Tag: HotSeat

Thomas Jefferson—you love him, or you love to hate him. Either way, wouldn’t it be interesting to ask ol’ TJ some questions? We thought so, so we spoke to historical impersonator Bill Barker, Monticello’s resident Thomas Jefferson. A veteran historical actor and interpreter, Barker portrayed Jefferson in Colonial Williamsburg for 26 years before coming to Monticello in 2019. Barker regularly pops up at Monticello and at other events around Charlottesville, and he’s also performed as Jefferson at the White House, the Palace of Versailles, and more. Together, Jefferson and Barker answer some very pressing questions on favorite foods, books, and emojis. Got more burning questions for TJ? Catch Barker in action November 24 at 6pm at the Rotunda Planetarium public viewing night. rotunda.virginia.edu and monticello.org

Name: Col. Thomas Jefferson. (Many have forgotten, I was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel of Albemarle Militia before the American Revolution.)

Age: 80 years, in this year of ’23 (1823).

Hometown: Charlottesville, Albemarle County, Commonwealth of Virginia.

Job(s): Farmer, public servant, and educator.

Describe a perfect day: Rise before the sun and complete necessary administrative and personal correspondence before breakfast. Have breakfast with family, friends, and guests, then spend several hours in my study reading and pursuing further efforts to create a universal system of education for our commonwealth and our nation. Ride horseback across fields and through the woods in the surrounding neighborhood, conversing with many whom I meet along the way. Have dinner in the late afternoon with family, friends and guests, accompanied by a bottle of elegant wine to share at the table after the repast. In the early evening I would enjoy a family read, musicale, or enlightening conversation. To bed about 9:30–10pm after a good read upon something in moral authority.

Proudest accomplishment: Acquiring the hand of Mrs. Jefferson in marriage. We were only married for “ten years of uncheckered happiness.”

What’s your favorite part of your house, Monticello: Views of the out of doors from every window in the house.

Favorite food: Vegetables well-cooked, especially the English pea.

Favorite wine: An elegant claret, Haut-Brion.

Favorite book and/or author: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare and The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy by Rev. Lawrence Stern.

Were you a good slave owner: No individual entitled under the laws of man to the ownership of his fellow man, thereby denying another their right to live their own lives, may be considered a good owner of an enslaved individual.

How do you celebrate Thanksgiving: Welcoming many around the table to enjoy the bounty of a successful harvest while giving thanks for good health and the continued efforts for providing the inherent right of the pursuit of happiness for every individual.

Favorite Thanksgiving dish: Cooked pasta cut in short hollow tubes and smothered in melted Parmesan cheese.

Now we’ll pass the quill to TJ’s good friend, Bill Barker. 

Name: Bill Barker

Age: 70 years.

Hometown: Abington, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.

Job: Historical Interpreter (Thomas Jefferson).

What’s the hardest thing about being Thomas Jefferson: Interpreting him in the context of his own time and place to the “presentism” of a time and place 200 years after his own.

Is the costume comfortable: Yes.

Favorite local restaurant: The delightful variety of many great restaurants in Charlottesville makes it impolitic to recognize simply one.

Who is your hero: My mother and father.

Best advice you ever got: “Do you want to know who you are? Don’t ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you.”

Proudest accomplishment: Every time, if possible, I may help someone to be happy.

Describe a perfect day: Tomorrow.

If you could be reincarnated as a person or thing, what would you be: Me, and live it all over again.

If you had three wishes, what would you wish for: Tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, and the day after the day after tomorrow.

Do you have any pets: I grew up with cats and dogs, but no pet at present.

Favorite movie and/or show: The Lost King and “Finding Your Roots” with Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

Favorite book: Any history or biography in which the factual story is stranger than fiction.

What are you listening to right now: Nothing at present, while focused on this interview.

Go-to karaoke song: None.

Who’d play you in a movie: Me.

Celebrity crush: Gilbert and Sullivan.

Most used app on your phone: Ancestry.com.

Last text you sent: “I’m almost finished with the interview.”

Most used emoji: I rarely use emojis.

Subject that causes you to rant: A closed mind.

Best journey you ever went on:
My life.

Next journey: Have to wait and see… 

Favorite word: Pleasure.

Hottest take: Never go back to the darkest ages to find the greatest enlightenment/Human nature does not change.

What have you forgotten today: The dream I had last night.

Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello

It’s the most wonderful time of the year—holiday baking shows are hitting the air. This year, one of Charlottesville’s own chefs is making his TV debut. Charles Zimmerman works as assistant pastry chef at Farmington Country Club, where he whips up everything from delicately frosted wedding cakes to small-but-sweet seasonal bites. Zimmerman is currently showcasing his talents on Food Network’s “Holiday Wars,” where nine teams, including a cookie maker, cake artist, and a sugar artist, tackle a series of festive challenges. Zimmerman serves as the sugar artist for his team, The Sugar Bandits. Last week, his Margarita Rose creation earned him praise from all the judges. Tune in this Sunday at 9pm to see how Zimmerman and The Sugar Bandits fare. @chefcharleszimmerman

Name: Charles Zimmerman.

Age: 31.

Pronouns: He/him.

Hometown: Concord, California.

Job: Assistant pastry chef at Farmington Country Club.

What’s something about your job that people would be surprised to learn: There is SO much math involved in food—pastry specifically. Ratios to convert yields of recipes, percentages of fat and water in formulas, costing, inventory, etc. 

Favorite dessert to eat: Strawberry shortcake—only in peak strawberry season.

Favorite dessert to make: Shelled bon bons. So challenging, yet so rewarding. 

What was it like competing on “Holiday Wars”: It was a whirlwind. I have never done anything like it, and most of the other contestants had done some sort of television before, so I felt totally out of my element. But I have worked in stressful situations in many different jobs, so I think I handled the pressure well.

Was there anything surprising you encountered about filming a TV show: I can’t ruin any of the TV magic … but I will say: The set was extremely cold. It’s because of the many lights and equipment generating heat, and pastry is greatly affected by temperature, so it’s better to be too cold than too hot. I got hand warmers to keep in my pockets during judging because we had to stand still for sometimes hours on end.

Favorite local restaurant: Lampo or Alley Light.

Bodo’s order: Egg bagel with bacon and Swiss, or an everything bagel, add pesto.

What’s your comfort food: Ramen. Not instant, the legit stuff.

Who is your hero: My mentor and inspiration, Chef Mellisa Root.

Best advice you ever got: Listen to everyone and everything, but don’t let anyone know you’re listening.

Proudest accomplishment: Working at Per Se in NYC.

Describe a perfect day: Anything outdoors on a sunny 80-degree day, most likely with a cocktail.

If you could be reincarnated as a person or thing, what would you be: Maybe an eagle, if I can keep my human consciousness, because I think flying would be incredible. 

Most embarrassing moment: That I can speak of? Probably falling asleep on a subway and getting woken up by commuters going to work at 6:30am in deep Brooklyn. I lived in Queens…

Do you have any pets: Nope.

Favorite movie and/or show: “Parks and Recreation.” And “Schitt’s Creek.”

Favorite book: Currently: Pastries by Pierre Hermé just for some inspiration. It’s been too long since I read a non-food book… 

What are you listening to right now: Emotion by Carly Rae Jepsen.

Go-to karaoke song: “Born This Way,” Lady Gaga.

Best Halloween costume you’ve worn: I know, it’s so cliché, but David from “Schitt’s Creek.” I only really needed sunglasses and a few rings.

Who’d play you in a movie: Chris Evans. He’s an up-and-coming actor who I’ve been told I look like. Google him.

Celebrity crush: Milo Ventimiglia.

Most used app on your phone: Instagram.

Last text you sent: “Do you have a great pumpkin bread recipe?” 

Most used emoji: Wink face.

Subject that causes you to rant: The American agriculture industry.

Best journey you ever went on: Studying abroad in Singapore and Malaysia.

Next journey: Trip to Hawaii for the first time in January with my family.

Favorite curse word: F**k.

Hottest take: I do like pineapple on my pizza, rules are meant to be broken.

What have you forgotten today: To call my parents, and will continue to forget until they text “are you alive?”

There’s always a special energy in the air when musicians play their hometown stage. Guitarist Joe Lawlor is usually on the road with Dave Matthews Band, where he works behind the scenes in the audio crew. An accomplished musician in his own right, Lawlor is a founding member of several progressive funk and rock bands, like Egypt. Ahead of his duties at Dave Matthews Band’s November 10–11 John Paul Jones Arena shows, Lawlor will lead his own sets influenced by funk, blues, and classic rock at The Jefferson Theater with his band, Joe Lawlor and Friends, on November 9. The Longway, Kristen Rae Bowden, and Afro Asia are a few of the acts that’ll jam alongside Lawlor, plus a host of special suprise guests. jeffersontheater.com

Name: Joe Lawlor.

Age: 55.

Pronouns: He/him/his.

Hometown: Hard to say. I was born in Washington, D.C., and grew up in northern Virginia, Vermont, and Massachusetts. I’ve lived in Charlottesville for the past 25 years.

Job(s): Part of the touring audio crew for the Dave Matthews Band for the last 21 years. Specifically, I am the live recording engineer and archivist. I’ve been a professional guitar player for 37 years.

Coolest venue you’ve played: That’s tough. I sat in with DMB at the Hollywood Bowl and the Gorge. Both are iconic venues, but my band Egypt played at CBGB’s in NYC regularly in the ’90s. Now that was cool!

What’s something about your job that people would be surprised to learn: There are over 100 of us on the DMB crew, traveling in 10 buses and carrying 12 tractor-trailers worth of equipment.

Favorite local restaurant: Thai Cuisine and Noodle House [and] Public Fish & Oyster.

Who is your hero: Leo Fender. He was a genius inventor and tinkerer who came up with the Stratocaster and hundreds of other tools for musicians.

Best advice you ever got: Let them dig their own graves.

Proudest accomplishment: Every good gig. Making good music always makes me feel proud.

Describe a perfect day: A cup of strong English breakfast tea. A recording session or rehearsal. A killer gig.

If you could be reincarnated as a person or thing, what would you be: My cat Zeppelin. He has a good life.

If you had three wishes, what would you wish for: Peace around the world. The end of sexism and racism and a loud tube guitar amp.

Do you have any pets: Kristen and I have two cats, Zeppelin and Janis.

Favorite movie and/or show: The Big Lebowski and anything by director Wes Anderson.

Favorite book: Jitterbug Perfume.

Favorite musician: Jeff Beck for bending strings. Eddie Van Halen for reckless abandon and energy. Chris Whitley for songwriting.

Favorite song: “Dirt Floor” by Chris Whitley.

Favorite album: Van Halen one.

What are you listening to right now: “Succession” in the background.

Go-to karaoke song: It would be an instrumental with lots of air guitar.

Who’d play you in a movie: Javier Bardem (says my girlfriend Kristen Rae Bowden).

Celebrity crush: Jessica Chastain.

Most used app on your phone: Voice memo (I record song ideas and music daily).

Last text you sent: “Of course that’s why I sent them. They are different sizes. Choose the right size for your purpose.”

Most used emoji: Thumbs up.

Subject that causes you to rant: The ways our medical system doesn’t work.

Best journey you ever went on: I’m still on it.

Next journey: South Africa with DMB.

Travel must-haves: Noise canceling headphones, a guitar, and layers.

Favorite curse word: Dang!

Hottest take: I’m a Dapper Dan man.

What have you forgotten today: I’m not sure but I’ll find out when I get off the plane.

If you haven’t been to a Bebe Gunn drag show, what are you waiting for? The queen regularly rocks stages all across Charlottesville, and wows audiences with her dazzling dance moves and impressive routines. Catch her performing brunch shows at Common House on June 24 and South and Central on June 25, and don’t miss her Drag Bonanza Birthday Bash at The Southern on July 1. @bebe_gunnn

Name: Bebe Gunn.

Age: 27.

Pronouns: She/her in drag. 

Hometown: Richmond.

Where are you right now: My couch in my apartment.

Jobs: Drag/AT&T.

Favorite restaurant: Anywhere with sushi.

Where do you start and end a night out: Hmmm, I usually like to hit the clubs in Richmond. 

Who do you call for a good time: My best gal Cherry Possums. 

Who is your hero: RuPaul, that woman is an icon.

Best advice you ever got: Don’t be hung up on what other people think of you. They are not living your life for you. 

Proudest accomplishment: Bringing drag back to the Charlottesville area post-COVID.

Describe a perfect day: Video games, wine, hanging with friends, and cuddling my cats. 

What’s something about yourself that people would be surprised to learn: I’m a writer. 

If you could be reincarnated as a person or thing what would you be: I’d be a house cat ‘cause I wouldn’t have to pay taxes. 

If you had three wishes what would you wish for: An endless supply of money to help the world, the best dance skills ever, a nice house for my cats. 

Do you have any pets: Yes, I have two cats. 

Most embarrassing moment: Losing a wig.

Go-to karaoke song: “My Heart Will Go On.” 

Favorite movie and show: Brooklyn for movie, “Yellowjackets” for show.

Favorite book: Dolores Claiborne by Stephen King. 

Favorite thing about performing: The happiness I can bring an audience, and challenging myself to do better. 

Most memorable performance: Did a performance with blood, and it was iconic. 

Do you have any pre-show rituals: Get a bite to eat and breathe. 

Favorite song to perform to: “Free Yourself” by Jessie Ware. 

How much does your heaviest wig weigh: I wanna say maybe five pounds. 

How fast can you do your makeup routine: Forty minutes.

Who is your favorite drag queen performer: Sasha Velour, Cherry Possums, Lavender Menace. 

Who’d play you in a movie: Honestly, I’d love Lindsay Lohan. 

Celebrity crush: Manu Rios. 

Most used app on your phone: Twitter.

Last text you sent: hey girl hey. 

Most used emoji: The kissy emoji.

Subject that causes you to rant: The state of the world, climate change, and politics.

Best journey you ever went on: New York City, it was such an adventure. 

Next journey: Honestly, overseas, maybe tropical or Europe. 

Favorite curse word: I love the F-bomb. 

Hottest take: Pineapple does belong on pizza. 

What have you forgotten today: Nothing today, but I’m super forgetful. 

This Saturday, Zach Miller will be one of many jockeys competing for a win at Foxfield Races, Charlottesville’s bi-annual steeplechase event. It’s a meaningful homecoming, years in the making, for the Charlottesville native, who’s raced, and won, at Foxfield numerous times—Miller even met his wife after a 2005 win. Foxfield has been hosting steeplechase races in Albemarle County since 1977, with the spring races often attracting up to 15,000 locals and visitors. The steeplechase is a distance horse racing event with ditch obstacles and fence jumps. The strange name stems from the race’s origins in Ireland, where riders raced from church steeple to church steeple. foxfieldraces.com

Name: Zach Miller.

Hometown: Charlottesville.

Job: Full-time dad, part-time jockey, farmer and owner of Timbercreek Farm, horse trainer.

How did you get into racing: I grew up riding ponies, my grandma always had a pony around. I really liked going fast, I got really into it and I competed a bit in some different disciplines, so when the opportunity presented itself I went to work in Fairhill, Maryland, for a trainer there. One thing about me is, I’m a normal-sized human being, so I was never gonna be small enough to ride on the flat—that’s the Derby. So I got into riding steeplechase races because the weights are a little higher, and they’re jumping too, so that was fun. 

Do you remember your first race: I do, my first jump race I rode in Fairfax County in the spring of 2003. I rode a horse called Sail My Vessel, he was the little horse that could, he was a smaller horse, but he was a lot of fun. I finished third on him that day.

When did you become a professional jockey: I took out my first license when I was 18, and I was a full-time, professional jockey until I was 23.

You’re headed to Foxfield next, have you raced there before: That’s my hometown track, that’s my favorite! Over the years I’ve probably ridden in a dozen or more races. But this will be my first ride at Foxfield in 17 years.

How does it feel to be back: Amazing! It’s my favorite track.

Favorite part of being a jockey: Winning races. 

Second favorite part: What you get to do on race day is you get to put together all the fun parts with the tactical parts. Steeplechasing requires some tactics, it’s not just going as fast as you can. It’s a test of skill of the rider, it’s challenging… if your tactics are wrong or your horse isn’t jumping well. You’re moving 35 miles an hour, surrounded by thousands of pounds of horse. It’s thrilling.

Do you have a race-day routine: Nothing really special. I always walk the course, look at how it’s set up, what’s the fastest way around—it’s not always the inside. You have to factor in terrain and turns, the fastest way around might be slightly on the outside. So some tactical preparation. Making sure I’m centered and my head is clear.

What’s going through your mind when the gates open: First I make sure the horse is settled and jumping well, and don’t get in a hurry. The race is two miles, and it’s a very testing track. Riders can get impatient and rush it. Then you have to pay attention to what’s going on around you strategically—how are the horses around you doing, how much horse are you sitting on, where do you need to start thinking about making a move.

Who are you riding on Saturday: I get to do this for a guy named Richard Valentine, he’s a trainer who’s given me some tremendous opportunities. He put me on a winner in Saratoga, he’s the trainer of Remonstrative, he’s [a] top 10 trainer. There are two horses I can ride, Sea Mast or Tease and Seize. Sea Mast is an American Kentucky-bred, I won a prep race on him two weeks ago. He has a high turning speed, his specialty is grinding competition to a pulp. Tease and Seize is a French horse, he’s a tremendous athlete, you could leave a little for later with him.

What’s something about being a jockey that people would be surprised to learn: How challenging it is to ride a horse. My heart rate riding a horse peaks higher and quicker than when I run four miles on foot. There’s a lot of balance and strength, but you’re also pretty active on the horse, you think the horse is doing all the running and work, but that’s not totally true.

Proudest accomplishment: Making it to 39 years old and being able to stay riding and competing.

Favorite horse movie: I like them all. National Velvet is a classic, I’d be remiss to not mention it, it’s an old one with Elizabeth Taylor. I love Seabiscuit, it’s an underdog story. And Secretariat is cool because he’s Virginia bred, he’s the hometown hero.