We’ll put just about anyone in The HotSeat—visiting performers, interesting professionals, local tastemakers—as long as they don’t mind answering a few of our hard-hitting questions (asking about a go-to Bodo’s order is the height of journalism, folks). Here are a few of our favorite answers from 2024.
Grad student/lecturer Chandler Jennings
Most embarrassing moment: A few years ago, I ran into an acquaintance from high school. We chatted for a bit, and then she kind of waved goodbye at me. I didn’t realize that it was a wave and reached out and clasped her hand, interlocking fingers, and we kind of rocked them back and forth for a sec before I disentangled and ran away.
Actress/musician Schuyler Fisk
Best advice you ever got: “You meet the same people on the way up that you meet on the way down.”—My mom [Sissy Spacek]
Podcast hosts Mendy St. Ours and Bree Luck
How did you settle on “Well, That Was Awkward” as a title and concept?
Mendy: Pretty much every day, people tell us about something awkward in their lives. Sometimes it’s a small story—like going to a PTA meeting with your skirt tucked into your drawers—or a BIG story, like your ex showing up at your wedding with a clown nose on.
Bree: That happened to me.
Local Girl Scouts Penny (age 10) and Beatrice (age 10)
What’s something about Girl Scouts that people would be surprised to learn?
Penny: We learn knife skills.
Most embarrassing moment:
Beatrice: When I accidentally said “farted” in front of the class instead of “started.”
Trivia host and Monticello tour guide Olivia Brown
If you could be reincarnated as a person or thing, what would you be? I think I’d like to be a millennial’s house plant. Just put me in a nice sunny spot, doted on day in and out, happily growing.
Charlottesville Ballet teacher Izabelly Gleed
What have you forgotten today? To buy eggs at the grocery store—I was too focused on planning my ballet classes!
Virginia Film Festival Artistic Director Ilya Tovbis
Why is supporting the arts important? Especially in our ever-more polarized society, I believe the arts are our best, most honest, and most direct way of connecting to, and understanding, those different from ourselves.
Comedian Brian Regan
What’s something about your job that people would be surprised to learn? I’m not funny every waking moment. And I’m not funny at all when I’m asleep.
Writer, organizer, director John Gibson
Favorite Charlottesville venue: Various basements, leaky warehouses, overgrown gardens, and fire traps, all long since condemned or torn down, replaced with things fancier, safer, and saner.
Musician Robert Earl Keen
Proudest accomplishment: Proudest accomplishment objectively is my two daughters. My oldest—when she was 5—she won the Miss Apple Dumpling Beauty Contest. It knocked me out of my chair and I was so proud.
Theater Director Bob Chapel
Favorite curse word? Or favorite word: (I’m) Sorry.
Looking back at the good, the bad, and the surprising from 2024.
By Caite Hamilton, Tami Keaveny, Catie Ratliff, and Susan Sorensen
We don’t know about you, but we love a list. Quick to read, easy to digest—what’s not to like?—they’re the perfect way to wrap up a long, eventful year of news, arts, and food coverage. Behold, all the naughty and nice things about 2024.
Ten headlines we were surprised to see
From January 1 onward, 2024 was a newsworthy year everywhere. And Charlottesville was no exception, making local and national news headlines. Here are 10 that surprised us this year.
March 20: Wildfire destroys multiple buildings at Twin Oaks
When a wildfire devastated two structures at Twin Oaks, including a processing and storage facility, the future of the intentional community was uncertain. Twin Oaks is still recovering nine months later, but it’s moving forward. The community closed its signature hammock business as a result of the fire, and is weighing what business it wants to pursue next.
April 29: Ukrop family sells Charlottesville Quirk Hotel
Four years after it opened, the Quirk Hotel Charlottesville was bought by Blue Suede Hospitality Group on April 29. The Ukrop family sold the four-story, West Main Street building for $24 million, $20 million more than they paid for the property in 2017. Renamed The Doyle Hotel, the spot retains many elements of the Quirk, including the popular rooftop bar.
May 4: UVA calls in state police to break up encampment, arrest students
Leaders at the University of Virginia called in Virginia State Police to break up a pro-Palestine encampment after days of peaceful demonstrations. More than two dozen people were arrested. Prosecutors and university officials eventually dropped all charges and no-trespass orders after months of public pressure.
May 28: Mel Walker dies at 71
Mel Walker, Charlottesville icon and owner of Mel’s Cafe, died on May 28 at the age of 71. Opened in 1989, the popular West Main Street eatery was not only a cherished soul-food restaurant, but a gathering place for Charlottesville’s Black community before it closed its doors permanently in July.
June 7: Local Food Hub announces imminent closure
Following the surprise announcement of its closure in early June, Local Food Hub ended its Fresh Farmacy program on July 15. The program offered clients a “prescription” for fresh produce and distributed more than 40,000 pounds of local produce in 2023. While fellow local nonprofit Cultivate Charlottesville offers fresh produce through community gardens, that organization is at risk of also closing if it does not raise enough funds by April 2025.
September 5: UVAHealth physicians and professors publish letter of no confidence
A group of physicians at the University of Virginia released an open letter on September 5 calling for the removal of UVA Health CEO Craig Kent and School of Medicine Dean Melina Kibbe. Allegations in the original letter included the creation of a toxic work environment and unsafe patient practices. In October, a group of surgeons also came forward, alleging that UVA has pressured providers to fraudulently raise bills.
September 21: Umma’s closes after two years
Korean- and Japanese-American fusion restaurant Umma’s closed its doors after hosting its last dinner service on September 21. A popular space for the local LGBTQ+ community, Umma’s shut down not due to a lack of support, but because its owners moved out of town.
October 17: Tony Bennett announces immediate retirement
Basketball legend Tony Bennett announced his retirement as head coach of the University of Virginia men’s team on October 17, just 20 days before the Hoos’ first game. Bennett’s exit, which came months after he signed a contract extension, shocked and saddened fans. Interim Head Coach Ron Sanchez, an associate head coach under Bennett, is off to a shaky start, with preseason polls predicting the team will finish fifth in the ACC.
Photo via UVA Athletics Communications.
October 21: City Manager and Salvation Army announce low-barrier shelter plans
City Manager Sam Sanders presented Charlottesville City Council with plans and funding options for converting the Salvation Army’s thrift store on Cherry Avenue into a year-round, low-barrier shelter. The creation of such a shelter has been a longtime priority for local leaders, but became more urgent following the erection of tents in Market Street Park last fall. City Council is expected to allocate funding for the project at its last meeting of the year.
November 27: Blue Moon Diner closes its doors
Beloved diner/gathering place/music venue Blue Moon Diner served its last stenciled pancake in late November, after nearly 20 years under the stewardship of Laura Galgano and Rice Hall. The diner, which originally opened in 1979 and was previously owned by Mark Hahn of Harvest Moon Catering, was a Charlottesville institution but, as Galgano wrote on the restaurant’s Facebook page, “It’s time for new adventures!”—CR
Triomphe!
10 Hoos who made us proud in Paris
Kate Douglass won two gold and two silver medals at the 2024 Olympic Games. Photo via UVA Athletics Communications.
There was a lot to like about the Paris Olympics and Paralympics. The games were the most ecologically sustainable of the modern era. Every medal contained a piece of metal from the Eiffel Tower. The logo for Paris 2024 featured a lowercase ‘i’ to symbolize inclusivity and individuality. For local fans, however, one of the best things was the success of former, current, and future University of Virginia athletes.
When the Olympics and Paralympics concluded on September 8, UVA-affiliated athletes (and one Wahoo-to-be) had earned 16 medals—seven gold, seven silver, and two bronze. A dozen of those medals were won in the swimming pool, with Kate Douglass and Gretchen Walsh returning home with eight of them. (UVA Swimming & Diving Head Coach Todd DeSorbo was Team USA’s women’s swimming coach, and 25 percent of the female swimmers who competed for the United States were current or former Hoos.) In addition to Douglass and Walsh, Emma Weber seized gold at her first Olympics, while Paige Madden earned silver and bronze. Then there was the silver medal awarded to Western Albemarle High School’s Thomas Heilman, a future Hoo who, at 17 years old, was the youngest male swimmer to qualify for the Olympics since Michael Phelps in 2000.
On the soccer pitch, former Cavalier standout Emily Sonnett competed on the United States’ women’s team that defeated Brazil to capture a record fifth Olympic gold medal. And during the Paralympics, UVA rower Skylar Dahl was part of the U.S. PR3 mixed four with coxswain that claimed silver.
But not all UVA athletes were on Team USA. Rower Heidi Long was on Great Britain’s women’s eight team that won bronze, and Pien Dicke helped the Netherlands win gold in field hockey.
It was later reported that if the University of Virginia had been its own country in the 2024 summer games, it would have finished with the 16th-most medals, just behind Spain. To that, we say: Wahoowa!—SS
Turn, turn, turn
Four times traffic held us up
1. The first of a few summer efforts to eliminate congestion in high-traffic areas, a roundabout at the intersection of Hydraulic Road and Hillsdale Drive wrapped up in August after a month under construction. At the peak of the work, the Virginia Department of Transportation reported that roughly 35,000 vehicles per day were being detoured from Hydraulic Road to avoid the construction.
2. Left turns are so 2023, said the Virginia Department of Transportation in August as it eliminated left-turn lanes from Hydraulic Road onto Route 29. Drivers were encouraged to take a circuitous route through nearby shopping center parking lots, all in the name of “improving traffic flow” (but to hell with your morning commute).
3. Construction began on a pedestrian bridge in the—you guessed it—Hydraulic corridor, just north of Zan Road in September. Part of a $30 million project to improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety in that area, the project will continue until fall 2025.
4. A two-decade-long process to rehab the Belmont Bridge ended in late June to mixed reviews, garnering criticism for its clunky medians, unfinished landscaping, and, as one commenter on Reddit put it, “I’m most disappointed that they created this graffiti paradise. Wish we could have an art competition to cover all that gray.”—CH
Photo by Stephen Barling.
The best words
We’re proud of every cover story we print on Wednesday, but some resonate with us more than others. Here’s a look at C-VILLE staffers’ favorite features of the year.
Editor in Chief Caite Hamilton
Her pick: Timeless treasure (June 12)
“As I wrote in my letter that week, this cover story read more like an excerpt from a memoir than the type of feature we normally run, but Michael Moriarty’s piece on finding his dad’s vintage Timex struck a chord with me. Loss is a universal experience, and I hoped Mike’s piece—which so deftly navigated the complexities of grief—would strike a chord with readers as well.”
Culture Editor Tami Keaveny
Her pick: Wild observations (January 10)
“In 2024 we found three ways to champion the eloquent work of writer and poet Erika Howsare. In a feature on her latest book, The Age of Deer, Howsare shared her research process, telling writer Sarah Lawson, ‘I felt the aching gladness of being alive and among other living things.’ A frequent contributor to C-VILLE Weekly, Howsare wrote our May 22 cover story about the thriving arts scene in the Shenandoah Valley, and her December 4 feature looked at environmental concerns around light pollution.”
News Reporter Catie Ratliff
Her pick: Educational opportunities (May 1)
“As a news reporter, my job often involves sorting through documents, attending local government meetings, and conducting phone interviews. Working on this cover story was both a breath of fresh air and enlightening, and it provided readers a look into Charlottesville’s alternative-education learning centers and the students enrolled in them. Lugo-McGinness Academy and Knight School both shine in their fostering of community, and they build environments where students feel safe and can learn effectively.”
Editorial Assistant CM Turner
His pick: Now playing (August 21)
“Connecting artists and audiences is one of the most fulfilling aspects of what we do in the C-VILLE Weekly Culture section. When we focused our lens on a new generation of musicmakers shaping Charlottesville’s sonic scene earlier this year, we provided a picture of the varied and dynamic acts sharing their sounds on stages around town. From punk rock to hip-hop, Americana to mainstream, local listeners have a lot to choose from.”
Copy Editor Susan Sorensen
Her pick: Role call (October 30)
“I love fall. And I love movies. So come late October, when the leaves are changing and the Virginia Film Festival is rolling, Charlottesville is my happy place. Which is why my favorite 2024 cover story was our guide to the 37th film fest. This year, we focused on folks working behind the scenes, including directors, producers (thanks for stopping by, Matthew Modine!), writers, and production designers, to name a few. Not only was it illuminating reading, but the package of stories made me a wiser, more appreciative moviegoer.”
Sold out!
58 reasons why you should’ve bought your tickets early in 2024
1/13: Roy Wood Jr. and Jordan KlepperThe Paramount Theater | 1/26: The LegwarmersThe Jefferson Theater | 1/27: Hot in Herre: 2000s Dance PartyThe Jefferson Theater | 2/1: The Red Clay StraysThe Jefferson Theater | 2/3 Daniel Donato’s Cosmic CountryThe Jefferson Theater | 2/17: The StewsThe Jefferson Theater | 2/18: Tanner UsreyThe Southern Café & Music Hall | 2/19: Chelsea Cutler (The Beauty Is Everywhere Tour)The Jefferson Theater | 2/20: Blackberry SmokeThe Jefferson Theater | 3/3: St. Paul & the Broken BonesThe Jefferson Theater | 3/4: GWARThe Jefferson Theater | 3/8: Dawes & LuciusThe Jefferson Theater | 3/10: The Disco BiscuitsThe Jefferson Theater | 3/14: The Cancelled PodcastThe Paramount Theater | 3/15: Mark NormandThe Paramount Theater | 3/16: Mason RamseyThe Jefferson Theater | 3/19: Hermanos Gutiérrez The Jefferson Theater | 3/21: Jack Stepanian The Southern Café & Music Hall | 3/22: “The Moth Radio Hour” The Paramount Theater | 3/22: Haley Heynderickx The Southern Café & Music Hall | 4/3: Slaughter Beach, Dog The Southern Café & Music Hall | 4/5: Wait Wait Stand-Up Tour The Paramount Theater | 4/5: Sam Burchfield & The Scoundrels with Tophouse The Southern Café & Music Hall | 4/6: Ryan Caraveo The Southern Café & Music Hall | 4/28: Mandy Patinkin The Paramount Theater | 5/5: Benjamin Tod & Lost Dog Street Band The Jefferson Theater | 5/9: Dar Williams The Southern Café & Music Hall | 5/10: Pecos & the Rooftops The Jefferson Theater 5/11: Chamomile and Whiskey Rivanna Roots | 5/14 and 5/15 Thievery Corporation The Jefferson Theater | 5/21: Temple Grandin The Paramount Theater | 6/17: The Japanese House The Jefferson Theater | 6/26: TrousdaleThe Southern Café & Music Hall | 6/27: Pete Davidson: Prehab Tour The Paramount Theater | 6/30: Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit Ting Pavilion | 8/16: HASH with Pinkish The Southern Café & Music Hall | 8/24: Jack Stepanian The Southern Café & Music Hall | 9/6: Gogol Bordello The Jefferson Theater | 9/9: An Evening with Goose Ting Pavilion | 10/2: Vampire Weekend Ting Pavilion | 10/9: Ailey II The Paramount Theater | 10/9: Ray LaMontagne and Gregory Alan Isakov Ting Pavilion | 10/13 Neko Case The Jefferson Theater | 10/19: Kate Bollinger The Southern Café & Music Hall | 10/20: Sabrina Carpenter: Short N’ Sweet Tour John Paul Jones Arena | 10/22: Nick Shoulders and the Okay Crawdad The Southern Café & Music Hall | 10/22: 49 Winchester The Jefferson Theater | 10/25: Whiskey Myers Ting Pavilion | 10/26: Little Feat The Paramount Theater | 10/30: Jelly Roll: Beautifully Broken Tour John Paul Jones Arena | 11/9: Ronny Chieng The Paramount Theater | 11/9: TychoThe Jefferson Theater | 11/15: Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway The Jefferson Theater | 11/22: JP Harris Dürty Nelly’s | 11/23: Shane Smith & The SaintsThe Jefferson Theater | 12/6: Bored Teachers: The Struggle is Real Comedy Tour The Paramount Theater | 12/15: Indigo Girls The Paramount Theater | 12/18: Leslie Odom Jr. The Paramount Theater
Indigo Girls performed at The Paramount Theater on December 15. Supplied photo.
Looking good
Our Art Director Max March picks his favorite shots of the year
Being on the ground during major news events is so important, and for my money there isn’t anyone who does it like Eze Amos. He’s particularly good at finding quiet moments amidst the chaos, and this photo—taken right before Virginia State Police broke up the UVA encampment protesting the war in Gaza—resonated with me.
There’s something about great show photography that makes you feel like you’re there in the moment. Charlottesville really punches above its weight when it comes to the caliber of touring musicians who put on terrific shows here, but it’s particularly special when you get to feature a show from some local talent, like up-and-comers Palmyra, in this shot by Tristan Williams.
Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes
Three additions to C-VILLE in 2024
C-VILLE celebrated its 35th birthday in September of 2024 and, with it, added some new merch, an arts newsletter, and a donor campaign.
Merchandise: T-shirts! Tote bags! Bumper stickers! Our new line of merch, launched in September, celebrates C-VILLE past and present. Head to c-ville.com and click “Shop” to wear your love for your local paper on your sleeve (or your coffee mug).
To-do List: Also in September, we started sending out a weekly newsletter from the Culture section. Sign up for it (and our Friday morning one, too) at c-ville.com.
Save the Free Word: Thanks to more than 100 generous readers, our new donor campaign has amassed nearly $10k, a healthy sum that’s helped us add a News Editor to our staff (look for his byline in January).
Speaking of which,
two more changes coming in 2025:
In January, you’ll notice C-VILLE has a new look—online and in print. We’ve been working hard to usher the weekly into the 21st century (better late than never?) and into our next 35 years.—CH
It wouldn’t be Christmas without Clara dancing through her fantastical dream, accompanied by a dashing prince who conquers the dastardly Mouse King! Charlottesville Ballet presents The Nutcracker, with live music from the Charlottesville Symphony conducted by Benjamin Rous, and collaborations with Cantate Children’s and Youth Choir and Central Virginia Ballet. Audiences of all ages can revel in this seasonal classic, with memorable melodies and expertly choreographed scenes. You know the characters. You know the score.
Saturday 12/21–Sunday 12/22. Prices and times vary. Martin Luther King, Jr. Performing Arts Center, 1400 Melbourne Rd. charlottesvilleballet.org
If you don’t get enough rockin’ around the Christmas tree on the 25th, head to the 17th Annual XMAS JAM. Spun out of the Charlottesville Music Showcase, a weekly series featuring prominent local performers—begun at Orbit Billiards on the Corner way back when—this seasonal gig continues to shine a light on some of C’ville’s brightest musical stars. Hosts Tucker Rogers and BJ Pendleton emcee the evening with appearances by Richelle Claiborne, John D’earth, Jay Pun, Jen Tal, and many more special guests.
Friday 12/27. $15–20, 8pm. The Jefferson Theater, 110 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. jeffersontheater.com
Owen Brennan was recently named executive director of The Haven. He’s been the nonprofit’s interim leader since Stephen Hitchcock left in July. Supplied photo.
New leader
On January 1, Owen Brennan, interim executive director of The Haven, will officially become the organization’s permanent executive director.
“Owen’s knowledge of The Haven and the local Continuum of Care, his calm presence in accompaniment of people in crisis, and his deep understanding of the needs of individuals experiencing homelessness are the right combination of skills to lead The Haven into the future,” said Rabia Povich, chair of the board, in a December 10 press release.
Since opening in 2010, The Haven has been a resource for community members experiencing homelessness and poverty.
Brennan has worked for the organization in various roles for more than a decade, most recently as operations director for the nonprofit. He is currently listed as both the executive and operations director on The Haven’s website, and has an extensive background in collaborating with other major players working to address housing insecurity in the Charlottesville area.
The Haven is one of many local nonprofits expected to work with city leaders and the Salvation Army on the creation of a year-round, low-barrier shelter in the city. While The Haven has a low-barrier day shelter, Charlottesville does not currently have a low-barrier, overnight shelter available year-round.
Powering down
File photo.
Albemarle County Public Schools will kick off 2025 with a new personal communication device policy, prompted by an August executive order from Gov. Glenn Youngkin.
Starting January 7, students must store phones and similar devices in a locker, backpack, or designated area for the duration of the school day. Exceptions for individualized education plans, 504 plans, and special circumstances will be allowed.
High school students will be able to use devices during non-instructional time for now, but use during lunch and passing periods will be phased out in August 2025. Middle schoolers will continue to operate under current rules, prohibiting phones for the entire school day.
“This initiative supports our goal of helping students stay engaged and achieve academic success,” said Judy Le, chair of the Albemarle County School Board, in a December 10 press release. “Creating device-free classrooms allows students and staff to focus on meaningful learning experiences.”
Procedures for family and staff communication during emergencies will also be updated as part of the new policy.
For the win(s)
Four University of Virginia swimmers set world records at the World Aquatics Swimming Championships in Budapest on December 12. Current Hoo and Olympic medalist Gretchen Walsh broke her own record in the 100-meter individual medley, posting a time of 55.71 during the semifinal. Her sister, Alex Walsh, joined alum Paige Madden and incoming Cavalier Katie Grimes on the 4×200-meter freestyle relay, breaking another world record during the final event of the day.
Giving season
In more UVA athletics news, the Virginia women’s basketball team received the largest gift in the program’s history, and the second-largest gift to any UVA women’s team ever. The “transformational” donation comes from alum Alexis Ohanian, general partner and founder of early-stage venture capital firm Seven Seven Six. Ohanian is also the co-founder and former executive chairman of Reddit, a popular social media site, and is married to tennis legend Serena Williams.
Hope to help
Inmates at the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail will receive “hope packs” from Christ Community Church this holiday season as part of an initiative by Richmond-based organization Good News Global. Charlottesville is one of 30 jurisdictions nationwide participating in the program, according to a December 10 release. Hope packs are given to male, female, and juvenile inmates, and include personalized gifts and necessities.
More than 600,000 visitors have been to Shannon Library since March, according to UVA Library records. Supplied photo.
By Merrill Hart
After a nearly four-year closure for renovations, Shannon Library has re-established itself as the University of Virginia’s main study spot. This December marks a full academic year since five floors of expanded seating and a grilled cheese café joined historic reading rooms and the checkered entrance hall students first crossed back in 1938.
UVA Library employees say community use of the space has held steady over the year, with about 635,000 visitors recorded since March. That’s more than twice the foot traffic that neighboring Clemons Library saw in the same time period.
Few, if any, current UVA undergraduates had the chance to explore the main library, formerly known as Alderman, before it closed its doors in 2020. Elyse Girard, executive director of communications and user experience for university libraries, describes Alderman as “kind of a sad space to go into”—with much fewer windows than it has now.
“I just love how much light is in the building and how open and inviting it is [now],” Girard says. “I was only at the library a couple months before it closed, and it was just dark and dingy and hard to navigate.”
Public Services Manager Will Wyatt, who started working at UVA libraries as an undergraduate in 2014, agreed the old library felt dark. Standing at 6-feet, 4-inches, he would often brush against low ceilings during visits to the library’s pre-renovation cramped stacks.
But certain nooks always felt like home. When Wyatt’s family came to Charlottesville for his 2017 graduation, he proudly walked them through Alderman’s walnut-paneled McGregor Room, known affectionately as the “Harry Potter Room.” Today, the space features the same vintage feel, updated with new windows and shelving.
“That’s an affectionate place in my heart,” says Wyatt. “That’s still a room that gets a lot of gasps from people.”
The mix of old and new echoes creative efforts to reframe resources for an increasingly digital era. After a lengthy moving process, the library now houses 1.2 million books—roughly 12 miles worth of shelf space. Online platforms like Virgo have seen increased usage, according to Girard, and staff continue monitoring the evolving use of space and services. Instead of visiting only to check out books, students often come to Shannon to study together, Wyatt observed.
“I do feel that in this iteration of the building, there are more spaces that are conducive to collaboration and teamwork, and I see them being used for that quite frequently,” Wyatt says.
Shannon also houses the Scholars’ Lab Makerspace, an interactive facility on the third floor that connects users with electronics, crafting, laser-cutting and 3D-printing. Makerspace manager Ammon Shepherd says the move from Clemons to Shannon has increased interest in user-led projects, which range from surgeons printing heart models to students designing elaborate Halloween costumes. The Makerspace plans to host 40 community events next semester.
With all the buzz, one question still lingers for some Shannon enthusiasts: Where is talking allowed? Unlike Clemons, where each floor requires a different decibel level, Shannon opened with no rules.
While the library has not enforced noise norms because staff are still figuring out how each space is being used, Wyatt says certain rooms already have unspoken conventions.
“The McGregor Room has always been, you know, you’re gonna get a death glare if you step too hard in there,” he says.
Looking to dance away 2024 and usher in the new year with funky fun? Disco Risqué is shakin’ up the Lobby Bar on NYE at the newly rechristened Doyle Hotel. This five-piece dance-party band brings a distinct brand of rock ‘n’ roll defined by its high-energy performers. Searing guitar solos and a driving rhythm section are complemented by keys and horns that make you want to move. Admission includes hors d’oeuvres and a sparkling toast at midnight, alongside cash bars and Champagne bottle service.
Tuesday 12/31. $50–60, 9pm. The Doyle Hotel, 499 W. Main St. thedoylehotel.com
Break out your bedazzled jumpsuit, it’s time for Christmas with Elvis! Reigning King of Rock and Roll tribute artist Matt Lewis performs holiday hits and other classics from Elvis’ repertoire, including selections from his rockabilly era, the “’68 Comeback Special,” and the Viva Las Vegas years. Backed by the 12-piece Long Live the King Orchestra—aka Charlottesville’s own Big Ray and the Kool Kats—Lewis curls his lips and sways his hips, driving away any thought of a “Blue Christmas.”
Thursday 12/12. $24.75–34.75, 7pm. The Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. theparamount.net
Indigo Girls performed at The Paramount Theater on December 15. Supplied photo.
By Alan Sculley
Most musicians found their activities curtailed during the pandemic. For the Indigo Girls, the COVID-19 years were a particularly creative time, resulting in a proliferation of current projects.
The duo—Emily Saliers and Amy Ray—recently released a concert film, Look Long: Together, they’re the subject of a new documentary It’s Only Life After All, and they’ve had their music reinvented for the movie Glitter & Doom. Saliers composed music for two stage musicals and Ray released a solo album, If It All Goes South. But it’s the Barbie-effect—from Greta Gerwig’s blockbuster movie featuring the Indigo Girls’ hit song “Closer to Fine”—that finds them playing their biggest venues in years.
It’s quite a schedule, even for an act like the Indigo Girls, who have been consistently active since releasing their first album Strange Fire in 1987. Most bands that debuted around that time—if they’re still together—make albums occasionally (if at all) and are considered heritage acts. That’s not the Indigo Girls.
“We still feel like we are a working band,” says Saliers by phone. “We tour and we make albums and we work, and that feels good.”
This latest spate of activity came on the heels of Look Long, the Indigo Girls’ 16th studio album, recorded pre-pandemic, and released in May 2020. A stirring effort, the record not only features the highly melodic folk-pop that has been the Indigo Girls’ signature on songs like “When We Were Writers,” “Look Long,” and “Sorrow And Joy,” it branches out on rhythmically creative songs that touch on hip-hop (“Shit Kickin’”), Caribbean music (“Howl At The Moon”), and catchy upbeat rockers (“Change My Heart” and “K.C. Girl”).
By the time Look Long was released, the pandemic had scuttled plans for a tour to support the album. Saliers and Ray played some dates in 2022 with violinist Lyris Hung, and then in 2023 returned to performing with a full band. Saliers says in both formats she and Ray play a few songs from the latest album, along with a generous selection of back catalog material.
“Some people like the band and some people like us acoustic or just stripped down,” Saliers said. “We just haven’t had the opportunity to tour with the band because of COVID and we really miss that. So it was good to put out the streaming concert, and it will be great to get back with the band.”
Look Long: Together is a unique concert special that features performances of a career-spanning set of songs (some of which include appearances by guests Becky Warren, Tomi Martin, Trina Meade, and Lucy Wainwright Roche), combined with commentary segments about the songs from Saliers and Ray. Because of the pandemic, the two had to weave together performances from several separate film shoots to create full-band live versions of songs, and extensive editing was needed to create the finished product.
“Amy and I spent hours and hours watching it come together, making suggestions, ‘Let’s do a split screen here,’ ‘The lighting needs to be fixed here,’ ‘This camera angle is no good, let’s use this shot,’ all these meticulous choices you have to make,” says Saliers. “In the end, we worked so hard on it, we were actually a little discouraged at the 11th hour. And then watched it and were really pleased with it.”
The year and a half of working on the livestream took up some of the pandemic-forced downtime. Saliers also spent considerable time working on stage musicals that have expanded her range as a songwriter.
One thing Saliers says she has not done recently is write for another Indigo Girls album. The inspiration is building for Saliers and Ray, who have long used their musical platform to support a variety of social causes, including LBGTQ+ issues, Native American rights, immigration reform, and climate change. What’s top of mind is the Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade.
Like many pro-choice advocates, Saliers didn’t think Roe v. Wade would be overturned and was appalled at the demise of legal access to abortion, which had been established law for decades.
“But the truth is there has been a concerted effort [to overturn Roe],” says Saliers, noting that conservative politicians and activists and certain parts of the evangelical community are among those who have mounted a strategic plan to target Roe and other progressive issues. “It’s been going on a long time. So while the thought before was shocking, it’s easy to understand how we’ve come to this place.”
Following the recent election, Saliers and Ray plan to be active in efforts to restore abortion rights, preserve gay rights, and back politicians who support progressive causes.
“As gay person who’s married, I’m like, ‘Is this my country?’ And that’s like a big question to ask,” says Saliers. “I understand the complexities of history and how things, the pendulum swings and reactions, I understand that. But when it affects people’s lives—and there’s this huge disconnect between this small group of zealots making decisions because they’re so removed from the reality of people’s lives—it’s a lot to take in and a lot to live with and a lot to manage.”
Four organizations have expressed interest in operating a new grocery store at 501 Cherry Ave., the site of the former Estes IGA supermarket. Photo by Eze Amos.
Fresh ideas
The Cherry Avenue Grocery Community and Stakeholder Engagement Project held its fourth and final Buy Back the Block event on December 9, unveiling both the results of its survey and the names of parties interested in owning and operating a grocery store at 501 Cherry Ave.
The development is on the site of the former Estes IGA supermarket, and is a collaboration between Woodard Properties and Piedmont Housing Alliance. In addition to space for a grocery store and the Music Resource Center, the project is also slated to include two apartment buildings with one-, two-, and three-bedroom affordable units.
Current plans have the development applying for a certificate of occupancy in 2027.
More than 500 people completed the survey, with 75 percent indicating they would shop at a grocery store at 501 Cherry Ave. Top priorities of respondents in selecting a grocery store were proximity to home and work, selection of fresh food, and low prices. Most surveyed preferred that the store be either a co-op or owned by someone with “deep roots in Fifeville or other historically Black communities in Charlottesville/Albemarle.”
If a grocery store is not possible, survey respondents favored options like a farmers’ market, child-care facility, or nonprofit community center. Many meeting attendees said a grocery store is still their preferred choice, and they would like additional details before moving forward with any alternative.
Beyond the survey results, those who were at the event also heard from Fifeville Neighborhood Association President Carmelita Wood about potential groups interested in owning and operating the store: Good Food Grocery, the newly formed Food Co-op steering committee, Laziz Local Produce, and Goodwill Industries.
Suit dismissed
Following the dismissal of her Title IX lawsuit last month, complainant Jane Doe reiterated to The Daily Progress her distrust in and frustration with the University of Virginia. The December 9 article details both the complaint, court proceedings, and UVA’s response.
Doe accuses a now-former professor and department head of repeated instances of sexual harassment beginning during her January 2019 study abroad program. The professor, identified as Gabriel Finder by Charlottesville DTM, resigned prior to disciplinary action, has been barred from working at UVA, and was stripped of his emeritus status.
UVA leadership was first informed of a “consensual relationship” between Doe and the professor in January 2020, at which point the Title IX office became involved. Though Doe initially claimed the relationship was consensual, she later said she had reevaluated her relationship with the professor and wanted to hold him accountable. A formal Title IX investigation was opened on March 19, 2020.
The final investigation report was not released until April 30, 2021.
In his memorandum opinion, U.S. District Judge Robert Ballou—a double Hoo and current lecturer at UVA law school—issued a summary judgment dismissing the suit. He further found the delay did not rise to the level of “deliberate indifference,” as stated in the suit, and said Doe’s on-time graduation with a 3.98 showed she was not prejudiced by UVA.
Thomas Jefferson Statue at the University of Virginia
Burnout
A December 8 fire at the University of Virginia Sigma Pi fraternity house on Virginia Avenue displaced 13 students in the middle of final exams. Charlottesville Fire Department responded to the single-structure fire around 1:30pm. The blaze caused significant structural damage, but no injuries were reported. An investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.
What a racket
After 10 years in business, Moose’s by the Creek will close at the end of 2024, according to owners Melinda “Moose” Stargell and Amy Benson. In a December 8 Facebook post announcing the closure, they shared, “We’ve won awards, received many accolades and reviews and have cooked many meals but none of that could’ve been possible without YOU…our customers, friends and family.” At the end of the post, they teased that “something new” will be announced soon.
New road forward
In a rare show of bipartisanship, District 5 Rep. Bob Good worked with Virginia Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine to advance the creation of an emergency access road to Wintergreen. The road will be built near Milepost 9.6, connecting Laurel Springs Drive to the Blue Ridge Parkway. “Currently there is only one road in and out of Wintergreen,” said Warner in a December 5 release. “This greatly hinders the ability of first responders to get into town, and impacts public safety for all residents.”
