C-VILLE Weekly | May 15 - 21, 2024

Conceptualized 50 years ago, Charlottesville's Downtown Mall endures

MEMORY

LANE

Out... Hang

INSIDE

Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall has faced successes and hardships over 50 years

NEWS 9

10 Disagreement remains as to the events of May 4 on UVA’s Grounds.

11 VDOT plans for summer construction along Hydraulic Road and U.S. 29.

13 Real Estate Weekly: A single-story dentist’s office will be converted to include residential components.

CULTURE 23

25 Tried It: Axe-throwing is now available at Three Notch’d Brewing Co. in Nelson County.

27 The Works: The paintings of UVA alumna and “artpreneur” Uzo Njoku are displayed on Grounds.

Sudoku

Crossword

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EDITORIAL

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Richard DiCicco richard@c-ville.com

CULTURE EDITOR

Tami Keaveny tami@c-ville.com

NEWS REPORTER

Catie Ratliff reporter@c-ville.com

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

CM Turner arts@c-ville.com

COPY EDITOR

Rachel Cressell

MAGAZINE EDITOR

Caite Hamilton

CONTRIBUTORS

Rob Brezsny, Dave Cantor, Matt Dhillon, Carol Diggs, Shea Gibbs, Claudia Gohn, Mary Jane Gore, Maeve Hayden, Andrew Hollins, Erika Howsare, Justin Humphreys, Matt Jones, Sarah Lawson, Erin Martin, Kristin O’Donoghue, Lisa Provence, Sarah Sargent, Kristie Smeltzer, Jen Sorensen, Susan Sorensen, Julia Stumbaugh, Courteney Stuart, Paul Ting, Sean Tubbs

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ART DIRECTOR

Max March max@c-ville.com

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Tracy Federico designer@c-ville.com

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Archaeologist Crystal O’Connor in the HotSeat

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Nanci Winter (434) 373-0429

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Billy Dempsey circulation@c-ville.com

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Morgan Stanley is proud to congratulate Eric Parker,

CFP®

Named one of Forbes’ Best-In-State Wealth

Advisors

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5.15.24

Hello, Charlottesville. Thank you for reading C-VILLE Weekly. Long before I moved to the city, the Downtown Mall was the spot to be if I was in town. It’s such a vibrant confluence of local art, food, and shopping—all contained, crucially, in a walkable space. Businesses have come and gone since I first visited Charlottesville—some coffee shops are no more—but even after a recession, a pandemic, and another recession, the pedestrian mall walks tall. This week, Carol Diggs reflects on the history of the Downtown Mall and where it stands today, 50 years on from its conception in 1974 (p. 18). Some may disagree, but the mall seems to have largely stood by its founding philosophy over the past half century, providing a space where pedestrians are given priority in a world where cars are often king. By speaking with business owners and community leaders, Diggs paints a picture of a space that has had its problems but also has the capacity to fix them.

Readers, this letter marks my last as editor of C-VILLE Weekly. As I said a few weeks ago, I have elected to leave the paper to tend to a family emergency out of state. I want to thank you all, once again, for picking up C-VILLE—whether this is your very first time, your first time in a long time, or you’re an avid reader of the paper. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to write for and to this community, and I look forward to visiting again soon.—Richard DiCicco

WEDNESDAY, MAY 15 MAGNOLIA PARK WITH ARCHERS

THURSDAY, MAY 16

“THE AFTER PARTY” WITH SISTERS & BROTHERS PLUS GORDON STERLING AND THE PEOPLE

JUST ANNOUNCED!

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HERRIN 05-24 | THE GLADSTONES WITH KINGDOM OF MUSTANG 05-25 | MAYDAY WITH HOT MAMAS 05-26 | MUSIC OPEN MIC HOSTED BY THEOCLES 05-31 | YASMIN WILLIAMS 06-01 | TIMALIKESMUSIC R&B DJ NIGHT

06-07 | JACOB PAUL ALLEN/ HANNAH JUANITA PLUS WILD BILL & THE BRUISERS

06-08 | DRAG BONANZA HOSTED BY BEBE GUNN & CHERRY POSSUMS

06-13 | MELISSA FERRICK WITH KRISTEN FORD 06-14 | FANTASTIC CAT WITH FOX & BONES

06-15 | SOUTH OF HEAVEN WITH AT WAR, EKKTOPLASM & SEPTIC VOMIT

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06-26 | TROUSDALE: STILL OUT OF MY MIND TOUR WITH JOHN-ROBERT PRESENTED BY WNRN

06-30 | AFRO DEAD + SIA TOLNO

07-12 | THE WILDMANS

07-14 | TOMMY PRINE WITH SPECIAL GUEST KINDRED VALLEY

07-17 | EDDIE 9V

“I oppose any form of regulation or tax on the People’s right to keep and bear arms. … My legislation would eliminate the overly complicated and antiquated process for acquiring suppressors and ensure that those purchases are no longer subject to federal regulation.”

—Congressman Bob Good, introducing the Silencers Helping Us Save Hearing (SHUSH) Act on May 8, which would deregulate sound moderators on firearms and preempt state laws prohibiting their possession.

NEWS

IN BRIEF

Cause for celebration

It’s graduation season in Charlottesville! Celebrations kick off at the University of Virginia on Friday, May 17, with events including valedictory exercises, the Donning of the Kente ceremony, and the Fourth Year Class Party. The main ceremonies will be held on Saturday, May 18, and Sunday, May 19, at 9am, with respective commencement speakers Daniel Willingham and Risa Goluboff. Expect traffic delays at the Corner, Downtown Mall, and just generally all of Main Street over the weekend.

Phoning in

The Charlottesville Police Department will resume responses for some non-emergency calls on June 1. Responses were temporarily paused in 2021 due to staffing shortages. Significant improvements to staffing will allow officers to respond to credit card fraud, false pretense, impersonation, larceny, vandalism, and lost property calls in person.

Compromise concessions

Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed a compromise budget passed by the Democratically controlled state legislature on Monday, May 13. While the new version includes funding for schools and pay increases for teachers and other state employees, other key Democratic priorities were scrapped on the bargaining table. Notable changes include the exclusion of language requiring reentry into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and the removal of any tax increases or decreases.

Moving up

On May 13, Jamie Gellner started as the new Director of Transportation for Albemarle County Schools.

Prior to her current role, Gellner served as the Director of Special Projects, Program Evaluation, and Department Improvement for ACPS. She also has a background

In other words

While UVA leadership has continued to stress its willingness to engage with students over the ongoing conflict in Gaza, one such conversation did not proceed as planned on Thursday, May 9, when members of Apartheid Divest—a coalition of 43 student groups—walked out on a pre-scheduled meeting with UVA President Jim Ryan. More than 30 students stood in silence outside the meeting room, with their hands raised and painted red, as remarks and demands were read aloud to the UVA president.

Ryan listened to the statement in silence, leaving after the group started to

in transportation management, with experience in both Charlottesville and Fairfax.

“Our students deserve safe, reliable transportation services that support their education,” said Gellner in a release from ACPS. “I am eager to collaborate with students, families, and, of course, the

chant, “35,000 dead and you arrested kids instead” and “Jim Ryan you can’t hide, you’re supporting genocide.”

In a statement to the Daily Progress about the decision to not move forward with the meeting as planned, Apartheid Divest member Josh Rosenberg said, “President Ryan’s actions were so inexcusable that there was no way we could have a good faith conversation with him after he refused to engage in good faith with students protesting peacefully for Palestine.”

Further division over how to best address UVA’s decision to call in police to break up the encampment arose on Friday, May 10, at a faculty senate meeting. Upper leadership, in-

cluding Ryan, Longo, and Vice President and Provost Ian Baucom, attended the first portion of the gathering, and were grilled by several members and a small contingent of supporters among the faculty.

At the height of the conversation, multiple professors expressed their frustration with administration not dismissing the no trespass orders issued to protesters on the scene, especially those issued to faculty members and current students.

After leadership left, the senate passed an amended resolution calling for an external review of the events of Saturday, May 4, but declined to pass a resolution of solidarity.

dedicated staff of the Department of Transportation to implement innovative solutions and ensure every student arrives at school safely, on time and ready to learn.”

Gellner’s appointment comes at the tail end of a bumpy school year for bussing in the county, which experienced a driver shortage at

the start of the 2023-24 school year. After three months, ACPS was able to expand bus services to all students requesting transportation outside of the walk zone. Over the summer, Gellner will be working to minimize potential driver shortages that may pop back up this fall.

Conflicting accounts

Officials and observers disagree on what happened May 4 and what to do next

By Catie Ratliff reporter@c-ville.com

Administrators, faculty, students, and the broader Charlottesville community continue to grapple with the forceful removal of a pro-Palestine encampment from the University of Virginia by police on Saturday, May 4. No one can agree on exactly what happened. University leadership, including President Jim Ryan and University Police Chief Tim Longo, outlined the timeline of events from their perspective at a virtual town hall on Tuesday, May 7.

Points of contention

“So I will start with the obvious,” said Ryan at the opening of the meeting. “Saturday was a terrible and terribly sad and upsetting day. I’m very sorry it got to that point.”

Though he acknowledged there were disagreements with the decision to dissolve the encampment and bring in state police, Ryan stood behind the choices made and outlined leaderships’ decision-making process.

In response to UVA’s event, faculty members organized their own within two days—billed as Eyewitness Perspectives: An Honest Town Hall—to provide clarity on the differing points of view, supplemented with photo and video evidence.

“By gathering eyewitness accounts from people who served in various capacities in the Liberated Zone, from observer to liaison to participant, we want to set the record straight on events as they unfolded,” said Professor Tessa Farmer at the opening of the Thursday, May 9, meeting.

Following the meetings, everyone—protesters, faculty, administration, and observers—are struggling with what comes next. At press time, UVA has indicated that final exercises will proceed as planned. Leadership has repeatedly assured that freedom of speech is a priority on Grounds, and they will continue to engage student groups in conversations about the conflict in Gaza.

While the timeline of police presence on the scene is largely agreed upon, the details surrounding opportunities for de-escalation, level of force, and resistance differ between UVA administration and faculty.

UVA SAID

 The decision to end the encampment was made for the safety of the community. Reasons cited include protesters calling for more people and resources on social media throughout the week. Emergency alerts were required by the Clery Act, but leadership acknowledged at the Faculty Senate meeting on Friday, May 10, that they brought more people to the scene.

 Protesters were unwilling to take down the tents on Saturday, May 4, and clearly understood UVA’s tent policies.

 Law enforcement identified four men dressed in black, at least two of whom “were known to law enforcement personnel as participating in violent acts elsewhere in the commonwealth.”

 When he went to remove the tents, Longo said he became fearful given demonstrators’ use of umbrellas and protest chants.

PROTESTERS SAID

 Despite the calls for more attendees and supplies, the size of the encampment shrank throughout the week. More observers showed up on Saturday, May 4, after UVA issued multiple emergency alerts. Multiple attempts were made to contact leadership, including Ryan and Vice President and Provost Ian Baucom, throughout the morning and afternoon of May 4.

 Early in the morning of Saturday, May 4, faculty liaisons reportedly notified administration of the exemption for recreational tents listed on the UVA Environmental Health and Safety website. Faculty also mentioned other students were simultaneously using similar tents by the volleyball courts on Grounds.

 No one at the facult y-led town hall indicated that they saw or were informed of the “four men dressed in black” at the encampment.

 Video shows Longo approaching the encampment. Protesters can be seen holding open umbrellas, several with their backs to officers, while reciting a call-and-response: “We have a duty to fight for Palestine. We have a duty to win. We must love each other and protect one another. We have nothing to lose but our chains.” After several rounds of chanting, during which neither Longo nor any other officer is seen approaching the encampment, UPD walked away from the protest.

 UPD officers “were met with the use of umbrellas in an aggressive manner” when attempting to remove the tents and break up the demonstrators, precipitating the decision to involve Virginia State Police.

 Some protesters resisted arrest or threatened police, with one attendee charged with assaulting an officer.

 Student protesters at the encampment would not engage directly with administration, instead acting through faculty liaisons, showing an unwillingness to hold conversations.

 A video from the faculty town hall shows UPD officers attempting to physically take the umbrellas as protesters hide behind them. One person can be heard yelling “What the fuck?” repeatedly before the crowd repeats “UPD, KKK, IDF, they’re all the same.”Faculty allege officers approached multiple times to take the umbrellas, with the video showing the third encounter.

 VSP encircled and closed in on the encampment, cutting off bystanders and liaisons. Video shows professors attempting to deescalate the situation by standing between officers and the encampment, repeating, “These are our students, on their campus” as armed law enforcement officers moved in. Faculty and protesters broadly dispute claims of violence by encampment participants.

 UVA administration has demonstrated a willingness to hold conversations about Palestine, but with no substantive action taken.

 No eyewitnesses recall any organized medical treatment center on site. Any first aid provided was given by demonstrators, observers, or faculty.

 Longo claims people affected by chemical irritants deployed were given medical treatment on the scene, with no significant injuries occurring to protesters.

Path for improvement

Updates on VDOT construction along Hydraulic Road and U.S. 29

By Catie Ratliff reporter@c-ville.com

With the missing medians, peeled-up pavement, and barrage of cones, it’s hard to miss the construction on Hydraulic Road and U.S. 29. But Virginia Department of Transportation Project Manager Will Stowe says there’s a method to the madness.

Construction along the busy corridor started earlier this year and has mostly consisted of right-of-way acquisitions up to this point, according to Stowe. “Currently, the main work is along the Hydraulic corridor,” he says. “We are preparing to build a roundabout at the intersection of Hillsdale Drive and Hydraulic.”

Located between the Whole Foods Market and Kroger parking lots, that particular intersection is a notoriously busy one. Data from VDOT’s crash map over the last two years shows clusters of accidents in and around the intersection. By putting in a roundabout, VDOT hopes to improve safety and traffic flow in the area.

VDOT is currently relocating utilities and installing drainage, and they plan to implement a detour for which construction is projected to last between 40 and 45 days. This detour will take drivers to the nearby intersection of the 250 Bypass and U.S. 29/ Emmett Street next to Bodo’s Bagels. In an effort to reduce traffic as a result of the detour, VDOT intentionally scheduled the work while the University of Virginia, Albemarle County schools, and Charlottes-

ville City schools are out of session (UVA holds summer session classes, but student presence on Grounds is significantly lower compared to the fall and spring semesters).

During construction, drivers will still be able to access businesses and other loca tions along Hydraulic Road, Brandywine Drive, and Michie Drive, but the area will be closed to through traffic.

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“We’ll make sure that all the roundabout signage and guidance is in place, [and] the pavement marking will make it pretty clear which ways you need to go,” he says.

Aside from the roundabout, the project will also include signal changes, handicap ramp improvements, and the construction of a pedestrian bridge over U.S. 29 by the Shops at Stonefield.

“We’re also installing Amber beacons at the crosswalks around the roundabout to alert traffic to pedestrians,” says Stowe. Other pedestrian crossings and street lighting will be added throughout the construction area, but one big change for drivers will be the removal of left turn lanes from Hydraulic Road onto Route 29. “Reducing the phases at that light … will give a lot more green time to the other operations [there].”

VDOT has already started preparing for the pedestrian bridge over U.S. 29, but construction will not significantly affect drivers and pedestrians until at least this fall. “We’ll be focused on the roundabouts and signal[s] this summer,” says Stowe. “We’ll be focusing on getting the pedestrian bridge built into the fall and into next year.”

“We’ll make sure that all the roundabout signage and guidance is in place, [and] the pavement marking will make it pretty clear which ways you need to go.” WILL STOWE, VDOT PROJECT MANAGER

VDOT estimates the Hydraulic Road and U.S. 29 project will be completed in Fall 2025.

Photo by Joyce McClure

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Neighborhood remodel?

Plans filed to convert dentist’s office to four-story mixed-use building

By Sean Tubbs

Twenty-three years ago this week, Albemarle Supervisors officially adopted a policy called the Neighborhood Model to encourage construction of a more urban fabric in the county’s designated growth areas.

“We were proud of the tremendous efforts put into developing the Neighborhood Model by a committee of local residents and staff,” says Sally Thomas, who represented the Samuel Miller District at the time. “It was ‘smart growth’ before that was a common moniker.”

Since that time, developers have gotten approval from the Board of Supervisors by demonstrating how their projects satisfy twelve principles intended to avoid suburban sprawl by using land more efficiently. Albemarle also created master plans for each area to signal to property owners what the local government would like to see happen.

Dr. Jay Knight operates his dental practice on a one-acre parcel on Woodbrook Drive near the intersection with Berkmar Drive in a building constructed in 1996.

“Our building pretty much needs to be updated at this point,” Knight says. “I have been thinking for some time about redesigning the office and the building and thought it would be a great idea to also be able to have some residential components with the property.”

According to the plans drawn up by the firm Line and Grade, the one-story building would be demolished to make way for a four-story structure with a footprint of 6,698 square feet.

“Currently the plan is for ground-level dental office space with three stories residential above, at up to 15 units,” reads the narrative for the application written by Line and Grade.

Knight is a native of the area who says he appreciates Albemarle’s work to limit development into the rural area to attain

what he described as a “great harmony.” This property is designated in the Places29 Master Plan as “urban density residential.”

However, comprehensive plans are advisory and landowners must comply with zoning. The current classification for this property is commercial (C-1) so a special use permit is required for residential use. Two special exceptions to building placement rules are also requested to allow the site to be reused.

The property is adjacent to Agnor-Hurt Elementary School, and plans show an easement for a future pathway to the school should the county decide to build one. Knight said that came at the suggestion of planners in Albemarle’s Community Development during a preliminary meeting before the application was filed.

Albemarle has amended its Comprehensive Plan several times since 2001, including the addition of the Housing Albemarle plan. This plan has a clear goal for developers: More places to live are required for the county to support anticipated population growth. The Places29 Master Plan, adopted in 2007, called for an extension of Berkmar Drive north, and VDOT has plans to connect that roadway to Airport Road where it joins the UVA Discovery Park.

Another principle in the neighborhood model is to provide residential density in places where there are sidewalks, bicycle infrastructure, and public transit. People who live in the space would have access to at least one Charlottesville Area Transit route. Knight said residents could walk to the Rio Hill Shopping Center for groceries and could easily make their way to jobs.

“I think a concept like what we’re talking about would really fit in,” Knight says. The permit and the special exceptions will need to go through the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors. Knight hopes to be able to move to construction between two and five years.

The single-story office structure within the yellow boundaries will be redeveloped as a four-story mixed-use building with up to 15 apartments.

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BELLAIR

Recently renovated contemporary home in soughtafter Bellair neighborhood! With 4-BR, 3.5-BA, and a vaulted great room, this residence offers superb construction. Enjoy stunning views from the screened porch. MLS#652438 $2,875,000 Jim Faulconer, 434.981.0076 or Will Faulconer, 434.987.9455

CRAIGS STORE ROAD

76 acre parcel in western Albemarle with compelling views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, diverse terrain, and multiple estate-caliber building sites. 2 miles from Batesville Market, 15 miles from Charlottesville, not under conservation easement. MLS#652337 $1,150,000 Court Nexsen, 646.660.0700

MACLIN BUILDING CONDO

North of Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall, 2-BR, 2-BA Maclin Building condo offers modern amenities: 1,400 sf., gas FP, gourmet kitchen, glass window DR, urban, Blue Ridge views, parking, high-speed internet. MLS#651029 $749,000 Jim Faulconer, 434.981.007 or Will Faulconer, 434.987.9455

SWANNANOA COUNTRY CLUB

This legendary Blue Ridge Mountain golf course is on the market for the first time. The 236 acres offers sweeping views and huge opportunities for multiple uses. 20 minutes west of Charlottesville and the University of Virginia. MLS#649416

$3,500,000 Tim Michel, 434.960.1124

MILL HOUSE

Former house of noted local architect Floyd E. Johnson, on the banks of Totier Creek. Thoughtfully renovated and expanded, 5-BR, 3 full and 2 half BA. Guest house, 2-bay garage, pool, equipment shed plus 130 acres of open & wooded land. MLS#639196 $2,245,000 Court Nexsen, 646.660.0700

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HYLAND RIDGE

Rare opportunity: 21-acre lot in coveted Hyland Ridge, perfect for dream home near Charlottesville. Minutes from Downtown Mall, Martha Jefferson Hospital, UVA. Elevated, wooded parcel with Blue Ridge Mountain views potential. MLS#652242 $975,000 Jim Faulconer, 434.981.0076 or Will Faulconer, 434.987.9455

MONTICELLO AVENUE

1-BR, 1-BA condo located just steps away from the Downtown Mall. Featuring a gourmet eat-in kitchen, private balcony and more! Exceptional opportunity to experience the best of Downtown living! MLS#651308 $520,000 Jim Faulconer, 434.981.0076 or Will Faulconer, 434.987.9455

MEADOW FARM

436+ acres in Southern Albemarle! 4 division rights; complete privacy; lush, gently rolling terrain; long road frontage; stream; 3-acre lake; 125-135 acres of open land; mature hardwood forests. Under conservation easement. MLS#651411

$2,985,000 Charlotte Dammann, 433.981.1250

GIBSON’S HOLLOW

Ivy area! 160+ acre hidden, private Arcadia at the entrance to its own little valley. Multiple parcels and subdivision rights make it a conservation easement candidate. Backs up to Bundoran Farm. MLS#652577 $1,990,000 Tim Michel, 434.960.1124

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LOFTLANDS GLEN

Four bedroom, five full bath home built in 1996. Main level with primary bedroom suite, open kitchen, living room with fireplace, home office. Sunroom and deck to private backyard with swimming pool. Terrace level family room, plenty of storage. MLS#652617 $750,000 Court Nexsen, 646.660.0700

KESWICK ESTATE

Discover Keswick Estate, a gated community near Keswick Hall, offering a 2.10± acre building site harmonizing country life and resort living in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Create your dream home close to golf, dining, tennis, and more. MLS#650785 $515,000 Court Nexsen, 646.660.0700

THE DOWNTOWN MALL

PAST&

PRESENT

After five decades of growth and change, the Mall survives By Carol Diggs

he Downtown Mall is a central feature of life in Charlottesville—a place where residents, locals, and students alike head for shopping, meals, drinks, and entertainment. But there’s more: At eight blocks, it’s one of the longest pedestrian malls in the country. Of about 200 pedestrian malls built in the 20th century, ours is one of only 30 that survive. It’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s also (word has it) the most popular tourist spot in the area, after Monticello.

And the Mall is a huge income generator for Charlottesville. According to Chris Engel, director of the city’s Office of Economic Development, an analysis from 2013 showed 17 percent of the city’s tax revenue from business license, meals, and sales taxes was derived from the Mall, which is only 3 percent of the city’s commercial area. “It’s reasonable to assume the percentage is similar in 2024,” he says.

But these are just data points. As the Mall approaches its 50th anniversary, I set out to explore its story.

Growing, growing, gone

There are still plenty of residents who remember the pre-Mall, small-town Charlottesville that in the 1950s saw people—and their dollars—heading to the suburbs. The new Barracks Road Shopping Center and others like it siphoned off the city’s shoppers and a large chunk of its tax revenues.

By 1959, the downtown business community knew drastic change was needed, and over the next decade various groups developed revitalization proposals which were hotly debated and repeatedly rejected. It’s a measure of how dire the situation must have been that in 1974, the Charlottesville City Council took a make-or-break decision: It approved a $4.1 million proposal to radically redesign the town’s heart. (The vote was a less-than-rousing 2-0; three of the councilors abstained due to opponents’ cries of potential conflict of interest.)

The proposed design was the work of internationally known landscape architect Lawrence Halprin, the designer of Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco, the groundbreaking pedestrian/transit Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis, and many other landmarks. Halprin’s human-scaled designs featured a free pedestrian flow combined with spaces for gathering, carefully placed trees to both

shape and shade the walkway, and the use of water features and participatory fountains. It’s a tribute to the city’s business community and planners that a small college town took this ambitious step.

On July 3, 1976, the Downtown Mall was opened with the placement of a commemorative brick in front of the Central Place fountain. But that didn’t mean instant prosperity—the downtown area couldn’t be insulated from changes in consumer habits or national economic trends. By the 1990s, department stores Miller & Rhoads, Roses, and Leggett had moved, and Woolworth’s had gone out of business. Gradually, the Mall morphed from a business district (banks, law offices, stores) into an entertainment/cultural space.

The Mall evolves

In 1980, the first sidewalk café, The Muse, opened. The following year, Miller’s became the Mall’s first music venue and the city installed six steel sculptures by University of Virginia professor James Hagan. In 1988, the first Fridays After Five concert was staged; and six years later, the expansion of the Mall’s eastern end created a permanent stage for that event and others. The 1996 opening of Regal Cinemas (now Violet Crown) and the Charlottesville Ice Park (replaced by the C.O.D.E. Building) developed the Mall’s western end and drew more evening and weekend visitors.

It’s hard now to imagine that in the Mall’s early years, the Paramount Theater sat shuttered in its very center. The theater, a downtown feature since it opened in 1931, shut down in 1974. Julie Montross, the Paramount’s executive director, credits a 12-year effort by committed members of the community, working with the city government, to restore and reopen the old theater in 2004 as a nonprofit community cultural space. “It’s a huge benefit for our mission to be in the heart of things,” says Montross. (Andy Pillifant, the Paramount’s director of communications, maintains that the Paramount’s blade sign, finally restored in 2015, is the third most photographed object in Charlottesville after Monticello and the Rotunda. Hard to prove, but believable.)

Another Mall success factor: By the 1990s, Halprin’s trees had matured. Mall observers credit that overhead canopy with creating a real sense of place—as well as shade that made people want to linger.

Speed bumps

This is not to say there weren’t ups and downs along the way. Convenience and habit kept most UVA students on the Corner, and until West Main was revitalized, there was no real connection between Grounds and the downtown area. Linnea Revak (a UVA grad, class of 2010) who now owns Darling + Dashing on the Mall, says, “When I was an undergrad, students never walked up Main Street.”

By 2008, 30-plus years of wear and tear on the area’s lighting, water features, and pavement was showing. The Council’s consideration of a $7.5 million renovation project led to heated debates about time, cost, and the nature of the Mall itself. Beth Meyer, a professor in UVA’s School of Architecture, was one of those who got drawn into the debate.

“Halprin’s design was so brilliant, minimalist with its flowerpots and lights and trees. It’s an outdoor living room,” she says. “Some people understood Halprin was important; others thought [honoring the original design] was a huge waste of money.”

Meyer and others argued for restoring some of Halprin’s features that had been cut—the large fountain, play spaces for children—but in many instances, budget won over design. Re-laying the brick pavement, after another protracted debate, was done in sections over the winter of 20082009 so as not to close the Mall entirely. Unfortunately, the project coincided with a national recession, and many businesses were hit hard.

Once again, the Mall’s fortunes recovered—and then came August 11 and 12, 2017, when a deadly white nationalist protest struck the city. Those shocking events did spur a rallying of the community to support Mall businesses. But the trauma made itself felt in years of city government dysfunction.

The next punch was COVID-19. With the pandemic shutdown, businesses on the Mall had to pivot. Retail moved online, restaurants launched takeout, stores started delivery services. The Paramount was one of the few that stayed open. “It was important to us that the lights stayed on,” says Pillifant, so the theater hosted small-group events or created social distancing by taping photos of past performers to nine out of every 10 seats.

The shutdown resulted in a series of closings, especially among smaller businesses, and created an impression among many residents that the area was struggling. In fact, according to the City’s semiannual survey, the January 2024 vacancy rate for the Mall’s street-level businesses was about 3 percent, down from almost 6 percent in July 2023. “Anything 10 percent or under is a healthy figure, and the Mall has never been above 10 percent” since the survey was started in 2008, says Engel.

Post-pandemic, staffing is still a challenge—some Mall restaurants have cut

back on hours or days open. And the pandemic’s work-from-home trend and resulting office closings had a big effect on the Mall’s activity level. On the lovely spring day I interviewed Rapture owner Mike Rodi, there were people strolling, but only one couple was lunching at his restaurant’s outdoor seating. “Lunch traffic hasn’t recovered,” claims Rodi. “Before the pandemic, on a day like this we would have had a waiting list.”

But perspectives vary. “The Mall is livelier than it used to be,” claims Darling’s Revak (whose sector, vintage clothing, is booming). Lily Garcia Walton, chief people officer and general counsel of tech firm Silverchair, whose offices occupy the top two floors of the Hardware Building, says that on any given day, about 20 percent of its hybrid work force chooses to work on site. “They love being on the Mall for its vibrancy, and because of the venues they can go to after work,” she says.

Ellen Joy of Alakazam Toys, who purchased the business in 2019 from its retiring owner, thinks much of the business turnover may be generational. She credits the Mall’s resilience to its sense of community: “When I got here, the Mall was still reeling from August 11 and 12, and everybody came together to reclaim it.”

Renowned landscape architect Lawrence Halprin created the proposed design for the pedestrian mall.

Beth Meyer, an architecture professor at UVA, was involved in the 2008 debate over how to renovate the Downtown Mall.

Rapture owner Mike Rodi says lunchtime traffic hasn’t been the same since the pandemic.

[THE DOWNTOWN MALL: PAST & PRESENT]

Recurring debates

So is the Mall a city asset? “Because the Downtown Mall is such a powerful symbol [of Charlottesville], it’s always an argument,” says longtime local journalist Sean Tubbs. And one thing Charlottesville residents have plenty of is opinions.

One of the persistent gripes is about parking. The City claims there are 1,710 public parking spaces, largely in the public parking facilities adjacent to the Mall. But every Charlottesville driver has horror stories about the mish-mash of signs and designations along the surrounding streets.

Another complaint: The Mall, a public space, had no public bathrooms. For a while, restrooms were available in the Downtown Transit Authority and in City Hall, but the pandemic shut down access to them. Finally, in 2022—45 years after the Mall opened— the city leased space in York Place for public facilities.

Then there’s the seating issue. Halprin’s design specified 150 moveable public seats. In the 2009 renovation, the city installed 30 fixed benches but removed the ones in Central Place because of complaints about vagrancy. In the meantime, more restaurants leased space outside for expanded service, which advocates for Halprin’s vision called encroachment on the public’s space.

The biggest threat to the Mall’s success, however, is a growing perception that it’s not a safe place. Over the decades, there have been complaints about vagrancy and panhandling, but in the last few years, concerns about physical and verbal assaults have ballooned.

“The Mall is absolutely a safe place to go,” says Chief of Police Michael Kochis. Department statistics show 115 incidents of Part 1 (violent or serious) crime in the last 12 months, compared to 102 in the previous 12—“and larceny is a driver,” says Kochis. Pulling out incidents of gun violence, the figures are two incidents in the last 12 months compared to two incidents

in the preceding 12. In those same periods, shots fired incidents (not considered Part 1 crimes) have decreased from nine to three.

“Are there challenges? Absolutely,” Kochis says. “It’s important not to let the data cover up how people are feeling.” He acknowledges an increase in the number of unhoused persons on the Mall, who gather there since Charlottesville has no 24-hour shelter. Of this population, “there’s a small number who are in crisis and that can cause issues. We’re trying to identify them and get them help.”

The good news is that that department, on track to be fully staffed again by summer, has assigned an officer to the Mall four days a week (weekends are covered by officers on shift). Having an assigned officer provides an ongoing law enforcement presence, builds relationships with the businesses, and enables the officer to recognize the unhomed regulars and keep an eye out for those who may be in crisis. All officers are now going through crisis intervention training, says Kochis. In addition, the new city budget includes funding for the development of “anchor teams,” made up of a law enforcement officer, a paramedic, and a mental health clinician, to respond to situations that require a broader response.

These initiatives are badly needed. But Kochis points out that city government—and the Charlottesville community—need to have in-depth conversations about law enforcement staffing levels, mental health support and services, and community housing.

Whither the Mall?

All things considered, is the Mall a success? “Yes,” Engel says without hesitation. “It’s one of the few pedestrian malls that remains. People from other cities come here to observe [what Charlottesville has done].” But clearly, making sure the Mall continues to thrive will require a more proactive approach to its long-term management.

So whose task is that? The City owns the Mall’s right-of-way (the streets and sidewalks), but there has never been a single-point person for its needs, and there is no single line in the city budget for Mall funding. Maintenance and repairs are handled by the Public Works Department and Parks & Recreation; long-term projects fall under the city’s Capital Improvement Plan.

The buildings along the Mall, however, are privately owned. What most visitors think of as “the Mall” are the restaurants and retail outlets—most of them tenants, whether for 15 years or five months. Over the years, several volunteer groups have taken on the role of speaking for that business community; hopes are high for the newest version, the Friends of Charlottesville Downtown, set up in 2021.

One advantage for this new group, explains Greer Achenbach, the organization’s executive director, is that it’s a nonprofit 501(c)(3), funded by private philanthropy, which means it can hire full-time staff. The Friends wants to

promote all of downtown Charlottesville, but recognizes the Mall is “a unique asset.” Achenbach sees her charge as promoting the businesses—through marketing, media, and special events—while working with the city to create an environment that draws both visitors and residents. Perhaps the Friends’ most noticed contribution so far is artist Eric Waugh’s “Music Box on Main Street,” a multi-part mural wrapping the abandoned Landmark Hotel building, but more special events like the holiday train and the recent open-air flower market are in the works.

“Some of the downtown’s issues are out of our area,” says Achenbach, “but we’re trying to be the energy/driver to keep things from getting stalled. We’re able to speak with one voice for business, tourists, and local users.”

Recognizing this complexity, a year ago, City Council appointed a 19-member Downtown Mall Committee representing a range of stakeholders: property owners, business owners, and residents as well as the historic preservation community and visitors. With staff support from the city, the committee’s monthly meeting examined issues from the Mall’s design and lighting to access, seating, and parking.

The committee is scheduled to present its report to Council later this month. Several observers believe its recommendations will include naming a point person in city government for coordinating the Mall’s maintenance, operation, and long-term budget needs.

More change will be coming. The city recently commissioned a management plan for the Mall’s trees. Many of the willow oaks lining the Mall are aging out; others have been damaged by pollution, accidents, or vandalism. In the meantime, the stumps of several trees that had to be removed have been decorated with sculptures made from their trunks by local chainsaw carver artist Brad Brown.

“It’s clear the Mall needs some investment, some TLC,” says Engel. “It’s a special place— it needs some regular funding source.”

STEPHEN BARLING

Greer Achenbach is the executive director of the Friends of Charlottesville Downtown volunteer group.

CULTURE

FRIDAY 5/17–SUNDAY 6/2

WORKS SIGHTED

Celebrating theatrical works for the stage, Live Arts’ WATERWORKS Festival returns to downtown for its second iteration. The 2024 fest features pieces from local, national, and global playwrights, including one-acts, full-length performances, readings, and special events. An opening night reception and closing day wrap party bookend three weeks of theatrical excellence. The New Works section makes up the bulk of the festival, with 19 Live Artsproduced readings all helmed by local directors. The Spotlight Series presents three staged reading productions of developed scripts, each running one week. A night of local comedy and three educational workshops for community members round out the ambitious programming for this unique and expanding cultural affair. $10–15, times, dates, and venues vary. Live Arts Theater, 123 E. Water St. livearts.org

SATURDAY 5/18

THURSDAY 5/16

A-PEELING ACOUSTICS

Pulling into town this week, veterans of the jam band scene The String Cheese Incident take the stage at Ting Pavilion. For the past 30 years, the six-piece group from Colorado has been blending musical genres and blowing minds around the world. Now, SCI brings their legendary live-show experience to C’ville with a little twist. While their overall oeuvre can be called kaleidoscopic, their latest studio album tamps down the mashup aesthetic and turns up the notes of folk-rock. Get ready to hear brand new arrangements and jacked-up jams as the band expands and transforms their newest studio songs into on-stage standards. $54–69, 7pm. Ting Pavilion, 700 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. tingpavilion.com

A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT

Do you tend to swim upstream or go with the flow? Either way, you probably want to check out this weekend’s Rivanna RiverFest, hosted by Rivanna Conservation Alliance and Rivanna River Company. An afternoon of family-friendly activities, games, and educational opportunities shifts into an evening of celebration and jubilance with live performances from Hometown Choir (a children’s choir of students from the YMCA After-School programs at all Charlottesville City Schools) and We Are Star Children (a local nine-piece “adventure pop” group ... and not literal children). Food trucks and beverage vendors will be on site, as well as many community partners, to rejoice in the majesty of the Rivanna River. Free, 2–9pm. Rivanna River Company, 1518 E. High St. rivannariver.org

CULTURE THIS WEEK

Wednesday 5/15 music

Beleza Duo. Funkalicious samba soul performed in Portuguese, English, and Spanish. Free, 7pm. The Bebedero, 201 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. thebebedero.com

Songwriter’s Open Mic. A space for all levels, styles, and ages. Amps and mics provided. Featuring original songs only. Free, 7pm. Potter’s Craft Cider, 1350 Arrowhead Valley Rd. potterscraftcider.com

Karaoke. Downtown Charlottesville’s longest-running karaoke party. Hosted by Jenn Deville. Free, 9pm. Rapture, 303 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. rapturerestaurant.com

Magnolia Park. A mashup of hip-hop, poppunk, emo, and electronic music promoting inclusivity in the punk-rock scene. $20–25, 7pm. The Southern Café and Music Hall, 103 S. First St. thesoutherncville.com

Open Mic Night. Open to all the musicians, poets, and everyone in between. Hosted by Nicole Giordano. Free, 9pm. Holly’s Diner, 1221 E. Market St.

The Wavelength. Vintage rock, originals, and jazzy blues vibrations for your midweek music boost. Free, 6:30pm. The Whiskey Jar, 227 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. thewhiskeyjarcville.com

The String Cheese Incident. An immersive live show that continually pushes into unexpected terrain. The Colorado-bred sixpiece handles everything from bluegrass to dubstep to psychedelia. $54–69, 7pm. Ting Pavilion, 700 E Main St., Downtown Mall. tingpavilion.com

The Wavelength. Thursday “Sunset Concert Series.” Gorgeous views, tasty ciders, and great tunes. Free, 6pm. Carter Mountain Orchard, 1435 Carters Mountain Trl. cartermountainorchard.com

Vinyl DJ Ryan Wood. Funk, soul, Motown, and other classics on wax. Free, 5pm. Chisholm Vineyards at Adventure Farm, 1135 Clan Chisholm Ln., Earlysville. chisholmvineyards.com

Woodwind Quintet. Join members of the Cville Band’s woodwind section for a spring concert. This group will entertain you with a variety of tunes. Free, 6:45pm. The Center at Belvedere, 540 Belvedere Blvd. thecentercville.org

etc.

Thievery Corporation. Twenty-five years into their genre-defying electronic music career, Thievery Corporation’s music and message are more relevant and important now than ever. $40–65, 8pm. The Jefferson Theater, 110 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. jeffersontheater.com

words

The Future of Housing in Charlottesville.

A panel discussion, moderated by Maxicelia Robinson, of government representatives and housing advocates exploring affordable and low-income housing. Free, 6pm. The Center at Belvedere, 540 Belvedere Blvd. thecentercville.org classes

Paint + Sip. Learn a variety of techniques and skills to create a work of art using “first bloom” as the prompt. Paint, sip, repeat. $38, 6pm. Starr Hill Brewery Tap Room, 5391 Three Notched Rd., Crozet. starrhill.com etc.

Bingo. Free to play, four games, fun prizes. Free, 6pm. Firefly, 1304 E. Market St. fireflycville.com

SuperFly Run Club. Run around the city, then enjoy $5 pints. Free, 6pm. SuperFly Brewing Co., 943 Preston Ave. superfly brewing.com

Trivia Night. Test out your knowledge and play with up to six people per team. You won’t want to miss it. Free, 6pm. Albemarle CiderWorks, 2545 Rural Ridge Ln., North Garden. albemarleciderworks.com

Thursday 5/16

music

Berto and Vincent. A night of wild flamenco rumba and Latin guitar. Free, 7pm. The Bebedero, 225 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. thebebedero.com

Hilltop. Post Pavilion, come to an after party with Hilltop, a four piece funk rock band from Albany, NY. Free, 9pm. Rapture, 303 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. rapturerestaurant.com

Lenny Burridge. Enjoy live tunes and specials in addition to the regular menu. Free, 5pm. Eastwood Farm and Winery, 2531 Scottsville Rd. eastwoodfarmandwinery.com

Sisters & Brothers. A collection of polished and adventurous musicians focused on recreating the unique experience found within the catalogue of the Jerry Garcia Band. With Gordon Sterling and The People. $10, 9pm. The Southern Café and Music Hall, 103 S. First St. thesoutherncville.com

Dart Night. Luck of the draw, double elimination games with $1-off pints. Free, 6pm. Decipher Brewing, 1740 Broadway St. decipherbrewingco.wixsite.com

Team Trivia. Teams of 2–6 are welcome to compete for gift cards and secondary prizes. If your brain is full of useful and useless facts, you’ll be a star. $5, 6pm. Cunningham Creek Winery, 3304 Ruritan Lake Rd., Palmyra. cunninghamcreek.wine

Friday 5/17

music

Acoustic Aubrey. Ease into the weekend with half-price wine flights and live music from “Acoustic” Aubrey, known for covers of classic R&B, jazz, acoustic rock, and more. Free, 5pm. DuCard Vineyards, 40 Gibson Hollow Ln., Etlan. ducard vineyards.com

Chickenhead Blues Band. Charlottesville’s premiere boogie woogie, up beat, rhythm and blues dance band. Free, 6pm. Chisholm Vineyards at Adventure Farm, 1135 Clan Chisholm Ln., Earlysville. chisholmvineyards.com

Ed Ruben. Live rock ‘n’ roll and scratch barbecue. Free, 8pm. Ace Biscuit & Barbeque, 600 Concord Ave.

Eli Cook Band. From the crossroads of blues, the highways of rock, and the backroads of country. Free, 9pm. Holly’s Diner, 1221 E. Market St.

Fridays After Five: Disco Risque. A funky, rock ‘n’ roll dance party with “the rowdiest band in show business.” Free, 5:30pm. Ting Pavilion, 700 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. tingpavilion.com

Full Moon Fever: Tom Petty Tribute. A group of Richmond-area musicians with a love and penchant for learning and performing the music of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers. $15–150, 7pm. Pro Re Nata, 6135 Rockfish Gap Tpke., Crozet. prnbrewery.com

Ken Farmer & The Authenticators. Boogie woogie blues, country, classic blues, and original music from Charlottesville staples. Free, 6pm. Glass House Winery, 5898 Free Union Rd., Free Union. glasshouse winery.com

La Tramontane. Latin and Southern European songs and Latinized soul tunes. Free, 5:30pm. Potter’s Craft Cider, 1350 Arrowhead Valley Rd. potterscraftcider.com

Start Making Sense: A Tribute to Talking Heads. The musicians in this seven-piece tribute band take pride in faithfully recreating the music of Talking Heads’ entire career. $25–30, 8pm. The Jefferson Theater, 110 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. jeffersontheater.com

Still Sharp Singers. Presenting some of your favorite songs. Free, 1:30pm. The Center at Belvedere, 540 Belvedere Blvd. thecentercville.org

Sue Harlow. Enjoy live tunes with your wine, cider, and beer along with a full menu of food options to choose from. Free, 5pm. Eastwood Farm and Winery, 2531 Scottsville Rd. eastwoodfarmandwinery.com

stage

Immodest Opulence Burlesque. A full evening of comedy and sophisticated striptease that celebrates diverse beauty. 18+. $20–30, 9pm. The Southern Café and Music Hall, 103 S. First St. thesoutherncville.com

words

Charlottesville Reading Series. Featuring essayist B. Brian Foster, a writer, storyteller, and sociologist from Shannon, MS. Free, 7pm. New Dominion Bookshop, 404 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. ndbookshop.com

CreativeMornings Charlottesville. A free, monthly breakfast lecture series for the creative community, with hosts Jeremy Stern, Emma Terry, and Maureen Brondyke. This month features Erin O’Hare. Free, 8:30am. ComeToCharlottesvilleVA.com

classes

Paint + Sip. Learn a variety of techniques and skills to paint “sherbet scenery.” Paint, sip, repeat. $38, 6:30pm. Blue Ridge Cafe and Catering, 8315 Seminole Trl., Ruckersville. blueridgecafe.com

Soil and Plant Health Seminar. Get down to the root of how microbiology supports soil and plant health. Perfect for anyone who wants to nurture healthy plants. $25, 9am. Oakencroft Farm and Winery, 1455 Oakencroft Crcl. oakencroftfarm.com etc.

Puzzle Crawl. Crack codes, solve puzzles, and enjoy some of Charlottesville’s best beers along the way. Free, All day. Starr Hill Brewery, Dairy Market. puzzledbee.com

Saturday 5/18 music

Berto Sales. Sounds of Brazil, Spain and Latin America. A unique fingerpicking style and contagious energy will have you tapping your feet. Free, 11am. Tavern & Grocery, 333 W. Main St. tavernandgrocery.com

Blake Hunter & The Gatherers. An intoxicating blend of melodic and polyrhythmic bliss, Blake Hunter & The Gatherers have been working on an exciting brand of original music for nearly twenty years. Free, 5:30pm. Potter’s Craft Cider, 1350 Arrowhead Valley Rd. potterscraftcider.com

Cake Fight. Enjoy live tunes with your wine, cider, and beer along with a full menu of food options to choose from. Free, 1pm. Eastwood Farm and Winery, 2531 Scottsville Rd. eastwoodfarmandwinery.com

Center Band Concerts. Director Bob Dunnenberger leads The Flashbacks and the Second and First Wind Bands. Free, 3pm. The Center at Belvedere, 540 Belvedere Blvd. thecentercville.org

Kat and the Travelers. An awesome blend of originals, swing, vintage jazz, blues, and boogie. Free, 2pm. DuCard Vineyards, 40 Gibson Hollow Ln., Etlan. ducardvineyards.com

AXE YOURSELF, ARE YOU READY TO HURL BLADES?

Once a week, I travel to distant realms to smite evil. I’m half-orc when I do this. I’m also playing Dungeons & Dragons when I do this. While my character Brad the Bad wields various bladed weapons with ease (and alacrity), my day-to-day life involves far fewer stabby items. I butter toast. I chop onions. I sometimes resist the urge to try to lodge a well-thrown steak knife into my drywall.

So, when I heard that Three Notch’d Brewing Company offers axe-throwing at their Nelson County location, I knew my moment had arrived. The quest crystalized in my mind’s eye: I needed to get my D&D party members, a pack of fellas I’ve been playing with for at least seven years, to join me for an evening hurling blades while drinking beer at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains. But would my party answer the call? They did. This is the story of our adventure.—Kristie Smeltzer

What

Throwing axes at Three Notch’d Brewing Company’s Nelson County location

Why

Because playing with bladed weapons under safe conditions is so fun.

How it went

All enjoyed themselves with no casualties to report.

We arrived in ones and twos, as adventuring parties are wont to do. Three Notch’d staff members at the check-in stand gave us waivers to sign, which resulted in a lot of laughs as we read them while waiting for a critical mass of our party to arrive and our lanes to be ready. Here’s the waiver’s gist: This could be dangerous, don’t be putzes, and wear closed-toed shoes. If I’m honest, my biggest concern upon reading the waiver was that we wouldn’t, in fact, be able to enjoy their libations whilst slinging axes, but fortunately, beer and blades can coexist at Three Notch’d.

When our lanes were ready, a kindly staff member took us to our barn. It was a singlecar-garage-sized structure with a little porch with tables for our refreshments and our two axe-throwing lanes inside. We six had the whole barn to ourselves since we’d rented both lanes. The staff member showed us the two types of axes available for hurling: ones with metal heads and wooden handles and others solely made of metal. The latter were lighter and had the added benefit of a sharp edge in front and a small point on the back, so there was more than one way to get them to stick in the target. We learned their main rule of axe-throwing: Retrieve your axe after every throw. (Apparently, the first weekend the lanes were open, a ridiculous number of wood-handled axes perished because people hit the target with one axe, threw another with it still lodged there, and managed to break the first axe’s handle with the second one’s blade.) Judging by the state of our wooden axe handles, this rule is hard to remember – maybe because of beer. We ordered drinks and food and got to hurling. The plain wood targets have a variety of designs that can be projected onto them,

with different shapes and points associated with them. I stuck with a basic bullseye for this go at it. My friends and I had differing techniques. Some stood at the line where the walled sides of the axe lanes began, while others stood a few paces back. Some added a wrist flick as they threw to get more rotation. Others hurled the axes like they’d been storing up years of rage—oh wait, that was me, and I learned that brute force wasn’t the most successful strategy. When I managed to get the right distance from the target and amount of rotation on the axe, the sound of the blade thunking into the wood felt satisfying on a primal level, deep in the gut.

For $100, you too can hurl blades for 90 minutes with up to three of your closest adventuring buddies. Who knows, maybe the wood targets were made from evil trees who needed a little smiting.

Three Notch’d Brewing Company’s Nelson County location is expanding its entertainment options to include axe-throwing.

SUPPLIED PHOTO

CULTURE THIS WEEK

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

Saturday 5/18

Melissa Hansen. A blend of blues, pop, country, and soul. Free, 2:30pm. Albemarle CiderWorks, 2545 Rural Ridge Ln., North Garden. albemarleciderworks.com

Mike Burris Band. A fantastic can’t-miss evening of “country-tinged roots rock” with a nod to Texas blues and a good pop hook. $10, 7pm. The Batesville Market, 6624 Plank Rd., Batesville. batesvillemarket.com

Outer World. Third Rail presents retro-future act Outer World on the WTJU Stage. Crate digger delights, French freakbeats, psychedelic garage-pop, space-age postpunk, ‘80s NYC disco punk, and sensual subtexts. Free, 8pm. The Stage at WTJU, 2244 Ivy Rd. wtju.net

Skydog: Allman Brothers Band Tribute. Comprised of Virginia natives, the band admirably revives the music of the late brothers with a palpable passion that is gleamingly apparent. $15–150, 7pm. Pro Re Nata, 6135 Rockfish Gap Tpke., Crozet. prnbrewery.com

The Michael Elswick Gathering. Jazz, blues, ballads, and Latin tunes. Free, 5pm. Glass House Winery, 5898 Free Union Rd., Free Union. glasshousewinery.com

The Near Passerines. Gather your friends and family and join us for live music that you’ll want to dance to. Free, 5pm. Eastwood Farm and Winery, 2531 Scottsville Rd. eastwoodfarmandwinery.com

stage

Broadway at The Paramount. A dazzling fusion of iconic songs, over 100 aspiring talents, and guest artists from Broadway and beyond. $22–42, 7:30pm. The Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. theparamount.net

classes

Felt Floral Workshop. Learn to make a focal flower and secondary florals and foliage, tied together in small jars. $35, 2:30pm. The Scrappy Elephant, 1745 Allied St. scrappyelephant.com

Hand-Painted Vases. Celebrate spring as you learn to paint a vase perfect for flowers. $15, 4pm. The Scrappy Elephant, 1745 Allied St. scrappyelephant.com

Pressure Canning Workshop. Learn how to pressure can your own produce and take home three different jars of local, canned goods. $60, 2pm. Nealand Farm, 8232 Scottsville Rd., Scottsville. nealand.farm etc.

Flower, Fairy, and Elf Festival. Dress up in your favorite fairy, elf, or magical-themed outfits and wake up the flowers with a fun kids parade and festival on the Downtown Mall. Free, 10am. In front of City Hall, 605 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. friendsofcville.org

Little Naturalists. Bring your 3–5-year-old out to Ivy Creek to introduce them to nature and get them exploring the trails. Free, 10am. Ivy Creek Natural Area and Historic River View Farm, 1780 Earlysville Rd. ivycreekfoundation.org

Puzzle Crawl. See listing for Friday, May 17. Free, All day. Starr Hill Brewery, Dairy Market. puzzledbee.com Rivanna RiverFest. Celebrate and experience your river at Rivanna RiverFest. Live performances, food, drinks, and family-friendly activities for all ages. Free, 2pm. Rivanna River Company, 1518 E. High St. rivannariver.org

Storytime. Readings of recent favorites and classics. Free, 11am. New Dominion Bookshop, 404 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. newdominionbookshop.com

Sunday 5/19 music

Alex Arbaugh. Southern rock, roots, and Americana sounds. Free, 2pm. Glass House Winery, 5898 Free Union Rd. glasshouse winery.com

Joint Venture. A musician’s project playing bluegrass, country, and rock ‘n’ roll— familiar favorites as well as deeper cuts you may not know. Free, 2pm. DuCard Vineyards, 40 Gibson Hollow Ln., Etlan. ducardvineyards.com

Jules Kresky and Alanna Mahon. Acoustic double-header with food and drink specials. Free, 1pm. Potter’s Craft Cider, 1350 Arrowhead Valley Rd. potterscraftcider.com

Songwriter Showcase. Featuring talented performers from our weekly open mic nights. Hosted by Theocles Herrin. $10, 6pm. The Southern Café and Music Hall, 103 S. First St. thesoutherncville.com

Sunday Jazz Jam. Live jazz featuring local, regional, and national musicians improvising with friends and strangers. Free, 6pm. Miller’s Downtown, 109 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. millersdowntown.com

The Trio. “Sunday Session” with The Trio, Popitos Pizza, 100 percent estate wine, and a Blue Ridge Mountain view. Free, 1pm. Chisholm Vineyards at Adventure Farm, 1135 Clan Chisholm Ln., Earlysville. chisholmvineyards.com

The Wavelength. Sunday afternoon jazzy blues vibrations. Canine and kid friendly. Free, 1pm. Merrie Mill Farm and Vineyard, 594 Merrie Mill Farm, Keswick. merrie millfarm.com

classes

Paint + Sip. Learn a variety of techniques and skills to render a “field of fireflies.” Paint, sip, repeat. $45, 1pm. Stable Craft Brewing at Hermitage Hill, 375 Madrid Rd., Waynesboro. stablecraftbrewing.com

Photographing Flowers. Learn tips and tricks for photographing flowers through demonstration and practical, hands-on assistance. Free, 4pm. Ivy Creek Natural Area and Historic River View Farm, 1780 Earlysville Rd. ivycreekfoundation.org

etc.

Developmental Darts. Open to dart throwers of all skill levels or anyone who just wants to learn the basics. Free, 1pm. Decipher Brewing, 1740 Broadway St. decipherbrewingco.wixsite.com

Evening Bird Hike. Beginner-level birding to explore some of the diverse species found in our area. Free, 5pm. Ivy Creek Natural Area and Historic River View Farm, 1780 Earlysville Rd. ivycreekfoundation.org

Family Social and Beginner Session. Join us for an informal Irish music gathering hosted by the Blue Ridge Irish Music School (BRIMS). Free, 3pm. Albemarle CiderWorks, 2545 Rural Ridge Ln., North Garden. albemarleciderworks.com

Puzzle Crawl. See listing for Friday, May 17. Free, all day. Starr Hill Brewery, Dairy Market. puzzledbee.com

Silent Book Club. Sip cider and read in quiet camaraderie. No assigned reading, no obligations. Bring your own book of choice. Free, 12:30pm. Albemarle CiderWorks, 2545 Rural Ridge Ln., North Garden. albemarleciderworks.com

Monday

5/20

music

Berto and Vincent. A lively blend of rumba guitar with Latin and Cuban influences. Free, 6:30pm. South and Central Latin Grill, 946 Grady Ave., Suite 104. southand centralgrill.com

etc.

Being John Malkovich A puppeteer discovers a portal that leads literally into the head of movie star John Malkovich. $9, 7:30pm. The Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. theparamount.net

Castle In The Sky A timeless story of courage and friendship with stunning animation from acclaimed Academy Award-winning director Hayao Miyazaki. $15, 7pm. Regal Cinema Stonefield, 1954 Swanson Dr. regmovies.com

Geeks Who Drink Trivia. Compete with teams of up to six people for chances to win gift cards. Hosted by Audrey. Free, 6:30pm. Decipher Brewing, 1740 Broadway St. decipherbrewingco.wixsite.com

Trivia Night. Unleash your talent. Fierce competition and big laughs, hosted by Brandon “The Trivia Guy” Hamilton. Free, 6pm. Prince Michel Vineyard & Tap 29 Brewery, 154 Winery Ln., Leon. princemichel.com

Trivia on Tap. Five rounds for teams of up to six competitors. Free, 7pm. Three Notch’d Craft Kitchen & Brewery - Charlottesville, 520 Second St. SE. threenotchdbrewing.com

Tuesday 5/21 music

Karaoke. Sign up and sing your favorite songs. Hosted by Thunder Music. Free, 9pm. Holly’s Diner, 1221 E. Market St.

Mackenzie Roark and the Hotpants. A magnetic fusion of classic country, ‘70s folk, and raw rock ‘n’ roll from Richmond, VA. Charlottesville singer-songwriter Travis Elliot will be kicking off the night. Free, 7pm. Dürty Nelly’s, 2200 Jefferson Park Ave. durtynellyscville.com

Vincent Zorn. Wild flamenco rumba to make you say “Ole!” Free, 7pm. The Bebedero, 225 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. thebebedero.com

words

Dr. Temple Grandin: “Great Minds Are Not All the Same.” Dr. Grandin is a prominent author and speaks around the world as an expert on both autism and animal behavior. $24–44, 7pm. The Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. theparamount.net

etc.

Charlottesville Entrepreneurs and Espresso. A casual, caffeine-fueled gathering of learning for entrepreneurs at all stages of venture creation. Free, 8am. CODE Building, Irving Theater, 225 W. Water St. cvsbdc.org

Geeks Who Drink Trivia. Good trivia, good times! Free, 7pm. Firefly, 1304 E. Market St. fireflycville.com

Music Bingo. Hosted by King Trivia. Prizes to be won. Free, 7pm. SuperFly Brewing Co., 943 Preston Ave. superflybrewing.com

River View Farm Tour. Learn about the lives and work of the Carr/Greer Family and their contribution to the local community. Free, 1pm. Ivy Creek Natural Area and Historic River View Farm, 1780 Earlysville Rd. ivycreekfoundation.org

Pattern of success

Uzo Njoku returns to Grounds with visual flourish

By Sarah Sargent arts@c-ville.com

The John P. and Stephanie F. Connaughton Gallery at the McIntire School of Commerce might not be on every Charlottesville art lover’s radar, but it should be. The gallery typically presents three shows each year with two artists per show who are invited to apply by McIntire Art Committee members. In most cases, McIntire purchases work from the exhibiting artist to add to the school’s permanent collection, now numbering over 80 pieces and hung in public spaces throughout the Rouss & Robertson Halls complex.

Currently at Connaughton is the work of Uzo Njoku. A 2019 UVA graduate, Njoku was born in Lagos, Nigeria, and moved to the United States when she was 7. At UVA, Njoku started out as a statistics major but switched to studio art after her first year. She is now a one-woman art-producing and marketing powerhouse based in New York City. “Uzo’s journey from statistics major to a self-styled ‘artpreneur’ holds such appeal and also valuable lessons for students in both the arts and in commerce,” says Dorothy C. Kelly, McIntire’s Robert B. Hardaway, Jr. Lecturer of Personal Finance, who sits on the art committee and is an admirer of Njoku’s oeuvre as well as her entrepreneurial skills.

You only have to look at Njoku’s sleek website to see the breadth of her activities; beyond painting, there are events and a prodigious array of Njoku merch—coloring books, calendars, mugs, T-shirts, and outerwear—plus her own wallpaper designs and a mural commission for Tommy Hilfiger. Not bad for a recent college graduate.

Njoku’s vibrant, large format works feature broad, flat planes of paint. For the most part, she takes a stylized approach and uses a bold palette of bright colors together with black to create a compelling graphic quality. In many of her pieces, Njoku incorporates patterns, as their detail contrasts nicely with the more simplified passages. Pattern is very important to Njoku, who uses it to incorporate Nigerian culture into her work. She uses it in a similar fashion to Kehinde Wiley, as backdrops to portraits, but she favors traditional wax cloth patterns, such as in “A New Perspective,” or distilled versions inspired by them in “A Very Nice Girl,” as opposed to Wiley’s lush floral expanses.

For Njoku, these designs extend beyond visual flourish or cultural reference to imbue the pieces with movement. “The Weight of Ink” is a self-portrait of the artist, identified by the “U” tab on the end of her turtleneck zipper. She’s positioned against an intense teal background and wears a hot pink sweater under an orange shirt and red jacket. Features like ribbing, stitching, and buttons are rendered in careful detail. Two yellow circles denote earrings. What makes the

painting captivating is the face, which is largely nonexistent. Is it that she is laughing so hard that her eyes are squinted shut? All we can see against the black of her skin and hair are her teeth, yet the title suggests a more somber interpretation. Is it a comment about Black invisibility, or the weighty responsibility of presenting the Black experience? One thing is certain: The title suggests that there’s more here than meets the eye.

With the “The Young Man,” Njoku produces a psychologically charged image a result of the melancholia that seems writ on the subject’s face. Sporting a bright red sweater and jeans, he stands before a structure composed of various geometric shapes that form walls, steps, and a doorway. It feels confined, and one wonders if it’s intended to reflect his situation and, perhaps, the stasis that governs his life. Languor is conveyed by a couple of chickens pecking at the ground. Njoku executes these in a more painterly fashion, using blurred brushstrokes to produce feathers. A full laundry basket is positioned against the back wall, and behind the youth hangs a showy floral cloth. Njoku makes it pop by painting it like a self-contained rectangular pattern, as opposed to laundry drying on a clothesline.

The largest work in the show, “Indefinite Space,” is an eye-popping tour de force of motifs and portraiture. Two female figures recline against a vivid pattern of blue, yellow, red, and white that explodes across the canvas. Njoku ratchets up the effect by introducing another similarly hued pattern that butts up against the dominant one. Behind these, she paints a background that looks like a stylized version of deep space. The women, whose faces are rendered with deft sensitivity, confront the viewer with powerful gazes. Each wears African-style head wraps and large gold earrings; one has on fashionably ripped jeans and sneakers, while the other sports a nose ring. The clothing positions them in contemporary times, yet the figures’ poses recall classical renderings of Greek gods and, together with the celestial background, suggest divinity.

The exhibition, which includes multiple works featuring strong women, opened during March’s Women’s History Month. The fact that the strong women in this show are also Black is especially important, given its location at a school that produces future movers and shakers within the realms of commerce and power.

Uzo Njoku’s show “Virginia is for Artists” is at the Connaughton Gallery through June 14. More information at commerce.virginia.edu/art.

THE WINE DOWN

WHAT’S DELISH AT LOCAL WINERIES?

CHISWELL FARM WINERY

Sparkling Rosé

Refreshingly sweet, this white wine balances palate-cleansing Our sparkling Rosé is bright and easy to drink—perfect for these spring days! With a nose of pink carnations and fresh strawberries, it is balanced with bright acidity and light flavors of pink lady apples, starfruit, and strawberry jam with the right amount of fizz. Enjoy on the porch on a sunny day, or pair this wine with freshly shucked oysters, grilled asparagus, or roasted chicken.

A historic Jeffersonian estate nestled in the Virginia countryside, Chiswell Farm & Winery invites guests to delight in locally crafted vintages, panoramic views, and warm hospitality. With a glass in hand, savor the breathtaking scenery from a rocking chair on our covered porch. Gather with friends around a dining table on the lawn or get comfortable in the historic and inviting Greenwood home. Whether you want to come up to the bar for a chat or spread out a blanket for a private picnic, there are countless ways to enjoy the best that Virginia wine country has to offer.

We serve our award-winning wines by the glass, bottle, and flight, seasonal specialty beverages, and a tasteful selection of local and gourmet snacks. Guests are also welcome to bring their own food to enjoy with our wines.

Ages 21+ only, no dogs or other pets permitted on the property. For a family-friendly experience, visit our wine shops at Chiles Peach Orchard or Carter Mountain Orchard. Visit chiswellwinery.com for our seasonal events calendar!

Fridays starting May 17th - Summer Sundown, 6–8 PM

Sundays starting May 26th - Sippin’ Sunday, 2–5 PM

May 27th - Open 11 AM–6 PM for Memorial Day. Enjoy live music from 2–5 PM at Sippin’ Monday!

Seasonal hours: Wednesday–Sunday: 11 AM–6 PM

430 Greenwood Rd, Greenwood, VA 22943 434.252.2947 • www.chilesfamilyorchards.com/chiswell

53RD WINERY AND VINEYARD

A few notes from winegrower and owner, Dave Drillock:

We are in mid spring and the vineyards have popped! It is a hectic time in the vineyard but wonderful to just sit back and enjoy the vineyard view. Our Rose Trio has been very popular. Our 2023 Quintessential Rose has a refreshing acidity with notes of fresh strawberries, rainier cherries, and grapefruit. The 2023 Gentile Press Rose has a bright acidity with notes of strawberries, red current, and cherry. Last, but not least, our 2023 Barrel Aged Rose has a medium body, lively

acidity and notes of cranberry, bing cherries, watermelon red currant and vanilla.

Let me take a moment to review our 2023 Chardonel. A hardy grape that is a cross of Chardonnay and Seyval Blanc, this medium bodied wine delivers a full mouthfeel of pear, lemon zest and green apple. Just the right amount of acidity makes this a refreshing wine with light fare or most fish and chicken dishes. I like it with Chicken piccata and fried chicken! If you have not tried it, come out for a visit and give it a try.

We are an easy, direct drive to get to. Take some “chill” time and enjoy!

So come for the wine and enjoy your visit to our meadow-like setting in rural Louisa County. We are down-to-earth and love to share our enthusiasm with customers about our wine. We are open 7 days a week 11am – 5pm. Check our website www.53rdwinery.com or call 540894-1536 for more information. We look forward to seeing you at the winery! We appreciate your business and support.

May 18th – Live music by Pat Anderson and Hibachi Mobile Food Truck

May 19th –Tasting Series with Head Winemaker Chelsey (advanced ticket purchase required)

Open 7 days a week, 11 am – 5 pm Sat/Sun. 12-6 pm 13372 Shannon Hill Rd Louisa, VA 23093 (540) 894-5474 • 53rdwinery.com

DUCARD VINEYARDS

2023 Rosé

Our new Rosé is a classic, dry Provencal style wine with a gorgeous coral color. A perfect pairing for the patio, this wine exhibits a vibrant mouthfeel with notes of cranberry and citron.

During the month of April we invite you to come to DuCard and enjoy the bloom of the 12,000 tulips we planted, which are now on our lawn overlooking the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. Guests can pick their own dozen to take home with them for $15.

Fridays - Friday Night Out! Every Friday night through the summer we feature half price wine flights, live music, food for sale, and grills available for use until 8:00pm.

Weekends - Live music all weekend long! Check out our lineup on our website!

EASTWOOD FARM AND WINERY

2023 Petit Manseng

Monticello Cup Gold Medalist & Case Winner

With tropical notes of pineapple, mango, and honeysuckle, Eastwood’s 2023 Petit Manseng is light with medium acidity and 0% residual sugar. It is absolutely delightful and the perfect wine to sip all spring and summer. Enjoy a glass with Salty Bottom Blue’s oysters at the winery on Friday nights, or the Shrimp Salad Sandwich from the Eastwood Food Truck every weekend (think lobster roll!), or a Ham & Beurre Sandwich and Eastwood Salad available daily from Chef Andrew and our culinary team. Heading to a dinner party or backyard BBQ? This is the perfect bottle to bring with you. Celebrate the season with a glass of this delicious, awardwinning Virginia wine.

Every Saturday: Live Music 1-4, Eastwood After Dark with Live Music 5-8

Every Sunday: Music Bingo or Paint & Sip

What about the kids?

Kids can share in the experience with their own juice tasting flights and cheese boards!

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK!

Winery Hours: WednesdaySaturday (12-8 PM); Sunday, Monday and Tuesday (12-5 PM)

neutral French oak barrels for primary fermentation. Food pairing would be pork dishes, roasted chicken and plank baked salmon.

We look forward to continuing to serve all of our wonderful guests this winter during our daily hours of 10am-5pm (last pour at 4:45). We offer first come, first served seating under our tent or open seating in our outdoor courtyard. Wine is available by the flight, glass and bottle at our inside or outside service bars, with bar service inside on the weekends! A selection of pre-packaged meats, cheeses, crackers, and spreads are available for purchase as well as our new food truck which is currently open Wednesday- Sunday from 12p-4p. Our winter tent is up and heated for you to enjoy as well!

Bring the family or friends and enjoy live music every Saturday from 124p or play a fun 9 hole of miniature golf on our new course! (Weather permitting)

Daily- Mini golf open and available!

Wednesdays - Wine Down Wednesdays start May 8th every Wednesday through October 5:308:30pm

Saturdays - Live Music from 12-4 pm (check out our website for the schedule!)

May 27th - Memorial Day Guest food truck Catch the Chef. Live Music 12-4pm

Hours: Monday- Sunday from 10 am – 5 pm

1575 Keswick Winery Drive Keswick, Virginia 22947 Tasting Room: (434) 244-3341 ext 105 tastingroom@keswickvineyards.com www.keswickvineyards.com

MONTIFALCO VINEYARD

2023 Montifalco Estate

Open daily Mon-Thurs. 12-5 pm Fri. 12-9 pm Sat/Sun. 12-6 pm 40

This Month at the Winery: Join us for Eastwood After Dark featuring upbeat, danceable music on Saturday nights from 5-8pm (in addition to our Saturday afternoon music lineup). Eastwood also hosts Live Music every Thursday and Friday night, as well as many other events - most events are free and open to the public and a handful are ticketed. See Winery Calendar on our website for all details.

WEEKLY MUSIC SERIES

Every Thursday: Live Music 5-8, Select $5 Glasses of Wine, Beer & Cider + Chip Pairings With Beer Flights All Day

Every Friday: Virginia Oyster & Wine Celebration with Live Music 5-8

We look forward to welcoming you to our tasting room, seven days a week. Join us for award-winning wines, beer, and cider, as well as delicious lunch and dinner menus. Enjoy lounging on the veranda with a glass of our gold medal 2022 Rosé. Or, stay inside and enjoy live music with a seasonal flatbread or baked brie. We also have juice flights and cheese boards for the kids. See the Winery Calendar for details. Escape to Virginia Wine Country, only five miles from Downtown Charlottesville. Open year-round, seven days a week.

Pet friendly and large groups are welcome.  Ample indoor and outdoor seating.

Rt 20 near the intersection with Avon Extended (5 mi from Downtown Mall) Charlottesville, VA 22902 (434) 264-6727 www.eastwoodfarmandwinery.com

KESWICK VINEYARDS

2021 Estate Reserve Rosé

The nose is dry and bright, showcasing initial aromas of citrus, stone fruit and wet stone, but turning to more red fruit with warmth and aeration. Done in

SOUVENIR Sparkling

Meritage Blanc

Ancestral Method Sparkling Wine: A Tradition Reborn

Ancestral method sparkling wine, also known as pet-nat (short for pétillant-naturel), is a style of sparkling wine that predates the traditional method used in Champagne. It’s a fascinating and increasingly popular category of bubbly that captures the essence of artisanal winemaking and natural fermentation. The ancestral method is one of the oldest methods of making sparkling wine, dating back centuries before the invention of the traditional method. In this technique, the wine is bottled before primary fermentation is complete, allowing

the remaining sugars and yeast to continue fermenting inside the bottle. This natural fermentation process produces carbon dioxide, which creates the bubbles in the wine. Unlike the traditional method, which involves a secondary fermentation initiated by adding sugar and yeast to a base wine, the ancestral method relies solely on the natural sugars present in the grapes at the time of bottling. This results in a more rustic and lively style of sparkling wine, with a wide range of flavors and textures.

Characteristics and Flavor Profile

Ancestral method sparkling wines are known for their freshness, vibrancy, and purity of fruit flavors. They often exhibit a cloudy appearance due to minimal filtration, adding to their artisanal charm. The flavor profile can vary widely depending on factors such as grape variety, terroir, and winemaking techniques, but common characteristics include: Delicate Effervescence: Unlike the fine bubbles produced by the traditional method, pet-nat wines typically have a softer and more frothy carbonation, lending a playful effervescence to the wine. Fruitforward Aromatics: With minimal intervention in the winemaking process, our pet-nat wine showcases the true essence of the grapes, with vibrant fruit aromas ranging from citrus and orchard fruits to tropical and berry notes. Subtle Complexity: SOUVENIR exhibits layers of complexity, with nuances of minerality, floral undertones, and herbal accents adding depth to the palate. In recent years, ancestral method sparkling wines have experienced a resurgence in popularity among wine enthusiasts and adventurous consumers seeking out natural and artisanal wines. Winemakers around the

world are embracing this ancient technique and putting their own modern twists on it, experimenting with different grape varieties, fermentation vessels, and aging methods to create unique and exciting expressions of pet-nat. Whether enjoyed as an aperitif, paired with a variety of foods, or simply sipped on its own, ancestral method sparkling wine offers a refreshing and authentic taste of terroir and tradition, making it a delightful addition to any wine lover’s repertoire. Our sparkling petnat SOUVENIR is now available! Join us at the vineyard! Friday, Saturday, Sunday Monday Noon5pm. Visit montifalcovineyard.com for details.

1800 Fray Rd, Ruckersville, VA 22968 (434) 989-9115 montifalcovineyard.com

PRINCE MICHEL VINEYARDS

Harmony

Prince Michel Winery proudly presents Harmony, a masterful blend that sings to the soul and dances on the palate. With every sip of Harmony, experience a delicate balance of rich tropical and stone fruit notes, velvety textures and a refreshing melody of apricot and peach flavors.

Elevate your dining experience by pairing Harmony with light pastas, seafood delights, or a charcuterie board featuring artisan cheeses and fruits. Perfect for special occasions

or a tranquil evening under the stars.

Visit Prince Michel, a cornerstone of Virginia’s renowned wine landscape for over forty years! Family and pet-friendly, it’s one of the oldest and largest wineries in the Commonwealth. Also, home to Tap 29 Brew Pub, serving local craft brews and delicious pub-style food seven days a week.

Established in 1982, Prince Michel has grown into a widely recognized winery, garnering global acclaim for its wines. Owner Kristin Easter, one of a handful of female winery owners, champions a fresh approach centered on hospitality and personal wine enjoyment.

Indulge in a spectrum of wines, from luxurious craft picks such as Chardonnay and Petit Verdot, to distinctive options like the SemiDry Riesling from our Rapidan River series. Don’t miss our crowdfavorite Decadence Chocolate or a refreshing wine slushie for a delightful twist. We have something to offer for every palate!

Located in the heart of Virginia Wine Country, our elegant winery on Route 29 between Charlottesville and Washington DC offers wine tastings, tours, shopping, and scenic picnic spots daily from 11am.

Hours: Open 7 days a Week at 11 a.m.

Mondays - Team Trivia at 6 pm! April 17th - Sip & Paint 5:30-7:30 p.m.

154 Winery Lane, Leon, VA  22725 (540) 547-3707 • www.princemichel.com A Woman-Owned Business

REVALATION VINEYARDS

2023 Bright wood

A blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, and Vidal Blanc, this perfect Spring and Summer wine has exquisite aromatic complexity. Boxwood on the nose with gentle citrus notes (mandarin, orange, lemon) and hints of honeysuckle, mint, hazelnut, and banana. A lightly acidic wine with a fresh saline finish.

May Hours: Friday 12pm to Sunset; Saturday 12pm to 6pm; Sunday 12pm to 5pm; Holiday Monday 12pm to 5pm; Monday and Thursday by reservation only.

Until June 30 - Exhibition of artwork by Courtney Hopkins.

May 24 - Book Club @ The Vineyard starting at 6pm: The Last List of Mabel Beaumont by Laura Pearson.

May 30 - Sip & Learn at 6pm: Viticulture 101 by Françoise SeillierMoiseiwitsch

June 1 - Pop-up from 12:00pm until 6:00pm: Burg Charcuterie food truck

June 7 - Book World Meets Wine World at 5:30pm: Susan Schwartz will read from her book Ghosts of Charlottesville.

2710 Hebron Valley Road, Madison, VA 22727 540-407-1236 www.revalationvineyards.com

VERITAS

2022 Viognier

Pale as a white peach our 2022 Viognier is brimming with all the lovely aromas we associate with the Viognier grape. Perfumes of orange blossom mingle with peaches and cream with just a hint of ginger. Great with a variety of hard cheeses, grilled chicken, and pulled pork BBQ!

Big events coming up with Veritas! Check out the lineup here:

Save the Date - August 10th: Mark your calendars for the one and only Starry Nights of 2024, an all-daylong event with your favorite bands from over the years! Additional details and ticket information with be forthcoming.

The Veritas Tasting Room remains open seven days a week, 11 am - 5 pm; we look forward to seeing you soon!

151 Veritas Ln, Afton, VA 22920 (540) 456-8000

PUZZLES

SUDOKU

Complete the grid so that every row, column, and 3x3 box contains every digit from 1 to 9 inclusively.

#1

Outposts

BY MATT JONES

ACROSS

1. It’s a long story

5. Pal in Pamplona

10. High school class

13. Hokkaido sashes

14. Repeat performances?

16. W ish undone

17. 1982 horror flick

19. “___ bide my time”

20. North African condiment

21. Belief held by Thomas Jefferson and Mark Twain

23. Pressing needs?

24. Sunday dinner slow-cooker option

27. Dreyer’s, east of the Rockies

28. Paid athlete

30. M&M color introduced in 1995

31. Shift neighbor

33. Commander ’s commander

34. Faddish mental health proponent

39. It’s all wrong

40. Thompson who’s still on “SNL”

41. Verifiable

42. Use a needle and thread

43. Drier than dr y

47. Most courteous

51. At a good clip

52. “Love ___ you need”

53. Scanned black-andwhite patterns

55. “The Brady Bunch” daughter

57. Georges Seurat, for one

59. Est adio Diego Armando Maradona cheer

60. “The Woman In Me” autobiographer

61. Fox’s home

62. “___ the season to be jolly”

63. Young’s partner in accounting

64. ___ occasion (never)

DOWN

1. Singer-songwriter Ellis-Bextor

2. All ___!”

3. California’s “Garlic Capital of the World”

4. Actors John and Sean, for two

5. Airport postings, briefly

6. Prefix used by some state lotteries

7. Anger

8. Musical not ation pioneer

9. Beginning

10. Monaco’s royal house

11. Actor Brynner

12. Nickname for two Spice Girls

15. Make a slight move

18. Squiggly letter

22. 1924 Pulitzer Prize-winning Edna Ferber novel

24. Swanky to the max

25. Makes an appeal

26. Pitched shelter

28. TP layer

29. Rooftop accessory

31. Georgia, formerly, e.g.

32. Fine-tune

33. “___ voyage!”

34. Arrested suspect, informally

35. Three-layered cookie

36. Nutty confections

37. Suffix for cities

38. Scientific principle

43. NASA lunar program

44. Angular measure, in math

45. Isolates due to extreme weather, maybe

46. G.I. Joe villain whose name is one letter short of a synonym for “obliterate”

48. Bar lineup

49. Get married secretly

50. Craftier

51. Knee injur y site, briefly

53. Fiscal yr. divisions

54. Robbie who played Cousin Oliver

55. Scribble (down)

56. Oscar-nominated role for Smith

58. Photographer Goldin

Thankyou!

Thankyoutoalltheteams,sponsors,andvolunteers whohelpedmakethisyear’sWordplaycompetitiona hugesuccess!YoursupportofLiteracyVolunteersof Charlottesville/Albemarlemeanssomuch

CongratulationsWinners!

FirstPlace: BestWestern

SecondPlace: BelmontBrainiacs

ThirdPlace: STABulous–St.Anne’s-BelfieldSchool

BestCostume: HeadlineNews–C’villeScrabble Club

BestTeamName: TequilaMockingbirds

Thankyoutoour2024sponsors:

Wordplayisatriviacompetitionforpeoplewholovewords,popculture,history, literature,andshowingoffhowsmarttheyare—allinsupportofadultliteracy.

www.literacyforall.org/wordplay

By Rob Brezsny

Gemini

(May 21–June 20): When I lived in San Francisco in 1995, thieves stole my Chevy Malibu. It was during the celebratory mayhem that swept the city following the local football team’s Super Bowl victory. Cops miraculously recovered my car, but it had been irrevocably damaged in one specific way: It could no longer drive in reverse. Since I couldn’t afford a new vehicle, I kept it for the next two years, carefully avoiding situations when I would need to go backward. It was a perfect metaphor for my life in those days. Now I’m suggesting you consider adopting it for yours. From what I can discern, there will be no turning around anytime soon. Don’t look back. Onward to the future!

Cancer

(June 21–July 22): Cancerian basketball coach Tara VanDerveer is in the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. She won more games than anyone else in the sport. Here’s one aspect of her approach to coaching. She says that the greatest players “have a screw loose”—and she regards that as a very good thing. I take her to mean that the superstars are eccentric, zealous, unruly, and daring. They don’t conform to normal theories about how to succeed. They have a wild originality and fanatical drive for excellence. If you might ever be interested in exploring the possible advantages of having a screw loose for the sake of your ambitions, the coming months will be one of the best times ever.

Leo

(July 23–Aug. 22): Am I one of your father figures, uncle figures, or brother figures? I hope so! I have worked hard to purge the toxic aspects of masculinity that I inherited from my culture. And I have diligently and gleefully cultivated the most beautiful aspects of masculinity. Plus, my feminist principles have been ripening and growing stronger for many years. With that as our background, I encourage you to spend the coming weeks upgrading your own relationship to the masculine archetype, no matter which of the 77 genders you might be. I see this as an excellent time for you to take practical measures to get the very best male influences in your life.

Virgo

(Aug. 23–Sept. 22): Now that your mind, your heart, and your world have opened

FREE WILL ASTROLOGY

Taurus

(April 20-May 20): Hypothetically, you could learn to give a stirring rendering of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 on a slide whistle. Or you could perform the “To be or not to be” soliloquy from Shakespeare’s Hamlet for an audience of pigeons that aren’t even paying attention. Theoretically, you could pour out your adoration to an unattainable celebrity or give a big tip to a waiter who provided mediocre service or do your finest singing at a karaoke bar with two people in the audience. But I hope you will offer your skills and gifts with more discernment and panache, Taurus—especially these days. Don’t offer yourself carelessly. Give your blessings only to people who deeply appreciate them.

wider than you imagined possible, try to anticipate how they might close down if you’re not always as bold and brave as you have been in recent months. Then sign a contract with yourself, promising that you will not permit your mind, your heart, and your world to shrink or narrow. If you proactively heal your fears before they break out, maybe they won’t break out. (PS: I will acknowledge that there may eventually be a bit of contraction you should allow to fully integrate the changes—but only a bit.)

Libra

(Sept. 23–Oct. 22): I would love you to cultivate connections with characters who can give you shimmery secrets and scintillating stories you need to hear. In my astrological opinion, you are in a phase when you require more fascination, amazement, and intrigue than usual. If love and sex are included in the exchange, so much the better—but they are not mandatory elements in your assignment. The main thing is this: For the sake of your mental, physical, and spiritual health, you must get your limitations dissolved, your understanding of reality enriched, and your vision of the future expanded.

Scorpio

(Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Scorpio writer Andrew Solomon made a very Scorpionic comment when he wrote, “We all have our darkness, and the trick is making something exalted of it.” Of all the signs of the zodiac, you have the greatest potential to accomplish this heroic transmutation—and to do it with panache, artistry, and even tenderness.

I trust you are ready for another few rounds of your mysterious specialty. The people in your life would benefit from it almost as much as you.

Sagittarius

(Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Have you been nursing the hope that someday you will retrain your loved ones? That you will change them in ways that make them act more sensibly? That you will convince them to shed qualities you don’t like and keep just the good parts? If so, the coming weeks will be an excellent time to drop this fantasy. In its place, I advise you to go through whatever mental gymnastics are necessary as you come to accept and love them exactly as they are. If you can manage that, there will be a bonus development: You will be more inclined to accept and love yourself exactly as you are.

Capricorn

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19): I brazenly predict that in the next 11 months, you will get closer than ever before to doing your dream job. Because of your clear intentions, your diligent pragmatism, and the Fates’ grace, life will present you with good opportunities to earn money by doing what you love and providing an excellent service to your fellow creatures. But I’m not necessarily saying everything will unfold with perfection. And I am a bit afraid that you will fail to capitalize on your chances by being too insistent on perfection. Please assuage my doubts, Capricorn! Welcome imperfect but interesting progress.

Aquarius

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19): In his book Ambivalent Zen, Lawrence Shainberg mourns that even while meditating, his mind is always fleeing from the present moment—forever “lurching towards the future or clinging to the past.” I don’t agree that this is a terrible thing. In fact, it’s a consummately human characteristic. Why demonize and deride it? But I can also

see the value of spending quality time in the here and now—enjoying each new unpredictable moment without compulsively referencing it to other times and places. I bring this up, Aquarius, because I believe that in the coming weeks, you can enjoy far more free time in the rich and resonant present than is normally possible for you. Make “BE HERE NOW” your gentle, relaxing battle cry.

Pisces

(Feb. 20-March 20): Two-thirds of us claim to have had a paranormal encounter. Onefourth say they can telepathically sense other people’s emotions. One-fifth have had conversations with the spirits of the dead. As you might guess, the percentage of Pisceans in each category is higher than all the rest of the zodiac signs. And I suspect that number will be even more elevated than usual in the coming weeks. I hope you love spooky fun and uncanny mysteries and semi-miraculous epiphanies! Here they come.

Aries

(March 21-April 19): Polish-born author Joseph Conrad (1857–1924) didn’t begin to speak English until he was 21 years old. At 25, his writing in that language was still stiff and stilted. Yet during the next 40+ years, he employed his adopted tongue to write 19 novels, numerous short stories, and several other books. Today he is regarded as one of the greatest writers in the English language. You may not embark on an equally spectacular growth period in the coming months, Aries. But you do have extra power to begin mastering a skill or subject that could ultimately be crucial to your life story. Be inspired by Conrad’s magnificent accomplishments.

Expanded weekly audio horoscopes and daily text message horoscopes: RealAstrology.com, (877) 873-4888

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LEGALS

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P.S. HOTSEAT

What do you do at Monticello? I’m the archaeological field research manager, so I run and direct all of the archaeological fieldwork that takes place on the property. I’m out excavating, sometimes year-round, and recording layers of dirt that we see, collecting artifacts, and then getting that information back to our lab and our lab staff.

What makes working at Monticello different than working at some of these other historic sites? I think the landscape is one unique aspect of Monticello that other historic sites don’t have—the ornamental landscape, the agricultural working farm. The Thomas Jefferson Foundation owns half of Jefferson’s original 5,000 acres, so it’s a really unique opportunity to get to learn about the landscape in a way that other historic sites don’t or can’t because there’s subdivisions or housing developments that have gone up around their properties. We also have Jefferson. No other site has Jefferson, and to be able to study his architecture and the buildings that he had constructed is fascinating. And then I think we also have a really unique resource in our cataloging system, which is called DAACS. It’s the digital archaeological archive of comparative slavery. And it’s an online database that we put all of our records that we generate in the field into and all of our artifacts. Monticello gives us a really

unique opportunity to learn about slavery in a way that other historic sites just aren’t quite there.

These walking tours that started, is this the first time that these have been available? Or has this been available previously? This is the second year of the archaeology department collaborating with the education department. [The guide team has] taken the materials that we’ve written and have added stories that help paint the picture a little better of what slavery was like here at Monticello during the time of the revolution. The tour ends at a site that dates to the 1770s and 1780s.

What path does the trail take and what can people look forward to? The walk travels down a historic roadway that enslaved laborers built probably in the early

Digging deep

Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello is a major historic building in Charlottesville, but its grounds are also an active archeological site, where teams work to uncover the stories of enslaved people and ancestral Monacan in the area. Now, visitors can tour these sites themselves through this year’s Plantation Archaeology Walking Tour. To learn more, we spoke with Crystal O’Connor, an archeologist at Monticello. This interview has been edited for length.

19th century, and it’s a pretty level path. It’s downslope of Monticello, so the tour doesn’t visit the main house, or the mountaintop. We walk through what are now woods, but were once agricultural fields. This area was occupied by ancestral Monacan prior to European colonization. Slavery is something we’ve interpreted for decades at Monticello, but the precontact component is something that we’re hoping we can share with visitors more broadly with a visit to this site. [The Monocans’] ancestral homeland is about an hour south of here in Amherst County. Working collaboratively with them and working collaboratively with descendants through the Getting Word program here at Monticello, descendants of people whom Jefferson enslaved, it’s been a really rewarding experience to make this project and this tour collaborative.

For more information on the tours, which run through November, visit monticello.org.

MAḎAYIN

Eight Decades of Aboriginal Australian Bark Painting from Yirrkala

The Fralin Museum of Art | February 3 - July 14, 2024

IMAGE: Noŋgirrŋa Marawili, Baratjala, 2018, natural pigments on eucalpytus bark, 63.75x44.5”. © 2023 the artist, courtesey of Buku-Larrŋgay Mulka Center.

THE MA DWOMAN PROJECT PRESENTS

SPOTLIGHT SERIES

AH WING AND THE AUTOMOTION EAGLE by Brandon Zang, directed by Daniel Kunkel / NEEDVILLE written and directed by Sara M. Robinson / BLUE RIDGE MAMA by Ti Ames, directed by Cyril Amanfo

NEW WORKS LINEUP

LOCALLY SOURCED produced by Live Arts Playwrights’ Lab / THE 7 UNLUCKY PASSENGERS ON THE TIME TRAVELER’S FLYING ESTATE by Steph Prizhitomsky / CRAWLSPACEBLOG by Rebecca Kane / MELANCHOLY ECHO by Robert Alexander Wray / MOVING ON by Andrea Fine Carey / GROUNDED produced by Charlottesville Playwrights Collective / STAND BY TO ASSIST by Chuck Lipsig / THE HAND THAT FEEDS YOU by Sarah Groustra / PERSUASION, A MODERN ROMANCE by Lisa Quoresimo / HOPE IS A BIRD by Dave Carley / THE TOTALITY OF ALL THINGS by Erik Gernard / I’M GOING TO GO BACK THERE SOMEDAY by Asher de Forest / A PLAY WITH A DOOR by Ruben S. Carbajal / MERLOT LEMAY WITH MAYONNAISE by Jaquelyn Priskorn / WAITING FOR THE 6 TRAIN by Elizabeth Shannon / CAMBRIOLAGE by James Nelson / LUCID by Dana Hall / SHADES AND SHADOWS by William Brasse