Holly Memorial Gardens across the street. Beyond a nuisance, the ants present a significant safety issue.

“The big issue for fire ants is worker safety, personal safety,” says Eric Day, manager of the Insect Identification Lab and entomology professor at Virginia Tech. Day is an author or co-author of many Virginia Cooperative Extension guides, including several on the SLF, RIFA, and hybrid fire ants.

“Nobody intends to step on a fire ant mound,” says Day. “It’s often someone’s going and checking on or reading a meter, or checking and looking at a tree.”

Reactions to RIFA stings vary, ranging from mild pain and redness to anaphylaxis.

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has treated the Albemarle County site. Once an area is past eradication possibility, the state will no longer handle the treatment of the species and will add it to the quarantine list.

At press time, Albemarle County has not been added to the RIFA quarantine. Both Swanson and Day indicated on July 18 that the number of active mounds has dropped significantly since their visit in May. Any RIFA sightings in the area should be reported through the Virginia Invasive Species reporting tool.

More information on red imported fire ants and spotted lanternflies can be found at vdacs.virginia.gov.

IN BRIEF

All the news you missed last week (in one sentence or less)

Unfilled positions

Less than a year after the publication of a letter of no confidence, the top three executives at University of Virginia Health have all resigned. The latest departure, UVA Medical Center CEO Wendy Horton, was not named in the complaint.

The letter, published September 5, 2024, and signed by 128 UVA Physicians Group faculty, called for the removal of then-CEO of UVA Health Craig Kent and UVA School of Medicine Dean Melina Kibbe. While neither departed in the immediate aftermath of the letter, both Kent and Kibbe have since resigned.

Kent submitted his resignation on February 25, after the findings of an investigation were presented in a closed meeting of the Board of Visitors. A July 14 announcement by Kibbe’s new employer, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, was the first indication of her exit from UVA. She is the sole finalist for the presidency at UT Houston, and will be confirmed to the position after a statemandated 21-day waiting period.

Horton’s departure was confirmed two days later by UVA Health Public Information Officer Eric Swensen in a statement to The Daily Progress. She is slated to start her new

Sierra C. Thomas, 19, charged with involuntary manslaughter for death of passenger in Esmont crash. UVA Health receives two-year $637,000 grant for hospital-based violence intervention program. Judge orders crosswalk painter Kevin Cox to pay $606 fine, which he does in person at the July 21 City Council meeting, and fulfill 90 days of good behavior. State police execute search warrant in the 700 block of Prospect Avenue and recover more than 6,000 fentanyl pills and one firearm; one suspect, 23-year-old Jatavious Taymoze Turner-Jones, taken into custody. Indivisible Charlottesville hosts celebration of life for civil rights leader John Lewis. Louisa resident Jahazi R. Veney, 24, arrested following DNA match to a 2023 home invasion. West Virginia man arrested in Barracks Road July 18 after soliciting sex from a detective posing as a 14-year-old girl. Heavy rainfall causes collapse of 1800 block of Fray Road.

Wendy Horton, former UVA Medical Center CEO, is headed to the University of California San Francisco.

Red imported fire ants are between three and six millimeters in length, and can be either winged or non-winged.

job as the senior vice president and president of adult care services at the University of California San Francisco in early September.

UVA did not formally announce either Kibbe or Horton’s resignation. Swensen responded to C-VILLE’s request for a comment from Horton with a prepared statement outlining the timeline for her departure.—Catie Ratliff

University politics

The U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division opened an investigation into George Mason University on July 17, alleging that “diversity goals” under GMU President Gregory Washington constitute illegal “race- and sex-based hiring practices.” This is the latest in a series of investigations into GMU by the DOJ, all centered around diversity, equity, and inclusion policies at the Fairfax-based university.

The examination of GMU’s hiring practices comes less than one month after the departure of former UVA president Jim Ryan, who resigned under pressure from the DOJ. Washington most recently responded to the DOJ proceedings in a July 18 letter in which he confirmed GMU will cooperate with the investigation.—CR

Highway homes

Another affordable apartment complex planned for Seminole Trail BY SEAN TUBBS

The Albemarle Board of Supervisors adopted the Places29 Master Plan in February 2011 as a vision to guide the transition of commercial spaces into areas where people could live.

“There is no time frame for the vision,” reads an introduction to the plan. “In fact, it may be decades before the area builds out in fulfillment of it.”

So far, the owners of Rio Hill Shopping Center and Albemarle Square show no signs of getting on board with the conversion of 20th-century shopping centers, while the owners of The Shops at Stonefield have delivered on the residential side of the vision with 686 of 800 allowed units built as of April 1. On the commercial side, less than half of the nearly 1.2 million square feet of commercial space has been built.

Construction of Premier Circle is now underway at the former Red Carpet Inn for dozens of housing units that will be reserved for individuals with extremely low incomes. SupportWorks Virginia and Piedmont Housing Alliance secured a rezoning in February 2021 for as many as 140 units.

This spring, the Columbus, Ohio-based Woda Cooper Companies filed plans with Albemarle County for a rezoning to build just under 100 affordable apartments right across the eight-lane highway.

“Burley Pointe will consist of 92 apartment units, with 16 one-bedroom, 48 twobedroom, and 28 three-bedroom units in a single four-story elevator building,” reads a description of the project.

Woda Cooper Companies has built a total of 365 communities in 18 states, according to its website. It’s also seeking to build a community called Rosenswald Pointe in

Waynesboro. The company is currently managing two projects in the Richmond area and has two more under development.

Like Premier Circle and other affordable properties, financing depends on securing low-income housing tax credits through a division of the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development.

The 2.6-acre property at 1305 Seminole Trl. is currently vacant and the narrative submitted for the rezoning describes it as ideal for apartments due to the proximity to a grocery store and places for people to work.

Another rezoning to build 165 units at 1193 Seminole Trl. is currently on hold, according to the county’s permit portal. Immediately to the south is the county line, where another developer is seeking to build another 250 units. The latter is one of a handful of projects being processed under the city’s 2003 zoning code. Both of those are marketrate projects and will have to comply with each locality’s affordability requirements.

The Places29 Master Plan was meant to help guide transportation projects. To prepare for development, the 2011 vision called for the development of Hillsdale Drive Extended, widening U.S. 29 to six lanes between Polo Grounds Road and Hollymead Town Center, and the construction of Berkmar Drive Extended. All three were built, as well as other projects, including a pedestrian bridge currently under construction between Stonefield and Seminole Square Shopping Center.

The plan also called for expanded transit service in the area. Since then, Albemarle has invested in public transportation including covering the costs of the MicroCAT ondemand service currently underway. The county has also joined Charlottesville to create a regional transit authority.

The Places29 Master Plan itself has not been updated since its inception, save for an amendment in June 2015. The county’s update of the Comprehensive Plan has now been underway since November 2021. C

When completed, Burley Pointe will have 92 apartments.

George Mason University President Gregory Washington

REAL ESTATE NEWS

Reflecting change

Albemarle Supervisors update regulations on solar panels BY

SEAN TUBBS

Albemarle property owners who want to install solar-energy facilities or battery-storage systems now have an easier pathway to do so.

At its July 16 meeting, the Board of Supervisors adopted a new ordinance regulating solar facilities as well as battery-energy storage systems.

Under the new regulations, “accessory” energy facilities are allowed in any zoning district without permission from the BOS, as long as the installations are smaller than 500 square feet. In the rural area, solar installations could be on as much as 21 acres without getting legislative approval, unless more than 10 acres of forest or prime farmland would be disturbed.

There is a height limit of 20 feet.

“What we’re trying to do is reach a happy medium there that it’s high enough, should they want to use sheep, for example, underneath and to allow them to mow and maintain, but not so high that you have runoff from the panels falling at speed, creating an erosion problem,” said Bill Fritz, development process manager for Albemarle County.

The new rules also create several new definitions to regulate the impact that solar installations have on the environment, such as “wildlife corridor” to allow animals to move through a project. That also means fences have to allow some creatures to move through the space while also allowing deer to be screened out to keep them from becoming trapped.

Larger solar facilities in the rural area and industrial zoning districts would need a special use permit, the same as before, and there are regulations that would prevent them from being placed on areas with important soil.

Ground-mounted solar facilities above two acres in size must be fenced in. They also must become “gold-certified” through the Virginia Pollinator Smart program run by the state government. If any of the facilities become operational, they must be removed within six months.

“They need to submit a decommissioning plan,” Fritz said.

Several speakers who work for the Community Climate Collaborative took the opportunity to thank the county for considering the update.

“I have solar panels on my roof and the peace of mind it gives me to use clean energy in my home and for my electric vehicle is amazing,” said Sarah Delgado, C3’s finance and operations manager.

The coordinated effort by the nonprofit group allowed for it to continue to lobby for changes during the public hearing.

“I urge you to remove the height restrictions on solar panels … since relaxed height restrictions allow for increased design flexibility and the incorporation of agrivoltaic projects,” said Reid Krobach, a C3 intern and rising 11th grader at the Community Lab School.

Others expressed environmental and health concerns about allowing batteryenergy storage facilities in the rural area.

“The chemicals these batteries are made of are toxic and flammable,” said Patricia Maeda, who lives adjacent to a large solar site off of Secretarys Road. “If there’s a spark, a lightning strike, it could start explosions.”

Fritz said solar installations would be subject to the building code, which addresses access for the fire department as well as what fire suppression equipment would be required on site.

After a lengthy public hearing, supervisors debated several proposed amendments. White Hall District’s Ann Mallek wanted to reduce the total acreage allowed by-right in the rural area to five acres. However, a majority accepted keeping that at 21 acres.

Another requirement in the ordinance is that land that has been farmed within the past five years is not eligible for solar panels, in order to discourage conversion of usable agricultural land. The draft proposal had set that threshold to 10 years, but supervisors agreed to make the change.

Installing solar facilities and battery-storage systems is now easier in Albemarle County.

with access to a clubhouse, gym, playground, dog park, wine socials, and food truck nights. Welcome home! $534,000 3215

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Near

and

dear

You don’t have to go far to get away. With summer in full swing, we asked C-VILLE staffers to take a little time off, hop in the car, and explore the small towns that sit just beyond Charlottesville’s borders. From avocado toast in Waynesboro to a pit stop in historic Scottsville, these quick jaunts prove that adventure—and a good meal, bookstore, or art gallery—is often just a short drive away.

Books, beer, and bluegrass

My partner and I pulled into downtown Orange just after noon on a sunny summer Saturday. Parking on Main Street at Taylor Park, we stepped into the shade of the public space and navigated pebbled pathways dotted with antique streetlights to check out the sparkling fountain, a mural dedicated to Second Bank & Trust, and a memorial to Alexander Spotswood—Virginia’s lieutenant governor from 1710 to 1722.

A few doors down from the park, we checked out Spelled Ink Bookstore, a lovely little shop with gifts, new and used books, games, hobby supplies, and a calendar full of community events. Working our way down Main Street, we popped in and out of several more antique and gift shops filled with furniture, local artworks, jewelry, homegoods, and ephemera.

Continuing on, we stopped to see the historic Orange Train Station, built in 1910. Passenger service was discontinued in the 1970s, with the Colonial Revival-style building now housing the Orange County Visitors Center. Across the street, we welcomed the free entry and air-conditioned environment of The Arts Center in Orange, where we took in an exhibition of landscape paintings by central Virginia-based artist Michael Meredith, and picked through crafts, photographs, and prints made by various local creatives.

After a quick drive down the road, we stopped at Iron Pipe Alewerks for a lunch of pizza, wings, and beers. I went with the 4 Horsemen of Helles German-style golden lager—the venue’s most popular selection, and the 2021 Bronze Medal winner at the Virginia Craft Beer Cup—which balanced out the rich and salty lemon pepper wings and PBR pie (pickle, bacon, ranch) we ordered.

To finish the afternoon, we walked a couple doors down to Salvagewrights Ltd., an architectural antiques depot housing stacks of doors, piles of chairs, stained glass windows, vintage ephemera, and architectural elements. A group of five older gentlemen plucked bluegrass on stringed instruments while a few folks listened. It was a fitting end to an afternoon filled with history, artistry, and small-town community.—CM Turner

Right here in the river city

I wasn’t sure what to think as I made the 30-minute trek south from Charlottesville to Scottsville, but to my surprise, my arrival to the town of less than 600 residents was met by a lively community that has managed to stave off the ghost-town moniker that has plagued too many small towns across the country.

Scottsville was nearly decimated by the advent of the train and automobile, but found new life in both celebrating its rich history and advertising its unique charm and beauty as a town nestled alongside the James River.

Exploring that beauty is where my adventure began, as I found my way out of the beating sun and into the shaded campground adjacent to the riverbed. Other people had the same idea, and happily shared some of the local lore with me.

After cooling off, I headed to the Canal Basin Square, where Scottsville’s history came to life with displays of the exact bateaus used along the river during Colonial times. Just across the road from the Scottsville Museum, this unique self-guided tour displayed the rise and fall of the former lifeline of the Virginia economy.

A short walk from Canal Basin Square is the main drag, dotted with cute boutiques offering a range of goods and services, from cupcakes at Baked on the James to fermented foods and herbal supplements at Farmstead Ferments.

After exploring the shops, I found refuge in the air-conditioning at Baine’s Books & Coffee. The extensive collection of books paired with the friendly staff provided a cozy vibe as I meandered about the shop with my afternoon pick-me-up in hand.

As I left—with a sip of coffee remaining in one hand and three books in the other—

Daytrippin'

I grew excited for my next nature stop. Going uphill, I first arrived at SCAN Land, where an interspersing of arts in nature can be found through unique sculptures strewn about the landscape. From there, a trail connecting SCAN Land to the beautiful Van Clief Nature Area allowed me to find another shady safe haven while walking lakeside.

As the sun began to set, my time in Scottsville was approaching its end. Before heading back up the road toward Charlottesville, I made two final stops: James River Brewery and Tavern on the James. On opposite sides of the street, the locations serve as hot spots for locals and visitors alike.

James River Brewery was encompassed by a communal atmosphere. Whether it be reminiscing about the latest trivia night or discussing landscaping plans, patrons and employees were happy to engage in any and all conversations and share all they could about the wonderful place they call home.

Tavern on the James, meanwhile, presented the lively atmosphere you’d hope for in a local diner. A busy bar and tables hosting party after party characterized dinner service, as casual conversations were carried across the restaurant.

Patrick McDowell

The pursuit of happiness

It’s summertime and I have a 5-year-old daughter, so rarely do I get a moment all to myself. But one Wednesday morning, I dropped my girl at The Front Porch’s summer camp and headed down 64, where exit 99 would lead me into the heart of Waynesboro.

Specifically, I was interested in Happ Coffee, for which I’d recently begun seeing road signs up and down 81 on my trips to visit family in Harrisonburg. What does it mean? I wondered. Happ-y? Happ-enstance? I didn’t get an answer by the end of my visit, but I did feel satisfied with my iced oat milk latte and avocado toast (add a soft-boiled egg). The dining chairs in the café space—part of a larger 3,100-square-foot plot in the Virginia Metalcrafters building—matched the ones I have at my own kitchen table, so I felt right at home.

From there, I headed to Main Street where I stopped in at Rusticae, peeked in the windows of Stone Soup Books (the indie bookstore moved downtown and the grand opening was scheduled for—just my luck—the very next day), and tried to scope out the Augusta County Railroad Museum for a future visit. It’s only open on Saturdays, but the pictures online promise miniature city setups with train sets chugging throughout. Sounds like something my girl would be into. I turned up Wayne Street to poke around adorn., a charming boutique filled with small-batch clothing lines and locally made jewelry. A highlight there was the beaded bracelets of Doris Deavor, whom owner Katie Harris says beads as a side hustle while she watches TV at night.

Harris directed me next door to Pyramid, a metaphysical supply store stocked to the brim with everything from stones and tinc-

Daytrippin'

tures to animal skulls and tarot cards. I loved the wall of spell herbs; it was a little like being on the set of Practical Magic

From there, also on a recommendation from Harris, I made my way to Shenandoah Valley Art Center, a spot much like Charlottesville’s own McGuffey Art Center, where curious minds are invited to browse the gallery space as well as the artists’ workshops. I had the place to myself; a staff member needed to run out to pick up a sculpture right as I arrived, but told me to make myself at

home. By then, the coffee had done its work, so I wandered to the restroom—home to a delightful little gallery of pay-what-you-will art. It was here that I picked up my souvenir for the day: a print of three bright tulips by Analog Artworks’ Alex Neckopulos. Still satiated by my Happ(ifying?) avo toast, I briefly toyed with the idea of a cone of Kline’s strawberry shortcake ice cream for a late lunch (whoo! Mom’s day out!), but thought better of it. I’ll save that for next time.—Caite Hamilton

Good day Crozet

I rarely spend time in Crozet, which is silly, considering it’s 20 minutes away and a travel destination for its wineries, breweries, wellness practitioners, art studios, and natural beauty.

Once an easy-to-overlook (and often mispronounced) pastoral stretch with a smalltown center defined by its amazing pizza parlor, Crozet now thrives as a massively developed country cousin of Charlottesville.

So, seeking respite on a hot summer morning, I turned my wheels west toward the aqua haze of the foothills of the Blue Ridge Moun-

tains, aiming for a short hike and a dip in the lake at Mint Springs Valley Park.

My first stop was Praha Bohemian Bakery on Three Notch’d Road, where it’s clear that the husband-and-wife owners put their heart and soul into the art of baking. I gawked at the sweet and savory beauties, got a quick lesson on Czech pastry, and left with a spinach artichoke Koláč in hand. Around the corner, I pulled in at The Yellow Mug to reup my caffeine intake. This charming coffee shop, set in a cottage, also boasts tantalizing pastries, and makes an excellent iced chai latte.

Arriving at Mint Springs, I paid the entry fee and was delighted to spot just three other cars in the parking lot. It was highnoon hot, so I shortened my hike, and made a 15-minute sweat up and back on the Fire Trail, before hitting the “beach.”

Upper Lake (one of three at the park) is an absolute gem of a swimming hole. The temperate, shark-free waters were clear and clean. Spring-fed pockets of cold water rushed up from the bottom, while I drifted about, gazing up at the blue sky surrounded by the leafy green fluorescence of Little Yellow Mountain. There was even enough trucked-in sand to build tall castles and crust up my flip-flops.

Leaving the springs, Chiles Peach Orchard harkened, with its fresh blackberries, nectarines, sunflowers, and all the peach delights (pies, donuts, cookies), plus wine slushies, and ice cream.

Refreshed from the swim, I barely noticed the 110-degree heat radiating off the parkinglot blacktop, as I sat on Chiles’ farm porch clutching a cone of peach ice cream and gazing over the fence at row upon row of flower gardens in full, glorious bloom.

Tami Keaveny

One of my favorite parts of a trip to Nelson is the drive along Route 151. It can be busy, and there are sometimes cops waiting with a radar over the next big hill, but the journey through lush greenery and rolling mountains is gorgeous. (Pro tip: Download your directions and whatever you plan to listen to before you head out— reception can be a bit spotty.)

On my way in, I spotted what I thought was light rain coming over the mountains. It was, in fact, an all-out downpour, which made for a perilously puddle-filled dash from the car into the brewery. Even with an umbrella, I ended up just as drenched as friends I met on the restaurant’s covered front porch.

Soaked, we slopped into the brewery for brunch. I ended up with a mimosa (heavy on the orange juice, ahem), with pretzel bites and mac ‘n’ cheese. Not a traditional brunch, I know, but I’m a vegetarian, so the chicken and waffles, steak and egg burrito, and biscuit and gravy platter were out.

Between our discussion of everything “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” my friends and I tried to parse the seasoning on the pretzel bites. If anyone else has had them, feel free to weigh in. We landed somewhere between “garlicky” and ”vaguely Italian.”

Far and away, the highlight was sitting on the glassed-in porch and catching up, staying cozy through the deluge.

Head for the hills

My grandparents have lived in Nellysford my entire life, but until a Saturday in early July, I had only been to places in Nelson County—Iron & Ale, Devils Backbone, Chirios, and the ever-popular Wintergreen—with family. Rather than relive my childhood visits to my Nana and Dedo’s house, I opted to hit Three Notch’d Brewery.

When we finally parted ways, the rain had eased, but it was still too soggy for the outdoorsy items on my itinerary. With my plans to finally (finally!) hike Humpback Rock punted to another day, I ended up just down the road at my grandparents’ house, where I spent the rest of the afternoon. Their house isn’t a tourist attraction, but I’d still recommend that anyone in the mood for scenic views and sips with friends check out Nelson proper—there’s a good shot you’ll have a great time, rain or shine.—Catie Ratliff

Daytrippin'

but it doesn’t lack for perfect peaches, peppers, tomatoes, sweet corn, and squash. With sacks full of fruit and veggies, my husband moved on to the Kismet Roasters coffee stall, while I bought a jar of Bad Daughters’ Boozy Berry jam, and a bouquet of blooms from Bear Meadows Flower Farm.

From there, it was a mile to Gordonville’s historic downtown and two iced dirty chai lattes from Krecek Kakes Bakery and Coffeeshop. We enjoyed our drinks from seats overlooking the town’s straight-from-aNancy-Meyers’-movie Main Street, still adorned with American flags from the previous week’s Independence Day celebration. Next up: Jackson & Company Market to peruse not only the pastries and grab ‘n’ go offerings, but everything from cookbooks and knives to scarves and baskets. And then we ambled aimlessly, popping in to Annie Gould Gallery to admire work from dozens of local and national artists, and the Weaver Street Shops (the Native American jewelry! the quilts!). While I dress shopped at Posh, my husband hit The Exchange Hotel and Civil War Museum and then the Visitor Center, where he learned that Gordonsville, established in 1813, became the “Fried Chicken Capital of the World” thanks to Black women who sold chicken to train passengers back when the city was a major railroad hub.

Finger-lickin’ good

On a recent July morning, my husband and I decided to shake up our Saturday routine. Instead of visiting the vendors at City Market and IX Art Park, we headed 30 minutes northeast to Gordonsville, where our first stop was the farmers’ market in the parking lot of Patch Brewing Co. It’s much smaller than Charlottesville’s two Saturday markets,

Take it on the road

Show off your local love with our new daytrip-inspired tees— designed to celebrate the spots we’re spotlighting in this issue. Perfect for your next small-town adventure (or just repping your favorite getaway). Head to bit.ly/shopcville to find your fit.

Lunch was at the Ice House, known for its fried chicken (natch!), which was as yummy as advertised. We timed our meal to catch some of the women’s Wimbledon final on the restaurant’s big screen, but Poland’s Iga Swiatek destroyed American Amanda Anisimova 6-0, 6-0, in less than an hour, so we only saw the match’s final rally.

Stuffed, we crossed the street to the town’s charming public library, housed in a former Catholic church rectory, and then meandered back to our car, certain we’d return on October 4 for—wait for it—Gordonsville’s Fried Chicken Festival.—Susan Sorensen

THE WINE DOWN

WHAT’S DELISH AT LOCAL WINERIES?

53RD WINERY AND VINEYARD

A note from Winegrower and Owner, Dave Drillock

We have LOTS of fun events happening in July, and cannot wait to celebrate these warm summer days with you. Come cool off with a glass of wine! We are open 11-5:00 daily with lots of fun, live music, food trucks and (most importantly) wine!

You can find tickets for our various ticketed events on tock!

We invite you to visit our serene, meadow-like location in rural Louisa County. We pride ourselves on being genuine and approachable, eager to share our passion for wine without any scripted lines or memorized facts, just a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

We are a Winery that just wants to be a Winery!

For more details, please check our website at www.53rdwinery.com or call us at 540-894-1536. We look forward to welcoming you to the winery, and we truly appreciate your business and support.

July 25th: Cheers to 10 years anniversary party! Live music and Food trucks (advanced ticket purchase required)

July 26th: Live music with Mike Proffitt and a First Taste: A Red Wine Preview (advanced ticket purchase required)

Open 7 days a week, 11 am – 5 pm • Sat/Sun. 12-6 pm 13372 Shannon Hill Rd Louisa, VA 23093 (540) 894-5474 • 53rdwinery.com

DUCARD VINEYARDS

2024 Pet gNat

Fun, with fizz! This wilder version of sparkling wine is crisp, refreshing, full of citrus, and yeasty. We’ve given the name a tongue-in-cheek twist and are sure it’s going to be your summertime favorite!

We are open 7 days a week throughout the month of January, with live music every weekend! Make sure to keep an eye on our website and social media pages for the most up to date listings of our upcoming artists.

Fridays- Friday Night Out! Every Friday night through the summer we feature half price wine flights, live music, food for sale, and grills available for use until 8:00pm.

Weekends- Live music all weekend long! Check out our lineup on our website!

Open daily Mon-Thurs. 12-5 pm Fri. 12-9 pm Sat/Sun. 12-6 pm

40 Gibson Hollow Ln Etlan, VA 22719 (540) 923-4206 www.ducardvineyards.com

EASTWOOD FARM AND WINERY

Summer at the Winery From Oyster Fridays to Eastwood After Dark, there are a lot of ways to kick back and enjoy the Summer in Charlottesville. In August we are

bringing back two favorite events

– Eastwood’s Crab Feast on Saturday August 23rd, featuring Salty Bottom Blue (and live music all day) and the Sangria and Summer Maker’s Market on Sunday, August 24th. We will also be featuring blueberry lemonade wine slushies and a variety of ice cream flavors from SugarBear Ice Cream along with our full lunch and dinner menu.  Come for the wine and stay for the fun.

Upcoming at the Winery:

Virginia Oyster & Wine Celebration | Every Friday July-August

Our Virginia Oyster & Wine Celebration is back every Friday night! The oysters are prepared by Salty Bottom Blue. Enjoy them in a relaxed, fun atmosphere with live music from 5-8pm on the stage in our tasting room.

Music Bingo | Sundays, July 27, August 17th and August 31 (& Thursday, August 7)

Everyone loves singing along with their favorite songs and who doesn’t love a competitive game of Bingo? Music Bingo brings together the best of both worlds for a high energy game that is fun for everyone. Simply listen to the music, match the songs to the titles on your music bingo cards, and win great prizes! Free to play

Paint & Sip | Sunday, July 27, Wednesday, August 6 and Sunday, August 31st

Grab a glass of wine (or your favorite drink!) and let your creativity flow in our relaxed and fun Paint & Sip classes. Whether you’re an experienced artist or a first-time painter, the talented instructors of Blue Ridge Brushes will walk you through the painting process as you create your own masterpiece. Ticketed EventsReserve Your Spot On Our Website

Chef Tasting Series is Back! | Wednesday, August 13

Join us at Eastwood for an opportunity to participate in an intimate wine tasting and food pairing event. You will be greeted with a glass of our gold medalwinning Blanc de Blancs. Once everyone is seated, Athena Eastwood and Chef Andrew Partridge will guide guests through a tasting of four of our wines each paired with small plates curated by Chef Andrew and our culinary team. We hope you will join us for this fun and educational experience. This is a ticketed event and seating is limited. Reserve your spot on our website!  The next in the series will be a full course chef dinner on Wednesday, October 8.

Crab Feast  | Saturday, August 23  Nothing says Summer quite like a Crab Feast!  Salty Bottom Blue will be serving up  Blue Crab and Oysters, both raw and grilled (from

1-4PM) in addition to Eastwood’s regular menu, including the delicious crab dip.  Top it off with a glass of Viognier, Petit Manseg, or Blanc de Blancs.

Live Music:  Hallie Grace 12:303:30PM and Cake Fight 5-8PM

Sangria Sunday and Maker’s Market| Sunday, August 24

Join us for our house-made Sangria (one day only) and a local maker’s market where you are sure to find some creative treasures.

Live Music:  John Benjamin 1-4PM

MUSIC

AT EASTWOOD THIS MONTH!

Join us for the popular Eastwood After Dark featuring upbeat, danceable music on Saturday nights from 5-8pm (in addition to our more mellow Saturday afternoon music program). Eastwood also hosts a range of live performances by talented local and regional musicians every Thursday and Friday night. See the Winery Calendar on our website for details.

Every Thursday: Live Music 5-8PM or Music Bingo 6-8PM

Thursday “Thank You” Community Day at Eastwood—$5 Taps (Beer & Cider)

Every Friday: Live Music 5-8PM Low-Country Shrimp Boil 5-8PM

Every Saturday: Live Music 12:303:30PM + Eastwood After Dark with Live Music 5-8PM

Every Sunday: Music Bingo, Paint & Sip, Maker’s Market or Live Music (See the Winery Calendar on our website for details.)

What about the kids? Kids can share in the experience with their own juice tasting flights and cheese boards!

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK!

Winery Hours: Sunday-Wednesday (12-5 PM); Thursday-Saturday (12-8 PM)

We look forward to welcoming you to our cozy tasting room, seven days a week. Join us for award-winning wines, beer, and cider, as well as a delicious seasonal menu by Chef Andrew Partridge that is perfect for lunch or dinner. Delight in lounging on our enclosed & heated veranda with a glass of our gold medal 2022 Meritage Reserve. Or, stay inside and enjoy live music with a seasonal toasty flatbread or our scrumptious Cast Iron Baked Brie. Escape to Virginia Wine Country, only five miles from Downtown Charlottesville. Open year-round, seven days a week.

Pet friendly and large groups are welcome. Ample indoor and outdoor seating.

Rt 20 near the intersection with Avon Extended (5 mi from Downtown Mall) Charlottesville, VA 22902 (434) 264-6727 www.eastwoodfarmandwinery.com

HARDWARE HILLS VINEYARD

River Bend White

One of our best selling whites!  A balanced 50/50 blend of our estate grow Vidal Blanc and Seyval Blanc.  With multiple fruit characteristics and notable layered flavors of ripe citrus and pear. Approachable and bright delivering a rounded mouthfeel and a brisk but silky finish.  Great for porch sipping or pairing with light pasta dishes, fish, and chicken.

Have YOU seen our social media posts?  Trending videos on all platforms... check us out!

Our event venue is now complete and ready for your special event!  Contact us at eventteam@ hardwarehills.com for details and scheduling a tour!

NEW HOURS!

Thursday - Saturday  12 - 8 Sunday 12 - 5

July 24th – Trivia Night! Grab your dream team and Heat for the Hills for a fun evening of trivia, wine, and fun!  St. Paddy’s themed trivia this month... sure to tease your brain and get you laughing. Please RSVP so we know you’re coming.

Fridays- Live music! Check our website for our rotating artists 5199 W River Rd, Scottsville, VA  434.286.4710 • www.hardwarehills.com

KESWICK VINEYARDS

Summer is in full swing at Keswick Vineyards, and we are pouring up good times all month long!

Wine Down Wednesdays

Join us every Wednesday evenings from 5-8:30PM for Wine Down Wednesday! Soak in the summer breeze with live music on our outdoor stage, sip your favorite Keswick wines, and come early for our happy hour from 5-6!!

Saturday Live Music Series

Every Saturday from 12-4PM, we

bring nothing but good vibes with a different live music performance on the lawn! Pack a picnic, order from our food truck, bring your crew, (and your pups!), and unwind with us under the Virginia sun!

Comedy Night - Friday, July 18th at 7:30PM

Laughter paired with wine? What’s not to love! Join us for a special Comedy Night featuring Shane Smith and Mark Brady. They will surely leave you rolling!

Corvette Club - Saturday, July 19th at 12PM

After you have shared a bunch of laughs, come back a day later and check out some stunning cars all the while having your favorite Keswick wines both times!

Sip, Savor, and Stay a while. - Your Keswick Vineyards family.

Weekends - Live Music from 12-4 pm (check out our website for the schedule!)

Hours: Monday- Sunday from 10 am – 5 pm

1575 Keswick Winery Drive Keswick, Virginia 22947

Tasting Room: (434) 244-3341 ext 105 tastingroom@keswickvineyards.com www.keswickvineyards.com

PRINCE MICHEL VINEYARDS

During the month of July, celebrate summer with Prince Michel’s Dry Rosé! Our American Dry Rosé is the ultimate warm-weather wine— crisp, fruity, and refreshingly off-dry. Light-bodied with a lively personality, it unveils bright notes of strawberry, cherry, and melon, rounded with subtle hints of green apple. Its vibrant acidity and clean finish make it the perfect sip for sunny days and balmy evenings.

Whether you’re enjoying a fresh garden salad, grilled chicken, or picnic fare, this Rosé pairs beautifully with all your summer Decadence Chocolate

or a refreshing wine slushie for a delightful twist.  We have something to offer for every palate!

At Prince Michel Indulge in a spectrum of wines, from luxurious craft picks such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Manseng, to distinctive options like our Sweet White Reserve from our Rapidan River series. Don’t miss our crowd-favorite Discover Prince Michel Vineyard and Winery, an iconic East Coast estate. Family and pet-friendly, it’s one of the oldest and largest wineries in the Commonwealth.  Also, home to Tap 29 Brew Pub, serving local craft brews and delicious pub-style food seven days a week.

Located in the heart of Virginia Wine Country, our elegant winery on Route 29 between Charlottesville and Washington DC offers wine tastings, tours, shopping, and scenic picnic spots daily from 11am.

Open 7 days a Week at 11 a.m.

Weekly Events:

Live Music every Friday–Sunday (music lineup at princemichel.com)

Monday Night Trivia | 6–7:30 p.m.

Tuesday Beer & Wings Specials | 3–5 p.m.

Thursday Happy Hour | 3–5 p.m. 154 Winery Lane, Leon, VA  22725 (540) 547-3707 www.princemichel.com

A Woman-Owned Business

REVALATION VINEYARDS

2024 Duet

The nose of this vin gris (50% Petit Manseng, 50% Tannat) is a melodic symphony of fresh red raspberries and cranberries along with hints of darker black fruits. A flavorful fruit palate: an array of fresh-picked raspberries.  Nice acidity, light to

medium bodied with a tasty finish that lingers. Perfect for summer get-togethers and impromptu light fare meals.

July Hours: Friday 12pm to Sunset; Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Thursday 12pm to 6pm.

Until August 31 - Exhibition of artwork by Noreene Janus.

July 25 - Book Club @ The Vineyard starting at 6pm: Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver.

Aug. 1 - Book World Meets Wine World at 5:30pm: Nichole Calabrese will read from her book Haunt.

Aug. 3 - Français with Françoise at 5:00pm.

Aug. 8 - Words and Wine at 6:00pm. Poets, novelists, spokenword artists, and storytellers of all sorts are invited to share their work. RSVP to the event by email - info@ revalationvineyards.com. Arrive early to get your glass of wine or verjus and reserve your space in our reading list for the night.

Sept. 27 - Vertical Cabernet Franc Tasting at 6:00pm. Tickets will be available on the website August 1.

2710 Hebron Valley Road, Madison, VA 22727 • 540-407-1236 www.revalationvineyards.com

VIRGINIA WINE COLLECTIVE

Summer at the Collective

We are thrilled to announce that the tasting room at the Virginia Wine Collective is now open! Join us for some of the best local wines in Virginia, featuring wines by the glass and winemaker wine flights featuring Jake Busching Wines, Joy Ting Wines, Delve Wines, Dogwood & Thistle, Zora Chloe and Eastwood (among others) along with a delicious pairing menu by

The Virginia Wine Collective is a new wine production facility in Charlottesville, Virginia. Eastwood designed the space to include nine winemaker suites off the main production area. The suites provide a space where independent winemakers can anchor a license and make their wines. The Virginia Wine Collective has been designed to reduce the costs associated with independent winemaking, and thereby support further innovation and talent in the Monticello AVA.

Upcoming at the Collective: Winemaker Pop-Ups | Most Fridays

Enjoy free samples and tour the facility with some of our independent winemakers on Fridays in July and August! Check the website as we will be adding more dates.

July 25: Matthieu Finot /Domaine Finot

August 1:  Jake Busching/Jake Busching Wines

Collective Wisdom Wine Series | Select  Saturdays 12:30PM2:00PM

August 16:  Cab Franc 101 Join Jake Busching for a vertical tasting and educational experience.  You will taste four regional Cabernet Francs made by Collective winemakers. Share in discussing Virginia terroir, the impact of winemaker style, and why Cabernet Franc is one of the most widely planted grapes in Virginia.

Ticketed Event - Reserve Your Spot On Facebook or the Website.  Tickets: $50 per person and includes tasting, time, and

a tour.  Full lunch menu also available.

Paint & Sip  | Select Sundays, August 10 & 24, September 28 1-3PM

Grab a glass of wine (or your favorite drink!) and let your creativity flow in this relaxed and fun class. Whether you’re an experienced artist or a first-time painter, the talented instructors of Blue Ridge Brushes will walk you through the painting process as you create your own masterpiece. Ticketed EventsReserve Your Spot On Our Website or Facebook Page.

Open Bottle Special | Every Sunday 3:30 to 5:00 PM Half off glasses poured from open tasting bottles.

Production Tours and Guided Tastings

We look forward to welcoming guests to the Virginia Wine Collective for tours and guided tastings. Please email our Wine Collective Coordinator, Gabrielle Thomas, if you would like to schedule a tour or guided tasting. She may be reached at gabrielle@ eastwoodfarmandwinery.com

Large Party Reservations

Interested in making a large party reservation for your group? Reach out to emma@ eastwoodfarmandwinery.com to book.

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK!   Winery Hours:

Friday 1-8PM

Saturday 12-8PM

Sunday 12-5PM

1585 Avon Street Extended Charlottesville, VA 22902 (434) 264-6727

https://eastwoodfarmandwinery.com/ virginia-wine-collective/

Chef Andrew Partridge and Cory Partridge.

THURSDAY 7/24 THROUGH SUNDAY 7/27

DEAR JUDY

In honor of “the world’s greatest entertainer,” Get Happy! is an exciting and engaging evening of songs from American icon Judy Garland. Conceptualized, produced, and performed by lauded cabaret artist and UVA alumna Jenna Pastuszek, this cleverly curated collection of Garland’s greatest hits and hidden gems features music from The Wizard of Oz, Easter Parade, “The Judy Garland Show,” and others. More celebration than tribute, Pastuszek leaves imitation by the wayside as she weaves her own story throughout the musical homage. $15–40, times vary. Ruth Caplin Theatre, 109 Culbreth Rd. virginiatheatrefestival.org

STAGES CULTURE

Wednesday 7/23 music

Beleza Duo. An evening of funkalicious samba soul—music that moves you from the inside out— with Madeline Holly-Sales on vocals and keys, and Berto Sales on guitar, voice, and loops. Free, 7pm. The Bebedero, 201 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. thebebedero.com

Bob Bennetta, Susanna Rosen, Andre LaVelle, Larry Bisgaier. Jazz and blues from a local piano legend, with incredible lead vocals. Free, 6:30pm. The Whiskey Jar, 227 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. thewhiskeyjarcville.com

Open Mic Night. Mic check to all musicians, poets, and everyone in between. All ages welcome. Free, 9pm. Holly’s Diner, 1221 E. Market St.

dance

Weekly Swing Dance. Beginner-friendly swing dance lessons teaching the Lindy Hop, Charleston, Balboa, and blues. No partner needed. Stay for social dancing after the class. $10, 7pm. The Front Porch, 221 E. Water St. frontporchcville.com stage

The Winter’s Tale Discover Shakespeare’s tale of jealousy and redemption. $33–68, 7:30pm. American Shakespeare Center, 10 S. Market St., Staunton. americanshakespearecenter.com words

Iconographic Disjunction in the Ruskin Psalter/ Hours: A Flemish Illuminated Manuscript. A Rare Book School lecture by James H. Marrow, professor emeritus of art history at Princeton University, discussing iconographic slippage found in cycles of illustration within a Flemish manuscript of ca. 1470–80. Free, 5:30pm. Harrison Auditorium of the Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, 170 McCormick Rd. rarebookschool.org classes

Wickedly Fun Wednesdays. This week’s activity: YA Book Club. Materials and snacks provided. For teens ages 11–18. Registration required. Free, 4:30pm. Central Library, 201 E. Market St. jmrl.org etc.

Adult Anime Club. Missing your old anime club from high school or college? Come watch and discuss anime with us. Refreshments provided. Ages 18+. Free, 6:30pm. Northside Library, 705 W. Rio Rd. jmrl.org

Dürty Karaoke. Dive bar karaoke for your hump days. Free, 8:30pm. Dürty Nelly’s, 2200 Jefferson Park Ave. durtynellyscharlottesville.com

Rapture Karaoke. The longest-running karaoke event in town. Hosted by Jenn DeVille. Free, 9pm. Rapture, 303 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. raptureres taurant.com

Thursday 7/24

music

Berto & Vincent. Lively flamenco rumba with Latin and Cuban influences. Free, 7pm. The Bebedero, 201 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. thebebedero.com

Bucko x Babe Lewis x Work Wear. Featuring honky-tonk-goof-rock by Bucko, dream pop-shoegaze-psychedelia by Babe Lewis, and Work Wear’s shoegaze with eye contact and country without the cowboy hat. $10, 7pm. SuperFly Brewing Co., 943 Preston Ave. Ste. 2. superflybrewing.com

Gia Ray. A singer-songwriter who has returned to Virginia after living in L.A. and traveling the

Üga Büga with Greenhead and Diseased Earth

The best thing about Charlottesville’s Üga Büga is that it’s hard to describe. I’ve seen it called “Southern sludge beard metal” and “hog rock” (likely in reference to its debut, 2024’s Year of the Hog), but neither seems entirely fair. It’s sludge-ish, but not like those who plunder the slo-mo riffery of early Black Sabbath with a detuned, lowest-note goal.

Going by the photo, every member of the band’s got some kind of beard, but they’re not into over-the-top ’80s-era, ZZ Top-length territory. Üga Büga’s sound is undeniably metal with bouts of kick drum-driven guitar runs, at times harkening back to early ’90s grunge with slight strains of Alice In Chains and Nirvana among other Seattle disciples. There are also fleeting moments of prog in the layered chords that mercifully excuse themselves before they overstay their welcome. But what struck me most when I listened to Year of the Hog is how Üga Büga has developed and deviated from a performance I saw some time ago in the back room of Rapture.

I came away from that show feeling like the band had a unique sound—as if it was making up every song as it went along, a manic improv with each unison note or chord happening as if by lucky accident. This album is a

world as a professional model. Free, 7pm. Dürty Nelly’s, 2200 Jefferson Park Ave. durtynellyscharlottesville.com

Jen Chapin Trio. Urban folk songwriter, Chapin returns with a cabaret-style performance weaving jazzinspired questions, political insight, and poetic storytelling. $22–25, 7:30pm. Belmont Arts Collaborative, 221 Carlton Rd. Ste. 3. phoenixtheatreworks.com

Lina Saroza. Born in Cuba and based in the USA, Saroza is a gifted musician who excels on the saxophone. Free, 5pm. Eastwood Farm and Winery, 2531 Scottsville Rd. eastwoodfarmandwinery.com

Metal Mayhem. High-powered metal mosh-pit love with Restrictor Plate, Kongstyle, and Infernal Gaze. Free, 7pm. Ace Biscuit & Barbecue, 600 Concord Ave. acebbq.com

stage

markedly different listening experience.

While Year of the Hog maintains Üga Büga’s best elements of surprise—a disco beat out of left field here, a soulful breakdown there—the band has given this batch of tracks the time and attention to mature. Vocalist/guitarist Calloway Jones may not be every metal fan’s cup of tea as he isn’t a toneless screamer, but someone who’s got his own voice—and you can’t say that too often these days, especially when you’re talking about metal. If this record translates live and the band builds on it in its next collection of tracks, Üga Büga may be on to something.

Stoner doom D.C. trio Greenhead just released a new song, “AllSeeing Eye,” that features bottom-heavy chord chugging that lands close to the aforementioned early Ozzy/Iommi style in its chorus. But it’s one that’s catchy enough to think that a full set has the potential to keep everyone listening satisfied.

The Southern Café & Music Hall

Saturday 7/26

Opener Diseased Earth from Staunton has been at it since 2014 and its latest EP …And We Shall Seek Oblivion serves more sludge, but it’s the kind that picks up often enough to force uptempo head-bobbing with a barked-out misanthropy of guttural vocals.—CM Gorey

words

Get Happy! A dynamic and electric evening of some of the greatest hits and little-known gems from American icon Judy Garland, performed by acclaimed cabaret performer Jenna Pastuszek. $15–40, 7:30pm. Drama Building at UVA, 109 Culbreth Rd. drama.virginia.edu

Sense & Sensibility. Experience the elegance and wit of Jane Austen’s classic. $33–68, 7:30pm. Blackfriars Playhouse, 10 S. Market St., Staunton. americanshakespearecenter.com

Young Frankenstein and Coriolanus The Voyages Season soars into summer with a teen-show doubleheader featuring Mel Brooks’ musical and Shakespeare’s tragedy. $16–20, 7:30pm. Live Arts, 123 E. Water St. livearts.org

Author Event: Susan Friedland. Equestrian author Susan Friedland brings to life the enduring magic of Misty of Chincoteague in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Chincoteague pony swim. Free, 3pm. The Center at Belvedere, 540 Belvedere Blvd. thecentercville.org

Contours of Community: Digitally Mapping Brown’s Cove. In the first presentation in the Historic Preservation Lecture Series, Dr. J. Jacob Calhoun guides the audience through a digital exploration of the spaces, structures, and stories of Brown’s Cove. Free, 6pm. Lane Auditorium, Albemarle County Office Building, 401 McIntire Rd. albemarle.org

CULTURE STAGES

Nickelodeon’s The SpongeBob

Musical

For families—that is, people with kids—there may be no better local entertainment this summer than driving out to Barboursville for The SpongeBob Musical by Four County Players. Sure, you could go see the latest Pixar-y megamovie, but films aren’t able to offer one critical element: real live humans performing with the thrill of theatrical danger. That perilous condition can only come from a live performance when anything and everything has the potential to go terribly wrong at any moment.

Now in its respectable 52nd year, FCP has the distinction of being central Virginia’s longest continuously running community theater. Clearly, the nonprofit organization knows what it’s doing. With all of that trust at stake, audience members will be enthralled by a glimmering stage set, catchy musical numbers, and knowing that a host of people are doing all that’s in their power to act, dance, and sing through song after song, working their way through a fictional underwater world based on a hit TV cartoon.

Four County Players at Barboursville Community Center Mainstage Now through 8/10

The musical itself tells the tale of titular main character SpongeBob SquarePants, who is rallying his friends to save their beloved Bikini Bottom community when an imminent volcano eruption terrorizes the town. All the familiar surreal sea-creature characters dreamed up by the late marine science educator-turned-animator Stephen Hillenburg are accounted for here: doofy BFF Patrick the pink starfish, cantankerous octopus neighbor Squidward, SpongeBob’s boss Mr. Krabs, etc. In keeping with the off-beat tradition of the TV show, the Tony Award-nominated original score features compositions from big names such as Steven Tyler, John Legend, The Flaming Lips, T.I., Lady A, and Cyndi Lauper. All told, the Broadway production of the show scored 12 Tony noms and won for Best Scenic Design of a Musical. Can fans hold this community production to the high standards established on the Great White Way? Would that even be remotely fair? No, but getting a seat ain’t free either. That’s showbiz, babe.— CM Gorey

Thursday 7/24 etc.

Brewery Puzzle Hunt. Escape room meets pub crawl. Visit Preston Avenue breweries, crack codes, unravel riddles, and sample Charlottesville’s best brews. Players get $1-off pints. $15, noon. Starr Hill Brewery, Dairy Market. puzzledbee.com Bring Your Own Craft Night. Bring your own craft or use some of our materials (mostly corks,

not gonna lie). Grab a drink and make a friend. Free, 6pm. Ethos Wine & Tea, 817 W. Main St. ethoswineandtea.com

Hardware Hills Trivia. Bring a team of up to six players to compete. This month’s theme: Famous icons. Free, 6pm. Hardware Hills Vineyard, 5199 W. River Rd., Scottsville. hardwarehills.com Music Bingo. Sing along with your friends and match the songs to the spaces on your card. Hosted by Sara, the music bingo diva. Free, 6:30pm. Hardware Hills Vineyard, 5199 W. River Rd., Scottsville. hardwarehills.com

CULTURE TO-DO LIST

Friday 7/25

classes

Paint + Sip: Twilight Blooms. Learn how to paint this design in a step-by-step format. No experience necessary. Ticket includes an 11×14-inch canvas and all painting materials. $36, 6pm. Potter’s Craft Cider, 1350 Arrowhead Valley Rd. potterscraftcider.com etc.

Brewery Puzzle Hunt. See listing for Thursday, July 24. $15, noon. Starr Hill Brewery, Dairy Market. puzzledbee.com

Music Bingo. Listen to tunes and match the songs to the spaces on your card with TagTeam Entertainment. Free, 5:30pm. Fallen Tree Vineyard and Farm, 4593 Clark Rd., Crozet. fallentreevineyard.com

Trivia with Olivia. Get the weekend started with beers and trivia. Free, 6pm. SuperFly Brewing Co., 943 Preston Ave. superflybrewing.com

Saturday 7/26

music

Blue Healer. Featuring hits and deep cuts from the classic rock and blues canons, ranging from pretty chill to downright rowdy. Free, 5pm. Eastwood Farm and Winery, 2531 Scottsville Rd. eastwoodfarmandwinery.com

Heidi Riddell. A singer-songwriter saved by grace through faith in Jesus. Free, 12:30pm. Eastwood Farm and Winery, 2531 Scottsville Rd. eastwood farmandwinery.com

Henley & Lou. Music that lifts your spirits, fills your heart, and gets your feet moving. Free, noon. Keswick Vineyards, 1575 Keswick Winery Dr., Keswick. keswickvineyards.com

Mojo Pie. Long-time collaborators harmonize on original tunes and classic covers. Free, 2:30pm. Albemarle CiderWorks, 2545 Rural Ridge Ln., North Garden. albemarleciderworks.com

Old Lady. The hardest-working band in construction. Free, 7pm. Dürty Nelly’s, 2200 Jefferson Park Ave. durtynellyscharlottesville.com

Pat Anderson. A roots rocker with a strong affinity for Dylan, Springsteen, and Petty, and possessed of the tough-minded country-rock sensibility of Todd Snider. Free, 2pm. DuCard Vineyards, 40 Gibson Hollow Ln., Etlan. ducardvineyards.com

Summer Band Concert. An afternoon with the Flashbacks, Second-Wind, and First-Wind bands, under the direction of Bob Dunnenberger. Free, 3pm. The Center at Belvedere, 540 Belvedere Blvd. thecentercville.org

The Cows. Rock as reggae, reggae as ska, and ska as rock, after too much Grateful Dead. Free, 5:30pm. Potter’s Craft Cider, 1350 Arrowhead Valley Rd. potterscraftcider.com

Üga Büga x Greenhead x Diseased Earth. Southern sludge beard metal out of C’ville and D.C.-based stoner/doom metal, with support from the Staunton-based sludge band. $19.25, 8pm. The Southern Café & Music Hall, 103 S. First St. thesoutherncville.com

dance

Gimme Gimme Disco. A DJ-based dance party inspired by ABBA, featuring plenty of other genre hits of the era. Ages 18+. $20–25, 9pm. The Jefferson Theater, 110 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. jefferson theater.com

stage

Get Happy! See listing for Thursday, July 24. $15–40, 2pm and 7:30pm. Drama Building at UVA, 109 Culbreth Rd. virginiatheatrefestival.org

THURSDAY 7/24 THROUGH SATURDAY 7/26

TEEN DRAMA

Live Arts offers up a teen show doubleheader of Mel Brooks’ musical Young Frankenstein and Shakespeare’s tragedy Coriolanus. Monstrous laughter ensues when Frederick Frankenstein, grandson of the infamous Victor Frankenstein, inherits his family’s Transylvania estate and quickly takes up the mad sciences in Young Frankenstein. In Coriolanus, Rome is experiencing famine-induced unrest, which is disrupted by the outbreak of war, leading to shifting allegiances and political upheaval. The shows share a single cast, swapping parts between productions, and alternating performances. $16–20, times vary. Live Arts, 123 E. Water St. livearts.org

The Winter’s Tale See listing for Wednesday, July 23. $45–82, 2pm. American Shakespeare Center, 10 S. Market St., Staunton. americanshakespeare center.com

Young Frankenstein and Coriolanus See listing for Thursday, July 24. $16–20, 2pm and 7:30pm. Live Arts, 123 E. Water St. livearts.org words

Little Luminaries Storytime. A joyful morning of stories, songs, and fun celebrating and teaching about Black history and culture. For toddlers aged 2–5. Free, 10:30am. Jefferson School African American Heritage Center, 233 Fourth St. NW. jeffschoolheritagecenter.org classes

Nature Journaling. Learn to observe and record impressions that will inspire you and continue to feed your curiosity with Dawn Bonner. Ages 18+. Free, 2pm. Northside Library, 705 W. Rio Rd. jmrl.org

Needle Felted Coasters. Decorate coasters in this introduction to two-dimensional needle felting. Ages 12+. $40, 12:30pm. The Scrappy Elephant, 1745 Allied St. scrappyelephant.com

Stick and Stitch Embroidery. Make and use a dissolvable stick-on pattern for embroidery. Bring a washable cloth item you’d like to add embroidery to, or use cloth provided by the instructor. Ages

Paramount On Screen: Flash Gordon When an alien plague threatens Earth, football hero Flash Gordon and his friends must journey to the planet Mongo and defeat the tyrannical Emperor Ming the Merciless to save humanity. $7–9, 7pm. The Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. theparamount.net

Storytime. Featuring readings from recent storybooks and the classics kids know and love. Rain or shine. All ages welcome. Free, 11am. New Dominion Bookshop, 404 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. newdominionbookshop.com

The Crozet Petite Flea. A micro market filled with goodies from local pop-up shops and businesses, family-friendly activities, a play area, and delicious drinks and food. Free, 10am. The Yellow Mug, 1260 Crozet Ave., Crozet. theyellowmug.com

Sunday 7/27

music

Midlife Crisis Band. Christmas in July with live acoustic covers of country, folk, Motown, and pop will be sure to get your toes tappin’ and the holiday spirit going. Free, 2pm. DuCard Vineyards, 40 Gibson Hollow Ln., Etlan. ducardvineyards.com

Music Bingo. Fun for the whole family, with gift card prizes for the winners. Free, 2pm. Eastwood Farm and Winery, 2531 Scottsville Rd. eastwood farmandwinery.com

The Lawn Boys - A Tribute to Phish. A group of guys dedicated to producing the sounds and tones of the Phab Four, including their intricate arrangements, improvisational jams, and tight musicianship. $12–15, 8pm. The Southern Café & Music Hall, 103 S. First St. thesoutherncville.com

The Pollocks. Rocking acoustic sounds. Free, 2pm. Glass House Winery, 5898 Free Union Rd., Free Union. glasshousewinery.com

Ty Burkhardt. Fingerstyle guitarist whose technique transforms a single instrument into a full-band experience. Free, 2pm. Potter’s Craft Cider, 1350 Arrowhead Valley Rd. potterscraftcider.com stage

Get Happy! See listing for Thursday, July 24. $15–40, 2pm and 5:30pm. Drama Building at UVA, 109 Culbreth Rd. virginiatheatrefestival.org

14+. $40, 9:30am. The Scrappy Elephant, 1745 Allied St. scrappyelephant.com

Tiny Worlds: An Introduction to Teatro LambeLambe. Learn the basics of this Brazilian form of street theater and build your own miniature world and puppet show. Ages 10+. $30, 1pm. The Scrappy Elephant, 1745 Allied St. scrappyelephant.com

Transformational Yoga and Soul Painting. Be guided into a yoga and meditation practice integrated with art through a prompt-driven creative process, culminating in a completed work of mixed media art. Ages 18+. $45, 9:30am. The Scrappy Elephant, 1745 Allied St. scrappyelephant.com

Upcycled Journal Making and Beginning Book Binding. Put together a journal using up-cycled items such as fabric, paper, cardboard, and string. Ages 12+. $45, 3pm. The Scrappy Elephant, 1745 Allied St. scrappyelephant.com etc.

Brewery Puzzle Hunt. See listing for Thursday, July 24. $15, noon. Starr Hill Brewery, Dairy Market. puzzledbee.com

Chihamba 34th Cultural Arts Festival. Bringing together local and regional performers, artisans, and food vendors to honor the rich traditions of African and African diasporic cultures in a family-friendly festival. Free, 10am. Jackson P. Burley Middle School, 901 Rose Hill Dr. chihamba ofdancescape.org

The Modest Puppetry Festival 3: Electric Boogaloo. A full evening of avant-garde puppetry for adults. Charlottesville’s only puppetspecific festival features local artists performing across a wide range of styles, from shadows, to felt and more. $20, 5pm. Visible Records, 1740 Broadway St. visible-records.com

The Winter’s Tale See listing for Wednesday, July 23. $39–73, 5pm. American Shakespeare Center, 10 S. Market St., Staunton. americanshakespeare center.com

classes

Butterfly and Moth Pins. Learn how to make a butterfly or moth pin using a specialized barbed needle to apply dyed wool to your choice of felt base. Ages 12+. $40, 11:30am. The Scrappy Elephant, 1745 Allied St. scrappyelephant.com

Needle Felted Mushrooms. Make soft and colorful mushroom decorations using a specialized barbed needle to sculpt beautiful dyed wool in this beginner-level felting class. Ages 12+. $40, 2:30pm. The Scrappy Elephant, 1745 Allied St. scrappyelephant.com

Paint + Sip: Floral Vine Wineglasses. Learn how to paint the design in a step-by-step format, no experience necessary. Ticket includes an 11×14-inch canvas and all necessary painting supplies. $38, noon. Eastwood Farm and Winery, 2531 Scottsville Rd. blueridgebrushes.com

Paint + Sip: Sunflowery Day. Paint the design in a step-by-step format, no experience necessary. Ticket includes an 11×14-inch canvas and all painting materials. $36, 2pm. Patch Brewing Co, 10721 Gordon Ave., Gordonsville. blueridgebrushes.com etc.

Brewery Puzzle Hunt. See listing for Thursday, July 24. $15, noon. Starr Hill Brewery, Dairy Market. puzzledbee.com

Paramount On Screen: Out of Africa In 1914 colonial Kenya, a Danish baroness establishes a coffee plantation with her husband, falls in love with a free-spirited hunter, and navigates the complexities of love, loss, and self-discovery. $7–9, 2pm. The Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. theparamount.net

Silent Book Club. Sit and read in quiet camaraderie. No assigned reading, no obligations. Bring your own book of choice. Free, 12:30pm. Albemarle CiderWorks, 2545 Rural Ridge Ln., North Garden. albemarleciderworks.com

Stern Army Silverball Sunday. An official International Flipper Pinball Association tournament. Cash prizes, raffles, and more. $5, 11am. Pro Re Nata Brewpub & Music Hall, 6135 Rockfish Gap Tpk., Crozet. pinballroomcville.com

Monday 7/28 music

Flamenco Mondays. Flamenco dancing and guitars, with Berto and Vincent. Must say “olé!” Free, 7pm. Mejicali, 852 W. Main St. #110. mejicali restaurant.com

Hot Water Music. Touring stop for the legendary punk rock band from Gainesville, Florida, celebrating its 30-year anniversary. $29–35, 7:30pm. The Jefferson Theater, 110 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. jeffersontheater.com

words

Curious and Creative Women. A Rare Book School lecture by Rachael DiEleuterio, librarian and archivist at the Delaware Art Museum, discussing 19th- and early 20th-century publishers’ book bindings. Free, 5:30pm. UVA Edgar Shannon Library: Room 330, 160 McCormick Rd. rarebook school.org

etc.

Comedy Open Mic. Showcase your talent, try out new material, and take in the best local comedy that Charlottesville has to offer. Hosted by Chris Alan. Ages 18+. Free, 7pm. The Southern Café & Music Hall, 103 S. First St. thesoutherncville.com

Tuesday 7/29

music

BRIMS. Irish music jam from the Blue Ridge Irish Music School. Free, 6:30pm. Dürty Nelly’s, 2200 Jefferson Park Ave. durtynellyscharlottesville.com

Vincent Zorn. Lively flamenco rumba with a unique percussive technique that incorporates a diverse range of strumming styles, rhythms, and taps. Free, 7pm. The Bebedero, 201 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. thebebedero.com

etc.

Geeks Who Drink Trivia. Good trivia, good times. Teams of two to six people compete to win prizes like gift certificates and pint glasses, plus bragging rights. Free, 7pm. Firefly, 1304 E. Market St. firefly cville.com

The Run Club. Do a 5K run, then drink beer. $1-off pints for runners. Free, 6pm. Decipher Brewing, 1740 Broadway St.

TRIED IT IN C’VILLE CULTURE

Retracing and rethinking

I’m a sucker for a historical walking tour. Treading where our forebears trod to see current spaces through their historical context reshapes our understanding of places that we thought we knew. Such experiences enable us to learn, in greater detail, about people of the past whose lives were very different from our own. The Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society welcomed new Executive Director Olivia Brown a few months ago, and the organization is planning to resume offering several walking tours this fall. Kristie Smeltzer

What

A Black Barbers of Cville tour offered through the Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society.

Why

To better understand Black barbers’ impact on our community in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

How it went

My understanding of the Downtown Mall’s history is forever changed.

Lucky me, I got to have Brown as my tour guide. We met at the ACHS building on Second Street Northeast, where all the tours begin and end. The location boasts a rotating exhibition of local artifacts and a research library available to the public. After Brown and I bonded over being former Monticello employees, we set out toward the Downtown Mall.

We first stopped beside The Paramount Theater building, across from the Third Street box office. I confess that, before Brown pointed it out, I’d never noticed that entrance, formerly used by Black theatergoers during segregation. Next door, nestled into what is now an open alley, a wooden structure once held one of the eight or nine barber shops owned and operated by Black barbers in the downtown area in the late 1800s and early 1900s. In fact, during that time, Black men ran all the barbershops in the area. By day, these barbers shaved and sheared white clientele. Less is known about how they served Black members of the community, with the barbers potentially serving these clients after hours in their shops or homes.

Brown explained that an old city directory of Charlottesville (think of it as a ye olde Yellow Pages) influenced the creation of the tour. The directory provided informa-

tion about the downtown landscape, revealing how many barbershops the area held and who owned them. After gaining freedom, many Black men became barbers, taking skills they’d learned while enslaved and turning them into a livelihood. Men like John West, who was mentioned throughout the tour, grew prominent through successful entrepreneurship, property ownership, and civic engagement.

Something unique to a walking-tour experience is the power of place. I felt that deeply when we stopped outside Cavalier Barbers, on Second Street Northeast right off the Mall. Owner and operator Eric Massie continues the tradition of Black barbers in Charlottesville. The shop’s exterior showcases a very special historical item: a barber pole previously owned by John West, gifted to the shop by West’s family. The confluence of old and new is palpable in that spot.

For me, the most emotionally affecting moment came when we stood at the base of

the hill near the Omni, at the edge of the Vinegar Hill area. Brown showed images of what Vinegar Hill looked like as a thriving Black community and what it looked like after it was razed to the ground under the guise of urban renewal. Even though I knew the broad strokes of Vinegar Hill’s history, it landed differently standing there with clear visuals to show the depth of the loss.

ACHS offers three historical walking tours—Court Square & Environs, Downtown Mall, and Black Barbers of Cville—by appointment currently for groups, prices range from $10-15, and it plans to launch tours with wider public availability this fall. As Brown says, don’t forget to be a tourist in your own town.

The location of the former Acme Shaving Parlor, 121 E. Main St., is a stop on the Black Barbers of Cville tour.

Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society albemarlehistory.org

FOR FUN PUZZLES

SUDOKU

#1

#1

#4 #2

#3

#2 #5

#4

ACROSS

1. Phineas’s brother

5. French painter Edouard 10. Like extremely successful comedy, so to speak 14. Reason for a spotlight during an opera 15. From the beginning, in law 16. One not on the level 17. Casual shoe for professional use?

19. Puts a stop to

20. Only U.S. state with a Great Seal designed by a woman

21. How some text might be highlighted

23. Prefix with “evangelist”

24. Person asking too much about a BLT ingredient?

29. For tacking on

31. “No more seats” Broadway sign

32. Hoppy option

33. Things to split

35. “I’ll think ___”

36. The viper of vir tue?

41. A little horse

42. One with steal-y resolve?

43. Hurricane center

44. “You’re the Worst” actress Cash

47. Blackboard items

51. Gastropod that works on cars?

54. ___ de mer (sea sickness)

55. Recorded

56. Baroness who wrote “The Scarlet Pimpernel”

58. Be sulky

60. Peak achoo?

63. Ash holders

64. Cookies making up an entire wall display at the Museum of Failure

65. Apiar y dwellers

66. Substance

67. With 40-Down, “SNL” alum on “Weeds”

68. Helper, for short

DOWN

1. Marinated meat in a tortilla

2. Ate away at

3. Risqué

4. Big par ty

5. Author Rita ___ Brown

6. Law school org.

7. Company based in Finland

8. Calendar entries

9. Lethargy

10. Howerton of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”

11. “Old MacDonald” repetition, maybe

12. A Shropshire ___” (A.E. Housman poetry collection)

13. AMA members

18. Fair

22. “Equal” prefix

25. “Chocolat” actress Lena

26. Unembellished

27. “The Andy Griffith Show” kid

28. Butter bit

By Rob Brezsny Virgo

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Sci-fi author Octavia Butler wrote, “All that you touch, you change. All that you change changes you.” The coming weeks will be prime time for you to honor and celebrate that prayer, Virgo. You won’t be a passive dreamer, gentle traveler, or contemplative wanderer. Rather, I predict you will be a tidal force of metamorphosis. Parts of your world are pliable and ready for reshaping, and you will undertake that reshaping. But it’s important to know that the shift will go both ways. As you sculpt, you will be sculpted. As you bless, you will be blessed. Don’t be shy about riding along on this feedback loop. Do it with reverence and glee. Let the art you make remake you. Let the magic you give become the magic you are.

Libra

(Sept. 23-Oct. 22): In certain Hindu traditions, the deity Ardhanarishvara is depicted as half-male, half-female—a divine fusion of opposites. They are not torn, but whole in their duality. I invite you to be inspired by their symbolism in the coming weeks, Libra. For you, balance will not be about making compromises or pushing to find middle ground. It will be about embracing the full range of possibilities. Energies that some people may imagine are contradictory may in fact be complementary and mutual. Benevolence will coordinate well with fierceness and vice versa. Your craving for beauty will not just coexist with but synergize an affinity for messy fertility. This is a time for sacred synthesis. Don’t dilute. Integrate.

Scorpio

(Oct. 23-Nov.21): The medieval mystic Meister Eckhart wrote, “God is not found in the soul by adding anything, but by a process of subtraction.” Subtracting what? He wasn’t referring to losing something valuable, but rather to letting go of obstacles that obscure our direct experience of the divine. I invite you to make abundant use of this principle, Scorpio. Slough off layers of illusion, outmoded fantasies, and selfimages soaked in others’ longings. As you let go, do so not in bitterness but in a joyous quest for freedom.

Sagittarius

(Nov. 22-Dec.21): I’m hoping that the Season of a Thousand Feelings hasn’t confused you. I’m praying that you have maintained a measure of composure and aplomb while navigating through the richest emotional flow you’ve experienced in many moons. It’s true that in some ways this barrage has been draining. But I’m certain you will ultimately regard it as being highly educational and entertaining. You will look back at this bustling interlude as a gift that will take a while to harvest completely.

FREE WILL ASTROLOGY FOR FUN

(July 23-Aug. 22): I predict that your imminent future will be a ticklish and tricky but ultimately uplifting masterpiece. It will feature guest appearances by members of your private hall of fame, including one future luminary you have not yet fully appreciated. This epic series of adventures may begin when you are nudged to transform your bond with a key resource. Soon, you will be encouraged to explore frontier territory that offers unexpected help. Next, you will demonstrate your understanding that freedom is never permanent but must constantly be reinvented.

Capricorn

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Greek myth tells us that Persephone didn’t just return from the underworld each spring; she ruled there half the year. Yes, she was taken there against her will, but she adapted, transformed, and ultimately wielded great power in the depths. In the coming weeks, Capricorn, you will have the chance to navigate realms that other souls may not be brave enough to enter: taboos, unusual yearnings, ancestral memories. My advice is to go gently but with intense resolve. Don’t act like a tourist. Be a sovereign explorer, even a maestro of mystery. Claim your throne in the underworld. Use it to create healing maps for others. When your work is done and the right moment comes, you will rise again into the light.

Aquarius

(Jan. 20-Feb. 18): In my astrological opinion, you are ready to graduate from the University of Senseless Suffering. It’s time to get your diploma and treat yourself to a vacation. I’m not saying you will never again experience pain, of course. Rather, I’m telling you the good news that your dilemmas in the coming months will be more fully useful and redemptive. They will feel more like satisfying work than unpleasant ordeals. Congrats on the upgrade, Aquarius! You are forever finished with at least one of your arduous lessons.

Pisces

(Feb. 19-March 20): Ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus said you can’t step in the same river twice. Like everything else in nature, the river is in constant flux. It may appear to be the same, but the water is always flowing. What Heraclitus didn’t say is that you are

never the same, either. Eternal change is your destiny. I invite you to ruminate eagerly on this truth, Pisces. Hopefully, it will help you let go of any hyper-perfectionist urges you might have. It will inspire you to see that the plan you made a while ago may need revision—not because you were wrong, but because you have grown. So yes: It’s time to reassess and recalculate. The goal isn’t to stick to the blueprint, but to build something that breathes with your becoming. Let the ever-new version of you draw a fresh map. It will be wiser than the last.

Aries

(March 21-April 19): In Hindu cosmology, the Sanskrit term “Lila” refers to divine play. It’s the idea that all of creation is a sacred and artful amusement that’s performed by the gods with joy, sorrow, artfulness, and flair. I hereby proclaim Lila to be your theme of power, Aries. You have been so deep lately, so honest, so drenched in feeling. Now, life is giving you a big wink and saying, “It’s playtime!” You can start this fresh phase by making a list of all the experiences that bring you fun, recreation, and entertainment. I hope you emphasize these pursuits in the coming weeks.

Taurus

(April 20-May 20): In the high desert of Chile, astronomers work at observatories on mountaintops where the air is dry, and the sky is clear. There, away from light pollution, the universe reveals itself with astonishing intimacy. But even the most powerful telescopes can’t function during the day. I suspect you will be like those observatories in the coming weeks, Taurus: capable of seeing vast truths, but only if you pause, quiet the ambient noise,

and look during the dark. This approach should embolden you to use your intelligence in new ways. Stillness and silence will be conducive to your deep explorations. Night will be your ally.

Gemini

(May 21-June 20): Are you courageous enough to let go of sparkly clean but unfruitful fantasies so as to clear space for reality’s disorderly richness? Are you wild enough to relinquish naïve fears and hopes so you can see the raw truths blooming right in front of you? Are you cagey enough to discard the part of your innocence that’s rooted in delusion even as you bolster the part of your innocence that’s fueled by your love of life? Here’s my response to those questions, Gemini: Maybe you weren’t mature or bold or crafty enough to accomplish these heroic feats before, but you are now.

Cancer

(June 21-July 22): Coral polyps are tiny, softbodied creatures. Over centuries, they assemble massive reef systems, turning their fragile exoskeletons into monumental architecture. These creatures can be a symbolic reminder that your sensitivity is not a weakness; it’s your building material. Keep that in mind during the coming weeks, when tender care and your nurturing ability can be primal sources of power. I invite you to start creating an enduring sanctuary. Generate a quiet miracle. Construct an elegant masterpiece. For best results, allow your emotional intelligence to guide you. You have the precise blend of aptitudes necessary to coax beauty to grow from vulnerability.

Expanded weekly audio horoscopes and daily text message horoscopes: RealAstrology.com, (877) 873-4888

CLASSIFIEDS

DEADLINE

SIZES AVAILABLE

PRICING

Email salesrep@c-ville.com

classifieds.c-ville.com

Request for Proposals Flint Hill Development Project:

Habitat

for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville is accepting proposals from qualified contractors for turn-keyed construction for two 8-unit condo buildings. The contract award will be based on several factors, including experience, schedule, and price. Equal Opportunity employer and female/minority owned businesses are encouraged to apply, as well as protected groups such as those covered by Section 3. Proposal packages will be sent in August 2025.

To obtain a proposal package including the final site plan, drawings, HFHGC specification manual, please contact:

Noah Gaylor; Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville 1801 Broadway Street, Charlottesville VA, by phone at (434)-293-9066 or e-mail at ngaylor@cvillehabitat.org.

ESTATE OF MICHAEL GIANNINI

NOTICE OF TAKING OF

DEBTS

AND DEMANDS

At the request of the Administrator, I appoint Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at 11 :30 a.m., as the time and my office at 420 Park Street, Charlottesville, Virginia, as the place for receiving proof of debts and demands against the decedent or his estate.

Edward H. Bain, Jr. Commissioner of Accounts Circuit Court for the City of Charlottesville, Virginia

TAFI HOSPITALITY GROUP LLC

Trading As

NOBLE ARGENTINIAN STEAKHOUSE

313 2nd St SE STE 103 , Charlottesville, VA 22902

The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Restaurant, Wine, Beer, Mixed Beverages, Consumed On and Off Premises license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages.

LEANDRO FAUZE , Co-Owner

NOTE: Objections to the issuance of this license must be Submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices. Objections should be registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200.

Community & MISC.

AUCTIONS

PUBLIC AUCTION! Metal Fabrication, Welding, Powder Coat Equipment, Trailer Components and More! Liquidation of Holmes Trailer. Jul 30, 10 am. Online Bidding. Ashland, Va. Bid at motleysindustrial.com. VAAL#16.

ATTN. AUCTIONEERS: Promote your upcoming auctions statewide! Affordable Print and Digital Solutions reaching your target audience. Call this paper or Landon Clark at Virginia Press Services 804-521-7576, HYPERLINK “mailto:landonc@vpa.net” landonc@vpa.net

HOME IMPROVEMENT

Vinyl Replacement Windows Installed! Starting at $350 Call 804-739-8207 for More Details!  Ronnie Jenkins II Windows, Siding, Roofing and Gutters!  FREE Estimates! Call 804-739-8207 for More Details! American Made Products!

SunSetter. America’s Number One Awning! Instant shade at the touch of a button. Transform your deck or patio into an outdoor oasis. Up to 10-year limited warranty. Call now and SAVE $350 today! 1-844-746-2332

No more cleaning out gutters. Guaranteed! LeafFilter is the most advanced gutter protection for your home, backed by a no-clog guarantee and lifetime transferrable warranty. Call today 1-877-614-6667 to schedule a FREE inspection and no obligation estimate. Plus get 20% off! Seniors and military save an additional 10%. Restrictions apply, see representative for warranty and offer details

Prepare for power outages today with a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 7-Year warranty with qualifying purchase. Call 1-844-947-1479 today to schedule a free quote. It’s not just a generator. It’s a power move.

Safe Step. North America’s #1 Walk-In Tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-the-line installation and service. Now featuring our FREE shower package and $1600 Off for a limited time! Call today! Financing available. Call Safe Step 1-877-591-9950

Replace your roof with the best looking and longest lasting material steel from Erie Metal Roofs! Three styles and multiple colors available. Guaranteed to last a lifetime! Limited Time Offer – up to 50% off installation + Additional 10% off install (for military, health workers & 1st responders.) Call Erie Metal Roofs: 1-844-902-4611

The bathroom of your dreams in as little as 1 day. Limited Time Offer - $1000 off or No Payments and No Interest for 18 months for customers who qualify. BCI Bath & Shower. Many options available. Quality materials & professional installation. Senior & Military Discounts Available. Call Today! 1-844-9451631

SERVICES

DIVORCE-Uncontested, $475+$86 court cost. WILLS-$295.00. No court appearance. Estimated completion time twenty-one days. Hilton Oliver, Attorney (Facebook). 757-490-0126. Se Habla Espanol. BBB Member. HYPERLINK “https://hiltonoliverattorneyva.com” https://hiltonoliverattorneyva.com.

Portable Oxygen Concentrator May Be Covered by Medicare! Reclaim independence and mobility with the compact design and long-lasting battery of Inogen One. Free information kit! Call 888-608-4974

We Buy Houses for Cash AS IS! No repairs. No fuss. Any condition. Easy three step process: Call, get cash offer and get paid. Get your fair cash offer today by calling Liz Buys Houses: 1-844-216-5028

Switch and save up to $250/year on your talk, text and data. No contract and no hidden fees. Unlimited talk and text with flexible data plans. Premium nationwide coverage. 100% U.S. based customer service. For more information, call 1-855-262-5564

P.S. BIG PICTURE

Good good time

For the first time in 30 years, hometown favorites Dave Matthews Band marched back into Richmond for two jam-packed nights at the Coran Capshaw-backed Allianz Amphitheater, July 15 and 16. The Rock & Roll Hall of Famers filled the 7,500-capacity venue with a setlist that gave fans so much to say—a 20-song performance on night one (complete with two encores and staples like “Crush” and, duh, “So Much to Say”), followed by a 19-song set the next night featuring “Crash Into Me” and a crowd-rousing “Ants Marching.” The band may have started in Charlottesville, but Richmond showed it can still make them feel right at home.

Excellent City Benefits

Paid CDL Training

Flexible Schedule

Drivers - $23.50+/hr

Aides - $20.50+/hr