Get Out! events, shows, things to do

"What we don't need in country music is divisiveness, public criticism of each other, and some arbitrary judgement of what belongs and what doesn't." - Charley Pride

Aaron Lewis: A simple man

Aaron Lewis is quite the musical anomaly. For almost two decades, he's been the frontman for an alternative metal band called Staind, creating songs like "Self Destruct," "Suffocate," and "Spleen." But in 2010, he finished recording a country music EP entitled Town Line, and in 2012, Lewis released his first full solo country album, The Road. Artistdirect gave the album 5 out of 5 stars and says about the title track, "You can practically feel the wind blowing on the highway as his voice bellows over a fiery guitar lead."

Lewis grew up in the Massachusetts countryside, hunting white-tailed deer since he was about five years old. He's known to be a staunch constitutional conservative, and in his song "Country Boy," on the album Town Line, he sums up those beliefs. He also bears a tattoo sprawled across his neck that says, "Don't Tread On Me," in reference to the Gadsden flag.

Opening for Lewis at The Jeff this Wednesday is Brian Davis, a country musician from Bilboa, North Carolina, who performs rock anthems and ballads with soulful baritone vocals.
August 21, The Jefferson Theater, 8pm, $30-$100

Voices of the Blue Ridge

The Piedmont Region is not just known for its beautiful views and historic forests, but also for its rich musical traditions that span from the roots of old time, bluegrass and Americana genres. The songs of the Blue Ridge were originally drawn from a Scotch-Irish heritage, with some sounds from Africa added in and a unique medley of fiddle, banjo, bass and guitar. Today, there are some variations of that original style, but most like to keep the old culture alive.

To commemorate these traditions, Wintergreen Performing Arts (WPA) is presenting their 8th Annual Blue Ridge Mountain Music Fest this Saturday, with the return of Robin and Linda Williams and Their Fine Group and the Grammy-nominated bluegrass group, Blue Highway.

Also on the festival program are the Honey Dewdrops, a Virginia-based Americana roots duet of Laura Wortman and Kagey Parrish. Then, the day of  performances will conclude with the Appalachian string band, Kim and Jimbo Cary and Pete and Ellen Vigour.

Tickets can be purchased the day of at the festival, and all ages are welcome.
August 17, Wintergreen Resort, 12pm, $0-$25

Shake hands with a Cavalier

Bring your jerseys, hats, posters and pigskins for Meet the Team Day this Sunday at JPJ Arena. Players and coaches will be available for photos and autographs for one afternoon only. Meet the Team Day, along with events like Movie Night at Scott Stadium, were created to include fans like you. "The support of our fans is so important to us and we look forward to these events that allow us to interact with our community," says head football coach Mike London.

Fans will be able to pick up copies of the 2013 Cavalier Football schedule poster, schedule magnet and schedule cards. And the first 500 kids in attendance will receive a free Nike mini football. The Cavalier Team Shop in the arena's lobby will be open, and concession stands will be available on the arena floor to serve beverages and snacks. All fans in attendance also have the opportunity to win door prizes, including season tickets, tickets to 2013 home games, and autographed Virginia football helmets and jerseys. The Cavalier and his horse, Sabre, will be there as well, along with members of the Virginia spirit teams.
August 18, John Paul Jones Arena, 2pm, Free

Grand Re-Opening of the Southern Café & Music Hall

It's been a month since the Southern had their last show due to a brief hiatus while they made some changes to the look and expanded their restaurant, which is set to offer a traditional Southern dining experience. To celebrate this long-awaited evening, WNRN is bringing you the indie folk-rock band from Florida, Roadkill Ghost Choir.

Three brothers Andrew, Maxx and Zach Shepard make up half the band and Kiffy Meyers, Joey Davoli and Stephen Garza complete the lineup. In 2010, Andrew was offered a solo gig, so he decided to form a band to fill out the songs he was writing for live performances. After they went through some name changes, Roadkill Ghost Choir was created.

The band's major influences include Wilco, Gram Parsons, Bob Dylan, and Fleetwood Mac, with some undertones of Radiohead and Nirvana. In September 2012 Roadkill Ghost Choir released Quiet Light, their debut EP.

Whether you're a fan of the band or you've been holding your breath for your favorite venue to come back, you should head to The Southern next Thursday for a complete evening of food, drinks and music.
August 22, The Southern, 8:30pm, $8-$10

THE LIST

August 15
Art: Black Prints from Cicada Press. UVA Fralin Museum of Art. Open hours. Free
Theater: Shakespeare's As You Like It. Tabor Presbyterian Church. 7pm. Free
Theater: Return to the Forbidden Planet. Blackfriars Playhouse. 7:30pm. $16-$42

August 16
Science: Public Night at the Observatory. UVA McCormick Observatory. 9pm. Free
Theater: Hamner Theater Shakespeare Performance. Delfosse Vineyards. 7pm. Free
Dance: Grand Squares Open House Grand Picnic. Rockfish Valley Volunteer Fire Department. 7:30pm. Free

August 17
History: Charlottesville Historical Walking Tours. Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society. 10am. Free
Science: The “Dark Skies, Bright Kids” program at the University of Virginia and the Charlottesville Astronomical Society will host a “Star Party”. Albemarle CiderWorks. 6pm. Free
Reading: When Place Becomes Character: A Literary Salon with Elizabeth Huergo. WriterHouse. 3pm. Free
Safety: Fluvanna Sheriff's Office hosts a Personal Safety Training. Fluvanna High School Auxiliary Gym. 9am. Free

August 18
Art: (sur)passing, photographic portraits by Lola Flash. UVA Fralin Museum of Art. All day. Free
Art: Ansel Adams: A Legacy. UVA Fralin Museum of Art. All day. Free
Theater: Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Blackfriars Playhouse. 2pm. $16-$42

August 19
Theater: The Playwright's Lab. Live Arts. 6:30pm. Free
Art: In the Field by Dymph de Wild. Chroma Projects. Open hours. Free

August 20
Art: Westminster Canterbury Gallery Walk. Westminster Canterbury of the Blue Ridge. Open hours. Free.
Trivia: Tuesday Trivia hosted by Geeks Who Drink. Wild Wolf Brewery. 7pm. Free
Dance: Blues dance drop-in beginner lesson and social dance. The Glass Building, Suite 208. 7pm. Free

August 21
Art: Looking at the New West. UVA Fralin Museum of Art. All day. Free
Concert: Open Mic Night. Durty Nelly's Pub. 8pm. Free
Dance: Vintage swing lessons at Cats Corner. Swing C'ville. 8:30pm. $5

SOUND HOUND

August 15
Travis Elliott at Fellini's #9
Chain & The Gang, The Ha-RAng!!#, Shark Week at Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar. $7
Jamie Dyer, Dan Sebring, Cathy Monnes at Blue Moon Diner
Barry Gurley Trio at Staunton’s Historic Gypsy Hill Park Bandstand
Nick Smith at Carter Mountain Vineyards
Alex Arbaugh at Wild Wolf

August 16
The Karen Jonas Trio at Fellini's #9
Iron Lion at Fridays After Five
The Design at Wild Wolf

August 17
Dr Levine & the Dreaded Blues Lady at Fellini's #9
A C-Ville Tribute To David Bowie at The Jefferson. $10-$12
The Hill & Wood, Michael Coleman, Camp Christopher at Jefferson Vineyards
The Wilhelm Brothers at Mountfair Vineyards
Crow Creek at Heritage on Main
A Pink and White Affair feat. Double Faces Gogo Band, DJ Flatline at Main Street Annex. $10
Sally Rose Band at Wild Wolf

August 18
The Hogwaller Ramblers at Fellini's #9
Barhoppers at Rapture/R2
Eli Cook Band, Ian Gillam & The Firekings, Joe Lawlor Band, Erin Lunsford & The Wildfire at Maint Street Annex. $8-$10
River City Band at Whiskey Jar
Paulo Franco at Wild Wolf

August 19
Jazz Collective #9 at Fellini's #9
Jason Ring at Blue Moon Diner

August 20
Jimmy Stelling Band at Fellini's #9
Bill Adams at Blue Moon Diner
Abe Ovadia Quartet at Escafe

August 21
Danny Barrale at Fellini's #9
Aaron Lewis, Brian Davis at The Jefferson. $30-$100
Jim Waive at Blue Moon Diner
Upstairs/Downstairs at Trinity Episcopal Church
Peoples Blues of Richmond, The Districts at Rapture/R2
Bennie Todd and Tony Fortune at Heritage on Main
Jacob and Jen Tal at Wild Wolf