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THURSDAY, June 12
PERFORMANCE
Bat Boy, the Musical: Catch the hit Off-Broadway show taken straight from the headlines of the tabloids. Continuing through June 14. Live Arts, 609 E. Market St. 7:30 tonight; 8pm all other nights. $12-15. 977-4177.
WORDS
Doug Hornig explains "How the 1975 Boston Red Sox Embodied Baseball's Ideals and Restored our Spirits" at Barnes & Noble, Thursday, June 12 at 7pm. Barracks Road Shopping Center. 984-0461. See Words feature.
FAMILY
In house: The Home Educators Association of Virginia sponsors its 20th annual statewide home-school convention today through Saturday with 125 exhibitors, several nationally known speakers, more than 100 workshops, and a graduation ceremony. For more information, see www.heav.org or call 804-1608.
Little literati: The five and under crowd can celebrate Father's Day at Barnes & Noble's preschool story time. Stickers and cookies are part of the fun too. 10:30am. Free. Barracks Road Shopping Center. 984-6598.
TUNES
Fred Eaglesmith & the Flathead Noodlers w/ The Free Union Farm Boys at Starr Hill: Country-rock group Fred Eaglesmith & the Flathead Noodlers are on tour to support their recently released CD, Balin, which their press promotes as a "return to his [Eaglesmith's] earlier bluegrass fused sound." Local bluegrassers the Free Union Farm Boys will be at the show just to rough things up. $12/$10 advance, 8pm. See Tunes feature.
Jim Waive (country-folk) at the Blue Moon Diner. No cover, 8pm. (W)
Blues Night: Chicken Head Blues Band at Dürty Nelly's. $4, 9pm. (W)
The Jessup, Mills & Snider Trio (Jazz) at Escafe. No cover, 10pm. (W)
Mitch Mulvaney's Mammie West Band (blues/rock) at Jabberwoke. No cover, 11pm.
John D'earth and friends (freeform Jazz) at Miller's. $4, 10pm. (W)
The Marzaks (smartrock) at the Mudhouse. Free, 8pm. (Also see Friday, June 13)
Hard Rock Night: Blackball, Junk Rod, Eve to Adam at Outback Lodge. No cover, 10pm.
Unnamed Jazz Band upstairs at Tokyo Rose. No cover, 9:30pm. (W)
Magneto (non-hippified Appalachian rock) at the Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar. No cover, 8pm.
B.C. (intelligent cello-pop) at the Virginian. No cover, 10:30pm. (W)
Jimmy O at Wolfie's Bar & Grill. No cover, 7pm. (W)
FRIDAY, June 13
PERFORMANCE
No Shame: Join the weekly line-up of performers at this open mic for actors, if you dare. Live Arts LAB Space, 609 E. Market St. 11pm. $5 at the door. 977-4177. See Performance feature.
Father of the Bride: ACT I presents the classic comedy by Caroline Francke. Alex Citron directs. Burley Middle School, Rose Hill Dr. 8pm. $9-12 at the door only. 296-2531 or act1theatre.org.
Man in the Moon Marigolds: Horseshoe Bend Players offers the Pulitzer-prize-winning play as the next show in their season. Continuing through June 15. 8pm. $10.Victory Hall Theater, 401 Valley St., Scottsville. 286-4785
Bat Boy: See Thursday, June 12. Tonight's show is at 8.
WALKABOUT
Mascot camp: Ever wonder why mascots walk the way they do? Or how they get away with all those pranks, entertaining thousands of fans in their furry costumes? Well, you can find out today and tomorrow at a mascot training session in Richmond sponsored by Mascot Consulting. The goal of this camp is to learn some tricks of the trade from experienced mascots. Participants will have a chance to strut their stuff at the Richmond Kickers and Braves games on Friday night, as well as at the Special Olympics Summer Games on Saturday morning. If you think you have what it takes, contact Mascot Consulting at 409-6677 or email . The fee is $150; proceeds go to Special Olympics of VA.
FAMILY
Before five: In conjunction with their summer exhibit "Good Vibrations," the Virginia Discovery Museum offers kids a musical prelude to the city's weekly weekend send off. This week's Friday's Before Five features Paul and Cindy Groner with the sounds of Indonesia: gamelan music. East end of the Downtown Mall. 977-1025.
In house: See Thursday, June 12.
TUNES
Bootsie Daniels and Smack Dab w/ Fletcher Bridge at Fridays After Five on the Downtown Mall: Yet another work week has come and past; why not reward yourself with an afternoon of soul and Motown, courtesy of Bootsie Daniels (the other "Bootsy") and Smack Dab. It might even be sunny! $3, 5:30pm.
The Marzaks at Jabberwoke: Ahh, the Marzaks: smart, sexy, and hold on, laughing a little bit. OK, forget the latter, but the Marzaks shoot lasers from their eyes&emdash; lasers of intelligence. Intelligent acoustic folk pop, smartrock so to speak. $3, 10:30pm.
Meanflower at Millers: "Nice" might be a word to describe Meanflower, a "nice" rock band from Richmond&emdash; soft and southern-centric acoustic rock is what the group plays. $4, 9pm
For All Time, Ted Strykers Drinking Problem, Barracks Road, and Love and Death at Tokyo Rose: Yet another Rose show for my favorite C'ville act, Ted Strykers. Simply the best, better than all the rest, especially if you love semi-retro '80s pop. $5, 10:30pm.
Southern Funk Orchestra at Coupe DeVille's. No cover, 10pm.
Guano Boys (reggae) at Mountain View Grill. $3, 9pm.
The Chocolate Workshop (funk) at Outback Lodge. $6, 10:30pm.
SATURDAY, June 14
ART
Bright colors: Blue Ridge Glass & Craft offers seminars in stained glass construction 3:30-5pm every Saturday. McIntire Business Park, 1724 Allied St. Free. 293-2876.
PERFORMANCE
Murder mystery: Join the Jefferson Players for their weekly foray into the world of murder and intrigue over a four-course buffet meal. They offer the comedy by Jason Campbell, It's My Party and I'll Die If I Want To. Courtyard Marriott, 1201 W. Main St. 7pm. $29.90. 977-1144 or www.jeffmanor.com.
Man in the Moon Marigolds: See Friday, June 13
Father of the Bride: See Friday, June 13
Bat Boy: See Thursday, June 12.
FAMILY
Dive in: Blue Ridge Swim Club hosts a pool party today. Live music with the Free Union Farm Boys, catered BBQ, soccer, volleyball, and of course, swimming and sunning are all part of the fun. Bring a side dish to share and your beverage of choice (no glass). Rain date June 15. Noon-7pm. Free. 1275 Owensville Rd. 977-3937. www.blueridgeswimclub.org.
All about baby: New parents and soon-to-be parents can get the scoop on healthy pregnancy and child development at UVA Health System's Baby Fest at Lee Park today. The event includes car seat safety, exhibits of baby products and services, music, and more. 10am-2pm. Free. East Market St. next to the Library. 982-FORU.
Celebrate summer: The 11th annual Nelson County Summer Festival happens this weekend at Oak Ridge Estates with exhibits, booths, food, prize-winning wines, fun for kids, and an impressive line-up of live music including Jan Smith Band. 11am-6pm. $12 for adults, kids 12 and under free. South of Lovingston off Rt. 29 on Rt. 653. 800-282-8223. See Walkabout feature.
Read to me: Northside Library offers Family Fun from around the world with 45 minutes of stories, songs, and crafts. 10:30am. Free. Registration is required. Albemarle Square. 973-7893.
Take it to the limit: The five-story IMAX screen fills with people pushing the limits at the Science Museum of Virginia. The new film Extreme opens today with a glimpse into the unique relationship between nature and humanity including athletes involved in big wave surfing, ice climbing, skiing, snowboarding, windsurfing, and rock climbing. Now through September 19. Call or see website for schedule and cost. 2500 West Broad St., Richmond. 800-659-1727. www.smv.org.
Wild blue yonder: High fliers can take off for a fun-filled day featuring airplanes of all sizes along with entertaining and educational aviation activities for the whole family at the Virginia Aviation Museum's Air Fair. 9:30am-5pm. Richmond International Airport. 804-236-3622. www.vam.smv.org.
In house: See Thursday, June 12.
WALKABOUT
Mascot camp: See Friday June 13
Garden butterflies: Flutter towards summer with a special slide show presentation on the butterflies of this area. In her presentation, Deborah Judson-Ebbets will also discuss what plants are best to attract butterflies to your yard and how to plant and care for them using organic gardening techniques. 10-11:30am in the Education Building at the Ivy Creek Natural Area, off of Earlysville Road. Call 973-7772 for more info.
Mountain mornings: Join a Wintergreen Nature Foundation naturalist for an interpretive hike through the mountains of Wintergreen. Moderate difficulty. $3 members, $5 non-members. 10am. Call 325-7451 for more info.
TUNES
11th Annual Nelson County Summer Festival at the Oak Ridge Estate: This yearly non-profit festival brings you two days of music and merriment&emdash; this year's concerts both start at 11am and go until 6, with performers The Jan Smith Band (rootsy country/rock), The Tracy Nelson Band (blues/soul), Eddie From Ohio (intelligent folk/rock), Kevin Davis & Ban Caribe ("Latin, Caribbean, and R&B"), and Mollie O'Brien (modern blues). Call 1-(800)-282-8223 for tickets and info. $12/$10 advance, 11pm-6pm.
Flywater and the Angry Red Planet at Orbit: Five-man horn laden funk/rock group Flywater comes to Charlottesville from their hometown of Charleston, SC. A little P. Funkish, a little jammy, and more than a little good. No cover, 10:30pm.
Fletcher Bridge (rock/pop) at Coupe DeVille's. No cover, 10pm.
John Moosa Band (bluesy folk/rock) at Miller's. $4, 10pm.
Sundried Opossum (jammy jam-band) at Outback Lodge. $6, 10pm.
The Dawning: The Trinity Project, Torn Paper Dolls, Echomatrix, and DJ-Xiane (dark dance party) at Tokyo Rose. $5, 10pm.
SUNDAY, June 15
PERFORMANCE
Bat Boy: See Thursday, June 12. Today's performance is a matinee at 2pm.
Sunday salsa: The Charlottesville Salsa Club sponsors a weekly opportunity to learn and practice salsa and other dances in a smoke-free nightclub atmosphere. A basic lesson (usually salsa) gets the evening started at 8pm. Salsa mixed with other Latin styles. The Outback Lodge, 917 Preston Ave. 8pm-midnight. $3-5. 979-7211.
Man in the Moon Marigolds: See Friday, June 13. Today's show is at 3pm.
Father of the Bride: See Friday, June 13
FAMILY
For families only: Monticello offers tours designed especially for children ages 6-11 and their families starting today. The tours include touchable objects and a child-friendly focus. On the hour from 10am-3pm daily through August 15. Included in the price of admission. Register at the ticket office. Thomas Jefferson Parkway (Rt. 53). 984-9822.
Celebrate summer: See Saturday, June 14.
WALKABOUT
Summer fest : See Saturday, June 14
Mountain mornings: Join a Wintergreen Nature Foundation naturalist for an interpretive hike through the mountains of Wintergreen. Moderate difficulty. $3 members, $5 non-members. 10am. Call 325-7451 for more info.
TUNES
Cluck, cluck: The Banty Roosters appear at Mountain View Grill in Crozet with their "good old-time, Americana and novelty tunes." Sounds like eggs-actly what you need on a Sunday night. 6pm. $3 cover. 823-1805.
11th Annual Nelson County Summer Festival at the Oak Ridge Estate: See Saturday, June 14 for description. $12/$10 advance, 11pm-6pm.
The Hogwaller Ramblers (bluegrass mayhem) at Escafé. No cover, 10pm. (W)
Dead Night (Grateful Dead tapes by the dozen) at Michael's Bistro. No cover, 10pm. (W)
MONDAY, June 16
PERFORMANCE
Video diaries: Two local filmmakers, Paul Wagner and Temple Fennell, have teamed up with five young refugees from Togo, Ethiopia, Bosnia, and Afghanistan to make a movie about their lives. In a four-month workshop they each created their own movie in which they explore the experience of being uprooted from their home countries and leaving their families, and reflect on their new lives in Charlottesville under the auspices of the International Rescue Committee.
The 50-minute film shows at 7pm at Vinegar Hill Theater. $5 under 18; $10 adults. Market St. 977-4911.
WALKABOUT
FAMILY
Good read: Jefferson-Madison Regional Library adds a boost to recreational reading with their summer reading programs "Wolfin' Down Books" for kids up to age 11 and "Cheap Thrills" for teens. They get started today with incentives like weekly prizes for books read, free programs featuring musicians and storytellers, ice cream socials, arts and crafts workshops, and more. Sign up at any library branch. Free. Central Library is at 201 E. Market St. 979-7151, ext. 3.
Comic relief: Teens, think you know your superheroes? Prove it at the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library's "Who Are Those Masked People?" poster contest. Starting today, each JMRL branch will display a poster featuring more than 60 superheroes. The person who identifies the most faces at each branch wins the poster. One entry per person. Entries due by July 5. Contact your local branch. Central Library is at 201 E. Market St. 979-7151, ext. 3.
TUNES
The McIntire Department of Music presents the Chamber Music Workshop "Beyond the Notes" at UVA: Old Cabell Hall: Join the UVA faculty for this three-day symposium on all things (Chamber) musical. This event will focus on the development of musicianship skills&emdash; listening, rhythmic, analytical, and diplomatic "that go into the making of quality chamber music." Instructors include Constance Gee, viola and artistic director, Hasse Borup, violin, Susan Black, violin, Amy Leung, cello and Scott Perry, oboe. $225 for three-day series, 9am to 4:30pm M-W, concert on June 18th at 8pm in Old Cabell Hall.
See www.virginia.edu/music/summerchamber.html for more information.
Open Mic Night at Baja Bean. Free, 9pm.
Jackson Gibson at Coupe DeVille's. No cover, 10pm.
Matthew Willner and the Val-U-Pak at Michael's Bistro. $3, 10:30pm.
Open Mic Night at Miller's. Free, 9:30 sign up/10pm start.
George Melvin (piano balladeer) at South Street Brewery. No cover, 9:30pm.
TUESDAY, June 17
WALKABOUT
Open meditation: The Joshua Tree Mindfulness Center holds quiet meditation from 7:15am-8:15am, and again from 5:15pm-6:15pm. Cushions, small benches and chairs are provided. No fee. 2125 Ivy Road (in the plaza next to Foods of All Nations). Info: 244-3144 or .
TUNES
The Pearls at Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar: This mysterious location on the Downtown Mall is easy to find, but hard to figure out. This week, the Pearls, the "sing-a-long" duo&emdash; playing songs to drink (tea) to. No cover, 9pm.
The McIntire Department of Music presents the Chamber Music Workshop "Beyond the Notes" at UVA: Old Cabell Hall. See Monday, June 16 for description.
Jamie and Rolland (half of Hogwaller Ramblers &endash; dirty bluegrass) at the Blue Moon Diner. No cover, 8pm. (W)
Glenn Mack (piano-centric originals/covers) at Coupe DeVille's. No cover, 10pm.
Steve and Timmy Ryalls (rock/pop) at Dürty Nelly's. $3, 8pm. (W)
B.C. (intelligent cello-pop) upstairs at Tokyo Rose. No cover, 9:30pm. (W)
WEDNESDAY, June 18
PERFORMANCE
Country dance night: Arrive early (7pm) and take a Two-Step lesson, then join the fun of couples dancing and line dancing. Fry's Spring Beach Club, 2512 Jefferson Park Ave. 8-11pm. $4-7 at the door. 977-0491.
Anti-country?: Shake what your mama gave you at Latin Dance Night at Fry's Spring Beach Club, 8-11pm. $7. 296-4181.
WALKABOUT
Guided meditation: The Joshua Tree Mindfulness Center hosts a weekly discussion-meditation series led by local instructors. Topics include joy, fear, and anger. Brief talks feed into meditation practice. Come to any or all sessions. 7pm-8:30pm. Free. 2125 Ivy Road (in the plaza next to Foods of All Nations). Info, 244-3144 or .
FAMILY
Bat watch: Nature lovers are invited to join Tom Collier, education coordinator the Virginia Museum of Natural History at UVA, as he uses a bat detector to find these flying mammals at Chris Green Lake. Meet at the boat ramp (first left after entering the park). 8:30pm. Free. 982-4605.
Cool summer kick off: Gordon Avenue Library kicks off the Summer Reading Program "Wolfin' Down Books" with an ice cream social with special guest Max the Bunny. Enjoy some sweet treats and sign up for summer reading. 7pm. Free. 1500 Gordon Ave. 296-5544.
TUNES
Shape of Shade at Michael's Bistro: Jazz, rock, and funk, together at last. Check out the self-titled CD from this quintet, available at their shows. I'm sure you'll be pleasantly surprised. $3, 10pm.
The McIntire Department of Music presents the Chamber Music Workshop "Beyond the Notes" at UVA: Old Cabell Hall. See Monday, June 16, for description.
Benny Dodd (coverful good times rock/pop) at Coupe DeVille's. No cover, 10pm.
Jeff Decker and Mike Rosensky Quartet (Jazz) at Miller's. No cover, 9pm. (W)
DJ Frank Rovera at Orbit. No cover, 10:30pm.
The Blue Dogs (country-rock) at Outback Lodge. $7, 10pm.
Clarence Green and Friends at South Street Brewery. No cover, 10pm.
Beleza (Brazilian music) upstairs at Tokyo Rose. No cover, 9:30pm. (W)
Meagan Gillespie (Poetry) at Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar. No cover, 9pm.
THURSDAY, June 19
PERFORMANCE
How to Succeed in Business: Heritage Repertory Theater at UVA begins its summer season with the classic musical comedy in which J. Pierrepont Finch is determined to finagle his corporate way from window washer to corner office in record time with help from a certain little handbook. Continuing through June 28. Culbreth Theater, 109 Culbreth Rd. 8pm. $14-25. 924-3376.
FAMILY
Wolf at the Door: Scottsville Library invites summer readers to wolf down some refreshments while they sign up for the Summer Reading Program "Wolfin' Down Books." 10am-2pm. 330 Bird St. 286-3541.
Body art: Teens can discover the "Art of Mehndi" in a workshop at Crozet Library. Kids can apply this classic form of body art that uses henna dye to hand or arm. 2-4pm. Free. Registration required. In the old Crozet train station. 823-4050.
TUNES
DJ night: Rock'n' roll Pajama Party at Tokyo Rose: Yet another in the long line of fantabulous Tokyo Rose rock n' roll dance parties, and this time sleep-wear is the theme. My personal pick of the week for drunken dancing and meeting new friends. $3, 10:30pm.
The McIntire Department of Music presents the Chamber Music Workshop "Beyond the Notes" at UVA: Old Cabell Hall. See Monday, June 16 for description.
Jim Waive (country-folk) at the Blue Moon Diner. No cover, 8pm. (W)
Edible Folk at Coupe DeVille's. No cover, 10pm.
Chicken Head Blues Band at Dürty Nelly's. $4, 9pm. (W)
The Jessup, Mills & Snider Trio (Jazz) at Escafe, No cover, 10pm. (W)
John D'earth and friends (freeform Jazz) at Miller's. $4, 10pm. (W)
Unnamed Jazz Band upstairs at Tokyo Rose. No cover, 9:30pm. (W)
B.C. (intelligent cello-pop) at the Virginian. No cover, 10:30pm. (W)
ONGOING
PERFORMANCE
Media tower: Featuring "Home Again," a group of short autobiographical movies by refugee teens resettled to Charlottesville. Light House Youth Media Tower is a mobile, interactive video kiosk allowing people to view teen-authored movies. It's self-service and always free. The exhibit continues at the Central Library, June 1-30. 201 E. Market St. 979-1555.
WORDS
You gotta pray to win: $1,000 is the grand prize in a religious poetry contest sponsored by the Christian Fine Arts Society. Poems may be on any subject as long as there is a spiritual inference. Send one poem of 21 lines or less to Free Poetry Contest, 9588 Thornbush Lane, Fishers, Indiana 46038 or enter online at www.freecontest.com. All entrants receive winners' list. Deadline for entries is June 23.
FAMILY
On the road again: The National Park Service's traveling exhibit "Corp of Discovery II" comes to Montpelier today through June 15. Displays and presentations by park rangers tell the Lewis & Clark story as it relates to the natural history, cultural resources, and people they encountered. Many other programs will be offered. 9:30am-5:30pm. Free. 11407 Constitution Highway (Rt. 20 in Orange). 540-672-2728.
Dig this: A team of archaeologists from Montpelier will be sifting through the site of James Madison's boyhood home, Mount Pleasant, through June 12. Visitors are invited to watch history being unearthed and talk with scientists in the field about their discoveries. Monday-Thursday, 7:30am-3pm. Included in the cost of admission. 11407 Constitution Highway (Rt. 20 in Orange). 540-672-2728. www.montpelier.org.
Cultural exchange: Local families are needed to host Japanese exchange students ages 12-16 for four weeks from mid-July through mid-August as part of a program sponsored by 4-H. Applications and information are available from 4-H agent Staci England at 984-0727, , or at the office at 168 Spotnap Rd.
Feel the buzz: An unusual cacophony of sounds fills the Virginia Discovery Museum from the Back Gallery exhibit "Good Vibrations." It's an odd orchestra of strange instruments, new sounds, and acoustic experiments where budding musicians can explore the art and science of sound. Kids can bang a drum, whistle and hum, and see how simple sound waves create the joyful noise called music. Included in the price of museum admission. East end of the Downtown Mall. 977-1025. www.vadm.org. See feature on page 35.
Amusements: Albemarle County Parks and Recreation Department has discount admission tickets for Kings Dominion, Water Country, and Busch Gardens for sale. You don't need to be a county resident to purchase these tickets, which will be available through the summer while supplies last. Third floor of the County Office Building. 401 McIntire Rd. 296-5844.
Behind the scenes: Now through the end of October, Montpelier guides take visitors on special tours of rarely seen rooms in the mansion made famous by James and Dolley Madison. Offered every half-hour from 10:30am-4pm. Included in the cost of admission. 11407 Constitution Highway (Rt. 20 in Orange). 540-672-2728. www.montpelier.org.
Discovering plants and animals: The Virginia Museum of Natural History at UVA offers another Lewis and Clark exploration. Visitors can learn about the plants and animals that the Corps of Discovery encountered on their historic journey in the new exhibit "Natural History Pioneers: The Flora and Fauna of the Lewis and Clark Expedition." Admission is free. 104 Emmet St. 982-4605.
Space kids: Now through June 15 aspiring astronauts can take off on an Aero Adventure at the Virginia Aviation Museum. Kids can try their hands at rescuing a malfunctioning satellite, flying across the arctic, and figuring out how ice and altitude can affect flight performance. Included in the price of admission. Richmond International Airport. 804-236-3622. www.vam.smv.org.
Because it's there: Visitors to the Science Museum of Virginia can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the daredevils who struggle to reach the vertiginous summit at 29,028 feet in the IMAX film "Everest." Tickets are $6.50. The combination ticket that lets you see the exhibits too is $10.50 for kids 4-12, $11.50 for adults, $11 for seniors. Call for times and reservations. 2500 West Broad St., Richmond. 800-659-1727. www.smv.org.
Monkey around: The legendary primate researcher Dr. Jane Goodall leads viewers to a remote area in Tanzania to visit a few of her long-time friends in the IMAX film "Jane Goodall's Wild Chimpanzees" at the Science Museum of Virginia through June 14. Tickets for the film only are $6.50, but get the package deal and see the exhibits too. 2500 West Broad St., Richmond. 800-659-1727. www.smv.org.
WALKABOUT
Farmers' Market Why not enjoy two farmers' markets per week? If you can't make it to Saturday morning (when Charlottesville's City Market happens), the Scottsville Farmers' Market will be open on Thursdays from 4pm-dark, now through October. Vendors will sell traditional fare including fresh fruits, herbs, vegetables, and flowers as well as baked goods, fresh-made lemonade and handcrafts under a tent in Scottsville's Town Park.
Flora and fauna Each Sunday at 9:30am, from now through the end of October, Monticello offers a free guided walking tour of the Thomas Jefferson Parkway, the linear park along the Route 53 entrance corridor to Jefferson's mountaintop home. The leisurely walks led by naturalist Jay Kardan cover three miles and last about two hours. Meet at Kemper Park, at the base of the Parkway. Rain or shine. Call 984-9822 for more info.
ART
At Nature, "emoticons v 2," new paintings by Nicole Truxell. Through the end of June. 111 E.Water St. .
Through August 16th at the Kluge-Ruhe, "Object Lessons," an exhibit which answers frequently asked questions about Aboriginal art, and "Manguri Weaving," a touring exhibition of weavings by women of the central and western deserts. 400 Peter Jefferson Place, off Route 250 East at Pantops. 244-0234.
At Gallery Neo, Darrell Rose's folk art and Julie Walls' works in wax. Through the end of June. 108 Second Street. 823-9894.
The Fayerweather Gallery presents the "5, 10, +15 Year Exhibition," which includes the work of UVA alumni. Through June 27. Rugby Road. 924-6123.
In June, Bozart Gallery features artist Reba Tuck's collage works. Through June 29. 211 W. Main St. on the Downtown Mall. 296-3919. www.bozartgallery.org
Starr Hill hosts "Art in Motion," a silent art auction and benefit for the Boys and Girls Club of Charlottesville. Sunday, June 8, from 6-8pm. $10 admission. www.starrhill.com for tix, info. 709 W. Main St. 977-0017.
The Thomas Jefferson Memorial Church shows the paintings of Flame Bilyue. June 8 through July 6. Opening reception, June 8 at 12 noon. 717 Rugby Road. 293-8179.
Les Yeux du Monde @ dot2dot presents a Robert Barbee retrospective, which will run from June 6-28. Barbee's "Beach Scene" will be on display at the University of Virginia Art Museum in conjunction with the Les Yeux exhibit. 115 South First St. 973-5566.
Through the end of June at Transient Crafters, "Earth's Ancient Energies Experienced Through Art," dream catchers, energy grids, and jewlery by Timmi Dillard of Raw Energy. 118 West Main on the Downtown Mall. 972-9500.
At the University of Virginia Art Museum, the museum's newly acquired Joseph Cornell boxes and collages, which will be on exhibit through June. Also, "Re-Imagining Ireland: Irish Art Today," works by living Irish artists, which runs through June 8; and Rodney Smith's photography exhibit, "Reverie and Reality," which runs through August 10. Summer Arts @ the Museum, an art program for kids with 3 sessions, begins July 7. Rugby Rd. 924-3952.
At Art Upstairs, Luther Gore exhibits his muli-media exhibit, "Celebrating the Airplane." Through June 29. 316 E. Main St. on the Downtown Mall above the Hardware Store Restaurant. 923-3900.
At Angelo: "The Art of the Wedding," photographs by local wedding photographer Pam Perugi Marraccini. Through June 30. 220 E. Main St. on the Downtown Mall. 971-9256.
At the McGuffey Art Center, Will Kerner's "Photographs from Guatemala and Argentina," Anne McCauley's "Wild Honeysuckle Basketry," and sculpture by Chris McAndrew. Through June 29. 201 Second St. NW. 295-7973. See Art feature.
Second Street Gallery presents Shannon Kennedy's large-scale video installation, "Building Project." Through August 17. 201 Second St. NW 977-7284.
Lisi Stoessel shows her paintings and drawings at Veggie Heaven through the end of June. Preston Plaza. 245-8759.
Radar
"Peace by Piece," student artwork by J.T. Henley Middle School 8th graders will be on display, Sunday, June 8, from 4-7pm. Henley Middle School, 5880 Rockfish Gap Turnpike. Crozet. 823-4393.
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts presents "Despite Many Adversitites, We Are Still Here," photographs of Native Americans by Carolyn DeMerritt. Through July 20. Also "Uncommon Legacies," Native American art from the Peabody Essex Museum. 2800 Grove Avenue, Richmond. (804) 204-2704.
FEATURES/FEATURES/FEATURES
WORDS
Halcyon days: Scarce oil and great baseball
BY ELIZABETH KIEM
It was crappy to be American in 1975. Residual malaise from Vietnam, Watergate, and the oil crisis, writes Doug Hornig in one of the more evocative phrases in his book, The Boys of October, left "the nation's home without a welcoming hearth."
Enter the Cincinnati Reds and the Boston Red Sox and a World Series that delivered more suspense, incredulity, and miracle than any other championship in the history of baseball, and rescued the nation from its relentless funk. This, at least, is how Hornig sees it in his star-struck tribute to the 1975 Red Sox, who, incidentally, lost this one, too.
To write The Boys of October, Hornig spent countless hours watching videotapes from ebay, and three years traveling the country to see where a quarter century had taken the Boston bench (Carl Yastrzemski, Bill Lee, Fred Lynn et al.).
The result is a familiar representation. It lacks only a music bed to be a script for a TV documentary. Each game is lovingly recalled, with interview excerpts and anecdotes filling in for Pontiac commercials. Hornig is a dramatic announcer with a penchant for foreshadowing; every play he calls is a gun hanging on the wall.
After seven chapters breathlessly recounting seven games, the author calls up reserves of objectivity to declare the '75 championship the unsurpassed winner in baseball greatness. Whittling away the competitors, Hornig allows only four other Series in the running-- 1912, 1924, 1991, and 2001.
The first three are found wanting in various qualifications, and the argument against the technically great 2001 nail-biter is simple. The winning team has a swimming pool in its home left field and a local paper that published a primer of baseball rules for unfamiliar fans on the eve of game one. In short, declares Hornig, "I can't stomach the notion that anything involving the Diamondbacks might be termed great."
I'm with him there.
But for those who aren't, there can be no harm in reliving the 12 days of October 1975. Hornig the devoted acolyte has readied the altar of worship. It's all there, from the unsung heroism of Cuban pitcher Luis Tiant to the apocryphal rat who, in startling an outfield cameraman, ensured that Carlton Fisk's desperate rain dance willing his 6th game homer away from the foul post would become an enduring image of hope& and not just for hapless Red Sox fans.
Doug Hornig explains "How the 1975 Boston Red Sox Embodied Baseball's Ideals and Restored our Spirits" at Barnes & Noble, Thursday, June 12 at 7pm. Barracks Road Shopping Center. 984-0461.
ART
Slipping away Photos catch life on the sly
By AARON STEINBERG
World traveler and photographer Will Kerner returns to the McGuffey with an exhibit of photos from Guatemala and Argentina. As with his previous Cuban spread, Kerner finds much that catches his eye just walking along the street. His subjects here are sidewalk denizens&emdash; street vendors, transients, passers-by&emdash; though Kerner seems at least equally interested in the colorful streets and buildings themselves. Preferring the medium and medium-long shot in nearly every photo, Kerner makes sure that he captures the locals in their immediate environment.
It's no surprise what attracts Kerner to these streets. Unlike the more modest palette along Charlottesville streets&emdash; the tans and grays of the buildings and the grays, whites, blacks, and khakis of the clothes&emdash; the streets Kerner finds in Guatemala and Argentina are electric with color. In nearly every photo, Kerner places people in these bright surroundings in a way that gives equal emphasis to each.
In "I feel life is slipping away," shoe recyclers sit around an antiquated sewing machine with piles of athletic shoes and sandals at their feet. Behind them, running up the wall and setting the frame of the photo, a spread of graffiti in shouting pinks, yellows, greens, and reds. "Boys, La Boca, Buenos Aires, Argentina" finds a small group of young boys looking much smaller as they sit on oversized steps which stretch several feet on either side of them. The yellows in their t-shirts and jerseys pick up the yellows of the multi-colored building-block-shaped apartments just behind them.
If anything takes away from Kerner's work, it's a certain distance he cultivates, perhaps in the service of a more documentarian impulse. Kerner's medium to medium-long shots allow him to cram in a fair amount of background, which contrasts with the worn, blank expressions and far-away gazes of people mired in banal, everyday activities. But they seem to come, at times, at the expense of sharp, close images, the sort that are typical to really striking photos.
There are some photos that really have managed this closeness and insight, such as "Farmer, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina," which moves away from the colorful street for a moment, and frames a farmer in the dark, cave-like overhang of his barn. Other photos appear hazy, as if taken in passing. Kerner seems to want to pass in and out of these places like a thief. Ironically, it's his distance that has left a mark on these pictures.
At the McGuffey Art Center, Will Kerner's "Photographs from Guatemala and Argentina." Through June 29. 201 Second St. NW. 295-7973.
FAMILY
Note-worthy: Kids Discover music
By LINDA KOBERT
Jumping, climbing, making noise. Singing, dancing, squealing, pounding. It's what kids do. Not surprisingly, the Virginia Discovery Museum has found a way to wrestle all this lively activity into a unique exploration of the way sound&emdash; especially music&emdash; works.
In the new Back Gallery installation, "Good Vibrations," budding band members can pluck some strings, beat some drums, or blow some horns and see the fascinating inner workings of these melodious instruments. Vocalists can step up to the oscilloscope where they can visualize the normally unseen waves of a high-pitched squeal, a sonorous bass note, and everything in between.
A giant-sized piano on the floor lets the young Andrè Previn and Quincy Jones tap out Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and Yankee Doodle& with their feet. And not only can they play it straight as a piano, they can also hear what their arrangement would sound like on a clarinet, violin, banjo, and a variety of other instruments.
Active players who think they aren't interested in all that note-worthy stuff will be surprised to find they're making music when they run across the Rainbow Bridge dragging a stick along the graduated lengths of railing posts. And who would have guessed that if you pound an old flip-flop on the end of different sized tubes it would make musical tones?
I thought the coolest part of the exhibit was the 102-year-old player piano, on loan to the museum from a local family. When a museum helper turns it on, visitors can view the cylinders, pistons, and a paper tube that depresses the proper keys as the piano performs familiar selections from the movie Mary Poppins.
Aspiring performers can dress up in hula skirts and leis or other traditional costumes and take the stage as they listen to native music from around the world. Lots of kid-safe instruments are available for young virtuosos to practice their skills, including the first electronic instrument, the theremin, which offers the opportunity to create spooky sound effects with just a wave of the hand. And if they follow the footsteps on the dance floor, the young Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers can learn to fox trot, waltz, or even do the bunny hop.
And because it's so close to the downtown amphitheater and Fridays After Five, the museum offers kids the chance to start partying early with Fridays Before Five when local children's musicians perform in a special free concert on the exhibit's stage.
Good Vibrations is an informative outlet for the under-10 crowd who just love to create a buzz and make themselves heard.
Good Vibrations runs through September 7 in the Back Gallery at the Virginia Discovery Museum. It's included in the price of admission. Museum hours are Tuesday&endash;Saturday 10am-5pm; Sunday 1-5pm. East end of the Downtown Mall. 977-1025.
PERFORMANCE
Ain't that a shame? Late night at Live Arts
By TOBY EMERT
Forget Dave Letterman and Jay Leno and their bevy of curvy actresses and likeable musical sidekicks. You can now opt for a more novel version of late-night entertainment if you're shameless enough. Local actor/director/playwright Todd Ristau transports his Iowa City version of "No Shame Theater"&emdash; a performer-generated collection of short, quirky pieces&emdash; to Charlottesville, and you can join the wackiness every Friday at 11pm at the LAB Space at Live Arts.
"No Shame" got its start in the back of a pickup truck more than 15 years ago in Iowa when Ristau, then a graduate student, conceived of this low-risk format for performance. The idea is pretty simple: anyone can create a three to five-minute performance and then sign up to present the piece to the audience&emdash; sort of an open mic for actors.
On any given Friday night, you might get a poem about stealing eyeballs in the rain, a dance piece about global warming, a puppet show about violence in the schools, or a moving drama illustrating some important truth, only to be followed by a delightful ditty on a hand saw. During one week's session, an actor sat still for his three minutes and then delivered one line: "Are the bags ready yet?"
"That was a big risk that the audience enjoyed, me included," says Clinton Johnston, a No-Shame convert. "I haven't quite figured out how he made it work, but I'm damn impressed." If slightly "off-center" describes your dramatic interests, and you think of yourself as a late-nighter, you'll no doubt enjoy the wackiness of a No Shame-style evening.
Or... if you're thinking you might have a little something up your own sleeve that you could pull out for an audience, here's your chance. Just show up at 10:30pm and get your name on the list. The first 15 people get the performance slots. As for rules, you can't break any laws or endanger yourself, other performers, or the audience. "Other than that, it's mostly good sense and fire codes," Ristau jokes.
No Shame Theater continues every Friday evening at 11pm at the Live Arts LAB Space. 609 E. Market St. Arrive early if you're interested in performing. Or just come to enjoy the spectacle. $5 at the door. 977-4177.
WALKABOUT
Green Wintergreen: Love your mother (nature)
By CHRISTINA BALL
Now that winter's abundant snow has finally melted, there are more than a few good&emdash; and very green&emdash; reasons to pile the kids, dogs, bikes, and golf clubs (or just your nature-lovin' self) in the car and head for the mountains of Wintergreen. Here are just a few.
Brand new this year is the family-geared Mountain Envirofest. On Saturday, June 21, the mountain will be alive with a series of environment-sound workshops and activities, which aim to teach visitors about some of the unique ways this resort is trying to keep the Blue Ridge Forest as green as green can be.
At 9am, Wintergreen Nature Foundation Director Doug Coleman leads a moderate family hike titled "Projects of Promise." During this walkie-talkie, Coleman will discuss the 4,000-year history and ecological uniqueness of the Blue Ridge Forest, specifically the 11,000-acre parcel stewarded by the foundation, which is so green because it has never been under the plough. Coleman, like everyone at the foundation, believes that people have a tendency to take care of what they appreciate and understand. "Education is an essential part of conservation," Coleman says.
Besides lots of lighter, kid-friendly activities (sidewalk chalk painting contests, birdhouse and "trash-to-treasure" workshops) other educational opportunities at Envirofest include an 11am Family Stream Testing Workshop at the headwaters of the Rockfish River. Participants will not only have fun getting their feet and hands wet, they'll also learn how to monitor the cleanliness of the water by turning over and rubbing rocks to discover what kinds of bugs lie underneath&emdash; the dirty or the clean kind!
And how can you talk green without mentioning golf? Wintergreen is actually making some real headway in the environmental department and soon expects to receive its Audubon certification. At 6pm on the 21st, Fred Biggers, head of Golf Operations, will lead a Golf Maintenance Tour that will spotlight Wintergreen's new spraying system, as well as the course's native plant landscaping and "compost tea." If this sounds like too much education for the kids, why not have them practice their putting at Wintergreen's brand new mini-golf course?
The first Mountain Envirofest takes place at the Wintergreen Resort on Saturday, June 21. An educational family hike starts at 9am, with stream testing at 11am and a golf maintenance tour at 6pm. For a complete schedule of activities, which include creative workshops and sidewalk chalk painting contests, see www. wintergreenresort.com. All activities require advance registration and are free (except for the 2pm Birdhouse workshop -$12). To register, call 325-8180.
TUNES
Open Road: From far away comes home
By MARK GRABOWSKI
The songs on bluegrass/country-folk group Fred Eaglesmith & The Flathead Noodlers' latest release, Balin, exude truth, joy, and honesty like few other roots releases I have heard this year, and being a music lover/listener/reviewer in this notably down-home flavored town, this means quite a lot. Starting with "The Building," Balin's first song, Eaglesmith's well-worn and road weary voice draws you into his world, one inhabited by stories of the heartland, of men and women, of work rather than of means, and of living off the earth.
Eaglesmith was born into a family of nine children on a farm in rural Ontario, and consequently most of his material seems to arise from his upbringing. The above-mentioned "The Building" is literally about the construction of a building, but it also is a metaphor for working (or not working in this case) on a relationship. Unaccompanied by instrumentation but bathed in rustic harmonies, Eaglesmith begins, "You could have worked on the building/That I was working on/You could have tried a little harder/Until everyone else was gone," reproaching a lover on their lack of devotion.
Other songs are as lyrically interesting, although not quite as allusion filled. "Rooster Fight," for example, is about, you guessed it, a rooster fight. Eaglesmith takes his country accent up a notch on this track, where banjo, acoustic guitar, stand-up bass, and fiddle come together into a slow, simple, amusing yet truthful bluegrass/country tune.
Eaglesmith's band, The Flathead Noodlers, includes one well-known artist in his own right, Canadian singer/songwriter Willie P. Bennett, once called "the Willie Nelson of Canada." In the Flathead Noodlers, Bennett provides some expertly played mandolin, harmonica, and backup vocals, adding instrumental flourishes in all the right places. The rest of the group, Skip Wamsteeker on drums, Darcy Yeates on stand-up bass, Dan Walsh on electric baritone guitar, acoustic guitar, and dobro, and Roger Marin on electric and steel guitars, are all extremely talented at what they do as well, but except for instrumental solos which frequent Balin, the focus of the group is naturally on Eaglesmith.
A focus that, I must say, is totally warranted.
Fred Eaglesmith & The Flathead Noodlers w/ The Free Union Farm Boys perform at Starr Hill, Thursday June 12. $12/$10 advance, 8pm.
SUBMISSION INFORMATION
Submissions are due by 5pm Friday the week before the issue the listing will run, and are accepted via fax at 295-8097, in person at The Hook office, 100 Second St. NW, or at the appropriate email address below. Please include name, venue, admission, time, contact information, and description.
Art: Aaron Steinberg
Family: Linda Kobert
Walkabout: Christina Ball
Performance: Toby Emert
Tunes: Mark Grabowski
Words: Elizabeth Kiem
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