STAGE
Shenandoah Shakespeare
10 S. Market St., Staunton. 540-885-5588
All's Well that Ends Well: Helena, the beautiful daughter of a deceased physician, is in love with Bertram, whose lack of redeeming virtues makes no difference to her. Oblivious to the whole situation, Bertram goes to live with the ailing King of France. Helena pursues him and miraculously cures the King, earning his undying gratitude and his decree that she can marry anybody she wants at the French court. Guess who she chooses? But Bertram not only refuses to get it on with Helena, but flees, sending word that he will not recognize her as his wife until she becomes pregnant with his child and captures the heirloom ring from his finger. How can you not go? Premier performance-- pay what you will! 7:30pm.

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.

WORDS
Kokopelli Journals: Join author Laura Cockerille Giannini as she introduces Kokopelli, a stray she adopted and who stars in her adventure narrative about his life. Book signing and storytelling. 4-7pm. Not the Same Old Grind, 130 E. Church St., Orange.. kokopellijournals.com or 540-832-7048.

FAMILY
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.

TUNES
Vaden Cox at Gravity Lounge. $5, 8pm.

Las Gitanas at Fellini's #9. No cover, 9pm-midnight.

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

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.

The Nice Jenkins at Mellow Mushroom. No cover, 10:30pm.nb

Club Retro with DJ Stroud at R2. $3, 21+.

Open mic night at Kokopelli's. No cover, 8pm.

FRIDAY, September 2
FAMILY
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 Rd. 924-7494.

On the Frontier: The Frontier Culture Museum hosts another in their summer First Fridays series. The grounds are open for strolling and dining, and the four historic farms welcome visitors with living history presentations. Bring a picnic or purchase supper at the concession stand. 6:30-8:30pm. Free. Rt. 250 west in Staunton. 540- 332-7850, ext. 165.

WALKABOUT
Silent Auction: To cap off this year's Wintergreen Golf Classic (fully subscribed), a silent auction raises money for activities of the Wintergreen Nature Foundation. Stop by the tent and bid on dinners, quilts, artwork, vacations and more. Tent outside Stoney Creek Club House at Stoney Creek West, Wintergreen. For a complete list of items up for bid, see twnf.org/programs/silentauction.asp. Bidding 10am-6pm.

WORDS
Living Together: The Growing Urban Habitats symposium brings together local and national design and development professionals to discuss the future of urban living. Presentations, discussions, and case studies focus on affordable housing, building community, multifamily housing, and more. California architect Teddy Cruz, who specializes in areas that mix different cultural groups, gives the keynote on Friday night. Everything is free and open to the public. 5-6:30pm tonight; 9am-5pm Saturday. Campbell Hall, Rooms 153 and 158. Details: arch.virginia.edu.

Beyond the Blackboard: As part of its Risk and Prevention Speaker Series, UVA's Curry School of Education presents "Educational Theory into Practice Software: The Design and Impact on Learning" with profession Sara Dexter. Free. 9am in Ruffner 241. 243-2021.

Rolickin' Reading: Join Laura Cockerille Giannini as she introduces her book about a reservation dog, The Kokopelli Journals. A talk about the story and a reading are followed by a Q&A-- with music! 8pm. Gravity Lounge. 540-832-7048.

STAGE
Shenandoah Shakespeare
All's Well that Ends Well: See Thursday, September 1. Tonight's opening night performance is at 7:30.

TUNES
Earth To Andy: Many rock fans in Charlottesville reminisce from time to time about the glory days of Earth To Andy. Finally, Andy Waldeck has decided to shut us up with a reunion show at Starr Hill. Sparky's Flaw, a young band that no doubt still has their glory days in front of them, opens the show, which Waldeck thinks was a particularly smart scheduling decision. "It would be cool to turn a younger audience on, perhaps people that weren't of club age when Earth To Andy was running around rocking," he says.

Earth to Andy and Sparky's Flaw at Starr Hill. $7/$5 advance, 8pm.

William Walter and Co.: Local songwriter William Walter plays his catalog in a variety of formats, switching the same compositions between different arrangements and instrumentations. Tonight "William Walter and Co." play an electric set with a full rock band at Fridays After Five, and a Saturday performance at Starr Hill will be delivered by the Acoustic Trio. No matter what the format, though, guitarist Tucker Rogers is always there. "Each environment is very interesting," he says. "It lets me explore the same music from both ends of the spectrum, and it ends up not being the same music at all."

The Houserockers and William Walter at Fridays After Five. No cover, 5pm.

Faster Than Walking at Fellini's #9. No cover, 5:30pm.

dhammapada at Jaberwoke. No cover, 11pm.

Groove Nation with DJ Edit at R2. 21+, $10/$6 before 11:30pm.

Gene and Gayla Mills at Rapunzel's. 7:30pm.

The Cassettes and Cataract Camp at the Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar. $5, 9:30pm.

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

Metanoia at Kokopelli's. $5, 8pm.

SATURDAY, September 3
FAMILY
Take a Hike: Young outdoorsmen can discover what camping is all about at a new exhibit opening today in the Back Gallery at the Virginia Discovery Museum. Visitors can follow a map to their campsite in the deciduous forest of the Blue Ridge, pitch a tent and settle into a sleeping bag, or enjoy all the outdoors has to offer including hiking, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and wildlife, through January 15. Included in the price of admission. East end of the Downtown Mall. 977-1025.

Play Doctor: The Health Hut comes to the Virginia Discovery Museum from its former home at the UVA Children's Hospital. This interactive collection of activities helps kids learn about their bodies, health care, and making healthy choices. Slim Goodbody, for example, gives the inside scoop on the heart, lungs, and other organs. In the doctor's office, kids can view x-rays and examine patients. Discover the five senses, find out how much you weigh and how tall you are, and much more. This exhibit will be displayed in the Back Gallery for the next year. Included in the price of admission. East end of the Downtown Mall. 977-1025.

Up, Up, and Away: High flyers can get airborne at the Louisa Air Show. Tour static aircraft displays on the ground, then get high with in a ride in the sky. Aerobatic performances and great food are also part of the fun. 11am-4pm. Free. Louisa County Airport/Freeman Field. Take the Ferncliff exit off I-64 east and follow the signs. 540-967-0050.

Museum Makeover: The Science Museum of Virginia has spent the summer transforming the main concourse exhibit space into three new galleries with more than 40 new interactive displays. Those who have always wanted to be an astronaut can walk on the moon, steer a gyroscope chair, and float on air as they get out of this world with the physics of Newton in Space. Find out what happens when a mirror is also a window, see yourself to infinity, discover how your eye is like a camera (or is it the other way around?), and play with other visual magic in Light Visions. Electriworks lets visitors make thunder and lightening, see the shocking truth about the Vandegraff Generator, create electricity with a bicycle, and more. These all-new permanent exhibits open today and are included in the price of exhibit admission: $10 for adults, $9 for youth ages 4-12. 2500 W. Broad St., Richmond. 800-659-1727. smv.org.

Street Party: Madison offers a Taste of the Mountains in their annual Main Street Festival featuring handmade crafts, shopping, live music, a magic show, antique autos, pony rides, Madison County food, living history, and more. 10am-5pm. Free admission and shuttle from parking at the high school. Main St., Madison. 540-948-4455. madison-va.com.

FAMILY AND WALKABOUT
Labor Day in the Mountains: Wintergreen Resort celebrates the end of summer with a weekend full of fun including an arts and crafts show, courtyard cookout, hayrides, chairlift rides, casino, live music, movie night for kids, and more. 10am-9pm. Charges for some activities. 325-8180. wintergreenresort.com.

WALKABOUT
Music Fest: Dance to that high lonesome sound at Mountain Cove Vineyard's third annual Old Time Music Festival-- enjoy outdoor music, wine sales, tours, and tastings. Fee. Noon-5pm. mountaincovevineyards.com

Women's Four-Miler: This annual women's race- the largest all women's event in Virginia- benefits UVA's Breast Cancer Center. The course takes runners on a tour of the Albemarle countryside, ending up back at Foxfield where they started. 8am. Details: Charlottesville Track Club, 293-6115.

Hello, Fall: There are three words to describe the annual Harvest Celebration at Wintergreen Winery: "romp," "stomp," and "chomp." Say goodbye to summer with grape stomping, live music, wine, and Virginia foods tasting, door prizes, tours, and more. Fee. 10am-6pm through Monday. 361-2519.

People Power: The Albemarle County Police participate in the annual Fire Truck Pull out at the Louisa County Airport, with proceeds to benefit the Special Olympics. Watch teams of beefy heroes attempt to pull 56,000 pounds of fire truck across the tarmac. 10-11:30am. The Louisa County Air Show begins at 11am. 296-5807.

Harvest Open House: Bring your picnic out to Afton Mountain Vineyards' Harvest Open House and enjoy live music and grape tastings. Fee. 10am-6pm. 540-456-8667.

Living Together: See Friday, September 2. 9am-5pm. Campbell Hall, Rooms 153 and 158. Details: arch.virginia.edu.

Music of the Season: Oakencroft hosts three days of live music this weekend, with tours, tastings, and picnics by the lake. 11am-5pm through Monday, September 5. $10 includes glass. 296-4188 x 21.

First Saturday Bird Walk: Late summer sights highlight the September bird walk at the Ivy Creek Natural Area, led by John Zimmerman of the Monticello Bird Club. Beginners welcome. Meet in the parking lot. 7:30am. Free. Earlysville Road. 973-7772.

STAGE
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.

TUNES
Free Radicals: "Our bassist, Michael Troutman moved to Jamaica to study reggae and came back with a lazy eye," says Derek Stanton of Awesome Color. When he follows that up with "Allison Busch, our trumpet player, built her trumpet out of motorcycle parts," you start to suspect that something is amiss. The story ends, "I started a band when I was 10 with my imaginary friend after watching too much Fraggle Rock," and that's when you realize he's off his rocker, off his meds, or both. Awesome Color-- likely a reference to the psychotropic substances these guys and their Fraggles must be snacking on-- infuse the Tea House with their brand of psychedelic rock tonight. "We like to call it free radical music," says Stanton. Lord only knows what that means coming from a source like this.

Awesome Color and Red Wizard at the Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar. $5, 9pm.

Eli Cook at Rapunzel's, 7:30pm.

Smoove with DJ Izm at R2. 21+ $8/$5 before 11:30pm.

William Walter's Acoustic Trio at the Starr Hill Cocktail Lounge. No cover, 10pm.

Dixie Rebels at the Wild Wing Café. No cover, 9pm.

The Matthew Willner Four at the Buddhist Biker Bar. No cover, 10:30pm.

Evan Mook and Mike Hawkins at Fellini's #9. No cover, 10pm.

Robin Wynn at Kokopelli's. $5, 8pm.

SUNDAY, September 4
STAGE
Shenandoah Shakespeare
10 S. Market St., Staunton. 540-885-5588
All's Well that Ends Well: See Thursday, September 1. Today's performance is a 2pm matinee.

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.

FAMILY AND WALKABOUT
Labor Day in the Mountains: See Saturday, September 3. Fireworks tonight.

WALKABOUT
Mountain Morning: Join a Wintergreen Nature Foundation naturalist for an interpretive hike through the mountains of Wintergreen. Moderate difficulty. $3 members, $6 non-members. 10am. 325-8169.

Montebello Community Market: Browse the traditional Virginia Arts & Crafts Fair at the Montebello Community Market. Featuring items made from natural or recycled materials. 11am-4pm in Montebello, Nelson County. 540-377-5754.

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.

Labor Day Spectacular: See Saturday, September 3. 325-2200.

Music Fest: See Saturday, September 3. Fee. Noon-5pm. mountaincovevineyards.com.

Hello, Fall: See Saturday, September 3. Fee. 10am-6pm through Monday. 361-2519.

Music of the Seasons: See Saturday, September 3. $10 includes glass. 296-4188 x 21.

FAMILY AND TUNES
Rollin' on the River: Pack a picnic supper and bring a blanket for Rhythm on the River. Tonight's live concert and festivities featuring Wrinkle Neck Mules and Monticello Road. 6pm. Free. Dorrier Park, Scottsville. 286-4722. rhythmontheriver.org.

TUNES
Cool Stuff: Andrew Gregory is still riding high from the day when ASCAP vice president Ralph Murphy told him that one of his songs was "Good s***." "It actually isn't even one of my favorite songs that I've written," he laughs. Oh, the irony! Hear the ones that are at The Virginian tonight. No cover.10pm.

Rhythm on the River with Wrinkle Neck Mules and Monticello Road at Dorrier Park in Scottsville. Free, 6pm.

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

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

McAvoy Crowe at Kokopelli's. $5, 7pm.

Sowing Harmony: Singers and listeners are invited to a singing workshop and hootenanny, a zesty mix of rounds, spirituals, grooves and anthems, the first Sunday of each month through December. This afternoon's inaugural concert features Craig Green and Cleo Keller. $1-5 suggested donation. 1-3pm. Friends Meeting House, 1104 Forest St. Craig Green and Cleo Keller. 361-1180 or or twinoaks.org/carnival.

MONDAY, September 5
WALKABOUT
Labor Day Spectacular: See Saturday, September 3. 325-2200.

Hello, Fall: See Saturday, September 3. Fee. 10am-6pm through Monday. 361-2519.

Music of the Seasons: See Saturday, September 3. $10 includes glass. 296-4188 x 21.

TUNES
Mike Meadows at Jaberwoke. No cover, 10pm.

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

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

Matthew Willner at Miller's. No cover, 10pm.

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

TUESDAY, September 6
WALKABOUT
Mange!: Discover the specific subtleties of Italian regional cuisine at Ecco Italy's new cooking and culture class-- Ecco Cibo, held-- taught by Chef Howie Velie and Italian teacher (and Hook food writer!) Christina Ball and featuring a hands-on cooking lesson with overviews of each specific region's history, culture and cuisine. Tonight's class focuses on the ultimate foodie region, Emilia-Romagna-- think parmigiano, prosciutto, Bolognese sauce, tortellini and balsamic vinegar! Umbria and Lombardy follow in October and November. 75$ each class includes lesson, dinner and wine tasting. The Seasonal Cook in The Main Street Market. 416 W. Main St. For more info, and to enroll, see eccoitaly.com or call 825-4390.

Acupuncture and You: How does acupuncture care help you, your symptoms, your issues? Presented by Ron Greathead, 1110 Rose Hill Drive, Suite 100, Reservations please. 962-2770. First Tuesday of every month. Free. 7-8pm.

Free Legal Advice: Get 20 minutes of free face time with a local lawyer to discuss your legal questions. Held the first Tuesday of each month and sponsored by FOCUS Women's Resource Center. 6:40pm. Pre-registration required. 293-2222

FAMILY
Trail Training: Every year more than 2,000 local schoolchildren learn the ways of nature as they walk the trails of Ivy Creek Natural Area with volunteer guides. Those with an interest in nature and an enthusiasm for working with children are invited to participate in a free guide training course starting today and lasting for six consecutive Tuesday mornings from 9:30am-noon. Call to sign up or find out more. 973-7772.

TUNES
Sharon Jones: Sharon Jones bounces into the Satellite Ballroom tonight with her nine-piece funk and soul ensemble. Her throwback style may be an old format, she admits, but it's not outdated. "The response that we're getting indicates that a lot of people are into it," she says. With songs like "Fish In My Dish," how could they not be?

Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings at the Satellite Ballroom.

The Greg Ward Project at Coupe DeVille's. No cover, 10pm.

Jason Masi at Dr. Ho's. No cover, 7pm.

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

Matthew Willner and Friends at the Buddhist Biker Bar. No cover, 10:30pm.

WEDNESDAY, September 7
WALKABOUT
Turk's Gap Hike: Explore the splendors of Shenandoah National Park with a Wintergreen Nature Foundation naturalist. Bring a bag lunch and plenty of water. $5 members and $10 non-members. Moderate difficulty. 9am. 325-8169.

Sierra Club: The Piedmont group of the Sierra Club discusses central Virginia's recycling needs at their monthly meeting. 7:30pm. St. Mark Lutheran Church at the corner of Ivy and Alderman roads. 973-0373.

WORDS
Tracking the Conquistadors: The Harrison Institute of American History, Literature, and Culture at UVA presents an informal and up-close look at a 1524 map of Tenochtitlán with Associate Professor of Spanish, Ricardo Padrón. The Aztec capital Tenochtitlán was razed in 1521 by Hernan Cortes, and though maps such as this one became famous images of the European Renaissance, their origins remain shrouded in mystery. The Gallery Talks begin at 12:30 in the lobby of the Harrison Institute. Free and open to the public. 924-6040.

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.

TUNES
Akron/Family at Gravity Lounge.

Badfish at Starr Hill. $14/$12, 9pm.

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, September 8
ART
Gallery Talk: Maurie McInnis, UVA assistant professor of art, talks about the UVA Museum's current exhibit, "A Jefferson Ideal." 3pm. Free. 155 Rugby Road.

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

Shenandoah Shakespeare
10 S. Market St., Staunton. 540-885-5588
All's Well that Ends Well: See Thursday, September 1. Say after tonight's 7:30 performance to chat with the actors.

FAMILY
Mental Work Out: This month's Mommy & Me (& Daddies, too) celebrates Mazes and Puzzling Puzzles with brain teasing activities all around Barracks Road. 10am-noon. Free. Barracks Road Shopping Center. 977-4583.

More Tales for Tots: See Wednesday, September 7.

WALKABOUT
Monticello Bird Club: "Birds of Prey," a slide show presentation by Reese Lukei, covers hawks and other raptors--their habits and habitat, their food, how to identify them, and where and when to go to observe them. 7:30pm. Education Building, Ivy Creek Natural Area, Earlysville Road. 244-2688.

World Day of Prayer: Join in this global event at Unity Church, 2825 Hydraulic Road. Unity World Day of Prayer is an interfaith event open to people of all faiths and all walks of life. Its purpose is to unite as many people as possible in prayer for one another. The church will host a twelve-hour prayer vigil from 7am-7pm. Free and open to the public. 978-1062.

WORDS
Conservation Planning: Robert L. Pressey, an internationally renowned conservation biologist, gives a public lecture on the subject of systematic environmental planning. Not sure what that's all about? Find out from 4-5pm in Clark Hall, Room 108. Part of a series of Environment, Conservation and Culture events sponsored by the UVA Office of the Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies. Free. 243-8996.

TUNES
The Nice Jenkins at Mellow Mushroom. No cover, 10:30pm.

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

Club Retro with DJ Stroud at R2. 21+, $3.

Salsa Night at the Satellite Ballroom. $8/$6 under 21, 8pm.

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.

Young Artists Night with Hannah Rucker and Arden Jones at Kokopelli's. $3, 7pm.

Upcoming and Ongoing
ART
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.

WORDS
Learn Italian in an Italian Setting. Charlottesville's only gourmet language and culture school, Ecco Italy, is now enrolling for "ECCO UNO: Italian for Beginners." Morning and evening classes: Tuesdays 10-11:30am (September 6-December 13) and Wednesdays, 6:30-8pm (August 31-December 14) section. $225. Visit ecoitaly.com or call 434-825-4390 for more info or to enroll. 406A W. Main St. in The Main Street Market.

DANCE CARD
Hip-Hop: Two sessions of new six-week dance performance class to choose from: Session 1: Sundays August 28-October 9 excluding Labor Day weekend. Rehearsals 7-8:30pm. Session 2: Mondays August 29-October 10 excluding Labor Day weekend. Rehearsals 8:30-10pm. Attendance required at all rehearsals. Students will create their own costume, and the class will culminate in a final performance TBA in October. Participants must demonstrate a command of the choreography in order to perform. $85 each class. Pre-registration is required at 510-681-8255 or email . Both at Studio 206 downtown.

WALKABOUT
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.

Yes, Yoga: Kundalini yoga purifies the body and liberates the spirit. Experience it for yourself for $5 per class, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:30pm in the attic of the Glass Building, 313 Second St. SE. 293-7439.

WALKABOUT AND FAMILY
Trail Training: Every year more than 2,000 local schoolchildren learn the ways of nature as they walk the trails of Ivy Creek Natural Area with volunteer guides. Those with an interest in nature and an enthusiasm for working with children are invited to participate in a free guide training course starting September 6 and lasting for six consecutive Tuesday mornings from 9:30am-noon. Call to sign up or find out more. 973-7772.

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. .

Passport, Please: Charlottesville/Albemarle County Convention and Visitors Bureau gives folks an incentive to have fun. Visit six participating sites (two each from Arts & Entertainment, Heritage/Museum, and Restaurant/Retail/Accommodations categories), get your passport stamped, and win a free t-shirt. Passports available at either visitor center location. Free. Good through the end of the year. In the Monticello Visitors Center building (Rt. 20 S.) or at 100 Fifth St. NE, in the Market St. parking garage. 293-6789. soveryvirginia.org/passport.

FIRST FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 2
The McGuffey Art Center celebrates its exhibition by Tim O'Kane and the Virginia Watercolor Guild's annual juried show, with a reception, 5:30-7:30pm. 201 Second St. NW. 295-7973.

Second Street Gallery welcomes Graham Caldwell's exhibition of glass sculpture, "Thin Lines and Solid Air," as well as Kevin Everson's screening of short films," with an opening, 6-8pm. Artists' talks at 6:30pm. 115 Second St. SE in City Center for Contemporary Arts. 977-7284.

Les Yeux du Monde opens its September exhibition, "Truth Be Told," by artist Lisa Beane, with a reception, 5:30-8pm. 115 S. First St. 973-5566.

The 302 re-opens its exhibition by Pacific Northwest artists Lisa Sheets, Doug Kinney, and Sultan Mohamed, 5:30-9pm. 300 W. Main St., Suite 302 (beside the Lewis & Clark statue). 924-5405.

Transient Crafters welcomes the watercolors of Leslie Allyn, with an artist's reception, 6-9pm. 118 E. Main St. on the Downtown Mall. 972-9500.

Photographer Megan Crist's exhibition, "Fifth Avenue," opens at Mudhouse, 6-8pm. 213 W. Main St. on the Downtown Mall. 760-2684.

The Charlottesville Community Design Center opens its exhibition of entries in the Urban Habitats design competition, with a reception, 7-9pm. 101 E. Main St. 984-2232.

The BozArt Gallery opens its show of pottery and art by David Paul, 6-9pm. 211 W. Main St. on the Downtown Mall. 296-3919.

Café Cubano celebrates its display of Beth Herman's "Bear Portraits, Self Portraits and More" with an opening, 5:30-8:30pm. York Place on the Downtown Mall. 971-8743.

Art Upstairs holds an artist's reception for watercolorist Grace Stark's exhibition, "A Few Favorite Things," 5:30-9pm. 316 E. Main St., above The Hardware Store, on the Downtown Mall. 923-3900.

The Gallery @ 5th & Water welcomes its exhibition, "Dogs," by Michael Tierney with a reception, 5:30-8pm. 107 Water St. 979-9825.

Sage Moon Gallery celebrates its exhibition of work by Mike Reisenberg, with an opening reception, 6-9pm. 420 E. Main St. on the Downtown Mall. 977-9997.

New Dominion Bookshop opens "The World, My Home," oil paintings by Randy Sights Baskerville, with a reception, 5-7pm. 404 W. Main St. 295-2552.

Angelo celebrates its display of photographer Ben Greenberg's show, "Where Land and Water Meet," with a reception, 5:30-8pm. 220 E. Main St. 971-9256.

Fellini's #9 hosts an opening for photographer Shane Rocheleau's show, "Edifying the Unbroken," 5:30-7:30pm. 200 W. Market St. 979-4279.

Better Than Television opens its show, "Out of Hand," featuring selected works by Eric Olsen and Alejandro Teichberg, 5:30-10pm. 110 Main St. (under the Jefferson Theater).

La Galeria celebrates its move downtown with a Grand Opening for September artists Anne Hopper, Mary Porter, Jim Brewer, Al Rossi, Meg West, and Lindsey Freedman. 5-8pm. 218 W. Market St. (next to Vinegar Hill Theater). 293-7003.

ART LIST
On September 2, the University of Virginia Art Museum opens two exhibitions: "The Power of the North: German, Dutch and Flemish Old Master Prints," featuring works created between 1500-1700; and "Insistent Absence: the Unacknowledged Influence of Ukiyo-e on Modern Japanese Prints." Curator Sandy Kita offers a gallery talk about the latter at 2pm on Saturday, September 3. Both shows run through October 16. Also on view: "A Jefferson Ideal: Selections from the Dr. and Mrs. Henry C. Landon III Collection of American Fine and Decorative Arts," which will remain on display through November 23. 155 Rugby Road. 924-3592.

In September, Kathy Plunket Versluys shows her monotypes and woodcuts at C'ville Coffee. 7:30am-9pm daily. Originals and prints available for sale. Harris St. and McIntire Road across from the skatepark. 434-361-9357 or .

In September, the McGuffey Art Center re-opens with two shows: the Main Gallery, features Tim O'Kane's "Italian Miniatures: Cityscape/Landscape/Still-life"; throughout the rest of the building the annual Central Virginia Watercolor Guild exhibition showcases 73 artists from around Virginia. Both shows run through October 2. 201 Second St. NW. 295-7973.

Second Street Gallery jumps back into art action in September with two exhibitions: in the main gallery, glass sculptor Graham Caldwell presents "Thin Lines and Solid Air"; and in the Dové Gallery, multi-talented filmmaker Kevin Everson screens short films. 115 Second St. SE (in the Charlottesville City Center for the Arts). 977-7284.

September 2, Les Yeux du Monde opens edgy artist Lisa Beane's "Truth Be Told," which remains on view through October 1. 115 S. First St. 973-5566.

The Piedmont Virginia Community College Gallery features an installation, "Doubleness: Peripheral Memories," by artist Jennifer Van Winkle, through September 21. V. Earl Dickinson Building. 434-5203. See Art Feature.

The University of Virginia's Newcomb Hall Gallery displays photographer Richard Robinson's "Dreaming in Italian" through September 9. 924-8825.

The Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection hosts "Above and Beyond: Perspectives in Aboriginal Art," which examines how Aboriginal artists use perspective and point-of-view in their depictions of landscapes and traditional stories. The show is on view through November 5. 400 Worrell Drive on Pantops. 244-0234.

Transient Crafters presents the watercolors of Leslie Allyn, on display through September. 118 E. Main St. on the Downtown Mall. 972-9500.

Megan Crist presents her photographic exhibition, "Fifth Avenue," at the Mudhouse through October 3. 213 W. Main St. on the Downtown Mall. 760-2684.

New Dominion Bookshop offers "The World, My Home," an exhibition of oil paintings by Randy Sights Baskerville, during the month of September. 404 E. Main St. on the Downtown Mall. 295-2552.

During September, The Charlottesville Community Design Center displays design submissions for the Urban Habitats design competition, which invited proposals for the redevelopment of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville's Sunrise Trailer Court. The CCDC also presents a 5pm Friday lecture by architect Teddy Cruz as part of a two-day symposium, "Growing Urban Habitats," on Saturday, September 3, 8:30am-5:30pm. Both the lecture and symposium happen at the University of Virginia School of Architecture. 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.

The Northside Library features the Piedmont Pastelists member show of pastel paintings, on view through September 30. 300 Albemarle Square. For info, contact Dick Carpenter, 974-6010.

Angelo presents photographer Ben Greenberg's exhibition, "Where Land and Water Meet," on view through October 30.

For its September show, The Gallery @ 5th & Water showcases Michael Tierney's "Dogs." Located in the upstairs foyer of Henderson & Everett, P.C. 107 Fifth St. 979-9825.

Through September, 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.). Contact: .

Sage Moon Gallery presents a September exhibition of work by Mike Reisenberg. 420 E. Main St. on the Downtown Mall. 977-9997.

In September, painter Grace Stark presents a show of watercolors entitled, "A Few Favorite Things" at Art Upstairs. 316 E. Main St., above The Hardware Store, on the Downtown Mall. 923-3900.

Charlottesville-Albemarle Art Association members Sandra Austin, Blake Hurt, Ed Mochel, Gigi Payne, Coy Roy, and Ralph Schultz have work on view at the Charlottesville-Albemarle Regional Airport through November 7. Airport Road. 295-2486.

For the month of September, BozArt Gallery presents pottery and art by David Paul. 211 W. Main St. 296-3919.

Café Cubano features Beth Herman's "Bear Portraits, Self Portraits, and More" during September. York Place on the Downtown Mall. 971-8743.

The Better Than Television gallery has moved out of Belmont and into the basement of the Jefferson Theater on the Downtown Mall. In September, view "Out of Hand," selected works by Eric Olsen and Alejandro Teichberg. 110 Main St.

La Galeria has also moved downtown and in September features artists Anne Hopper, Mary Porter, Jim Brewer, Al Rossi, Meg West, and Lindsey Freedman. 218 W. Market St. (next to Vinegar Hill Theater). 293-7003.

During September, Shane Rocheleau presents his photographic exhibition, "Edifying the Unbroken," 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.

During September, Matthew Bowen shows his black and white photography at West Main Design's new gallery at 731 W. Main St. 296-7560.

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

Blue Ridge Beads & Glass displays new paintings and art glass by Jerry O'Dell. 1724 Allied St. 293-2876.

L'étoile Restaurant displays paintings by local artists Barry Gordon, Malcolm Hughes, and Christian Peri. 817 W. Main St. (across from the Amtrak Station). 979-7957.

Radar

Sweetbriar College opens "Paula Helenveld: Ancient Wisdoms and Natural Actions at Akrotiri 1500 BC" on August 25 in its Benedict Hall Gallery. The show remains on view through October 30. Plus, in the Babcock Gallery, Sweet Briar presents "Sue Johnson: Fragments from the Alternate Encyclopedia," which is on display through October 16. 800-381-6100.

Through September 30, John Grant shows his new prints at the Montpelier Center for Arts a& Education. 17205 Mountain Road. 977-8046.

Yakima Bokoles shows new work at Scottsville's Gallery of Healing during September. 330 Valley St., Studio C (around back). 434-286-4400.

The Virginia Stonecarvers Guild stages a group show at Nellysford's Spruce Creek Gallery during September. The members also present stone carving demonstrations, Saturday, September 3, 10am-5pm, and Sunday and Monday, September 4 and 5, noon-5pm. Route 151. 434-361-1859.

During September, Wintergreen Resort's Black Rock Gallery features the forged iron work of Gerald Boggs. An opening reception is scheduled for September 3, 3-6pm. 434-325-7700.

On September 2, the Williams School of Commerce at Washington and Lee University in Lexington opens a dual exhibition entitled "North and South," by painter Eric Fitzpatrick. The show remains on view through December. An opening lecture and reception is scheduled for September 2 at 5:30pm. 540-458-8602

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. In addition, the museum features a rotating series of paintings under the umbrella title of "An Enduring Legacy: Paintings Acquired Through the J. Harwood and Louis B. Cochrane Fund for American Art," 200 N. Boulevard. 804-204-2704.

The new Virginia Holocaust Museum Art Gallery presents an exhibition of paintings by G. Roy Levin, on view through December 31. 2000 E. Cary St., Richmond. 804-257-5400.

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.

During September and October, Barboursville's Sun's Traces Gallery showcases Paula Brown-Steedly's pottery, Charlottes LaRoy's basketry, and Sarah Lock's silver work. 5449 Governor Barbour St. 973-3700.

The Eye of the Beholder gallery, in Lovingston's Packing Shed, features work by E. Hutson, G. Mankie, and D. Garland. Front St. 996-5058.

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 features 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.

Other

The Central Virginia Watercolor Guild has a few bus seats available for its September 20 field trip to view art in Washington, DC. The bus departs Charlottesville at 7:45am and returns at 8:45pm. Info: 842-2350 or 489-5445.

The annual Fluvanna Heritage Trail Foundation Art Show invites artists to submit recent work celebrating the region's heritage for its juried exhibition, which opens October 1. Deadline for entry is Friday, September 23. Entry forms are available at Court Square Studio and Maggie's House in Palmyra, the Fluvanna County Library, and the Community Center in Fork Union. Info: 434-589-6545 or .

FEATURES/FEATURES/FEATURES
ART
Memory tricks Van Winkle's 'deja vous'
BY LAURA PARSONS
It's a safe bet you're not reading an art column looking for a self-help book review, but bear with me. In Finding Your Own North Star, author Martha Beck (of Expecting Adam fame) suggests that as children we all learned to offset our "essential selves" (the selves who at two screeched "No" with abandon) with well-crafted "social selves," who enabled us to get along in the world (and-- bonus!-- tied us in emotional knots).

"Your essential self was the part of you that cracked your first baby smile," writes Beck. "Your social self noticed how much Mommy loved that smile, and later reproduced it at exactly the right moment to convince her to lend you the down payment for a condo."

No doubt Beck would love artist Jennifer Van Winkle's current installation, "Doubleness: Peripheral Memories," on view at the Piedmont Virginia Community College gallery. Via toys and games, which last summer she used to make political statements, Van Winkle explores how we learn to create socially acceptable twins of ourselves while growing up.

Last year Van Winkle stitched yellow pages from the phone book into curtains of consumerism. This year she sews the white pages into paper dolls, with either doubled tops-- one torso shadowing the other-- or replicated bottoms. Displayed in pairs, the dolls' eggplant-colored raffia braids literally tie them together. A Dymo-embossed plastic tape of all capital letters accompanies each set and recites childhood lessons, e.g. "We learned to desire everything. Take nothing. Be somebody and speak in an even tone in public."

On the floor, Van Winkle arranges rubber runners cunningly printed with photographs of hop-scotch squares chalked on blacktop in a kid's variation of the primary palette-- sky blue, bubblegum pink, and baby-chick yellow. Here, too, lessons play across the squares. Nearby a "Pa-GOAT-a" of wood-slatted pens contains pull-toy goats sporting either two heads or two tails. One goat remains outside, strung to the tower, ready to pull the other animals along behind him.

Van Winkle also tinkers with accurate memories and mistaken impressions by taking advantage of PVCC's identical North and South galleries to create mirrored halves of her installation. Although her artist's statement suggests that one precisely duplicates the other, here the artist plays the Jungian role of trickster, becoming an unreliable narrator by introducing intentional subtle variations (hint: read carefully and observe the goats).

Through her fun and funny installation, Van Winkle wittily reveals how our self-doubts and internal conflicts are, at heart, child's play.

Jennifer Van Winkle's "Doubleness: Peripheral Memories" is on view at the Piedmont Virginia Community College gallery in he V. Earl Dickinson Building thorough September 21. 961-6522.