Feedback: Thank god it’s Fridays After Five.

Chamomile and Whiskey will take the Pavilion stage when Fridays After Five reboots this week.

CHRIS PECORARO

Take it from the top

Fridays After Five returns

By Shea Gibbs

arts@c-ville.com

When Sally Rose and her band Shagwüf take the stage for Fridays After Five at the Ting Pavilion on June 18, they’ll be the first musicians to play the venue since Jeff Tweedy and Wilco came to town on November 8, 2019.

Wait, the what pavilion?

A lot has changed in 19 months—including C’ville’s largest outdoor venue landing a new sponsor.

By the time the pandemic hit in spring of 2020, Sprint Pavilion General Manager Kirby Hutto had a full slate of bands lined up for the venue’s Friday night concert series. He was forced to put the dates on hold and hoped that 2021 would harmonize with live music.

Fortunately, it has. With Governor Ralph Northam lifting distancing, masking, and gathering restrictions as of May 28, in-person jams are back—mostly. For its part, Fridays returns at full tenor. Hutto has booked 12 of the weekly dates, starting with opener Shagwüf and headliner Chamomile and Whiskey. September 10 and 17 are the only remaining open slots.

“That’s where I started, with reaching back out to those [2020] artists and seeing if we could get them a date for 2021,” Hutto says. “But you also had to ask the question if they were still a band, had they been rehearsing and ready to play. It made it a little more complicated.”

Take Shagwüf, for instance. Sally Rose’s rock ‘n’ roll trio wasn’t scheduled to play Fridays in 2020, but her Sally Rose Band, with its somewhat softer, singer-songwriter vibe, was. Rose has been more focused on the rock outfit the last several years, though, and the switch made sense.

Shagwüf completed a record, Dog Days Of Disco, just prior to the pandemic and was forced to release the LP digitally. After going into strict lockdown for a few months, dispensing with hopes of touring, and tracking down COVID tests as often as possible, Rose and her bandmates eased back into practicing in person. The band came up with another album’s worth of tracks by October 2020 and put out an EP on Halloween—“the most politically-charged album we’ve made, which is saying a lot for Shagwüf,” Rose says.

Then, another coronavirus surge hit and forced the band back apart.

“There are so many layers to unpack,” Rose says. “Just being able to see each other again, fully vaccinated and being able to hug each other—that takes 20 minutes to process.”

Shagwüf was also recommended by friend and Chamomile and Whiskey frontman Koda Kerl.

Much like Rose and company, Chamomile and Whiskey took its lockdown licks but came out creating (with a new bass player). The band’s latest record, Red Clay Heart, dropped last fall, and Kerl says he’s ready to get out and play—even in front of a crowd that might be as interested in socializing as listening to every note.

“Fridays is a really unique audience. It’s a really broad group,” Kerl says. “When [Kirby] called us to do the first one in almost two years, we viewed it as a challenge. We’re lucky to have fans in town, and we think we can connect with the audience and get people down to the stage.” Rose and Kerl both said their bands would be riffing new material most people haven’t heard.

Other notable 2021 Fridays acts are headlining newcomers Ebony Groove—a Charlottesville High School pep band-cum-gogotroupe playing July 2—and indie rockers Dropping Julia, due on July 9. Mainstay Erin & the Wildfire will bring power pop on July 16, and veterans The Skip Castro Band will anchor the lineup with uptempo blues-inflected rock on September 3.

Both of the latter bands will have played the pavilion under all three of its sponsored names. “That’s part of the puzzle, getting some of those familiar bands that are going to pop off the schedule, and rotating in the new names and some you haven’t seen in awhile,” Hutto says.

Still, it won’t be all vaccines and rainbows. While Northam’s lifted the mask mandate, public health guidelines are still in effect statewide. That means the vaccinated are welcome with open aisles—though encouraged to wear masks in crowds—while the non-vaccinated must wear masks in all venue areas.

The Ting Pavilion offers the standard post-COVID suggestions to keep problems to a minimum: Stay home if you’re sick or in contact with the sick, respect others, and know the concert organizers have done everything they can to prevent the spread of the virus. That includes installing a new HVAC system in the pavilion loo, regularly cleaning high-touch areas, and adding hand sanitizing stations and no-touch food and drink ordering and payment options.

Hutto admits getting back into the swing of things might be a challenge, but he expects the spacious Pavilion grounds to make folks comfortable.

Kerl says he doesn’t mind the restrictions, and Rose just wants to see her Charlottesville friends.

“During the lockdown, I wasn’t playing shows or touring—I wasn’t seeing people,” she says. “Just being able to play loud, fun rock-and-roll with my boys again, nothing touches it...I can’t even begin to imagine what it is going to feel like stepping onto that stage.”

SUPPLIED PHOTO

Richelle Claiborne is scheduled to perform on Friday, July 30.

THE WINEDOWN

WHAT’S DELISH AT LOCAL WINERIES?

WINERY Guide Map

HARRISONBURG

81 340

AFTON 64

CROZET DUCARD VINEYARD

29

33

STANARDSVILLE

KILAURWEN WINERY

29

MADISON

15

ORANGE

HORTON VINEYARDS

GORDONSVILLE

CHARLOTTESVILLE KESWICK VINEYARDS

EASTWOOD FARM & WINERY

ZION CROSSROADS 33

LOUISA 53RD WINERY & VINEYARD

64

53RD WINERY AND VINEYARD

2019 Chardonnay

With a balanced mouthfeel, our Chardonnay is perfect for the warm summer days. Hints of meyer lemon, fresh yellow apples, and light touches of tarragon can be tasted on the palate. We recommend enjoying this wine with a chicken piccata or a grilled pork chop outside!

We are open 7 days a week, 11am to 5pm offering our 100% Virginia wine by the bottle, glass and tasting flights. Enjoy your visit at our intimate, meadow-like setting in rural Louisa County. we offer wellspaced indoor and outside seating and customers are welcome to bring their own picnic baskets, chairs and blankets. Children and pets are welcome, but pets must always remain outside of buildings and on a leash. Quality wine, friendly staff at a great escape! Visit our website, www.53rdwinery.com on our operating procedures.

Saturday, June 19th - Wine club pick up day! With live music by Frank Bechter & Ann O’Brien and the Fire Escape Food Truck on site.

Saturday, June 26th - Live music with Luke Bobbitt and the Smokin’ Eddies food truck! Fridays- Friday Night out at DuCard (5:30 - 8:30 pm) come out and kick off the weekend with dinner and live music at DuCard.

Saturdays- Music on the Patio (2:30 – 5:30 pm) enjoy a wide variety of artists each Saturday

Sunday, June 20th- Father’s Day Wine and Cigar Pairing- Celebrate Dad with us, as we pair Panacea Cigars with DuCard wines. Enjoy the wine and cigar combo on our lawn as you also listen to music by Bomar and Ritter (2:30 – 5:30pm). Pepper’s Grill food truck will also be on-site.

Saturday, June 26th- Concert for Shenandoah, a fundraiser for our National Park featuring music by Scuffletown. Firefly food truck will be available, plus some auction items and special gifts. Suggested donation $50 per person, collected at the door. (7-10 pm)

Open 7 days a week, 11 am – 5 pm

13372 Shannon Hill Rd • Louisa, VA 23093 (540) 894-5474 • 53rdwinery.com.

DUCARD VINEYARDS

2018 Norton Norton is Virginia’s native variety, with a long and colorful history. With vibrant aromas of wildflowers, spices and bacon, this local favorite exhibits a strong personality that is unique and on the edge. 100% estate grown, this wine is primarily Norton with a slight blend of several other reds for balance and added complexity. Especially limited production - under100 cases per year. Our uncrowded rural Madison County area has mountains, streams and plenty of beautiful views along scenic back roads. The tasting room is near hiking and biking trails along the Shenandoah National Forest and is a perfect respite after your day out! Enjoy some peace and quiet relaxation in this challenging environment. Sit on our lawns and sip or pick up a bottle or three of our award-winning wines to take home. Reservations available and recommended (especially for Saturdays). No reservation fee or minimum purchase. Walk-ups accommodated on a space-available basis. To order wine for local delivery or UPS shipping, visit our website! Open daily – Mon-Thurs. 12-5 PM , Fri. 12-9 and Sat/Sun. 12-6 PM

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

EASTWOOD FARM AND WINERY

Blue Pom Wine Slushee Spring and summer seasonal drinks are available now at the winery. Among them, the Blue Pom Wine Slushee is a favorite! It is the perfect blend of Virginia Merlot, organic pomegranates, and blueberries. Deliciously fruity

and refreshing, the Blue Pom Slushee is currently being offered in the Red Reserve Tasting Flight as well as by the glass in the Outdoor Tasting Room, The Barn, and on the Veranda. Eastwood is a women-owned business created by a group of wine lovers and agriculture enthusiasts producing award-winning Virginia wines. We embrace the power of storytelling and the vision that there is no ceiling you can’t break, and look forward to toasting you in one of our tasting rooms soon! New hours! Visit us for Wine Wednesdays beginning June 2, 2021. Indoor, outdoor, & covered outdoor tables are available on a first come basis. Couches in The Barn may be reserved on our website. Live music and food trucks every week. We also offer yoga, events for families and kids, winery hikes, and more. See the upcoming calendar of events for all the details. June 17th - Sunset Thursdays with live music from Eli Cook (4-8 pm) June Hours: Wednesdays (4-8PM), Thursdays (4-8PM), Fridays (4-8PM), Saturdays (12-8PM), Sundays (12-5PM)

2531 Scottsville Rd. (5 mi from Downtown Charlottesville) Charlottesville, VA 22902 (434) 264-6727 www.eastwoodfarmandwinery.com

HORTON VINEYARDS

Erotes Sparkling Rosé This wine was created in the traditional Methode Champenoise. It is 100% Touriga National. Erotes has beautiful summer berry aromas with raspberry and red currants. Crisp and dry for a sparkling rosé! It pairs wonderfully with fresh burrata, roasted red peppers, oysters, and s’mores. In 1989, Dennis Horton and longtime business partner Joan Bieda acquired 55 acres for the beginning of Horton Vineyards. The task of establishing the vineyard was given to Dennis’ wife Sharon, a nurse by trade, whose meticulous nature was reflected in the manicuring of the East Coast’s most unique vineyard. 1993 saw the first crush at the new Horton Cellars and in 1994 additional acreage came into production with plantings of Bordeaux, Portuguese, South African, Georgian and Spanish varietals with Pinotage and Rkatsitelli. Horton Vineyards continues to explore with new varietals and techniques to achieve the best that Virginia viticulture can produce. While we have a wide variety of wines to pick from, we offer different themed flights each month to highlight our wine throughout the year! Wine flights, glasses and bottles are available. To ensure time for a tasting please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to closing. Open Daily from 10 am – 5 pm Wednesdays- Wine Wednesday (77:30 pm) Join Horton Vineyards live on Facebook every Wednesday at 7pm to learn about a different wine each week!

6399 Spotswood Trail, Gordonsville, Virginia (540) 832-7440 www.hortonwine.com

KESWICK VINEYARDS

2020 LVA Pinot Gris With a pale color, and a light body, this pinot gris is perfect for the summer weather! Notes of ripe peaches and white flowers are balanced perfectly with light citrus flavors of lemon and orange pith. Pair this with a fresh seasonal summer salad, BBQ chicken, or on its own while watching the fireflies in the evening. Tasting Room Hours We look forward to continuing to serve all of our wonderful guests this spring during our daily hours of 10am-5pm. Reservations can be made for Saturdays at no charge, however reservations are not necessary. We offer first come, first served seating at our outdoor courtyard tables or open seating for those who wish to bring their own blankets and chairs to spread out in our designated lawn area. Wine is available by the flight, glass and bottle, and only our outdoor areas can be accessed at this time. A selection of pre-packaged meats, cheeses, crackers, and spreads are available for purchase. July 4th - Reds, Whites, and Bluegrass- Celebrate the 4th of July at Keswick Vineyards with some great Red & White Virginia wines and Bluegrass music performed by local band Tara Mills Band from 12pm - 4pm! Come hungry because we will have some great food vendors available for you to get lunch from including Martin’s Grill, Popitos Pizza and BlackJack Soul Food!

1575 Keswick Winery Drive Keswick, VA 22947 keswickvineyards.com • (434) 244-3341

KILAURWEN WINERY

Kilaurwen Red A non-vintaged wine comprised of Touriga Nacionale, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon, it has a deep garnet color and the aromas of cigar and leather. Rich black cherries and spice warm the palate with a touch of tobacco and licorice. This is a great wine to enjoy with Sunday roasts, venison steaks, or while sitting around a late-night fire pit! Weekend hours will be from noon - 6 pm. First come, first serve at outdoor umbrella tables in our Boxwood Garden. Enjoy the mountain views while sipping your favorite Kilaurwen wines which are available by the bottle, the glass and DIY tasting flights. You’re welcome to bring your own picnic or snacks to enjoy with our wine! Choose a table in our Boxwood Garden or bring your own chairs and blankets to spread out on a grassy spot. Bring your own picnic and enjoy it with a bottle of your favorite Kilaurwen wine while you enjoy the mountain views and soft breezes. Well-mannered pets on leashes are welcome. COVID regulations still in effect require 6 foot spacing, mask wearing except when seated at tables or on your own blankets or chairs, and group size limited to 6 people. An exhibit of decorative art pieces carved, painted and embellished with beads and trim is currently featured in the tasting room through the end of June. These works created by three members of the Art Guild of Greene make unique gifts and memories of time spent in the Blue Ridge area. Special orders are available any day of the week to those preferring to arrange gate-side pick up at a date and time of your choosing. Place order by calling 434-985-2535.

1543 Evergreen Church Rd Stanardsville, VA 22973 (434) 985-2535 www.kilaurwenwinery.com

PIPPIN HILL FARM & VINEYARDS

2019 Sparkling Rosé Our Champagne-style Sparkling Rosé features both floral and fruity characteristics on the nose and palate with a finish that is creamy with crisp acid. Those red varietals lucky enough to find their way into our Rosé are treated like our white wines: fermented and aged in stainless steel before receiving carbonization. Truly one of our most popular wines, this Rosé is worthy of celebrating any special occasion, including (sometimes) the fact that it is only Tuesday. Pippin Hill is a culinary vineyard in the heart of Virginia’s wine country. There are two types of standard reservations available: Indoor Table or Covered Veranda for table service. There is also the Vintner’s Table which must be booked at least 48-hours in advance. Upon arrival, please check-in at the host stand and you will be directed to your designated table. All seating areas have the same wine and food menu offerings. Our staff diligently IDs guests for our ABC licensure compliance and for guest safety. If your party has a guest who is under age 21, we require you to have a reservation at a table. Walk-ins are welcome based on availability. Reservations via Resy are recommended for indoor and Veranda seating. Hours: Tuesday – Thursday: 11 am – 5 pm; Friday – Sunday: 11am to 4:30pm Sundays - Live music on the hill! Each Sunday from 1-4 PM, Pippin Hill welcomes local musicians to perform on our Veranda. Check our website for varying artists. June 18th- Featured Farmer Friday- Caramont Farms and their local cheese! June 23rd- Cut Flower Workshop (10 am-12 noon) Join us as Certified Horticulturalist Diane and Garden Assistant Celina show you how they plant and grow our flowers in a guided Kitchen Garden and grounds tour.