STAGE
Off the Cuff: Whole World Theater presents live improv comedy at Garden of Sheba. 8pm. $6 (or free with dinner). Every Thursday. 609 E. Market St. 466-9574.

Ash Lawn Opera Festival
In the Gardens at James Monroe's House Route 53
Annie Get Your Gun: Irving Berlin's classic staging of the life of Annie Oakley follows Annie's adventure with Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, where she falls for the show's star, Frank Butler. Their good-natured rivalry leads to love and hi-jinks, but Annie must make some tough choices if their romance is to survive. Show 8pm. Doors open for picnicking 6pm. Five miles beyond Monticello on James Monroe Highway off Route 53. Info: ashlawnopera.org or 293-4500. Order tickets at 979-0122.

Shenandoah Shakespeare
10 S. Market St., Staunton. 540-885-5588
The Three Musketeers: D'Artagnan heads for Paris with an old horse, his father's letter of recommendation to the head of the King's Musketeers, and a recipe for a miracle wound-healing salve. Although he loses the letter and sells the horse, he's allowed entrance into the Musketeers and is accepted into Athos, Porthos, and Aramis' ranks. The story follows the four friends' heroism in saving an Englishman (Buckingham) and acting valiantly at every opportunity until we learn whether D'Artagnan will become a true musketeer. Prices vary. 7:30pm.

FAMILY
Our Heroes: Mommy and Me (& Daddies too) celebrates local heroes at Barracks Road Shopping Center. Police and firefighters will be on hand for photo ops and the chance to check out their equipment. 10am-noon. Free. 977-4583.

Tales for Tots: The 5 and under crowd can enjoy storybook favorites at Barnes & Noble's preschool story time. 10:30am. Free. Barracks Road Shopping Center. 984-6598.

Fun in the Country: Those who haven't gotten enough of country-style fun can head west to the Augusta County Fair. Livestock, live concerts, carnival rides, tractor pulls, a demolition derby, a rodeo, cotton candy, and oh, so much more. $5, children 6 and under free. Expoland in Fishersville: I-64 to exit 91, south on Rt. 608, right on Expo Road. 540-241-4667. augustacountyfair.com/acfair.

TUNES
Mark Rock: Peter Markush of the Marzaks may not be retiring his flamboyant stage personality, but he's at least pulling in the reins a little bit, starting with tonight's gig at Southern Culture. "The Mark Rock thing has always been makeup and costumes and cellos strapped to my body," he says. "I wanted to do something where I'm not challenging the audience to have this intense listening experience. I'm just there with a guitar, playing some songs that I hope they like." So what happens to Mark? "I think I'm going to take that stuff in an even more off-kilter direction," says Markush. God help us all.

Mark Rock at Southern Culture. No cover, 9:30pm.

B.C. at Atomic Burrito. Free, 10:30pm.

Karaoke at Damon's Sports Grill. No cover, 9pm.

Grasping At Laws at the East end of the Downtown Mall. Free, noon.

Karaoke at Fat Daddy's. No cover, 8:30pm.

George Melvin at Fellini's #9. No cover, 6:30pm.

Blake Hunter at Gravity Lounge. $5, 7pm.

Open mic night at Kokopelli's. No cover, 7pm.

Thompson/D'earth at Miller's. $4, 10:30pm.

DJ Williams Projekt at the Outback Lodge. $6, 10pm.

Club Retro at R2. $3, 10pm.

Robin Wynn at Sidetracks, with a special discount on the new album. No cover, 4pm.

Greg Ward Project at Coupe de Ville's. No cover, 10pm.

FRIDAY, August 12
FAMILY
Fun in the Country: See Thursday, August 11.

STAGE
Shenandoah Shakespeare
10 S. Market St., Staunton. 540-885-5588
Comedy of Errors: Shakespeare's shortest play concerns twins-- both named Dromio-- and another set-- both named Antipholus. The twin Dromios are slaves, employed to look after the Antipholus two, but then there's a shipwreck, a ransom, much falling in love and escaping to convents. Hence the name of the play. As expected, at the end everyone is saved, rescued, or married. 7:30pm.

Ash Lawn Opera Festival
In the Gardens at James Monroe's House, Route 53
Madame Butterfly: Love gone wrong and cultural misunderstanding-- sounds like a sure-fire double-header for today. Follow the tragic story through to the end at Ash Lawn tonight. Doors open for picnicking 6pm. Show 8pm. Info: ashlawnopera.org or 293-4500. Order tickets at 979-0122.

Shakespeare at the Ruins
Barboursville Vineyard, Barboursville
Midsummer Night's Dream: Last weekend to join the Four County Players as they enter Shakespeare's enchanted forest for the last times this weekend at the ruins at Barboursville Vineyards. Gates open 90 minutes ahead of each performance so visitors can stroll around the grounds, bring a picnic, or order a $14 meal at least three days in advance. Sorry, no alcohol-- unless you want to try the local wine, which is available for purchase. Bottom, Titania, Puck, Cobweb, and friends lark about just two more times in the summer twilight. $20, $18 /seniors and students; $14/children. Gates 6:30, show 8pm. 20 miles north of Charlottesville at Routes 33 and 20. 540-832-5355.

TUNES
Big Friday: Big Ray and the Kool Kats bring a 11-piece big band to a big Fridays After 5 in the big new pavilion. "We're very different from any other band who plays there," says (Big) Ray Caddel. "We get a tremendous number of older people who know our material, and a tremendous number of schoolchildren because we do a tour of the public schools every year to try to expose kids to live music." Let's run the numbers to see who outnumbers who-- in the audience and on the concrete dance floor.

Big Ray and the Kool Kats and Small Town Workers at Fridays After 5. No cover, 5pm.

Wacky Teens: Proceeds from WAHSFest, tonight's Western Albemarle High School-sponsored benefit concert at The Satellite Ballroom benefit Habitat For Humanity, a fact that delights everybody involved. "We're just some wacky teens trying to do some good for the community through music!" says a wildly smiley Colin Steers, thrilled with his position as both festival organizer and bassist for Body For Karate. WAHS will surely make a strong showing since the performance will likely be one of the last from the spastic ukulele rockers, but Steers and the rest of the team hope to draw a varied audience, in part through the inclusion of local songwriter Travis Elliott. "Hopefully having a bigger name like Travis Elliott will get all sorts of hip audioids out to see some up-and-coming WAHS bands," he says.

WAHSFest with Travis Elliott and Body For Karate at the Satellite Ballroom.

Say What?: Robin Wynn celebrates the release of her new... whatjamacallit. "It's really not an EP, it's an in-betweenie," she says. "We did this because I have a lot of softer, subtle songs. They're harder to present with a full band." Nevertheless, she'll play those songs with a full backing band this time around, probably starting with stripped-down arrangements, and bringing her band members in one at a time. Another whaddayacallit (probably an album) is tentatively scheduled for release in the Spring.

Robin Wynn CD release party with opener Leah Morgan at Gravity Lounge. $5, 8pm.

Junior Moment on the patio at Cardinal Point Winery. 5:30.

Miss Gay Charlottesville Pageant and dancing with DJ Frank Rivera. Club 216. Membership required.Funk Faction at Atomic Burrito. Free, 11pm.

Eli Cook's Red House Blues Band at the Dew Drop Inn. No cover, 9:30pm

The Butterhouse Band at The Outback Lodge. $6, 10pm.

Darth Sketchy at R2. $6, 10pm.

Open mic night at Rapunzel's. No cover, 7:30pm.

Guru Sue at Coupe de Ville's. No cover. 10pm.

Beleza Brasil at the Blue Bird Café. No cover, 6pm.

Trashé Blues at Kokopelli's. $5. 8pm.

SATURDAY, August 13
FAMILY
Whooo's Out?: Evening adventurers can find out about life after dark with a one-mile walk through the woods at night at the Frontier Culture Museum. Not recommended for small children. 8-11pm. Free. Rt. 250 west in Staunton. 540-332-7850.

FAMILY AND STAGE
Tricks of the Trade: How does a spider beat an elephant at tug-of-war? Anansi the spider finds a way in the high-energy production of African Trickster Tales at Ash Lawn Summer Saturday. Nationally renowned Barefoot Puppets presents two traditional folktales staring this suspicious spider in a performance that will delight children of all ages. Bring a picnic lunch for after the performance. 11am. $5. 1000 James Monroe Parkway. 293-4500.

STAGE
Shakespeare at the Ruins
Midsummer Night's Dream: See Friday, August 12.

Shenandoah Shakespeare
Three Musketeers: See Thursday, August 11.

Ash Lawn Opera Festival
Annie Get Your Gun: See Thursday, August 11.

WALKABOUT
Look to the Skies: Join Dr. Jeffrey Halverson as he conducts a tour of the night sky beneath the exceptionally dark skies of Wintergreen. This sky lecture teaches how to navigate around the summer Milky Way. On day two, Dr. Halverson discusses the powerful storms that have created havoc across central Virginia and the Blue Ridge during the past quarter century. 7:30-10pm tonight, and 9am-3pm Sunday. Fee. Call 325-8169 for more information or to reserve a spot.

Paddle Prattle: Learn the basics of white-water kayaking with the Outdoor Adventure Social Club. $20 plus membership fee. Info: 760-HIKE or outdoorsocial.com.

Polo Match: Join the Piedmont Polo Club (formerly Piedmont Women's Polo Club, but now all-inclusive) for a night of polo action in the rolling hills of Albemarle. 6:30pm. Forest Lodge Road, off Old Lynchburg Road. 977-POLO or .

Through the Garden Gate: Several local gardeners lead the first in a series of summer flower walks at the Ivy Creek Natural Area. See late blooming wildflowers, bonesets, the Cardinal flower, jewelweed, and much more. 9am at Ivy Creek. Free. Info: Peter Warren of Virginia Cooperative Extension at 872-4580.

Fetish Night: Time to get out your leather and polish your straps. CUFF's Fetish Night is one of the most popular nights at Club 216. cuff-va.com. DJ Frank Rivera provides tunes. Club 216. Membership required.

TUNES
Sierra at the Wild Wing Café. No cover, 9pm.

The John Wyatt Band at Kokopelli's. $5, 8pm.

Loveseat at Atomic Burrito. Free, 11pm.

Little Feat at the Charlottesville Pavilion. $24/$22/$17, 7:30pm.

Andy Waldeck and the C-Villians with Dos at Gravity Lounge. $5, 8pm.

Inner Space at Orbit Billiards. Free, 10:30pm.

Sedamentreous and One Slack Mind at the Outback Lodge. $6, 10pm.

DJ Izm at R2. $5, 10pm.

Neuronimo at Rapunzel's, 7:30pm.

Intense City at Coupe de Ville's. No cover, 10pm.

Final Recitals : Ash Lawn Opera Festival's final apprentice recitals of the 2005 season happen tonight and tomorrow night. Tonight, Daniel Hinson, tenor, Meagan Todd, soprano, and Benjamin Werth, baritone, present songs of great composers past and present. Free, 3pm. First Presbyterian Church, Park Street.

SUNDAY, August 14
WALKABOUT AND FAMILY
Winged Wonders: Learn to identify late summer butterflies on a walk around the Ivy Creek Natural Area with local expert Mike Scott. A brief identification workshop precedes the walk. Meet in the Ivy Creek Education Building at 1pm. Free. 973-7772.

Sunday Polo: Polo is back, and this summer it's happening at King Family Vineyards. 1:30pm every Sunday, weather permitting. Free. 6550 Roseland Farm, Crozet. 823-7800.

WORDS
Quite a Person: Virginia biographer James Person visits New Dominion Bookshop this afternoon with Earl Hamner, the subject of Earl Hamner: From Walton's Mountain to Tomorrow, and Hamner's work as creator of The Waltons TV series. 3:30pm at 404 E. Main St. on the Downtown Mall. 295-2552.

STAGE
Shakespeare in the Ruins
Midsummer Night's Dream: See Friday, August 12. Today's show, the last of this summer's run, is at 6:30pm. Gates open at 5.

Shenandoah Shakespeare
The Comedy of Errors: See Friday, August 12. Today's show is at 2pm.

Ash Lawn Opera Festival
Madame Butterfly: See Friday, August 12.

DANCE CARD
Sunday Salsa: The Charlottesville Salsa Club sponsors a weekly opportunity to learn and practice salsa and other dances in a smoke-free nightclub atmosphere. A basic lesson (usually salsa) gets the evening started at 8pm. Complimentary water and sodas. The Outback Lodge, 917 Preston Ave. 8pm-midnight. $3-5. cvillesalsaclub.com or 979-7211.

TUNES
B.C. at Miller's. No cover, 11pm.

Jay Pun and Morwenna Lasko at Kokopelli's. $3, 7pm.

Open mic night at Atomic Burrito. Free, 9pm.

Dan Sebring at the Blue Bird Cafe. No cover, 6pm.

Andrew Gregory at The Virginian. No cover, 10pm.

Apprentice Recitals: See Saturday, August 13. Tonight's performers from the Ash Lawn Opera Festival are David Kelleher-Flight, baritone, and Elisa Cordova, soprano. First Presbyterian Church, Park Street at 3pm.

MONDAY, August 15
FAMILY
TJ for Children: Today is your last chance to take advantage of Monticello's special kid-friendly Tours for Children and their Families. Folks can request this special tour at the admission desk. Included in the price of general admission. Thomas Jefferson Parkway, Rt. 53. 984-9822.

WALKABOUT
Climb On: Practice makes perfect, and so do the Outdoor Adventure Social Club's indoor rock climbing sessions at ACAC Rocks. 7pm. $10, plus membership fee. 760-HIKE or outdoorsocial.com.

TUNES
George Melvin at the South Street Brewery. No cover, 7pm.

Mickey White at Southern Culture. No cover, 9:30pm.

Open mic night at Baja Bean. No cover, signups at 8:30pm, show at 9pm.

Travis Elliott at The Virginian. No cover, 10pm.

TUESDAY, August 16
DANCE CARD
Mexican Hat Dance?: International Folk Dancers meet every Tuesday 6-8:30pm at the Senior Center on Pepsi Road. Free. Beginners welcome. Info: 960-2227.

WORDS
Civil War Round Table: Join Civil War enthusiasts for an evening of historical discussion with noted authors and professors. 7:30pm at the UVA JAG School, North Grounds. Public welcome. 295-9463 or avenue.org/cwrt.

TUNES
Travis Elliott at Atomic Burrito. Free, 10:30pm.

Bill Mallonee and Vigilantes of Love with Danielle Howle at Gravity Lounge. $10, 8pm.

Joseph Mills at Fat Daddy's. No cover, 9pm.

Matthew Willner and Friends at the Buddhist Biker Bar. No cover, 10pm.

Greg Ward Project with the Space Cadets at Coupe de Ville's. No Cover, 10pm.

WEDNESDAY, August 17
ART
Deep Structure: What killed 14 million Aztecs in the 16th century? How can you help save Virginia's waters? Find out when you bring your lunch to Lunch Break Science at the Science Museum of Virginia on Wednesdays through September 28, noon-1pm. Today, Victoria Schnettler of Linguistic Artistry presents "Transformational Grammar and its Application in Foreign Language Acquisition." 2500 W. Broad St. Richmond. 800-659-1727.

STAGE
Shenandoah Shakespeare
The Three Musketeers: See Thursday, August 11.

DANCE CARD
Hustle: Berkmar Ballroom's weekly chance to shake what your mama gave ya. Berkmar Drive. 975-4611.

Country Dance Night: Couples dancing and line dancing. Dance lesson (free with cover charge) 7-8pm. Dancing 8-11pm. $7 cover, full-time students, $2. Fry's Spring Beach Club, 2512 Jefferson Park Ave. 977-0491.

FAMILY
More Tales for Tots: The 5 and under crowd can enjoy storybook favorites at Barnes & Noble's preschool story time. 10:30am. Free. Barracks Road Shopping Center. 984-6598.

WALKABOUT
Fiber Art: Get your hands on history and learn how local artisans spin fiber into cloth at Ash Lawn-Highland. 11am-noon. $3.50 workshop fee in addition to regular admission charge, reservations recommended. 293-9539.

TUNES
The Pearls at Atomic Burrito. Free, 10:30pm.

B.C. at the Buddhist Biker Bar. No cover, 11pm.

Bennie Dodd at Coupe DeVille's. No cover, 10pm.

Josh Mayo at Fat Daddy's. No cover, 9pm.

Karaoke at Jaberwoke. No cover, 21+, 10pm.

The Mike Rosensky and Jeff Decker Quartet at Miller's. No cover, 10:30pm.

Open jam at Rapunzel's, 7pm.

Chris Jamison and William White at The Virginian. No cover, 10pm.

THURSDAY, August 18
ART
Double Shot: Join Aimee Susanah and Nick Kessler as they open an exhibition of their photographs with a reception at Vanity Salon and Serenity Spa. 6:30pm. 1112 E. High St. 977-3332.

STAGE
Shenandoah Shakespeare
The Comedy of Errors: See Friday, August 12. Stay after the show tonight (7:30pm curtain time) and talk to the actors.

FAMILY
More Tales for Tots: See Wednesday, July 20.

WALKABOUT
What a Racquet: A racquetball league is forming at Rocky Top Rec. 1729 Allied St. The sign up deadline is today. $5 entry fee + court costs ($7/ match if applicable). Most players are intermediate. Round Robin format. Info: 984-1626.

WORDS
Those Shifting Paradigms: Loved What the Bleep? Get together with simpatico souls to talk about the issues it raises: why are we here? what about paradigm shifts, quantum reality, consciousness, altered states, the thing with feathers? Every third Thursday, 7-9pm. Registration required, $5. Info: Denise Horton 296-2930. noetic.org.

TUNES
Gone Solo: Robbie Schaefer ambles into town with precious little merchandise to sell. The Eddie From Ohio guitarist has gone solo with the live album In The Flesh. "I don't yet have a studio album to show for this," he says, apparently unconcerned. Might Gravity turn into his next release?

Robbie Schaefer at Gravity Lounge. $10, 8pm.

Dhammapada at Atomic Burrito. Free, 11pm.

Jimmy O at the East end of the Downtown Mall. Free, 12pm.

George Melvin at Fellini's #9. No cover, 6:30pm.

Osmotic at Garden of Sheba. $3, 10pm.

Open Mic Night at Kokopelli's. No cover, 7pm.

Club Retro at R2. $3, 10pm.

Loveseat at Southern Culture. No cover, 9:30pm.

Thompson/D'earth at Miller's. $4, 10:30pm.

Karaoke at Fat Daddy's. $5/Free 21+, 8:30pm.

Karaoke at Damon's Sports Grill. No cover, 9pm.

Think at Coupe de Ville's. No cover. 10pm.

Upcoming and Ongoing
ART
Bright Spots: Sunspots Studios in Staunton presents a special exhibit by master glassblower Dan Scogna through Sunday, August 21. Scogna's glass blowing career spans fifteen years. His Solstice/Equinox series is inspired by the textures and details of nature's landscapes through the seasons. Sunspots Studios is in the Wharf shopping district, near the train station in historic downtown Staunton. 540-885-0678.

Columbus to Kerouac: Through January 3, 2006 UVA's Harrison Small special collections library presents a selection of treasured manuscripts, books, and artifacts tracing some of the remarkable journeys that brought us from 1492 to the mid-20th-century era of social protest. Main Exhibit Gallery, McCormick Road. 924-6040 or lib.virginia.edu/harrison. Call ahead or check website for hours.

FAMILY
Kindermusik: Join a music class for parents and kids together. Licensed Kindermusik educator Dana Wassenaar offers classes for infants, toddlers, young children and combined age groups. Weekday, evening, and weekend classes begin in September. Registration required. Info: 245-9888. .

Circus: Kids don't need to run away to join the circus this summer, because the circus has come to them. It's the current Back Gallery exhibit at Virginia Discovery Museum, and kids are the stars of the show. Included in the price of admission. East end of the Downtown Mall. 977-1025.

Tavern Tour for Kids: Family is the focus of Michie Tavern's living history tours available through Labor Day. Throughout the summer, kids can participate in Mr. Michie's Treasure Hunt (the prize is a sack of gold coins-- well, ok, there's chocolate inside), dress up in 18th century clothes, make herb sachets to take home, write with a quill pen, dancing a Colonial reel, and more. Offered daily 11am-3:30pm. Free to local residents or included in general admission. Rt. 53. 977-1234.

WALKABOUT
What a Racquet: A racquetball league is forming at Rocky Top Rec. 1729 Allied St. The sign up deadline is August 18. $5 entry fee + court costs ($7/ match if applicable). Most players are intermediate. Round Robin format. Info: 984-1626.

Sharing Sadness: Hospice of the Piedmont offers eight-week bereavement support groups starting in early September. These groups are open to the community and are led by trained Hospice staff and volunteers. If interested, please call 434-817-6900 or 800-975-5501 to learn more details regarding locations and times. Come share the journey of grief with others who have similar loss.

Humpback Rocks: Stroll through a re-created 19th century Appalachian farm, complete with traditional music, on your way up to the breathtaking view from the Humpback Rocks overlook. Visitor's Center open every day 10am-5pm. Blue Ridge Parkway milepost 5.8. 540-943-4716.

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. 296-1492.

Bead Business: Studio Baboo presents weekly classes in bead stringing and jewelry making on the Downtown Mall. Call the shop for specifics. 244-2905.

Glassy Classes: Try your hand at a one-day glass blowing class-- create a paperweight, ornament, or a hand-blown vase. Class times and themes vary, as do fees. 202 S. Lewis St. in Staunton near the old train station. Registration info: 540-885-0678 or .

Yes, Yoga: What is Kundalini Yoga? It purifies the body and liberates the spirit. $5 per class, 7:30pm Tuesdays & Thursdaysin the attic of the Glass Building. 313 Second St SE. 293-7439.

ART LIST
Through August 14, the McGuffey Art Center presents three shows. The main gallery offers "Layers," an exhibition featuring works by two or more collaborating artists. In the downstairs hall gallery, Mimi Tawes displays whimsical and semi-abstract sculptures. And throughout the hallways, the annual Summer Group Show features pieces by over 50 member artists. McGuffey will be closed August 15-29. 201 Second St. NW. 295-7973.

On August 16, the University of Virginia Art Museum opens "Unfold Yourself," a show of work by 4th-12th graders who participated in UVA's Summer Ix program. The show runs through August 24. Plus catch "David Winograd: Tilted Horizon," an autobiographical photographic examination of women and society, which runs through August 14. Also on view through August 14:"The Paper Sculpture Show," a traveling exhibition featuring ready-to-assemble works by 29 artists, which museum visitors construct. And be sure not to miss "After Collage," a show of mixed-element work by contemporary artists, including John Baldessari, Katherine Porter, and Frank Stella, which continues through August 27. 155 Rugby Road. 924-3592. See Art feature.

Second Street Gallery is wall-to-wall with "Constant Battles: Installation by Anne Kesler Shields," on view through August 13. 115 Second St. SE in City Center for Contemporary Arts. 977-7284.

Les Yeux du Monde presents Megan Marlatt's "Ten Years After the NEA: Ten Years of Painting, on view through August 30. 115 S. First St. 973-5566.

During August, the Main Street Market Galleria presents Rudger Clawson's latest paintings. 416 W. Main St., 244-7800.

Transient Crafters presents the watercolors of jenni elle in an exhibition entitled "Not Just Florals," on display through the end of August. 118 E. Main St. on the Downtown Mall. 972-9500.

Through August, The Charlottesville Community Design Center presents James Hall's photographic series, "Artifacts of Light and Memory: The C.B. Holt 'Rock House.'" All proceeds go to the Rock House Preservation fund. 101 E. Main St. 984-2232.

The Thomas Jefferson Memorial Church displays Darin Schoeny's exhibition entitled "Interior/Exterior Landscapes." 717 Rugby Road. 977-5411.

Through the end of August, the 5th Floor Gallery at Keller Williams features Andrew Hersey's solo photography show. Ten percent of proceeds from artwork sold goes to Habitat for Humanity. Suite 500, Citizens Commonwealth Building (UVA Credit Union), 300 Preston Ave. 220-2200.

Through August 31, Angelo displays "Marsh + Sea," an intimate group of oil paintings by award-winning painter Robin Braun. 220 E. Main St. 971-9256.

Marta Sanchez's "The Angel Series," which draws attention to sexual violence and its survivors, is on display at Fusion through August. 412 E. Main St. on the Downtown Mall.

For its August show, The Gallery @ 5th & Water showcases Pat Howe's "The Colors of Summer," an exhibition of acrylic paintings. Located in the upstairs foyer of Henderson & Everett, P.C. 107 Fifth St. 979-9825.

Through August 27, the 302 presents work by Pacific Northwest artists Lisa Sheets, Doug Kinney, and Sultan Mohamed. 300 W. Main St. (top floor&emdash;enter on Ridge St.). .

Sage Moon Gallery presents an August exhibition of Allen Sandy's oils. 420 E. Main St. on the Downtown Mall. 977-9997.

During August, Starr Hill features work by Nicole Truxell in its gallery. 709 Main St. 977-0017 x 23.

Vanity Salon and Serenity Spa feature the photography of Aimee Susanah and Nick Kessler through August 31. 1112 E. High St. 977-3332.

In August, Luther Gore presents a show of oils and watercolors entitled "Cloudscapes: An Intrusion of Airplanes" at Art Upstairs. 316 E. Main St., above The Hardware Store, on the Downtown Mall. 923-3900.

For the month of August, BozArt Gallery presents its "Associates Show," a collective display of members' artwork. 211 W. Main St. 296-3919.

During August, Jack Cacciatore presents his photography at Fellini's #9. 200 W. Market St. 979-4279.

Through September, Romney Brand presents "Sparkles of Light," a show of neo-primitive oil paintings, at Breadworks. 923 Preston Ave. 979-1470.

Glo is currently showing paintings by Christian Peri. 225 E. Main St. on the Downtown Mall. 295-7432.

Sunspots Studios in Charlottesville features work by Doug Sheridan during July. Meadowbrook Shopping Center (behind Anderson's Foods). 977-5531.

Blue Ridge Beads & Glass displays new paintings and art glass by Jerry O'Dell. 1724 Allied St. 434.293.2876.

Paintings by local artists Barry Gordon, Malcolm Hughes, and Christian Peri are on view at L'etoile restaurant. 817 W. Main St. (across from the Amtrak Station). 979-7957.

Radar

The Artisans Center of Virginia presents an invitational exhibition of Virginia textile artists participating in Fiberarts Design Book 7. The show runs through August. 601 Shenandoah Village Drive, exit 94 off I-64, Waynesboro. 540-946-3294.

Andy Acquaro shows his photographs at Scottsville's The Gallery for Healing in August. 330 Valley St., Studio c (around back). 286-4400.

During August, local art impresario Monty Montgomery displays his latest exhibition, "assorted flavors," at Richmond's ADA Gallery. 228 W. Broad St. 804-644-0100.

Nellysford's Basic Necessities presents "Gallic Dream," Ted Pfaltz's photographs of France. Route 151. 434-361-1766.

Richmond's Virginia Museum of Fine Arts presents "Capturing Beauty: American Impressionist and Realist Paintings from the McGlothian Collection." The exhibition of 35 noteworthy works includes pieces by Mary Cassatt, John Singer Sargent, and Winslow Homer, among others. Also on view: "The Council: Serving VMFA since 1955," a display of objects supported by the Council's gifts. Both shows run through September 18. 200 N. Boulevard. 804-204-2704.

The Arts Center in Orange features "Moments in Time: Photographs by Poul Ober & Lon Holmberg, which runs through September 11. 149 E. Main St., Orange. 540-672-7311.

In Lexington during August, the Nelson Fine Arts Gallery displays "Et Hoc Genius Omne," an exhibition of paintings by Kelly Gravely Mattox. 27 W. Washington St. 540-463-9827.

Lovingston's Eye of the Beholder gallery, located in the Packing Shed, features work by E. Hudson, G. Mankie, and D. Garland. Front St. 295-8097.

The Barn Swallow features pottery by Janice Arone and Mary Ann Burke, plus other handcrafted artwork. Route 682 off 250W. 434-979-4884.

The Ed Jaffe Gallery has paintings and marble sculptures by Ed Jaffe, plus abstract photographs by Marc Jaffe. 108 W. Main St., Orange. 540-672-2400.

Staunton's Middlebrook Gallery offers contemporary art and fine crafts, including sculpture by Ken Smith. 5 Middlebrook Ave. 540-885-9955.

FEATURES/FEATURES/FEATURES
ART
Paste-up: The sequel "after" glow
BY LAURA PARSONS

For many months last year, the University of Virginia Art Museum touted its "American Collage" exhibition. I anticipated a gem of a show and saved it to savor on a rainy day.

But when I finally viewed the unexpectedly small collection, I sighed in disappointment. The pieces covered only the 1920s-'60s, and the presentation was poor (it was impossible to see the backs of several Joseph Cornell boxes). Moreover several pieces seemed out of place and altogether un-collage-like (Andy Warhol's stenciled ketchup crates).

So, with the jingle from MADtv's "Lowered Expectations" playing in my head, I ventured with trepidation into this year's sequel show, "After Collage." The exhibition is as small as last year's offering, but this year's display, happily, sticks more closely to the stated program (no pun intended).

Intended to explore how contemporary artists have responded to the collage movement the Cubists set in motion, the show includes digital montage, sculptural assemblage, found-object works, and video.

The biggest name and biggest piece in the show belong to Frank Stella, whose "Jerden's Crossing" presents a Stella-typical assemblage of garishly painted curving and straight-edged shapes shooting off an implied vertical plane at odd angles. I admit I'm not a Stella fan, but I always admire the energy and seeming constant motion he incorporates in his sculptural pieces.

Looking beyond the in-your-face demands made by Stella's work and by two other large-but-less-than-thrilling offerings by Katherine Porter and John Baldessari, the strength of "After Collage" lies in several smaller, quieter pieces.

Daniel Reeves' "Undiminished Light" presents a rich digital painting composed of photographs, illustrations, and words that fuse to form a strange and ominous vision. The image revolves around a grainy grayscale photograph of a train entering a station beneath a network of cables and girders. A beak-nosed Edward Gorey-esque figure lurks on the left, while, within the train (which threatens to mow down an infant sitting on the tracks), John F. Kennedy smiles in front of a 1950s propaganda illustration.

More minimal is David Bunn's multi-framed found-object collage and poem, "Found Bodies." Using yellowed entries from a discarded card catalog, Bunn arranges index cards by shared words or topics in successive frames. Above these he re-types the titles, re-organizing them into stanzas reflecting immigrant experiences.

One complaint: filmmaker Kevin Everson's promised short "From Pompei to Xenia" is not on "After Collage"'s video loop. Otherwise, my attention was glued to the walls.

"After Collage" is on view at the University of Virginia Art Museum through August 27. 155 Rugby Road. 924-3592.