C-VILLE Weekly | September 3 - 9, 2025

Twin Oaks fire culprit hit with $50k+ fine, misses deadline P.9

Talk builds of AstraZeneca planting roots in Albemarle P.15

Tochi Eze’s debut novel spans time, family, and diaspora P.35

SEPTEMBER 3 – 9, 2025

BOLD STROKES

McGuffey Art Center marks 50 years of shaping Charlottesville's arts scene

McGuffey Art Center members photographed in 1975.

CHARLOTTESVILLE CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL SEPTEMBER 7-20, 2025

Music That Connects

Special thanks to this year’s Festival Season Sponsor: Mrs. Tessa G. Ader

SERIES CONCERT I

Sunday, Sept. 7, at 3:00pm Old Cabell Hall at UVA

SERIES CONCERT II

Thursday, Sept. 11 at 7:30pm The Paramount Theater

SERIES CONCERT III

Sunday, Sept. 14 at 3:00pm Old Cabell Hall at UVA

SERIES CONCERT IV

Tuesday, Sept. 16 at 7:30pm Old Cabell Hall at UVA

SERIES CONCERT V

Friday, Sept. 19 at 7:30pm The Paramount Theater

ONE-HOUR COMMUNITY CONCERT FREE

Friday, Sept. 12 at 12:30pm The Paramount Theater

ONE-HOUR FAMILY-FRIENDLY CONCERT FREE

Saturday, Sept. 20 at 2:00pm The Dickinson Fine and Performing Arts Center at Piedmont Virginia Community College

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Hello, Charlottesville.

Thank you for reading C-VILLE Weekly.

Fifty years ago, a group of artists, neighbors, and city leaders looked at the shuttered William H. McGuffey Primary School and saw possibility. Out of their vision—and a lot of sweat equity—came McGuffey Art Center, which has since become a cornerstone of Charlottesville’s creative life. As Sarah Sargent looks back on the center’s origin story in this week’s feature (p.20), what stands out is not just the building’s transformation, but the way art itself has been a catalyst for community—drawing people downtown, sparking conversations, and creating connections that endure.

That idea carries through to this month’s HotSeat with Kristen Chiacchia, executive director and chief curator of Second Street Gallery. She reminds us that art isn’t just something to hang on the wall—it’s “everything.” It’s a way to see the world differently, to build empathy, and to strengthen the bonds between us.

Charlottesville’s art spaces, from McGuffey to SSG and beyond, are proof that when a community invests in creativity, it invests in its own vitality. Here’s to 50 years of making space for art, and to the generations of artists and audiences who will keep shaping how we see ourselves and each other.

Hey, thanks!

This week’s contributors

Andrew Hollins is a freelance crime reporter, feature writer, and investigative journalist who has contributed to C-VILLE Weekly since 2023. He began his journalism career in 2016 with The Central Virginian. Since then, his work has been featured in The Daily Progress, The Progressive Frontier, and Trendline News. Read his work on page 9

Sarah Sargent has been writing about contemporary art for more than 20 years. In addition to C-VILLE Weekly, her writing has appeared in Art Papers, Sculpture Magazine, Artillery, and Virginia Living. A former director of Second Street Gallery, Sargent lives in southern Albemarle. Read her work on page 20.

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

Carol Burger

Patricia Burkett

Michael Callahan

Brian Carlton

Helen Cathro

Janelle Catlett

James Clark Jr.

Diane Cluck

Karen Collins

Lorraine Collins

Beth Croghan

Margaret Crone

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

Joe Ethier

M. Fife

Lavonne Fitts

Kevin Foley

Barbara Fornoff

Joan Forrest

Georgia Garrett

Gerald Giammatteo

David and Janna Gies

Stephanie Goodwin

Andrew Greeley

Jennifer Grover

Cara Hall

Kendra Hall

Jeremy Harris-

McDonnell

Madeleine Hawks

Ann Marie Haynes

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

Greg Mallard

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

Diane Ober

Cynthia Van Osch

Annette Osso

Laila Ouhamou

Annette Owens

Timothy Palmer

Joe Peacock

Elizabeth Perdue

Joann Peters

James Peterson

Damon Pettitt

Elayne Phillips

Robin Powell

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

Karen Schuyler

James Seitz

Elaine Shaw

Chuck Shelton

Paul Shettel

John Smith

Kristina Smith

Meredith Smoot

Mickey Speck

Maria Spence

Jim Spencer

David Stackhouse

Robert Strickland

Nichole Taylor

William Terrell

Emily Thiede

Reid Thompson

Prue Thorner

John Titus

Jessica Tobin

Erica Toy

Rose Trapnell

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

Happy 50th, McGuffey!

plus Cville Pride 15 Real Estate: Is an AstraZeneca factory coming to Albemarle?

CULTURE

35 Pages: Tochi Eze’s debut novel, This Kind of Trouble

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

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

Galleries: What’s on view this month.

Sudoku

Crossword

Free Will Astrology

Second Street’s Kristen Chiacchia in the HotSeat

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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

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Twin flames

Fire resulted in changes and charges in Louisa County BY ANDREW

HOLLINS

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In 2024 the National Association of Realtors settled a billion dollar lawsuit related to inflated Realtor commission practices. This monumental settlement opens the door for true free market competition and innovation to thrive. I’ve successfully sold homes using a 1% model for nearly 2 decades proving the old “6% legacy” commission model is a waste of money and does nothing to help promote affordable housing. Contact me direct to arrange a no obligation meeting to learn more.

In 2024 the National Association of Realtors settled a billion dollar lawsuit related to inflated Realtor commission practices. This monumental settlement opens the door for true free market competition and innovation to thrive. I’ve successfully sold homes using a 1% model for nearly 2 decades proving the old “6% legacy” commission model is a waste of money and does nothing to help promote affordable housing. Contact me direct to arrange a no obligation meeting to learn more.

Ben

Jerry and

Sam

CRIME NEWS

The man authorities say caused last year’s 227-acre fire, which ripped through a local commune and caused an estimated $1 million in damages, faced charges earlier this summer in Louisa County General District Court for leaving a fire unattended and careless damage to property by fire.

On March 20, 2024, a brush fire from James Grant League, Sr.’s property accelerated into a wildfire that spread north and east, incinerating nearby properties, forests, and structures in its path. The most-affected was Twin Oaks, the nearby egalitarian community that’s one of the oldest, most successful, and well-known communes of its kind in the world. While its residents escaped the blaze unhurt, the same could not be said of their hammock business, which had its manufacturing capabilities and nearly all inventory destroyed.

In September 2024, League, 46, was convicted in Louisa County General District Court of the two charges, which he appealed to Circuit Court. Records show that prior to the Circuit Court trial, League changed his plea to guilty, and in June was given a total of $331 in fines and ordered to pay $51,219.78 to the County of Louisa for fire suppression costs by June 15. None of the restitution would go to Twin Oaks or the nearby properties that were damaged.

Following the verdict, Louisa County Commonwealth’s Attorney Rusty McGuire issued a statement.

“While the convictions carry minimum fines, we are glad the court ordered Mr. League to pay the suppression costs instead of the taxpayers,” he said. “His actions were reckless and caused substantial damage to the neighbors.”

“We hope this case sends a message to the community that the law requires you to monitor brush fire and if you leave [it] unattended you will be held accountable for the damage caused by the fire,” added Megan Riordan, the assistant commonwealth’s attorney on the case.

McGuire says that League failed to make a payment by the June due date, resulting in a judgment filed against him.

Meanwhile, there was almost no part of Twin Oaks left untouched or unchanged by the fire. While Twin Oaks residents declined to publicly discuss the fire, citing the potential for further litigation, Paxus Calta, a resident of Twin Oaks since 1997, has written extensively on his blog about the lessons learned and changes made since the fire.

“The fire changed us,” Calta wrote in a post commemorating the one-year anniversary of the fire. “Members who were formerly taciturn became unusually chatty to help out and share their applicable knowledge. We supported each other in grief and planning for the future.”

Cleanup from fire-damaged structures continued well into the winter. Emerald City, or EC, was the epicenter of Twin Oaks’ decades-old hammock business, and was mostly used as a large warehouse where inventory was packaged and stored. The warehouse was destroyed in the fire. Calta said with the help of volunteers and visitors, however, residents have continued to rebuild and renovate as Twin Oaks has pivoted away from its hammock business toward slip-mold pottery, agriculture, tofu-making, and other new business opportunities.

Keenan Dakota, a Twin Oaks old-schooler who’s been in the commune for 42 years, has, according to Calta, been a large part of leveraging what resources they have into building what they don’t.

“Keenan’s super power is to build things with nothing. For labor, he uses crews mostly comprised of visitors, guests, and kids,” Calta says. “So his labor is ‘free’ in terms of Twin Oaks accounting.”

Twin Oaks also produced a short documentary about the fire, which was released on its newly created YouTube page. The 30-minute film interviews residents who were present during the fire and uses pho-

tographs and video footage from the incident and the days that followed. League was also charged in an animal seizure that took place five months after the fire. His neighbor, Clara Collier, a 77-year-old woman who had more than 500 animals removed from her care in an incident that made national headlines in 2017, resides on a farm next to Twin Oaks and League’s property. Following charges of cruelty to animals, Collier was banned from animal ownership.

However, according to the press release from Louisa County, “over 45” animals found their way back onto the property. Sources familiar with the incident say League was the animals’ caregiver, and court records show he was

IN BRIEF

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

charged in connection to the seizure with four counts of cruelty to animals. Those charges were never prosecuted.

Sarah Rose, a neighbor to the commune whose property was also damaged in the fire, says her life has mostly returned to normal. After the animal seizures last fall, there’s been little in the way of crisis or drama in the area. In fact, Rose says she and her partner were surprised at how quiet their rural neighborhood has been lately.

“I’m shocked to say that there’s been no issues since last fall. My partner and I were just discussing how peaceful it’s been [since the 2024 fire and animal seizures],” she says. “We continue to root for Twin Oaks.”

Albemarle County Police Department opens criminal investigation into former general registrar Lauren Eddy. Gas leak closes northbound lanes on Seminole Trail August 26. Double Hoo Cleo E. Powell elected chief justice of the Virginia Supreme Court. Fourth arrest made in October 2024 gang-related shooting. Downed utility pole temporarily closes Water Street August 27. Taylor Swift, who’s played twice at John Paul Jones Arena and therefore has at least a tenuous connection to Charlottesville, gets engaged to Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. UVA football bests Coastal Carolina 48-7 in season opener. More than 1,700 people participate in August 30 Women’s Four Miler. Virginia Organizing draws hundreds to Charlottesville courthouse to protest federal immigration policies.

Louisa County resident James Grant League, Sr. was ordered to pay more than $50,000 in fire suppression fees for the Twin Oaks blaze.

Out and proud

Despite a nationwide decrease in corporate support for Pride events, local celebrations will feature more vendors than ever before, according to Nick Hutchins, president of Charlottesville Pride. Nearly 80 vendors will be at the 2025 event—which kicks off at 12:30pm on Saturday, September 6, at the Ting Pavilion.

“This festival … has just seen such phenomenal ... support from the local business community, from attendees, and from everyone,” says Hutchins.

Amid a turbulent political environment, Hutchins says it’s important to not only continue hosting Pride, but for community members to continue having pride.

“It is incumbent upon us as Cville Pride, and incumbent upon us as Charlottesville and the wider community, to continue showing up; to not live in a state of worry about what could happen,” he says. “[We must] follow the example of all of the people who came before us that used Pride, [who] used gathering together to create a sense of solidarity and community and safety. … To not go into the shadows, but continue to stand right in the middle of the street.”

This year’s festival is family-friendly and open to the public with free admission.

Entertainment will include a “Pride-apalooza” lineup and 10 drag performances.

—Catie Ratliff

Clearing out

CPD chief wants City Council to pass ordinance to remove homeless encampments

Charlottesville Police Chief Michael Kochis wants City Council to adopt a resolution that would ban people from sleeping and storing their possessions on public property.

“Over the past several months, the city has seen a marked increase in quality-of-life complaints in and around locations where unhoused community members are residing,” reads the staff report for the September 2 council meeting. “While these concerns must be addressed, the enforcement of this ordinance is intended to be carried out with care and understanding, recognizing the challenges faced by individuals experiencing homelessness.”

Kochis said in a statement that he would not respond to media requests until after the presentation is made to council.

The request comes at the same time that the federal government has signaled a desire to lock people up if they do not have a place to live. On July 24, 2025, President Donald Trump signed the Ending Crime and Disorder on America’s Streets executive order, which seeks to treat homelessness as a public safety threat rather than a public health problem.

“Shifting homeless individuals into longterm institutional settings for humane treatment through the appropriate use of civil commitment will restore public order,” reads section one of the order.

Section three directs federal agencies to prioritize grant funding for municipalities that enforce prohibitions on urban camping. Section five seeks to end support for “housing first” policies such as those championed by organizations that seek to help people find and keep a home.

BY SEAN TUBBS

no-camping ordinance, a violation would be a Class 4 misdemeanor with no jail time.

Under Charlottesville’s ordinance, a violation would be a Class 4 misdemeanor with no jail time.

“This reflects Council’s direction that enforcement should not be punitive but should encourage safe and lawful use of public spaces,” the staff report continues.

Available for public review is city staff’s protocol for dealing with unhoused encampments that defines “immediate hazard” as “a site posing urgent danger to life or health,” and “public health crisis” as “unsafe living conditions that risk spreading disease or harming health.”

Under the protocol, any suspected encampment is to be reported to Ashley Marshall, Charlottesville’s deputy city manager for social equity. Trained city staff will inspect the encampment, possibly with assis-

tance from personnel from area nonprofits. Law enforcement can attend the inspection if safety is deemed to be a factor.

There would be no advance notice for the removal of anything deemed an immediate hazard, and any personal property would be removed and stored for up to 60 days. Priority will be given to sites where criminal activity is believed to take place, where there have been complaints, and where environmental damage may be occurring.

Sites not deemed to be an immediate hazard would have 10 business days before removal.

Charlottesville’s budget for the current fiscal year includes a $500,000 placeholder for operation of a low-barrier shelter, but no location has been publicly disclosed. The city is also paying the Salvation Army $250,000 a year for lost revenue if its thrift store on Cherry Avenue becomes the home of that shelter.

This year’s budget also includes the first annual payment of $250,000 to the Blue Ridge Coalition for the Homeless for their operations.

Before Council’s meeting on Tuesday, the group Livable Cville organized a campaign to get people to attend.

“The proposal would make Charlottesville less safe,” reads their action alert. “Charlottesville does not have enough shelter beds or supportive housing. If community members who lack housing or shelter are not allowed to sleep on city land, where are they supposed to go?”

C-VILLE went to press before the September 2 City Council meeting. Check c-ville.com for updates to this story.

Under Charlottesville’s proposed

Starting September 10th Folly will be offering grab & go flower bouquets from Black Haus Blooms, a local organic flower farm

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September 2-13th

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REAL ESTATE NEWS Business ready?

Will

Albemarle land an AstraZeneca pharmaceutical factory? BY

SEAN TUBBS

In July, officials with the British pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca announced they would be investing $50 billion in the United States for new factories and research centers. According to a press release, this would include a new “multi-billion dollar drug substance manufacturing centre focused on chronic diseases” to be located in Virginia.

However, no official announcement has been made for a specific location.

On August 26, the Richmond TimesDispatch said the facility would be located in Albemarle County, reporting that was repeated in Virginia Business. Both articles refer to anonymous sources, but also describe how state government has taken action for specific developments.

On August 21, a commission that approves economic development incentive packages met in closed session and afterward voted unanimously to approve deals for three locations, including one in the planning district that covers Albemarle. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership’s Major Eligible Employer Grant Program provides up to $25 million to firms who invest more than $100 million and promise to create more than 1,000 jobs.

Abbey Stumpf, Albemarle’s director of communications and public engagement, says she was unaware that a site had been selected.

On August 13, the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors adopted an economic development strategic plan intended to increase the percentage of county tax revenue that comes from commercial taxes. Goal 2 of the plan is for Albemarle to “grow into the mid-Atlantic’s premier destination for biotechnology and life sciences innovation.”

“Albemarle’s biotechnology and life sciences sector is poised for breakout growth,” reads the plan. “With research strengths at UVA, a strong base of emerging companies, and national momentum in biotech and health innovation, Albemarle has a rare opportunity to lead.”

That goal builds on recent momentum such as the new biotech accelerator at the North Fork Discovery Park and the $350 million Paul and Diane Manning Institute for Biotechnology under construction at the University of Virginia. The institute’s first director, Mark T. Esser, is a former vice president for vaccines and immune therapies at AstraZeneca.

Albemarle’s economic plan fits hand in glove with one created by an entity called Go Region 9, which created a Central Virginia Innovation Corridor Strategic Roadmap. That document notes that the U.S. 29 corridor has “large land parcels [that] are available for development within 100 miles of the National Capital Region.”

The Virginia Economic Development’ Partnership’s website lists properties that are certified to be “business ready.” One of them is located at North Fork Discovery Park, which is operated by the University of Virginia Foundation. The 31-acre site is classified as a Tier 4 and listed as eligible for the Major Eligible Employer Grant Program.

Tier 4 means that all infrastructure is either in place or will be within a year.

Albemarle County is also working to bring its Rivanna Futures site up to Tier 4 status. That land is being marketed for the future Intelligence and National Security Innovation Acceleration Campus. Goal 1 of the new economic development strategic plan places the defense and national security sector as a top priority.

Annie Gould Gallery

British pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca announced a $50 billion investment into the U.S., including a “drug substance manufacturing centre focused on chronic diseases” to be located in Virginia.

unique art gallery located in the heart of historic Gordonsville.

1246 GAZEBO CT

UVA, and Downtown Charlottesville. The

open-concept living and dining areas are perfect for relaxing or entertaining. The fully equipped kitchen offers ample cabinet and counter space. The oversized bedroom easily fits a king-sized bed and still provides room for a sitting area or home office. Two large walk-in closets offer great flex-

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SUPPORT OUR WORK

McGuffey Art Center toasts 50 years of collaboration and support BY SARAH

SARGENT

FROM

the moment it opened on October 11, 1975, the McGuffey Art Center was a hit. Half a century later, the vibrant arts organization is still humming along, providing affordable studio space and a supportive environment for artists while delivering art shows, receptions, classes, open studios, and performances to the public.

When William H. McGuffey Primary School closed for good in May 1974, it was a blow to a downtown already in decline. Suburban malls had been drawing people away from the city’s center since 1959, when Barracks Road Shopping Center opened.

McGuffey School had occupied a position of prominence in Charlottesville since 1916. Designed by Ferguson, Carlow and Taylor, the architects of UVA’s Peabody Hall, the colonial revival structure was named for UVA professor William Holmes McGuffey, who together with his brother produced McGuffey Readers—popular primers used to teach reading skills throughout the American public school system from the mid-19th century into the 20th century.

The building’s fate following the school’s closure was a major concern for residents of North Downtown, an area that included a high concentration of artists, architects, lawyers, and city planners. When City Council approved a plan to convert eight blocks of East Main Street into a pedestrian mall in September 1974, the scale and transformational nature of the project suggested a willingness to think big and seek unconventional solutions, qualities that would come into play for McGuffey School.

“What I think is powerful and unique about McGuffey comes and goes,” says McGuffey President Judy McLeod, who joined as the first associate member in November 1975. “When we came in, the whole culture was a co-op initiative. Everything was co-ops. There were babysitting co-ops and food coops. We were going to be an artist-run co-op and everyone would work cooperatively towards running McGuffey—it was ‘we’ this and ‘we’ that. Some of the times since, ‘we’ was supplanted by ‘I’.” But nowadays, the I’s have receded and all the McGuffey artists understand they have to be a “we” to survive.

Where the art is

Today, McGuffey has 53 resident members, 133 associate members, and six incubator artists. It is “the city’s art space,” says Operations Manager Bill LeSueur. “It’s a community art space and should reflect the community it is in. The artists here, the audience, both should reflect the community.”

This lively symbiosis is at the heart of MAC’s success, but the organization has something else going for it—the high quality of its art. The center relies on a demanding jurying process when accepting new members, and the affordable rents allow artists to experiment and grow in a noncommercial environment. It’s a tremendous achievement on the part of generations of

Member spotlight

There are two levels of McGuffey Art Center membership. Resident members are local artists who want studio space and will undertake cooperative duties, such as serving on committees or in elected offices. Associate members can live anywhere and do not have studios, but these artists are allowed to participate in solo and group exhibitions. In addition, McGuffey’s Incubator Program, established in 2015, provides emerging artists with a way into McGuffey, where turnover is low. Immersion in the supportive McGuffey ecosystem benefits not just the incubator artists, but the organization as well, expanding its inclusivity and infusing it with vitality.—SS, with CM Turner

Rosamond Casey

Interdisciplinary artist Rosamond Casey moved to Charlottesville from Washington, D.C., in 1981, and took a studio at MAC, remaining there until 2015, when she built a studio at her home. She describes the center as “a place that nurtures both the public and private selves of artists.” Casey, who ran a graphic arts and calligraphy business out of her studio at MAC, says, “I could not have asked for a richer community and a more supportive environment over those years.”

McGuffey artists, City Council, engaged neighbors, and the wider Charlottesville community.

In May 1975, Lucius Bracey—who founded the North Downtown Neighborhood Association and was on both the Planning Commission and the Board of Architectural Review—was appointed by City Council to head the McGuffey School site committee.

Bracey’s committee recommended an arts and crafts center at McGuffey because it could take occupancy immediately, provide a new cultural hub for the public, continue the structure’s original educational mission, and preserve the building.

Following City Council’s approval, a contingent from Charlottesville toured the Torpedo Factory, an artists cooperative in Alex-

andria, Virginia. “Someone had told us there was a precedent,” says artist Theo van Groll, “so, we went there to see what was possible.” Word spread quickly. Artists signed on, organizational meetings were held, and the arts association began to take shape. The city oversaw exterior and infrastructure repairs, while artists worked inside. “Basically we came in and cleaned the building, swept the debris in the hallways, and painted,” says founding member McCrea Kudravetz. “It was hot and grungy—I hate to think of all the lead paint, and goodness knows what else we were scraping off the walls.”

Before McGuffey opened, artists worked in makeshift studios scattered around town. “We were all working in our basements,” says Jeanne van Gemert, part of the founding group. “Or in our attics—whatever place we could find. To have a dedicated space, filled with that kind of energy—well, I think you can see it in that first group photograph.”

In addition to its 23 classrooms, the building came with plenty of room for a gallery— a huge coup for artists eager to show their work. The things that made a successful school building—excellent natural light, high ceilings, space—are the things that make it ideal for artists’ studios. Founding member Anne Slaughter recalls that van Groll, whose expertise came into play in the exhibition space, installed spotlights and hundreds of hooks in the ceiling for suspending artwork. And when all those artists took up residence, something magical happened: A creative force far more powerful than what existed before emerged, supercharging Charlottesville’s art scene, which until that point included Second Street Gallery and Current Scene, a gallery opened in 1969 by City Councilor Jill Rinehart.

Not only did the creative community benefit from the concentration of art and artists at McGuffey, but for the first time it was easy for the public to engage with art and artists. The art center was injecting life back into a moribund town center.

“Artists are like goats,” says Ros Casey, a renting member at McGuffey for 30 years. “You send them into the underbrush and let them chew it all up, so that somebody can come along and build a house. Basically that’s what artists have always done, they go into under-appreciated areas and open an art gallery and the next thing you know, everybody wants to go there.”

Energy exchange

The collective community spirit of the 1960s still prevailed when McGuffey was being

Somé Louis

Interdisciplinary artist Somé Louis became a member at MAC in 2023 after participating in the center’s residency and incubator programs. She says McGuffey is a “very active artist community, with members working across all media, who share an interest in being a part of a larger network and community.” Louis says she’s seen “many examples of ‘community’ and investment in the arts” during her time there.

Judy McLeod

Artist and educator, and current McGuffey president, Judy McLeod joined MAC in 1975, and remains a member today. Over the course of 50 years, McLeod has witnessed McGuffey grow from “a gaggle of hippies and crafters and hope-to-be artists” to a professional association with an operations manager and community outreach efforts.

“As a young woman artist I learned from the community, as a working resident artist I learned the operational parts of an association, and as a mature resident artist I am enjoying making art and spreading knowledge as to how to be ‘McGuffey Art Center,’” she says.

formed and it still infuses its very fabric. McGuffey Art Center is a not-for-profit association, and receives no financial support from the city. Each member contributes by serving on committees, or as an elected officer. These efforts are augmented by a parttime operations manager who oversees the building, which is city-owned. Resident artists pay rent, plus a 15 percent commission to the association, based on square footage, and the association pays the city.

“Very few members make their living from McGuffey and there’s no pressure to sell,” says McLeod. “We’re open to the public, and all renting members are expected to do tours

Viesturs “Vee” Osvalds

Stained glass artist Viesturs “Vee” Osvalds became a member at MAC in 1981, and relinquished his studio earlier this year. Now an associate member, Osvalds participates in group shows, and makes items for the gift shop now that he’s no longer accepting commissions. Of the many lessons he learned over his years at MAC, he offers an obvious one: “Give your opinion only when asked, especially regarding someone else’s art work.”

and outreach into the community or schools—that’s a requirement. You can’t just come in here and close your door.” In fact, member artists must leave their doors open, and be willing to interact with the public, for a minimum of 16 hours each week.

At the art center, the emphasis is on doing and teaching. Artists work in close proximity, supporting each other, sharing ideas, techniques, and experience.

“Being at McGuffey propelled people’s work forward,” says van Gemert. “We were totally willing to help each other. There was a consolidation of resources. I remember three or four of us built a kiln together in the parking lot.”

Slaughter agrees. “There’s an exchange of energy between artists, whether you’re aware of it or not—there just is,” she says.

McGuffey’s First Friday openings started to lure people downtown, and things began to change. In March 1976, Phil Stafford and Sandy McAdams opened the C&O Restaurant. Memory & Company Restaurant, which began in 1976 as a cooking school, also opened a highly esteemed eatery. Miller’s followed in 1981.The Omni Hotel opened its doors in 1985, Fridays After Five started in 1987, Live Arts was founded in 1989, the same year SNL Financial moved onto the Mall, and Metropolitain—Vincent Derquenne and Tim Burgess’s haute cuisine precursor to Bizou—joined the scene in 1991.

There have been some changes to the art center along the way, including an electrical fire which caused $100,000 in damage and closed the building temporarily, and in the mid-’90s major renovations forced everyone out of the building for several months. A

Up close and personal

positive turn came in 1984 when Second Street Gallery, founded in 1973, moved into McGuffey in an effort to gain better accessibility, and remained there for 19 years.

The City of Charlottesville, which had the vision and imagination to see the potential of an arts and crafts center and the will to continue to support it, is to be commended. City-owned, artist-run organizations like McGuffey are exceedingly rare. Plenty get started but they tend to fizzle out over time. In 1996, when she was president of McGuffey, Casey attended a conference of similar art organizations from across the U.S. and Canada. “They’d all had a certain longevity, averaging about 10 years, and then were being asked to either modify, or go away,” she says. “I’m thinking to myself—we have something really unusual here because we have city buy-in. So many of the other organizations didn’t have that. I came away feeling that if we played our cards right, we could hold onto this place, but we had to stick to our guns—stick to who we really were, and do that well.” C

Jeanne van Gemert

Sculptor Jeanne van Gemert became a founding member of McGuffey following a move to Charlottesville from Syracuse, New York, in 1975. She worked at the center molding clay and cold-forged lightweight steel and sheet aluminum for a decade before returning to school to pursue an additional degree in counseling psychology and the expressive arts. “I thrived as an artist at McGuffey,” she says. “McGuffey Art Center was a gift of great collaboration, great community, and inspiration.”

In honor of its 50th Anniversary, McGuffey Art Center’s September show is a silent auction featuring the work of all 53 resident members and about 40 associate members.

Painting, drawing, photography, printmaking, fiber, sculpture, mixed media, stained glass, and woodworking are all represented in the auction. Patrons can even bid on a private dance performance. In addition to the art auction, the evening features live music and catered fare.

Bidding takes place at the First Friday opening on September 5, from 5 to 8pm. The show is not cash and carry—all works will remain in place until the exhibition comes down on September 28. All proceeds will support McGuffey’s ongoing programs and operations. Preview the show online or see the show in person at McGuffey Art Center beginning on September 2. mcguffeyartcenter.com

Back to School

SEPTEMBER

School Sale

THE WINE DOWN -

WHAT’S DELISH AT LOCAL WINERIES?

53RD WINERY AND VINEYARD

A note from Winegrower and Owner, Dave Drillock

No Bot or AI used, just me!

On August 9th, we will release our estate-grown 2024 Barrel-Aged Chardonel. For those who have not heard of Chardonel, it is a cross of Chardonnay with Seyval Blanc and is prized for its large flavorful clusters and resistance to disease. Whole-cluster pressed and aged in French oak barrels for 7 months has produced a dry, medium-bodied white wine with notes of lime, coconut, vanilla, pineapple and piña colada. The 53rd Team has been waiting for this one too! The wine pairs great with oysters, crab, and roasted or grilled pork dishes.

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 welcome 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.

Upcoming events:

September 6th – Farewell to Summer: Shrimp Boil!

Come and enjoy a low country shrimp boil with us! This is a feast of shrimp, sausage, corn, potatoes, cornbread, sauces, plus a complimentary glass of wine (tickets on Tock!)

Live Music with Mike Proffitt (1-4pm)

September 18th – Louisa Business Expo

Louisa Biz Expo hosted by the Louisa Chamber of Commerce is a free public event held in our pavilion. Learn about local businesses, and discover job opportunities! Wine and Smokin’ Eddies BBQ will be available for purchase.

September 27th – First Pour: An Insider’s Tasting with Tracy Waldron

Tracy Waldron, instructor at Virginia Wine and Spirits Academy, will return to 53rd! Join us as Tracy leads a guided wine tasting of several unreleased wines. Light fare included (tickets on Tock!)

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

2023 Popham Run Red

This lively and bright Bordeaux blend showcases aromas of fresh cherries and uplifting herbal notes. The mouthfeel is harmonious, vibrant, and fresh – pairing perfectly with your Sunday brunch and light fare. Cheers!

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!

Sipping for Saplings - Buy Wine, Plant a Tree!  Sipping for Saplings is our continuing program at DuCard Vineyards – consistent with our environmental commitment and leadership.  Trees help with global warming, provide shade, absorb water runoff … and look great.  Last fall we gave away nearly 2,000 trees through this unique program in partnership with the Friends of the Rappahannock. Throughout September come visit us at DuCard, have a flight or a bottle on the patio, listen to some music or just commune with the great view … and then when you buy a bottle (or more) to take home with you make sure to grab a tree to plant, too! Program continues daily through the month or September.

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

September Kicks Off Oktoberfest at Eastwood! Join us in celebrating the 2025 harvest with wine & food specials in a beautiful setting. There is always something for the whole family to enjoy at Eastwood from our gold medal 2024 Petit Manseng and Petit Verdot to our new Oktoberfest beer and our popular juice flights for kids. Along with the Fall Oktoberfest menu beginning September 6, we will be hosting live music four days a week all month long.  Join us for festive fall days in Virginia Wine Country.

Upcoming at the Winery:

Oktoberfest (September 5October 31)

This fall, Eastwood is bringing you all the cozy, festive vibes with a lineup of flavor, fun, and celebration! Join us for Oktoberfest, featuring traditional Oktoberfest beer, and delicious German-inspired food specials from our kitchen every day! Then, beginning September 13, enjoy even more flavors from our food truck (parked at the veranda) every Saturday and Sunday.

Virginia Oyster & Wine Celebration | Every Friday August, September & October

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.

Chamber Music Festival | Wednesday, September 10

Join us for a breathtaking musical journey through Latin America – A Journey from Mexico City to Buenos Aires. A lively set of cantos, choros, valsas and tangos, by Heitor VillaLobos, Astor Piazzolla, Osvaldo Golijov and others. Doors open early! We invite you to arrive ahead of time to enjoy drinks and light fare from our special evening menu. Presented in partnership with Charlottesville Chamber Music Festival and generously sponsored by an anonymous donor in celebration of the life of Carolee Copeland and her enduring love of chamber music.

Music Bingo | Sundays, September 14, October 12

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, September 14 and  Wednesday, 9/24

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 Events - Reserve Your Spot On Our Website

Special Oktoberfest Market Day | Sunday, September 21

In addition to our regular  Oktoberfest menu and live music, enjoy shopping for unique handcrafted goods from local artisans. Market will be open 12-5PM. This event is a great way to support small businesses while celebrating the spirit of fall!

Red Wine Showcase | Friday,

October 17

Celebrate Virginia Wine Month at the Red Wine Showcase set against the picturesque backdrop of Eastwood Farm and Winery! This exclusive event brings together 18 esteemed wineries from the Monticello Wine Trail for an unforgettable evening of red wine tastings, gourmet pairings, community and conversation. Reserve your tickets at eastwoodfarmandwinery.com.

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.

MUSIC AT EASTWOOD!

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 (and Sundays!).  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 (125 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

Hillside White

Vidal Blanc shines through in this great summer sipper.  With just the perfect touch of residual sugar, this off-dry wine will have you savoring every sip.  Great for porch time relaxing or paired with spicy dishes and appetizers.  Grab a bottle today and WINE down your summer with this Hardware Hills gem. 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

September 10th - COUNTRY MUSIC DANCE NIGHT at Hardware Hills. Pull on your boots and come sippin’ and stompin’ with us. Line dance coach Madison Kinney returns with new dances to teach and takes us on a spin of the previous ones. No experience necessary (or boots! -- flip flops work!) -- just come have some wine and some dancing fun with us.

September 11th - TRIVIA NIGHT at Hardware Hills. Grab your team of 6 and come have some brain teasing fun with us! Free admission. Wine and food menu will be in full swing as you put your heads together to WIN! We start at 6:30 this month.

September 13th – Murder at the Hills! Murder Mystery Dinner: Welcome to the Speak Easy Murder Mystery Dinner at Hardware Hills Vineyard! Get ready for a night of suspense, intrigue, and delicious food. Put on your detective hat and join us for an evening of interactive fun.

Unravel the mystery while enjoying a gourmet meal and sipping on fine wines. This in-person event promises to be a night to remember. Don’t miss out on this unique experience! (advanced ticket purchase required)

September 18th – Paint + Sip: “Colorful Country Road” at Hardware Hills. Join us to learn how to paint this design in a step by step format, no experience necessary! Your ticket includes an 11×14 canvas and acrylic paint. Each class is taught by a professional artist that will guide you through various techniques at a comfortable pace.

September 25th- MUSIC BINGO NIGHT at Hardware Hills. Sara spins the tunes... you sip, laugh, sing (dance!?) and win! This is one of the more popular events at the Hills, so don’t miss out! Bring the whole group for a Friday night of good tunes and good times.

5199 W River Rd, Scottsville, VA  434.286.4710 • www.hardwarehills.com

KESWICK VINEYARDS

September at Keswick Vineyards

We’ve got a fun-filled month ahead, and you won’t want to miss a single moment at Keswick!

Friday, September 19th – Sip & Paint

Unwind with us after hours for a creative evening of painting paired with your favorite Keswick wines.

Every Wednesday – Wine Down Wednesdays

Kick back midweek with live music, happy hour wines from 5–6 PM, and great vibes from 5:30–8:30 PM. Come early, grab your favorite spot, and let the evening carry you away.

Join the Keswick Vineyards Wine Club!

Love our wines? Take it one step further by becoming part of our Wine Club family. Members enjoy: Exclusive wines you won’t find anywhere else, discounts on wine and merchandise, first access to new releases, and more! It’s the best way to sip, save, and stay connected with Keswick yearround.

Start Sippin’ in September at Keswick. Cheers!

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

Rapidan River Peach

During the month of August, celebrate summer with Prince Michel’s Rapidan River Peach!

Rapidan River Peach is the ultimate summer sipper—light, sweet, and bursting with fresh peach flavor that captures the essence of the season. Its refreshing fruit-forward profile makes it perfect for sipping chilled on

the patio, pairing with summer salads, or mixing into a sunny sangria. With just the right touch of sweetness, it’s a crowd-pleasing favorite for picnics, barbecues, and backyard celebrations. 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 crowdfavorite 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 pubstyle 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.

Join us for our MAD Jazz Festival on Saturday September 6th from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.  More details and tickets available at madjazzva.com

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 Cabernet Franc

This wine, made exclusively with Cabernet Franc grapes, just sparkles. Its aromas of fresh ripe red raspberries and strawberries permeate the glass.  The fruit is the star! The fresh summer

action during our first harvest while enjoying our delicious small plate menu and winemaker wine flights.  If you would like to secure a seat by the viewing windows, we are taking limited reservations for lunch or dinner “with a view” every Friday.  However, you don’t need a reservation to be a part of the 2025 harvest.   There will be ample viewing opportunities. In fact, we will be roping off a small area on the production floor so that you can walk out to view the action all weekend long. Anytime is a great time to visit the Collective this September.  Email Gabrielle@ eastwoodfarmandwinery.com to make reservations or if you have questions. The Virginia Wine Collective is a new wine production facility in Charlottesville. Eastwood designed the space to include nine winemaker suites and an incubator alongside the main production area. The suites provide a space where independent winemakers can anchor a license and make their wines. The Collective has been designed to reduce the costs associated with independent winemaking, and thereby support further innovation and talent in the Monticello AVA.

fruit mélange carries through to your taste buds, too.  This balanced wine has medium acidity, body and alcohol, ending with a good length and an inviting finish, begging for more and more.  It can be paired with almost anything - roasted chicken to hearty fish or your vegetarian favorites.  You will keep coming back to this wine!

September Hours: Fridays noon to sunset; Saturdays noon to 6 pm; Sundays noon to 5 pm. Mondays and Thursdays by appointment only.

Sept. 5 – Book World Meets Wine World starting at 6 pm – Author James Blakey joins us to discuss his newest novel, Superstition.

Sept. 7 – Sip & Learn – Meet the Artists Behind the Vineyard at 3 pm –Painters Richard Young and Anna Marie DeMio Dowen.

Sept. 26 – Book Club @ The Vineyard starting at 6 pm. We will discuss A Refiner’s Fire by Donna Leon.

Sept. 20 – Special Book Club Event –At 3 pm, Brody Mullins, a Pulitzer Prizewinning investigative journalist and co-author of the critically acclaimed book, The Wolves of K Street: The Secret History of How Big Money Took Over Big Government, will be on hand to discuss the book.

Sept. 27 – Sip, Savor, and Discover the World of Cabernet Franc! Join us from 4 to 6pm for a vertical Cabernet Franc tasting. Tickets are available on our website.

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

VIRGINIA WINE COLLECTIVE

Fall at the Collective

Join us for Harvest Viewing Days at the Collective every weekend this September.  We bring harvest to downtown Charlottesville and are located on Avon Street at the 4-way stop for Wegmans!  You can watch the

Upcoming at the Collective: Paint & Sip  | Select Sundays, 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 firsttime painter, the talented instructors of Blue Ridge Brushes will walk you through the painting process as you create your own masterpiece. Ticketed Events - Reserve Your Spot On the Virginia Wine Collective Facebook Page or the Eastwood Website.

Open Bottle Special | Every Sunday 3:30 to 5:00 PM

Half off all 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.

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/

FRIDAY 9/5

ROOTS REVUE

North Carolina roots stalwarts Chatham County Line, known for its blend of bluegrass, folk, country, and rock ‘n’ roll, is riding high off the release of its 10th studio album last year. Singer/ guitarist Dave Wilson and bandmates John Teer (fiddle/mandolin) and Greg Readling (bass/pedal steel) bring evocative tales of love and heartbreak, joy and sorrow, and righteousness and revenge, incorporating synthesizers, drum machines, and more electric guitar and percussion than ever before in an embrace of new sonic frontiers. Co-headliner The Mammals play indie-roots from New York’s Hudson Valley, offering emotionally rich folk rock that’s been fine-tuned through two decades of dedicated craft. $24, 7:30pm. The Southern Café & Music Hall, 103 S. First St. thesoutherncville.com

TO-DO LIST CULTURE

Wednesday 9/3

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

Big Gavel Band. Rockin’ and classic country music. Free, 5:30pm. Keswick Vineyards, 1575 Keswick Winery Dr., Keswick. keswickvineyards.com

DUUNES. Harrison Cohen creates sly, driving alternative rock that surges with raw energy and electrifying vocals. With Work Wear and Loose Leaf. $19.25, 8pm. The Southern Café & Music Hall, 103 S. First St. thesoutherncville.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

etc.

Bent Theatre Improv. A hilarious evening of improv comedy where you make the show by suggesting scenes for the players to act out. Free, 7pm. Decipher Brewing, 1740 Broadway St. benttheatrecomedy.com

Bingo Night. Family-friendly play, with prizes after each of the four rounds. Free, 6pm. Firefly, 1304 E. Market St. fireflycville.com

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. rapture restaurant.com

Thursday 9/4

music

Berto and Vincent. A night of wild flamenco rumba and Latin guitar. Free, 7pm. The Bebedero, 225 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. thebebedero.com

Hallie Grace. A pop singer-songwriter based in Nashville. Free, 5pm. Eastwood Farm and Winery, 2531 Scottsville Rd. eastwoodfarmandwinery.com

Project Bluebird. A rock, blues, funk fusion band peppered with psychedelic flavor. Free, 7pm. Dürty Nelly’s, 2200 Jefferson Park Ave. durtynellys charlottesville.com

Travis Elliott. Originals and covers, with thoughtful takes on classic and contemporary songs. Free, 10pm. Rapture, 303 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. rapturerestaurant.com

stage

Romeo & Juliet. Shakespeare’s most iconic story of young love—reckless, tender, and all-consuming. $35–70, 7:30pm. Blackfriars Playhouse, 10 S. Market St., Staunton. americanshakespearecenter.com etc.

Brewery Puzzle Hunt. An escape room meets a pub crawl. Visit the Preston Avenue breweries, crack codes, unravel riddles, and sample Charlottesville’s best brews. Players get $1 off pints at each brewery. $15, noon. Starr Hill Brewery, Dairy Market. puzzledbee.com

FRIDAY 9/5 –SUNDAY 9/7

PRIDE AND PROJECTIONISTS

The 12th annual Maupintown Film Festival returns with a powerful lineup that includes shorts, documentaries, animated films, and discussions with filmmakers, experts, and community members. This year’s theme, Bold and Beautiful, highlights the Black community’s long tradition of resistance against injustice while holding fast to an unshakable sense of pride and cultural identity. The three-day fest features actor/filmmaker Tim Reid, Academy Award-winning director Paul Wagner, former Charlottesville mayor Nikuyah Walker, Emmy Award-winning filmmakers Hannah Ayers and Lance Warren, actress/filmmaker Karyn Parsons, and other guests. $10–20, times vary. Jefferson School African American Heritage Center, 233 Fourth St. NW. jeffschoolheritagecenter.org

Friday 9/5

music

Acoustic Aubrey. Covers of classic R&B, jazz, acoustic rock, and more. Free, 5pm. DuCard Vineyards, 40 Gibson Hollow Ln., Etlan. ducard vineyards.com

Brian Franke. Independent award-winning singersongwriter and cover artist. Free, 5pm. Eastwood Farm and Winery, 2531 Scottsville Rd. eastwood farmandwinery.com

Chatham County Line x The Mammals. North Carolina roots stalwarts blending bluegrass, folk, country, and rock ‘n’ roll perform with an indie-roots band from New York’s Hudson Valley. $24, 7:30pm. The Southern Café & Music Hall, 103 S. First St. thesoutherncville.com

Chickenhead Blues Band. Charlottesville’s premier boogie-woogie, beat, rhythm and blues dance band. Free, 9pm. Holly’s Diner, 1221 E. Market St. Fridays After Five: We Are Star Children. A nine-piece adventure pop band veers in and out of conventional rock/pop arrangement. With Cake Fight. Free, 5:30pm. Ting Pavilion, 700 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. tingpavilion.com

Scuffletown. A unique blend of original music and acoustic roots, blues, jazz, bluegrass, and country. Free, 5:30pm. Potter’s Craft Cider, 1350 Arrowhead Valley Rd. potterscraftcider.com

Friday Night Writes. An open mic for emerging musicians and writers performing music, poetry, and short stories. Free, 7pm. New Dominion Bookshop, 404 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. newdominion bookshop.com

classes

Paint + Sip: Blue Mountain View. Learn how to paint the design in a step-by-step format, no experience necessary. All materials supplied. $36, 6pm. Muddy Paws Winery, 2640 Rock Island Rd., Scottsville. muddypawswinery.com

etc.

Brewery Puzzle Hunt. See listing for Thursday, September 4. $15, noon. Starr Hill Brewery, Dairy Market. puzzledbee.com

Maupintown Film Festival: Bold and Beautiful Opening Event. Mingle with patrons and guests to kick off the 12th annual festival, returning with a powerful lineup of films that celebrate the bold resistance and enduring beauty of Black history and culture. Registration required. Free, 6pm. Jefferson School African American Heritage Center, 233 Fourth St. NW. jeffschoolheritagecenter.org

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

Saturday 9/6 music

Berto Sales and Vincent Zorn. Spicy rhythms, zesty beats, and sizzling sounds from your favorite Latin and flamenco rumba guitar duo. Free, 5pm. Glass House Winery, 5898 Free Union Rd., Free Union. glasshousewinery.com

Fonville & Fribush. Exciting contemporary funk, soul-jazz, and rare-groove music. Free, 7pm. Dürty Nelly’s, 2200 Jefferson Park Ave. durtynellys charlottesville.com

George Thorogood and The Destroyers: The Baddest Show on Earth. Taking all the drumbashing, bass-pounding, sax-wailing, monster-guitar energy of the past five decades and pouring it into a roof-shaking rock party. $60–95, 8pm. The Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. theparamount.net

Susie and The Pistols. Americana music husbandand-wife team Andrew Green and Susannah Hornsby are joined by Michael Clem and Paul Rosner. Free, 6pm. Glass House Winery, 5898 Free Union Rd., Free Union. glasshousewinery.com

Westminster Organ Concert Series. Featuring Heinrich Christensen of King’s Chapel Boston playing works of J.S. Bach, Jesper Madsen, and Niels Gade. Reception follows concert. Free, 7:30pm. Westminster Presbyterian Church, 400 Rugby Rd. westminsterva.org

dance

’80s DJ Dance Party. A sunset soirée where DJs spin classic tracks from the past. Dress for the era and wear your dancing shoes. Free, 6pm. Chisholm Vineyards at Adventure Farm, 1135 Clan Chisholm Ln., Earlysville. chisholmvineyards.com stage

Romeo & Juliet. See listing for Thursday, September 4. $40–75, 7:30pm. Blackfriars Playhouse, 10 S. Market St., Staunton. americanshakespearecenter.com words

Exploring Contemplation & Art. An artist talk discusses two works by Meg Hitchcock and explores the intersection of contemplation and art. Featuring refreshments and a Q&A. Free, 3:30pm. The Contemplative Commons at UVA, 403 Emmet St. S. csc. virginia.edu

GootGenuG. Original music and jazz fusion classics. $5, 7pm. Batesville Market, 6624 Plank Rd., Batesville. batesvillemarket.com

Goth Takeover. A night filled with alternative spookies and a variety of gothy DJs and bands. All ages welcome, guests under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult after midnight. Free, 9pm. Holly’s Diner, 1221 E. Market St.

Josh Mayo. One of Charlottesville’s finest entertainers takes on the party porch to rock your night away. Free, 9pm. Vision BBQ & Catering, 247 Ridge McIntire Rd. visionbbqcville.com

Matt Johnson. Local legend featured on NBC’s “The Voice.” Free, noon. Keswick Vineyards, 1575 Keswick Winery Dr., Keswick. keswickvineyards.com

Meisha Herron. A natural singer originally from Chicago plays acoustic folk, Americana, blues, and soul music. Free, 12:30pm. Eastwood Farm and Winery, 2531 Scottsville Rd. eastwood farmandwinery.com

Ron Gentry. A variety of great music influenced by the sounds of Motown, the Beatles, CCR, the Stones, Hendrix, and many other artists. Free, 2pm. DuCard Vineyards, 40 Gibson Hollow Ln., Etlan. ducardvineyards.com

The Bluegrass Destroyers. A night of bluegrass, newgrass, soulful roots, and classic country under the stars. With Mackenzie Roark. $15–18, 5pm. Rivanna River Company, 1518 E. High St. frontporchcville.org

Choral Evensong

READ LOCAL. WEAR LOCAL.

CULTURE TO-DO LIST

Saturday 9/6

The Near Passerines. Masters of musical time travel play tunes from ’50s classics to today’s charttoppers, blending genres for a show that’s always fresh. Free, 5pm. Eastwood Farm and Winery, 2531 Scottsville Rd. eastwoodfarmandwinery.com

The Wavelength. A consortium of Charlottesville’s finest musicians perform vintage rock, blues, originals, and more. Free, 2:30pm. Albemarle CiderWorks, 2545 Rural Ridge Ln., North Garden. albemarleciderworks.com

dance

House Party Rave. A high-energy, nostalgia-fueled dance party featuring early-2010s anthems that defined a generation. $20–25, 9pm. The Jefferson Theater, 110 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. jeffersontheater.com

stage

Lip Sync Battle Burlesque. Striptease meets showmanship in an all-out performance brawl. Performers go head-to-head in a high-energy face-off, lipsyncing to iconic tracks with overthe-top flair and eye-popping costumes. $25–38, 8pm. The Southern Café & Music Hall, 103 S. First St. thesoutherncville.com

Queen Lear A condensed all-female production of Shakespeare’s King Lear reimagines the Bard’s darkest masterpiece into a compelling exploration of maternal authority and sisterhood. $20, 7pm. Thistlerock Mead Company, 3075 Gables Run Rd. queenlear.org

Romeo & Juliet. See listing for Thursday, September 4. $41–75, 2pm and 7:30pm. Blackfriars Playhouse, 10 S. Market St., Staunton. american shakespearecenter.com

words

Author Event: Tochi Eze. Eze reads from her debut novel, This Kind of Trouble. A conversation with writer Bruce Holsinger follows. Free, 7pm. New Dominion Bookshop, 404 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. newdominionbookshop.com

Deep History: Geologic Perspectives at Highland. William & Mary geology professor Chuck Bailey explores Deep Time and the important geological connections to the landscape and human history of Virginia. Free, 10am. James Monroe’s Highland, 2050 James Monroe Pkwy. highland.org

classes

Crochet for Beginners. Learn the basics of crochet. Leave with a crochet hook and a small crocheted washcloth. Ages 12+. $25, 1pm. The Scrappy Elephant, 1745 Allied St. scrappyelephant.com

Learn to Knit. Learn the basics of knitting. No experience needed. Leave with a pair of knitting needles, the beginning of a scarf, and enough yarn to finish it. Ages 12+. $25, 3pm. The Scrappy Elephant, 1745 Allied St. scrappyelephant.com Mosaic 201: Mosaic Your House Number. Learn about mosaics while making a personalized house number. Bring at least two printed images for inspiration. No experience necessary. Ages 12+. $68, 10:30am. The Scrappy Elephant, 1745 Allied St. scrappyelephant.com etc.

Brewery Puzzle Hunt. See listing for Thursday, September 4. $15, noon. Starr Hill Brewery, Dairy Market. puzzledbee.com

Charlottesville Pride Festival. The larger LGBTQ community in Charlottesville gather for a marquee event featuring food, drink, and entertainment. Free, 12:30pm. Ting Pavilion, 700 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. tingpavilion.com

Live Arts Fundraiser: Laissez les bon temps rouler. Let the good times roll at this Mardi Grasthemed bash, and support Live Arts’ mission to build community through bold, inclusive theater. $100-150, 6pm. Live Arts, 123 E. Water St., livearts.org Maupintown Film Festival: Bold and Beautiful. The 12th annual festival returns with a powerful slate of films celebrating the bold resistance and enduring beauty of Black history and culture. $15–20, 8am. Jefferson School African American Heritage Center, 233 Fourth St. NW. jeffschoolheritagecenter.org 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. newdominionbookshop.com

Sunday 9/7 music

Cville Chamber Music Festival: Concert I. The world-famous quartet Brooklyn Rider joins festival artistic directors Raphael Bell and Timothy Summers to open the 2025 Festival. $22–132, 3pm. Old Cabell Hall. music.virginia.edu

Jim Waive Tribute Show. Featuring Chamomile & Whiskey, Ian Gilliam & the Fire Kings, Sarah White, Sally Rose, Jesse Fiske, Josh Vana, Peyton Tochterman, Barling & Collins, and The Young Divorcees. $10 suggested donation, 5pm. Fry’s Spring Beach Club, 2512 Jefferson Park Ave. frysspring.org

Ramona Martinez. Honest and relatable honky-tonk storytelling performed solo. Free, 2pm. Glass House Winery, 5898 Free Union Rd., Free Union. glasshousewinery.com

Sue Harlow. An Americana/folk singer-songwriter whose haunting vocals delve into the depths of what makes people real. Free, 1pm. Eastwood Farm and Winery, 2531 Scottsville Rd. eastwoodfarmandwinery.com

The CryBabies. Americana band plays originals, country, and old-timey tunes with sweet harmonies. $10, 5pm. The Batesville Market, 6624 Plank Rd., Batesville. batesvillemarket.com

WTJU Jazz Vinyl Takeover. Five full hours of vinyl spun by your favorite WTJU Radio DJs keeps you grooving and relaxing all day long. Free, 1pm. Potter’s Craft Cider, 1350 Arrowhead Valley Rd. potterscraftcider.com

THROUGH NOVEMBER 14

REGAL RE-DO

A condensed all-female production of Shakespeare’s King Lear reimagines the Bard’s darkest masterpiece as a compelling exploration of maternal authority and sisterhood in Queen Lear. Mounted by Cottage Industry, a women-only performance and production troupe based in Charlottesville, the one-hour play places veteran actress Kate Bennis in the titular role under the direction of local theater fixture Miller Susen Featuring original poetic language, six actors playing multiple characters, and original music, this site-specific show is part of a performance series taking place at venues throughout the region. $20, 7pm. Thistlerock Mead Company, 3075 Gables Run Rd. queenlear.org

PAGES CULTURE

classes

Paint + Sip: Rolling Hills of Color. Paint the design in a step-by-step format. No experience necessary, all supplies provided. First beverage included with ticket purchase. $40, 5pm. Starr Hill Downtown, 946 Grady Ave. Suite 101. blueridgebrushes.com etc.

24th Annual Youth Film Festival. Light House Studio celebrates student films, storytelling, and community with screenings of films created during workshops, community partnerships, and the Summer Film Academy over the past year. $17–127, 6:30pm. The Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. theparamount.net

Brewery Puzzle Hunt. See listing for Thursday, September 4. $15, noon. Starr Hill Brewery, Dairy Market. puzzledbee.com

Maupintown Film Festival: Bold and Beautiful. See listing for Saturday, September 6. $15–20, noon. Jefferson School African American Heritage Center, 233 Fourth St. NW. jeffschoolheritagecenter.org

Monday 9/8 music

Flamenco Monday. An evening of flamenco song and dance. Must say “olé!” Free, 7pm. Mejicali, 852 W. Main St. #110. mejicalirestaurant.com

words

Storytime. A magical storytime adventure where the pages come alive and imagination knows no bounds. Free with admission to the museum, 10:30am. Virginia Discovery Museum, 524 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. vadm.org etc.

Astronomy on Tap: C’ville #33. UVA astronomers offer talks, trivia, and prizes aimed at a general audience. Free, 7pm. Firefly, 1304 E. Market St. fireflycville.com

Tuesday 9/9

music

Atta Boy. An L.A.-born blend of pop-Americana mixing indie influences with coffee-shop confessionalism. $24, 8pm. The Southern Café & Music Hall, 103 S. First St. thesoutherncville.com

BRIMS. Biweekly Irish music jam with 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

words

Plot Twisters Teen Book Club. Teen readers are invited to read a book of their choice on a monthly theme or genre, then meet to discuss the books, do crafts, and eat snacks. For ages 11–18. Registration required. Free, 5pm. Central Library, 201 E. Market St. jmrl.org

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. fireflycville.com

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

A form of inheritance

Author Tochi Eze discusses ancestral curses and diasporic identity

BY SARAH LAWSON

Tochi Eze is a Nigerian fiction writer and scholar whose debut novel, This Kind of Trouble, explores the relationships between language and power through intergenerational identity, mental health, colonialism, and the African diaspora. Spanning a century and told through multiple perspectives in Nigeria and the United States, the plot follows how choices made by the characters and their ancestors shape perceptions of reality, as a form of inheritance. The story focuses on Margaret, who is cursed with “heightened vision,” and Benjamin, who has become disconnected from his family and past.

Eze currently teaches English literature at UVA and is completing doctoral research on Black diasporic urban aesthetics and world-making in global cities. She spoke to CVILLE about This Kind of Trouble

C-VILLE: This novel grew out of your MFA thesis. Describe that process.

Tochi Eze: I was going to have a collection of short stories but then Margaret’s scene just came to me really vividly …. I started off with her having a psychotic episode. I really wanted to investigate what she thought was happening to her… to embody her experience and have some sort of empathy with this woman who was insisting that creatures were haunting her. The question for me was really, ‘What if it’s true?’ What if I step away from what I know—in the language of mental health—and just inhabit the mindspace of this character and investigate what exactly she claims is happening to her? And that sent me down a rabbit hole to go back to the past to see where some of these ideas may have germinated.

What was the biggest change you made to the book?

The opening chapter was initially supposed to be Margaret but one of my MFA committee professors was like, ‘I think this novel wants to start with Benjamin.’ And then my editors said, ‘This novel wants to start with Benjamin.’ So we had to swap and it was a position I wrestled with. You know, writers say that, theoretically, you have to take all sides and like all your characters equally, but I feel like Benjamin made me realize this. Because I then had to go back to Benjamin and pay attention … this typical man who leaves his family because it gets rough—I had to see things from his perspective. I think there’s a way that his flaws give the book a momentum or humanness.

What kind of research was involved?

I drew a lot from personal, collective, and familial memory. I’d grown up watching a family member struggle with visions and … I’d seen this idea of generational haunting in my own family but also it’s a common trope in Africa—the idea that the past is unruly and you can’t think of it as some kind of tidy, complete moment of time that is just behind us and from which we can steadily move on. So, there’s this ethos of many Africans I know, about the past coming back to haunt—whether we’re thinking about the postcolonial past, or the complicity of our ancestors, or personal family dynamics.

I also did research, especially when I wanted to give fidelity to language, syntax, and dialogue. I write about 1905, but I also write a lot about 1960s Lagos at the cusp of independence, so it was really important for me to have a clear visual image of the political and social landscape but also the physical, concrete, spatial dynamics of Lagos as a city, evoking that in narrative.

One of the factors that worked out for me is that I was thinking in my native language and translating into English, and I think that really paid off in how … the historical voice is not quite like the ways we use words and syntax in day-to-day language. I had to switch off the English side of my brain and invoke the characters’ thinking in Igbo and then translate from there.

How does your academic work relate to your creative work?

I work in the global Anglophone tradition, specifically in the 20th century. That’s my area of specialization. So I’m constantly interested in what it means to think about globalization but also cultural studies … to think about the intimacies and specificities of cultures, especially cultures of African diaspora communities. There’s this enmeshment or entanglement between the global and the local and that’s my entry point for fiction. … I’m trying to create a dialogue that thinks about the ways the past echoes in the present.

Has your time as a doctoral student at UVA impacted the novel?

It did. I’m a fiction writer but I’m also a scholar. … There’s been an openness in the English department at UVA that gave me permission to be both things.

The fiction has also sort of bled into how I do my critical research. Even when I’m writing critically, I have to be consuming an exorbitant amount of fiction … and writing fiction as well. So I feel like, in a very indirect way, there’s this synergy between the creative and the critical … which I would argue is the future of the humanities.

Tochi Eze will read from This Kind of Trouble at New Dominion Bookshop on September 6, followed by a discussion hosted by Bruce Holsinger.

CULTURE GALLERIES

September

Exhibitions

The Center at Belvedere 540 Belvedere Blvd. An exhibition of quilts by the Charlottesville Area Quilters Guild, and a show of pastel works by Michael McGurk. Through October 31. Opening reception September 6, 11am–1pm.

Chroma Projects Inside Vault Virginia, Third Street SE. In the micro gallery, “The Alchemy of Painting,” works capturing a vague sense of recalling or dreaming as opposed to depicting a specific scene or memory, by retired VCU professor Wayne Fitzgerald. September 5–26. First Fridays opening reception, 5–7pm. This exhibition is Chroma Projects’ final show in its Vault Virginia micro-space.

Create Gallery at InBio, Inc. 700 Harris St., entrance off Dale Avenue. An interdisciplinary exhibition fundraiser for the Literary Volunteers of Charlottesville and Albemarle featuring work by Matalie Deane, Frank Feigert, Sara Gondwe, Julia Kindred, Ellen Moore Osborne, Andy Stafford, Juliette Swenson, Madeleine Watkins, and Carol Williams. Through September 25. First Fridays event 5–7pm.

Crozet Artisan Depot 5791 Three Notch’d Rd., Crozet. “Journey from Grief to Art: Resilient,” paintings by Colleen Rosenberry exploring growth between the day of death to a new life that has no ending. “A Joyful Reverie,” functional ceramics and whimsical tufted pillows, rugs, and wall hangings by Abigail Treece. Both shows run through September 30. Meet the artists event September 13, 11am–1pm.

C’ville Arts Cooperative Gallery 118 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. Well-known Virginia photographer Ben Greenberg shares his favorite photos of landscapes, wildlife, and nature from the past 25 years of his practice. September 5–30. First Fridays opening reception, 5–8pm.

The Fralin Museum of Art at UVA 155 Rugby Rd. “Haiti’s Time: Selections from the Collection of Beverly and John Fox Sullivan” draws upon works by some of this island nation’s most esteemed artists to reveal exceptional paintings that offer a timely view of Haitian history, spiritual realms, and daily life. Through January 4, 2026. “In Feeling: Empathy and Tension Through Disability” features works by nine contemporary artists that reckon with how we empathize. Exploring the relationship between empathy and tension, this exhibition highlights and celebrates perspectives that challenge assumptions about ways of being and living. Through January 4, 2026. “The World Between: Egypt and Nubia in Africa,” showcases the deep cultural embeddedness of ancient Egypt in Africa, beyond merely acknowledging its geographical position on the African continent. The exhibition demonstrates the complex interaction of different cultures in Egypt and Nubia, from prehistory through the Post-Meroitic era. Through June 14, 2026.

The Gallery at Studio IX 969 Second St. SE. “Decomposers + Detrivores,” mixed media works focusing on the idea of decomposition as a path-clearing action that allows for new growth, by Lisa Renz. September 5–October 26. Opening reception September 5, 5–7pm. Artist talk September 25, 5–6pm.

Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection of UVA 400 Worrell Dr. “In the Beginning: Paintings by Senior Artists of the Spinifex Arts Project” presents the bold, dynamic work of internationally renowned artists from the Spinifex Arts Project. Through March 8, 2026. “Tjukurpa | Handle It,” sculpture and mixed media works by Robert Fielding. Through January 11, 2026. “Ma atjaMa atja | For the Next Generation: Printmaking at Mimili Maku Arts,” a group show featuring prints by various artists. August 19, 2025–January 13, 2026.

Jefferson Madison Central Library 201 E. Market St. “Keep Going Together: Creativity, Care and Community,” an interdisciplinary group show featuring work by 25 local artists. September 5–October 31. First Fridays opening reception, 5–7pm.

Les Yeux du Monde 841 Wolf Trap Rd. “Shrine,” a multidisciplinary exhibition of works by New York-based artist Meg Hitchcock featuring painting, text-based art, and three-dimensional work reflecting a lifelong interest in religion, psychology, and literature. September 6–October 5. Opening reception September 6, 4–6pm. Ticketed luncheon and artist talk October 5, 12:30pm.

McGuffey Art Center 201 Second St. NW. Throughout the center, the 50th Anniversary Exhibition, an all-member showcase of diverse works and expressions celebrating five decades of artistic creation and community. September 5–28. First Fridays opening featuring a silent auction, live music, catered fare, and community connection, 5–8pm. Artist Talks + Retrospective Panel moderated by curator Sarah Sargent, September 27, 2–4pm.

New City Arts 114 Third St. NE. In the Welcome Gallery, “through this, to that,” the 2025 New City Arts Fellowship exhibition features work by Ava Burke, Sophia Chaudhry, Ben Frye, and I.F. Gonzales, guest curated by Eboni Bugg. Fellowship artists engaged with the theme through photography, interactive sculpture, installation, and assemblage touching upon themes of grief, joy, perpetual transformation, generative destruction, and displacement. September 5–24. First Fridays opening reception 5–7:30pm, with an artist talks at 6pm.

Phaeton Gallery 114 Old Preston Ave. “Tigers and Daisies,” solo exhibition of new paintings exploring identity, inheritance, and becoming by Eileen Park who works under the moniker KOVA—a name that honors her Korean-Virginian heritage and the cultural dualities that shape her creative voice. In the Old Preston Lobby at Phaeton, a group painting show featuring works by Sue

THROUGH 10/10

The Ruffin Gallery at UVA presents an expansive group exhibition that brings together the knowledge and aesthetic achievements of individuals whose ancestral lineage predates Spanish colonialism, and who center millennia of inherited epistemologies within their contemporary practices. “Fuego Eterno: Soberanías Visuales” features sculpture, photography, video, painting, performance, textiles, mural, and installation works by 16 artists and 13 scholars, curated by Erika Hirugami. The exhibition seeks to blur the boundaries of settler colonialism by bringing together artists and scholars from many of the contemporary nations formerly colonized by the Spanish Empire to shift toward a new paradigm of interdisciplinary scholarship that transcends borders, linguistics, fields of study, and methodologies. A symposium featuring a series of panel discussions and screenings by distinguished visiting artists, scholars, and UVA faculty will take place October 9, 9am–3:30pm, at the Harrison/Small Auditorium. A large closing party will take place October 10 from 5–10pm. Ruffin Gallery, Ruffin Hall, 179 Culbreth Rd. art.as.virginia.edu/ruffin-gallery

Darwin Cruz, ilol (curandera), 2023. Oil on canvas, 59x37 inches.

Frazier, Audrey Knabe, Gincy Plummer, Put Spaulding. and David Waters. Both shows run September 5–14. First Fridays opening reception 5–8pm.

The PVCC Gallery V. Earl Dickinson Building, 501 College Dr. The 2025 Student Art Exhibition, featuring ceramics, photography, printmaking, drawing, graphics, and more from a diverse range of PVCC classes in art and design. Through September 6. Rockfish Valley Community Center 190 Rockfish School Ln., Afton. Charlottesville Camera Club’s 5th Annual Group Exhibit features more than 50 stunning images by over 20 local photographers, showcasing landscapes, nature, portraits, and travel photography. Through October 23.

Second Street Gallery 115 Second St. SE. “Teeny Tiny Trifecta 8,” an annual interdisciplinary group exhibition featuring more than 200 artists and 603 artworks each measuring 8x8 inches square or 8 inches in diameter. “Sanctuaries,” mixed media collage works exploring

imagined landscapes by Andrew Sherogan. Both shows run September 5–26.

First Fridays opening reception 5–7:30pm.

“TTT8” ticketed VIP presale party and fundraiser, September 4, 5–8pm. Weaving Workshop with “TTT8” artist Lauren Williams, September 10, 5:30–7:30pm.

Artists in Conversation gallery talk with Andrew Sherogan and Stephen Haske, September 18, 5:30–6:30pm. Workshop with “TTT8” artist Mimm Patterson, September 20, 9–11am. Copper Workshop with “TTT8” artist Chris Haske, September 24, 5:30–7:30pm.

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Charlottesville 717 Rugby Rd. “Inspiration,” oil paintings by Kris Bowmaster. Through October 31.

Visible Records 1740 Broadway St. “Mythos,” an interdisciplinary exhibition by Susan Aparicio and David Askew featuring paintings, multimedia, collage, and textbased works. September 5–October 4. Opening reception September 5, 7–9pm.

Wayne Fitzgerald at Chroma Projects

Blue O’Connell at Jefferson Madison Central Library Eileen Park at Phaeton Gallery

Music Music

Meals

Join the Ligmincha Charlottesville Monthly Practice on August 27 from 6:30 to 8:00 pm at the Downtown Library with Sue Davis-Dill

EVENTS

AT SERENITY RIDGE

SEPTEMBER 13

Open House with Lama Kalsang Nyima

SEPTEMBER 20

Soul Retrieval Ritual with Lama Kalsang Nyima

SEPTEMBER 21

Yeshe Walmo Torma Making with Lama Kalsang Nyima

SEPTEMBER 30–OCTOBER 5

Dzogchen Silent Practice Retreat with Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche

OCTOBER 7–12

Being Present to the Moment of Death with Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche and Special Guests

DECEMBER 13–14

Tummo with Drupdra Khenpo Tenzin Tsultrim Rinpoche

DECEMBER 28

Du Dok, End-of-Year Purification Ritual with Drupdra Khenpo Tenzin Tsultrim Rinpoche

JANUARY 2–10, 2026*

Dzogchen Practice Retreat with Drupdra Khenpo Tenzin Tsultrim Rinpoche *weekend option available

ART & COMMUNITY

First Friday Silent Auction and Exhibition

Friday, September 5 | 5-8:00 pm

Join us for a memorable evening featuring an art auction, live music, catered fare, and community connection.

The auction exhibition will spotlight contributions from our members. This event aims to support our many community initiatives. Preview the auction at mcguffeyartcenter.com/auction

Artist Talks + Retrospective Panel

Saturday, September 27 | 2-4:00 pm

Moderated by curator Sarah Sargent, this dynamic panel will reflect on McGuffey’s legacy, creative milestones, and the artists who helped shape its path. Join us for heartfelt stories, behind-the-scenes history, and inspiring conversations that celebrate our past and look ahead to an exciting future.

FOR FUN PUZZLES

SUDOKU

#1

#1

#2 #5

#4

PUZZLES FOR FUN

ACROSS

Musical key with two flats

Dinghy thingy

Osso ___ (veal entree)

Gap

Colorful theft deterrents

Some popular Japanese films

“Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend” co-host ___ Movsesian

21. “The Great Race” or “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World”, perhaps

23. Amazonian berry

25. Certainly, in Chartres

26. Tabula ___

27. Sometimes-scary story?

29. Sigur ___ (Icelandic postrock band)

31. FedEx rival

32. Jamaican Olympic gold medalist sprinter ___ Powell

33. Ire

36. TV offerings where the cast might learn the true meaning of the season -- or go trick-or-treating

41. Nice round figure?

42. Former Chevron competitor

43. Superlative ending

46. Feel sickly

47. Hands, in Honduras

48. Old-timey stadium cheers

50. Quick swim

52. “Seasons of Love” musical

53. Slightly darker, earthier-tasting Swedish breakfast fare

56. The Beatles’ “___ Her Standing There”

59. Fizz-ify

60. Pirate costume feature

62. Gets something for something

63. “Alice’s Restaurant” chronicler Guthrie

64. Sashimi tuna

65. “Quaking ” trees

66. Condé or Thomas follower

67. Did we figure out what the long theme answers have in common?

DOWN

1. Pantheon crew

2. “Banana Boat Song ” shout

3. Before birth

4. ‘70s hoops gp

5. Susan of “All My Children”

6. Fashion designer Marc

7. Mag with quizzes

8. Showy irises with an even showier plural ending

9. Lots and lots

10. More aloof

11. Ten-key setup, slangily

12. Around lunchtime

13. Imp

18. Tijuana’s time zone

22. Latvia’s locale

24. Easternmost U.S. national park

27. “That feels good”

PHOTOS BY ALISA FOYTIK (PURA PHOTO)

By Rob Brezsny

Libra

(Sept. 23-Oct. 22): In Japanese haiku, poets may reference the lingering scent of flowers as a metaphor for a trace of something vivid that continues to be evocative after the event has passed. I suspect you understand this quite well right now. You are living in such an after-scent. A situation, encounter, or vision seems to have ended, but its echo is inviting you to remain attentive. Here’s my advice: Keep basking in the reverberations. Let your understandings and feelings continue to evolve. Your assignment is to allow the original experience to complete its transmission. The full blossoming needs more time to unfold.

Scorpio

(Oct. 23-Nov.21): In the Australian desert, there’s a phenomenon called desert varnish. It’s a thin, dark coating of clay, iron, and manganese oxides. It forms over rocks due to microbial activity and prolonged exposure to wind and sun. Over time, these surfaces become canvases for Indigenous artists to create images. I like to think of their work as storytelling etched into endurance. In the coming weeks, Scorpio, consider using this marvel as a metaphor. Be alert for the markings of your own epic myth as they appear on the surfaces of your life. Summon an intention to express the motifs of your heroic story in creative ways. Show the world the wisdom you have gathered during your long, strange wanderings.

Sagittarius

(Nov. 22-Dec.21): In Indigenous Australian lore, the Dreamtime is a parallel dimension overlapping the material world, always present and accessible through ritual and listening. Virtually all Indigenous cultures throughout history have conceived of and interacted with comparable realms. If you are open to the possibility, you now have an enhanced capacity to draw sustenance from this otherworld. I encourage you to go in quest of help and healing that may only be available there. Pay close attention to your dreams. Ask your meditations to give you long glimpses of the hidden magic.

Capricorn

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Saturn is your ruling planet and archetype. In the old myth of the god Saturn, he rules time, which is not an enemy but a harvester. He gathers what has ripened. I believe the coming weeks will feature his metaphorical presence, Capricorn. You are primed to benefit from ripening. You are due to collect the fruits of your labors. This process may not happen in loud or dramatic ways. A relationship may deepen. A skill may get fully integrated. A long-running effort may coalesce. I say it’s time to celebrate! Congratulate yourself for having built with patience and worked through the shadows. Fully register the fact that your labor is love in slow motion.

FREE WILL ASTROLOGY FOR FUN

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22): The Gross National Product is a standard of economic success by which countries gauge their health. It reflects the world’s obsession with material wealth. But the Buddhist nation of Bhutan has a different accounting system: Gross National Happiness. It includes factors like the preservation of the environment, enrichment of the culture, and quality of governance. Here’s an example of how Bhutan has raised its GNH. Its scenic beauty could generate a huge tourist industry. But strict limits have been placed on the number of foreign visitors, ensuring the land won’t be trampled and despoiled. I would love to see you take a similar GNH inventory, Virgo. Tally how well you have loved and been loved. Acknowledge your victories and awakenings. Celebrate the beauty of your life.

Aquarius

(Jan. 20-Feb. 18): In Greek mythology, the constellation Aquarius was linked to a heroic character named Ganymede. The great god Zeus made this beautiful man the cupbearer to the gods. And what drink did Ganymede serve? Ambrosia, the divine drink of immortality. In accordance with astrological omens, I’m inviting you to enjoy a Ganymedelike phase in the coming weeks. Please feel emboldened to dole out your gorgeous uniqueness and weirdness to all who would benefit from it. Let your singular authenticity pour out freely. Be an overflowing source of joie de vivre and the lust for life.

Pisces

(Feb. 19-March 20): In 1932, trailblazing aviator Amelia Earhart made a nonstop solo flight across the Atlantic, steering through icy winds and mechanical trouble. When she landed, she said she had been “too busy” to be scared. This is an excellent motto for you now, Pisces: “too busy to be scared.” Not because you should ignore your feelings, but because immersion in your good work, mission, and devotion will carry you through any momentary turbulence. You now have the power to throw yourself so completely into your purpose that fear becomes a background hum.

Aries

(March 21-April 19): Austin Curtis was a prominent Black scientist whose work had spectacularly practical applications. Among his successes: He developed many new uses for peanut byproducts, including rubbing

oils for pain relief. His work exploited the untapped potential of materials that others neglected or discarded. I urge you to adopt a similar strategy in the coming weeks, Aries: Be imaginative as you repurpose scraps and leftovers. Convert afterthoughts into useful assets. Breakthroughs could come from compost heaps, forgotten files, or halfforgotten ideas. You have the power to find value where others see junk.

Taurus

(April 20-May 20): In Polynesian navigation, sailors read the subtle rise and fall of ocean swells to find islands and chart their course. They also observe birds, winds, stars, and cloud formations. The technique is called wayfinding. I invite you to adopt your own version of that strategy, Taurus. Trust waves and weather rather than maps. Authorize your body to sense the future in ways that your brain can’t. Rely more fully on what you see and sense rather than what you think. Are you willing to dwell in the not-knowingness? Maybe go even further: Be excited about dwelling in the not-knowingness. Don’t get fixated on plotting the whole journey. Instead, assume that each day’s signs will bring you the information you need.

Gemini

(May 21-June 20): The umbrella thorn acacia is an African tree whose roots grow up to 115 feet deep to tap hidden water beneath the desert floor. Above ground, it may look like a scraggly cluster of green, but underground it is a masterpiece of reach and survival. I see you as having resemblances to this tree these days, Gemini. Others may

only see your surface gestures and your visible productivity. But you know how deep your roots run and how far you are reaching to nourish yourself. Don’t underestimate the power of your attunement to your core. Draw all you need from that primal reservoir.

Cancer

(June 21-July 22): To make a tabla drum sing, the artisan adds a black patch of iron filings and starch at the center of the drumhead. Called a syahi, it creates complex overtones and allows the musician to summon both pitch and rhythm from the same surface. Let’s imagine, Cancerian, that you will be like that drum in the coming weeks. A spot that superficially looks out of place may actually be what gives your life its music. Your unique resonance will come not in spite of your idiosyncratic pressure points, but because of them. So don’t aim for sterile perfection. Embrace the irregularity that sings.

Leo

(July 23-Aug. 22): There’s a Zen motto: “Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood, carry water.” I hope you apply that wisdom in the coming weeks, Leo. Your breakthrough moments of insight have come or will come soon. But your next move should not consist of being selfsatisfied or inert. Instead, I hope you seek integration. Translate your innovations into your daily rhythm. Turn the happy accidents into enduring improvements. The progress that comes next won’t be as flashy or visible, but it’ll be just as crucial.

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

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‘Art is everything’

Since taking the reins at Second Street Gallery in 2016, Executive Director and Chief Curator Kristen Chiacchia has expanded the nonprofit’s reach while creating programs that connect artists and audiences in fresh ways. One of her biggest successes is Teeny Tiny Trifecta, the annual exhibit and art sale that has grown from 72 artists its first year to more than 200 this fall. “There is no other show like it,” she says. Ahead of Teeny Tiny Trifecta 8, we caught up with Chiacchia about her career, inspirations, and life in Charlottesville.

Name: Kristen Chiacchia

Age: 47

Pronouns: She/her/hers

Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (like Andy Warhol! My first apartment was across the street from his childhood home).

Job(s): Executive director and chief curator at Second Street Gallery

What’s something about your job that people would be surprised to learn? Many people don’t realize that Second Street Gallery is a nonprofit art gallery. We’re actually the oldest nonprofit 501(c)(3) contemporary art space in Virginia. It is also recognized as one of the nation’s longest-surviving nonprofit contemporary art organizations. What is art to you? Art is everything. Why is supporting arts education important? Arts education matters because it gives students a safe, structured, creative outlet where they can explore ideas, express emotions, and build confidence. The arts help young people (and adults, for that matter!) become kinder, more empathetic individuals. And when organizations like SSG bring together families, artists, and community groups for exhibitions and projects, the arts strengthen ties across communities and spark lasting connections.

What are you looking at/researching right now? The next 10 exhibitions that will be shown at Second Street Gallery during our 2025-2026 season. I’m also researching new artists and ideas for future shows.

Favorite exhibition venue: The rotunda at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City. Favorite artist: Living = Lana Guerra. Dead = Vincent Van Gogh. What are you most looking forward to regarding the upcoming Teeny Tiny Trifecta 8 exhibit? I love seeing the gallery filled to capacity with artists and community members on First Friday. For many participating artists, it is their first time exhibiting their work in a gallery space. And for many community members, it is the first time they have ever had the opportunity to purchase a work of original art and call themselves a collector. The energy and excitement in the gallery is really incredible. I love it!

What has been your favorite part about leading the team at Second Street Gallery? My favorite part about leading the team at Second Street Gallery is working so closely with everyone in our small organization— everyone has a voice, and I get a lot of great feedback and ideas that make our work stronger. Nonprofit work can be stressful, but my team is incredibly supportive, we have a great time together, it’s a fun working environment, and they keep me grounded.

Best advice you ever got: My mother once told me “age is a state of mind” and it really changed the way that I looked at things. I don’t let a silly number determine how I experience my life.

Proudest accomplishment: Seeing Teeny Tiny Trifecta grow from a small exhibition of 72 artists and 216 works of art the first year to over 200 artists and 603 works of art in its current (eighth) year. I wasn’t sure how the show would be received here in town when I started it and the response has been positively overwhelming. It has allowed me to work with and discover so many artists in our community. Oh … of course receiving my master’s degree from Columbia University was a pretty big moment for me too.

Best part of living here: Finally living in the same city as my sister again! She’s the reason I relocated to Charlottesville from New York City.

Worst part of living here: It’s not NYC.

Favorite Charlottesville restaurant: Monsoon Siam

Favorite Charlottesville gallery/museum: Second Street Gallery, of course!

Favorite Charlottesville landmark/attraction: The vineyards.

Bodo’s order: Egg and American cheese on an everything bagel.

Describe your perfect day: Sleeping in and then going to a museum and/or exploring a new city with a friend, followed by delicious food and wine at a good restaurant. The night would end with sitting around enjoying a bottle of wine and great conversation.

If you could be reincarnated as a person or thing, what would you be? The first person that comes to mind is Victorine Meurent, the favorite model of Édouard Manet and a painter herself. How incredible it must have been to live in that era and be part of the art world during that time.

If you had three wishes, what would you wish for? A cure for all cancers, an endowment for Second Street Gallery, and the last one is a secret.

Are there any superstitions you abide by? Everything has to be an odd number. From the volume level number on the car stereo, to how many blueberries I eat, to (almost) everything in between, it always has to be an odd number.

Do you have any pets? Not since losing my beloved Church the Cat in December of 2022. I don’t think she will ever be replaced.

Favorite movie and/or show: “Peep Show” (British television series)

Favorite book: The Letters of Vincent Van Gogh.

Who’d play you in a movie? A younger Anjelica Huston

What’s your comfort food/meal? Dinner at John’s on 12th Street in NYC.

Go-to karaoke song: I’ve actually never done karaoke. But I do sing a lot of hair metal when I drive by myself in the car.

Subject that causes you to rant: Artists that can’t follow instructions.

Best journey you ever went on: Having the opportunity to tour and work with the band Clan of Xymox in the US, Mexico, and Canada. I’ve seen some amazing places and have met some incredible people along the way. It’s been a dream come true.

Next journey: London and Whitby for Halloween weekend.

Favorite curse word? Or favorite word? Clavicle

What have you forgotten today? I can’t remember!