One year ago, the Melichenko family was forced to flee their home country of Belarus following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The family of gifted musicians touched down in Virginia, and can be found performing at venues around town, including the Downtown Mall. Husband and wife Sergiy and Tetiana both studied accordion, and are established and honored college professors of folk music. Their son, Vladyslav, is an accordion wizard, and their daughter, Anastasia, a young violin virtuoso. The Melichenko’s set includes Ukrainian folk music, as well as some covers of popular songs. All donations will go to the family as they navigate the complexities and expenses of extending their visas.
Saturday 3/4. $10 suggested donation, 11am. The Front Porch, 221 E. Water St. frontporchcville.org
Take a thoughtful deep dive into food and farming traditions with Michael Carter Jr., who kicks off the Piedmont Master Gardeners’ spring lecture series with Africulture and Unique Organic Vegetables You’ll Want in Your Home Garden. Carter highlights how people of African descent have contributed to U.S. agriculture, and will also introduce organically grown plants and African tropical vegetables from Carter Farms. Carter is also director of Africulture, a nonprofit that “highlights, shares, and enhances the principles, practices, plants and people of African descent that have and continue to contribute to the time-honored, dignified field and vocation of agriculture.”
Kylie Britt, Tasha Durrett, and Reggie Leonard at Wine Fest. Photo by Paige Poprocky.
An eager crowd of more than 300 people gathered at The Wool Factory’s Wine Fest in late January. The ambitious tasting connected a broad range of Virginia’s smaller producers to the public over the course of five hours, as part of the venue’s mission to further establish a community around Virginia wine.
Kylie Britt, The Wool Factory’s wine director, says the overall intention of the hospitality site is to highlight local craft products, and offer a curated selection to its guests. Wine Fest addressed that mission by giving lesser-known beverage makers an outlet to expand their reach, and by offering customers a tasting experience not normally available. Sixteen producers from as far away as the Shenandoah Valley and northern Virginia poured and discussed their products at the event. “When wine drinkers can directly talk to and learn from winemakers, it enhances understanding and appreciation of the craft,” says Britt.
Even before opening, the WF team began collaborating with Joy Ting, a local independent winemaker (who is married to this writer), to produce a line of small batch, locally produced Virginia wine under The Wool Factory label. The discussions with Ting were also the genesis for The Workshop, an onsite boutique that includes a retail wine store that not only champions Virginia wine, but highlights smaller producers and winemaker side projects that often don’t have their own locations for tastings and sales.
Kathy Wiedemann, who drove two hours from northern Virginia to attend, says it was a unique opportunity. “I looked at the lineup of producers that were going to be pouring and I just knew I had to attend. I opted to stay overnight … so there was some additional cost to it for me, but it was well worth it.”
Patois Cider’s Patrick Collins served his own products at Wine Fest, and says he observed one of the most diverse groups he’d poured for in Virginia. “The producers, all with their own creative perspectives and intentions, presented their work themselves, divorced from serene tasting room vistas or other distraction,” says Collins. “We were all there to focus on what was in the glass and why.”
Wine educator Reggie Leonard attended Wine Fest as an enthusiast, and says he loved seeing friends from Charlottesville, Richmond, and northern Virginia all under the same roof. “This event felt very emblematic of some of my hopes and even some of the best ways I’ve experienced Virginia wine as a whole—warm, inclusive, interesting, and well done,” says Leonard, who was also impressed with the creativity and new ideas. He says he tasted wines that ranged “from reds and whites, and grapes and peaches, to dry and sparkly, and sweet and herbaceous.”
Britt agrees that this type of event is a great forum for winemakers to flex their creative skills and push the boundaries of wine and cider as we know it.
It also shows how far Virginia wine has advanced, says Domaine Finot’s Matthieu Finot, who sees a place for his own wine craft in the small producer movement. “It is the crowd that I like to be associated with, the trailblazers of the indie winemaking scene,” says Finot. “Not sure how to describe us, but definitely slightly outside the norm.”
The takeaway for producers and consumers is a unique view of the current state of Virginia wine, and a glimpse of what things might look like going forward. As he was making plans to attend, Leonard says, “I couldn’t wait to be in the room where a renaissance was happening.”
Learn more about the producers featured at Wine Fest:
Building community through movement, the Prolyfyck Run Creww welcomes all to “run together, not against each other” three times a week. Photo by Derrick J. Waller.
I’ve been drawn to Prolyfyck Run Creww since I first heard about it. This group of runners and walkers gathers every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, to tackle a more-than-four-mile route through Charlottesville’s historically Black neighborhoods.
Participants emphasize community over speed, representation and inclusion over individual achievement. Predawn they’re on the streets together moving, chatting, cheering each other on in a quest to change what it means to be “a runner” in this city, as this excerpt from their mission statement (see prolyfyck.com) makes clear: “Our goal is to continue shedding light on the impact of racism, both past and present, rejecting those who would suppress or co-opt the talent of Black and Brown people, claiming ownership over their creativity. Instead we encourage all to look deep within themselves to find their gifts and tap into their passions, working together with a spirit of unity and love to create a world where everyone can be prolyfyck.”
What and why
A predawn walk with Prolyfyck Run Creww because even though I don’t run anymore (wonky back), I crave the energy of communal morning workouts.
How it went
In full disclosure, I ran once before with this exhilarating group, and I walked with them on Thanksgiving. Leaders William Jones III, James “Littlez” Dowell, and Katherine (Kat) Lawrence spoke to my sports journalism class. I’ve read The New York Times piece about Jones’ vision and mission, and I’ve watched the Prolyfyck documentary. Why, then, did I continue to make excuses (too early, too cold, too creaky), when I could be out there three days a week getting strong and building community?
Maybe it’s because Prolyfyck invites you to feel things you’re not sure you want to feel, and question what you may not be willing to question. Moving with them feels like a celebration, and by the end, a party, but you work body, heart, and soul—could I commit to that challenge?
I pulled into the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center parking lot at 5:46am, muttering “early, cold, creaky,” and halfway hoping I could use the “whoops, too late” excuse. Just my luck, some friendly folks greeted me, and next thing I knew I was off, strolling toward West Main in the warm glow of veteran walker Sue’s pink LED lights.
From there it was sweet momentum in the morning streets, as I took in the sugared air wafting from Albemarle Baking Company; the dexterity with which Sue used her trash grabber to snag litter; the definition of landmarks as the sky brightened; and then—a left turn into the neighborhood surrounding Mt. Zion First African Baptist Church.
In 20 years I had walked these unfamiliar streets twice—each time with Prolyfyck. I glimpsed a flower-strewn memorial on my right. I eyed the steep hill up Lankford. I slowed. I reflected. I recognized this town’s gaps and grief. I respected the grace that invited and accompanied me there. I resolved to be worthy.
Past 10th and Page, through Westhaven, we walked and talked, acknowledging the past, meeting the present. Sue introduced me to Bernard, who waved from his porch. At the peak of the final hill, nicknamed Cold Shower, we waited, cheering, as runners sprinted to the top. Did I feel embarrassed that all I’d done was walk half of what they ran? That all I’d done was show up one morning, when these athletes do the work—creating connection to fight inequity—every day? Yep.
But Prolyfyck centers community, not self-conscious sexagenarians, and soon I was just part of the sweating, jubilant crowd making its way down West Main and back to the JSAACH parking lot. I was the last one, and they waited for me—stretching and chatting against the pink sunrise.
Jones and Dowell shared announcements and called on us to care for those hurting and struggling in our neighborhoods. Then a group photo. Laughter. Hugging. And folks headed out.
A celebration, yes, and a benediction. I’d arrived uncertain at 5:46am; I drove home euphoric at 7:15am. The question now—still—is: Can I, will I, commit?
Prolyfyck Run Creww
Meet at 5:45am to walk, 6am to run, through historically Black Charlottesville neighborhoods.
Monica Pedynkowski at Studio Ix. All images courtesy of the galleries.
Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library 2450 Old Ivy Rd. “Visions of Progress” and other permanent exhibitions.
Botanical Fare 421 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. “Paths and Roads,” oils by Julia Kindred. Through April 24.
Chroma Projects Inside Vault Virginia, Third St. SE. “The Deep Heart’s Core,” memories from Karen Duncan Pape’s recent photographic explorations summoning the spirit of Ireland. Through March. First Fridays opening.
The Connaughton Gallery Rouss & Robertson Halls, UVA Grounds. “Pink Dreams and Counting Sheep,” works by Lesli DeVito and Piper Groves. Through March 3. Reception February 9.
Create Gallery InBio, 700 Harris St. Oil paintings by Kris Bowmaster. Through March. First Fridays opening.
Erin and Gordon Blair at Crozet Artisan Depot.
Crozet Artisan Depot 5791 Three Notch’d Rd., Crozet. “Nature’s Canvas,” acrylic over knotty pine wood by Erin and Gordon Blair of Blair Family Woodcraft. Through March. Meet the artists March 18.
C’ville Arts Cooperative Gallery 118 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. “Art is Good Therapy and Good Therapy is an Art,” works by Innisfree Village. Through March.
The Fralin Museum of Art at UVA 155 Rugby Rd., UVA Grounds. New exhibitions include “Look Three Ways: Maya Painted Pottery,” “Processing Abstraction,” “N’dakinna Landscapes Acknowledged,” and “Radioactive Inactives: Patrick Nagatani & Andrée Tracey.”
Greencroft Club 575 Rodes Dr. “Landscapes and More,” acrylics by Matalie Deane and oils and pastels by Julia Kindred. Through March 31.
Jefferson School African American Heritage Center 233 Fourth St. NW. “Picture Me As I Am: Mirror and Memory in the Age of Black Resistance” showcases a selection of portraits taken of African Americans at the Holsinger Studio. Through April 29.
Les Yeux du Monde 841 Wolf Trap Rd. “The Denial of Death” by Russ Warren. Opens March 11.
Live Arts Theater 123 E. Water St. “Secondary Worlds,” pen and ink drawings and collage on paper and wood by Steve Haske. Through April 30. First Fridays opening.
Loving Cup Vineyard & Winery 3340 Sutherland Rd., North Garden. “Vineyards and Springtime” showcases oils and acrylics by Julia Kindred and Matalie Deane, respectively. Through May 28. First Fridays opening.
Andrea Ruedy Trimble at McGuffey Art Center.
McGuffey Art Center 201 Second St. NW. In the Smith Gallery, “Critical Lines,” ink and watercolor by Andrea Ruedy Trimble. In the first and second floor hallway galleries, “Blackity Black Black,” a group show including pieces by Myra Anderson, Somé Louis, Kweisi Morris, and more. In the Associate Gallery, “Floral,” works from associate artists. In the Fralin Little Museum at McGuffey, “Deeper Meaning” by Misty Mawn.
Milli Coffee Roasters 400 Preston Ave. #150. Watercolors and photography by Nick Needle and Hayley Spear.
New City Arts 114 Third St. NE. Works by Jay Simple.
Northside Library 705 West Rio Rd. A group exhibition from the Charlottesville Camera Club.
Phaeton Gallery 114 Old Preston Ave. The Carriage Works Studios group show. Through March 4. First Fridays celebration.
PVCC Gallery V. Earl Dickinson Building, 501 College Dr. “Black Joy Is: Ferocious, Fearless, Forever, Female, For Me,” local and regional African American female artists examine what Black joy is through a variety of mediums. Through March 25.
Quirk Gallery 499 W. Main St. “Constant Anomalies,” hyper-realistic paintings by Suzanna Fields. Through April 16.
Random Row Brewery 608 Preston Ave. “Spring,” a joint show from Carolyn Ratcliffe and Terry M. Coffey featuring pastels, watercolors, and oils. Through April. Reception March 10.
Ruffin Gallery 179 Culbreth Rd. “every bit unrending, unreading,” new multimedia works by Anna Hogg. Through March 24.
Second Street Gallery 115 Second St. SE. In the Main Gallery, “Mother Tongue” by Valencia Robin. In the Dové Gallery, “Selected Works” by James Everett Stanley. Through March 24.
Studio Ix 969 Second St. SE. “Neither Here Nor There,” photography by Monica Pedynkowski. Through March 26. First Fridays opening.
Top Knot Studio 103 Fifth St. SE. “Mixed Bag—Paintings for Spring” by Kate Walter. First Fridays opening.
Tom Chambers (left) and Fax Ayres (right) at Vault Virginia.
Vault Virginia 300 E. Main St. “Tom Chambers and Fax Ayres: Everything is Extraordinary,” photographs using theater and light to describe the fantastical. Through May. First Fridays opening.
Visible Records 1740 Broadway St. “Lago Gatún” by Kevin Jerome Everson consists of two continuous-exposure films traveling south to north through the Panama Canal. Through March.
Director Ti Ames is booked and busy. The lifelong thespian, who first encountered musical theater at Live Arts as an 8-year old, is directing the community theater’s production of Crumbs from the Table of Joy, a touching memory play about a Black family, told through the eyes of 17-year-old Ernestine Crump as she comes of age in Brooklyn in 1950. Ames, who also acts and sings, serves as Live Arts’ education director, and will be directing Charlottesville Players Guild’s production of Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom this summer. Crumbs from the Table of Joy opens March 3. livearts.org
Age: 27
Pronouns: They/them
Hometown: Technically Baltimore, Maryland, but I’ve been in C’ville since I was 8 years old
Why here: My current full-time job brought me back home
Worst thing about living here: Subtle racism, queerphobia, and performative allyship that really ain’t all that subtle
Best thing about living here: My maternal ancestors were enslaved here and settled here after emancipation, so I love being closer to them, and nothing can beat these Blue Ridge Mountain views
Favorite hangout spot: My room
Favorite restaurant: Pearl Island and Yuan Ho carryout
Bodo’s order: Cinnamon raisin bagel with light cream cheese (a compromise for my lactose intolerance) and lemonade
Where do you start and end a night out: Start: usually work. End: my bed.
Who is your hero: Any Black person who chooses rest over work
Best advice you ever got: “It makes no sense to work in a different mindset than how you live. Give only 100 percent to yourself.”
Biggest lie you’ve ever told: I had a happy childhood (thank God for therapy and better communication skills)
Proudest accomplishment: Winning a national Shakespeare competition in high school and studying at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
Describe a perfect day: I’m tryna rest more these days: wake up early-ish, make breakfast, take a nap, get up to watch Netflix/sing a bit/take a walk, then a night in/out with friends.
Do you have any pets: None of my own, unfortunately. I just want another cat, man!
Most embarrassing moment: Y’all don’t need to know everything…
Bride and Prejudice. Image courtesy Miramax Films.
Celebrity crush: Two: Winston Duke and Sara Ramirez
Winston Duke. Image courtesy Walt Disney Pictures.
Favorite writer: bell hooks, Amiri Baraka
Favorite book: I’ll go for play—“The Slave,” by Amiri Baraka
Who’d play you in a movie: Dear God, I have no clue
Most used app on your phone: TikTok
Last text you sent: “Thank youuuuu”
Most used emoji:
If you could be reincarnated as a person or thing, what would you be: A domesticated house cat, hands down
What song are you listening to right now: Current hyper-fixation is “My Queen is Harriet Tubman,” by Sons of Kemet
Rio. Image courtesy 20th Century Fox.
What’s a song you pretend you don’t like because it’s embarrassing that you love it: “Hot Wings (I Wanna Party)” from the Rio Soundtrack
Subject that causes you to rant: Neurodivergence in Black culture
Best journey you ever went on: Driving from London to Edinburgh/attending Edinburgh Fringe
Next journey: Grad school?
Favorite word or curse word: I work with kids, so Ima chill on this one. I use the word beautimous (pronounced “bootimous”) quite a bit.
Hottest take/most unpopular opinion: It’s your responsibility as an adult to heal your trauma and seek out help to do so, no matter who caused it. Stop hurting people just ’cause you’ve been hurt.
What have you forgotten today: My brain, in four different places around town
