Party on Earth: E.T.s have crash-landed on Earth just in time for Studio 51: An Out of This World New Year’s Eve party. The Studio 54-meets-Area-51 event will feature dangerous intergalactic art installations, dancing, and a champagne toast at midnight. And the evening wouldn’t be complete without alien queens emerging from a wrecked UFO to strut their space walk at the Vixen Drag Show before DJ MGM beams in the tunes.
Friday 12/31. $30–40, 9pm. IX Art Park, 522 Second St. SE. ixartpark.org
Didn’t it feel good to see that first live show after nearly a year without live music? The return of concerts this summer fall and marked one major bright spot in 2021, a year that was otherwise filled with uncertainty. (In some cases, even festivals came back!) But the pseudo-post-pandemic music scene looks much different. Wait times and lines at most venues are long, as proof of vaccination is checked at the door, and most club shows continue to be masked at the request of artists. Kudos to the artists, venues, and production companies that have been working hard to keep the industry afloat while providing a safe and comfortable experience for audiences.
While touring has been inconsistent, there’s one robust constant: creativity. There’s been no lack of new music in our region. It’s important to support the artists and venues in our community from the ground up—purchase tickets, purchase merch, and purchase music—and there’s a lot to choose from. Here’s a slice of central Virginia’s creative output in 2021.
DJ Harrison, Tales from the Old Dominion (funk): Inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement and the removal of Confederate statues in his hometown of Richmond, DJ Harrison crafted a multifaceted commentary on race and space that taps into his prowess in a variety of genres, from funk and jazz to garage rock and punk. With Jimi Hendrix and Roy Ayers covers sprinkled in, Tales from the Old Dominion makes for a captivating listen.
Lucy Dacus, Home Video (indie): Released over the summer, Lucy Dacus’ opus still holds up at the end of the year, with predictions of album of the year coming to fruition: Home Video is NPR Music’s No. 3 album of the year, Consequence of Sound’s No. 6, and one of the top 30 rock albums of year as ranked by Pitchfork. The Richmond singer-songwriter’s well-deserved ascent is a triumph, and on Home Video, she harkens back to where she came from—creating an intimate portrait that draws on her high school experiences and also serves as a spotlight on our region, with music videos shot in downtown Richmond.
Diet Cig, Don’t Like Driving Like I Used To + Live at Studio Two Three (pop-punk): The duo of Alex Luciano and Noah Bowman recently relocated from New York to Richmond, and settled in with an EP of reimagined songs from their 2020 album, Do You Wonder About Me?. On the heels of this three-song set came the release of Live at Studio Two Three, an album that showcases Diet Cig’s unmatched live shows. While Bowman holds down the beat on the drum kit, Luciano bounces around the stage, accenting her fluid vocals with buoyant jumps and high kicks—making Diet Cig a solid addition to the commonwealth.
Clown around: He’s tall, wears white face paint, and…he’s really sad. Puddles Pity Party features a morose seven-foot-tall clown with a hidden talent—he sings. Puddles’ booming baritone and operatic rendition of Sia’s “Chandelier” earned him a trip to the quarterfinals on the 12th season of “America’s Got Talent,” and his “Still Sequestered” streaming show has welcomed Jack Black, Howie Mandel, Patton Oswalt, and others. Puddles’ mostly mute live show mixes silent prop comedy, audience participation, and soulful renditions into an absurdly enjoyable evening.
Wednesday 12/22. $27–53, 8pm. The Jefferson Theater, 110 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. jeffersontheater.com
Since the beginning of the pandemic, Charlottesville has lost more than 20 restaurants. And while we mourn the losses, there’s plenty to be excited about, too. The year has seen 30 new restaurants and a bustling food court open. As we tally things up at the end of another tumultuous year, all signs point to a culinary comeback.
From well-established brands to visionary new ventures, there’s plenty to dig in to. But before we roll out the red carpet for our newcomers, let’s take a moment to thank the local spots that weren’t able to weather the slowdown, but still left a lasting impression on the culture and taste buds of our city.
Charlottesville staples Tokyo Rose and The Shebeen Pub & Braai closed their doors this year after a combined 29 years of service.
We lost some newbies in Kama, a modern Japanese venture, and Glaze Burgers and Donuts. And some hot spots have moved on in less permanent ways. Lampo Neapolitan Pizzeria and Keevil & Keevil Grocery and Kitchen both offer online-only ordering, while hoping to get back to in-person service in the future. Moe’s Original BBQ closed its downtown branch, but continues serving Southern soul food at its Ivy Road location. Junction in Belmont has put its accessible Southwestern plates on pause. All these restaurants have been important cultural touchstones for the community over the years. (One, Tokyo Rose, even moonlighted as a goth nightclub).
The biggest foodie boon this year might be the opening of Dairy Market, a modern food hall that began serving hungry customers in December of 2020. With 16 eateries and two retailers, visitors can score a cone at Moo Thru, a burger at Citizen Burger Stand, lumpia at the food truck-turned-brick-and-mortar restaurant Manila Street, and mac ‘n’ cheese at Angelic’s Kitchen—or hit South and Central Latin Grill, an upscale, casual full-service restaurant. And across the street is Cou Cou Rachou, a new French bakery from pastry chef Rachel De Jong.
The Shops at Stonefield introduced Akira Ramen & Sushi and Torchy’s Tacos, and the “coming soon” Organic Krush Lifestyle Eatery.
The Downtown Mall welcomed Crush Pad Wines, an intimate location to sample fine wines from all over the globe, and Café Frank, a casual eatery with a classic French style by the notable chef Jose de Brito. In addition, a familiar place got a new look when a rebranded Citizen Bowl became Lucky Blue’s Bar, with a menu update that keeps customer favorites intact.
Some old favorites offered new options this year. The Monsoon Siam team expanded to two new locations—in Crozet, Coconut Thai Kitchen boasts many of Monsoon’s popular dishes, and Pineapples Thai Kitchen is a welcoming bright spot in the former Timbercreek Market space in the Coca Cola building. Al Carbón added a second location at 5th Street Station.
The debut of Laura Fonner’s first restaurant, Siren, had food followers buzzing, as Fonner, the former executive chef at Duner’s Restaurant, revealed her culinary vision of Mediterranean cuisine with a seafood focus. Next to Siren, Vision BBQ offers classic smoky goodness and comfort sides from former Maya cooks.
Students on the Corner are enjoying new options at Inka Grill Peruvian Cuisine and Sammy’s On The Corner. You’ll find upscale dining at The Ridley (modern Southern cuisine), Keswick Hall’s Marigold by Jean-Georges (“rustic chic”), and The Wool Factory’s Broadcloth (elegance in a historic textile mill).
Finally, we have hearty sandwiches from Taste Shack and good ol’ surf sammys and baskets from Skrimp Shack—and love it or hate it, the new Chick-Fil-A is now open at the Barracks Road Shopping Center.
Cheers to the next one: Count down the last hours of 2021 with local favorite Chamomile and Whiskey at A Heartbreaker New Year’s Eve. The band rings in the new year with its signature blend of roots, rock, and Americana, and promises a fun night full of surprises, including a special Tom Petty tribute set from Cville All Star. Enjoy a selection of food and drink, and take things up a notch by dressing like a true “Heartbreaker” and reserving a VIP booth stocked with champagne for your group.
Friday 12/31. $25–250, 8pm. Fry’s Spring Beach Club, 2512 Jefferson Park Ave. frysspring.org
On pointe: Christmastime favorite The Royal Ballet’s HD broadcast of The Nutcracker follows Clara and her enchanted Nutcracker doll as they battle the Mouse King, journey through the Kingdom of Sweets, and dance with a delightful array of characters. Tchaikovsky’s beloved music accompanies Peter Wright’s production of the Russian classic.
Thursday 12/30. $11–15, 7pm. The Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. theparamount.net
Reviewing 2021’s cinematic output is different from years past. Not only were more movies watched at home this year, but there are no clearly defined trends to speak of. (Showing grand productions like West Side Story and intimate actor showcases like Mass in side-by-side multiplex theaters is enough to induce cinefile whiplash.)
One reliable throughline, though, is the value of living your truth. This year’s best films are cautionary tales that show the risks of bottling up, journeys where a nugget of validity is found, and celebrations embracing uniqueness.
Benedetta
Paul Verhoeven’s take on horny nuns in the 17th century goes far beyond what is being described as “Showgirls in a convent.” The film is unabashedly salacious, but don’t ignore Benedetta’s self-aware winking at sexuality and religion as it gets gloriously messy. The film begins when a young girl’s prayer to God is answered by a bird pooping into a man’s eye, and its playful handling of piety only escalates from there.
Parallel Mothers
Comparing the lives of two women from the moment they give birth onward might have fallen apart in the hands of another director, but Pedro Almodóvar nails it. Janis and Ana (Penélope Cruz and Milena Smit) have little in common, but a maternal bond brings them together and they connect in the beginning of their respective motherhoods. Smit gives an incredible performance as the younger half of the duo who carries complicated emotions through a complex, unpredictable journey.
The Power of the Dog
Adapted by Jane Campion from the Thomas Savage novel, The Power of the Dog deals heavily with toxic masculinity that has overstayed its welcome in the no-longer-wild West. Stunning cinematography frames this caustic, revelatory western in which Phil (Benedict Cumberbatch) might be a bully cattle driver, but the closer we get to him the more we learn about the emotional complications bubbling under his seldom-bathed surface.
Swan Song
Indulgent, touching, and wholly unconcerned with believability, Swan Song is equal parts nostalgia and the refusal to be defined by it. Udo Kier’s turn as Pat, a hairdresser coming out of retirement for one last coiff who goes on a strut down memory lane, is one of the year’s best performances. His near-perfect good luck along the way may bring about some disbelief in the audience, but not in Pat. He is the center of his story and relishes every single lumen of that spotlight.
Titane
French director Julia Ducournau’s second feature film might seem difficult to watch, but it was awarded the Palme d’Or at Cannes for its brilliance. Tracing one person’s transformation through a series of occurrences in a short period of time, the film is sexy and violent. The characters are difficult to relate to, and it is fascinating to watch. Titane defies genre classification, but borrows from horror masters David Cronenberg and John McNaughton. Easily the least accessible film on this year’s list, but also the most fearless.
The Lost Daughter
Maggie Gyllenhaal’s directorial debut is stunning. Olivia Colman is Leda, a university professor on holiday in Greece. The serene beach and her stacks of books are the perfect escape until a loud family arrives and dominates the seaside village. As their behavior grates on her, memories flood back, and Ledas’s days as a young mother return to haunt her. Jessie Buckley plays the younger Leda, and the two actresses sync perfectly as a tag team portraying Leda’s entangled relationship with motherhood and career.
Barb and Star Go To Vista Del Mar
We all deserve a film as heartfelt, audacious, and escapist as this. Barb and Star (Annie Mumolo and Kristen Wiig) are two Nebraska natives who love their cozy, beige lives. Through an act of kismet the lifelong friends find themselves with a little extra cash and no real responsibilities, and at the urging of a friend they head to Vista Del Mar. Barb and Star encounter henchmen, talking crabs, and a few musical numbers along the way that launch the movie from a silly, sex-positive flick to downright mesmerizing.
What traits would you like to see in Charlottesville’s next police chief? What seasonal events are you excited to see return? If you had a warning label, what would it say?
These are among this year’s C-VILLE Question of the Week. For most people, the answers to those questions would cover a pretty broad range of topics. But for the Twitter account @Luffa_Klein, all these queries come back to the same subject: The Dewberry Hotel.
All year, multiple times per month, the avatar-less Twitter account has responded to our question, almost always finding a way to tie our prompt back to the unfinished steel shell that’s been sitting on the Downtown Mall for more than a decade, neglected by owner after owner.
When asked to describe the perfect burger, @Luffa_Klein wrote, “My perfect burger is made with ‘organic meat’ from the Jungle Project fed ‘cows’ at the unfinished disaster Dewberrry Living!” To a question about the very best theater experiences, @Luffa_Klein responded, “Recent favorite theater experience is the Dewberry Mystery Drama. A dark scary unbelievable saga about an unfinished screaming disaster jungle project in mid C’Ville with a tragic NO ending. Get ready C’Ville it’s scare!” And on, and on, and on.
We delighted in the creative, off-the-wall answers—and we started to wonder. Who was behind @Luffa_Klein? And what did the Dewberry ever do to him?
Well, I’m pleased to report that we were able to track down our man of mystery. The person behind the @Luffa_Klein account wants to remain anonymous, but C-VILLE can confirm that he’s a longtime Charlottesville resident—and he’s been having just as much fun with the Question of the Week as we have. “I made it a sport, so to speak,” he says.
When it comes to the Dewberry, “I think it’s ridiculous,” he says. “It appears unsafe, it doesn’t make sense. I’m not a lawyer, I’m not an activist, I’m not politically involved, really… [But] it just sits there as a graveyard monument.”
As it happens, there’s been some movement around the building in recent weeks—graffiti has been removed, and so has the sign on the front of the building that said “Coming summer 2009.”
“The current work being done is a temporary art installation by The Friends of the Downtown Mall,” says city spokesman Joe Rice. “As far as the status of the building, it is my understanding that the owner is actively looking at options and a plan could materialize at some point in 2022.”
For @Luffa_Klein, anything is better than what’s there now. “I don’t mind a hotel,” he says. “I just want to see it finished. Whoever comes up with a good idea.”
The Best of @Luffa_Klein
What’s your go-to karaoke song?
“My karaoke success is always the Dewberry Serenade. Always full of surprises and no solutions. Refrain goes ‘unfinished (14 years) disaster jungle concrete monument not removed from beautiful downtown.’ Sing along C’Ville.”
How do you expect the UVA basketball teams to fair this year?
“UVA basketball teams will do just fine this season as long they don’t have to practice at terrible incomplete concrete rumble monument Dewberry (many names) in C’Ville center…FIRE ALL INVOLVED!”
What’s been the biggest success in your garden this summer?
“My success grow this summer has been Jungle Weed growing for FREE at the down town C’Ville unfinished (14 years) disaster Dewberry concrete monument that wasn’t taken down or removed. Shame on you C’Ville!”
What’s your beverage of choice this summer?
“My best all time drink is Dewberry Sour but hard to make sense of. Hard to learn because ingredients changes name all the time. Hard to make because it takes time (14 years) and hard to drink because you can swallow the unbelievable nonsense in a empty glass.”
The change of season may inspire you toward big, bold reds, but there are many white wines worthy of attention during the colder months. These options include sparkling wines, wines made from grape varieties that produce heavier styles, white wines with more textural complexity, and sweet and luscious dessert wines. The Virginia Wine Board marketing office is working with area wine shops to turn the spotlight on local winter whites, and here are some recommendations to pique your interest.
Though it often takes center stage as an accompaniment to holiday parties and New Year’s celebrations, sparkling wine should be served year-round, as it brings a sense of celebration to any occasion, is easy to drink on its own, and pairs with almost any food. More Virginia wineries are producing sparkling wines, but Thibaut-Janisson continues to be the standard-bearer for high-quality sparkling wine made in the traditional method (the same winemaking technique used for champagne). Trump Winery deserves mention for producing excellent sparkling wines for many years. Its 2014 Sparkling Reserve, one of the 12 wines selected for the 2021 Governor’s Case, is an example of the quality that winemaker Jonathan Wheeler produces.
White wines can show more weight because of the grape variety, certain winemaking techniques, or a combination of both. Viognier fits this niche nicely, with full-bodied wines with textural complexity and full fruit flavors reminiscent of apricot, peaches, and other stone fruits. Veritas Vineyard and Winery produces an excellent example that is round and full on the palate with a long, opulent finish. Similarly, petit manseng expresses flavors of tropical fruits combined with a full body that comes at least partially from slightly higher alcohol levels. Michael Shaps Wineworks is recognized for making petit manseng in a dry, structured style (something becoming more and more popular in Virginia).
By producing white wines in contact with their skins, a technique usually reserved for reds, winemakers can transform the character into something more complex and more highly textured. These wines, referred to as orange or amber, are not for everyone but are often intriguing, delicious, and great options to pair with food. Rkatsiteli is an ancient white grape that historically has been made with skin contact, and Stinson Vineyards produces a version here in Virginia known as Wildkat. Perfect for those looking for a lesser-known variety or something a little different to try.
Lastly, dessert wines are often overlooked but can be just right for winter. These full-bodied, full-flavored, luscious wines are perfect for sitting by a fire, paired with dessert, or served on their own as dessert in a glass. Two great options are the Barboursville Vineyards Paxxito, winner of the 2021 Governor’s Cup, and the Keswick Vineyards Nektar. The Keswick wine is produced from 100 percent petit manseng grapes, mimicking one of the traditional expressions of the varietal in southern France, from where it originates.
Add some winter sparkle to your glass
Thibaut-Janisson Extra Brut NV ($36)
Thibaut-Janisson offers four wines, but the extra brut is the most serious and complex. It’s made with 100 percent chardonnay grapes from the first pressing (considered to be the best quality juice) with a higher proportion of older reserve wine added to increase complexity. Share this with your loved ones and closest friends.
Trump Winery 2015 Blanc de Noir ($55)
The 2014 sparkling reserve was included in the 2021 Virginia Governor’s Cup case and is now sold out. This alternative recently won America’s Best Sparkling Wine at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. Flavors of citrus, green apple, and Asian pear combine with hints of chestnuts and brioche.
Veritas Vineyards and Winery 2020 Viognier ($27)
Flavors of apricots, peaches, and other stone fruits combine with a rich, broad texture to bring weight to this wine that has a refreshing acidity that lifts the finish.
Michael Shaps Wineworks 2017 Petit Manseng ($35)
Tropical fruit flavors such as pineapple and mango predominate this dry wine, the heaviest white wine the winery produces, which presents with a full mouthfeel while maintaining high acidity. Barrel fermentation and aging in oak bring more texture and weight to an already structured wine.
Stinson Vineyards 2019 Wildkat ($29)
Skin contact results in a darker amber color, increased texture on the palate (from tannins), and flavors of oranges, almonds, and bruised apples. Serve warmer than most white wines and pair with heavier foods.
Barboursville Vineyards 2017 Paxxito ($35/375ml bottle)
Made in the traditional Italian method of drying grapes (appassimento) and concentrating sugar, acidity, and flavor. Sweet with honeyed fruits, pears, and almonds followed by a long, full finish.
Keswick Vineyards 2019 Nektar ($45/375ml bottle)
A floral nose accompanies flavors of honey, apricot, and mango, which give this wine a long, sweet, acidic finish.
The act of running can be solitary and isolating—a way to get the recommended 30 minutes of exercise a day and nothing more. “To be honest, I don’t like running,” says Derrick J. Waller. “I’m not sure if I will ever like running.” Surprisingly, Waller is a member of the local Prolyfyck Run Creww.
Prolyfyck isn’t just an exercise group. The organization was founded by runner William Jones III over a decade ago, when he realized he wasn’t seeing many other Black runners. The support he received when he ran through Charlottesville’s predominantly Black neighborhoods led him to start the group’s first iteration, Run These Streets, alongside James Dowell and Dr. Wes Bellamy. Later rebranded as the Prolyfyck Run Creww, (from Nipsey Hussle’s song “Victory Lap”), the group rejects the suppression and co-opting of the talent of Black and brown people by celebrating running, and working for the empowerment of the community.
Three mornings a week, runners meet in front of the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center and embark on a walk, run, or jog (all levels of athleticism are welcome). The workouts raise awareness and funds for local causes including The Uhuru Foundation, B.U.C.K. Squad, and Reclaimed Hope Initiative, as well as for PTSD awareness, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, and the #stopasianhate movement. PRC also hosts annual teen gift card and toy drives to support local kids.
Running with Prolyfyck is about more than breaking a sweat. “It’s building mental toughness that I can apply throughout life,” says Waller. “This crew means everything to me because they encourage me to accomplish. This is my family.”
Waller, a documentary photographer, began photographing the Prolyfyck Run Creww in 2019. “I had no clue if the group would want to use my pictures or not, but I figured shooting the events would be good practice for me.” Three years later, he has carefully combed through thousands of images to create his debut solo exhibition, “A Good Cry.”
“A Good Cry” at Studio IX tells the story of a community filled with love, hope, joy, and growth. “The Creww welcomes all,” Waller says. “However, a major focus is the empowerment of those in the historically marginalized Black and brown communities. My goal was to show this through the work. I want us to be seen. I want us to be heard. I want us to be felt.”
Waller’s black-and-white photographs capture moments of human connection: Runners hustle up hills, faces contorted in agony or glee, toward finish lines teeming with cheering teammates. Hugs of relief and triumph are shared, and a small tap on the back offers support mid-run. Children run alongside the adults, and fathers hold their victorious sons on their shoulders.
Family was a driving force for Waller when creating “A Good Cry,” which is dedicated to his late mother, who passed away 10 years ago this month. “It was her unexpected passing that led me to photography,” he says. “It was the wake-up call for me to stop thinking about picking up a camera and actually do it.” He had his camera ready years later when his 4-month-old daughter was laying in bed, and stuck her little fist up. The resulting image is a serene portrayal of hope and strength—a chubby baby’s fist raised upward, surrounded by ethereal light.
Other moments of quiet strength appear throughout “A Good Cry.” One large photograph shows William Jones III almost entirely submerged in the Rivanna River, his fists and head held above water, a look of intense focus on his face. Nothing strange about that—except it was February and the temperature was below 20 degrees. “Will mentioned that he was going to do some natural cryotherapy and take a dip in the Rivanna,” says Waller. “I don’t think anyone believed him.” Waller snapped his shots during Jones’ brave three-minute dip.
“A Good Cry” is on display at Studio IX as part of The Prolyfyck Exhibition Series, a year-long program in support of local artists who run, and organizations that work to uplift our community. The idea for an art show came when Creww member and Studio IX curator Greg Kelly realized this group of everyday athletes had something else in common. “It became apparent that the Prolyfyck community included a number of artists, some of whom had never seen themselves as such or shown their work before,” says Kelly.
Every month, a different artist from the Creww exhibits work and chooses a local organization as the beneficiary of artwork sales. Waller chose to support Cultivate Charlottesville, a local non-profit working to create food equity, which fosters a community garden on the Prolyfyck Run Creww’s regular route through the city.
Clearly not in it just for the exercise, Waller includes an inspiring excerpt from Prolyfyck’s mission statement in his exhibition: “working together with a spirit of unity and love to create a world where everyone can be prolyfyck!”
“It’s just running, right?” says Waller. “I dare you to come find out.”