THURSDAY, March 18
ART
Dessicated: Princeton professor of visual arts P. Adams Sitney, legendary in the world of avant-garde cinema, lectures on "The Relics of Modernism" at 6pm as part of UVA's spring art history lecture series. Screening of two short films precedes the talk at 5:30pm: Hollis Frampton's "Gloria!" and Stan Brakhage's "Visions in Meditation #2: Mesa Verde." 6pm. Campbell Hall, Room 160. 924-7550.

Back to Basics: Terri Gable offers a class in bead stringing basics at Studio Baboo. Beginners can learn to make a necklace or bracelet. 5:30-7:30pm. $25 (materials included). Studio Learning Loft, 106 Fifth St SE. 244-2905. studiobaboo.com.

FAMILY
Flush the Ritalin: Individuals seeking non-medication treatment or parents of children diagnosed with ADD/ADHD, learning disabilities, anxiety, sleep disorders, seizures, depression, tics, or migraines can get help at a seminar sponsored by members of the Neurofeedback Association of the Piedmont. 7-9pm. Free and open to the public. Reservations not required. Martha Jefferson Hospital Education Conference Room, corner of 10th and Little High streets. 531-2268 or 979-3810.

Time Travelers: Explorers ages kindergarten and up are invited to take a trek to ancient Egypt during the time of pharaohs, pyramids, and mummies with stories, activities, and crafts at Northside Library. 4pm. Free. Registration required. Albemarle Square. 973-7893.

Tales for Tots: The five-and-under crowd can listen to stories about things that go at Barnes & Noble's preschool story time. Stickers and cookies are part of the fun. 10:30am. Free. Barracks Road Shopping Center. 984-6598.

WORDS
Dialogue: Three women from Jerusalem share their experiences and dreams of interfaith harmony. Christian, Jewish and Muslim, the women are touring nine cities in an effort to extend their dialogue. New Cabell Hall, Room 138. 7pm. 924-3033. See Words Feature.

And More Dialogue: Also discussing peace in the Middle East are Joe Montville of CSIS, columnist Helena Cobban, Professor Marc Gopin, and Mustafa Abu-Sway. Moderated by Lisa Aronson of the Center for the Study of the Mind and Human Interaction. 4-6pm, Minor Hall, Room 125. 982-1045.

WALKABOUT
Bioarchiculture?: "Possible Futures" is the final talk by Princeton professor Freeman Dyson in UVA's Page-Barbour lecture series. The next hundred years may produce knowledge to practice a new art-form, a mixture of architecture and horticulture, designing and breeding new species and new ecologies. Come hear all about it. 5-6:30pm. Reception to follow. McLeod Auditorium. .

Council Candidates' Forum: Public housing residents and others quiz council hopefuls on the topic, "Social Justice and Ecological Health." 7:30pm. Monticello Event and Conference Center, 201 Monticello Ave. 984-4655.

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.

Tartuffe: Shenandoah Shakespeare performs Moliere's comic masterpiece in the Blackfriars Theater. Tonight's performance includes Talk Back!, a free 30-minute Q&A with actors and directors after the show. Participants do not have to attend the 7:30pm show. 10 S. Market St., Staunton. $10-26. 540-885-5588.

TUNES
Cowboy Mouth with Griffin House and Zox at Starr Hill: Mixed up band Cowboy Mouth don't know what they are-- pop, rock, folk, country? Whatever, it's the end product that matters. Find out what that's like tonight at Starr Hill. $15/$12.50, 9pm.

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)

In Tenebris and Heretics in the Lab at Outback Lodge. $3, 10pm.

Robert Jospe (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 at Sheben. No cover, 10pm. (W)

FRIDAY, March 19
FAMILY
Storybook Dance: Young thespians ages two to five can climb on stage at the Virginia Discovery Museum and sing and dance to bring to life the story of Cinderella. 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.

WORDS
Breakfast in Jerusalem: Three women from Jerusalem share their experiences and dreams of interfaith harmony. Christian, Jewish and Muslim, the women are touring nine cities in an effort to extend their dialogue. 8:45am, Church of the Incarnation, 1465 Incarnation Drive, near JABA on Hillsdale Drive. Baked goods welcome. .

Occupational Hazard: Exploring the tragically pivotal moment in American labor history, the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire. Kay Slaughter reviews David Von Drehle's Triangle. Northside Library, 12pm. 973-7893.

Tibetan Sand Mandala: Lecture with Gankar Ripoche. Part of five-day series on Tibetan Sand Mandala for Peace and Compassion. Wesley Foundation Building, UVA. 7pm. $10 donation. Full schedule of events online at monticello.avenue.org/jts/. Registration required. 980-1752.

Ancient Egyptian Magic: An examination of the so-called occult practices of our day and their origin in the esoteric tradition of ancient Egypt, by Rosemary Clark, author of The Sacred Magic of Ancient Egypt. Quest Bookshop, 7pm. 295-3377.

FDR's World Crisis: Alonzo Hamby considers the American Great Depression and FDR's leadership in the context of international economic crisis and global threats in the 1930s. He discusses his book For the Survival of Democracy: Franklin Roosevelt and the World Crisis of the 1930s at the Miller Center, 2201 Old Ivy Road. 12pm. Free. Lunch served. R.S.V.P. 924-4694.

PERFORMANCE
The Beauty Queen of Leenane: Four County Players presents Martin McDonagh's award-winning drama of life in the Irish countryside, and offers a traditional Irish pub one hour before and after each performance. Runs until March 21. 8pm. Barboursville Community Center, Rt. 33 and Community Center Lane, Barboursville. $10-12. 540-832-5355.

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. Complete 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.

Much Ado about Nothing: Shenandoah Shakespeare performs the Bard's romantic comedy in the magnificent Blackfriars Theater. 7:30pm. 10 S. Market St., Staunton. $10-26. 540-885-5588.

Music for Organ and Friends: The Westminster Organ Concert Series offers a highly eclectic concert featuring choir, cello, percussion, electronic clarinet, and organ, of course. 8pm. Westminster Presbyterian Church, 190 Rugby Road. Free. 963-46990.

Peter Pan: The Charlottesville High School Theater Department presents a staging of J.M. Barrie's classic. Closes March 20. 7pm. Charlottesville High School, 1400 Melbourne Dr. $5. 245-2725.

Nine, the musical: Catch Live Arts' new mainstage production, a Tony-award winning musical fantasy on the life and work of Federico Fellini. Live Arts, 123 E. Water St. $10-15. 977-4177x100. See Performance feature.

TUNES
Four for One: Join John Rimel, Lindsay Osborne, Michael Cvetanovich, and Mary Gordon Hall for an evening of acoustic merriment. 8pm. $5-10. Monocan Recreation Building, Camping Ridge Drive, Stoney Creek near Wintergreen. 293-9103. hometown.aol.com/bragacoustic/myhomepage/business.html

Teada at the Prism: Don't let St. Patrick's Day die so easily! Continue your Wednesday bender with the Irish quintet Teada, who base their fiddling on the traditions of Co. Sligo. $18/$15, 8pm.

"Write On!" at UVA: An evening of original jazz compositions from members of the Free Bridge Quintet such as Jeff Decker's "Song for B", Robert Jospé and Bob Hallahan's "Out and About" and John D'earth's "Beyond Belief." Some of the best musicians in town play their hearts out. $10/$5 students, 8pm. Old Cabell Hall.

The Grandsons (CD release show) at Gravity Lounge. $10, 8:30pm.

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

Cast Iron Filter (bluegrass) at Outback Lodge. $6, 10pm.

Randy Hudson (jazz and standards) at Rapunzel's. $5, 7:30pm.

Thuggery Lounge: DJs Grendel and Sketchy (aka the Murder City Beat Jackers) at Rapture. $3, 10pm.

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

Fighting Gravity (ska) with Carbondale at Starr Hill. $10/$8, 9pm.

SATURDAY, March 20
ART
Lost Arts Guild: Come meet Guild members Leslie Shelor (charka spinning) and Julie Macqueen (gourd art) at a reception and crafts demonstration. Refreshments. 2-4pm. Free. Artisans Center, 601 Shenandoah Village Drive, exit 94 off I-64,Waynesboro. 540-946-3294 or .

Bending Light: Photographic exploration of light and the way it moves and travels featuring artist Scott Wilson of 2 Fly Designs. Refreshments and music. 6-11pm. Free. 1304 E. Market St. (National Linen Bldg.) 296-9058.

FAMILY
Kid's Day at Graves Mountain Lodge: Trout Unlimited and the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries sponsor a day of fishing on the Robinson River (stocked for the occasion) for kids under 12. 9am-4pm. Free. No license required for under 12. Route 643 and Route 600. 540-272-6299 or 540-923-4231 or rapidantu.org.

Hook Up: Alternative Families Network celebrates the first day of spring with a potluck party at a home in Free Union. This is an informal group of folks who want to raise their kids in a healthier, more earth-friendly, less hypercommercialized way. 3-6pm. Free. For more info, call Julia at 978-4779 or Mara at 977-3836.

On the Air: Tell Us A Tale, central Virginia's popular children's radio program, celebrates the Virginia Festival of the Book with a generous helping of classic children's stories. Hosts Peter Jones and Jen Hoffman lead the fun in this live taping of the show that airs on WTJU 91.1 FM on Sundays from noon-2pm. The Jan Smith Band will be on hand with some original and not-so-original tunes. 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 Rd. 978-3603. tellusatale.com.

Science Saturday: Nature lovers ages 6-11 can find out what goes on at night with nocturnal plants and animals at the Virginia Museum of Natural History. 10:30am. $4. Registration requested. 104 Emmet St. 982-4605. virginia.edu/vmnh-uva.

Old Man and the Sea: Old Michie Theatre presents a marionette rendition of the classic Grimm fairytale, the Fisherman and His Wife. Hand-carved puppets from the Czech Republic tell the tale of the humble fisherman who catches a magical fish. 11am, 2pm, and 4pm. $5. 221 E. Water St. 977-3690. oldmichie.com.

Book Bargains: JMRL's Friends of the Library annual book sale starts today with low prices on thousands of books and recordings at Gordon Avenue Library. This weekend features children's books, music books, recordings, and academic books. The early bird gets the good ones at this one. 9am-8pm. 1500 Gordon Ave. 977-8467.

Science Daze: The forecast calls for fun with Weather Watchers at the Science Museum of Virginia. Aspiring meteorologists can explore the world's weather through hands-on workshops, demonstrations, exhibits, and IMAX and planetarium shows. 8:30am-5pm. $18 for children. Adult chaperones $9. Registration required. 2500 W. Broad St., Richmond. 804-864-1447. smv.org.

WORDS
EPar-lay: It worked for Johnny Depp, but not the detainees of Gitmo. Involved experts discuss the legalities of detaining enemy combatants. This is the first of a series of panels discussing American constitutionality and international law. Keynote speaker is legal adviser to the Secretary of State, William H. Taft IV. 9-5:30pm. UVA School of Law, Massie Road. Schedule on line at student.virginia.edu/~jbmoore. See Words feature.

WALKABOUT
Bring Your Choppers: A lumberjack breakfast for all the Paul Bunyans attending a free chainsaw workshop sponsored by the Batesville Ruritans. Professional instructor from Bartlett's Tree Service and chain sharpening by JC's Repair Shop. 9-11am. Batesville Day Field on Rt. 692. 823-7653.

Boxerwood Kite Festival: Bring your kites and string; Mother Nature provides wind and sunny skies (yes, she will). Kite raffle, picnics, kite art contest, and fun. 10am-3pm. $5/$8 family. 963 Ross Road, Lexington. 540-463-2697.

Unite for Peace: Join Charlottesville Center for Peace and Justice members in a demonstration, march, and vigil to mark the one-year anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq. 3pm. Assemble at Barracks Road and Emmett Street to march to the Rotunda at 4pm for the 5pm vigil. 244-0714.

Drive a Little, Dance a Lot: Gordonsville VFW sponsors a hoedown with Chuck Branham's Country Line Band. 8:30pm-12:30am. $8 single/$15 couple. 10271 W. Gordon Ave. (Rt. 231), Gordonsville. 540-832-2439.

Saddle Up: Volunteer to provide Riding Therapy for disabled children and adults. Volunteers ages 14 and up are trained to help with one-hour sessions. Training begins today 10am-1pm. 5924 Fried Farm Road, White Hall. 823-6323. .

Magnificent Mosses: Nancy Swygert leads a talk and walk through the miniature world of mosses and liverworts. Free. Meet in the education building at Ivy Creek Natural Area, Earlysville Road at 9am. 973-7772.

Self Defense Seminar: Professor Nishkam of the Nishkam Brazilian Jiu Jitsu College offers class 11am-2pm. $50. 9000 Howardsville Turnpike, Schuyler. Register at 831-2060. RMIUSA.org.

Celebrate Spring!: Outdoor Adventure Social Club features a presentation on "Primitive Technology and Wilderness Survival" by Walter Mehring. 7pm. Free. 420 E. Main St. #3. Details and RSVP: 760-HIKE or outdoorsocial.com.

PERFORMANCE
Five Mystical Songs: The 50-voice Richmond Men's Chorus, featuring numerous Charlottesville artists, presents a concert of works by Vaughan Williams, Brahms, and others. The Chorus is accompanied by Virginia Commonwealth University's Windemere Strings. 4pm. Christ Ascension Episcopal Church, 1704 W. Laburnum Ave. (at Hermitage), Richmond. $10. 244-4669.

Tartuffe: Shenandoah Shakespeare performs Moliere's comic masterpiece in the magnificent Blackfriars Theater. 7:30pm. 10 S. Market St., Staunton. $10-26. 540-885-5588.

The Beauty Queen of Leenane: See Friday, March 12.

King Lear: Shenandoah Shakespeare performs the Bard's monumental tragedy in the Blackfriars Theater. 2pm. 10 S. Market St., Staunton. $10-26. 540-885-5588.

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. Runs until April 24. 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.

Choral concert: Westminster Schola Cantorum from the world renowned Westminster Choir College presents a free choral concert at the First Presbyterian Church. 7pm. 500 Park St. 296-7131.

CSDS Swing Dance: Charlottesville Swing Dance Society offers an evening of Swing Dancing and a variety of other dances with DJs Debbie and Wesley Boz. Free beginner Hustle lesson is included with admission. Singles and couples are welcome. Lesson 7pm, dance 8-11pm. Municipal Arts Center, 1119 Fifth St. Extended. $6-12. 980-2744.

Learn to Dance: Charlottesville Swing Dance Society hosts an afternoon of dance workshops by Debbie and Wesley Boz from Raleigh, North Carolina. One of the most popular teaching teams on the circuit! Int/Adv West Coast Swing from 12:30-2pm, Int/Adv Hustle from 2:15-3:45pm, Spins and Turns from 4-5:30pm. Municipal Arts Center, 1119 Fifth St. Ext. $12 per workshop. 980-2744.

Watch Them Dance!: Jane Franklin Dance Company performs its friendly mix of music, poetry, and original art in addition to movement at the Carysbrook Performing Arts Center. 8pm. Adults $12 advance, $15 at the door; children $6 advance, $8 at the door; under 7 free. Rt. 15, Carysbrook. 589- 5445.

Dance Yourself!: Have fun while learning popular moves from the Caribbean and Brazil: salsa, merengue, samba, and more taught by Tiffany Sanchez, salsa performer and teacher. No partner needed. 1:30-3:30pm. $5. Studio 206, 206 Market St. 973-2065.

Nine: See Friday, March 19.

Peter Pan: See Friday, March 19. Today there are two shows: a 2pm matinee and an evening show at 7pm.

PERFORMANCE AND TUNES
Write On!: The McIntire Department of Music presents an evening of original jazz compositions by the Free Bridge Quintet, featuring Jeff Decker on saxophone, Robert Jospé on drums, Bob Hallahan on piano, Peter Spaar on acoustic bass, and John D'earth on trumpet, flugelhorn, and cornet. 8pm. Old Cabell Hall. $5-10. 924-3984.

TUNES
CD Release Party: Big Fast Car with No Gods/No Monsters at Jaberwoke: Pop/punk rockers Big Fast Car release their latest CD Fuel For the Fire&at a club. No cover, 11pm. See Tunes feature.

Danny Schmidt at Basement Concert Series: Donation $10, 8pm. (Call for reservation/info 804-973-7187

DIY ("retro-funk fusion") at Dürty Nelly's. $3, 9pm.

Nickeltown and Tom Proutt & Emily McCormick at Gravity Lounge. $5, 8:30pm.

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

Ex Porn Stars at Outback Lodge. $7, 10pm.

The Middle Eastern Music Ensemble at the Prism. $14/$12, 8pm.

Laura Light & the Avante Gardeners (swing, old time, Irish music, country, etc.) at Rapunzel's. $5, 7:30pm.

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

The Red Party (house, pop hits) with DJ-Matt Randall at Tokyo Rose. $5, 10pm.

Mensa Select & Guests at Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar. No cover, 9pm.

SUNDAY, March 21
FAMILY
Feel the Beat: Step Afrika! USA explodes onto the stage with the energetic rhythms of African dance and drumming presented by the Community Children's Theatre and Piedmont Virginia Community College. 2pm. $10 in advance at Whimsies. Remaining tickets available at the door. PVCC's Dickinson Fine and Performing Arts Center. 961-7862. avenue.org/cct.

Old Tales: Nationally known storyteller Jim Weiss tells "Tales from the Old Testament" in a community event at Broadus Memorial Baptist Church. 4pm. Free. 1525 Stony Point Road. (Rt. 20 north). 977-7381.

Book Buys: See Saturday, March 20.

WALKABOUT
He's Hiding: "Searching for God in a Magic Shop" is the title of a show by Arthur Kurzweil, popular teacher of the Talmud and other serious Jewish texts. Jewish tales about spiritual ideas blend with some pretty cool magic tricks. 2:30pm. Congregation Beth Israel. Jefferson and Third streets. $2 children under 13. Adults $5.

Wild and Wooly: See Saturday, March 13. Today the horses are up and at 'em at 8:30am, but the llamas and alpacas get to sleep in. Their show doesn't start 'til 9am.

Lift Your Voice!: Director Carlton Dickerson invites all interested singers to the first rehearsal of the Dogwood Chorus. Rehearsals begin today and continue March 21, 28 and April 4 and 18 at 3pm each Sunday. Dress rehearsal is April 23 at First Baptist Church on Park Street, where the 25th annual concert takes place April 25 during the Dogwood Festival. Rehearsals are at Trinity Episcopal Church, Preston Avenue. All interested singers are encouraged to join the chorus today at 3pm. 296-4040 or dogwoodchorus.741.com.

Keswick-Farmington Point-to-Point: Steeplechase races, pony, and flat track. Special event! Mule jumping!! Gates open at 11am, post time 12:30pm. Free. Montpelier. 11407 Constitution Highway, Orange. 980-9926.

WORDS
Do the Math: Streetlight Magazine Reading Series features novelists Charlotte Morgan and Ursula Maria Mandel and essayist Riggin Waugh. It adds up to Elvis, Kafka, and witty lesbians. Open mic to follow. Gravity Lounge, Downtown Mall. 4pm.

PERFORMANCE
Sunday Salsa: Charlottesville's 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. Complimentary water and sodas. The Outback Lodge, 917 Preston Ave. 8pm-midnight. $3-5. cvillesalsaclub.com or 979-7211.

The Beauty Queen of Leenane: See Friday, March 19. Today's show is a matinee at 2:30pm.

Nine: See Friday, March 19. Today's show is at 7pm.

Dance, Kids, Dance: Miki Liszt Dance Company presents the 19th annual Community Children's Dance Festival. 2pm. Charlottesville Performing Arts Center, 1400 Melbourne Road. $8-10. 973-3744.

A Midsummer Night's Dream: Shenandoah Shakespeare performs the Bard's comic masterpiece in the magnificent Blackfriars Theater. 2pm. 10 S. Market St., Staunton. $10-26. 540-885-5588.

Barhoppers 2004: Offstage Theater presents its highly popular annual festival of bar-themed plays performed in bars, including works by local playwrights Joel Jones, Sophie Treadwell, and Stephen Boykewich. Runs through April 6. 7:30pm. Orbit Billiards, 102 14th St. $8. 531-0158. See Performance feature.

Improv Lab II: Live Arts' resident expert Rush Howell leads this intermediate-level weekly Sunday afternoon workshop in long-form improv. Class runs until May 2. 3-5pm. Live Arts, 123 E. Water St. $50 members, $65 general. 977-4177x100.

TUNES
King of My Living Room: Danny Schmidt, Paul Curreri, Jan Smith, Devon Sproule, Joia Wood, Nickeltown, Brady Earnhart, Stratton Salidis, and Lance Brenner at Live Arts Theater (Main Stage): With a slightly bigger kingly group and the return of Schmidt (who has been living in Texas), this acoustic showcase of local illuminati is a good way to get yourself quickly up to speed on Charlottesville's singer/songwriter scene. $10, 7pm.

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

The Zing Kings (everything and more) at Gravity Lounge. Free, 11am-2pm. (W)

Monticello Road (special acoustic show) at Gravity Lounge. $8, 8:30pm.

Tabatha Easley (flute) in recital at Old Cabell Hall. $10/Free under 18, 3:30pm.

MONDAY, March 22
WALKABOUT
LiveArts Playwright's LAB: This twice-monthly playwriting workshop is designed to give new and seasoned playwrights an environment to develop and refine original works. Meets the first and third Monday of every month. 6:30pm. Live Arts, 123 E. Water St. Free. 977-4177 x100.

Barhoppers 2004: See Sunday, March 22.

WORDS
Come into the Library: Ash Lawn-Highland exhibits rarely seen selections representing James Monroe's collection of 3,000 late 18th- and early 19th-century French and English volumes. Open daily through April 30, 10am-6pm.

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)

Claire Holley (singer/songwriter) at Gravity Lounge. $5, 8:30pm.

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

Travis Elliot (pop) at the Virginian. No cover, 10:30pm. (W)

TUESDAY, March 23
PERFORMANCE
Barhoppers 2004: See Sunday, March 21.

FAMILY
Tiny Tales: Second grade students from Free Union Country School share their Reading Rainbow stories at Barnes & Noble. A Virginia Festival of the Book Event. 7pm. Free. Barracks Road Shopping Center. 984-0461.

Nature Time: Nature lovers ages 3-5 can are invited to the Virginia Museum of Natural History for stories and nature activities. This week's fun focuses on constellation stories. 1:30pm. $4. Registration required. 104 Emmet St. 982-4605.

WORDS
Standing By: Tulane University's David Clinton makes the case for intervention and non-intervention. Miller Center, 11am. 2201 Old Ivy Road. 924-0921.

WORDS AND WALKABOUT
What's Our Role?: The League of Women Voters hosts a Town Hall meeting Tuesday, March 23, part of a nationwide project encouraging citizen comment on "America's Role in the World." David Newsom and Indar Jit Rikhye speak on the topic, "What's Next in Iraq?" Q&A session follows. Noon. Cavalier Best Western at the corner of Emmet street and Ivy road. Bring lunch, or order one for $11.50 (reserve by Friday, March 19). 970-1707 or .

WALKABOUT
Divorce Support: Men and women explore their divorce experiences. Facilitated by Betsy Cochran, LPC, and Kevin Quirk. 7-8:30 pm. Fee and pre-registration interview required. Focus Women's Center. Grady avenue. 293-2222.

Six Career Workshops: Topics for this new series of interactive discussions include personal presentation, career assessment, marketing yourself, interviewing strategies, networking skills and body language evaluations. 7-8:30pm. Susan Hightower, facilitator. Focus Women's Center. Grady avenue. 293-2222.

Sup and Shimmy: Enjoy the bossa nova music of Wave featuring Brazilian singer Juliana Kinball as chow down on the traditional bobo de camarao (shrimp in yuca cream) and Brazilian beverages guarana and caipirinha at this celebration sponsored by the Charlottesville Brazilian association. Sheeben restaurant on Ridge/McIntire. 7-930pm. Reservations recommended. or 296-3185.

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)

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

An Evening With Karl Denson's Tiny Universe (funk) at Starr Hill. $20, 8pm.

WEDNESDAY, March 24
WORDS
VABook: Virginia Festival of the Book kicks off its annual literary extravaganza. Garrison Keillor headlines tonight at the Performing Arts Center. Schedule on line at vabook.org.

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.

Nine: See Friday, March 19. Tonight's show is pay-what-you-can.

Tartuffe: See Saturday, March 20.

Much Ado about Nothing: See Friday, March 19. Today's show is at 10:30am!

Nine: See Friday, March 18.

WALKABOUT
Bead Basics: Studio Baboo offers a class in Bead Stringing Basics taught by Terri Gable. 2-3:30pm. $25 includes materials. Downtown Mall. 244-2905. studiobaboo.com.

Found Films: The Virginia Festival Film Society features a series of films by artists who recycle and transform "found footage" from archival sources or animate graphic materials. Tonight handmade collage filmmaker Michele Smith presents and discuses Like All Good Men He Looks Attractive/They Say. 7pm. $7.50. Vinegar Hill Theatre, Market street. 977-4911.

Women in Change: Support group allows women experiencing personal issues of transition to meet in a supportive and confidential setting, facilitated by Betsy Cochran, LPC. 7-8:30pm. Fee and pre-registration interview required. Focus Women's Center. Grady avenue. 293-2222.

FAMILY
Tales for tots: The five-and-under crowd can listen to stories about things that "go" at Barnes & Noble's preschool story time. Stickers and cookies are part of the fun. 10:30am. Free. Barracks Road Shopping Center. 984-6598.

TUNES
EMDUB at Michael's Bistro: Jammy, without falling into the meandering trappings of jam music, Matthew Willner's EMDUB combines the common guitar/bass/drums sound setup with Willner's own take on the future (loops, effects gear, etc.). $3, 10pm.

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

The Wiyos at Gravity Lounge. $5, 8:30pm.

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

Jamal Millner and Friends at Outback Lodge. Free, 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)

Melissa Ferrick with Terry Goldstein at Starr Hill. $12/$10, 8pm.

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)

The George Turner Trio (Latin jazz) at Zocalo. No cover, 9pm.

THURSDAY, March 25
WORDS
VABook: Highlights include Clyde Edgerton and a host of southern talent, as well as a reading by Guatemalan author/screenwriter Arturo Arias. Schedule on line at vabook.org.

Exodus: In 1987, 2,000 evangelicals came en masse into the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of North America. Fr. Peter Gillquist of Santa Barbara, a leader of the movement to orthodoxy, says the secret is out of the box. Gillquist speaks on "Finding the New Testament Church" at the Rotunda, UVA. 7pm. 974-6110.

PERFORMANCE
Nine: See Friday, March 19. Tonight's show is at 7:30pm.

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.

Jesus Hopped the 'A' Train: Catch this preview of Live Arts' new Down Stage production of Stephen Adly Guirgis' highly acclaimed drama of prison life. Call box office for free ticket information. 8pm. Live Arts UpStage, 123 E. Water St. Free. 977-4177x100.

A Midsummer Night's Dream: See Sunday, March 21. Today's show is at 7:30pm.

FAMILY
Tales for Tots: See Wednesday, March 24.

WALKABOUT
Single Mothers' Support Group: Safe environment for women dealing with the challenges of raising children on their own. Facilitated by Deborah Frazer, LCSW. Nominal fee required, negotiable according to the needs of group participants. Pre-registration interview required. Child care available. 6:30-8pm. Focus Women's Center. Grady avenue. 293-2222.

Bead Basics: Terri Gable offers a class at Studio Baboo in Bead Stringing Basics. $25 (materials included). 5:30-7:30pm Downtown Mall. 244-2905 to register. studiobaboo.com.

Backpacking 101: Outdoor Adventure Social Club presents class and social hour. 7pm. 420 E. Main St. #3. 760-HIKE. outdoorsocial.com.

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)

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

No Gods/No Monsters and Devil Takes the Hindmost (rock) 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)

North Mississippi Allstars with Burnside Exploration at Starr Hill. $15/$12 advance, 9pm.

Upcoming and Ongoing
FAMILY
Drawing on Books: Artists in grades 6-12 can enter their work in the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library ninth annual logo contest in preparation for Cheap Thrills, the library's summer reading program for teens. Original designs can be submitted at any branch by March 28. Contest forms and details at local branches. 979-7151, ext. 215.

Spring Break Fun: While school's on break, nature lovers ages 6-9 can learn about predators and prey and endangered species at the Virginia Museum of Natural History's nature camp. Participants can collect specimens and examine them under the microscope, play outdoor games, make crafts from nature, and enjoy other hands-on activities. April 5-8 from 9am-noon. $105. Registration required. 104 Emmet St. 982-4605.

Eat or be Eaten: Adventurous types can step into a dog-eat-dog world and find out "Who's for Dinner?" at a new exhibit at the Virginia Museum of Natural History. Taxidermied specimens, puppets, and interactive activities help explorers learn about the unusual ways animals hunt for their food and protect themselves from predators. Open Monday-Thursday 10am-4pm. Free. 104 Emmet St. 982-4605. virginia.edu/vmnh-uva.

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.

Moving Heaven and Earth: Kids aren't the only things in constant motion. At the Virginia Discovery Museum the earth and its movement is the subject of the Back Gallery exhibit that explores Patterns, Cycles, and Change. Kids can move the planets, create a rainstorm, and journey through the seasons through May 16. Free with museum admission. East end of the Downtown Mall. 977-1025.

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.

Big Bones: China may be a world away, but now through September 6 kids can play with replicas of ancient dinosaur skeletons right down the road at the Children's Museum of Richmond. Lots of hands-on exhibits. Most activities are free with museum admission. The museum is open 9:30am-5pm Tuesday through Saturday, noon-5pm on Sunday. Admission is $7. 2626 W. Broad St., Richmond. 804-474-2667. c-mor.org.

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.

Ka-ching: So what is money and how does it work? Enterprising folks can enter the vibrant city of Moneyville and embark on an exciting hands-on tour through a money factory and an anti-counterfeiting forensics lab at the Science Museum of Virginia. Runs through April 25. Included with the price of admission. 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
Run for Your Life: UVA's Zeta Tau Alpha and New Balance sponsor the 10th Annual Run for Life 5K race Saturday, March 27. Registration 8am, race begins at 10am. $12 in advance; $15 race day. Race starts and finishes at Newcomb Hall Plaza behind University Bookstore. Register at Norwood's New Balance or online at runforlife5k.org. 964-1616.

The Fresh Air Fund: Seeks volunteer committee members and host families to support two-week summer vacations for children from New York City's underprivileged communities. 977-8284.

Bingo Game: 7pm every Thursday at Gordonsville Veterans of Foreign Wars Post, 10271 Gordonsville Ave. (Route. 231) 540-832-2439

Settling Down: Midday Meditation, Tuesdays 12:15-12.:45pm and Thursdays, 12:15-1:15pm. Free, but donations are accepted. Gesher Center, 1824 University Circle. 970-7836.

Habitat for Humanity: Volunteers with a yen to build or paint for a good cause urgently needed. 293-9066.

Canine Companions for Independence: The national, nonprofit organization that trains assistance dogs for people with physical and developmental disabilities is looking for people interested in becoming volunteer puppy raisers. 800-572-BARK or cci.org

Charlottesville/Albemarle Chapter of Families Anonymous: A free, self-help fellowship for anyone concerned with the destructive behavior of loved ones (emotional problems, drugs, or alcohol, etc.) meets at 7pm each Monday at Aldersgate Methodist Church at 1500 Rio Road E. behind the Fashion Square Mall, rear lower level entrance. 923-7929.

ART LIST
Vanity Salon and Gallery features the photography of Amy Wade and the paintings of Monty Montgomery. 1112 E. High St. 977-3332.

The Second Street Gallery presents two shows running through May 1. In the Main Gallery, view the language-inspired art of Kay Rosen's "New Word Order" (including "Blurred," a 37-foot-long site-specific piece), and in the Dové Gallery, experience "You Kill Me," an installation investigating the nature of romance, by D'nell Larson. City Center for Contemporary Arts, corner of Second and Water streets. 977-7284.

The University of Virginia Art Museum opens Carrie Mae Weems' "The Jefferson Suite" on March 24. The exhibition runs through May 23. Also on view: "Exploring Identy: Work by Southern Jewish Women Artists," featuring pieces by Jan Aronson, Marcia R. Cohen, Johanna Drucker, Linda Gissen, and Alyssa C. Salomon, through April 25, plus "American Collage," including work by Andy Warhol, Adja Yunkers, and Robert Motherwell, among others, through August 24. And in celebration of the Virginia Festival of the Book, the Graphics Gallery features "Waking Dreams: Book Art and 'Literary Art' from the Collection" through April 4. 155 Rugby Road. 924-3952.

Beginning March 23, filmmaking artist Michele Smith's work, including a "film carpet" of outtakes, will be displayed in the Virginia Film Festival's new Festival Lounge. The exhibit will run through April 1. 617 W. Main Street, 2nd Floor. 982-5560.

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

New Dominion Bookshop displays Nancy K. Bass's "Landscapes with Cows" through March 31. 404 E. Main St. 295-2552.

Spencer's 206 shows painter Edward Thomas's recent work. Water street 295-2080.

Beginning March 23, filmmaking artist Michele Smith's work, including a "film carpet" of outtakes, will be displayed in the Virginia Film Festival's new Festival Lounge. The exhibit will run through April 1. 617 West Main Street, Second Floor. 982-5560.

The PVCC Gallery opens its student exhibition on March 24, which will run through April 21. V. Earl Dickinson Building, Piedmont Virginia Community College. 961-5203.

At the C&O Gallery, view Nancy Galloway's exhibition of new pastels, "Images Within and Without," through March. Next door to the C&O Restaurant, 511 E. Water St. 971-7044.

Experience "We," Greg Antrim Kelly's interactive multi-media art installation, at the Old Michie Building through March 29. 609 E. Market St. 249-9819 or .

Nature Visionary Art presents "New Work from Alabama" by painter Michael Banks, through March 26. 110 Fourth St. 296-8482. See Art feature.

During March, view photographer p. bower's [sic] "Friends, Flora, and Fauna: Meandering Along the Continuum" at C'ville Coffee. 1301 Harris St. 817-2633.

Enjoy the artwork of Sam Shaban during March at Higher Grounds. 112 W. Main St. on the Downtown Mall. 971-8743.

Feast! presents two photography shows in one, "Pictures from Travels to South America" by Larry Dennis, and "Petals and Metal" by Holly Dennis, during March. Main Street Market Building, West Main street. 244-7800.

As long as you're at Whole Foods Market buying groceries, take time to enjoy Whole Foods' employee art in the café area. 1416 Seminole Trail. 973-4900.

During March, CODG presents "Gloaming," an exhibition of Lisa Stoessel's paintings and drawings, as well as Corin Hunter's photography. 112 E. Main St., under the Jefferson Theater. 242-4212.

View the Central Virginia Watercolor Guild's 2004 Members Exhibition, featuring 67 paintings by 33 members, at the Albemarle County Courthouse, through April 30. McIntire Road. 296-8484.

The Dave Moore Studio features works by Dave Moore and several Richmond artists. Hours vary, so call first. 414 E. Main St. (under The Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar). 825-1870.

David Cochrane's abstract/geometric paintings and Matisse- and Picasso-influenced portraits are on view at the architectural firm of Stoneking/Von Storch. Also on display are photographs by Sarah Hormel-Everett and paintings by Priscilla Whitlock. Fifth and Water streets. 295-4204.

Barnes & Noble Booksellers shows acrylic paintings by Maiya Ruys through March 31 in the back of the store near the poetry section. Barracks Road Shopping Center. 984-0461

Through March 28, Les Yeux du presents Susan Bacik's "State of the Union: A Brief Survey of Love" in its downstairs gallery. Upstairs, view Stanley Woodward's "Spring Flowers" through April 30. 115 S. First St. 973-5566.

Thomas Jefferson Memorial Church opens an exhibition of stained glass and mosaics by Alison Jarvis Watkins on March 14. Reception at 12:30pm. 717 Rugby Road. 295-4083.

View the silkscreen prints and stencil works of Steven Townsend at Vespa Charlottesville during March. 900 Preston Ave. 466-9236.

Andrew Hersey displays a new series of photographs entitled "Eleven Bedrooms" at the Mudhouse in March. 213 W. Main St. on the Downtown Mall. 984-6833.

L'étoile Restaurant has a show 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.

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

During March, Judith K. Townsend's "Strange Attractions," a series of watercolors inspired by physics and mathematics, is on view at Art Upstairs. 316 E. Main St., above The Hardware Store, on the Downtown Mall. 923-3900.

The Charlottesville-Albemarle Art Association is exhibiting the work of Betty Brubach, Blake Hurt, Phyllis Frame, Amy Howard, Coy Roy, Judith Ely, and Karen Jaegerman Collins on the upper level mezzanine of the Charlottesville Airport through May 2. 295-2486.

"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.

Through March 21, eight Tibetan monks are creating a sand mandala in the main gallery of The McGuffey Art Center, which also presents Alan O'Neal's "Nexus," an exhibition of large color abstractions, as well as "A Rabbit, a Bee, and a Place called Seeonee," a show celebrating the Virginia Festival of the Book, with work by book artists Robin Braun, Frank Riccio, Rose Csorba, and Bob Anderson. In addition, fourth- and fifth-year UVA students present a group show on the theme "Collage." 201 Second St. NW. 295-7973.

Transient Crafters displays "Angora: From Bunnies to Skien," a series of stuffed rabbits spun and knit by Jackie Fields, during March. 118 W. Main St. on the Downtown Mall. 972-9500.

The Bozart Gallery presents "God's Love," a series of all-new, abstract non-objective paintings in acrylics by Delmon Brown Hall IV, through March 28. 211 W. Main St. 296-4669.

Selected landscapes by Richard Crozier are on view at Hotcakes through May 2. Barracks Road Shopping Center. 295-6037.

Martha Jefferson Hospital presents a show entitled "The Creative Process" through June 4. In the second floor Surgery Lounge, view "Flowers and Still Lifes," oil paintings by Vidu Palta during the month of March. 459 Locust Ave. 982-7000.

Radar

The Staunton Augusta Arts Center celebrates Youth Art Month with a display of nearly 400 works by students, ages 5 to 18, on view through April. Gypsy Hill Park, Staunton. 540-855-2028.

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts presents "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. The VMFA Studio School hosts a retrospective of Thomas C. Gordon Jr.'s work, through April 2. Richmond. 2800 Grove Ave. 804-924-2704.

Ombra's Café displays "Recent Still Lifes," oils by painter Vidu Palta, through April. 5773 The Square, Crozet. 296-4669.

The Nichols Gallery Annex in Barboursville shows "Hands-On Printmakers," a display of mono-prints, etchings, and serigraphs by Ed Bordett, Frank Hobbs, David Freed, Fred Nichols, Tucker Hill, Akemi Ohira, and Carlysle Vicenti, through April 25. 540-832-3565.

The Artisans Center of Virginia hosts a show of crafts made at Innisfree Village, a community of mentally disabled adults, through March 31. 601 Shenandoah Village Drive (exit 94 off I-64), Waynesboro. 540-946-3294.

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.

Sculptor Jonathan Durham's exhibition "Cyrus (the Younger): Zero-Degree Monumentality in Cinema Space" is on view in the former Nature Gallery space. Water street, behind the Jefferson Theater. 924-6123.

The Front Street Gallery presents "Natural Bridges," drawings and paintings by Jim Langer, through April 30. 773 Front Street, Lovingston. 434-263-8526.

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

Through March 27, Caffé Bocce displays Georgia Barbour's "Photographs of Vietnam." 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, .

The Orange County Fair Board is accepting submissions for its contest to design the Fair's poster. Drop off entries at the The Arts Center In Orange, 129 E. Main St., by 12pm, April 21. For specific details and guidelines, contact Terry Travers, 540-672-7856.

The Central Virginia Watercolor Guild has spots available for its April 26&endash;29 workshop led by artist Domenic DiStefano at the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Church, 717 Rugby Road. Limited to 25 participants. Registration deadline: Tuesday, March 30. 295-7260 or .

FEATURES/FEATURES/FEATURES
ART
Burnt offerings: Michael Banks' outsider art
BY LAURA PARSONS

Several months ago, I went to see an exhibit by a painter who proudly declared in his artist's statement that he had no "demons." After wandering through the bland show of innocuous paintings, I yawned and thought maybe he could have used a few.

The same cannot be said of Michael Banks, whose strange wood-burned and painted images are currently on display at Nature Visionary Arts. In fact, Banks' demons appear to be working overtime.

A self-taught artist, Banks grew up poor in northern Alabama, where his mother encouraged him to develop his talent. But when she died in 1992, Banks sank into a depression so deep it strangled his impulse to paint for five years.

When he returned to art, Banks began producing images that continue to be both weird and compelling.

Painting on wood, Banks creates multi-leveled surfaces by first burning letters, lines, and even cartoon-like figures into the base material, yielding planes filled with random doodles, something like the margins in a schoolchild's notebook.

On top of these linear images, Banks paints crude yet complex portraits of humans and animals, often mingling the two in surprising ways. In "Before Dawn," a central animal wears a striped party hat; in other paintings, human figures hide behind animal masks. Eyes are always small and widely spaced, and simple mouths, whether human or animal, often bare their teeth.

Banks' palette oddly juxtaposes blood reds with mint greens, and faded flesh tones with brilliant turquoise blues. And he works the paint in ways that take it from acidy washes in some areas to cracked and puckered surfaces in others.

The resulting images resist easy deciphering, and Banks' cryptic titles open no windows on his turbulent visions. In "A Wish," a tan animal with a bristled mane looks up at a blurry, large-headed teal figure standing against a rust background. From the end of the animal's muzzle, a red arm dangles, and it's unclear whether it's been bitten off or is still attached to the obscured figure.

A green-shirted figure in the vertical "Goat Boy" digs its hands into the pockets of orange-and-green diamond-checked pants below, while above, an animal-masked face points its pale snout skyward. This image is particularly interesting when compared to "In Time," where a similar figure stands with its masked face hung down, one blue eye shining through a hole.

Michael Banks' inner demons are clearly dancing darkly. Thank goodness.

"Recent Work" by Michael Banks is on display at Nature Visionary Arts through March 26. 110 Fourth St. NE. 296-8482.

WORDS
Making a case: Let us go from Guantanamo!
By ELIZABETH KIEM

We may never get used to the amorphous battle zones of the war on terror, fought as it is through cyberspace and on commuter rails, but next month provides a rare certainty of time and place for what many consider a decisive battle&endash; one fought in chambers, on the far side of Capitol Hill.

On April 4, the Supreme Court hears opening arguments in Al Odah v. The United States, the first case to reach the highest bench challenging the authority of the Bush administration's "enemy combatant" policy. While the courtroom is likely to be packed on April 4, interested parties can hear the arguments in advance, thanks to a timely panel at UVA Law School set for March 20 at 9am.

Civil libertarians who are opposed to the government's limitless authority to detain foreign citizens without charges or counsel say that the Supreme Court, simply by agreeing to hear the case, has already granted the detainees a boon. Since the announcement, the Justice Department has let loose a flurry of concessions including prisoner releases and a handful of attorney appointments and trial dates for high-profile detainees.

But supporters of the government's hard-line on enemy combatants may also welcome the Court's decision, because the precedent for the case seems to point to another instance of the law backing away, claiming it has no business here.

Al Odah was filed by family members on behalf of 12 Kuwaiti men arrested by American military in Afghanistan, who have been held at Camp X-Ray in Guantanamo Bay for over two years without access to counsel. The families of this (by now) dirty dozen charge Bush, Rumsfeld, and military brass with denial of due process as well as tortious (but not torturous) arbitrary and unlawful conduct.

Two federal courts have already declined to hear arguments in this case, concurring with the government's contention that US courts have no jurisdiction over foreign nationals located outside American territory (aka Cuba). The argument defers to a 1950 precedent, when the Supreme Court ruled that German soldiers fighting after the German surrender on the side of the as-yet-unsurrendered Japanese were not eligible for "the privilege of litigation" once they were captured and transferred to prison in US-occupied Germany.

Three of the detainees' defenders sit on a panel to discuss "Executive Power and Emergency" at 9am at the Law School, part of an all-day symposium on American Constitutionalism and International Law (which my husband had a part in organizing). For full schedule see student.virginia.edu/~jbmoore.

WALKABOUT
Edges and gaps: Giving in-fill new meaning
BY ROSALIND WARFIELD-BROWN

Talk about good timing. Just as Charlottesville moves deeper into corridor studies, rezoning, and mixed-use development plans, along comes the second Biennial Woltz Symposium at UVA's architecture school.

What's so fortuitous about the timing?

Well, here's what the symposium plans to examine: "the gaps, thresholds, and hybrid conditions& currently developing between architecture and landscape architecture." If "gaps, thresholds, and hybrid conditions" doesn't describe Our Town in the era of the gentrification of Fifeville and soaring marketability of modest Belmont bungalows, what does?

The stated purpose of the gathering-- with the formal, if capitalization-challenged title "site out of mind"-- is to address "topics related to the city, and in particular the dialogue between architecture and landscape architecture in& constructing the public realm."

Participants are coming to town to explore places where innovative development can happen: "edges and gaps between one thing and another resulting from a collision between scales and uses, leftover spaces under, over and along elevated highways, railway lines& or large urban voids and ruined places."

Everyone who lives in Charlottesville and Albemarle knows about "collisions between scales and uses," not to mention "urban voids" and "ruined places."

The symposium is organized primarily in discussion format in four sessions across two days, March 26 and 27, and features speakers Sébastien Marot, Martha Rosler, and Michael Sorkin.

Frenchman Marot was editor of Le Visiteur, a journal whose last installment, in spring 2003, covered such fascinating topics as "Art, the hospital, and death," and "The adventure of the first Parisian skyscraper." Known for his keen observations on architecture, landscape, art, and philosophy, Marot will present the keynote address on Friday at 5pm.

Rosler is a multimedia artist, critic, theorist, teacher, and "art-world provocateur"; former architecture critic for the Village Voice, Sorkin is professor of architecture at the City College of New York.

Supplemental symposium events have included a film series, an exhibit of student work, and a series of installations, "Unseen Campbell Hall."

Considering recent developments around town&emdash; from the renovation of Cavalier Beverage into a "glass building" to construction of the Belmont Lofts on space aptly described as an "urban void"&emdash; the symposium seems to have a lot to say about local goings on.

Get on over to UVA next weekend and explore the margins, the voids, and the hybrid conditions.

UVA's 2004 Woltz Symposium, "site out of mind," takes place Friday, March 26, 2&endash;6:30pm, and Saturday, March 27, 10am &endash;4pm in Campbell Hall. 982-2921. urban.arch.virginia.edu:16080/siteoutofmind/ .

FAMILY
Mommy diaries: Writing about parenting
BY LINDA KOBERT

I started writing when I became a mother& because I was a mother& because I had to. Late at night, after tucking the kids into bed, I'd crawl under my own covers and scribble in tattered, spiral-bound notebooks about my son's first steps, about my two boys leading each other on a Winnie the Pooh "expotition," and these days, about teaching my 15-year-old how to drive. Most of this stuff I keep to myself. It's too sentimental to be taken seriously. That's what I thought, anyway.

The Virginia Festival of the Book, though, is making me rethink this theory. This year's slate of authors includes a respectable lineup of writers writing about the joyful (usually) challenges of parenting.

Potter Lee Pearson Knapp attempts to create meaning from the earthy experience of her life in her book of essays Grace in the First Person. Festival-goers can have tea at Splintered Light Bookstore and chat with her about identity, parenthood, marriage, and making a living out of mud on Wednesday at 2pm.

For those new to parenting who might once have believed their life as a mother or father would in any way resemble the days B.C. (before children), Thursday's panel "The Shock of the New Parent" (at 10am at C'Ville Coffee) is a must see. The group includes feminist Faulkner Fox, who wrestles with the inequality of motherhood in Dispatches from a Not-So-Perfect Life; Andrea Buchanan, who takes the reader on a journey of everyday discovery in Mother Shock; and Scott Mactavish offering hope to the male side of the partnership in The New Dad's Survival Guide.

Friday's topic is toddlers at 10am at C'Ville Coffee. This parenting panel features toddler moms Jennifer Niesslein and Stephanie Wilkinson, editors of the local magazine Brain, Child: The Magazine for Thinking Mothers, a quarterly publication featuring news, humor, fiction, and essays celebrating motherhood. Brain, Child contributor Jennifer Margulis shares the stage with a collection of essays she's edited called, appropriately enough, Toddler.

Saturday's child is older and wiser (wise guys, that is) with "The World of Teens" at 4pm in City Council Chambers. In this panel discussion, Linda Perlstein, author of Not Much Just Chillin', and UVA sociologist Murray Milner, author of Freaks, Geeks, and Cool Kids, share portraits of the lives of adolescents.

This inspiring sampling of the "momoir" genre makes mothering seem somehow& dare I say it?& legitimate. Maybe I'll go dig out some of those old notebooks.

The 10th Annual Virginia Festival of the Book takes place March 24-28 at venues all over town. Schedules and other details are listed in the free Festival program available at book stores, libraries, and other public places around town, or check the website: vabook.org.

PERFORMANCE
8-l/2 + l/2 Live Arts show tackles Fellini

BY STEPHEN BOYKEWICH &endash;

The talk you hear about the alchemical mix of talent, education, and luck it takes to create a great artist is all nonsense. There is a secret law, a path anyone can follow, and I'm ready to reveal to the world. Are you ready?

Law school.

I'm not talking about John Grisham here. (No offense, Mr. Grisham.) I'm talking about the likes of Goethe, Schiller, Heine, Tchaikovsky, Garcia Lorca, Verlaine, and Fellini. You want to know what fires the imagination? A two-hour seminar in Contracts Law, that's what.

For pure imagination, nobody has Fellini beat. Who else could make a movie about not being able to make a movie and still leave you dazzled? Among the many fans of Il Maestro's 8 _ was composer/lyricist Maury Yeston, who spent nearly a decade adapting the film for the musical theater stage. It was worth the wait. Nine, a musical comedy based closely on Fellini's 8 _, won five Tony awards in its 1982 premiere and two more in a 2003 revival. It opens in a Live Arts production this weekend.

Guido Contini is an irrepressible, wildly narcissistic Italian film director ("I would like the universe to get down on its knees / And say, 'Guido, whatever you please'") struggling to plan his next film in the midst of a midlife crisis. Raul Julia played the role in 1982, and Antonio Banderas took over in 2003. (Didn't know Banderas could sing? Neither did he.) Complicating matters is a chorus of adoring women, including Guido's producer, wife, mother, and any number of mistresses. The artist's life is a vale of tears.

The Live Arts production is directed, appropriately enough, by a man who bridges the worlds of musical theater and film: Robert Chapel. In addition to being the chair of the UVA Drama Department, Chapel serves as Producing Artistic Director of Heritage Repertory Theatre, known for its spirited summer musicals, and as Executive Director for the Virginia Film Festival. He may have spent a few years in law school, too.

* * *

Now. How many times have you thought you would make it to the theater more often if only the plays weren't so long&emdash;and you didn't have to wait until intermission to hit the sauce? Opening this Sunday is Barhoppers, Offstage Theater's popular series of short plays about bars, performed in bars. This year's offering includes works by local playwrights Joel Jones, Sopie Treadwell, and some joker named Stephen Boykewich. Some people just don't know their place.

Nine previews 3/18 and runs 3/19-20 at 8pm. Sunday, 3/21 show at 7pm. See calendar for additional dates and times. Closes 4/3. Tickets $10-15. 977-4177x100.

Barhoppers runs Sundays through Tuesdays from 3/21 to 4/6. All shows at 7:30pm. See calendar for locations. Tickets $8. 531-0158.

TUNES
Rhymes a-plenty: Concentrate on melody
BY MARK GRABOWSKI

#1 - "Yes I'm proud to be American / I'll sell you something if I think I can."

#2 - "Public television playing shows you want to see / what kind of world is this, only crap for free."

One of the above lines is from the first track on Big Fast Car's Fuel For the Fire, the release party for which happens Saturday, March 20, at the Jaberwoke. The other is one of the only couplets of bad lyrics I can remember from my first high school rock band, which I think we called Insidious Basket.

So can you tell them apart?

Perhaps you think I'm being too hasty here. Well, I'm not. Case in point from BFC's Track 2, "Mr. Shine": "Hey Mr. Shine, I'm tired of that line, I don't believe a word you said tonight / Ya caught me in your lies, but I'll cut you down to size&" It goes on like this-- as if a rhyming dictionary had grown a voice box and all of BFC's band members were like, "Yeah, rhyming dictionary, you should totally write the lyrics, that'll be the sh*t&"

The answer, by the way: #1 is "American Dream" by BFC, and #2 is Insidious Basket (or was it Lucid Dream&).

I'm now a bit of a lyric snob, but I still believe that even if the music is incredible, the vocal melody pristine, and the song's execution stellar:

if ((the song writer rhymes something like "blue" with "shoe") && (there is really not much said in between the offensive line ending rhyme))

{the song is tilting on that thin line between worthless and utterly worthless}

That's what a year of computer science in college left me with-- journalistic selection statements.

But, somehow tearing myself away from Big Fast Car's captivating lyrics and moving on to the group's music, I will say that I am less horrified by the group's fast rock with a splash of pop/punk sound, though it's not going to win my heart anytime soon.

Guitarist and vocalist Matt Singleton possesses an okay David Lowery (Cracker)-crossed-with-Greg-Graffin (Bad Religion) voice, but he has a habit of dwelling on one note for most of a lyrical line before putting some sort of melodic up or down-turn at its end. (Lennon, in his pot phase-- A Hard Day's Night through Rubber Soul-- was a frequent and fruitful abuser of this melodic technique, but it's not going to make any number one's for Singleton.)

Power chords, riffs, palm-muting, and other trappings of '90s punk guitar are a heavy part of Fuel For the Fire, along with some great drumming from Dustin Bugg, and my critic-sense tells me that the group would put on a good live show.

A piece of advice for Big Fast Car: Try your hardest to make sure no one can hear the words.

CD Release Party: Big Fast Car performs with No Gods/No Monsters at Jaberwoke, March 20. No cover, 11pm.

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