Jasmine Braxton assists eldest daughters maintain success and avoid burnout.
Thank you for reading C-VILLE Weekly.
1.29.25
Recently, my friend confessed something embarrassing: At work, she was having to confront some feelings of self-doubt and, unable to secure a timely appointment with an in-person therapist, she turned instead to ChatGPT. I gently teased her about it for a few reasons (not the least of which was that I had given her the exact advice as the bot only days earlier!), but she defended herself.
“The one thing a real therapist has never quite done for me but ChatGPT can,” she said, “is know the ins and outs of my particular industry. It gave me very specific guidance about what I should do.” I took her point, but still, I thought, there’s likely a flesh-andblood alternative that doesn’t involve sharing your deepest fears with a computer.
This week’s cover story (p.17) proved me right. It profiles three local coaches who specialize in helping people in very specific arenas—eldest daughters, nurses, and those seeking resolution from trauma through healing movement. Their expertise confirms that human connection, paired with technical knowledge, offers a depth of understanding that even the most advanced AI can’t replicate. I think, even in desperation, my friend would say the same.
This week’s contributors
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. Her blog is artnosh.com.
Kristie Smeltzer is a writer, writing coach, and teacher. Her fiction has been published by Scribes*MICRO* Fiction, MonkeyBicycle, and Atticus Review. Smeltzer earned her MFA in creative writing at the University of Central Florida. She loves helping others tell their stories and collaborates one-on-one with writers through her consulting business. She also teaches creative writing classes for WriterHouse. Learn more at kristiesmeltzer.com.
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UVA MUSIC EVENTS
Date/Time/Place Event
Saturday, 2/8, 7:30pm Old Cabell Hall
Sunday, 2/9, 3:30pm MLK Performing Arts Center
Friday, 2/14, 8:00pm Old Cabell Hall
Sunday, 2/16, 3:30pm Old Cabell Hall
Saturday, 2/22, 3:30pm Old Cabell Hall
Saturday, 2/22, 8pm Old Cabell Hall
Sunday, 2/23, 3:30pm Brooks Hall
Saturday, 3/1, 3:30pm Brooks Hall
Saturday, 3/1, 8pm Old Cabell Hall
Sunday, 3/2, 8pm Old Cabell Hall
uvamusic
Charlottesville Symphony Romeo and Juliet
Charlottesville Symphony Romeo and Juliet
LINÜ, guitarists Gulli Bjornsson & Jiji Kim * works by UVA Graduate Composers
Ayn Balija, viola part of the UVA Chamber Music Series
Amanda Yo * Distinguished Major Flute Recital
Ivo Kaltchev Piano Recital * Debussy & Beyond
Ivo Kaltchev Piano Masterclass * with pre-selected piano students
Francesca Hurst, solo piano recital * Reflections
Julia Totten, flute * Distinguished Major Recital
Faculty Chamber Ensembles part of the UVA Chamber Music Series
To find out about these and all our events, subscribe to our weekly “Music at UVA”
KENDALL STREET IS FOR LOVERS TOUR- FEB RESIDENCY WITH CR FROM DR 02-07 | THE CURRYS/THEOCLES
02-08 | CARSIE BLANTON WITH DEVON SPROULE
02-13 | KSC PRESENTS: KENDALL STREET IS FOR LOVERS TOUR- FEB RESIDENCY WITH JOSH MAYO AND THE HOUSE SAUCE
02-14 | VALENTINE’S DAY BURLESQUE (18+)
02-15 | LARRY KEEL/JARED POOL DUO
02-19 | MDOU MOCTAR (ACOUSTIC) SOLD OUT! WITH JANEL LEPPIN
02-20 | KSC PRESENTS: KENDALL STREET IS FOR LOVERS TOUR- FEB RESIDENCY WITH UGA BUGA
02-21 | DOGWOOD TALES/DEAU EYES WITH BABE LEWIS
02-22 | PENELOPE ROAD WITH WIM TAPLEY SOLD OUT!
02-25 | ARTS FISHING CLUB WITH ZG SMITH
02-27 | KSC PRESENTS: KENDALL STREET IS FOR LOVERS TOUR- FEB RESIDENCY WITH SISTERS AND BROTHERS
Clamping down
NEWS UVA
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9
Formal fraternity recruitment at the University of Virginia concluded on Saturday, January 25. There are 28 chapters in good standing at UVA, but that didn’t stop some Hoos from rushing groups operating outside the Interfraternity Council system.
The red-bricked estates lining Rugby Road’s Mad Bowl briefly went silent last spring when the IFC called a threeweek suspension during a hazing investigation that drew national controversy. Over the past year, UVA administration has terminated its relationship with three fraternities found guilty of various hazing activities, and sanctioned two others.
Hazing is a crime in Virginia. And since the 2022 passage of Adam’s Law following the death of Adam Oakes, a freshman at Virginia Commonwealth University, the state requires schools to offer anti-hazing training to student groups. At UVA, all potential new members must complete mandatory Hoos Against Hazing training before rush.
UVA has terminated the fraternal charter of five organizations since the passage of Adam’s Law: Kappa Sigma, Theta Chi, Pi Kappa Alpha, Kappa Alpha, and Phi Gamma Delta (also known as FIJI).
Similar concerns weigh heavily on campuses across the country, including nearby University of Maryland, where leaders placed a cease and desist order on 37 fraternities and sororities last March. In response to a lack of consistent data, former president Joe Biden signed the first federal anti-hazing bill in December 2024, requiring all colleges and universities to disclose hazing incidents in their annual security reports.
While hazing culture faces heightened scrutiny, interest in Greek life at UVA remains strong. The IFC reported a 10 percent increase in prospective fraternity members this January compared to last year. Around 800 potential new members participated in this winter’s rush process, which culminated in Saturday’s bid day.
Some potential new members say they are navigating the social scene with an eye for safety. First-year student Godwin Mensah, who is pledging Phi Delta Theta, said the reputations of certain houses significantly influenced his decision on where to rush.
“Hazing, sexual assault, and homophobic culture are all very serious things to me, and I definitely made sure to avoid chapters that have had a history of that in the past,” Mensah said over text. “I made it a point to rush chapters that I knew I’d feel safe and accepted in because being Black, [firstgeneration low-income], and bisexual, I don’t think I represent the typical frat guy, but that shouldn’t bar me or anyone from Greek life, and we all deserve safe spaces.”
Mensah said he appreciated UVA’s efforts in investigating hazing reports and transparency about which chapters have been suspended. The school’s hazing misconduct page includes a summary of each case—confirming, for example, that a new member of Kappa Sigma was hospitalized last year with life-threatening injuries. The Pi Kappa Alpha report details an incident where a new member was duct-taped to a wooden cross and had hot sauce poured on his genitals.
For others, joining a fraternity represents a cornerstone of the college experience—one where connections with brothers outweigh other uncertainties.
“I’m rushing a fraternity that was previously kicked off campus due to hazing, but I haven’t let that history define my impression of them,” said first-year student Aidan Floyd, who is actually pledging Club 128, which operates out of the
IN BRIEF
now-terminated Phi Gamma Delta house. “The members I’ve met have been incredibly kind and welcoming, which has mattered far more to me. Ultimately, I’m just looking for a place where I feel a genuine connection and can see myself thriving within the brotherhood.”
The UVA Student Affairs office notes the risks of joining “any terminated organization that may continue to operate,” including Club 128.
When asked whether the university will monitor potential underground rush activities of these organizations, spokesperson Bethanie Glover said the administration no longer has a relationship with terminated fraternities.
“Groups that continue to operate while terminated jeopardize their ability to re-establish at the University at a future date,” Glover said in a written statement. “The University cautions students and parents regarding the safety risks of potential involvement in these organizations given their terminated status and safety concerns associated with past behavior.”
Fraternity life’s enduring popularity comes alongside ongoing efforts to combat hazing. Over the last year, the IFC has worked with the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life and The Gordie Center, a foundation dedicated to the prevention of hazing and substance abuse. Ben Ueltschey, former IFC president and a fourth-year UVA student, said over email that the IFC facilitated conversations about root causes of hazing and now requires each chapter to submit new member education plans.
To help those rushing make informed decisions, the IFC has introduced new measures, including rush counselors who guide underclassmen. This year’s cycle also features a second open house round designed to maximize the number of students who successfully receive bids, Ueltschey said.
The road to end hazing, however, has included some stumbling blocks. Donovan Golich, a student affairs associate director tasked with handling investigations, left UVA in November 2024 amidst criticism of his policies. In an interview with The Cavalier Daily, he said the university still had significant progress to make in fostering an effective antihazing culture among students—especially given fears of social repercussions for speaking out.
It remains to be seen whether evolving policies and sanctions will put an end to hazing practices this year. As the newest pledges take steps toward becoming brothers, the balance between tradition and reform will continue shaping the narrative of Greek life at UVA.
All the news you missed last week (in one sentence or less)
Virginia Dems work to block Meg Bryce’s appointment to Albemarle County School Board. Ohio State defensive end Mitchell Melton announces transfer to UVA with an image of Richmond, not Charlottesville. Researchers at UVA School of Medicine discover biomarkers that may identify babies at risk of SIDS. UVA Executive Vice President and Provost Ian Baucom announces new job as president of Vermont’s Middlebury College. Albemarle County and Charlottesville public schools release statements addressing immigration enforcement. Notre Dame bests UVA men’s basketball 74-59 at the JPJ on January 25. Virginia women’s basketball suffers 68-65 loss at home against Louisville on January 26. UVA teams up with Charlottesville and Albemarle police to form the Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative. One person dies following small plane crash in Albemarle on January 25.
The Interfraternity Council reported a 10 percent increase in prospective fraternity members at UVA this January, compared to last year.
Leslie Pryor appointed as Rio District School Board Representative
THE ALBEMARLE COUNTY SCHOOL
Board unanimously appointed Leslie Pryor as the Rio Magisterial District representative on January 23, after a public hearing on the candidates. Pryor was one of seven people vying for the seat, which was left vacant following the death of board member Chuck Pace in December 2024.
In a release announcing her appointment, the board cited Pryor’s academic and professional experience as assets to the district. She currently works as the program associate and alumni coordinator for the University of Virginia’s Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership, where she is also working toward a masters degree in public safety.
“I am honored to have this opportunity to serve our community,” said Pryor in the January 24 release. “My focus will be on increasing teacher pay and incentives, enhancing facilities to ensure safety for students and employees, collaborating with neighboring school divisions, and ensuring all children—regardless of socio-economic
background, race, ethnicity, or gender— have what they need to succeed in school.”
Pryor’s term will run through December 31, 2025, and the Rio seat will appear on the general election ballot this November. Jim Dillenbeck, who ran for the position last year and also applied for the position this January, said he plans to run again and will likely launch his campaign in March. Catie Ratliff
Uncertainty emerges around $40 million in already-awarded grants
RESEARCHERS AT THE UNIVERSITY of Virginia received two $20 million Community Change grants late last year from the Environmental Protection Agency to advance climate research.
The grants, part of the Inflation Reduction Act, support climate efforts in Appalachia and Alaska. Funding for the Appalachian team, which includes researchers at both UVA and UVA Wise,
will reduce pollution and carbon emissions through construction that meets community needs, such as climate-resilient housing for 100 Buchanan County residents who live in floodplains, and 11 community gathering spaces that can also serve as shelter during disasters.
The other $20 million grant is slated for applied research in Utqiaġvik, Alaska, where the goal is to enhance infrastructure in the Iñupait community while protecting the permafrost under the city of Utqiaġvik.
Researchers are celebrating the potential benefits of the funding, but the future of the grants remains uncertain under the Trump administration. On his first day in office, President Donald Trump signed an executive order freezing the dispersal of funding approved through the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The legality and impacts from the executive order remain in question at press time. CR
CPD investigates homicide
CHARLOTTESVILLE POLICE ARE investigating the death of Jahaanz Wilson, 22, who was killed on January 26. Wilson’s death is the first gun-violence homicide committed in Charlottesville in 2025.
According to a release from CPD, officers responded to reports of a shooting in a parking lot in the 200 block of West Water Street at approximately 2:55am. Wilson had
already been transported to the University of Virginia Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
Police believe Wilson was at the Downtown Mall prior to his death, and several others were in the area at the time of the shooting. Anyone with information should contact CPD or Crime Stoppers at 977-4000. CR
REAL ESTATE NEWS
Looming vacancy
Roses closure prompts discussion about what’s next BY SEAN TUBBS
The pending closure of Roses in the Pantops Shopping Center is the latest in the end of an era, as 20thcentury commercial patterns continue to wane. A looming vacancy might be seen as a catalyst for new construction to fit the needs of the 21st century, but a representative of the firm that owns the property said that is premature.
“It’s too early for us to look at a redevelopment,” says David Mitchell, construction and development manager for Great Eastern Management Company, which owns the property. “We would rather find a new tenant.”
The building that Roses shares with the Dollar Tree dates back to 1986 and was built in the early days of Albemarle’s growth management policy that concentrates development on land close to the City of Charlottesville. Albemarle has sought to manage that land through the development of planning documents such as the Pantops Master Plan, which identifies the Pantops Shopping Center as an “Urban Center” called Riverbend.
“Development projects in this Center should establish a more diverse mix of uses, an interconnected street network, and human-scaled, walkable development patterns,” reads page 38 of the plan.
GEMC has already shown a willingness to redevelop commercial properties into something that might implement that planning vision. In 2018, the company filed plans with the City of Charlottesville to redevelop the southern portion of the Seminole Square Shopping Center into an apartment complex with more than 350 units. The city is reviewing that proposal under its former zoning
code, which did not have a requirement that 10 percent of units be income-restricted.
“The recently passed affordable housing regulations [in Charlottesville] for new residential [structures] will make residential extremely difficult if not financially impossible,” Mitchell says.
So far, only one multifamily apartment building is pending under the city’s new zoning code and that is a fully affordable project being pursued as part of a University of Virginia initiative.
Albemarle County wants there to be more places for people to live, and adopted a plan in July 2021 called Housing Albemarle that calls for building thousands more residential units. Last February, Albemarle supervisors approved the Affordable Rental Housing Incentive Proposal that would grant a “financial incentive” worth 15 percent of the property’s real estate tax rebate. In return, 20 percent of units must be available to households making less than 60 percent of the area median income.
Currently there are 141 units under review on Pantops.
GEMC is also the developer of North Pointe in northern Albemarle, a development enabled by a 2006 rezoning. In 2023, the company sought a rezoning to decrease the amount of commercial space in favor of more homes. That plan is still under review.
Riverbend Development is seeking rezoning to increase the number of units that can be built at Brookhill south of Forest Lakes. Meanwhile, more people continue to call Albemarle home. Figures released this week by UVA’s Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service claim the county population has grown 4.8 percent to an estimated 117,790 since the 2020 Census. C
The owners of Pantops Shopping Center will seek a new commercial tenant when Roses closes in March, though Albemarle’s Pantops Master Plan calls for eventual redevelopment.
Leslie Pryor
Appalachian Mountains of Virginia
Annie Gould Gallery
“Moving
Resident Jenny Ryalls
THERE’S A COACH FOR THAT
Aspirations find support in the hands of these local professionals
By Kristie Smeltzer
Jasmine Braxton works with eldest daughters who have achieved professional success but need help remedying (or avoiding) burnout.
DEPARTMENT
AS JANUARY NEARS ITS END, SOME OF US ARE already struggling with our New Year’s resolutions. According to a 2024 Pew Research Center survey, by this time last year, 13 percent of respondents who had at least one resolution fessed up to not keeping any. The same survey revealed that 70 percent of respondents didn’t make resolutions at all, with one in 10 of those confirming that it’s because they know they won’t follow through. What’s getting in the way of people setting and achieving their goals?
When it comes to realizing our aspirations, many feel they need to go it alone. However, having the experience and insight of a trained professional can make the difference between success and self-sabotage. If you aspire to make a change or add something new to your life, chances are, there’s a coach for that.
Habit forming
“Who is the person you want to be?” asks Jasmine Braxton, a performance mindset coach for eldest daughters. It’s a question she poses to her clients. “What type of decisions does that person make?”
Braxton has been coaching others in one form or another for 13 years, starting out in the health and fitness world as a personal trainer. Getting at a client’s aspirational identity takes precedence over the talk of sets and reps, because helping clients succeed means they need to make behavioral changes they can sustain.
“It was all mindset. If you identify as something, the habits come with it without having to force it,” she explains. “When you’re just doing something to hit this goal, once you achieve the goal, there’s nothing to work for. It’s very easy to slip back into [old] habits.”
The focus of Braxton’s current coaching practice, working with eldest daughters, comes from a eureka
Through Somatic Experiencing, coach Gina Kelley guides clients to identify bodily sensations that correlate to thoughts and feelings.
moment she had one day in a bookstore. She picked up The Eldest Daughter Effect, by Lisette Schuitemaker and Wies Enthoven, and read the book in two hours—right in the store. The content resonated with Braxton (an eldest daughter herself), and it moved away from common narratives about eldest daughters’ struggles (the idea that they’re “bossy,” the perception that they’re perfectionists to a fault or they’re highly responsible, anxious, or stressed). The book highlights the traits and behaviors that enable eldest daughters to make things happen, and Braxton realized those were the hardworking, thoughtful, efficient people who she wanted to coach. At first she worried the focus might be too niche, but the results tell a different story.
As Braxton publicized her work, other eldest daughters responded to her in kinship. Braxton’s clients tend to be women who have founded their own businesses or reached leadership roles. They come seeking guidance on how to maintain their success as well as how to remedy, or avoid, burnout.
“I will teach you to prioritize fun in this work, because if you’re not enjoying it, it’s killing you, whether you recognize it or not,” she says.
In addition to her one-on-one coaching, Braxton offers the Run Your Own Race performance accelerator program, which provides participants with a weekly email containing a mindset resource, reflection questions, and personalized feedback. She’s also added event speaker to her repertoire and is proactively seeking more speaking opportunities.
“I’m talking about mental toughness,” she says, “and how it’s the prerequisite for any and every endeavor.”
Hands on
“Clients come to me because they feel chronic stress or pain patterns in their bodies,” explains Gina Kelley, a Somatic Experiencing, therapeutic movement, and touch work practitioner.
Early in Kelley’s career, she worked in nonprofits, serving at-risk youth. Though she loved the work, she often felt overwhelmed. She and her colleagues were under-resourced as they serviced a population with urgent needs. Her clients frequently showed signs of stress and trauma, as did her co-workers.
“You know,” says Kelley, “that’s kind of the origin of my interest.”
Kelley underwent rigorous training in several methodologies in reducing stress and releasing trauma, including the Alexander Technique and Somatic Experiencing, which comes from the work of psychotherapist Peter Levine. She’s incorporated new tools over her 20 years in practice, and many clients now come to her for trauma resolution. Somatic Experiencing helps clients release trauma stored in their bodies, getting out of the body’s fight, flight, or freeze responses.
“If you have a reason that your body is doing something like bracing habitually, or reacting in some sort of pattern,” she says, “willing it to free itself or to relax isn’t going to work until you resolve the traumatic response that’s embedded in [the body].”
Kelley describes trauma as anything that’s “too much, too soon, without adequate support” for a person. As part of the Somatic Experiencing, she guides clients to identify bodily sensations that correlate to thoughts and feelings. Her trained gaze also gathers information about clients as they move, noting things such as movement patterns (like bracing or shifting away from touch), posture, and facial expression. Also, with permission, she uses touch or physical proximity to reinforce messages of support and safety to clients’ bodies in a tangible way.
“What I love is when clients report that they have more capacity or nervous system regulation,” Kelley says. “They’ll say, ‘I faced this situation yesterday that normally would’ve sent me into a tailspin, and I noticed, just like, without even having to think about it, that I remained calm and was able to set a boundary and handle the situation.’”
In practice
“I have a lot of passions,” says Transformative Nurse Coach Nancy Zamil. “And one of the passions is empowering people to be able to help themselves.”
Zamil has invested a wealth of time in exploring those passions and serving others. After getting
DEPARTMENT
“One of [my] passions is empowering people to be able to help themselves,” says Nancy Zamil, a transformative nurse coach who helps clients confront difficult subjects like end-of-life care.
her undergraduate degree, she joined the Peace Corps in the health and nutrition program. While abroad, she learned about herbal medicine firsthand from practitioners, and when she returned to the states, she earned her master’s in public health and spent time in that sphere before deciding to go back to school to pursue a medical course of study. She considered becoming a doctor but instead chose nursing, because she values its holistic nature.
“A part of nursing is self-care,” says Zamil. “I started [out] having the herbal background, and then I went into yoga and meditation. When I moved to Charlottesville, I found out about reiki, and I found out that energy work was really amazing for the body, mind, and spirit.”
Zamil became a reiki master in 2014, after seeing the positive benefits of reiki for her patients, and helping to implement a program at the hospice where she was working. Her time in hospice care also gave her a keen understanding of end-of-life planning and
a comfort talking about the difficult subject that yields fruit for her clients today.
The topic of end-of-life wishes—at any stage of life—can be the elephant in the room that no one wants to initiate conversations around. Doctors wait for patients to ask questions, and patients look to physicians to bring it up. Zamil helps clients feel more comfortable talking through things and getting their documents in order before they find themselves in a dire situation, covering everything from what the client wants their care to look like, to do not resuscitate orders, what they are and how they work.
“One of the tenets of nurse coaching is [that] you’re not attached to the outcome,” says Zamil. “It’s what the client sees and how they see it, which is why sometimes the process is slow and deliberate, and the goals are co-created. It’s a partnership, and there’s a lot of co-creation because everyone has the answers to the health and wellness issues inside of them. What the coach does is they bring it out in the open for the client to make the decision that is best for him or her.”
C
ROMEO AND JULIET
Saturday, February 8 7:30pm | Old Cabell Hall
Sunday, February 9
3:30pm | Martin Luther King, Jr. Performing Arts Center
– Morning Overture MOZART, PUCCINI, BIZET – Favorite Opera Arias with Jack Siegel, Bass-baritone
PROKOFIEV – Excerpts from Romeo and Juliet
ENTRIES MUST:
❤ Be in haiku format (three lines total, five syllables in the first and third lines, seven in the second line).
❤ Be original and unpublished.
❤ Be PG-13.
❤ Be submitted by February 3.
TUESDAY 2/4
A LEGEND LOOKS BACK
Follow the beats of a life lived on stages and screens across the world with Patti LuPone: A Life in Notes. This solo show takes audiences through the ages and eras of the three-time Tony Award winner as she reflects on her life through the songs that made an impact on her. From the rock ‘n’ roll scene of the 1950s, to the politically and socially charged ’60s, to balancing career success and family in contemporary times, LuPone performs a selection of songs that mark her progression in pop culture consciousness. $49.75–124.75, 8pm. The Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. theparamount.net
CULTURE TO-DO LIST
A VERY IMPORTANT DATE
Celebrate a very merry un-un-birthday with a show marking 110 years of Alice on screen. Originally premiering in January 1915, this silent version of the classic Lewis Carroll story brings sepia-toned scenes and a live score together within The Looking Glass, IX Art Park’s immersive arts space. Between the bizarre visuals of the film, in-person musical accompaniment by composer/film lecturer Matt Marshall, and the whimsically enchanted venue, audience members might feel like they’ve fallen down the rabbit hole themselves. $5, 7pm. IX Art Park, 522 Second St. SE, Ste. D. ixartpark.org
Wednesday 1/29 music
Badfish. For almost 25 years, this Rhode Islandbased band have successfully paid tribute to Sublime, the influential California group that brought ska-punk and reggae-rock to the mainstream. $22–25, 8pm. The Jefferson Theater, 110 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. jeffersontheater.com
Berto Sales and Matt Wyatt. Latin guitar night. Brazilian and Latin treasures that will make you smile from the inside out. Free, 7pm. The Bebedero, 201 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. thebebedero.com
Mike Rosensky Trio. Live jazz. Free, 8:30pm. Miller’s Downtown, 109 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. millersdowntown.com
The Wavelength. Vintage rock and jazzy blues vibrations for your mid-week music boost. Free, 6:30pm. The Whiskey Jar, 227 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. thewhiskeyjarcville.com
classes
Paint + Sip: Forest Campfire Pint Glasses. Learn techniques and skills to render a forest campfire scene on two pint glasses. No experience necessary. One beverage included in ticket price. $42, 6pm. Pro Re Nata, 6135 Rockfish Gap Tpke., Crozet. blueridgebrushes.com etc.
Men’s Basketball: UVA vs. Miami. Cheer on the UVA men’s basketball team on the big screen. Go Hoos! Free, 7pm. The Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. theparamount.net Rapture Karaoke. Downtown C’ville’s longestrunning karaoke party. Hosted by Jenn Deville. Free, 9pm. Rapture, 303 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. rapturerestaurant.com
SuperFly Run Club. Run around the city, then enjoy $5 pints. Raffles and exclusive merchandise to be earned. Free, 6pm. SuperFly Brewing Co., 943 Preston Ave. superflybrewing.com
STAGES CULTURE
Thursday 1/30 music
Berto Sales and Vincent Zorn. A night of wild flamenco rumba and Latin guitar. Free, 7pm. The Bebedero, 201 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. thebebedero.com
Eli Cook. Music from the crossroads of blues, the highways of rock, and the backroads of country. Free, 5pm. Eastwood Farm and Winery, 2531 Scottsville Rd. eastwoodfarmandwinery.com
John D’earth & Friends. Live jazz with a rotating cast of local and national musicians. Free, 10pm. Miller’s Downtown, 109 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. millersdowntown.com
Travis Elliott. Thoughtful takes on originals and covers, from classics to the contemporary. Free, 9:30pm. Rapture, 303 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. rapturerestaurant.com
words
Community MLK Celebration: Michele Norris. MSNBC Senior Contributing Editor, former Washington Post columnist, and former NPR “All Things Considered” host Michele Norris will deliver the 2025 Community MLK Celebration keynote address. Free, 6pm. The Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. theparamount.net
etc.
Firefly Karaoke. Sign up and sing your favorite songs. Free, 7pm. Firefly, 1304 E. Market St. firefly cville.com
Vineyard Puzzle Hunt. Like an escape room but at a winery. Crack codes and unravel riddles while sampling Charlottesville’s best wine, beer, and cider. Play when you want and go at your own pace. $15, available noon–8pm. Please confirm Eastwood Winery and Potter’s Cider hours beforehand. Eastwood Farm and Winery, 2531 Scottsville Rd. puzzledbee.com
Friday 1/31
music
Baby Jo’s Boogie Band. Bringing the party with New Orleans-style boogie-woogie and blues tunes. Free, 9pm. Holly’s Diner, 1221 E. Market St. John Kelly. C’ville-based singer-songwriter with more than two decades of solo acoustic performing experience. Free, 5:30pm. Hardware Hills Vineyard, 5199 W. River Rd., Scottsville. hardwarehills.com Mojo Pie. A full-band performance of original and eclectic sounds. Free, 6pm. Glass House Winery, 5898 Free Union Rd., Free Union. glasshouse winery.com
The Barons. Various sounds ranging from heavyhitting indie rock to a lighter fair of introspective love songs. With Boscobel. $12–15, 8pm. The Southern Cafe & Music Hall, 103 S. First St. thesoutherncville.com
The Legwarmers. The ultimate ‘80s tribute band. Ages 18+. $23–26, 9pm. The Jefferson Theater, 110 E. Main St. jeffersontheater.com
The Oversteppers. The ultimate reggae dance party. Frontwoman Davina Jackson is a powerhouse vocalist who’s worked with iconic groups including the Wailers, Toots and the Maytals, Jimmy Cliff, and Burning Spear. $15–20, 8pm. The Front Porch , 221 E. Water St. frontporchcville.com
words
Storytime. Join us for storytelling, songs, movement, and bubbles as we learn new words and practice language and gross motor skills. Free, 10:30am. Virginia Discovery Museum, 524 E. Main St. vadm.org
classes
Paint & Sip: Blazing Winter Sunrise. Come paint with us. Learn a variety of techniques and skills to render a blazing winter sunrise scene. Free, 6pm. Potter’s Craft Cider, 1350 Arrowhead Valley Rd. blueridgebrushes.com
etc.
North Garden Trivia Night. Join us for a rock ‘n’ roll-themed trivia night for teams of up to six players, with two question-based rounds and a picture-based round. Free, 6pm. Albemarle CiderWorks, 2545 Rural Ridge Ln., North Garden. albemarleciderworks.com
Trivia with Olivia. Get the weekend started. Prizes to be won and fun to be had. Free, 6–8pm. SuperFly Brewing Co., 943 Preston Ave. superflybrewing.com
Vineyard Puzzle Hunt. See listing for Thursday, January 30. $15, available noon–8pm. Please confirm Eastwood Winery and Potter’s Cider hours beforehand. Eastwood Farm and Winery, 2531 Scottsville Rd. puzzledbee.com
Saturday 2/1
music
Berto Sales. Brazilian and Latin guitar to warm your spirit and satisfy your soul. Free, 11am. Tavern & Grocery, 333 W. Main St. tavernandgrocery.com
Goth Takeover. Alternative spookies with a variety of Gothy DJs and bands. All ages welcome, anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult after midnight. Free, 9pm. Holly’s Diner, 1221 E. Market St.
Grateful Dub. Roots of Creation combine a longtime love for dub-style reggae music and the tunes of the Grateful Dead. $20–25, 8pm. The Jefferson Theater, 110 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. jeffersontheater.com
Jelly Street Jazz. At the crossroads of low-down dirty blues, straight-ahead ballads, and hard-swinging jazz, each performance is a smokin’ hot trip. Free, 2:30pm. Albemarle CiderWorks, 2545 Rural Ridge Ln., North Garden. albemarleciderworks.com
Jimmy Overton. A preservationist of endangered musical stylings. Free, 12:30pm. Eastwood Farm and Winery, 2531 Scottsville Rd. eastwoodfarmandwinery.com
Josh Mayo and Friends. Fantastic originals and classic rock covers. Free, 8pm. Vision BBQ & Catering, 247 Ridge McIntire Rd. visionbbqcville.com
Ken Matthews. Jazz from the 1930s and ’40s with a nod to New Orleans played on saxophone and clarinet. Free, 2pm. DuCard Vineyards, 40 Gibson Hollow Ln., Etlan. ducardvineyards.com
Matt Johnson. Local favorite from NBC’s “The Voice.” Free, noon. Keswick Vineyards, 1575 Keswick Winery Dr., Keswick. keswickvineyards.com
Mojo Pie. Fun-filled originals and eclectic covers. Free, 5pm. Eastwood Farm and Winery, 2531 Scottsville Rd. eastwoodfarmandwinery.com
Stillhouse Sound. Soulful rock covers, funk favorites, and R&B classics. Free, 8pm. Dürty Nelly’s, 2200 Jefferson Park Ave. durtynellyscville.com
stage
Studio Apartment. Touring production of a new queer tragedy centered on an eccentric painter, his live-in portrait model, and their new roommate. Mature themes and content. $10–15, 7:30pm. Visible Records, 1740 Broadway St. visible-records.com
words
Author Event: Bianca Rae Messinger. Join us for a reading and conversation with poet Bianca Rae Messinger, author of pleasureis amiracle. Free, 7pm. New Dominion Bookshop, 404 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. newdominionbookshop.com
CONTINUED ON PAGE 24
The Charlottesville Symphony at the University of Virginia
Celebrating its 50th season, the Charlottesville Symphony at the University of Virginia is busting out its big Shakespearean guns with bits from Sergei Prokofiev’s ballet of Romeo and Juliet Famously tinkering with the Bard’s failed teenage romance, Prokofiev and his co-librettists originally reimagined it with a happy ending, allowing the titular characters to simply plié away from Verona and the chaotic Capulet/Montague family’s BS, but the Soviet cultural police had other ideas, and strongarmed the story back to its tragic ending, like it or not. And thus, we have what has become one of the most famous and beloved 20th-century musical works based on one of the most famous and beloved 16thcentury pieces of drama.
Orchestral to its very core, the lyrical score stands on its own even without the visual lure of ballet. Though slicing up the two-anda-half-hour work may seem sacrilegious to some, Prokofiev himself presented sections of his masterwork, even suggesting 10 passages for piano that were performed for the public in the late 1930s. The beauty of focusing on the music— freed from those distracting dancers—means that listeners don’t have to worry
about following the flow of the story. Given that the Soviets ensured the whole thing ends with two dead, horny youths, we can concentrate on the soundtrack; we all know where this is headed.
Romeo and Juliet
February 8 Old Cabell Hall
February 9 Martin
Luther King Jr. Performing Arts Center
Published literature at press time obscures which of the selections are getting airtime during the pair of weekend performances, though it will be surprising if the orchestra’s Music Director Benjamin Rous doesn’t choose a few of the most revered tracks. There’s the back-and-forth rushing/ pausing/no rushing again “Young Juliet” in its glittery whimsy; the rhythmic, festive thump of “Masks” (or “Masquers”) from the party scene where the teen lovers first lock eyes; and perhaps the most famous, the elephantine brass stomp and searing threatening violin drama of “Dance of the Knights.” Filling out the program, Composition & Computer Technologies Ph.D. candidate Kristin Hauge’s “Morning Overture” opens the performances. Student musician bass-baritone Jack Siegel follows with a pocket show to share his take on three opera aria hits: “La vendetta” from The Marriage of Figaro , “Vecchia zimarra senti” from La Bohème, and “Votre toast” from Carmen —CM Gorey
CULTURE TO-DO LIST
SUNDAY 2/2
ACE OF BASS
Jazz compositions and charity coalesce in The Mingus Awareness Project. Since 2007, the project has provided opportunities for musicians to perform new arrangements of works by the venerated bassist, bandleader, and composer Charles Mingus. All proceeds from the shows go to funding research into Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), the nervous system disease from which Mingus died in 1979. The Adam Larrabee Trio and The John D’earth Quintet perform, with Larrabee’s group playing arrangements from the 1962 album Money Jungle, and D’earth’s band performing wellknown Mingus compositions, along with some deeper cuts. $22–25, 4pm. The Front Porch, 221 E. Water St. cjs.ticketbud.com
Thursday 1/30
classes
Crochet for Beginners. Learn the basics of crochet. Leave with a bamboo crochet hook and a small crocheted washcloth. Ages 12+. $25, 10am. The Scrappy Elephant, 1745 Allied St. scrappy elephant.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, noon. The Scrappy Elephant, 1745 Allied St. scrappyelephant.com
Tiny Felt Folk. Make your own miniature doll using felt, pipe cleaners, and paint. Beginner sewing experience recommended, but not required. For ages 10–18. Registration required. Free, 1pm. Crozet Library, 2020 Library Ave., Crozet. jmrl.org etc.
Midwinter Mischief Masque. A celebration to shake the winter loose and spark the coming
spring. An underground cabaret to honor St. Brigid, Imbolc, and the stirring of the seeds. Costumes for revelry required. Ages 18+. $25, 7pm. The Looking Glass, 522 Second St. SE, Ste. D. ixartpark.org
Movie Mayhem. Screening Disney-Pixar’s Inside Out, rated PG. Free, 2pm. Central Library, 201 E. Market St. jmrl.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., Downtown Mall. newdominionbookshop.com
Vineyard Puzzle Hunt. See listing for Thursday, January 30. $15, available noon–8pm. Please confirm Eastwood Winery and Potter’s Cider hours beforehand. Eastwood Farm and Winery, 2531 Scottsville Rd. puzzledbee.com
Sunday 2/2
music
Hot Tuna. Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady inject fresh energy into
Americana rock and blues music with constant improvisation. Free, 7pm. The Jefferson Theater, 110 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. jeffersontheater.com
Sunday Jazz Jam. Local, regional, and national jazz musicians improvising with friends and strangers. Free, 6pm. Miller’s Downtown, 109 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. millersdowntown.com
The Mingus Awareness Project. A benefit concert for ALS research, featuring The Adam Larrabee Trio and The John D’earth Quintet, sponsored by The Charlottesville Jazz Society and WTJU. $22–25, 4pm. The Front Porch, 221 E. Water St. frontporchcville.com
Travis Elliott & Tucker Rogers. A fresh and improvised setlist of acoustic music. Free, 7:30pm. Vision BBQ & Catering, 247 Ridge McIntire Rd. visionbbqcville.com
classes
Art For The Soul. Guided breathing, tea, and an artistic project designed to inspire and challenge you. No experience necessary. This month: healing stone jewelry. $25, 4pm. Pikasso Swig Craft Bar, 333 Second St. SE. pikassoswig.com
Monday 2/3
etc.
Trivia on Tap. Five rounds of themed trivia for teams of up to six competitors. Hosted by Olivia. Reservations recommended. Free, 7pm. Three Notch’d Craft Kitchen & Brewery - Charlottesville, 520 Second St. SE. threenotchdbrewing.com
Tuesday 2/4
music
Drive-By Truckers. Southern rock band revisits the classic recording Southern Rock Opera, playing the album in near-entirety, plus a few tunes that align with the ethos of the album. $35–55, 8pm. The Jefferson Theater, 110 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. jeffersontheater.com
Patti LuPone: A Life in Notes. The three-time Tony Award winner performs an array of songs that are touchstones and reflections on her life growing up in America. $49–124, 8pm. The Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. theparamount.net
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
When, Where, and How to Prune. A presentation by the Piedmont Master Gardeners explains how pruning trees, especially when they’re young, can put them on the path to a long, healthy life. Free, 6:30pm. The Center, 540 Belvedere Blvd. thecentercville.org
classes
Crochet Club. Experienced and beginner crocheters alike are welcome to make fun Valentine cat creations. All materials supplied. Ages 13–18. Registration required. Free, 5pm. Crozet Library, 2020 Library Ave., Crozet. jmrl.org
etc.
The Run Club. Do a 5K run, then drink beer. $1-off pints for runners. Free, 6pm. Decipher Brewing, 1740 Broadway St. Geeks Who Drink Trivia. Good trivia, good times. Teams of two to six people can compete to win prizes like gift certificates and pint glasses, plus, bragging rights. Free, 7pm. Firefly, 1304 E. Market St. fireflycville.com
THE WORKS CULTURE
Painting it forward
Ruffin Gallery group show brings art alums together BY
The work of former University of Virginia students comes together in “A Continuous Storyline: Four Decades of UVA Painters” at the school’s Ruffin Gallery. In curating the show, UVA Professor of Studio Art Megan Marlatt chose artists with an active creative life who are developing, working, and making art.
Tori Cherry (’20), whose stunning self-portrait graces the entrance, produces work that documents everyday moments. In some pieces, like “Welcome Gallery and Shower Mirror,” she zeroes in on just a small section of her subject, highlighting these unremarkable areas. Our interest is piqued by the seeming randomness of what she chooses to focus on and what she leaves out.
Work by Jackson Casady (’17) has an interesting speckled quality that suggests the grit of a cement-like substance. He uses acrylic paint to achieve the effect, which imparts a certain fuzzy heft to his dreamlike visions. These curious, muted images often include a dog. They are docile in “Comfort or loyal in Rest,” or snarling—all teeth and jaws—in “Barking Bullies.”
lips are certainly sensual, but overt sexuality is tempered with the floral motif inspired by symbolist painter Gustav Klimt, which lacquers the lips and diverts our attention.
Encrusted in salt that is both dull and sparkly, “Watershed °4,” and “Watershed °9” by John Arnold (’98) are seductive and mysterious. Arnold hails from Saltville, Virginia, and explores both the beneficial and corrosive properties of salt. Arnold’s salt art has an overall greigey-mauve cast from which the glittery crystals seem to emerge. Perhaps Arnold is trying to convey the weighty past and the repression of a small community—something he would have experienced as a gay person growing up there—being mitigated by the glitter that represents lightness, or revelation, or glimpses of culture, breaking through the obfuscating murkiness of history and entrenched societal mores.
Gina Beavers (’96) blends elements of hyperrealism and pop art to produce her monumental “Klimt Flowers on my Lips.” Beavers uses paper pulp and foam to produce her high relief, which emphasizes the fleshy fullness of the lips. Beavers has reduced her figure to this one feature, and it operates like a visual synecdoche, communicating all we really need to know. This visual shorthand is a hallmark of advertising and social media, both fertile sources of inspiration for Beavers. The
“Bleached Earth 1” by Maggie King Johns (‘14) features an arrangement of tiles that recalls a child’s board game, while the pastel colors and chalky quality evoke candy. But this seemingly lighthearted work by the Alabama native who felt her body was something to be ashamed of growing up in a Christian household, actually contains a more somber meaning. The funny cartoonish figures that seem to be both falling and floating are inspired by Quattrocento Annunciation paintings of the Virgin Mary. A female symbol of purity, Mary is also a potent example of a woman denied autonomy over her body.
“Hop on Pop II (The Organized Defense of Adults Against Youth)” also draws from pop art, but here it’s linked to minimalism. Artist Matt Kleberg (’08) reduces architectural forms to the very basics. In this work, a striking fanfold motif animates the overall stolidness of the composition with a pulsing rhythm. Two arches are mirror images of each other, something that adds to the pushpull dynamism. Kleberg accentuates the arch form by using a similarly shaped canvas. While the first impression is one of geometric perfection, you begin to spot the imperfections of the hand-drawn shapes, which
SARAH SARGENT
together with the texture created by the oil stick soften the work and we realize very how interesting and sympathetic it is.
David Askew (’21) explores gender and racial identity through their “Byrd” portraits that depict fantastical human-birdlike hybrids. For Askew, who is a Black, queer, non-binary person, these creations mirror what it’s like not to fit into a specific gender or the traditional construct of race. The elegant, preening figures seem like denizens of the fashion world, and in this context, the portraits resemble head shots. But these extraordinary creatures aren’t anything like your typical fashion model, as with Askew themself, who models as well as paints, they present an unconventional appearance that is nonetheless beautiful.
Ph ng Duyên H Çi Nguy n (’15) explores loss and longing. These sentiments are fundamental to Nguy n, who left Vietnam at age 14. For her piece, she uses a water-soluble backing onto which she sews architectural shapes. The backing dissolves, leaving behind the threads coated in the shiny adhesive. This produces an abstracted version of architecture that is a composite of the stiffened threads and the negative space they circumscribe. Nguy n’s work is about resurrecting memories, but its fragmentary quality reveals the erosion that occurs over time, rendering any truly accurate recollection beyond our reach.
Looking at the different media represented, you might wonder how they relate to painting. “Well, they’ve all got color, and light, and space,” says Marlatt. “It’s not that hard to jump from, say, Lee Bontecou, who created sculpture that was painting, or Elizabeth Murray and her shaped canvases, to Gina’s and Maggie’s work.” Indeed, Marlatt herself is a painter who’s ventured into the 3-D world with her papier-mâché big heads.
“The Continuous Storyline” posits that teaching and learning are lifelong pursuits. But it’s not just a continuum; it’s also a twoway street. “We all keep teaching and learning from each other,” says Marlatt. “A really wonderful moment for me occurred at the earlier iteration of the show at the New York Painting Center, seeing Gina Beavers, the oldest, and possibly most well-known alum represented, and David Askew, one of the youngest alums, having a conversation in front of their work for a good hour.”
Gina Beavers’ pop culture-inspired “Klimt Flowers on my Lips” is part of the group show “A Continuous Storyline: Four Decades of UVA Painters,” on view at Ruffin Gallery through February 14.
FOR FUN PUZZLES
SUDOKU
#1
#1
ACROSS
1. Sioux Falls st. 5. Buddy 8. Sailboat pole
12. Winer y city in California’s Inland Empire 14. Scottish inlets
16. *”Yeah, that makes sense” 17. Cat or goat breed
18. “Children of the Albatross” author AnaÔs
19. *Officially kick off, like a host country’s leader at the Olympics
21. Lump of goo
23. The E of QED
24. ___ XING (road sign)
25. In a grave manner, on sheet music
29. False pretense
31. 2024 character that got Ariana Grande her first Oscar nomination
33. “By gosh!”
34. *”2001” subtitle
38. Queue before V
39. “Oh, come on!”
40. Actor Ricci of “28 Days Later” and “Vendetta”
43. Flaky Viennese pastr y
47. Ram’s mate
48. Bird’s bill
50. On the level
51. *Portable storage devices
56. “___ Poetica”
57. How neglected things go
58. *1983 Matthew Broderick movie with the quote “The only winning move is not to play”
60. Covered with ice and rain
61. Netflix competition series hosted by Mikey Day
62. “Benevolent” fraternal order
63. Perceive
64. Ivan or Nicholas, e.g
DOWN
1. Wasp wounds
2. Corrupt
3. “F¸r Elise” key signature
4. Beer barrel
5. Not watered-down
6. Actor Guinness
7. Big spoon
8. Former Secretary of Transportation Norman
9. 2012 Ben Affleck film
10. Obstruction
11. Like some weekends
13. Bovine mouthful
14. Somali-born Olympic gold medalist track athlete Mo
15. Made smooth, in a way
20. Places to play pinball
22. Rapper whose posthumous final album was 2000’s “Yeeeah Baby”
26. Suffix after Motor or pay
27. [Not my mistake]
28. Low film rating
FOR FUN FREE WILL ASTROLOGY
By Rob Brezsny Pisces
(Feb. 19-March 20): One of the world’s deepest caves is Veryovkina in the nation of Georgia. At its lowest, it’s 7,257 feet down. There are creatures living there that are found nowhere else on earth. I propose we make it your symbolic power spot for now. In my astrological opinion, you will be wise to dive further into the unknown depths than you have in quite some time. Fascinating mysteries and useful secrets await you. Your motto: Go deeper and deeper and deeper.
By Rob Brezsny
Libra
Aries
(Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Many people living in the Napo province of Ecuador enjoy eating a dish called ukuy, which is a Kichwa word for large ants. This is not an exotic meal for them. They may cook the ukuy or simply eat the creatures alive. If you travel to Napo anytime soon, Libra, I urge you to sample the ukuy. According to my reading of the astrological omens, such an experiment is in alignment with the kinds of experiences you Libras should be seeking: outside your usual habits, beyond your typical expectations, and in amused rebellion against your customary way of doing things.
Scorpio
(March 21-April 19): The world’s largest mirror isn’t an actual mirror. It’s Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni salt flat, a vast area that’s almost perfectly flat. After a rain, a thin layer of calm water transforms the surface into a perfect reflector that can be used to calibrate observation satellites. In these conditions, it may be almost impossible to tell where the earth begins and the sky ends. I foresee metaphorically similar developments for you during the coming weeks. Boundaries between different aspects of your world—professional and personal, spiritual and practical—might blur in interesting ways. A temporary dissolution of the usual limits may offer you surprising insights and unexpected opportunities for realignment. Be alert for helpful clues about how to adjust the way you see things.
Taurus
(April 20-May 20): From day to day, glaciers appear static. But they are actually slowmoving rivers of ice that have tremendous creative power. They can make or reshape valleys, moving tons of dirt and rock. They pulverize, grind, and topple trees, hills, and even mountains. New lakes may emerge in the course of their activity. I invite you to imagine yourself as a glacier in the coming months, Taurus. Exult in your steady transformative power. Notice and keep track of your slow but sure progress. Trust that your persistence will ultimately accomplish wonders and marvels.
(Oct. 23-Nov. 21): The theory of karma suggests that all our actions, good and bad and in-between, send ripples out into the world. These ripples eventually circle back to us, ensuring we experience events that mirror our original actions. If we lie and cheat, we will be lied to and cheated on. If we give generously and speak kindly about other people, we will be the recipient of generosity and kind words. I bring this up, Scorpio, because I believe you will soon harvest a slew of good karma that you have set in motion through your generosity and kindness. It may sometimes seem as if you’re getting more benevolence than you deserve, but in my estimation, it’s all well-earned.
Sagittarius
Gemini
(May 21-June 20): In recent weeks, have you stirred up any dynamic fantasies about exotic sanctuaries or faraway places or mercurial wild cards? Have you delivered enticing messages to inspiring beauties or brave freedom-fighters or vibrant networkers? Have you been monitoring the activities of longshots or future helpers or unification adepts who might be useful to you sooner than you imagine? Finally, Gemini, have you noticed I’m suggesting that everything important will arise in threes— except when they come in twos, in which case you should hunt for the missing third? P.S.: When the wild things call to you, respond promptly.
(Nov. 22-Dec. 21): I encourage you to buy yourself fun presents that give you a feisty boost. Why? Because I want you to bring an innovative, starting-fresh spirit into the ripening projects you are working on. Your attitude and approach could become too serious unless you infuse them with the spunky energy of an excitable kid. Gift suggestions: new music that makes you feel wild; new jewelry or clothes that make you feel daring; new tools that raise your confidence; and new information that stirs your creativity.
Capricorn
(Dec. 22-Jan. 19): On a Tuesday in August in 2012—one full Jupiter cycle ago—a Capricorn friend of mine called in sick to his job as a marketing specialist. He never returned. Instead, after enjoying a week off to relax, he began working to become a dance instructor. After six months, he was teaching novice stu-
(Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Born under the sign of Aquarius, Clyde Tombaugh discovered the heavenly body known as Pluto in 1930. This was years before he earned advanced degrees in astronomy. His early education was primarily self-directed. The telescopes he used to learn the sky were built from tractor parts and old car components from his father’s farm. During the coming months, I surmise there will be elements of your life resembling Tombaugh’s story. Your intuition and instincts will bring you insights that may seem unearned or premature. (They’re not!) You will garner breakthroughs that seem to be arriving from the future.
AQUARIUS
Virgo
FREE WILL ASTROLOGY
(Aug. 23-Sept. 22): When an infant giraffe leaves its mother’s womb, it falls six feet to the ground. I suspect that when you are reborn sometime soon, Virgo, a milder and more genial jolt will occur. It may even be quite rousing and inspirational— not rudely bumpy at all. By the way, the plunge of the baby giraffe snaps its umbilical cord and stimulates the creature to take its initial breaths—getting it ready to begin its life journey. I suspect your genial jolt will bring comparable benefits.
Cancer
(June 21-July 22): Archaeologists found two 43,000-year-old flutes in Germany. Constructed of mammoth ivory and bird bone, they still produce clear notes with perfect pitch. They were located in a cave that contains ancient examples of figurative art. Some genius way back then regarded art and music as a pleasurable pairing! I propose we make these instruments your power symbols for the coming weeks, Cancerian. May they inspire you to resuscitate the value of your past accomplishments. May you call on the help of melodies and memories that still resonate—and that can inspire your future adventures. Your words of power are regeneration, revival, and reanimation.
dents. Three years later, he was proficient enough to teach advanced students, and five years later, he was an expert. I am not advising you, Capricorn, to quit your job and launch your own quixotic quest for supremely gratifying work. But if you were ever going to start taking small steps toward that goal, now would be a good time. It’s also a favorable phase to improve the way your current job works for you.
Aquarius
Leo
(July 23-Aug. 22): It’s your unbirthday season, Leo—the holiday that’s halfway between your last birthday and your next. During this interlude, you could benefit from clarifying what you don’t want, don’t believe, and don’t like. You may generate good fortune for yourself by going on a quest to discover rich potentials and stirring possibilities that are as-yet hidden or unexpressed. I hope you will be bold enough to scan the frontiers for sources of beauty and truth that you have been missing. During your unbirthday season, you will be wise to gather the rest of the information you will need to make a smart gamble or daring change.
(Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Three years ago, an Indonesian man celebrated his marriage to a rice cooker, which is a kitchen accessory. Khoirul Anam wore his finest clothes while his new spouse donned a white veil. In photos posted on social media, the happy couple are shown hugging and kissing. Now might also be a favorable time for you to wed your fortunes more closely with a valuable resource—though there’s no need to perform literal nuptials. What material thing helps bring out the best in you? If there is no such thing, now would be a good time to get it.
Pisces
Virgo
(Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Austrian playwright Elfriede Jelinek won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2004, and Romanian-German author Herta Müller earned it in 2009. But garnering the world’s most prestigious award for writers did
(Feb. 19-March 20): For many years, I didn’t earn enough money to pay taxes. I was indigent. Fortunately, social programs provided me with food and some medical care. In recent years, though, I have had a better cash flow. I regularly send the US government a share of my income. I wish they would spend all my tax contributions to help people in need. Alas, just 42 percent of my taxes pay for acts of kindness to my fellow humans, while 24 percent goes to funding the biggest military machine on earth. Maybe someday, there will be an option to allocate my tax donations exactly as I want. In this spirit, Pisces, I invite you to take inventory of the gifts and blessings you dole out. Now is a good time to correct any dubious priorities. Take steps to ensure that your generosity is
going where it’s most needed and appreciated. What kind of giving makes you feel best?
Aries
be more likely than usual to take good care of my home—and your own home, too. It’s a good time to redecorate and freshen up the vibe.
Cancer
not provide a big boost to their book sales. In some markets, their famous works are now out of print. In 2025, I hope you Virgos do in your own spheres what they only half-accomplished in theirs. I would love for you to gather more appreciation and attention while simultaneously raising your income. According to my reading of the astrological omens, this is a reasonable expectation.
Libra
(March 21-April 19): Although there are over 7,000 varieties of apples, your grocery store probably offers no more than 15. But you shouldn’t feel deprived. Having 15 alternatives is magnificent. In fact, most of us do better in dealing with a modicum of choices rather than an extravagant abundance. This is true not just about apples but also about most things. I mention this, Aries, because now is an excellent time to pare down your options in regard to all your resources and influences. You will function best if you’re not overwhelmed with possibilities. You will thrive as you experiment with the principle that less is more.
Taurus
and forgotten. But in 1974, farmers digging a new well found it accidentally. In this spirit, I am predicting that sometime in the next five months, you will make interesting discoveries while looking for something other than what you find. They won’t be as spectacular as the terracotta army, but I bet they will be fun and life changing.
Sagittarius
(June 21-July 22): These days, you are even smarter and more perceptive than usual. The deep intelligence of your higher self is pouring into your conscious awareness with extra intensity. That’s a good thing, right? Yes, mostly. But there may be a downside: You could be hyper-aware of people whose thinking is mediocre and whose discernment is substandard. That could be frustrating, though it also puts you in a good position to correct mistakes those people make. As you wield the healing power of your wisdom, heed these words from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe: “Misunderstandings and lethargy produce more wrong in the world than deceit and malice do.”
(April 20-May 20): Taurus comedian Jerry Seinfeld, now 70 years old, has testified, “As a child, the only clear thought I had was ‘get candy.’” I encourage you to be equally single-minded in the near future, Taurus. Not necessarily about candy—but about goodies that appeal to your inner child as well as your inner teenager and inner adult. You are authorized by cosmic forces to go in quest of experiences that tickle your bliss.
Gemini
(Sept. 23-Oct. 22): By day, Libra-born Forrest Bess worked as a commercial fisherman in Texas. By night, he created visionary paintings inspired by symbols that appeared to him in states between sleeping and waking. Other influences in his art came from alchemy, the psychological philosophy of Carl Jung, and Indigenous Australian rituals. His life was living proof that mystical exploration and mundane work could coexist. I’m hoping he might serve you as an inspirational role model. You are in a phase when you have the power to blend and synergize seemingly opposing aspects of your world. You would be wise to meditate on how to find common ground between practical necessity and spiritual aspiration. Are there ways you can unite the desires of your head and heart? Of your need for safety and your longing for adventure? Of your craving for beauty and your fondness for usefulness?
Scorpio
Leo
(Nov. 22-Dec.21): Author Zora Neale Hurston said, “There are years that ask questions and years that answer.” I will adjust that counsel for your use, Sagittarius. According to my astrological analysis, the first half of 2025 will ask questions, and the second half will answer them. For best results, I invite you to gather and polish your best questions in the next five months, carefully defining and refining them. When July begins, tell life you are ready to receive replies to your carefully wrought inquiries.
Capricorn
(May 21-June 20): I’m not saying I would refuse to hire a Gemini person to housesit while I’m on vacation. You folks probably wouldn’t let my houseplants die, allow raccoons to sneak in and steal food, or leave piles of unwashed dishes in the sink. On the other hand, I’m not entirely confident you would take impeccable care of my home in every little way. But wait! Everything I just said does not apply to you now. My analysis of the omens suggests you will have a high aptitude for the domestic arts in the coming weeks. You will
(Oct. 23-Nov.21): The first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, arranged for himself to be buried after death with an army of 8,000 soldiers made from terracotta, which is a clay ceramic. Joining the gang below the earth’s surface were 770 horses and 130 chariots. For over 2,000 years, this assemblage was lost
(Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Hemoglobin is an ironbearing protein that’s crucial to most life. It enables the transportation of oxygen in the blood. But one species, the icefish of the Antarctic seas, lacks hemoglobin. They evolved other ways to obtain and circulate enough oxygen in the frozen depths, including larger hearts and blood vessels. The system they’ve developed works well. So they are examples of how to adjust to an apparent problem in ways that lead to fine evolutionary innovations. I suspect you’re now in the midst of your own personal version of a comparable adaptation. Keep up the good work!
(July 23-Aug. 22): Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart had an older sister, born under the sign of Leo. Her nickname was Nannerl. During their childhoods, she was as much a musical prodigy as he. Supervised by their father, they toured Europe performing together, playing harpsichord and piano. Nannerl periodically got top billing, and some critics regarded her as the superior talent. But misfortune struck when her parents decided it was unseemly for her, as a female, to continue her development as a genius. She was forcibly retired so she could learn the arts of housekeeping and prepare for marriage and children. Your assignment in the coming months, Leo, is to rebel against any influence that tempts you to tamp down your gifts and specialties. Assert your sovereignty. Identify what you do best, and do it more and better than you ever have before.
Expanded weekly audio horoscopes and daily text message horoscopes: RealAstrology.com, (877) 873-4888
This role is vital in maintaining the financial health of our organization and requires approximately 8-10 hours per week.
What we’re looking for:
• Experience with QuickBooks or similar accounting software
• Strong understanding of accounting principles
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks
• Preferred experience in payroll, financial reporting, and budgeting
• Strong communication skills to collaborate with our team and vendors
• Interest in the arts
Employment Services
Submit your resume and a brief cover letter to mac@mcguffeyartcenter.com, sharing why you’d be a great fit for this position.
Join the Team at C-VILLE Weekly as an Account Executive!
For over 35 years, C-VILLE Weekly has been the go-to source for news, arts, culture, food, and events that make our city one of the best places to live. Now, we’re looking for a driven and dynamic Account Executive to join our advertising sales team!
Why Join Us?
• Be part of a powerful local brand that connects with every aspect of life in our vibrant city.
• Work in a fast-paced, creative environment alongside a hardworking and supportive team.
• Enjoy a hybrid, full-time role with competitive salary, great perks, and excellent benefits.
What We’re Looking For:
• A fearless self-starter ready to manage established client accounts and develop new business opportunities.
• Sales experience is a big plus (bonus points if you’re familiar with the local real estate scene!).
• Someone who thrives in a collaborative online and print publishing environment.
If you’re ready to help grow one of the most trusted and beloved local media brands, we’d love to hear from you!
Apply Today and take your next career step with C-VILLE Weekly. Send your resume to anna@c-ville.com EOE
P.S. THE BIG PICTURE
In tune
The Milkman’s Bar held its first 2025 game of Singo—a version of Bingo where players match the song they hear to a tile on their Singo card—on January 21. The event started last July as a weeknight draw for the Dairy Market and, says the evening’s co-host Will Henning, anywhere from 30 to 70 people join each Tuesday. Last week’s round featured songs from The B-52s and Cardi B, and the winner, Mae Megginson, took home a $50 Dairy Market gift card.
