FunStuff: Charlottesville events April 5 and beyond

Vast and lonely
We've been fans of Matt Kleberg since his series of portraits of beloved UVA prof Boots Mead, and we're eager to discover what he's up to next– and discovery happens to be the theme of this show. Inspired by historic scientific expeditions, "All the Vast and Lonely Reaches" is a collaboration with his wife, Liz Kleberg, using painting, film, installation, and sculpture. And it's installed beside Hill & Wood Funeral Service in the most minimal space in town. (BTW, this is First Friday when art abounds all over downtown.)
Friday, April 6, the Garage, 5-8pm (and by appointment), FREE

Luxe, calme et volupté
Rife with symbolism, the orchid has even inspired a Meryl Streep/Nicolas Cage movie based on the book called The Orchid Thief. Check out these exotic blooms at theCharlottesville Orchid Society's Annual Spring Show and Sale in front of Belk men's store. And dream of growing 'em yourself.
Friday-Saturday April 6-7, Fashion Square Mall, 9am-9pm, FREE (until you buy)

Organic Tulip Fest
More blooming stuff is to be found up the road in Madison County. Undeterred by the unseasonably warm spring, EcoTulipsplanted 20,000 late tulips that will be prime for picking Easter weekend for $1-$2 a stem. The weekend fest has food, wine fromDuCard Vineyards, the "Tulip Man" himself(Jeroen Koeman, shown here with his wife, Keriann), an Easter egg hunt at 10am Saturday, and the Easter Bunny on Sunday. And tulips to die for at 3320 Lillards Ford Road. 
Saturday-Sunday, April 7-8, Brightwood, 9am-6pm, $1 parking

Bargain books
With the Virginia Festival of the Book over, maybe you thought that was the end of literary events for a while. Ha! The Friends of the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library annual sale is the event that brings out the hard-core readers, the ones who, no matter how many books they own, can't resist just taking a peek. We can assure you that they won't be leaving empty handed, especially since April 7-8 are half-price days. The good part of feeding an addiction to books? The Friends raise over $100K to support our public libraries.
Through April 8, Gordon Avenue Library, 10am-7pm, FREE (until you buy)

Let them eat kale
It's a Saturday-morning ritual for everyone who wants a fresh bite and a chance to walk around and meet people who are producing food: chicken farmers, bread-makers, produce-growers, and most anything else you can imagine. Since 1973, Charlottesville has had its City Market. Known pretty much everywhere else in the world as a "farmer's market," this one brings consumers and producers together in one festive spot just a block from the Downtown Mall on the Omni hotel side.

April 7, Water Street, 7am-noon, FREE (until you buy) 

Super Hi-Fi
This group had us at "double trombone." From Brooklyn, Electric Cowbell Recording artists Super Hi-Fi bring dub reggae to east of Meade. Their downtempo grooves have a snake-charmer effect that takes you to a wide open musical space where melodies are eeeeased out, and the next thing you know, your head is bobbing. With DJ 3rd Degree.
Saturday, April 7, Black Market Moto Saloon, 10pm, $5

He's alive!
It's resurrection time for true believers, and non-believers are welcome to join in the Easter celebration with brethren in Christ at JPJ. Hear the word from Portico Church's Pastor Chris Atwell, a UVA and Moody Bible Institute grad who'll be using the Gospel of Mark to establish a historic account of Jesus' death and resurrection. There's even a background-checked team of volunteers offering a nursery for the tots at what promises to be the biggest Easter service in the area. Doors open at 10am.
Sunday, April 8, John Paul Jones Arena, 11am, FREE 

Let the drum circle be unbroken
Drum-meister Robert Jospé leads a monthly Rhythm & Resilience community drum circle with Tussi Kluge. Bring your own drum– or some are available– and get into present moment awareness, breathing, stretching, along with drum playing. Don't be late.
Sunday, April 8, Hiromi Tai Chi Dojo, Old Michie Building, 3-4:30pm, FREE

Larry Sabato and the Crystal Ball
Our favorite pundit gazes into his Crystal Ball and provides an inside look at the 2012 presidential race. Does Newt Gingrich have a chance? Will Ron Paul come from behind? Find out this and more at a special Tuesday night presentation of the Center for Politics. It's free, but you have to register online at http://hoosonline.virginia.edu/2012preview.
April 10, Room 402 in Wilson Hall, 6:30pm, FREE

Rodrigo y Gabriela y C.U.B.A.
The show isn't until the end of April, but don't wait to buy tickets because Rodrigo y Gabriela are hot, hot, hot. The guitar duo released their new album, Area 52 (produced by legendary Peter Asher) earlier this year, after going to Havana and seeking out the young musicians who could match their high-intensity vision. That 13-piece orchestra would be C.U.B.A. Arriba!
Thursday, April 26, nTelos Wireless Pavilion, 7pm, $29-$39

This week's "FunStuff" was compiled by Lisa Provence, and next week's "FunStuff" will be compiled by another newsroom staffer. To get your event considered, send a press release to [email protected].