Arts Entertainment

News

William Fitzsimmons' 'Lions' doesn’t bite

By Samantha Rafalowski | March 5, 2014

Fans of William Fitzsimmons tend to be fans of the classic singer-songwriter stereotype. They keep coming back for soft melodies and intimate lyrics — two things Fitzsimmons delivers every time. It’s obvious he felt no need to change his recipe on his newest LP, “Lions.” If you came for more of the old, you came to the right place — though if you expected anything unique, I suggest looking elsewhere.

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News

The C'Ville sound

By Candace Carter | March 4, 2014

London, Paris and New York City are three of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. What do these cities have in common? The answer is art. Broadway, 5th Avenue, the West End, the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées — these areas of creative expression astronomically enhance the cultural richness of the communities they serve.

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News

Downtown Regal Theater gets a makeover

By Jacqueline Justice | March 3, 2014

The Regal Cinema on the Downtown Mall is set for a facelift in the fall of 2014, when the Violet Crown Charlottesville Cinema takes over its residence at the corner of 2nd and Main Street.

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News

'Twanging Bows' proves masterful lecture

By Flo Overfelt | March 2, 2014

The Fralin Museum of Art hosted visiting professor Yui Suzuki last Thursday for a lecture titled “Twanging Bows and Throwing Rice,” which focused on medieval Japanese birthing scenes and how these artistic works reflect Buddhist traditions.

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News

Corey Smith Band returns to familiar crowd

By Lindsay Wilkins | March 2, 2014

Georgia-based country singer Corey Smith and his band, who all have a long tradition of Charlottesville performances, returned Friday night to put on a show for their strong University fanbase. Arts & Entertainment had the opportunity to talk with Corey ahead of the show to find out what was in store at Jefferson Theatre and hear about his upcoming album release.

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News

“Ain’t No Reason” Not to Fall In Love with Brett Dennen

By Jacqueline Justice | March 2, 2014

A perk of not knowing much about the musicians playing at a concert is having little or no expectations for their performance.

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News

Filming fortitude

By Millicent Usoro and Ali Jawetz | February 27, 2014

As part of the University’s commemoration of Black History Month, the University Program Council’s Cinematheque Committee partnered with the Office of African-American Affairs and the University chapter of the NAACP last weekend in presenting a double feature of “Fruitvale Station” and “12 Years a Slave.” The films focused on images of violence against African-Americans and the systematic marginalization of African-Americans in the United States in disturbing and poignant ways. The event also featured a panel of students and faculty to discuss the films and how they connected to broader themes of racial tension and equality. “One of our big goals is to be able to make this an annual event,” said second-year College Madeline Houck, a member of UPC.

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News

A 'Frozen' response

By Nina Lukow | February 27, 2014

There is a moment in the song “Let It Go” — arguably the most famous sequence in Disney’s “Frozen” — when main character Elsa gives herself a drastic makeover. Though some may call it damaging to women, it is, in fact, a powerful step on the road to progress.

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News

'Music Speaks'

By Laura Adjei | February 27, 2014

Candice Glover’s debut album Music Speaks validates her win as an American Idol. She won the twelfth season of the competition and has continued her work within the R&B genre.

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News

Beck’s latest ‘phase’

By Millicent Usoro | February 26, 2014

Beck’s 20-year career hit its high water mark with 2002’s incredible “Sea Change.” A stark deviation from Beck’s signature quirks and experimentalism, its poignant, heartbroken lyrics intertwined with simple acoustic arrangements still resonate.

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News

Not just for children

By Flo Overfelt | February 26, 2014

I don’t think there is a single student at the University who doesn’t remember his or her favorite book as a child. My five-year-old self was constantly torn between Richard Scarry’s “Busytown” and Eric Carle’s classic “The Very Hungry Caterpillar.” Now far past that era in my life, though, children’s books have been, to an older me, exactly that: books for children.

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News

Venice Baroque Orchestra stuns Old Cabell audience

By Nina Lukow | February 26, 2014

The Tuesday Evening Concert Series presented the Venice Baroque Orchestra in Old Cabell Hall last week, focusing on baroque concertos and overtures and mainly featuring the works of composer Antonio Vivaldi.

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News

'Glad' to be here

By Jenna Pierce | February 25, 2014

The Gladstones performed at Charlottesville’s Dürty Nelly’s last weekend in front of an audience ranging from graduate students to an elderly demographic.

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News

The 21st century British Invasion

By Vondrae McCoy | February 25, 2014

This month marks the 50th anniversary of the advent of one of the most influential musical phenomena America has ever seen: the Beatles. Sparking the beginning of what came to be known as the “The British Invasion” — a time period in which the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Who and many others became wildly successful in America, winning Grammys, selling out stadium tours and infiltrating American radio with their attractive accents and powerful vocals.

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News

Lost in the Trees takes well-calculated risk

By Samantha Rafalowski | February 24, 2014

Though 2012 is not typically remembered as one of rock’s greatest years, that doesn’t diminish the significance of having one’s record being named the year’s best by the Wall Street Journal. Powerful beyond this accolade, “A Church that Fits Our Needs,” the second LP from indie-folk band Lost in the Trees, made waves with fans and critics alike through its unique arrangements and haunting lyrics.

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News

Sign up for 'Enlisted'

By Anne Duessel | February 24, 2014

FOX’s new program “Enlisted” is a workplace comedy with the same type of single-camera format seen on “The Office,” “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” and “Scrubs.” While not perfect in its execution of this popular workplace genre, “Enlisted” — like those stationed at onscreen at the fictional Fort McGee — it is a show involving goofiness and heart, making it well worth watching.

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News

'Museum' exhibits excellence

By Robin Yeh | February 23, 2014

Art contains more value than what meets the eye. A painting, drawing or sculpture may seem like a mere combination of lines, colors and objects, but found beneath the surface is a story far more imaginative, more spectacular and more insightful than the art itself.

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News

Creating More “Achy Breaky Hearts”

By Will Mullany | February 23, 2014

Dear Billy Ray Cyrus, I am writing to you on behalf of the entire human race concerning your recently released hip-hop remake of your 1992 song “Achy Breaky Heart,” as well as the accompanying video, and would just like to ask you a few questions.

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News

Virginia Gentlemen woo audience

By Scarlett Saunders | February 23, 2014

The always-classy Virginia Gentleman awed more than just the female crowd members Friday night during their third concert of the year. All in attendance that night became instantly engaged in the A Capella group’s personalities upon entering Old Cabell as the concert program challenged the audience to guess which five singers of the 17 had a correct biography.

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News

“The Walking Dead” returns with a bite

By Austin Wrenn | February 20, 2014

With two episodes of the second half of the fourth season of “The Walking Dead” under our belts, there is much to discuss.