THURSDAY, May 6
ART
Closing Party: "Systems and Sacrament," an exhibition of works by Josh Dailey and Paul Kadish, is winding up at the Fayerweather Gallery. The show will closes with a party featuring live music tonight 6-8pm. Rugby Road. 924-6123.

FAMILY
Think Mother's Day: Charlottesville Friends Meeting is co-sponsoring an exhibition and sale of traditional fine Palestinian Embroidery at the Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church from 2-6pm. The organization "Mothers & Others Connecting" imports the clothing, accessories, household items, and gifts from refugee and disabled women in Lebanon, Jordan, and Gaza, and assures that the greatest profit gets back to the artists themselves. Light Middle Eastern refreshments will be served at the event, and short presentations on the traditions of Palestinian embroidery and the lives of these refugee women will be given at 2:45, 4, and 5:15pm. 717 Rugby Road. Helena Cobban .

Warm Fuzzies: Don't be sheepish. Head west and enjoy the Frontier Culture Museum's Wool Days. The museum's historic farms focus on raising and caring for sheep and use and processing of wool. Sheep shearing demonstrations are featured at select times. Included in the price of admission. Rt. 250 west in Staunton. 540-332-7850.

More Tales for Tots: Mama love is the main thing for the 5 and under crowd at Barnes & Noble's preschool story time where the book list includes Mama Love by Kathy Mallat and Don't Forget I Love You by Miriam Moss. 10:30am. Free. Barracks Road Shopping Center. 984-6598.

PERFORMANCE
Swing Swap: The Charlottesville Swing Dance Society hosts this weekly Thursday-night swing dancing session, with an hour of East Coast Swing, an hour of West Coast Swing, and a DJ taking requests. Singles and couples welcome, no partner needed. 7-9pm. Albemarle County Office Building Auditorium, 401 McIntire Road. Free. 980-2744.

Teen Acting Studio: This weekly workshop will focus on opening up the text within a Shakespearean monologue through extensive language work: scanning the verse, exploring rhythm and sound, and working the breath. Students need to bring 3 sample Shakespearean monologues with them to the first class. Pre-requisite: Prior LATTE acting studio experience or instructor permission. Runs until June 3. 5-7pm. $60 members, $75 general. Live Arts, 123 E. Water St. 977-4177.

The Importance of Being Earnest: Shenandoah Shakespeare presents a new production of Oscar Wilde's comic masterpiece in the magnificent Blackfriars Theater. 10 S. Market St., Staunton. $10-26. 540-885-5588.

Turn On, Tune In: Live Arts' Lattehouse presents its sixth annual show, Frequency, in which local teens spoof popular music and the role it plays in our culture. Runs through May 22. $7. Live Arts, 123 E. Water St. 977-4177x108.

The Play about the Baby: Catch the final performances of Live Arts' production of Edward Albee's sinister drama of mindgames and manipulation. 7:30pm. Closes May 8. Live Arts DownStage, 123. E. Water St. $10-15. 977-4177.

WORDS
Ready, Set: Washington Post correspondent Todd Purdum discusses his new book, A Time of Our Choosing, America's War in Iraq. Miller Center, 2201 Old Ivy Road. 11am. 924-0921.

Brown Locally: A panel discussion of Burley and Lane High Schools during the period of desegregation. Moderated by UVA professor Corey Walker. Burley Middle School. 6:30pm. 293-5981.

B-O-O-K G-R-O-U-P: Greene County Library Groups discusses Myla Goldberg's novel of spelling and kabbalah, Bee Season. 7pm. 222 Main St., Stanardsville. 985-5227.

WALKABOUT
National Geographic: Photographer Nick Nichols has been around the world on assignment for National Geographic, he's worked with Dr. Jane Goodall and her mountain gorillas, he's labored through nearly every disease known to man, and after speaking to a sellout crowd here last year, he's coming back to Charlottesville. The lecture/slide show will draw from a range of his recent adventures. 6pm. No fee, but reservations are required. Abbott Center Auditorium at the Darden School of Business. Call 817-8512 or email for info and reservations. See Facetime feature.

Public Access: The City of Charlottesville holds its 5th annual Government Services Fair on the Downtown Mall. The Fire Department's Fire Safety house will be on display along with vehicles from various other departments including police and public works. Representatives from each department will be present to hand out information and answer questions. 9:30am-2:30pm. charlottesville.org.

Mystery Lunch: Enjoy a coffeehouse discussion with mystery author Ann Mullen at the Charlottesville Senior Center. 11am-1pm. 974-7756.

TUNES
David Sickmen at Gravity Lounge: One of the principal songwriters with the Hackensaw Boys, Sickmen performs tunes from his debut solo album. $5, 8:30pm.

Jim Waive (country-folk) at the Blue Moon Diner. Free, 8pm (W)

Karaoke Night with DJ Wild Wes at Buffalo Wild Wings. Free, 9pm (W)

Chicken Head Blues Band at Dürty Nelly's. $4, 9pm. (W)

Thompson/ D'earth and friends (freeform jazz) at Miller's. $4, 10pm. (W)

Year and a day with The Swaggarts at Outback Lodge. $3, 10pm.

Robert Jospé (jazz) at Rapture. No cover, 7:30pm. (W)

Satisfaction (dance party) at Rapture. No cover, 10:30pm. (W)

Middle Eastern Belly Dance Class at Rapunzel's Coffee & Books. Free, 6:30pm. (W)

Hogwaller Ramblers (bluegrass mayhem) at Shebeen. No cover, 10pm. (W)

Kait and Thom (modern jazz duo) at Tokyo Rose upstairs. No cover, 9:30pm. (W)

Tom Trotter (guitar/vocals) (noon-2pm) and Andrew McAteer (banjo) (5-7pm) at Veggie Heaven Café. No cover. (W)

FRIDAY, May 7
FAMILY
Storybook Dance: Young thespians ages 2-5 can climb on stage at the Virginia Discovery Museum as they sing and dance and bring to life the story of The Little Mermaid. Come in costume if you like. 10:30-11:10am and 11:15-11:55. Included in the price of admission. East end of the Downtown Mall. 977-1025.

Star Struck: The view is out of this world at Public Night at McCormick Observatory from 9-11pm (weather permitting). UVA's research telescopes on O-Hill will be pointed heavenward, and Astronomy Department staff and students will be on hand with a slide show and answers to starry questions. Free. McCormick Road. 924-7494.

Spring Fling: Jackson-Via Elementary School hosts its annual Spring Festival tonight with cake walks, raffles, face painting, bowling, silent auction, a fire truck, and a visit from Smokey the Bear. 5:30-8pm. 508 Harris Road. 245-2416.

WALKABOUT
Fridays after 5: The popular outdoor concert series is back for its 16th season. This week's act: Indecision. See Walkabout feature.

Commuting Alternatives: Celebrate Clean Commute Day with the American Lung Association and Commuter Information by walking, biking, carpooling, or taking mass transit to work. CTS will be offering free rides all day. Participants are guaranteed to have a ride home in case of an emergency, and carpools of three or more people will be able to park for free in the Water and Market Street garages. Call 888-974-5500 or visit commuterinformation.com for info.

WORDS
Evermore?: How to fall from grace in a single year as evidenced by the incomparable Edgar Allan. Poe & Fanny, a historical novel by John May tells the story of illicit love and literary disgrace. May reads and signs at New Dominion Bookshop on the Downtown Mall. 5:30pm. 295-2552. See Words feature.

PERFORMANCE
No Shame Theatre: Up for a theatrical nightcap? Join performers at this alternative venue for original material by anyone about anything. The first 15 people who show up get a spot on stage. Or you can just watch the carryings on. Guidelines can be found under "How to No Shame" at noshame.org/charlottesville/. 11pm. Live Arts Up Stage Theater, 123 E. Water St. $5. 977-4177.

Firehouse Cabaret: Richmond's Firehouse Theatre Project explores the many sides of male/female relationships in a traditional cabaret format of song and dance punctuated by a series of 10-minute plays. 8pm. Runs through May 16. 1609 W. Broad St., Richmond. $20, reservations recommended. 804-405-5685.

Turn On, Tune In: See Thursday, May 6.

The Play About the Baby: See Thursday, May 6. Tonight's show is at 8pm.

Bach's Lunch: Christ Church presents the Shenandoah Recorder Society, directed by Margaret Newcomb, in a lunchtime concert. Noon. Christ Episcopal Church, 120 W. High St. Free, box lunches at the door for $5. 293-2347.

The Music Man: Four County Players presents the beloved musical by Meredith Willson. "County fair" with food and beverages one hour before the show. 8pm. Runs until May 23. Barboursville Community Center, Route 678 between Routes 33 and 20, Barboursville. $10-14. 540-832-5355.

Two Gentlemen of Verona: Shenandoah Shakespeare presents a new production of the Bard's early comedy in the magnificent Blackfriars Theater. 7:30pm. 10 S. Market St., Staunton. $10-26. 540-885-5588.

Works for Violin & Piano: Timothy Summers and Judith Gordon perform works by Beethoven, Mozart, Ravel, and UVA's Judith Shatin. 8pm. Old Cabell Hall. $5-12. 924-3984. See Performance feature, page 35.

Contra Dance: Albemarle Chapter of the Country Dance and Song Society presents a contra dance with music by Bill Wellington and friends. Caller is Brad Saylor. Beginners' workshop at 7:30pm, dance from 8-11pm. Municipal Arts Center, 1119 Fifth St. Ext. $4-7, under 12 free. 296-4352.

TUNES
Paul Curreri with Tom Proutt at Gravity Lounge: Folk plucking wonder Curreri has the songs to match his chops, and with Proutt's bluegrass goodness supporting this will be a show not to miss. And only $5! 8:30pm.

The Eastern Seaboard (experimental jazz) at Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar. 8pm, $5. See Tunes feature, page 40.

Sierra (country) at Charlie's. No cover, 9pm.

Eli Cook and The Redhouse Blues Band at the Dew Drop Inn. No cover, 8:30pm.

The Super Vixens with art work by printmaker Josh Dailey and painter Paul Kadish at Fayerweather Gallery. No cover, 6:30pm.

Vernon Fisher (romantic side of jazz) at Keswick Hall. No cover, 6:30pm. (W)

Margot Leverett and the Klezmer Mountain Boys at the Prism. $18/$15 advance, 8pm. See Tunes feature, page 40.

Wayward (featuring Sterling DeWitt & Haplo- jazz + funk) at Rapunzel's. Free, 8pm.

Max Collins (otherwordly guitar) at Shebeen. No cover, 11pm. (W)

Rule of Thump (jam) at Orbit. No cover, 10pm.

DJ Quarter-Roy at Atomic Burrito spinning from 10pm 'til close.

Charlotte Hisey (singer/songwriter) 1-3pm; Andrew McAteer, 5-7pm at Veggie Heaven Café. No cover. (W)

SATURDAY, May 8
ART
Reflections: During May, Caffé Bocce displays "Roy-Rossi Reflections II," paintings by Coy Roy and the late Al Rossi. Opening reception this afternoon 3-5pm. 330 Valley St., Scottsville. 286-4422.

Tapestry Weaving Demo: Tapestry weaver Joan Griffin continues her series of tapestry demonstrations at Art Upstairs (above the Hardware Store restaurant). Check out the fine art of tapestry weaving on a lap-held copper pipe loom. Noon-3pm. Free. 923-3900 or 979-4402.

FAMILY
Jazz and All That: Tandem Friends School hosts their annual Mother's Day Music Festival. The Tandem Jazz Band, Two Red Shoes, Jay Pun, Dr. Bottleneck, The Fifths, Folkskünde, are among acts performing. Food by Big Jim's BBQ. Raffle prizes throughout the day, and oh, yes, t shirts. All proceeds go to the Tandem Diversity Scholarship Fund. Noon-6pm. $5. Mothers admitted free. Mill Creek Road across from Monticello High School. 296-1303.

The Favor of Your Company: &is requested at the library for a Mother's Day Tea and Book Talk at Crozet Library. Mothers, and children ages eight and up, should choose a book they both enjoy, read it together, then join the elegant tea party and chat with others about the book. 2pm. Free. Registration required. In the old train station on Three Notch'd Road. 823-4050.

Meet and Greet: Fans of Corduroy, the lovable character of many children's picture books, can meet this fuzzy friend at Barnes & Noble for a special story time. 10am. Free. Barracks Road. 984-0416.

On the Air: Tell Us A Tale, central Virginia's popular children's radio program, does David and Goliath stories this week at its last live performance of the season. Hosts Peter Jones and Jen Hoffman tell tales of triumphant underdogs from around the world, including "Jack and the Bean Stalk," "Br'er Rabbit and Br'er Bear," and the story of Anansi the spider who takes on elephants and hippos. The show airs on WTJU 91.1 FM on Sundays from noon-2pm. The Jan Smith Band will be on hand. Fans can join either or both of two shows to be recorded today, one from 1-2pm, the second from 2:30-3:30. Donations accepted. 214 Rugby Road. 978-3603. tellusatale.com.

Name Game: A tricky old troll finds his way into a miller's daughter's life in the Old Michie Theatre's latest marionette puppet show, Rumplestiltskin. 11am, 2pm, and 4pm. $5. 221 E. Water St. 977-3690. oldmichie.com.

Festival Fun: Molly Michie Preschool hosts its 14th annual Children's Festival on the playground behind Thomas Jefferson Memorial Church. Kids ages 2-10 can enjoy games, crafts, prizes, a raffle, and food. Proceeds benefit the school's scholarship fund. 10am-2pm. Free admission; nominal fee for activities. 717 Rugby Road. 978-1940.

Aqua Arabesque: The Charlottesville Flamingos Water Ballet Team (a program of the Charlottesville Recreation and Leisure Services) performs their annual Mother's Day Show at Crow Pool. This display of athletic strength and endurance is accompanied by contemporary and time-honored musical favorites. 7-8:30pm. Small donation. Rose Hill Drive. 970-3260.

Animal Farms: Animals are the focus of attention on the four historic farms at the Frontier Culture Museum. Visitors can walk the museum grounds and visit the various historic breeds who call the farms home. 9am-5pm. Included in the price of admission. Rt. 250 west in Staunton. 540-332-7850.

Getting Crafty: Second weekend in May? Must be time for the Crozet Arts and Crafts Festival. More than 125 craftspeople showcasing their work in a variety of mediums at Claudius Crozet Park. 10-5pm. $4 adults, $1 children ages 6-12. 823-2211.

WALKABOUT
Farina-Hart 5k Run/Walk: Run to honor the memory of two long-time teachers, run to support the American Cancer Society, run for a free t shirt-&endash; whatever your reasons, it's happening at the Miller School. 9am. $15 fee. Registration forms at millerschool.org. 823-4805.

Rivanna River Ecology: Learn about the history, use, hydrology, and ecology of the Rivanna, concluding with a tour of the river and the Tufton meadow. 6:30am. $10 fee. Registration required, meet at Monticello's Tufton Farm. 984-9822.

Arthritis Walk: Raise money for arthritis research and enjoy a stroll through the historic UVA grounds at the same time with the first annual Charlottesville Arthritis Walk. 9am (9:02am for the 1-mile walk). Meet at the Park at UVA. Register at arthritis.org.

Gardening with Native Species: Learn about a variety of local plants with the Wintergreen Nature Foundation. Participate in discussions on soil, pests, and disease control; then learn how to incorporate these native plants into a low maintenance, year-round garden. 9am-5pm. $50 Foundation members ($60 nonmembers). Trillium House at Wintergreen Resort. 325-7453 or twnf.org.

Sand Painting: Put your creativity to good use and learn about the local environment while you're at it, by painting a picture or flower pot out of sand. Afterwards, hike Trillium Field with a naturalist from the Wintergreen Nature Foundation and learn about the spring blooms. 10am. $10 fee Foundation members ($15 nonmembers). Trillium House at Wintergreen Resort. 325-7453 or twnf.org.

Gala Auction: Support the Charlottesville Catholic School at its 8th annual live/silent auction benefit. Choose from hundreds of donated items up for auction, or just sit back and watch the action. $40 per person includes dinner, dancing, drinks, and bidding. Reservations are required. Omni Hotel Charlottesville. 964-0400 x307 or cvillecatholic.org/auction2004 for info.

Shenandoah National Park History: Tour Massanutten Lodge, visit a research site, hear from authors Reed Engle and Audrey Horning, and discover how new information adds perspective to the park's cultural history. $45, pre-registration required. Shenandoah National Park. 540-999-3489 or nps.gov/shen/seminars.html.

Color in Design: Studio Baboo instructor Terri Gable offers a class to help you learn to use color in new and exciting ways. 10am-3pm. $40 fee. 106 Fifth St. Downtown Mall. 244-2905.

Vintner Dinner: Drink in the atmosphere and pour on the romance at the High Meadows and King Family Vineyards' Vintner Dinner. Featuring local wines, a seven course dinner, and the music of Catherine Carraway and Michael Richardson. 7:30pm. $70 . High Meadows Vineyard in Scottsville. Reservations, 286-2218.

PERFORMANCE
Live Arts Actor's LAB: Join acting coach and director Carol Pedersen to sharpen your acting tools and gear up for numerous summer acting possibilities now. New session runs until 6/19. Weekly drop-in session 10-11am, full session 10-1pm. Live Arts, 123 E. Water St. $10 drop-in rate; $160 for full eight-week session. 977-4177x100.

Latin Groove: Studio 206 Belmont presents a new weekly class. Learn salsa, samba, merengue, and other Latin forms of dance in an exercise setting. Dress comfortably for a great workout. 11:15am. Studio 206 Belmont, 505 Monticello Road. $12 drop-in; 5-class card for $45. 973-2065.

Shakespeare Saturdays: Here's your chance to play Falstaff, one of Shakespeare's most beloved characters, from Henry IV, Part I. For any adult with a love of Shakespeare or an itch to get on stage. Ages 18 and up. 10am-noon. Blackfriars Theater, 10 S. Market St., Staunton. $15. 540-885-5588.

The Importance of Being Earnest: See Thursday, May 6. Tonight's show is at 7:30pm.

Henry IV, Part I: Shenandoah Shakespeare presents a new production of the Bard's best-loved history play in the magnificent Blackfriars Theater. 7:30pm. 10 S. Market St., Staunton. $10-26. 540-885-5588.

Firehouse Cabaret: See Friday, May 7.

Turn On, Tune In: See Friday, May 7.

Dance Master Class: PVCC concludes its master class series with a rhythm-based modern dance class taught by Carla Perlo. 1:30-3:30pm. V. Earl Dickinson Building, 500 College Drive. $10. 961-5378.

The Play About the Baby: See Thursday, May 6. Tonight's show is at 8pm.

The Music Man: See Friday, May 7.

TUNES
WTJU Folk Marathon Showcase at the Prism: Helping WTJU 91.1 raise funds for its 2004 Folk & Roots Marathon, the Prism showcases local and regional folk artists. $5 donation or paid receipt from the marathon, 8pm.

Veritas Vineyards and Winery Starry Nights Series: Bring a picnic and enjoy music from the Dixie Power Trio $10 (reservations accepted), 6-10pm

Zag (alternative rock) at Miller's. $3m 10:30pm.

Victor Cabas (blues) at Basic Necessities. No cover, 6:30pm. (W)

Sierra (country) at Charlie's. No cover, 9pm.

Populist Dancing at Club Rio. $10, 9pm. (W)

The Zing Kings outside on the Downtown Mall and at the Charlottesville City Market. Free, 10am-1pm. (W)

Regan at Gravity Lounge. $5, 8:30pm.

Vernon Fisher ("romantic side of jazz") at Keswick Hall. No cover, 6:30pm. (W)

John Rimel and Tom Proutt with Jeff Romano and Emily McCormick at Mountain View Grill. $5, 8pm.

Something (featuring Matt Wilner, Houston Ross, Charles Cowen) at Orbit. No cover, 10pm.

Blue Ridge Irish Music School at Rapunzel's. $5, 8pm.

Fair Weather Bums (bluegrass) at Shebeen. No cover, 11pm. (W)

Jim Davies at Veggie Heaven Café. No cover. Noon-2pm. (W)

SUNDAY, May 9
ART
Kurt and Mom: Thomas Jefferson Memorial Church features an exhibition of paintings by local architect Kurt Wassenaur and his mother, Dottie, through June 6. Meet the artists at an opening reception today. 12:30pm. 717 Rugby Road. 293-8179.

FAMILY
Aqua arabesque: See Saturday, May 8.

Animal farms: See Saturday, May 8.

Getting crafty: See Saturday, May 8.

WALKABOUT
Go Native: Learn how to grow native plants with Wintergreen Nature Foundation horticulturalist Mike Williams. You'll learn various propagation techniques while focusing on the native species found in the Blue Ridge. 9am-3pm. $50 Foundation members ($60 nonmembers). Trillium House at Wintergreen Resort. 325-7453 or twnf.org.

PERFORMANCE
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 8. DJ'd music is 80 percent salsa mixed with other Latin styles. Complimentary water and sodas. The Outback Lodge, 917 Preston Ave. 8pm-12am. $5 (members $3). 979-7211. cvillesalsaclub.com.

Firehouse Cabaret: See Friday, May 7. Today's show is at 4pm.

Two Gentlemen of Verona: See Friday, May 7. Today's show is at 2pm.

The Music Man: See Friday, May 7. Today's show is a matinee at 2:30pm.

TUNES
Old School Freight Train with A J Roach at Gravity Lounge: Youthful bluegrass? It's not an oxymoron with Old School Freight Train-- old-fashioned fun from the age challenged. $5, 7:30pm.

The Hogwaller Ramblers (bluegrass mayhem) at Escafé. No cover, 10pm. (W)

B.C. at Miller's. No cover, 10:30pm. (W)

Native American Flute Circle Meeting at Rapunzel's. Open to all, 1pm.

Irish Music Session at Shebeen. No cover, 3-6pm. (W)

MONDAY, May 10
WALKABOUT
Scuba Club: Experience the undersea world with Eric Black, a scuba enthusiast and photographer, at the monthly meeting of the SeaDevil Divers. Black will show photos taken on a recent trip to Fiji. Free. Rococo's Restaurant. 975-5570 or SeaDevilDivers.com.

Women's Discussion: "Black women, White women, All Women In Dialogue" hold the monthly meeting in the Madison Room at the Central Library, focusing on the book Privilege Revealed: How Invisible Preference Undermines America by Stephanie Wildman. 5:45-7:45pm, all are welcome, even if you haven't read the book. 295-2612.

WORDS
No Control: A discussion of the US policy restricting international family planning. Valerie De Fillipo of the International Planned Parenthood Federation in London is at the Miller Center. 2201 Old Ivy Road. 924-0921. 11am.

TUNES
Open Mic Night with Charles Davis at Baja Bean. No cover, signup 8:30pm/9pm. (W)

Jackson Gibson at Coupe DeVille's. No cover, 10:30pm. (W)

Dry Branch Fire Squad with Blue Sky Girls at Gravity Lounge. $23/$18 advance, 8pm.

George Melvin (piano merriment) at South Street Brewery. No cover, 9:30pm. (W)

Travis Elliot (pop) and John Figura at the Virginian. No cover, 10pm. (W)

TUESDAY, May 11
PERFORMANCE
Youth Orchestra of Charlottesville/Albemarle: The orchestra performs a program of classical works. 7pm. Old Cabell Hall. Price TBA. 924-3984.

Audition Notice: Four County Players holds auditions for Much Ado About Nothing, its 15th annual "Shakespeare at the Ruins" production, directed by Gil Gonzalez. Prepare either 14-20 lines from a Shakespearean comedy or a Shakespearean sonnet. Callbacks May 13. Performances July 23-August 15. 6:30pm. Barboursville Community Center on Route 678 between Routes 33 and 20, Barboursville. 832-5355.

WORDS
Pyramids of Montana: Joel King's latest novel proffers entrapment, divorce, jail-time, con men, Montana, and other alluring scenarios. King reads from Plain Heathen Mischief at New Dominion Bookshop, 6pm. Downtown Mall. 295-2552.

WALKABOUT
Golf Clinic: Charlottesville Parks and Recreation and the Birdwood Golf Course are sponsoring a golf clinic for physically challenged individuals, instructors, and rehab professionals. 10am-12:30. Registration required. 970-3264.

Senior Health Fair: The Jefferson Area Board of Aging hosts its Senior Open House and Health Fair. 10am-2pm. No fee. Greene County Library & Senior Center in Stanardsville. 222 Main Street. 985-2047.

TUNES
Karaoke Night (what you make of it) at Baja Bean. Free, 8pm. (W)

Jamie and Rolland (partial bluegrass mayhem) at the Blue Moon Diner. No cover, 8pm. (W)

Glen Mack at Coupe DeVille's. No cover, 10:30pm. (W)

Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Preview Tour featuring Jeffrey Foucault, Carla Ulbrich, George Wurzbach, and Terence Martin at Gravity Lounge. $8, 8pm.

SNUG (funk improv) at Michael's Bistro. $3, 10pm. (W)

Freedom One Ensemble at Orbit. No cover, 10pm.

Adam Cuchta (keyboard) at Veggie Heaven Café. 5-7pm. No cover. (W)

WEDNESDAY, May 12
ART
Tucker Box Tours: Enjoy a guided tour of the current exhibition followed by lunch in the gallery. You may bring your own lunch or purchase one for $7. 12:15-1:30pm. Reservations are required. Kluge-Ruhe Collection, 400 Worrell Drive, Peter Jefferson Place, off Route 250 East at Pantops. 244-0234

PERFORMANCE
Country Dance Night: Couples and line dancing at Fry's Spring Beach Club. Dance lesson free with cover. Lesson 7pm, dancing 8-11pm. 2512 Jefferson Park Ave. $7 cover, $4 full-time students; students $2 every fourth Wednesday through May. 977-0491.

Salsa Night: Whether you're mastering the basic step or working on learning some cool new moves, this class will help you reach your next level. No partner necessary. 8-9:30 salsa partnering lesson; 9:30-10 practice. Lesson and practice, $8, $6 students. Berkmar Ballroom, 652 W. Rio Road. 975-4611 or berkmarballroom.com.

The Importance of Being Earnest: See Thursday, May 6. Tonight's show is at 7:30pm.

Teen Acting Studio: Designed for the serious teen actor, this weekly workshop will focus on actor's vocal production and physical movement, skills that will then be put to practical use in work with monologues. Students should bring 3 sample contemporary monologues with them to the first class. Runs until 6/2. 5:30-7pm. Live Arts, 123 E. Water St. $60 members, $75 general. 977-4177.

Henry IV, Part I: See Saturday, May 8. Today's show is an eye-opening 10:30am.

Audition Notice: See Tuesday, May 11.

WORDS
Prize-Winning Poetry: The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Poetic Principles series concludes with a reading by Komunyakaa, a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and author of "Neon Vernacular" and "Talking Dirty to the Gods."6pm. $5 ($3 students and museum members). 200 N. Boulevard, Richmond. 804-340-1405.

WALKABOUT
NASCAR pit party: It's a party at the Virginia Science Museum-- NASCAR style! Drive a stock car simulator, meet the drivers, enter a pinewood derby race, and watch "NASCAR: the IMAX experience" on the giant IMAX screen. 2-10pm. $20 fee. 2500 W. Broad St., Richmond. 804-864-1544 or smv.org.

FAMILY
Forest Friends: Nature guide Nicol Butters leads a program for toddlers ages 2-3 and their caretakers at Ivy Creek Natural Area. This month, the class explores animal babies through interactive activities and a walk on the trails. 10am. Free. Meet at the Education Building. No strollers please. Earlysville Road. 973-7772. avenue.org/icf. .

TUNES
Kathy Compton at the Blue Moon Diner. No cover, 8pm. (W)

Cheesy Trivia with M&M Express at Buffalo Wild Wings. No cover, 8:30pm. (W)

Open Mic Night at Dew Drop Inn. No cover, 7;30pm. (W)

The Mike Rosensky Jeff Decker Quartet (jazz) at Miller's. No cover, 9:30pm. (W)

Laura Light at Gravity Lounge. $5, 8:30pm.

Matt Horn & the Funk Factory at Orbit. No cover, 10pm.

Open Jam at Rapunzel's Coffee & Books. Free, 7pm. (W)

Middle Eastern Belly Dance Class at Rapunzel's Coffee & Books. Free, 6:30pm. (W)

Kathy Olsen Trio (jazz) upstairs at Tokyo Rose. No cover, 9:30pm. (W)

Jim Davies (acoustic rock and blues) at the Virginian. No cover, 10pm. (W)

Andrew McAteer (banjo) at Veggie Heaven Café. No cover, noon-2pm. (W)

THURSDAY, May 13
FAMILY
Fair Play: The scientists at JP Burley Middle School demonstrate how much fun science can be at a school science fair. Lots of hand-on activities for kids of all ages let participants learn as they play. 6-7:30pm. Free. Rose Hill Drive. 295-5101, ext. 209.

Kids' Day Out: Mommy & Me (and Daddy, too) celebrates Mother's Day at Barracks Road Shopping Center. This month's kid-friendly activities focus on marvelous moms. 10am-noon. Free. Barracks Road. 977-4583.

PERFORMANCE
Swing Swap: The Charlottesville Swing Dance Society hosts this weekly evening of swing dancing. The first hour focuses on East Coast Swing and the second hour on West Coast Swing, but the DJ takes requests. Singles and couples welcome, no partner needed. 7-9pm. Albemarle County Office Building Auditorium, 401 McIntire Road. Free. 980-2744.

Mountain Heart: Staunton's award-winning bluegrass band makes its area debut. 7:30pm. Blackfriars Playhouse, 10 S. Market St., Staunton. $20. 540-851-1733.

Teen Acting Studio: This weekly workshop will focus on opening up the text within a Shakespearean monologue through extensive language work: scanning the verse, exploring rhythm and sound, and working the breath. Students need to bring 3 sample Shakespearean monologues with them to the first class. Pre-requisite: Prior LATTE acting studio experience or instructor permission. Runs until 6/3. 5-7pm. Live Arts, 123 E. Water St. $60 members, $75 general. 977-4177.

A Sort of Explanation: Prospect Dance Group presents a new evening-length work created by Dinah Gray, Peter V. Swendsen, and Ashley Thorndike. Runs until May 22. McGuffey Art Center, 201 Second St. NW. $12. 409-6056.

Turn On, Tune In: See Friday, May 7. Tonight's show is at 7:30pm.

Firehouse Cabaret: See Friday, May 7.

TUNES
Jim Waive (country-folk) at the Blue Moon Diner. Free, 8pm (W)

Karaoke Night with DJ Wild Wes at Buffalo Wild Wings. Free, 9pm (W)

Chicken Head Blues Band at Dürty Nelly's. $4, 9pm. (W)

Candlewyck at Gravity Lounge. $5, 8:30pm.

Thompson/ D'earth and friends (freeform jazz) at Miller's. $4, 10pm. (W)

Robert Jospé (jazz) at Rapture. No cover, 7:30pm. (W)

Satisfaction (dance party) at Rapture. No cover, 10:30pm. (W)

Middle Eastern Belly Dance Class at Rapunzel's Coffee & Books. Free, 6:30pm. (W)

Hogwaller Ramblers (bluegrass mayhem) at Shebeen. No cover, 10pm. (W)

Kait and Thom (modern jazz duo) at Tokyo Rose upstairs. No cover, 9:30pm. (W)

Tim Trotter (noon-2pm) and Andrew McAteer (5-7pm) at Veggie Heaven Café. No cover. (W)

Upcoming and Ongoing
SPECIAL EVENTS
MOTHER'S DAY WEEKEND

Synchronized Swimming Performance: The Flamingos water ballet team will be performing their annual Mother's Day show to contemporary and time-honored music May 8 and 9. 8pm. No fee, but small donations will be accepted at the door. Crow Pool off Rose Hill Drive.

Cardinal Point Winery: Treat mom to a wine tasting and some complimentary soups, and she'll go home with a free wine glass. May 9, 11am-5:30pm. No fee. 9423 Batesville Road in Afton. Call 540-456-8400 or visit cardinalpointwinery.com for info.

High Meadows Winery: It's a complete brunch of mimosas, spoon bread, shrimp, flank steak, and more at the award-winning High Meadows restaurant. May 9, 11am-5pm. Call 286-2218 for reservations.

Boar's Head Inn: Reduced rates are available for the holiday weekend, plus there's a special Mother's Day brunch in the award-winning Old Mill Room restaurant. Call 800-476-1988 or visit boarsheadinn.com to make a reservation.

Poplar Springs Inn: Make it a luxurious weekend of champagne, sweet treats, spa treatments, and a Mother's Day brunch for two. May 8 & 9. Rates vary, call 800-490-7747 or visit poplarspringsinn.com for info.

Jefferson Winery: Bring the Mom in your life to enjoy delicious desserts, strawberries and the release and first tasting of the Jefferson's 2002 Late Harvest Vidal Blanc. $10 fee. Noon. 800-272-3042 or .

Wintergreen Winery: The 11th annual Mother's Day Open House features a complimentary wine tasting and gourmet food sampling. Wine and gift shop specials, and a special door prize drawing for moms. Free. 10am-6pm May 8 and 9. 361-2519 or .

First Colony Winery: Treat mom to a relaxing day of wine and food in a beautiful setting with brunch at First Colony. $30 per person, reservations required. Fee includes tour, tasting, brunch, and a glass of wine. 11am-3pm. Call 979-7105 or visit firstcolonywinery.com for info.

FAMILY
Roots and wings: The Living Earth School brings kids closer to the earth with their summer residential youth camps. Three programs &emdash; Earth Roots (ages 8-11), Ancient Ways (advanced camp for ages 8-13), and Wilderness Quest (8-day backpacking trek for ages 12 and up) &emdash; are designed to help children get back to their roots and learn the philosophy of living close to the earth. These camps teach survival skills and much more. They are personal growth oriented, educational, and down right fun. Enrollment limited and fills fast, so register as soon as possible. Applications available on-line. 258 Rocky Bottom Lane, Afton. 540-456-7339. circleofseeds.com.

Out of this World: The Science Museum of Virginia offers earthbound astronaut wannabes the chance to vicariously climb into a space capsule the size of a Volkswagen Beetle and blast off into the great unknown with the IMAX film Space Station showing now through June 11. Call or see website for schedule and cost. 2500 W. Broad St., Richmond. 800-659-1727. smv.org.

River Ramble: Call now for your tickets to join one of the James River Rambler railroad excursions happening on May 8 and 22 and June 5. This popular train ride wanders through the rolling hills and deep forests of Buckingham County from Dillwyn along the historic Buckingham Branch rail line. Choose from a 90-minute or 3.5-hour tour. Sponsored by the Old Dominion Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society. Call between 10am-4pm on Saturdays, 1-4pm on Sundays: 800-451-6318. odcnrhs.org.

Martian Chronicles: The Virginia Discovery Museum gets into the Mars mania with a new display in the Discovery Corner. Maps, globes, artifacts, and new NASA images let earth-bound explorers probe the Red Planet. Included in the price of admission. East end of the Downtown Mall. 977-1025.

Filling the Void: Stella is a black hole. Stella bats her lilac eyelashes and reminisces about her glory days as a giant star, how she explodes and becomes a black hole, and about the mysteries she still keeps to herself in the Science Museum of Virginia's multimedia planetarium show Black Holes now through June 13. Included in the price of admission. 2500 W. Broad St., Richmond. 800-659-1727. smv.org.

Gentlemen, Start your Engines!: The pressure. The teamwork. The danger. The speed. The fans. The groundbreaking IMAX® film NASCAR: The IMAX Experience thrusts you into the driver's seat to experience a visceral journey inside America's most popular spectator sport at the Science Museum of Virginia. Runs through September 17. Call or see website for schedule and cost. 2500 W. Broad St., Richmond. 800-659-1727. smv.org.

World Beat: Discover how rhythm and movement link different cultures, locations, and musical traditions in the new IMAX film "Pulse: A Stomp Odyssey" at the Science Museum of Virginia. Two long-time Stomp performers guide visitors through grand landscapes and cultural celebrations in Brazil, South Africa, Spain, England, Japan, India, the United States, and various countries in Africa to learn how people from around the world experience music and dance. Runs through July 16. Call or see website for schedule and cost. 2500 W. Broad St., Richmond. 800-659-1727. smv.org.

WALKABOUT
Bocce and Brunch: This and every Sunday through June, the Spruce Creek Gallery in Nellysford hosts their popular ãBrunch and Bocce.ä Enjoy a catered brunch, and then try to figure out what this whole bocce thing is all about. Reservations required. For info, call 361-1859.

Downtown Tours: The Albemarle-Charlottesville Historical Society offers walking tours of historic downtown Charlottesville every Saturday at 10am. Tours leave from the McIntire Building across from Lee Park and cover over 250 years of community history in one hour. $3 suggested donation. For info, call 296-1492.

Visit Montpelier: Montpelier offers two outdoor walking tours each Saturday, one focusing on the plantationâs slave community, and another on the more recent duPont estate. Afterwards, go behind the scenes and see rooms that are not regularly open to the public and areas of the house that are under renovation. Offered every half-hour from 10:30am-4pm. montpelier.org/>montpelier.org for more info.

Monticello Gardens and Grounds: This guided tour explores the flower and vegetable gardens, grove, and orchards around Jefferson's home. Tours begin on the west lawn hourly at :15 after the hour starting at 9:15am. Fee included in price of general admission. 984-9822.

Aboriginal Art Tours: Learn about the current exhibits at the Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Museum on the free, weekly guided tour. Offered every Saturday morning at 10:30am. Call 244-0234 or visit virginia.edu/kluge-ruhe for info.

Professional Tennis: Local tennis fans stand up and cheer, professional tennis is coming back to Charlottesville. Enjoy a week of world-class racquet play at the Boyd Tinsley USTA Women's Pro Tennis Championship. May 9-16 at the Boar's Head Inn's Sports Club. Free, and open to the public. Call 972-2237 or visit boarsheadinn.com for info.

Ferry the James: The Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society is offering rides on the Hatton Ferry, one of the last poled ferries still in operation in the U.S., across the James River now through October 17. Open weekends from 9am-5pm. No fee. Located near Scottsville on Route 625. 296-1492.

ART LIST
The Second Street Gallery presents two shows during May. The Main Gallery offers the film noir-inspired "Deceptions: Photographs by Lori Nix," and the Dové Gallery features "Bears in My Room: Works on Paper by Marcel Dzama." City Center for Contemporary Arts, corner of Second and East Water Sts. 977-7284.

The University of Virginia Art Museum presents "A Taste for Grace: Italian Prints from the 15th through 18th Centuries," which continues through August 15. In addition, the museum features Carrie Mae Weems' "The Jefferson Suite" through May 23. Also on view: "American Collage," including work by Andy Warhol, Adja Yunkers, and Robert Motherwell, among others, through August 24. 155 Rugby Road. 924-3952.

Glo displays the work of Christian Peri during the month of May. Corner of 3rd and East Main on the Downtown Mall. 295-7432.

UVA Aunspaugh fellow Jennifer Bernard's "Sculptural Concerto," is on view at the Old Nature Gallery through May 23. 111 East Water St. (behind the Jefferson Theatre). 882-6013.

Through May 7, view "Systems and Sacrament," an exhibition of new works by Josh Dailey and Paul Kadish, at the Fayerweather Gallery. The show will close with a party featuring live music on Friday, May 7, 6-8pm. Rugby Road. 924-6123.

The Village Playhouse displays the paintings and collages of Gordonsville artist Sarah Deacon during May. 313 2nd St. SE. 296-9390.

The Virginia Photography Club presents its first public exhibition at Michael's Bistro, on view through May 10. 1427 University Ave. 242-0139.

The Kluge-Ruhe Collection of Aboriginal Art presents "Family Business: Kinship in Australian Aboriginal Art" through June 5. 400 Worrell Dr., Peter Jefferson Place. 244-0234.

"Dark Times," an exhibition of mixed-media work by Loes van Riel is on view at Angelo through June 30. 220 East Main St. on the Downtown Mall. 971-9256.

At C'ville Coffee enjoy a children's art show presenting works by students of local watercolor artist Lee Alter. Through the end of May. 1301 Harris St. 979-4402.

Spencer's 206 shows work by Lisi Stoessel through the month of May. 295-2080.

At the C&O Gallery, view "More than Landscapes," paintings by David Eaken, through May 31. Next door to the C&O Restaurant, 511 E. Water St. 971-7044.

Nature Visionary Art shows "Paci-Fist," mixed-media works by David Andrews through May 31. 110 4th St. 296-8482.

From May 3-29, photographer Andrew Humphries' "Daylight" will be on view at Main Street Market. 416 West Main St. 249-5448.

CODG presents "Nacer de Nuevo," photography by Melissa Wei, plus "Borrowed Faces," paintings by Eliza Martin. 112 East Main St., under the Jefferson Theater. 242-4212.

New work by members of the Central Virginia Watercolor Guild, featuring watercolors, oils, pastels, and mixed media are on display at the Albemarle County Courthouse, through July 31. McIntire Road. 296-8484.

The Dave Moore Studio features an "Open Door and Spring-type Show" during May. Hours vary so call first. 414 E. Main St. (under The Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar). 825-1870.

Priscilla Whitlock's paingtings of North Carolina beach scenes are on view at the architectural firm of Stoneking/Von Storch through May 14. Fifth and Water streets. 295-4204.

Les Yeux du offers two shows during May: paintings and sculpture by Italo Scanga, plus artwork by Donna Mintz (who painted the image on the cover of Mary Chapin Carpenter's CD Between Here and Gone). 115 S. First St. 973-5566.

Thomas Jefferson Memorial Church features an exhibition of paintings by local architect Kurt Wassenaur and his mother, Dottie Wassenaur, from May 9-June 6. The show will open with a reception on May 9 at 12:30pm. 717 Rugby Road. 293-8179.

Michael Fitts shows his paintings at the Mudhouse during May. 213 W. Main St. on the Downtown Mall. 984-6833.

L'étoile Restaurant displays paintings by local artists Barry Gordon and Malcolm Hughes. Gordon's abstract works feature interiors and everyday objects; Hughes portrays landscapes in the Impressionist style. 817 W. Main St. (across from the Amtrak Station). 979-7957.

Take a stroll through the 57 acres of Virginia's first-ever Sculpture Park, located on the grounds of Baker-Butler Elementary School. 2740 Proffit Road. 974-7777x1402.

Paintings by Gloria Mitchell are on display at The Artful Lodger, 1807 Seminole Trail. 970-1900.

During May, view "Another Stroke of Nature," Chinese brush paintings by Rosy Kin-On King, at Art Upstairs. 316 E. Main St., above The Hardware Store, on the Downtown Mall. 923-3900.

"Art and the Natural World," an exhibit featuring science themes, is on display at the Science and Engineering Library's new reading room. The exhibit is a highlight of the library's grand opening in Clark Hall, and will be up through the academic year. The exhibit features work by UVA art faculty. 924-3628.

Jerry O'Dell's paintings and stained glass creations are on view at Blue Ridge Glass & Crafts. 1724 Allied St. 293-2876.

During May, The McGuffey Art Center presents "New Works," paintings by Jean R. Sampson, plus a display of mixed-media art dolls by Susan Leschke. Also on view: "Euphony," paintings by Joan Cabell, and "For Loves' Sake," Lee Alter's watercolor exhibition. 201 Second St. NW. 295-7973.

Transient Crafters displays "The Genesis of a Teapot," a series of fey and elegant teapots created by potter Jan Crowther, through the end of May. 118 W. Main St. on the Downtown Mall. 972-9500.

The Bozart Gallery presents "Paths, Portals, and Passages," oil paintings by Ron Swinnerton that "explore the intrigue of what is beyond the horizon and around the corner," through May 30. 211 W. Main St. 296-4669.

The John Ruseau Watercolor Gallery features paintings by John Ruseau, along with art and objects from the Connecticut-based Mystic Seaport Museum. York Place on the Downtown Mall. 977-0627.

Martha Jefferson Hospital presents a show entitled "The Creative Process" through June 4. 459 Locust Ave. 982-7000.

Radar

The Arts Center in Orange presents oil paintings by Lou Schellenberg through May 15. 129 E. Main St., 540-672-7311, .

Sun's Traces Gallery displays baskets by Charlotte LaRoy (featured in The Fiber Arts Design Book), as well as clay works by Paula Brown-Steedly, handmade paper by Rebecca Humphrey, and weaving by Barbara Gentry and Pat Hoover. Barboursville. 540-832-7044.

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts presents "Bonjour, Monsieur Corbet! The Bruyas Collection from the Musee Fabre, Montpelier," and "Van Gogh and Gauguin: An Artistic Dialogue in the South of France," through June 13. Also on view: "Best Friends: Portraits of Sydney and Francis Lewis," a series of portraits by a range of artists, including Chuck Close and Andy Warhol, through July 11. 2800 Grove Ave. 804-924-2704.

The Ed Jaffe Gallery features paintings and marble sculptures by Ed Jaffe, plus abstract photographs by Marc Jaffe. 108 West Main St., Orange. 540-672-2400. www.edjaffe.com.

Charlottesville artist Elizabeth Geiger displays her paintings at the Williams School of Commerce at Washington and Lee University. Lexington. 540-458-8602.

Sunspots Studios in Staunton offer live glassblowing demonstrations every day by master glassblower Phillip Nolley and art glass artist Minh Martin, both in residence. Corner of Lewis and Middlebrook streets in downtown Staunton, across from the train station. 540-885-0678.

The Artisans Center of Virginia presents "Familiars," an exhibition of woodwork by Alan Kaplan, during the month of May. 601 Shenandoah Village Drive (exit 94 off I-64), Waynesboro. 540-946-3294.

During May, Caffé Bocce displays "Roy-Rossi Reflections II" paintings by Coy Roy and the late Al Rossi. Opening reception, May 8, 3-5pm. 330 Valley St., Scottsville. 286-4422.

Other

The Arts Center In Orange is seeking exhibits for their growing Satellite Gallery program that currently includes Not the Same Old Grind, a coffee shop on Church St., and The Virginia National Bank on Main St. Please send no more than five slides (two-dimensional work only) and an artist bio to The Arts Center In Orange Satellite Gallery Program; 129 E. Main St., Box 13, Orange 22960. 540-672-7311, .

FIRST FRIDAY May 7
First Friday, May 7

Published May 6, 2004, in issue 0318 of the Hook

The C&O Gallery opens "More than Landscapes," an exhibition of paintings by David Eakin. 5-7pm. Next door to the C&O Restaurant, 511 E. Water St. 971-7044.

Nature Visionary Arts hosts an opening for "Paci-Fist," mixed media work by Jason Andrews. 5-9pm. 110 Fourth St. NE. 296-8482

Les Yeux du celebrates the opening of its exhibition of Italo Scanga's paintings and sculpture, and its show of Donna Mintz's artwork. 5-7:30pm. 115 S. First St. 973-5566.

Priscilla Long Whitlock welcomes visitors to a wine and cheese reception for the opening of her show of paintings of North Carolina beach scenes. 5:30-8:30pm, Gallery at 5th and Water. 979-9825.

CODG hosts an opening for "Nacer de Nuevo," photography by Melissa Wei, and "Borrowed Faces," paintings by Eliza Martin. 5:30-9pm. 112 E. Main St., under the Jefferson Theater. 242-4212.

See what's brewing at Transient Crafters at a reception for Jan Crowther's "The Genesis of a Teapot." 6-9pm. 118 W. Main St. on the Downtown Mall. 972-9500.

The McGuffey Art Center hosts an opening for Jean R. Sampson's "New Works, " Lee Alter's "For Loves' Sake," Joan Cabell's "Euphony," and Susan Leschke's show of mixed-media dolls. 5:30-7:30pm. 201 Second St. NW. 295-7973.

Come to Bozart Gallery to see "Paths, Portals, and Passages," and meet the painter, Ron Swinnerton. 6-9pm. 211 W. Main on the Downtown Mall. 296-3919.

Art Upstairs holds a reception for Rosy Kin-On King's "Another Stroke of Nature." 5:30-9pm. 316 E. Main St., above The Hardware Store, on the Downtown Mall. 923-3900.

Mudhouse opens its show of paintings by Michael Fitts. 6-8pm. W. Main St. on the Downtown Mall. 984-6833.

Main Street Market celebrates the opening of "Daylight," photographs by Andrew R. Humphries. 4:30-7pm. 416 W. Main St. 249-5448.

At Second Street Gallery welcome the May exhibitions, "Deceptions: Photographs by Lori Nix" and "Bears in My Room: Works on Paper by Marcel Dzama." 6-8pm. Hear the artists discuss their work at 6:30pm. City Center for Contemporary Arts, corner of Second and E. Water streets. 977-7284.

Glo welcomes original artwork by Cristian Peri with a reception, 6-9pm. Corner of Third and E. Main. 295-7432.

The Dave Moore Studio hosts an "Open Door and Spring Type Show" reception. 7pm "until." 414 E. Main St. (under the Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar). 825-1870.

At the Village Playhouse meet Sarah Deacon and enjoy a reception for the opening of an exhibition of her paintings and collages. 5-7pm. 313 Second St. SE. 296-9390.

UVA Aunspaugh fellow Jennifer Bernard will be at the Old Nature Gallery to welcome you to her exhibition, "Sculptural Concerto." 6:30-10pm. 111 E. Water St. (behind the Jefferson Theater). 882-6013.

FEATURES/FEATURES/FEATURES
ART
Quietly disquieting: Weems' helix implications
BY LAURA PARSONS

A little over a week ago, the U.S. Holocaust Museum in Washington opened an exhibition on "eugenics," the controversial practice of manipulating the human race by scientifically applying Darwin's theory of "survival of the fittest." Think Hitler's fantasized Aryan nation. Think Nazi death camps. Eugenics may sound pretty on the tongue, but its truth is divisive poison.

In Charlottesville, Carrie Mae Weems' "The Jefferson Suite," an installation currently on view at the University of Virginia Art Museum, poetically mines the same territory but with an American twist: eugenics' implications for black-white relations in the U.S.

Internationally recognized for her use of documentary images to explore color, gender, and power, Weems' artistic mission is to reveal how history has led to our particular social moment.

In a subtly lit room, "The Jefferson Suite" presents a labyrinth of large, translucent muslin panels suspended from the ceiling, most printed with black-and-white historical photographs. The first panel features an image of Weems dressed in a beaded evening gown, speaking into a microphone. A quiet jazz piece intermixes with a deceptively soothing spoken-word performance by Weems that narrates the voyage through this unsettling maze.

Behind Weems' photograph, two panels combine to form a string quartet (a visual pun on the pairings of the four bases along a strand of DNA). Beyond these, Dolly the cloned sheep hangs in front of Charles Darwin, who appears to look toward a panel featuring an Audubon-like illustration of a finch-- significantly, the only non-photographic image and the sole one in color.

Among other diaphanous sheets are pictures of black-and-white-striped African-American convicts, and a staged photograph of Jefferson gazing at the back of Sally Hemings paralleling one of a modern businessman ogling an underwear-clad woman.

Weems' arrangement leads the viewer's eye to look through each gauzy historical image toward a picture of its future or potential implication. Walk through the panels the opposite way, and other nuances emerge.

Two large wall-hung photographs anchor each end of the layered hall. One pair features the back of a white man and that of an African-American woman, superimposed with the letters "A" and "T," respectively. At the other end, a black man and a white woman are marked "C" and "G." The letters are another reference to the four bases and how they couple on DNA's double helix.

Through these four photographs, Weems suggests that, despite corrupt powers' impulse toward eugenic divisiveness, at its purest level, genetics reveals our irrevocable interconnection.

Carrie Mae Weems' "The Jefferson Suite" is on display at the University of Virginia Art Museum through May 23. 155 Rugby Road. 924-3952.

WORDS
Scandalous!: Eddy & Fanny raised eyebrows
BY ELIZABETH KIEM

Many an American legend has borne the name Eddy with an appropriate air of rascality, responsibility or rock 'n roll.

Edgar Allan Poe is not one of them.

Surely the iconic forehead whence sprung the finest pieces of paranoid prose in the English language should not be saddled with the ill-fitting diminutive? Surely the fact that Poe himself called his pre-pubescent wife "Sissy" and his doting mother-in-law "Muddy" and fell for a woman named "Fanny," who shoved his panic aside to make room for that far less interesting literary inspiration, doomed love&endash; surely these considerations do not entitle us to refer to the genius of Usher as "Eddy?"

Novelist John May has titled his historical romance Poe & Fanny, but too many of the pages that follow refer to the poet as "Eddy." Recounting the annus mirabilis wherein Poe first recites "The Raven" to the thunderstruck salons full of New York literati and then squanders his celebrity status by conducting an indiscreet affair, May presents his Poe as a gifted but hapless Joe, buffeted by alcohol, ill-fortune, and a bold divorcée. This hero has little need for three names (though three dollars would be much appreciated).

Poe's co-star in this story is Frances Sargent Osgood, who did indeed carry on with Poe but did not necessarily judge her suitors, as May quite delightfully suggests, by the crease in their pants.

This is fertile ground for a good novel, but May takes too much for granted in setting up the romance. Fanny's charm is de facto; Poe is both unauthentic and unenhanced; their affair is predetermined, and thus unconvincing.

That said, Fanny & Poe is quite good without them. The love scenes, while lusterless are played out before a vibrant ambient backdrop. May weaves a fascinating subplot about the internecine war of the journals of early 19th century New York. At its best, Poe & Fanny is a cinematic gaze across the oyster taverns and wharfs and into the salons and press rooms of lower Manhattan-- a smart marriage of The Age of Innocence and Brill's Content.

At its worse, it's a rather insipid story of a socialite and a social incompetent who inexplicably move each other to passion and exchange their love letters publicly. Neither the passion nor the poetry is extraordinary & in fact, either could have been fashioned by a guy named Eddy.

John May reads from Poe & Fanny at New Dominion Bookshop Friday, May 7, at 5:30pm. 404 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. 295-2552.

FAMILY
Quick study: Tots learn languages easily
BY LINDA KOBERT

Parlez vous Français? I don't either, but I wish I did. Watching my high schoolers trudging through French and Spanish, I fear I've passed on my struggles with foreign language to them.

Recent research on brain development, however, shows there's nothing genetic about it. In fact, exposure to a second language in a child's early years-- before the age of five--- may make it easier for kids to develop language skills as they get older.

That's great news for bilingual families where parents or grandparents can add this multilingual richness to the young child's learning environment. Families who are all-English-all-the-time, however, have a tougher time.

Luckily for little ones, Charlottesville has La petite école. This "little nursery school" is the only place in town where children ages two-and-a half to six can formally learn a second language while it still makes a difference.

"Stimulating the language centers in the brain at an early age forms neural pathways that wouldn't otherwise develop," said the school's director Sibylle Rotach-Hunt.

Students at this multicultural school learn French or Spanish through immersion. Native-speaking teachers conduct the usual preschool and kindergarten classes entirely in the target language, and children "pick it up" just as they do their native tongue. Beyond simply speaking the language, learning and thinking in another language also encourages a multicultural awareness.

Rotach-Hunt admits that children may not remember the language once they leave her school. "There's a big gap in language instruction in this area," she says. Public schools do not start the process until middle school, and Peabody is the only private school to offer a foreign language (French) at the elementary level. Still, she's quick to emphasize, "Once they form, the pathways in the brain stay," making the eventual retrieval of language skills much easier.

This summer, La petite école offers families the opportunity to experience the multicultural approach to education through summer camp programs starting June 14. Two- and three-week sessions are available for children ages 3-6 and those in first and second grade. The program is not a complete immersion, so it can accommodate children who have no previous experience with French or Spanish.

La petite école is located at Immanuel Lutheran Church on Jefferson Park Avenue. Call for further information and for camp application forms. 984-2174.

WALKABOUT
Free at last: Welcome back, Fridays after 5!
BY TIM SPRINKLE
It's that time of year again: warm evenings of food and drink, crowds packing the Downtown Mall, and music echoing off the recently empty office buildings-&endash; that's right, Fridays after 5 is back. The good news is the fun starts this weekend with old-school Charlottesville favorite, Indecision. But hey, it's nearly summer, so of course Fridays are back; that's not the news about this season.

First off, the $5 admission charge that raised so much controversy last year is history. The weekly concert series is once again free. It's certainly a big change, and one that the Charlottesville Downtown Foundation, the organization that puts on the concert series, credits to simple economics: lower costs on their end translate to a better value for the Charlottesville community.

"Our fees for the use of the amphitheater and the accompanying city facility fees-&endash; like trash removal, power connections, and security-&endash; all decreased this year," says Foundation director Gail Weakley, "so we were able to take it back to a free event. So far, it's been a popular change, and we're hoping it encourages even more people to come out on Fridays."

Longtime fans will recognize a lot of faces on the docket: local favorites Skip Castro, Corey Harris, and Terri Allard have been event regulars for years, while several others are returning to the bill after a long absence. Indecision, for example, hasn't graced the Fridays after 5 stage for over a decade. Young groups like Monticello Road represent the future of Friday evenings on the Mall.

"Truthfully, I think the whole lineup this year is great," Weakley says, "but I'm probably a little partial. We're bringing back some entertainers we haven't had in 12 years; groups that played Fridays back before we even had an amphitheater. But we're also showcasing some new talent and some up-and-coming local bands. It's lining up to be a great year."

But as always, the one thing we can count on in central Virginia is finicky weather. Weakley, for one, is keeping a positive attitude.

"We're looking forward to a lot of dry sunshine on Friday afternoons," she says with a laugh. "No rain this year."

For more information about the Fridays after 5 season and a complete schedule, visit cvilledowntown.org.

PERFORMANCE
Tim's secret: Is pie key to great concerts?
BY STEPHEN BOYKEWICH &endash;

Tim from downstairs has a secret.

You may know him as Timothy Summers, Harvard and Julliard grad, concert violinist and violist. Maybe you know he's co-founder and director of the Charlottesville Chamber Music Festival, which for the last four years has presented a series of fall chamber music concerts by world-class musicians-- Summers and co-founder Raphael Bell chief among them. In addition, he's done periodic "one-off" concerts during the course of the year, such as this Friday's performance by Summers and pianist Judith Gordon.

But to me, for the past year, he's been Tim from downstairs, the guy who graciously comes to the door when certain drunken visitors accidentally hit his buzzer at 3 or 4am. Maybe "graciously" isn't the right word. But you can hardly blame the guy.

Tim told me his secret one afternoon in his graciously appointed kitchen, in view of the graciously appointed rehearsal room where the scores for this Friday's concert were spread: piano-violin duos by Beethoven, Mozart, Ravel, and UVA's own Judith Shatin.

He started by telling me why the overtones that form violin notes are hard for a computer to interpret and transcribe as standard notation. Tim, you'll recall, went to Harvard. He went on to explain how he'd chosen pieces for his upcoming concert that would highlight the emotional and technical range of the violin sonata, which is, all told, "a pretty polite genre."

He's most excited by moments in which one voice or character suddenly emerges from a piece and "things go a bit haywire," as they do in the Beethoven sonata that opens the program. "It reminds me of Shakespeare," he said, "when some character-- usually a villain-- becomes so strong that he seems to be writing the play."

This insight is a good indication of how Summers brings his intelligence to bear on both programming and performance. He describes his work with UVA professor/composer Shatin with enthusiasm, and would like to help develop a community of local composers and performers to bring new music to the ears of local audiences.

Summers met pianist Gordon at a Wisconsin music festival in 1996, and the two have collaborated many times since. Gordon, who has performed with Yo-Yo Ma, the Boston Pops, and the Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra, was a featured performer at last year's Charlottesville Chamber Music Festival.

Oh, and Tim's secret? It's what he uses to lure musicians here every fall and keep them motivated through a rigorous rehearsal process. It's the key to the success of the Festival itself. What it is?

"Pie," Summers says matter-of-factly. "It's surprising how important pie can be."

It's good to have a neighbor who understands the important things.

The concert will be performed Friday, May 7, at 8pm at Old Cabell Hall. $12, $5 students. 242-6534.

TUNES
You pick: Either way, it's experimental
BY MARK GRABOWSKI
May 7, is a bona fide bonanza for lovers of music lacking words-- and I'm not talking about rock bands fronted by mutes here [boom-boom-crash]. Instrumentals are what I'm jabbering about, and Friday will see not one but two such acts grace two almost diametrically opposed local venues-- the Prism, the town's sit-down venue for those with plenty of "bling-bling" (that's $$ for you stay-at-home types), and the Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar, the town's sit-down venue for those about whom the adjective "rootsy" can barely encompass their earthy tones-- and, alas, odors.

The Eastern Seaboard (TES), performing at Twisted Branch-- composed of Bret Bagwell on reeds, Seth Nanaa on drums, and Jordan Schranz on bass-- play experimental jazz. Think Coltrane in the second half of "In a Sentimental Mood," and you have a pretty good idea of what the trio is doing for most of their set. But rather than Coltrane's emphasis on melody with far-out (sometimes jarring) tempo variations, TES seem to concentrate on the variations and only sometimes does the melody come shining through.

"Epidemic," from the group's soon-to-be-released CD, Nonfiction [Black Saint], is a fair example of their outlook on the world-- Bagwell's "less is more" approach to his instrument neither leads or follows the other two actors, but seems to inhabit a separate but equal-- and strangely convergent-- textural area. You might not understand why the pieces fit together, but lack of comprehension does not in any way mean lack of enjoyment.

Margot Leverett and the Klezmer Mountain Boys (MLKMB is a bit long, so "TMB" will suffice), performing at the Prism, play an interesting combination of Klezmer music (the traditional Jewish genre) and bluegrass-- which is only about a third as funny as it sounds.

The group's press-- and even the liner notes on their debut CD, Traditional Crossroads-- seem a constant justification of their combination of the two styles-- which suggests bluegrass fans are not all that keen on the addition of distinctly European sounds to their home-grown American mix. But what Leverett does with her clarinet to both traditional bluegrass tunes and something like "Kentucky Mandolin" by pioneer Bill Monroe is an interesting study at the very least.

The tune begins with all the normal bluegrass trappings-- mandolin, acoustic guitar, fiddle, and bass trot down the worn Monroevian path-- and then, suddenly, Leverett enters the picture and you're thrown for quite a loop. Whether audiences can participate in a paradigm shift enough to allow TMB to be something more than an interesting novelty remains to be seen, but even those who expect the unexpected will be unprepared for TMB.

Which group deserves your hard-earned cash? It depends on what you're into, man-- experimental could be an adjective to describe either band. They just use their chemistry sets in completely different ways.

The Eastern Seaboard performs at Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar May 7. $5, 8pm.

Margot Leverett and the Klezmer Mountain Boys perform at the Prism May 7. $15 advance $18 at the door, 8pm.

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