Tag: Picks

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Arts Culture

The United Nations of Comedy

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The United Nations of Comedy returns with the hottest standups seen on stages and screens from coast to coast. Founded to promote diversity through laughter, the show’s current lineup features an eclectic mix of performers with styles that span the gamut of humor, including New York City-based Anthony DeVito, Jordan Rock (the youngest brother of Chris), Washington, D.C.’s Paris Sashay, and BET “Comic View All-Star” Funnyman Skiba, making his 15th appearance in Charlottesville.

Saturday 11/16. $39.50–49.50, 8pm. The Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. theparamount.net

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Arts Culture

Six Organs of Admittance

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Inspired by East-meets-West solo guitar ruminations and a desire to merge fingerstyle acoustic guitar with improvisational elements, Six Organs of Admittance is the ongoing project by Northern California guitarist Ben Chasny. His “new folk” combines drone, percussion, and resonant vocalizations in experimental arrangements anchored by expert fingerpicking. The creator of the Hexadic System—a chance operation tool placing parameters on musical arrangement—Chasny has produced conceptually driven compositions since the late ’90s, and continuously pushes sonic boundaries.

Saturday 11/16. $20, 8pm. The Southern Café and Music Hall, 103 First St. S. thesoutherncville.com

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Arts Culture

“Night Magic: Adventures Among Glowworms, Moon Gardens, and Other Marvels of the Dark”

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The sun is setting earlier, and nights are getting longer. While you may lament the seasonal loss of light, there are wonders to be found in nocturnal exploration. Night Magic: Adventures Among Glowworms, Moon Gardens, and Other Marvels of the Dark shares stories of natural phenomena taking place under the light of the moon. Writer Leigh Ann Henion, who traveled into the darkness with naturalists, biologists, primitive-skills experts, and those who live beyond daylight, shares some of her experiences in this illuminating author event.

Saturday 11/16. Free, 7pm. New Dominion Bookshop, 404 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. ndbookshop.com

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Arts Culture

Adrenaline Film Project

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It’s a mad dash to the finish line of dramatic excellence with the 20th annual Adrenaline Film Project. In just 72 hours, groups of three will write, film, edit, and screen original stories with the aid of industry experts. Teams can draw from a professional actor database, or cast friends, family, and neighbors as the stars of their three- to five-minute short films. The entire process takes place at Light House Studio, including screenings of the final cuts, where cash prizes are offered for the Judges Choice, Mentor Selection, Audience, and Actors awards.

Sunday 11/10. $15, 7pm. Light House Studio at Vinegar Hill Theatre, 220 W. Market St. lighthousestudio.org

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Arts Culture

“Love is the Greater Labyrinth”

Photo by Kori Price.

The UVA Drama season wanders open with Love is the Greater Labyrinth, a retelling of the Greek myth of Theseus and the Minotaur. The show features a new translation of the final work written by revolutionary 17th-century Mexican playwright Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz. Guest director Anna Rebek draws a mixture of comedy, tragedy, adventure, and romance from a cast of student actors. Conquering the Minotaur is just the beginning for the character of Tesio, as he navigates a maze of mistaken identities, dueling affections, and the wrath of King Minos.

Friday 11/8 – Saturday 11/16. $8–14, Showtimes vary. Ruth Caplin Theatre, 109 Culbreth Rd. drama.virginia.edu

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Arts Culture

Illiterate Light

Photo by Joey Wharton.

If you’ve listened to Illiterate Light, you know it can be hard to pin down the band’s sound. The task hasn’t gotten any easier with new album Arches, the third LP from singer-guitarist Jeff Gorman and drummer Jake Cochran. Moving between easy indie rock, kaleidoscopic neo-psychedelia, and electro-embellished Americana, the duo weaves together a sonic world full of enigmatic energy. Celebrate the official release of the new album as Illiterate Light returns to the region that gave birth to its singular Shenandoah Valley sound.

Friday 11/8. $25–50, 8pm. The Jefferson Theater, 110 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. jeffersontheater.com

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Arts Culture

The Great Rotumpkin

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Local artist Jeff Dobrow and The AV Company return for another year of The Great Rotumpkin, a ghoulish good time celebrating the spooky season. Skeletons, pumpkins, cauldrons, and more appear on the exterior of UVA’s Rotunda as projected vignettes, accompanied by haunting music, cycle through scenes that send shivers down the spine. This year, Kiki and Celeste join the festivities following the puppets’ incredible appearance at the Festival of the Moving Creature.

Thursday 10/31-Saturday 11/2. Free, 7pm. UVA Rotunda. arts.virginia.edu

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Culture Food & Drink

Terroir Tapes Listening Sessions—Act II

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Exploring geographies that produce distinctive flavors, the Terroir Tapes Listening Sessions—Act II blends hip-hop history with wine-tasting in a bold and vibrant manner. Hosted by Emmy Award-nominee Jermaine Stone of the Wine and Hip Hop podcast, the sessions inform guests of the environmental factors responsible for shaping the flavor profile of a particular wine region, while also discussing the characteristics of classic hip-hop regions. Local chef Antwon Brinson of Culinary Concepts AB provides small bites to complement the selection of Virginia wines sampled during this Two Up Wine Down festival event.

Friday 11/1. $25, 6pm. Jefferson School African American Heritage Center, 233 Fourth St. NW. twoupwinedown.com 

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Arts Culture

“Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors”

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Drac is back in a sexy and sarcastic off-Broadway production making a regional debut that’s bound to be A-positive. Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors takes Bram Stoker’s titular Count and turns up the camp with gender-bending, nonstop antics that’ll have you screaming with laughter. This riotous reimagining follows the basic beats of the Gothic novel and parodies the prose with pop-culture references sharper than a wooden stake. Due to strong sexual content, adult humor, and simulated sex scenes, this performance is recommended for patrons aged 14 to undying.

Through Sunday 11/24. Times and ticket prices vary. Blackfriars Playhouse, 10 S. Market St., Staunton. americanshakespearecenter.com

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Arts Culture

Atmosphere

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Are you struggling with life, love, stress, and setbacks? Are you well aware that the modern man must hustle? Have you been trying to find a balance since the aughts? Have you been a staple of the Midwest hip-hop scene and a defining force in Minneapolis music since the 1990s? Then you must be Atmosphere! The duo of emcee Slug and producer Ant have been churning out underground hits for more than 20 years, reveling in the unpopular and angsty. Nowadays, the lyrics weave in a little more positivity, but the ruminations on drugs, depression, and being ugly persevere with trademark witticism, wordplay, and self-awareness. $35–40, 8pm.

Wednesday 10/23. The Jefferson Theater, 110 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. jeffersontheater.com