Arts & Entertainment

A&E

The melancholy beauty of “Carrie & Lowell”

By Noah Zeidman | April 8, 2015

“There’s only a shadow of me; in a manner of speaking I’m dead.” So remarks Sufjan Stevens on “John My Beloved,” the ninth track on his latest release, “Carrie & Lowell.” Although the line ostensibly pertains to Stevens’ Christian faith — the song acts as an exchange between Jesus and John the Baptist — it also serves as a fitting epithet for his current musical identity. At just under 45 minutes in length, “Carrie & Lowell” is Stevens’ shortest release, particularly in contrast to 2010’s “All Delighted People,” a so-called EP, which is stretched across a full hour.

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A&E

Toro y Moi explores adolescence, innocence and emptiness

By Maggie McCoy | April 8, 2015

The period between adolescence and adulthood rests on thin ice. It’s an awkward stage, burdened by nostalgia for simpler times and worries stemming from newfound responsibilities.

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A&E

“Younger” presents new twists

By Rose Montgomery | April 7, 2015

Sutton Foster and Hilary Duff inject new life into “Younger,” a TVLand comedy­-drama. The two-­episode premiere initially lacks the momentum necessary to captivate an audience, but the star actresses make good use of their given roles and put on a largely revitalizing show.

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A&E

Bombadil is back with new album “Hold On”

By Candace Carter | April 3, 2015

The men of Bombadil have returned to the forefront of the indie music scene with the release of their fifth studio album “Hold On.” Other than peppering their music with electronics, there’s little to distinguish this album from earlier material, and Bombadil’s renowned quirkiness and smooth instrumentation remain as wonderful and deep as ever. Bombadil will be performing at The Southern May 16 to support the release of “Hold On.” “Hold On” deviates strikingly from past Bombadil albums by slowly introducing electronic elements, a realm the band has not really delved into.

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A&E

LUKE BRYAN’S “Spring Break…Checkin’ Out”

By Karim Saoud | April 1, 2015

Luke Bryan’s latest 11-song release, comprised of five original songs and six from Bryan’s previous “Spring Break 6...Like We Ain’t Ever” EP, is the last in a line of seven annual EPs with the same theme.

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A&E

Gripping performance from Chamber Singers and University Singers

By Reilly Sheehy | April 1, 2015

The University Singers and Chamber Singers’ “American Pioneers” concert this past Friday shook the foundations of Old Cabell Hall and highlighted talented composers from the early 20th century.

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A&E

“Bloodline” debuts with a dark mystery in sunny paradise

By Sam Henson | March 30, 2015

With Netflix’s recent push to produce as much original content as possible, the entire first season of “Bloodline” was made available within just a month of the third season premiere of “House of Cards” and the new Tina Fey-produced comedy “The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.” Many criticize the release of an entire season at once, citing viewers who “binge watch” and typically gloss over specific and important points of individual episodes.

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A&E

Danny Schmidt’s ninth album “Owls” debuts at The Southern

By Dhwani Yagnaraman | March 30, 2015

Indie singer-songwriter Danny Schmidt is returning to Charlottesville Thursday to perform at The Southern.

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A&E

“Game of Thrones” gets its second experimental musical counterpart

By Robert Shimshock | March 30, 2015

The Apr. 12 premiere of the fifth season of HBO’s “Game of Thrones” has triggered a heartwarming reconciliation between the genres of hip-hop and metal.

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A&E

Tobias Jesso Jr.’s debut LP is impressive entry in singer-songwriter story

By Maggie McCoy | March 27, 2015

Pop singer-songwriter Tobias Jesso Jr. is in a state of grieving. The gorgeous emotional reprieve that constitutes Jesso’s debut, “Goon,” targets pop album essentials such as broken hearts and failures to make it as an artist in Los Angeles.

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A&E

Bringing Indian music and dance to Charlottesville

By Dhwani Yagnaraman | March 26, 2015

Indian Classical Night is a colorful showcase of the diverse cultural dances and musical talents present at the University as well as in the Charlottesville community.

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A&E

An evening of poetry with Charles Wright and Mary Szybist

By Kristen Clevenson | March 26, 2015

Last Friday, the Culbreth Theater hosted Charles Wright, the 2014-15 U.S. Poet Laureate, and National Book Award winner Mary Szybist.

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A&E

Poetry and the art of retrospection

By Dhwani Yagnaraman | March 26, 2015

Last week, University professor and poet Stephen Cushman and Poet Laureate of Virginia Ron Smith read selections from their works in the Special Collections Library.

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A&E

AVP performs Spring Concert “Man Fest Destiny”

By Reilly Sheehy | March 26, 2015

The greatest thing about University a cappella is that, other than terrific music, you really never know what to expect.

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A&E

Claude Wampler discusses her latest exhibition “Trailing Spouse”

By Kristen Clevenson | March 26, 2015

Ruffin Distinguished Artist in Residence Claude Wampler’s exhibition “Trailing Spouse” is on display through Mar.

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A&E

A “Glee” full finale

By Anne Duessel | March 26, 2015

Warning: This review contains spoilers. Fox’s high school musical dramedy, which was a brief but intense phenomenon six years ago, finished its episodic run to a fractional audience Friday with two back-to-back episodes, “2009” and “Dreams Come True.” “2009” was an hour-long flashback detailing the personal journeys that led to the club’s creation while “Dreams Come True” was a flash-forward, where everyone gets what they want and then some. Is the two-part “Glee” finale worth watching, though?

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A&E

Shakespeare on the Lawn to reinterpret “King Lear”

By Jacqueline Justice | March 26, 2015

Shakespeare On The Lawn takes on The Bard’s classic, “King Lear,” in its contemporary, yet timeless rendition of the text.

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A&E

Marina and the Diamonds offer catchy, emotionally compelling pop

By Julia Stembridge | March 26, 2015

Indie-pop group Marina and the Diamonds’ new album, “Froot,” is a delicious surprise. Greek-Welsh frontwoman Marina Lambrini Diamandis has a syrupy, deep sound resembling that of Lana Del Rey, but Diamandis adds a discotheque twist.

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A&E

“The Lazarus Effect” joins the multitude of forgettable horror films

By Elizabeth McCauley | March 25, 2015

The best thing about “The Lazarus Effect” is its sinister opening sequence. Grotesque shots of mysterious, oozing compounds bubbling in petri dishes and swirling through centrifuges set the stage for creepy laboratory antics to follow.

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A&E

King Kendrick successfully revitalizes hip-hop’s possibilities

By Aidan Landen | March 25, 2015

In Kendrick Lamar’s “To Pimp a Butterfly,” the Compton MC provides his fans with a new take on an old sound and alternative content. Lamar’s new album is both personal and universal, both a condemnation and a celebration.