Events for Friday , 2/29/2008

ART

Final Friday: This month's reception honors Elizabeth Turner, UVA's vice provost for the arts and interim director of the UVA Art Museum, who will say a few words and be available for informal conversation about plans for the museum's future, its academic mission, public programs and exhibits that enrich the community. 5:30-7:30pm, free. 155 Rugby Road. 924-3592.

WORDS

U.S. Intelligence Failures: Stanford's Lynn Eden discusses U.S. political development and the intelligence failures to prevent the attacks of September 11. Free. 12:30pm. Miller Center, 2201 Old Ivy Road. 243-8726.

DANCE CARD

Dance all night with DJ Frank Rivera and enjoy "Cirque Du Sooo Gay Party" in honor of Cirque at JPJ arena. Drag performances, magic, and more! Club 216, Water Street. Membership required.

Hafla Celebration: Belly dancing by practitioners in hand-made costumes with extravagant sets. Seating at 7:30pm, $5 donation. Family oriented performance at Rapunzel's in Lovingston. 263-6660.

WALKABOUT

Night at the Billiards: Shoot pool with members of the Outdoor Adventure Social Club. $5 with club membership. Miller's Bar, 3rd Floor, Downtown Mall. 760-HIKE.

PERFORMANCE

Cirque du Soleil: See Thursday, February 28.

Volpone: Ben Jonson's masterpiece is a parade of gold-diggers, con-artists, punks, vultures, and foxes-- sounds like a singles party, right?-- plus a dwarf, eunuch, and hermaphrodite to keep everyone on their toes. As in life, the wicked do not prosper (sure!), but it's fun to watch them all try. 7:30pm. Blackfriars Playhouse. 10 S. Market St., Staunton. 877-682-4236.

Lysistrata: See Thursday, February 28. Today's performance is at 8pm.

The Jew of Malta: See Thursday, February 28. Tonight's opening 7:30pm performance is pay-what-you-will.

TUNES

Bob Bennetta: Piano for dinner at Fellini's #9. Free, 6pm.

Girlfriend In A Coma: 106.1 continues the ambitious string of local concerts with a show by this Smiths and Morrissey tribute band, sandwiched between a reunion set by young local rockers Benvolio and a dance party hosted by iconic station DJ Brad Savage. Gravity Lounge. Free, 7pm.

Danny McCarthy: This classical guitarist and Charlottesville native briefly puts aside his studies and furious practicing for the Appalachian State music department to perform at 214. (The concert is technically free, but they'll also be taking optional donations of about $8.) 214 Community Arts Center. Free, 7pm.

Randy Hicks: Keyboardist plays Motown and country covers at the Aberdeen Barn. Free, 7:30pm.

Sierra: The local rock outfit celebrates the leap year at Big Al's. $5, 9pm.

Radii: Classic metal and rock at Uncle Charlie's. $5, 9:30pm.

The Sometime Favorites: Local pop-rock band celebrates the release of their debut album, All Along. Dear Dear opens. R2. $5-$7, 9:30pm.

Jeff Crawford, Keith Morris, and Stratton Salidis: Local songwriters at Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar. $5, 9:30pm.

The Matthew Willner Blues Thang: Saxx Jazz and Blues Lounge makes good on its name with Willner's blues project. $5, 10pm.

Soul Army: Funk at Fellini's #9. $3, 10pm.

ThisMeansYou: Pounding the Outback Lodge with huge metal tunes. Also featuring the always-charming pop ditties of bands like "In Death I Become" and "Art Of Destruction." $6-$8, 10pm.

The Rogan Brothers: Roots-rock with spunk and soul at Miller's. Free, 10:30pm.