Tag: Picks

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Arts Culture

Pick: The Magnetic Fields

The Magnetic Fields, led by Stephin Merritt, perform at The Paramount Theater on April 11. Photo: Kevin Yatarola

A way with numbers: Cult phenomenon The Magnetic Fields have been breaking the mold for three decades with records like 69 Love Songs, consisting of tracks that range from 27 seconds to five minutes, and 50 Song Memoir, which chronicles lead singer-songwriter Stephin Merritt’s first 50 years of life with one song per year. Merritt, who wears only brown clothing, is known for his deep voice, dark humor, and clever lyrics. The intimate concert also features band members Sam Davol, Shirley Simms, Chris Ewen, and Anthony Kaczinski.

Monday 4/11. $35-55, 8pm. The Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. theparamount.net

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Arts Culture

Pick: The Moth

The Moth, a live storytelling showcase, visits The Paramount Theater on March 25. Photo: Flash Rosenberg

Gather ‘round: A cowboy, a UVA professor, and an astronaut walk into a bar…or something like that. You never know who you’ll meet at The Moth, a live storytelling showcase that brings people from all walks of life together. The New York-based production’s events, workshops, podcast, and “The Moth Radio Hour” take you on an intimate journey through a stranger’s psyche in celebration of the diversity and commonality of the human experience.

Friday 3/25. $24.75-39.75, 7:30pm. The Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. theparamount.net

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Arts Culture

Pick: Railroad Earth

Railroad Earth gives two evening performances at The Jefferson Theater. Supplied photo

Return to rock: Americana quintet Railroad Earth has been performing bluegrass with rock ‘n’ roll spirit for over 20 years. The band’s upcoming album, All For The Song, marks both the end of an era and the start of a new chapter—it’s the group’s first full-length studio record since losing founding member Andy Goessling to cancer in 2018. The songs blend wistful, narrative lyrics with lively, foot-tapping horn, harmonica, banjo, and fiddle. You can hear Goessling’s final ukulele and high-strung guitar recordings on the moving “Driftin’ The Bardo,” among other songs about road trips, biblical rainstorms, and a cathartic retreat to New Orleans.

Friday 3/25 & Saturday 3/26. $29.50-50, 7pm. The Jefferson Theater, 110 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. jeffersontheater.com

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Arts Culture

Pick: Joe Troop

Joe Troop performs at The Front Porch on March 25. Photo: Kendall Atwater

For the record: Having grown up as an openly gay man in the South, musician and activist Joe Troop is familiar with controversy. The bluegrass player has been threatened and chased off the stage, but that’s never stopped him from engaging in social activism through song. While on a year-long break from touring with his Argentinian-American string band Che Apalache, Troop returned to North Carolina, where he worked with progressive organizers to get the vote out and interviewed people affected by the Trump administration’s policies. This inspired his debut solo album, Borrowed Time, an energetic record of protest, plucky banjo, and Argentinian rhythms.

Friday 3/25. $20, 8pm. The Front Porch, 221 E. Water St. frontporchcville.org

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Arts Culture

Pick: Richmond Ballet

The Richmond Ballet performs four short works at PVCC's V. Earl Dickinson Theater. Supplied photo

Splendor on stage: In four distinctive works, the Richmond Ballet showcases what ballet can be in the 21st century. The State Ballet of Virginia executes classical choreographies alongside new works beginning with George Balanchine’s joyous and sprightly Allegro Brillante, followed by Ben Stevenson’s intimate Three Preludes and Colin Connor’s romantic Vestiges. The company finishes with Glare, an uplifting original from Richmond Ballet Associate Artistic Director Ma Cong.

Wednesday 3/9. $17-23, 7:30pm. PVCC’s V. Earl Dickinson Theater, 501 College Dr. pvcc.edu

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Arts Culture

Pick: A Promise to Grow

Local author Marc Boston appears at Dairy Market on March 15. Supplied photo

Growth spurt: Local author Marc Boston writes stories for young people that emphasize the importance of diversity and inclusion. His newest picture book, A Promise to Grow, was created in partnership with area nonprofit City of Promise, which works to end generational poverty and foster a culture of achievement in all kids. Set in Charlottesville’s Westhaven community, the story follows CJ, whose pride in his neighborhood and kind heart move him to create a community garden. The book’s foreword tells a child-friendly, yet candid version of the loss of Vinegar Hill, and the afterword, written by Andrea Douglas and Jordy Yager, discusses pivotal moments and figures in the community’s history, including John West, a formerly enslaved man who became a civic leader. Following a reading by Boston, the community will work together to create a mural that will be displayed at Dairy Market.

Tuesday 3/15. Free, 4pm. Dairy Market’s Brick Cellar. dairymarketcville.com

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Arts Culture

Pick: Swing Into Spring

The Swing Into Spring benefit concert raises money for The Haven. Publicity photo

Jazz helping hands: The Albemarle High School Jazz Ensemble returns to The Jefferson Theater for its fifth annual Swing Into Spring benefit concert. The award-winning 35-piece ensemble, led by Director Andrew LaPrade, comes out to play in support of The Haven’s mission to end homelessness in the greater Charlottesville community. The evening features appearances from local and regional jazz musicians, including Charles Owens, Taylor Barnett, Bobby Gregg, Elise Underwood, John D’earth, Greg Thomas, Michael Elswick, Ivan Orr, Jennifer Morris, and Owen Brown.

Sunday 3/13. $17-35, 7pm. The Jefferson Theater, 110 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. jeffersontheater.com

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Arts Culture

Pick: Grease

Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta. Photo: Paramount Pictures

Tell me about it stud: Cuff your jeans, grab your leather jacket or poodle skirt, and take it back to the ’50s for a Grease sing-along party. T-Birds, Pink Ladies, and beauty school dropouts should arrive early for a preshow hand jive contest, where a variety of props, including combs, ribbons, and salon caps, will be available to complete your greaser look. The lyrics will be onscreen to help all you hopelessly devoted fans, and make sure to check out the limited XOXO menu, which includes the Eat Your Heart Out Pizza and other fun dishes.

Saturday 2/5. $10, 8pm. Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, 5th Street Station. drafthouse.com

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Arts Culture

Pick: Gordon Lightfoot

Gordon Lightfoot. Supplied photo

Song and story: With a remarkable career surpassing 50 years, it’s safe to say that Canadian musician Gordon Lightfoot is a living legend. The Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee has released over 21 albums, and had his songs recorded and performed by greats such as Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Barbra Streisand. In 2020, Lightfoot released Solo, his first studio album in 14 years. The record features Lightfoot with his guitar performing stripped-down and reimagined versions of forgotten songs he wrote before 2002, when he suffered from an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Lightfoot will perform new releases alongside favorites from his vast catalog at an intimate show that includes behind-the-scenes stories and personal anecdotes.

Sunday 2/6. $49-74, 8pm. The Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. theparamount.net

Categories
Arts Culture

Pick: Cory Wong

Cory Wong. Supplied photo

Wong does it right: Cory Wong is a Grammy-nominated musical maestro who’s always got something fun up his sleeve. Whether it’s shredding guitar in full hockey gear on a skating rink, or hosting his podcast Wong Notes, his creativity and upbeat presence shine through. Recently, Wong got the chance to flex his acting chops with “Cory and the Wongnotes,” a YouTube variety show full of skits, interviews, collaborations, and music from a full band. As a result, Wong released an eponymously titled album of music from the show, including the rhythmic “Coming Back Around” and horn-heavy “United,” featuring Antwuan Stanley, who joins Wong and his band on tour.

Monday 2/7. $25-28, 7:30pm. The Jefferson Theater, 110 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. jeffersontheater.com