Month: April 2009

Perriello announces $2 million to weatherize homes in Charlottesville, Albemarle

Fifth District Congressman Tom Perriello announced today that $8.8 million in federal money will be used to weatherize more than 1,000 homes throughout the district.

“Investing in home weatherization is a win-win situation because families can lower their home energy costs, which helps all consumers by taking pressure off the grid. Additionally, we can train a new green jobs workforce in energy efficiency technology,”  Perriello said in a press release.

Grants up to $6,500 per home are available for eligible homeowners, primarily low-income, and families with disabled members.

For the City of Charlottesville, the County of Albemarle, Greene, Fluvanna and Nelson, $2,935,140 will be available for estimated 382 homes.
 

Day 108: Shakespeare is obnoxious (and 445 today)

Good morrow, brickspeares! Today we bring you a special Shakespeare-themed BW entry, as it is the playwright’s birthday. He would have been 445 years old today. And so, in honor of his old age and in an effort to tie Shakespeare to BW (we love connections!), we’ve decided to document 445 of our favorite Downtown Mall bricks.

See that one up in the lefthand corner? Near the white substance? No, not that one. Over a little more. …Yep! We love that one.

This one is located at the 100 east block. It’s the horizontal one parallel to the worker’s boot. Dang, that’s a good one.

We almost forgot this one! See the kind of discolored half-paver to the left of the photo? That’s not the one we like. The one we like is three down and four over from that one.

We’re just kidding; we’re not going to list all 445. We have way better things to do. (…We’re totally working on it for another day.)

What we are going to do is present you with some BW video:

And give a shout-out to our new friends (or, as we like to call them, "people who have no idea who we are that we found on the Internets while Googling ‘bricks, Shakespeare’").

Here they are:

Meet Erika and Drew, a very cute couple who live in Los Angeles (with their bunny, Bob) and post webisodes (called "Exposed Brick") on his blog. During BW’s Google search, the blog came up with an episode entitled "Shakespeare is Obnoxious." We hope you enjoy it as much as we did. (WARNING: This video contains the F word and the B word. Twice.)

Six Day Bender unleashes its inner “Factory Man” [VIDEO]

I just got back from the space formerly known as Gravity Lounge, where new managers Andy Gems (he of the pristine sound at local venues, most notably Satellite Ballroom) and Lauren McRaven (she of the wondrous crepe creations at The Flat) are hard at work transforming the space. More details from Gems about the space’s future as a music venue (and photos) tomorrow.

For now, Feedback will leave you with this. Gems has been hard at work with Six Day Bender on tracking tunes for a series of online song releases and an upcoming album. You can watch the video for the latest tune, "Factory Man," below.

Gems and I also listened to recordings of a recent Six Day show on the Gravity soundsystem; those boys are really getting into ’70s Rolling Stones and a touch of AC/DC. Dirty deeds, done local:

Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission names new executive director

The Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission (TJPDC) announced yesterday the appointment of Steven Williams as the new executive director.

“We are so thrilled,” said Connie Brennan, Commission Chairman and member of the Nelson County Board of Supervisors.

Williams hails from New Hampshire, where, for the past five years, he was executive director of the Nashua (New Hampshire) Regional Planning Commission. Williams spent 10 years with the Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments in California.
Williams said he is looking forward to “learning about the five counties and the City of Charlottesville,” the region it serves.

While in New Hampshire, Williams received appointments, by the governor, to the state’s Climate Change Task Force and the Freedom’s Way Heritage Commission. He still serves as vice-chair of the New Hampshire Rail Transit Authority, which will come in handy once our Regional Transit Authority will reconvene to discuss what its next step will be.

To the question of what will he do with limited funding for transportation, Williams said that Virginia is a “step up,” compared to New Hampshire. “All of us are facing challenges,” he said, adding that he will work to help the region trying to figure out how to pay for projects.

Williams, who is looking to purchase a home in Crozet, will begin serving as executive director May 11.
 

Steven Williams will be the new Executive Director of the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commision. He has worked as a planner in California, Iowa and New Hampshire.

How to spend less than $100 on three worthy arts causes [UPDATE]

[UPDATE] I forgot to mention WTJU’s rock marathon, which started with what I heard was a great dance party last night at Twisted Branch, and aired great Microphones and Andrew Bird sets last night. Highlights from the next 24 hours: Dominic DeVito spins Bonnie "Prince" Billy (streaming online now!) Danny Shea runs "The Whistlin’ Show" on Thursday afternoon, "Pacific Northwest Punk" (go, Sleater-Kinney!) Thursday night at 11pm, and "Virginia Punk" on Friday morning at 1am. Give accordingly; the benefits are obvious. Details here.

As I prepare for Saturday night’s fundraiser at The Bridge—titled "The Revel," and an evening that promises great food, fantastic art and, er, weird whiskers—it occurs to me that those of you with hearts of gold and pockets lined with the same have a few opportunities to help worthy arts causes in the next week or so. Details after the photo, do-gooders.

"Divining One" by Patrick Costello, one of 20 works to be auctioned at The Revel

Worthy Cause #1: The Revel, which opens with a "fairy welcome" and facial fur on Saturday at 8pm, features a truly impressive art auction at 9pm and kicks off an 11pm after-party with music from Sarah White and Wes Swing.

Cost of your good deed: $50 full admission, $20 for the after-party with open bar privileges, $10 for the after-party sans bar.

What it gets you: A locally engaged, well-programmed community arts venue that can sustain itself as a nonprofit venue.

Worthy Cause #2: Piedmont Council of the Arts‘ Trio Party, slated for Thursday, April 30, from 5:30-7:30pm. A celebration of the organization’s 30th anniversary and another fundraising opportunity for a group that’s raised its profile in the last year or two thanks to executive director Maggie Guggenheimer and Kate Daughdrill.

Cost of your good deed: $30 per person. (PCA is also accepting tax-deductible donations.)

What it gets you: Local drinks and food from Harvest Moon Catering, Django (d)jazz from Rick Olivarez, a decent shot at a raffle prize and the satisfaction that you’ve helped local artists access grants, etc., through supporting a re-energized PCA.

Worthy Cause #3: Artini 3, Friday, April 24 from 5:30-7:30pm, in Second Street Gallery‘s exhibition space and rooftop terrace.

Cost of your good deed: $15.

What it gets you: Drunk. (Kidding; be safe, you crazy aesthetes.)

Of course, I know that not everyone will hit all three events. Which venue and party are you putting your money on?

Day 107: We’re only happy when it rains

Afternoon, bricklings. With the ominous cloud looming over the Downtown Mall at the moment, BW is finding ourselves a little under the weather (ha! Get it? Because we’re on the Mall and the weather is…). So we’ve decided to capitalize on this unusually pessimistic attitude and find a few faults with the rebricking. Fails, if you will.

FAIL.

FAIL.

FAIL.

Now, keep in mind, Chris Weatherford told us that at the very end of the rebricking, crew members will go over each brick with a fine-toothed comb and replace any damaged pavers. As for the trash, well, we hope they’ll just get rid of that altogether. It stinks! (BW knows; we did the legwork.)

And now, we present you with a little bit of happy:

Yesterday, BW spotted some crew members tightening up bricks on the 200 block west in front of Alakazam. Nothing says "This is the end" like putting on the final touches. 

Stay tuned tomorrow for some original Brick Watch video. And remember: Let a smile be your umbrella.

Dave Norris decisive in Democratic candidates forum

Last night at a forum sponsored in part by Charlottesville Tomorrow, current city Mayor Dave Norris affirmed his place as the lead candidate for one of the two spots in the upcoming city council election (as well as for the Democratic primary, scheduled for May 9). Before a small gathering in Burley Middle School’s auditorium, Norris consistently outlined his agenda for a better Charlottesville, starting with his plan—if he is re-elected—to revitalize the city’s public housing developments. “This is our best opportunity for expanding both the quantity and quality of affordable housing in our community,” he said from the stage. “It’s the best opportunity for changing the very dynamics of poverty in our community, moving away from … the failed model of segregating people by income, which too often means segregating people by race.” Instead of the current system, Norris proposes one which would create a mixed-income, integrated neighborhood that would maximize available space. 

Norris was joined on the stage by Councilor Julian Taliaferro and challenger Kristin Szakos. While the former emphasized his concern over the 13.2 percent dropout rate in the city school system, Szakos said she is running because of her concern about the “city’s responsiveness to its citizens.”

Overall, there was great agreement among the three candidates, with the major difference concerning the embattled Meadowcreek Parkway. On that question, Norris again distinguished himself with a reasoned but strong response that detailed his opposition. “I don’t see what the city gets from this deal,” he said. “We’re putting a huge swath of asphalt through our largest park” that “will clog downtown streets” and “drive a stake through the downtown renaissance.”

 

Categories
Arts

Capsule Reviews

Adventureland (R, 106 minutes) Superbad director Greg Mottola sets young love and raunchy humor in an amusement park. But he does it endearingly. Read C-VILLE’s full review here. Playing at Regal Downtown Mall 6

Che, Part One (NR, 126 minutes) Steven Soderbergh directs Benicio “Mumbles” Del Toro in this lengthy biopic of the infamous Cuban revolutionary. Playing at Vinegar Hill Theatre

Crank: High Voltage (R, 85 minutes) Carefully bearded badass Jason Statham returns as a hitman in pursuit of the gangster who replaced his heart with a painfully rechargeable electric one. Wait, is this actually a tender romantic comedy? Maybe: Corey Haim is in it, too. Playing at Regal Downtown Mall 6

Dragonball Evolution (PG, 84 minutes) For those of you still choosing Pikachu, join Goku as he once again tracks down a collection of—you guessed it—dragonballs. Playing at Regal Downtown Mall 6

Duplicity (PG-13, 118 minutes) Julia Roberts and Clive Owen are competing spies and classy con artists and wary lovers and tediously glamorous movie stars. Tom Wilkinson and Paul Giamatti co-star and Tony Gilroy (Michael Clayton) directs. Playing at Regal Downtown Mall 6

Earth (G, 99 minutes) For Earth Day, which is when it opens, this documentary grandly observes a year in the life of our world, as elaborated through the true adventures of three animal families, and the voice of James Earl Jones. Opening Wednesday

Fast & Furious (PG-13) On the mean streets of L.A., Vin Diesel and Paul Walker turbo-charge the fourth outing of this popular  car-race franchise. Michelle Rodriguez co-stars. Playing at Carmike Cinema 6

Fighting (PG-13, 105 minutes) You have to love a movie title that doesn’t try too hard. A small-town rube with talented fists (Channing Tatum) finds himself recruited by a city scam-man (Terence Howard) to become the reigning bare-knuckle brawler of the New York underground. Opening Friday

Gomorrah (NR, 137 minutes) Winner of the Grand Prix at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, this flick follows the Camorra, an Italian mob, and its impact on five individual narratives. Playing at Vinegar Hill Theatre

Hannah Montana: The Movie (G, 98 minutes) In this big-screen take on the Disney Channel sitcom, Miley Cyrus once again stars as a peppy teen girl living a secret double life as a pop star. Her father is played by her real father, Billy Ray Cyrus. Playing at Regal Seminole Square 4

The Haunting in Connecticut (PG-13, 92 minutes) Wait, hold on—you’re telling us that the former funeral home that young Kyle and his family live in is haunted? Honestly, who haunts a funeral home? Playing at Carmike Cinema 6

I Love You, Man (R) Paul Rudd plays a dude with no dude friends who’s about to get married and needs a best man. After a few abortive man-dates, it’s Jason Segel to the rescue. But what if their budding bromance threatens the dude’s impending marriage? Playing at Regal Downtown Mall 6

Knowing (PG-13, 115 minutes) In this disaster-movie blockbuster, Nicolas Cage comes upon a 50-year-old time capsule containing coded, accurate predictions of global catastrophe. It’s up to him to save the planet. Playing at Carmike Cinema 6

Monsters vs. Aliens (PG, 94 minutes) The latest from DreamWorks, about a woman who makes some unlikely new friends after being transformed into an enormous monster. Fantastic Hollywood voice cast. Playing at Carmike Cinema 6

Observe and Report (R, 85 minutes) Seth Rogen takes on a role as a mall security guard who’s a little more Taxi Driver than Paul Blart. Read C-VILLE’s full review here. Playing at Carmike Cinema 6

Obsessed (PG-13, 108 minutes) In this thriller, Idris Elba and Beyonce Knowles play a happily married couple whose life together is challenged when hubby’s temp (Ali Larter) becomes his stalker. Opening Friday

Seventeen Again (PG-13, 102 minutes) Just as he’s beginning to wonder how his life got away from him, a somewhat reluctant husband and father played by Matthew Perry discovers himself suddenly, mysteriously played by Zac Efron instead. He decides to spy on his kids by attending their school. Regal Seminole Square 4

The Soloist (PG-13, 105 minutes) Read C-VILLE’s full review here. Opening Friday

State of Play (PG-13, 118 minutes) A shaggy muckracking journalist (Russell Crowe), on orders from his take-no-prisoners editor (Helen Mirren), investigates a dapper presidential candidate (Ben Affleck) whose mistress’ murder might point to a political cover-up. Playing at Regal Downtown Mall 6

Sunshine Cleaning (R, 91 minutes) Rose (Amy Adams) raises some much-needed cash by cleaning up crime scenes with her sister (Emily Blunt). Playing at Regal Downtown Mall 6
 

Categories
Living

Tift Merritt, on the rebound

There’s a lot to love about Tift Merritt. Her songs are Joni Mitchell by way of Appalachian alt-country; she looks like the product of some sort of heavenly Taylor Swift-meets-Liz Phair catfight. In conversation, she’s generous with her time and considerate with her answers, more so since the start of her monthly radio show, “The Spark,” where she’s interviewed the likes of Nick Hornby and Teddy Thompson.

And yet the cosmos truly seems to have it in for Merritt.

Trouble over me: Tift Merritt swaps her Gravity Lounge gig for a set at the Music Resource Center on Wednesday, April 22, with Shannon Worrell and the MRC’s stellar piano.

There was her “kidnapping” by a taxi driver in London—on the evening she was slated to record her new live album, Buckingham Solo, no less. Her gig at Gravity Lounge was momentarily in limbo when the Downtown Mall venue closed its doors. And, less than five minutes into our phone interview, Merritt simply disappeared from the line.
 
But Merritt rebounds well. Buckingham Solo is the sort of fan’s record that elevates Merritt’s best attributes—conversational Karen Carpenter vocals, a commanding grip on her guitar’s neck. Starr Hill Presents managed to relocate her April 22 gig to the Music Resource Center. And, moments after we were disconnected, Merritt was back on the line because, when you’re performing live, you learn to roll with the punches.

“I think the nature of playing live is that it’s a really fluid process—it just changes very naturally,” said Merritt. “You add a couple of songs, you put a different venue in, a different crowd in, and give yourself the freedom to make it a unique experience.”

In some ways, a live record might make for a more difficult tour. Buckingham Solo documents a pretty ideal Merritt show, a live set that seems all too tempting to repeat in its entirety. Feedback asked Merritt if she felt pressured to change her setlist after recording Buckingham.

“I think about it like, ‘I don’t want to do a setlist that’s exactly a studio tracklist, either,’” she answered. “You can take a snapshot of live music on one night and it looks one way, and you can take a snapshot of it another night and it looks another way.”

Building The Bridge

Don’t touch that Dial, because Feedback is climbing onto his soapbox. On Saturday, April 25 at 8pm, The Bridge/Progressive Arts Initiative hosts its first annual fundraiser, “The Revel: Anomalies.” The night kicks off with a “fairy welcome” and fake mustaches, hits a peak during an auction of works by some of the city’s finest artists, and finishes with a dance party and music from Wes Swing and Sarah White.

Tickets for the 11pm after-party start at $10 (and $20 gets you an open bar), while full admission for The Revel is $50. Feedback encourages you to take a look at page 35, where C-VILLE’s Erika Howsare previews top-notch work from the auction, and to give where you can.

I wanna live with The Cinnamon Band

There was no shortage of love for Great Lake Swimmers frontman Tony Dekker during his band’s set at Outback Lodge last week; it seemed at times like the only thing the man held longer than his fresh water-clear vocals was the gaze of a gaggle of gals. The high point of the night for Feedback, however, was an opening set by Staunton’s The Cinnamon Band, who passed him a copy of its new EP, Buena Vista, after its set. Watch C-VILLE next week for a review.

Categories
Arts

The Soloist raises a holy racket

As trade for rescue and partial rehabilitation, a brilliantly talented but extremely disadvantaged person of color changes a white man’s life. True story. It’s been documented in a major newspaper, and elaborated in book form. Now it’s a movie, because that’s what stories like this tend to become, especially when they’re true. The only pending question is how much it’ll matter that the white man is played by a guy who did a movie in blackface last year.

Helping hands: Journalist Steve Lopez (Robert Downey, Jr.) helps a schizophrenic music prodigy (Jamie Foxx) get a grip on his pastand his violin in The Soloist.

That would be Robert Downey, Jr., whose sharply antisentimental charisma is the most dramatically definitive feature of The Soloist and its saving grace. He plays Los Angeles Times columnist Steve Lopez, on whose book the film is based. The eponymous musician, played by Jamie Foxx, is the man Lopez one day discovered to be living from a shopping cart on the streets of L.A., scratching out Baroque and classical masterpieces on battered, half-stringless instruments to the applause of pigeons’ flapping wings. As Lopez soon discovered, Nathaniel Ayers was a musical prodigy, a poor Cleveland kid who got himself a scholarship to Juilliard in the ’70s—he was one of the few black students to do so—but developed severe schizophrenia there and couldn’t stay. Perfect column-fodder, in other words.
 
Lopez gets interested in Ayers right away—just as he gets antsy about having any kind of real relationship with the guy, let alone any responsibility to him. “I don’t want to be his only thing,” the columnist complains to his editor and ex, played with typical wizened appeal by Catherine Keener. She sees through him, of course. What matters is whether he’ll be able to see through himself. Actually, this is something a schizophrenic musical genius might know a thing or two about.

And yes, Foxx’s performance—compelling, if contrived—is fine. But the movie belongs to Downey. He plays the obligatory voice-over narration with just the right amount of calculation and detachment, as if everything Lopez says—and feels and thinks—is an early draft of his column being brainstormed, read aloud and sounded out.

Otherwise, and probably with the noble intention to avoid nobility, writer Susannah Grant and director Joe Wright take a rather literal approach to The Soloist. Even Wright’s experiments with getting inside Ayers’ broken, beautiful mind seem perfunctory. In one scene, Lopez takes Ayers to a concert, and as the music swells, the picture fades into corresponding color-field abstractions. This is a filmmaker who, in Atonement, improbably restaged the entire Allied evacuation of Dunkirk, but where the ephemeral beauties of Beethoven’s Third Symphony are concerned, the best thing he can come up with is basically an iTunes screensaver.

It’s not that Wright lacks vision (or hearing). There’s also an inspired—and, indeed, plot-motivated—moment of music played against straight-down shots of the city from cruising-altitude elevation. It happens only briefly, during a needed narrative transition, but the point is well-made, and taken: Listen, it suggests, to how transporting this really is, how elevated you can feel, even amid the inescapable noise.