As I type this, I’m in Madison, Wisconsin, for the annual Association of Alternative Newsmedia conference—a days-long celebration (and exploration) of all things alt-weekly. The last time I attended was 2008, when C-VILLE’s higher-ups decided to send their 23-year-old online editor (me) to the Arizona desert for a week. Back then, I was still learning what this job could be. I still am.
This year’s conference was hosted by Isthmus, Madison’s local alt-weekly. In 2020, when the pandemic shuttered much of the world, it also shut down the paper. The staff didn’t give up. For nearly two years, they worked as volunteers— reporting, editing, and producing a newspaper they believed their community couldn’t afford to lose. Eventually, with enough support, they brought the paper back to life. The people of Madison helped save Isthmus because they understood its value not just as a source of news, but as a reflection of the city itself.
That same spirit—of connecting people to their community—is what drives us here at C-VILLE. Every week, we work to tell Charlottesville’s stories: to inform, to inspire, to help you feel more rooted in the place you live. And that mission goes beyond the page. Events like C-VILLE Restaurant Week, which begins July 21, are part of that work. We want to open doors for you to try a dish you’ve never had, to experience a dining room you didn’t think you could afford, to support a local restaurant you love—or discover a new one.
Restaurant Week has you covered for dinner—and this week’s cover story (p.20) has you covered for lunch. We’ve rounded up 15 midday meals under $15, from bento boxes to burgers, because eating well in Charlottesville shouldn’t break the bank.
Local papers don’t survive on ad dollars alone. They survive because people believe in them. We saw that in Madison. And we feel it here, every time you pick up a copy of C-VILLE, share a story, donate to our Save the Free Word campaign, or sit down for a Restaurant Week meal (or a $12 lunch) with friends. Thanks for being part of it.
Know an A+ educator?
As we gear up for our forthcoming back-to-school issue, we want to spotlight the educators who go above and beyond for their students. Nominate a local teacher who deserves some extra love and we’ll take it from there, sharing their story (and later, their classroom needs) with the community. Visit bit.ly/cvilleteachers to tell us about a teacher who’s made a difference.
Andrew Hollins is a freelance crime reporter, feature writer, and investigative journalist who has contributed to C-VILLE Weekly since 2023. He’s a former first responder, an avid musician and gamer. 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 20
Paul Ting developed an interest in wine while stationed near Napa Valley during his time in the United States Air Force. He holds a certificate in winemaking from the University of California, Davis, and professional certifications in sake, cider, and shochu. Read his work on page 31
You are invited to the Sister City Gospel Choir Exchange
United Gospel Besançon from Charlottesville’s French Sister City will perform gospel music with Charlottesville’s Mt. Zion First African Baptist Church and University Baptist Church.
JULY 20| 11 AM
JULY 20| 2-4 PM
1223 WEST MAIN ST.
Morgan Stanley is proud to congratulate Eric Parker, CFP
Thank you for the work you do each day and for carrying forward the standard of excellence at our firm. Eric Parker, CFP® Managing Director—Wealth Management Wealth Advisor 120 Garrett Street, Suite 301 Charlottesville, VA 22902 434-220-3809 eric.parker@morganstanley.com advisor.morganstanley.con/eric.parker NMLS #1261954
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded April 2025). This ranking was determined based on an evaluation process conducted by SHOOK Research LLC (the research company) in partnership with Forbes (the publisher) for the period 6/30/23–6/30/24. Neither Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC nor its Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors paid a fee to SHOOK Research LLC for placement on its rankings. This ranking is based on in-person, virtual and telephone due diligence meetings to evaluate each Financial Advisor qualitatively, a major component of a ranking algorithm that includes client impact, industry experience, credentials, review of compliance records, firm nominations, and quantitative criteria, including assets under management and
on the
LIFT & TIGHTEN
Benefits
Stimulates
Long-lasting,
NEWS 9
When flash floods strike, how prepared is the Charlottesville area?
City’s climate work; Netanyahu visits Monticello; Greyhound station sells for $1.5 million.
Real Estate: No zoning code, no problem—not!
CULTURE 27
Review: ASC’s snappy summer Winter’s Tale
TORIAL
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Caite Hamilton editor@c-ville.com
ART DIRECTOR
Max March max@c-ville.com
CULTURE EDITOR
Tami Keaveny tami@c-ville.com
NEWS REPORTER
Catie Ratliff reporter@c-ville.com
NEWS CONTRIBUTOR
Sean Tubbs
ASSOCIATE CULTURE EDITOR
CM Turner arts@c-ville.com
COPY EDITOR
Susan Sorensen
NEWS INTERN
Patrick McDowell
CONTRIBUTORS
Rob Brezsny, Dave Cantor, Matt Dhillon, Carol Diggs, Shea Gibbs, Claudia Gohn, Mary Jane Gore, Maeve Hayden, Andrew Hollins, Erika Howsare, Matt Jones, Sarah Lawson, Kristin O’Donoghue, Lisa Provence, Sarah Sargent, Kristie Smeltzer, Jen Sorensen, Julia Stumbaugh, Paul Ting
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DIRECTOR OF SALES Bianca Johnson bianca@c-ville.com
REAL ESTATE & CLASSIFIED ACCOUNT MANAGER
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Faith Gibson ads@c-ville.com
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Anna Harrison anna@c-ville.com
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Debbie Miller debbie@c-ville.com
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Billy Dempsey circulation@c-ville.com
C-VILLE HOLDINGS, LLC
Bill Chapman, Blair Kelly
C-VILLE Weekly is Charlottesville, Virginia's award-winning alternative newspaper. Through our distinctive coverage, we work to spark curiosity
Storm ready
Is the Charlottesville area prepared for a major flood? BY CATIE RATLIFF
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
Flash flooding has been in the headlines for nearly two weeks, following the catastrophic Guadalupe River flood in Texas earlier this month.
The Texas tragedy, while thousands of miles and decades apart, is a stark reminder of the 1969 Hurricane Camille floods—with the overnight arrival of flood waters, high death tolls, and failures of emergency alert systems. More recently, the Charlottesville area suffered the loss of 12-year-old Jordan Sims of Crozet, who was killed by flash floods on May 13.
Alerts, along with their conveyance, have been in the spotlight following the Guadalupe River flood. More than 130 people are dead, with at least 100 others still missing in Texas, raising concern about existing alert systems. However, the communication issues encountered in Kerr County are not unique, says Majid Shafiee-Jood, an assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Virginia.
“While the National Weather Service issued multiple flash flood warnings early that morning, it is unclear whether those alerts reached residents in more remote areas, including at Camp Mystic,” says ShafieeJood. “Limited or nonexistent cell service may have prevented Wireless Emergency Alerts from being delivered, a critical issue in what is otherwise considered a fairly robust national alert infrastructure. Unfortunately, this was not an isolated issue.”
As part of his work at the University of Virginia Environmental Institute, ShafieeJood is researching hazardous weather informed decision-making, and the efficacy of alerts. The quick-onset nature of flash floods in particular creates unique challenges in the effective communication of emergency warnings. But even when alerts are issued, they’re not always received.
“Even when the science and decisionmaking are sound, warnings can fail to reach people on the ground, particularly in rural or mountainous areas. This is one area where
I believe our emergency communication systems, not just in Texas or in Virginia, but everywhere in the country, share a common challenge,” he says.
Communication is more easily interrupted in rural areas, creating an environment where rapid onset weather events can block information before alerts are issued. This occurred during the Hurricane Camille floods, when connections to rural Nelson County were cut off by torrential flooding and mudslides.
More than 50 years later, communities in North Carolina encountered the same communication breakdown during Hurricane Helene in 2024. “I was closely tracking news from North Carolina, where an evacuation order sent through IPAWS in Buncombe County did not arrive on some residents’ phones until hours later, by which point a landslide had already occurred,” said ShafieeJood. “County officials later confirmed that flooding had disabled nearby cell towers, disrupting message delivery.”
IN BRIEF
All the news you missed last week (in one sentence or less)
Examining emergency alert systems in the United States is made difficult by the range of systems employed by states. Monitoring begins at the NWS, with local weather forecast offices looking at rainfall and water levels, and preparing weather watches and warnings as appropriate. From there, the process largely shifts to the local level.
In Virginia, weather alerts and procedures are largely centralized, but many aspects of response are localized.
“Virginia does exhibit a more centralized structure, especially when it comes to large-scale emergency declarations or even evacuation orders, but much of the planning, shelter operation, and on-theground decision-making remains decentralized at the local level,” says ShafieeJood. “Once local emergency management receives these alerts, they assess local conditions, coordinate with first responders, and decide whether to issue additional local warnings or take protective actions. They may activate sirens, send messages through localized alerts, or county-specific text/email services, and mobilize emergency personnel for evacuations or road closures.”
Shafiee-Jood is currently working alongside researchers at UVA and Texas A&M University to determine how to improve emergency communication systems and community responses during severe weather, including flash floods.
“What we have learned so far (and continue to explore) is that no single alert system is universally effective. The impact of a warning depends not just on the content and timing, but also on who sends it, how it is delivered, and how it intersects with local knowledge, community trust, and past experiences,” he says.
At press time, portions of central and western Virginia, including the greater Charlottesville-area, were under a National Weather Service flood watch.
Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest retreat receives $1.4 million grant. Charlottesville Police Department investigates July 9 shooting on 7 ½ Street SW. Union workers plan protest against imminent closing of Emmett Street Kroger. Forest Hills Park spray ground closes for maintenance for one week. Rivanna Conservation Alliance warns of increased E. coli following heavy rains. Driver dies after crashing into tree on Jefferson Mill Road in Albemarle County. Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine announce more than $21 million in federal funding for Virginia airports, including $1,699,218 to Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport for security equipment upgrades. Albemarle County announces complimentary credit monitoring for residents affected by the recent cyber attack. Amir Sumpter, 18, arrested in connection with May shooting near Oak Hill Market and Deli. CPD arrests Marco Antonio Berberena-Perez mid-burglary on Short 18th Street July 11. Fluvanna resident Adam C. Knight sentenced to 107 years for child exploitation and related charges.
As many as 153 people died in Virginia due to inland flooding from Hurricane Camille in 1969.
NEWS CLIMATE
Political tourism
It’s been an action-packed week for politicians visiting Charlottesville.
In a surprise addition to his itinerary, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu toured Monticello with his wife Sara on July 10 before leaving the United States. The last-minute visit followed four days of discussions of a temporary ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict. The prime minister’s office told the Times of Israel that the tour was a “special gesture” by President Donald Trump.
The next afternoon, in an effort to highlight real-world impacts of the recently passed Big Beautiful Bill, Sen. Mark Warner stopped by the Charlottesville distribution center of the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank. An hour later, Sen. Tim Kaine met with students at the University of Virginia to discuss the ouster of former president Jim Ryan, whose last day was July 11.
John Reid, Republican candidate for lieutenant governor, made an appearance at First Free Coffee Bar on July 15. With his visit, the entire Republican executive ticket has stopped by the coffee joint, co-owned by Steve Harvey, former District 55 Republican candidate who lost in the 2023 general election. Catie Ratliff
Moving ahead
The long-empty Greyhound station at 310-316 W. Main St. sold for $1.5 million on July 9. The property was purchased by Renaissance Investment, LLC as “an investment,” according to a July 14 release from Cushman & Wakefield | Thalhimer.
Details of future plans for the 7,800-square-foot, half-acre property remain limited.
Postings on the Greyhound website indicate that the stop is currently in operation and located in the parking lot by the Amtrak station at 810 W. Main St., with passengers directed to wait “in front of the Charlottesville, VA sign by Parking Spot #159.” CR
Mixed feelings
Charlottesville hopes to continue climate action work as federal funding dries up
BY SEAN TUBBS
The second presidency of Donald Trump has come with many sudden transformations in policy, including limiting the size of the federal government and eliminating attempts to move away from the use of fossil fuels.
On July 7, Charlottesville City Council heard an annual report on efforts to achieve locally set climate goals.
“We’re working with the goals of achieving a 45 percent reduction in our community emissions by 2030 and we’re aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050,” said Kristel Riddervold, director of Charlottesville’s Office of Sustainability.
However, Riddervold said that may not be enough to prevent a tipping point that will make weather patterns more volatile. There are other ways the landscape is shifting. She said when her team gave an annual report in 2024, there were unprecedented federal investments to shift to new fuel sources.
“This year we are reeling from threats and realities of our federal government stepping away from climate leadership, undermining commitments of clean energy transformation and a decarbonized economy,” Riddervold said.
The recently adopted federal budget reconciliation bill eliminates tax incentives for solar and wind projects.
“It ends investment in vulnerable communities disproportionately burdened by pollution and it establishes new and expanded support for our fossil fuels,” Riddervold said.
Another challenge is that the projections of future demand are outpacing available supply. The Virginia Clean Economy Act requires energy providers to be fossil-free by 2045, but the administration of Gov. Glenn Youngkin has undermined the goal by pulling Virginia out of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. That withdrawal has been challenged in court because the Youngkin administration did so without getting permission from the General Assembly.
“We cannot pause our commitment to climate work as politics play out,” Riddervold said.
The annual report also contains the latest data on the city’s progress meeting its greenhouse gas reduction goals. The latest measurements are from 2023 as information collection lags slightly behind.
“In 2023, our community released about 276,000 metric tons of CO2 equivalent,” said
Emily Irvine, the city’s climate protection program manager. “That is about 2 percent more than in our 2022 inventory year, but still 40 percent less than our 2011 baseline year.” Irvine said the increase is due in part to a return to pre-pandemic transportation levels. Other areas that are measured continue to decrease, such as emissions that can be traced back to heating and cooling buildings. Charlottesville continues to work with Albemarle County and the University of Virginia on a climate adaptation program called Resilient Together. However, that program too has been curtailed with the rescission of a $460,000 federal grant.
“We have managed to continue to support cohort members with local funds, some from Albemarle County, some from our Climate Initiative Fund, but to a much lesser degree and for the planning only, not for those implementation projects,” Irvine said. Irvine said the city will continue to do its part by investing in solar arrays on public buildings such as the Charlottesville Area Technical Education Center as well as another on the new fire station on the U.S. 250 bypass.
The city hopes to achieve a 45 percent reduction in community emissions by 2030, and carbon neutrality by 2050.
REAL ESTATE NEWS
Back on?
Despite ruling, Charlottesville has resumed taking applications under voided zoning code BY
SEAN TUBBS
The development community has filed dozens of applications under a new zoning code Charlottesville City Council enacted in late 2023 in order to increase the number of residential units that could be built and address what housing activists argue is a shortage.
That future was put in doubt by a ruling in Charlottesville Circuit Court on June 30 that voided the new rules on account of a technical error. A group of property owners filed a suit in early 2024 that argued the city did not follow Virginia law and regulations. They claim the city needed to submit the plans to the Virginia Department of Transportation for the agency’s analysis of whether the city’s road network could handle the additional density.
The case was scheduled to go to trial in June 2026, but Judge Claude Worrell’s motion for default judgment wiped that off the schedule. Within days, the city announced it would put a hold on accepting new applications.
On July 11, Charlottesville reversed course.
“As of today, we are still operating under the 2024 Development Code, pending the circuit court’s issuance of a formal, written order,” said Afton Schneider, Charlottesville’s director of communications and public engagement.
Schneider said the city is negotiating with the plaintiffs in White v. Charlottesville to try to find a settlement.
“If those efforts are unsuccessful, the city intends to ask the court to reconsider its decision and file further appeals if neces-
sary,” Schneider said. “If those efforts are unsuccessful, the city is prepared to move as quickly as possible to re-adopt the code.”
Applications will be accepted but not yet reviewed until the city has permission to proceed.
Mike Derdeyn, an attorney for the plaintiffs, did not respond to a request for comment by press time.
A major theme of the new rules is that density and height in most projects would be allowed by-right, which means City Council would not have to approve them. One such project would see 157 units built in a seven-story building on Seventh Street SW on land zoned Residential Mixed-Use 5.
John Matthews is one of the architects for that project and said Worrell’s ruling will continue to affect the local economy.
“This action by the court, due to the error of the attorneys, threatens to put approximately 60 percent of our work on hold,”
Matthews said in an email, adding that nearly $390 million in construction projects could be paused and never resumed.
Matthews said he is hoping that Worrell might reconsider the default judgment, but also wants the city to be prepared with a Plan B if it is ultimately unsuccessful.
There have only been a few applications that have been approved under the new development code, including the third phase of Piedmont Housing Alliance’s project to build new units at Kindlewood, as well as the University of Virginia’s plan to construct 180 affordable units at 1000 Wertland St.
Annie Gould Gallery
The city says it’s still operating under the 2024 Development Code, “pending the circuit court’s issuance of a formal, written order.”
LOCUST AVENUE
Charming 1929, classic brick home located in north downtown. Tastefully renovated and updated without losing the original character. 9’ ceilings, built-in bookcases, beautiful woodwork, trim and crown Professionally landscaped yard with mature plantings offers room for relaxation, play, and entertaining. Private, off-street parking. Walkable community with wide streets and sidewalks. Quick access to major roadways, UVa and Downtown. Recent upgrades include: new roof 2022, replacement windows, renovated bathrooms, exterior painted 2022, and new Plantation shutters
ELLIOTT AVENUE
Pristine raised ranch style home set in the heart of Belmont. A cheerful, light-filled home with beautiful hardwood floors. Full walk-out terrace level with masonry fireplace, workshop area, garage, and a nearly level back yard. Lovingly maintained, roof replaced in 2019, replaced electrical system (new panel box inside completely new meter and service from Dominion) 2 updated bathrooms, full attic with pull down stairs, rear side deck. Side alley gives excellent access to backyard with great opportunity to expand Zoned R-B
ELDERBERRY PLACE
Stunning inside and out. Dramatic great room, opens to the kitchen & breakfast room, which leads to large deck, overlooking beautiful lower terrace...extensive extended living space. Bright living and dining rooms. First floor primary suite features huge walk-in closet, separate vanities, & a private side deck. Walking up the open staircase to the second floor, you find an open family room that overlooks the great room and leads to the 3 bedrooms on the second level. The terrace level includes a kitchen, family room w/fireplace, full bath, a great exercise/ballet room. Gas line is attached to the fire pit & gas grill. Top quality & attention to detail throughout! This extensively landscaped 1.5 acres is set in a lovely neighborhood.
HATTON FERRY
Fabulous renovation of a 1880 gem in Albemarle County. Hatton on the James is an historic estate, set on 13.9 acres fronting on the James River. Lovingly & authentically restored. The 500 sq. ft. wrap-around porch extends the living area. Light pours in though the banks of windows. The open, double staircase leads from the center hall to the second floor landing. Extensive gardens and walkways. Numerous perennials and hardscapes made of flagstone, brick, soapstone terraced parterre & mature gardens. Property includes a charming one bedroom guest house, gardener’s shed and a writer’s studio. Easy access to Water activities.
by: Visit bit.ly/2025CFCAwards (case sensitive) or scan the QR code:
Very nice Townhouse in convenient River Run. New roof and gutter leaf filters. Well maintained. Easy access to town and Penn Park. Easy walking distance to the Community pool.82
in everything from Food & Wine magazine to The Washington Post. But when you’re short on time and funds, the convenience and cost of fast food is alluring, even in a town with a nationally famous food scene. You know what they say: You can have good food, quick food, or cheap food, but rarely can you get all three at the same time—unless you’re in Charlottesville. So this week, while you’re making Restaurant Week reservations with your wallet in mind, consider some of our favorite budget-savvy mid-day choices.
GO-TO LUNCHES THAT WON’T DRAIN YOUR WALLET
STORY
BY
ANDREW HOLLINS
Charlottesville has no shortage of renowned restaurants and bars, nor does it lack praise for its food scene, garnering recognition over the years in everything from Food & Wine magazine to The Washington Post. But when you’re short on time and funds, the convenience and cost of fast food is alluring, even in a town with a nationally famous food scene. You know what they say: You can have good food, quick food, or cheap food, but rarely can you get all three at the same time—unless you’re in Charlottesville. So this week, while you’re making Restaurant Week reservations with your wallet in mind, consider some of our favorite budget-savvy mid-day choices.
GO-TO LUNCHES THAT WON’T DRAIN YOUR WALLET
STORY BY
Dürty Nelly’s Blue Ridge is stacked high with deli-sliced roast beef, beer cheese, bacon, lettuce, mayo, and horseradish.
Fried Dumplings at Marco & Luca Dumplings
112 W. Main St., Downtown Mall | $5.75
The Chinese dumpling (or potsticker) just might be the Far East’s greatest contribution to the American food landscape. The small pockets of unleavened dough can be filled with almost anything, but most commonly a combination of pork, scallions, and cabbage. Marco & Luca won the Chuck Lewis Passion Award in 2015 for its entrepreneurship and overcoming adversity, and if Chuck Lewis gave prizes for dumplings, the restaurant likely would have won that, too.
Blue Ridge at Dürty Nelly’s Pub, 2200 Jefferson Park Ave. | $12.50
For almost 50 years, Dürty Nelly’s has been part of Charlottesville culture. With rustic, wood-paneled decor and local live music, the pub has been a hot spot for good, cheap eats for decades. It’s said to have the area’s best Reuben, but the Blue Ridge is our favorite: deli-sliced roast beef, beer cheese, and bacon dragged through the garden with mayo and horseradish on a Kaiser roll.
Soup of the day at Bodo’s Bagels various locations | $4.50
No list of Charlottesville lunch spots would be complete without Bodo’s. And while it says bagels on the door, too little is said about Bodo’s other offerings. The soup of the day is one of the spot’s best kept secrets, and it’s still less than $5 for a surprisingly generous serving. French onion is a personal favorite (with the cheesy potato coming in a close second).
Chicken Philly at The Virginian
1521 University Ave. | $12
Claiming to be “the oldest restaurant in Charlottesville,” The Virginian is a long-time Corner favorite. The bar, a staple of any local pub crawl, is frequented by professors and mechanics alike, and the spot’s menu is much like the restaurant: traditional but appealing. The chicken Philly, a grilled chicken sandwich with onions and peppers, holds enough provolone to scare cardiologists at UVA Health.
Tortas at Tacos Gomez
1305 Long St. B | $12
The food truck has become the American dream of home cooks across the country. Few are as skilled and successful at it as Tacos Gomez, where nearly every entry on the menu is a certified mind-blower—especially the infinitely customizable torta. It’s crunchy Mexican bread filled with whatever meat and/or veggie combo you can imagine, made to order. While it’s not as fast as slapping together a pre-made taco, it’s worth the wait.
Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken at Cafe 88
923 Preston Ave. | $6
Mom-and-pop eatery Cafe 88 is home to some of Charlottesville’s most authentic Taiwanese food— from $8 Bento boxes to savory dim sum—and patrons have been singing the Preston Plaza’s praises since 2008. “Cafe 88 is always reliable with tasty dishes,” says one Yelp review. “I find that I’m always craving popcorn chicken and the place delivers.” Seasoned with five spice, rolled in cornstarch and sweet potato starch, and fried until golden, Taiwanese fried chicken is famous for its balanced flavors and textures.
New York-style pizza by-the-slice at Fabio’s
1551 E. High St. | $2.99
In the endlessly warring factions of the pizza community, many consider New York-style pies the gold standard. If you were asked to draw a pizza, you’d likely sketch a New York-style pie: a circular, golden crust, red sauce, and melted mozzarella cheese, with the occasional red dot of sliced pepperoni. If you’re feeling flush, Fabio’s two-slice lunch combo will get you, well, two slices (with two toppings each) for $13.99.
Hoos Got Beef at Ivy Provisions
2206 Ivy Rd. | $11.99
Ivy Provisions opened its doors in 2013 when founder PK Kamath saw room in the market for quick, affordable, and unique food. The Ivy Road spot is a go-to for students, locals, and visitors, with its quirky sandwich names and quality components. From the Gobbfather to the Notorious P.I.G., Ivy Provisions’ offerings are stacked high and tight with ingredients (don’t skip the pickle spear, which gets tucked in next to your sammy). Hoos Got Beef, our pick (this week), is the restaurant’s take on a classic roast beef and Swiss, with grilled onions and peppers and spicy mayo on toasted sourdough.
Gyro at Tip Top
1420 Richmond Rd. | $9.25
From the outside, Tip Top looks to be your allAmerican greasy spoon. Inside, the Pantops mainstay takes it a step further, with the stainless-steel backsplash at the bar, classic vinyl stools, and checkerboard floors. But the Norman Rockwell façade belies its multicultural heritage: Tip Top has earned a reputation as home to some of the most authentic Greek and Italian food this side of the Mediterranean. Our personal favorite? The Gyro: grilled lamb and beef slices served on pita with tzatziki sauce (plus a little extra on the side for dipping).
Enchiladas Rojas at Guadalajara
various locations | $8.99
Guadalajara is one of Charlottesville’s oldest Mexican restaurants, with the Ornelas family opening their Market Street location in 1988. Since then, they have opened three more around the city. So many of Guad’s dishes have achieved legendary status that picking one is a challenge, but the enchiladas rojas practically define how Mexican food should taste and look. Red enchiladas are filled with seasoned and sautéed beef, rolled in tortillas, and smothered with cheese and a sauce made from different chiles (typically guajillo, anchos, pasillas, and/or chilis de arbol). The best part? It’s one of the restaurant’s lunch specials.
VIRGINIATHEATREFESTIVAL.ORG
CELEBRATING THE SONGS OF JUDY GARLAND
Belgian waffles at The Nook
415 E. Main St., Downtown Mall | $10
Nestled on the Downtown Mall, The Nook is the kind of place you can wear either Levi’s or Brooks Brothers and won’t feel out of place. The menu has many options under $15, but only one that would make it on our list: Belgian waffles. The best this side of the Atlantic, they taste like someone figured out how to fry a cloud on a waffle iron (and then added homemade whipped cream and berry sauce). Try them once, and you’ll never eat an Eggo again.
Western omelette at The Korner Restaurant
415 Roosevelt Brown Blvd. | $8.75
A mom-and-pop diner that’s well known to those who work at the UVA hospital, the Korner has some of the best breakfast-for-lunch (a classic affordable lunch hack) dishes in Charlottesville. Admittedly not exactly a high-tech or flashy establishment, the Korner makes up in flavor what it lacks in sophistication. Its Western omelette is soft and fluffy, filled with ham, sautéed onions and peppers, tomatoes, and American cheese. The side of home fries—fried to a perfect balance of crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside? Showstoppers.
Grilled cheese and tomato basil bisque at Revolutionary Soup
108 Second St. SW | $9.50
Founded by Will Richey as part of his Ten Course Hospitality Group more than 20 years ago, Rev Soup’s Corner and Downtown locations are popular destinations for the hungry and hip. Maybe the last thing you want for lunch in the suffocating summer heat is a bowl of soup, but the grilled-cheese-and-tomato-soup combo is a classic. And you can’t argue with a classic. Rev’s tomato bisque—traditionally prepared with seafood stock—is vegetarian, gluten-free—and delicious.
The Big Eater 5 Piece at Wayside
2203 Jefferson Park Ave. | $13.85
Across from Dürty Nelly’s down JPA, Wayside is a testament to old-school Virginia cooking. Purchased by Calvin Cummings in 2004, the takeout and catering outfit’s been in business for more than 50 years, with a family-friendly setting and classic comfort foods that won’t devastate your bank account. Tear into half a marinated, hand-breaded fried chicken—one breast, thigh, wing, and two legs—with two sides for less than most places charge for an appetizer.
Double cheeseburger and fries at Riverside Lunch
1429 Hazel St. | $10
Another restaurant with a deep history in the Charlottesville food scene, Riverside Lunch opened in 1935 and moved to its current location in 2000. Owner Lee Shifflett, who bought the place in 2018, says he serves 700 pounds of burgers a week, and his dedication to simplicity and consistency has turned the Riverside smashburger into a Charlottesville classic. With a simple recipe and veteran staff—most of whom have been there for decades—Riverside has stayed in business this long by not fixing what isn’t broken. That apparently includes the menu, too: It’s full of options that cost less than $5.
CULTURE
TUESDAY 7/22
PET SOUNDS
The Cville Band continues its 103rd season with Summer at The Paramount. Featuring guest artists Robert Graham playing “Reflective Mood” and Michelle Younger (above) playing Julia Delaney’s “Reel and The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” the show also spotlights the municipal band’s Assistant Director Burton Hable, who will perform new pieces and old favorites. An instrument petting zoo at the foot of the stage prior to the performance allows families with younger children to interact with some of the instruments used by the band. Free, 7:30pm. The Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. theparamount.net
CULTURE TO-DO LIST
Wednesday 7/16
music
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. Scuffletown x Wavelength. A unique blend of original music and acoustic roots, blues, jazz, bluegrass, and country for your mid-week music boost. Free, 6:30pm. The Whiskey Jar, 227 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. thewhiskeyjarcville.com
The Unsuitables. Rock ‘n’ roll with a twist of funk and soul. Free, 5:30pm. Keswick Vineyards, 1575 Keswick Winery Dr., Keswick. keswickvineyards.com
dance
Weekly Swing Dance. Beginner-friendly swing dance lessons teaching the Lindy Hop, Charleston, Balboa, and blues. No partner needed. Stay for social dancing after the class. $10, 7pm. The Front Porch , 221 E. Water St. frontporchcville.com
stage
Sense & Sensibility. Experience the elegance and wit of Jane Austen’s classic. $33–68, 7:30pm. Blackfriars Playhouse, 10 S. Market St., Staunton. americanshakespearecenter.com
The Heart Sellers Pulitzer Prize finalist Lloyd Suh’s sweet, funny, and deeply moving play highlights the experiences of two 20-something immigrant women. $15–40, 7:30pm. Helms Theatre, 109 Culbreth Rd. virginiatheatrefestival.org
etc.
Dürty Karaoke. Dive bar karaoke for your hump days. Free, 8:30pm. Dürty Nelly’s, 2200 Jefferson Park Ave. durtynellyscharlottesville.com
Fund the Fight: Board Game Night & Fundraiser. Hang out, play board games, and support the New River Abortion Access Fund. Donations welcomed, 6pm. Firefly, 1304 E. Market St. firefly cville.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 7/17
music
Berto & Vincent. Lively flamenco rumba with Latin and Cuban influences. Free, 7pm. The Bebedero, 201 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. thebebedero.com
Betty Jo’s. Boogie-woogie takes on classics with a full horn section, groovy rhythms, shredding guitars, washboards, and the queen of boogie, Betty Jo. Free, 8pm. Rapture, 303 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. rapturerestaurant.com
CSharp. A trio featuring musicians including Liz Barnes and Mitch Sams. Free, 5pm. Eastwood Farm and Winery, 2531 Scottsville Rd. eastwoodfarm andwinery.com
Lukas Nelson. American country and rock. With Payton Howie. $35, 8pm. The Jefferson Theater, 110 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. jeffersontheater.com
Songwriter’s Open Mic. Calling all songwriters: This is a space for all levels, styles, and ages. Amps and mics provided. Please limit your performance to one original so we can hear as much new work as possible. Free, 7pm. Potter’s Craft Cider, 1350 Arrowhead Valley Rd. potterscraftcider.com
Uncle Pen. Matty Metcalfe, Jordan Perry, and Alex Caton are a trio dedicated to performing the repertoire of the late great Bill Monroe. Free, 7pm. Dürty Nelly’s, 2200 Jefferson Park Ave. durtynellyscharlottesville.com
FRIDAY 7/18
J ROWDY
Fridays After Five rocks out with J Roddy Walston and The Automatic Band. This piano-playing chaos merchant specializes in ripping up stages with a blend of classic and Southern rock along with early metal, funk, and face-melting riffs rolling over psychedelia-infused jams. Bringing more than just volume and speed, the hard-charging outfit offers a highenergy performance to get hips shaking with catchy tracks that speak to the soul. Local rock and rockabilly purveyors Jesse’s House opens the evening. Free, 5pm. Ting Pavilion, 700 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. tingpavilion.com
stage
The Heart Sellers. See listing for Wednesday, July 16. $15–40, 7:30pm. Helms Theatre, 109 Culbreth Rd. virginiatheatrefestival.org
The Winter’s Tale. Discover Shakespeare’s tale of jealousy and redemption. $39–73, 7:30pm. American Shakespeare Center, 10 S. Market St., Staunton. americanshakespearecenter.com
Young Frankenstein and Coriolanus The Voyages Season soars into summer with a teen-show double-header featuring Mel Brooks’ musical and Shakespeare’s tragedy. $16–20, 7:30pm. Live Arts, 123 E. Water St. livearts.org
words
Profs & Pints Charlottesville: The Psychology of Conspiracy Theories. On why people cling to conspiracy theories, and how we can keep from buying into false ones. With Brian A. Sharpless, licensed clinical psychologist. $13–17, 5:30pm. Graduate Charlottesville, 1309 W. Main St. profsandpints.com classes
Teacher Professional Development Workshop: Writing with Art. A morning of creative writing and close looking led by Fralin educators and fellows. Get inspired to write in response to visual art. Open to educators of all content areas and disciplines. Free, 10am. The Fralin Museum of Art at UVA, 155 Rugby Rd. uvafralinartmuseum.virginia.edu 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
Paramount On Screen: Meet Me in St. Louis Judy Garland and Margaret O’Brien star in this heartwarming tale of the emotional trauma the colorful members of an early 20th century St. Louis family experience. $7–9, 7pm. The Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. theparamount.net
Friday 7/18
Fridays After Five: J Roddy Walston and The Automatic Band. Sweat, rock, piano. With Jesse’s House. Free, 5pm. Ting Pavilion, 700 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. tingpavilion.com
Gina Sobel. A natural improviser and accomplished musician on multiple instruments, Sobel brings together elements of funk, jazz, and American folk music into a fresh and compelling sound. Free, 5pm. DuCard Vineyards, 40 Gibson Hollow Ln., Etlan. ducardvineyards.com
Ken Farmer & the Authenticators. A priceless night of rocking good fun. Free, 6pm. Glass House Winery, 5898 Free Union Rd., Free Union. glasshousewinery.com
Lina Saroza. A spectacular Cuban-born saxophone player. Free, 4pm. Fallen Tree Vineyard and Farm, 4593 Clark Rd., Crozet. fallentreevineyard.com
Matthew O’Donnell. Applying a modern energy to traditional drinking songs, sea shanties, Irish jigs and reels, timeless folk favorites, and original songs. Free, 5:30pm. Potter’s Craft Cider, 1350 Arrowhead Valley Rd. potterscraftcider.com
Queen City Porch Swingers. Staunton’s favorite trad jazz band plays infectious melodies of songs from the 1910s through the 1940s. Free, 8pm. The Stage at WTJU, 2244 Ivy Rd. wtju.net
Scuffletown. A unique blend of originals, roots, and high-energy music. Free, 5:30pm. Hardware Hills Vineyard, 5199 W. River Rd., Scottsville. hardwarehills.com South of Heaven. With Ashes Reign, a melodic metal band from central Virginia; Four Thirty Four, a blue-collared quartette with diverse song writing and an unconventional sound; and modern metalcore from Vara Alta. $15, 8pm. The Southern Café & Music Hall, 103 S. First St. thesoutherncville.com
Stella Luze. Good music, live from your local dive. Free, 7pm. Dürty Nelly’s, 2200 Jefferson Park Ave. durtynellyscharlottesville.com
The Currys. A harmony-based folk-rock family band. $10, 7:30pm. The Batesville Market, 6624 Plank Rd., Batesville. batesvillemarket.com
stage
Sense & Sensibility. See listing for Wednesday, July 16. $33–68, 7:30pm. Blackfriars Playhouse, 10 S. Market St., Staunton. americanshakespearecenter.com
The Heart Sellers. See listing for Wednesday, July 16. $15–40, 7:30pm. Helms Theatre, 109 Culbreth Rd. virginiatheatrefestival.org
Young Frankenstein and Coriolanus See listing for Thursday, July 17. $16–20, 7:30pm. Live Arts, 123 E. Water St. livearts.org
words
CreativeMornings Charlottesville. A monthly breakfast lecture series for the creative community. Check the website for the monthly theme and location announcement. Free, 8:30am. Downtown Charlottesville. creativemornings.com
etc.
Bad Dads Comedy. Featuring two Raleigh, NC-based headliners who are both fathers, husbands, and also former winners of the annual North Carolina’s Funniest Person competition held at Goodnights Comedy Club. $17, 7:30pm. Keswick Vineyards, 1575 Keswick Winery Dr., Keswick. keswickvineyards.com
Brewery Puzzle Hunt. See listing for Thursday, July 17. $15, noon. Starr Hill Brewery, Dairy Market. puzzledbee.com
Trivia with Olivia. Get the weekend started with beers and trivia. Free, 6pm. SuperFly Brewing Co., 943 Preston Ave. superflybrewing.com
Saturday 7/19
music
Aaron Evans & Friends. Featuring founding members of Indecision. The quartet plays all original songs written over their 40+ years of creative development. Free, 5:30pm. Potter’s Craft Cider, 1350 Arrowhead Valley Rd. potterscraftcider.com
Acoustic Aubrey. Covers of classic R&B, jazz, acoustic rock, and more. Free, 2pm. DuCard Vineyards, 40 Gibson Hollow Ln., Etlan. ducardvineyards.com
Babe Lewis. Third Rail presents this psych-shoegaze act, the solo project of Harrisonburg, VA-based multi-instrumentalist Joseph Harder. Live on stage and streaming online. Free, 8pm. The Looking Glass, 522 Second St. SE, Ste. D. wtju.net
Blackwood Station. DIY folk and psychedelia from Richmond, VA. Free, 7pm. Dürty Nelly’s, 2200 Jefferson Park Ave. durtynellyscharlottesville.com
Bob Marley Tribute. Featuring Koolant Brown, with the Jamal Millner Rock 3. This show has been rescheduled from a previous date. All ticket purchases will be honored. $15–18, 5pm. Rivanna River Company, 1520 E. High St. frontporchcville.org
Bring Out Yer Dead. This Raleigh, NC-based tribute to the timeless magic of the Grateful Dead is dedicated to resurrecting the Dead’s legendary live performances with an authenticity that’s nothing short of remarkable. $20–25, 8pm. The Jefferson Theater, 110 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. jefferson theater.com
Jackson, Pendergrass, & Townsend. A threepiece outfit featuring Denise Jackson on vocals, Marcus Pendergrass on keys, and Kenneth Townsend on guitar creates original music in the jazz/blues tradition. Free, 5pm. Eastwood Farm and Winery, 2531 Scottsville Rd. eastwoodfarmandwinery.com
Jim O’Ferrell. Acoustic alternative rock and more. Free, 12:30pm. Eastwood Farm and Winery, 2531 Scottsville Rd. eastwoodfarmandwinery.com
Josh Mayo & The House Sauce. Rock ‘n’ roll originals and covers. Free, 10pm. Rapture, 303 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. rapturerestaurant.com
Melissa Hansen. A blend of blues, pop, country, and soul that draws on the artist’s own life experi-
ences growing up in Charlottesville. Free, 2:30pm. Albemarle CiderWorks, 2545 Rural Ridge Ln., North Garden. albemarleciderworks.com
Monsters Under the Bed. The Lyman-Atkins family band will make you laugh, cry, and embrace your inner monster. Free, 7pm. Batesville Market, 6624 Plank Rd., Batesville. batesvillemarket.com
Pat Anderson. A roots-rocking singer-songwriter set of engaging songs. Free, noon. Keswick Vineyards, 1575 Keswick Winery Dr., Keswick. keswick vineyards.com
R4nd4zzo Big B4nd. This Richmond-based jazz ensemble brings a raw, high-octane energy to the big band tradition, mixing sharp arrangements with deep grooves and spontaneous improvisation. With Charles Owens Trio. $25–40, 8pm. The Southern Café & Music Hall, 103 S. First St. thesoutherncville.com
The Michael Elswick Gathering. Entertaining all with jazz, blues, ballads, and Latin tunes. Free, 5pm. Glass House Winery, 5898 Free Union Rd., Free Union. glasshousewinery.com
stage
Sense & Sensibility See listing for Wednesday, July 16. $33–68, 2pm. Blackfriars Playhouse, 10 S. Market St., Staunton. americanshakespeare center.com
The Heart Sellers See listing for Wednesday, July 16. $15–40, 2pm and 7:30pm. Helms Theatre, 109 Culbreth Rd. virginiatheatrefestival.org
The Winter’s Tale See listing for Thursday, July 17. $39–73, 7:30pm. American Shakespeare Center, 10 S. Market St., Staunton. americanshakespeare center.com
Young Frankenstein and Coriolanus. See listing for Thursday, July 17. $16–20, 2pm and 7:30pm. Live Arts, 123 E. Water St. livearts.org classes
Garden Basics: Resilient Gardening. The Piedmont Master Gardeners present a garden basics session on how to adapt our gardens to handle a changing world. Registration requested. Free, 2pm. Trinity Episcopal Church, 1118 Preston Ave. piedmontmastergardeners.org
Making it New: Poems in Response to Myth and History. This seminar looks at poems written in response to myth and history, and discusses poems written by members of the group. $67, 1pm. WriterHouse, 508 Dale Ave. writerhouse.org etc.
Brewery Puzzle Hunt. See listing for Thursday, July 17. $15, noon. Starr Hill Brewery, Dairy Market. puzzledbee.com
Charlottesville City Market. Discover produce and products from 80+ local vendors. Visit the Market Management tent to match your SNAP dollars up to $50 each visit. Free, 8am. Charlottesville City Market, 100 Water St. E. charlottesville.gov
Corvette Club of Richmond Car Show. An incredible day of sleek cars, fine wine, and great food. Free, 11:30am. Keswick Vineyards, 1575 Keswick Winery Dr., Keswick. keswickvineyards.com
Movie Screening: The Lorax. A family-friendly screening of the 1972 Dr. Seuss short film, showing the importance of environmental protection and respecting nature. Light refreshments provided, registration requested. Free, 1pm. Ivy Creek Natural Area and Historic River View Farm, 1780 Earlysville Rd. ivycreekfoundation.org
Saturday Public Tours. A one-hour tour that explores current exhibitions and local history. $10, 10:30am. The Jefferson School African American Heritage Center, 233 Fourth St. NW. jeffschool heritagecenter.org
REVIEW CULTURE
Summer stocked
A jazzed up Winter’s Tale works wonders BY CM GOREY
As far as Shakespeare plays go, The Winter’s Tale is stuffed full of the tropes audiences are familiar with from the Bard’s more well-tread works: jealous rage aimed at assumed infidelity, disguised identities, forbidden love, and misuse of power. But in the reliably capable hands of the cast at Staunton’s Blackfriars Playhouse, The Winter’s Tale takes on a life of its own in a manner that sets it apart. The cast breathes new life into a roughly 415-year-old work, delighting through inventive staging and top-tier acting—but why stage The Winter’s Tale during the summer season?
To be honest, I’m not sure. Ultimately, the title feels like more of a distraction than anything else. While it apparently signified to 17th-century audiences that they’d be in for a wholly unrealistic romp with a happy ending, our wintry notions of a snow-capped story shared around a fire with near-constant jingling bells is off the mark. If the cold season wasn’t the name of this play, you’d have little reason to think it wasn’t unfolding during the dog days of summer.
Free to play with the already mythical hodgepodge of political and religious references woven into the text, the nonsensical geography of Sicilia and Bohemia frees director Raphael Emmanuel to reset it in a Jazz Age milieu. Thanks to the oft-singing and instrument-playing cast, the anachronistic transplanting is a relatively seamless operation.
Kicking off with a few rounds of the late 1920s pop smash “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” a sly hint at what’s to emerge from the suspiciously minded King Leontes of Sicily, the song sets us up to watch an unsettled ruler spin out. The opening party scene descends from a protracted months-long good time into mayhem and misery.
Jordan Friend is commanding as the anguished, angry, misguided Leontes. He maintains a believability and threatening physical presence through his pacing, sizing up those he mistrusts and exploding with gut-wrenching accusations. Conversely, he shows his capacity for tender subtlety, revealed in later scenes. Also of note is his dexterity on the piano and guitar— which during one intermission stompalong he plays simultaneously, the right hand strumming a non-fretted open chord and the left, accenting a changing figure along the keyboard behind his back. Despite this bit of ambidextrous showmanship, it’s not nearly as impressive as his skillful singing; his voice leads the cast in precision and tuneful clarity.
While the music occurs throughout—at times suspending forward plot action—this is no musical, per se. Tunes give way to Le-
ontes’ mad accusations at both Queen Hermione (his wife), and childhood friend Polixenes, the King of Bohemia. As insecurity eats away at the Sicilian King, he jails his pregnant wife (insisting Polixenes is the father) and banishes his buddy. Tragedy is then heaped upon Leontes: His son dies unable to stomach the charges against his mother, and after giving birth to a daughter, Perdita, who Leontes wants banished, Hermoine collapses and is reported dead. Lots of poor royal decision-making hitting the proverbial fan—and all before Act IV.
Without giving away the rest of the plot, it’s worth knowing that the final two acts take place 16 years later, and offer a much different kind of play. The tragic psychological wrestling of Leontes, while looming a shadow over the resolution of the plot, are couched in comedy and executed with a markedly feel-good slant.
A reason for the changed mood can be traced to Geoffrey Warren Barnes II, the singing character of Time (in a blindingly bright, banana-yellow suit) and as pickpocketing, wise-cracking Autolycus. In the latter role, he digs in with the spectators to wonderful results. Breaking the fourth wall repeatedly, dancing with an audience member, and even mock-stealing someone’s Diet Coke, Barnes imbues the entire second half of the play with a lightness missing from the first acts. Raven Lorraine, who is convincing as Hermione, also does double duty, stealing scenes as the loony
Old Shepherd, a role reimagined for this version in a female form.
Credit is due to Emmanuel and his artistic team for the staging, which, to my memory, has made the best use of the venue I’ve ever seen. While there are many examples of the cast grappling with the walls, stairs, and aisles in ways that were new to me, a scene toward the end of Act III stands out. Angela Iannone as Antigonus recounts a dream of Hermione saying to take her baby daughter to a Bohemian beach. As Antigonus recalls the directive, the queen (Lorraine)
The Winter’s Tale
American Shakespeare Center’s Blackfriars Playhouse Through August 2
appears overhead on the balcony and the two say the lines in an otherworldly unison. What happens next? Look away from this spoiler, but if you’re already aware that Antigonus gets it soon after leaving the infant (as indicated by Shakespeare’s famed stage direction, “Exit, pursued by a bear”), you’ll still be pleasantly surprised by how they make the beast appear.
For what some have long considered a “problem play,” this Winter’s Tale does a more than commendable job of constructing sense, fun, and flow from a tonally uneven script. Sorry, William. C
Geoffrey Warren Barnes II gives a standout performance in ASC’s summer offering of The Winter’s Tale
CULTURE TO-DO LIST
A SPOONFUL OF CINEMA
Paramount On Screen presents the family-favorite Mary Poppins, starring the incomparable Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke. Set in Edwardian London in 1910, a magical and musical child-care provider swoops in to save the Banks family from boring days. A series of fantastical encounters with chalk-drawn penguins, choreographed chimney sweeps, and laughing men who float ensues. Brimming with beautiful backdrops, irresistible sing-alongs, and an amazing hybrid of animation and live action, the narrative explores the importance of leading a balanced life and investing in family. $7–9, 2pm. The Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., theparamount.net
Nick and Steve Pollock. Members of Cherry Red capture the raw energy and attitude of the Rolling Stones. Free, noon. Keswick Vineyards, 1575 Keswick Winery Dr., Keswick. keswickvineyards.com
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
Sunday 7/20
An Lár Traditional Irish Band. Fast-paced jigs and reels alternating with slower waltzes and airs, as well as Irish folk ballads of love and adventure. Free, 2pm. Batesville Market, 6624 Plank Rd., Batesville. batesvillemarket.com
A blend of folk and pop, delivering a lively mix of catchy tunes. Free, 2pm. Potter’s Craft Cider, 1350 Arrowhead Valley Rd. potterscraft
Ken Matthews. Saxophone and clarinet renditions focusing on jazz from the 1930–40s, with a nod to New Orleans sounds. Free, 2pm. DuCard Vineyards, 40 Gibson Hollow Ln., Etlan. ducardvineyards.com
Midnight Buzz Duo. Tracey and Barry Collins give an acoustic performance of many fan favorite classic rock tunes. Free, 2pm. Glass House Winery, 5898 Free Union Rd., Free Union. glasshousewinery.com
Music Open Mic. Two songs or 10 minutes per performer, whichever comes first. Open to musicians of all ages. P.A. and microphone provided. Hosted by Theocles. Free, 5pm. The Southern Café & Music Hall, 103 S. First St. thesoutherncville.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
stage
Sense & Sensibility See listing for Wednesday, July 16. $33–68, 2pm. Blackfriars Playhouse, 10 S. Market St., Staunton. americanshakespeare center.com
The Heart Sellers See listing for Wednesday, July 16. $15–40, 2pm. Helms Theatre, 109 Culbreth Rd. drama.virginia.edu
Young Frankenstein and Coriolanus See listing for Thursday, July 17. $16–20, 2pm. Live Arts, 123 E. Water St. livearts.org classes
Tiles & Tails: A Mahjong Social for a Cause. A vibrant, community-centered event designed to bring people together through play, purpose, and a shared commitment to animal welfare in support of the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA. Sign up for a lesson or an open-play slot. $50–80, 2pm. Graduate Charlottesville 1309 W. Main St. richmahj.com etc.
Beyond the Book Karaoke. Come make some new friends and rad memories while belting out some melodies. The hosts can cue up anything found on YouTube, so get weird with it. Free, 7:30pm. The Southern Café & Music Hall, 103 S. First St. thesoutherncville.com
Brewery Puzzle Hunt. See listing for Thursday, July 17. $15, noon. Starr Hill Brewery, Dairy Market. puzzledbee.com
King Kong Pinball Launch Party & Tournament. An official Stern Pinball event. Open to players of all levels and ages. All players eligible to win randomly awarded prizes. Tournament start at 2:15pm with a $10 entry. Free, 11am. Pro Re Nata Brewpub & Music Hall, 6135 Rockfish Gap Tpk., Crozet. pinballroomcville.com
Paramount On Screen: Mary Poppins. In turnof-the-century London, a magical nanny employs music and adventure to help two neglected children become closer to their father. $7–9, 2pm. The Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. theparamount.net
Monday 7/21 music
Eimear Arkins & Eileen Gannon: Irish Harp, Fiddle, & Song. The Blue Ridge Irish Music School and WTJU present Arkins and Gannon performing a beautiful blend of haunting harp melodies, songs, and plenty toe-tapping dance tunes. $20–45, 6pm. Thistlerock Mead Company, 3075 Gables Run Rd. blueridgeirishmusic.org
Flamenco Mondays. A night of flamenco song and dance with Berto and Vincent. Free, 7pm. Mejicali, 852 W. Main St. #110. mejicalirestaurant.com
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Books for Virginia 1620: America’s First Public Library? A Rare Book School lecture reviewing the assortment of religious, agricultural, and scientific texts intended for use in the American colonies, with visiting fellow E. M. Rose, Cambridge University. Free, 5:30pm. UVA Edgar Shannon Library: Room 330, 160 McCormick Rd. rarebookschool.org etc.
Comedy Open Mic. Showcase your talent, try out new material, and take in the best local comedy that Charlottesville has to offer. Hosted by Chris Alan. Ages 18+. Free, 7pm. The Southern Café & Music Hall, 103 S. First St. thesoutherncville.com
Drop-In Mondays for Teens. This week’s activity: Shrink Plastic Accessories. Materials and snacks provided. For ages 11–18. Registration requested but not required. Free, Mondays 1-2:30. Central Library, 201 E. Market St. jmrl.org
Tuesday 7/22
music
Cville Band Presents: Summer at The Paramount. Our 103rd summer season continues with new pieces and old favorites. Free, 7:30pm. The Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. theparamount.net
Prabir. Live music at your favorite dive bar. Free, 7pm. Dürty Nelly’s, 2200 Jefferson Park Ave. durtynellyscharlottesville.com
classes
Floral Design Workshop. Learn the key principles of arranging a beautiful seasonal flower display. Take home a vase that you arrange with materials provided by Hallie Earman of Abundant Blooms. Outdoor event, rain or shine. $45, 6:30pm. Nealand Farm, 8232 Scottsville Rd., Scottsville. nealand.farm etc.
Geeks Who Drink Trivia. Good trivia, good times. Teams of two to six people compete to win prizes like gift certificates and pint glasses, plus bragging rights. Free, 7pm. Firefly, 1304 E. Market St. firefly cville.com
The Run Club. Do a 5K run, then drink beer. $1-off pints for runners. Free, 6pm. Decipher Brewing, 1740 Broadway St.
THE WORKING POUR CULTURE
Tasting well
A new collective brings fresh ideas to Virginia wine
BY PAUL TING
In both scale and spirit, Virginia wine is growing, fueled by new talent, broader perspectives, and ambition. The result is a more confident, creative region that’s gaining national recognition. Like other thriving wine communities, we are seeing the emergence of small, independent winemakers, and side projects from established names. The Virginia Wine Collective, a new space in Charlottesville, is a reflection of that growth and a catalyst for more, with the goal of lowering barriers.
In June, the team behind Eastwood Farm and Winery quietly opened the collective, a one-of-a-kind production and tasting facility housed in the former Michael Shaps Wineworks building on Avon Street Extended. The VWC is a shared space where up to nine independent winemakers will ferment, blend, bottle, and pour under one roof.
Now open on weekends, the communal tasting room offers a chance to explore a wide range of Virginia wines without leaving the city. It’s a new take on wine hospitality with flights from veteran winemakers, first-time producers, and those in between.
The founding group reflects Virginia’s growing diversity of styles and backgrounds, from members including Jake Busching Wines, Joy Ting Wine, Dogwood & Thistle Wine Company (Sandy and Erin Robertson), Delve Wines (Julie Linker), Zora Chloe (Tasha Durrett), Present Company Wine (Chris Tropeano), and Josh Cataldo.
Like many good things, the collective started in a garage. When Athena Eastwood bought her farm in 2016, she and her daughters explored ways to work together. They grew vegetables, made jams, and even crafted handmade deodorants to sell at farmers markets. One fall, they pressed apples and pears from their orchard, fermented the juice in buckets, and were surprised by how good the cider turned out.
Cider success led to planting grape vines with help from neighboring growers, the Chiles and Saunders families, and the launch of Eastwood Farm and Winery. Today, their wines include Governor’s Cup gold medalists, but Eastwood never forgot how hard it was to get started.
“From the very beginning,” she says, “we were like, ‘Gosh, I wish there was some kind of a co-op or something where we could be doing this together with other people and sharing that brain trust.’”
Nearly a decade later, Eastwood has built exactly that.
The VWC was founded around a powerful idea: Make it easier for new and independent winemakers to get started. Unlike
traditional wineries, where all the wine comes from one producer, the collective houses nine licensed winemaking studios. Each winemaker has dedicated space with a private entrance, floor drain, and secure storage, but shares access to commercialscale equipment like tanks, bottling lines, and filtration systems.
“It’s designed to take some of the financial and logistical burden off small and aspiring winemakers,” Eastwood explains, “by providing shared access to equipment that would otherwise require a huge upfront investment.”
Eastwood’s head winemaker, Jake Busching, helped shape the project from early on. “The direction has always been one of inclusion,” he says. “A space where winemakers can kickstart brands without the upfront cost of owning a winery.”
Similar incubator-style winery models exist elsewhere in Virginia (including Common Wealth Crush in Waynesboro and Walsh Family Wine in Loudoun County), but the collective is the first of its kind in Charlottesville, with a structure uniquely shaped by state regulations. Virginia ABC laws require each winery license to be tied to a distinct physical location. To comply, the Eastwood team installed nine separate entrances and built out fully independent suites.
“It took years to figure out,” Busching says. “That licensing issue is what makes this setup so unique in Virginia.”
Production at the new facility will begin later this year. The current focus is on
welcoming guests and preparing for the VWC’s first harvest.
In a tasting room that embodies collaboration and experimentation, visitors might find a structured red from Busching, a varietal bottling from Delve, or a smalllot release from Dogwood & Thistle, all side-by-side in a curated flight. Small plates from chef Andrew Partridge complete the experience. It’s a rare opportunity to see what’s happening in Virginia wine now, and where it might be headed, all in one place.
One of the most meaningful aspects of the project has been the behind-the-scenes collaboration. Early in the planning, Eastwood brought in Joy Ting (this writer’s wife), a local winemaker who launched her own label in 2016, to help develop a sustainable business model for participating winemakers.
“Joy is an incredible teacher and has a brilliant mind,” Eastwood says. “She helped us flesh out a pricing model that would make sense for them long-term.” That framework now helps small producers keep costs low enough to make wholesale sales viable.
“The future of Virginia wine lies in creative paths forward for artistic people and thoughtful investment,” Busching says. “The collective is set to do just that.”
“But it’s not just about logistics,” Eastwood adds. “Something I didn’t see until recently is the pure joy the collective fosters just by bringing people together. It reminds you why you got into this industry in the first place.”
Virginia Wine Collective founder Athena Eastwood has been growing the reputation of Virginia wine since 2016.
Charlottesville,
Commonhouse.com
THE HOW TO’S
The very first C-VILLE Restaurant Week had foodies buzzing and tables filling up faster than a top chef can slice a ripe tomato. Ditto for this one in summer 2025. Getting in on the fun is easy–but it requires a little planning. Here’s how.
STEP 1:
Mark your calendar for Monday, July 21stSunday, July 27th
STEP 2:
Peruse the menus from the participating restaurants to decide which ones suit your fancy. With so many participating, you can’t visit one every night!
STEP 3:
Call each restaurant directly to make your reservation, and mention that you’re coming in specifically for Restaurant Week. Reservations are first-come, first-served and chefs report that interest has been running high, so don’t tarry.
STEP 4:
Show up on time, and make sure you’re dressed to make your mama proud, since some of the participating establishments have dress codes.
STEP 5:
Make sure you order off the special “Restaurant Week” menu, as some of the participating restaurants will also offer their regular—i.e. more expensive— menu. (Everyone will be dismayed, and you might end up washing dishes, if you order the $65 flaming surf and turf that’s not part of the special prix fixe menu.)
STEP 6:
Savor your meal, and when paying your bill, please remember that drinks, tax and tips are not included.
Gluten-friendly bread available upon request. *Consuming raw or undercooked meats / poultry / seafood / shellfish oreggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Please notify us of any food allergy. 20% gratuity will be automatically added for parties of 6 or more.
Organic chicken, zuchini linguini in romesco sauce.
Dessert
KEY LIME PIE
Creamy, custardy with traditional crust.
PEACH WALNUT BAKLAVA
Local peach, walnuts, lemon honey drizzle.
BOURBON BREAD PUDDING
Bourbon sauce dusted with powder sugar.
1331 WEST MAIN STREET - (434) 995 - 5047 - WWW.FIGUVA.COM
“Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness.” NO SPLIT CHECKS PLEASE. For 5 and more guests 22% gratuity will be added automatically.
RESTAURANT WEEK MENU MON,JULY 21ST - JULY 27TH
630 RIVERSIDE SHOPS WAY, STE.100 CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA 22911
WWW.MAPLEPINECVILLE.COM TEL: (434) 266-9733
STEP1: CHOOSE A STARTER
AVOCADO FRESH ROLL (VEGAN) COCONUT SHRIMP
THAI SAMOSA (CURRY PUFF) (VEGAN) SPRING ROLL (VEGAN)
STEP2: CHOOSE A MAIN
KHUA KAI
STIR-FRIED RICE NOODLE, CHICKEN, EGG, GREEN ONION, MIXED GREEN, BEAN SPOUT AND SRIRACHA SAUCE
TOFU PONG KAREE
STIR-FRIED TOFU WITH YELLOW CURRY SAUCE, EGG, BELL PEPPER, GREEN ONION, CUCUMBER, RED PEPPER, ONION
STEP3:
KAO PAD TOM YUM
THAI FRIED RICE WITH SEAFOOD, THAI HERB, FRESH LIME LEAVES, CHILI
MAMA LOOK KEY SWEET & SAVORY DRY NOODLE WITH SHRIMP, BOIL EGG AND MIXED GREEN
Served with a variety of sweet treats and fresh fruits. Choose one chocolate fondue per cooktop.
Candy Bar
The creamy flavor of milk chocolate, caramel and crunchy peanut butter are swirled with butterscotch schnapps and Baileys Irish Cream.
Choose one chocolate fondue to complete your meal.
See our dessert menu for all the decadent details.
Cream Puffs, Macarons, Cheesecake
$3.50 Each | $9.50 For All Three
$35 per person
Tax and gratuity not included.
Dark & Dulce
The rich flavor of dark chocolate is melted with dulce de leche and finished with sea salt
$8 Specialty Cocktails
20% off Bottles of Wine
$35 Sangria Pitchers
Before placing your order, please inform a Melting Pot team member if a person in your party has a food allergy.
*Our fondue-style service may result in the undercooking of certain ingredients. Consuming raw or undercooked MEATS, POULTRY, seafood, shellfish, or EGGS, may increase your RISK of foodborne illness.
Hugo Spritz: Elderflower Liqueur, Prosecco, Soda, Fesh Mint 15
Fish of The Night: Smoked Eggplant Puree, Corn, Green Beans, Zucchini, Almond Pesto alla Trapanese (Add $7.00) Red Wine Braised Lamb, Fried Polenta, Roman Artichokes, Olives, Tomato , Gremolata (Add $7.00)
Half or Full Baguette with Olive Oil and Sea Salt $5.00 or $8.00
Semisweet Chocolate Pot de Crème, Shaved Chocolate, Whipped Cream
Dry Noodle : Thai Style dry egg noodle with pork belly, shrimp, bean spout, peanut Chinese broccoli, cilantro
TOM YUM FRIED RICE : Made with jasmine rice, shrimp, and flavors of lemongrass, lime and Thai chili paste
$35
KEE MOW : Thai drunken spaghetti, Choice of Seafood, Chicken, Beef, Tofu or Veggie with red bell peppers, green bean, bamboo shoot, tomatoes,basil leaves
THE CURRY : Salmon in Red curry with red bell peppers, butter squash and basil leaves.
Step 3 Choose a dessert
Sticky Rice with Mango Bake Taro Custard
Sticky Rice with Egg Custard Green Tea Cheese cake with Vanilla Ice cream
3 COURSE MEAL
$35 PER PERSON
APPETIZER
choice of:
SKILLET CORNBREAD v honey, cracked black pepper, chives, whipped butter
CRISPY BRUSSELS SPROUTS GF V
fresno chili hot honey, ginger, mint, cilantro, roasted peanuts
CAULIFLOWER STEAK white bean puree, salsa macha, pickled golden raisins
Dessert
Choice of CHOCOLATE POT DE CREME coffee whipped cream, toffee crunch
CARROT CAKE mascarpone, candied walnuts
Phone: (434) 977-1818 Menu: bizoudowntown.com
Bulpan Restaurant Week
S U M M ER 2 0 2 5
$ 4 5/ PERSON
TAX NOT INCLUDED
CHOOSE ONE FROM EACH COURSE F IRST
Kimchi Jeon 김치전 Kimchi Pancake
Dak GangJeong 닭강정
Korean Fried Chicken Bite
+Choose : Soy Garlic or Spicy +
Mandu 만두 Fried Vegetable Dumpling
Tteok Galbi 떡갈비
Sweet Soy marinated Beef Short Ribs and Porkbelly Patty with Sliced Pineapple. Pineapple Aioli
SECOND
SERVE WITH SOY BEAN PASTE STEW, SALAD, BANCHAN, AND RICE
Chadolbaki* 차돌박이
Thinly sliced Fatty Beef Brisket
Moksal Galbi 목살갈비
Sweet Soy Marinated Pork Collar
Galbi JuMuLuk* 갈비주물럭
Sweet Soy Marinated Prime Rib
YangNyum Galbi 양념등갈비
Sweet Soy Marinated Beef Back Rib
THIRD
Strawberry
Sorbet 딸기 샤베트
Frozen Dessert made from Strawberry, Sugar
Monaka 모나카
Waffle shells filled with red bean paste, Vanilla Ice Cream, Sliced Almonds, Sweet Soy Bean Powder
BaeSook 배숙
Poached Pear, Cinnamon Powder, Ice Cream
-20% GRATUITY WILL BE ADDED TO ALL CHECKS. -PLEASE LIMIT PAYMENTS TO THREE PER PARTY. -ITEMS MARKED WITH * MAY BE SERVED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED. CONSUMING RAW OR UNDERCOOKED MEAT, POULTRY, SEAFOOD, EGGS MAY INCREASE YOUR RISK OF FOODBORNE ILLNESS,
Bruschetta
Toasted crostini with roasted tomato fondue, fresh basil, roasted garlic, EVOO, provolone, balsamic reduction, basil pesto, and shaved parmesan
First Course
Calamari
Tossed with pepperoncini, roma tomatoes, Greek olives, roasted red peppers, basil, spicy San Marzano sauce, toasted crostini
Chicken breast cooked in butter and tomato sauce garnished with almonds and cilantro. With basmati rice and naan bread
Lamb Curry
Lamb prepared with fresh ginger, garlic, onions, coriander, served over basmati rice
Samosa
Deep-fried filo samosas, potatoes, onions, peas jalapenos, chives, chutney
Filet Mignon
Topped with an onion crisp, served with baby creamer potatoes
Paneer Jalfrezi
Fresh red & yellow peppers, zucchini & yellow squash cooked in tomato and dutch cheese seasoned with fresh ginger, garlic, masala, chili, and coriander. Served over basmati rice with naan bread
Gnocci
Potato dumplings, red onions, mushrooms, red peppers, asparagus, yellow squash, sun dried tomatoes, vodka sauce
Third Course
Tiramisu
Limoncello Marscapone
Gulab Jamun
Fried Wild Caught Catfish Bites
creamy comeback sauce | GF
ENTREES
Smoked Paprika Braised Short Ribs
charred corn & cherry tomato compote | GF
Classic Chicken & Waffles
orange-rosemary-bourbon maple syrup
Cajun Shrimp Stuffed Trout
lemon creole butter | GF
Sweet Corn & Zucchini Fritter
tomato-jalapeño relish | GF, V
DESSERTS
Classic Banana Pudding
whipped cream, salted caramel
Peach-Almond Crisp
almond-coconut milk ice cream | GF, V
Appetizers
Succatash Bruschetta w/ Burrata
Summer Gazpacho w/ Crème Fraîche
Salmon Tartare w/ Avocado & Wonton Chips
Little Gem Salad w/ Mint Panko & Green Goddess
Entrées
Faroe Island Salmon w/ Pomme Purée & Baby Bok Choi
Braised Lamb Shank w/ Canellini Beans & Spinach
Sweet Pea Risotto w/ Preserved Lemon
Roman Gnocchi & Creamy Tuscan Kale
Tavern Burger w/ French Fries
Desserts
Almond Olive Oil Cake w/ Berries
Chocolate Mousse w/ Chantilly Cream
Blackberry Crisp w/ Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream
Summer Sorbet Assortment
Private event spaces for up to 120 people! www.tavernandgrocery.com
333 West Main Street
Charlottesville 22903
434-293-7403
FOR FUN PUZZLES
SUDOKU
#1
#1
#4 #2
#2 #5
#4
ACROSS
Mecca pilgrim
Principals in a company
34. “Horrors!”
35. They may get bounced around
36. “Oracular Spectacular” band
37. Dice dot
38. Tennis return, sometimes
39. Pot-au-___ (French stew)
40. Australian postgrad schools
42. Trees with cones
44. Duck hangout
45. Pool, in other words
48. “Here’s the surprise!”
49. Home of the U.S. version of “Have I Got News For You”
50. “A Town Like Alice” novelist Nevil
52. Hardwood tree
55. Rightmost column in the periodic table
59. Temporary place to live before moving out, maybe
62. Finito
63. Justice Kagan
64. “M*A*S*H” actor Alan
65. Julia, in “Ocean’s Eleven”
66. Alaskan car ving
67. Slovenly sort
DOWN
1. Plagiarize
2. Tissue additive
3. Chicken chow ___
4. “Fifth wave” genre that sounds more like indie rock
5. “Carr y On Wayward ___” (song that actually doesn’t have “My” in the title)
6. East Coast convenience store chain
7. “Put ___ my tab”
8. Welsh comedian ___ Gilbert, former presenter of “Never Mind the Buzzcocks”
9. “The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test” subject
10. Snack once pitched by Randy “Macho Man” Savage
11. Temporarily replacing
12. Scheherazade’s specialty
13. Took to court
18. Sister in Chekhov’s “Three Sisters”
19. With “The,” Jeremy Allen White show
24. ___-wan Kenobi
25. “___ the Greatest Dancer” (1979 Sister Sledge song)
26. Descriptor of some kids’ books
27. Charging animal
28. How a week’s news might be presented
29. Wing it
30. “Madam Secretary” actress Téa
FOR FUN FREE WILL ASTROLOGY
By Rob Brezsny Leo
(July 23-Aug. 22): I laughed until I sobbed as you earnestly played the game of love even after the rules had changed. I sighed till I panted as you dredged up a new problem to avoid fixing an overripe hassle. I rolled my eyes until I got dizzy as you tried to figure out the differences between stifling selfcontrol and emancipating self-control. But all that’s in the past, right, Leo? Now I’m preparing to cheer until my voice is raspy as you trade in a dried-up old obsession in favor of a sweet, fresh, productive passion—and outgrow all the fruitless nuisances.
Virgo
(Aug. 23-Sept. 22): The ancient scribes of Mesopotamia etched records onto clay tablets with styluses, pressing wedge-shaped marks into wet earth. Once baked, these tablets endured for thousands of years. Some are still readable today. In my astrological assessment, Virgo, you are undergoing a metaphorically comparable process. Messages and expressions that are forming within you are meant to last. They may not win you immediate attention and applause. But you already suspect how crucial they will be to both your own future and the destinies of those you care for. Be bold, decisive, and precise as you choose your words.
Libra
(Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Is there any aspect of your life or character that is still unripe even though it is critical to your life-long journey? Have you held on to your amateur status or remained a bit dilettantish beyond the time when you might have progressed to the next highest level? Are you still a casual dabbler in a field where you could ultimately become masterful? If you answered yes to these queries, now is a perfect moment to kick yourself in the butt and leap to the next level. Waiting around for fate to kick your butt would be a mistake.
Scorpio
(Oct. 23-Nov.21): Many astrologers rightfully say that Virgo is the most detail-oriented, meticulous sign. I think you Scorpios may be the most methodical and thorough of all the signs, which means that you, too, can be meticulous and detailoriented. A prime example is the Scorpio sculptor Auguste Rodin. Eventually, his work became world-renowned, but his career developed gradually because of his painstaking patience and scrupulous devotion to excellence. I propose we make him your role model for now. Inspired by him, resist pressure for immediate results. Trust in the slow, steady refinement process.
Sagittarius
(Nov. 22-Dec.21): Here are half of your words of power for the coming days: windfall, godsend, and boon. The other half are potion,
(June 21-July 22): Ancient beekeepers in Anatolia carved hives directly into rock faces, coaxing honey from the cliffs. This practice was designed to protect bees from harsh weather and predators while maximizing honey production. The bees adapted well to their unusual homes. I suspect, Cancerian, that in the coming weeks, your sweetness and bounty may also thrive in unlikely structures. It could take a minute or two for you to adjust, but that won’t be a problem. Your nectar-making instincts will guide you. So I advise you not to wait for the perfect container before beginning your work. Make honey in the best available setting.
remedy, and healing agent. If you’re lucky, and I think you will be, those terms will blend and overlap. The blessings that come your way will be in the form of cures and fixes. I’m being understated here so as to not sound too wildly excited about your immediate future. But I suspect you will wrangle at least one amazing victory over hardship. Your chances of a semi-miraculous visitation by a benevolent intervention are as high as they have ever been.
Capricorn
(Dec. 22-Jan. 19): The ancient Chinese character for “listening” contains symbols for ears, eyes, and heart. I interpret this to signify that it’s not enough to seek the truth with just one of your faculties. They must all be engaged and working together to get the full story. You are wise to survey the world with your whole being. Keep these meditations in mind during the coming weeks, Capricorn. Your natural inclination is to be practical, take action, and get things done. But for now, your main superpower will be listening to everything. So my advice is to listen with your skin. Listen with your breath. Listen with your gut. Let your attention be so complete that the world softens and speaks to you about what you really need to know.
Aquarius
(Jan. 20-Feb. 18): If you would like to glide into rapt alignment with astrological rhythms, give gifts to your two closest allies. These offerings should inspire their ambitions, not indulge their cravings to be comfortable. They shouldn’t be practical necessities or consumer fetishes, but rather provocative tools or adult toys. Ideally, they will be imaginative
boons that your beloved companions have been shy about asking for or intriguing prods that will help beautify their self-image. Show them you love both the person they are now and the person they are becoming.
Pisces
(Feb. 19-March 20): Piscean photographer Ansel Adams is so renowned that he’s in the International Photography Hall of Fame. We know the moment that his lifelong passion erupted. At age 14, his family gave him a simple camera and took him to Yosemite National Park in California. “The splendor of Yosemite burst upon us, and it was glorious,” he wrote later. “One wonder after another descended upon us. A new era began for me.”
In the coming months, I foresee you encountering a comparable turning point, Pisces—a magical interlude awakening you to a marvel that will become an enduring presence in your life. Be alert for it. Better yet, declare your intention to shape events to ensure it happens and you’re ready for it.
Aries
(March 21-April 19): For the Dagara people of Burkina Faso, the element of fire has profound cultural meanings. It’s a symbol of innovation and inspiration. It’s a mediator between the physical and spiritual worlds and a conduit for communication with the ancestors. Through rituals, fire is a purifying and renewing force that helps people reconnect with their purpose, heal relationships, and catalyze positive change in the community. In the coming weeks, Aries, I hope you will be deeply aligned with all these symbolic meanings. What are you ready to ignite for the sake of nurturing and care? What truths
need light and heat? What future visions would benefit from surges of luminosity?
Taurus
(April 20-May 20): In the Nahuatl language spoken by Indigenous Mexicans, the word nepantla describes an in-between space. It’s a liminal threshold where a transition is in process. The old ways have fallen away, but the new ways are not yet fully formed. It’s unsettling and perhaps confusing, yet seeded with the potential for creative change. I suspect you are now in a state resembling nepantla, Taurus. Please understand that this isn’t a crisis. It’s a chrysalis. Any discomfort you feel is not a sign of failure, but a harbinger of the wisdom and power that will come by molting the identity you have outgrown. I hope you will honor the rawness and speak tenderly to yourself. You are not lost; you are mid-ritual.
Gemini
(May 21-June 20): The sea slug Elysia chlorotica is a small, unassuming creature that performs a remarkable feat: It eats algae and steals its chloroplasts, then incorporates them into its own body. For weeks afterward, the slug photosynthesizes sunlight like a plant. I believe, Gemini, that you are doing a metaphorical version of this biological borrowing. Some useful influence or presence you have absorbed from another is integrating into your deeper systems. You’re making it your own now. This isn’t theft, but creative borrowing. You’re not copying; you’re synthesizing and synergizing.
P.S. BIG PICTURE
Gone country
Local musicians and community members gathered at Batesville Market on Wednesday, July 10, for a tribute to Jim Waive, a longtime Charlottesville performer who died July 2. Waive was a fixture in the area music scene for more than two decades, known for his songwriting, solo performances, and work with the band Jim Waive & The Young Divorcees. The evening featured remembrances from friends and collaborators.
This beautiful city has kept us up and running through advertising support since 1989, but now we also need you, readers of the free word, to help us keep telling local stories. If free, independent news is important to you, please consider a gift of $35 to keep the lights on—in our office, sure, but also the light we will continue to shine into every corner of Charlottesville. Depending on the size of your gift, you could receive a digital copy of C-VILLE every Tuesday evening (before it hits stands Wednesday), a tote bag, and two invites to the Best of C-VILLE party in August 2025. Support the work of C-VILLE Weekly.
