cvilleMUSE

Some great plays have already completed their runs on Charlottesville’s local stages. But, there are still plenty more to see in the coming months! My personal picks, based on nothing but my knowledge of theatre and the local community, are as follows:

Oh Crap, I Forgot to Have Kids at the Hamner Theater (10/24-10/25):

This play promises a comedic and heartwarming look into the hopes, fears, and challenges of women and motherhood.

Flyin’ West at Live Arts (10/24-11/22):

This appears to be an intriguing tale about African American women trying to carve a life in the West in 1898.

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Popularity: 14% [?]

I was lucky enough to see Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band perform for the very first time this summer at FloydFest.  I actually saw the trio tear it up twice during my three-day stay at Floyd (I caught the last half of their Friday night set and their entire Saturday set) and with each performance the crowds just kept getting bigger and bigger.  By the time the band’s Sunday afternoon performance at the festival rolled around, there were so many people jam-packed under the dance tent that I didn’t even attempt to fight the masses for fear of drowning in a sea of sweat.  From everything I saw, the Big Damn Band was clearly a FloydFest favorite.  They were definitely one of mine.

Here’s how I described the scene from Saturday’s FloydFest performance:

“One of the craziest, loudest, rawest blues experiences I’ve seen in a long time.  The three-piece band featuring Reverend Peyton on National guitar and harmonica (pictured right above), Breezy Peyton on washboard (center), and Jayme Peyton on drums (left), The Big Damn Band easily drew one of the most vocal and animated audiences of the entire day.”

Hailing from Brown County, Indiana, Rev. Peyton and His Big Damn Band play the country-blues with a frenetic fervor.  They stomp, bang, and strum with a take no-prisoners approach.  Or as one festival promoter so perfectly described the Big Damn Band’s sound:

“…authentic brand of Blues that sounds like what might come out of that secret meth lab nestled deep in the backwaters of the Mississippi delta.”

Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band performs at the Gravity Lounge on Wednesday, October 22.  The band’s brand new album, The Whole Fam Damnily, was released on August 5th by the L.A.-based SideOneDummy Records (which is also home to Flogging Molly, Gogol Bordello, and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones.)  The album debuted at #4 on the Billboard Blues chart.  Keith Morris and the Crooked Numbers open and The Accordion Death Squad closes out the show.  $8!!!  [give a listen to “Mama’s Fried Potatoes” from The Big Damn Band’s The Whole Fam Damnily below]

Listen:
MP3:  Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band–”Mama’s Fried Potatoes”

Popularity: 16% [?]

I know there’s plenty out there to keep you busy between now and Sunday, but if you’re going to take the time to see one show in town this weekend, I have to believe that this is it as the Gravity Lounge hosts two incredibly talented local music acts:  Sarah White and 6 Day Bender.  Show time is at 10:30pm.  $5.  [More on the artists, including MP3s from both Sarah White and 6 Day Bender after the break] » Read More

Popularity: unranked [?]

This is actually a bummer.  Here’s the official word from Oliver Southard, Gravity Lounge’s PR guy:

“Due to circumstances beyond our control, Leon Russell’s show for Friday Oct. 17th will be CANCELED.

We will still go on with having opener and AMAZING guitarist Beppe Gambetta starting at 7:30PM.“  [Beppe Gambetta MySpace page]

Here’s a little tasty live nugget featuring a couple of Oklahoma Red Dirt greats just for the hell of it as J.J. Cale and Leon Russell perform “Going Down”.  It’s a small consolation in lieu of tonight’s cancelled show but it is a classic live performance!  [Watch the video]

Popularity: unranked [?]

Game 5, ALCS.  Boston 8.  Tampa Bay 7.  Unbelievable.  Here’s a little bottom of the eighth inning, Fenway Park tradition for you.  I’ve been singing it all morning long.

[By the way, Neil Diamond performs at the John Paul Jones Arena on Monday, December 8.  Tickets are currently on sale.  For ticket info click here.]

Popularity: unranked [?]

I love Charlottesville punk history. Came across this page today doing some idle browsing about The Landlords. It features scans of the Charlottesville zine ‘Live Squid’ from October, 1984. This is a killer nugget, shows you what was going on in our fair town in the halcyon days of hardcore. Album reviews, show reviews (SCREAM)… There is even a show review of the Replacements in DC which is not to be missed - from their tour right before Let it Be came out. Also the DB’s and REM at U-Hall. I got goosebumps reading this shit, but then I am a dork.

Baby Opaque, the Landlords, REM, Replacements, Government Issue, etc.

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Popularity: unranked [?]

Well here’s one that seems like a good time waiting to happen as the Hogwaller Ramblers join the Mayor of Candyapolis, Keith Morris, and his band the Crooked Numbers for an evening of foot stompin, hand clappin’, singin’ and shoutin’ American music at The Box on Thursday (10/16).  I’m told the music kicks off at 10:30pm, but if you want to make sure you can get a table or a seat at the bar I’d get there a little early (they don’t call it The Box for nothing you know).  As an added bonus, there is no cover for the evening’s festivities.

The Hogwaller Ramblers, as their website proudly proclaims, are “Charlottesville’s oldest continuously recombinant musical project”, which loosely translated means they’ve been at it for awhile.  Led by Jamie Dyer and featuring an ever-changing cast that includes some of Charlottesville’s finest musicians, the Ramblers have been a fixture on the local music scene since the 80’s.  In addition to tonight’s performance you can catch them holding court at Fellini’s nearly each and every Sunday night.

As for Keith Morris, what can I say that I haven’t already said?  The self-professed Mayor of Candyapolis leads his band of merry men and women through a world of lullabies and modern-day fairy tales that are intelligent, offbeat, and joyous.  His highly recommended debut album Songs from Candyapolis features of a collection of stellar guest artists from right here in Charlottesville, including a handful of Ramblers of the Hogwaller variety.

If you go to tonight’s show expect to see a fair amount of interaction between these two bands.  Shared members abound and great songs are around every corner, but sadly this time around the bunny suit is not included.  Keith Morris opens with the Ramblers to follow.  [the Mayor provides a couple of tunes from Songs from Candyapolis for your listening pleasure ]

Listen:
MP3:  Keith Morris–”Candy Apples”

Listen:
MP3:  Keith Morris–”Baby Saves World”

Popularity: unranked [?]

On his latest album, the eight-song EP Peace Queer (Aimless), Todd Snider delivers a collection of present-day protest songs with the biting, honest humor of Bill Hicks wrapped up in a vocal style reminiscent of Kris Kristofferson.  (That’s Snider on the right with the blindfold over his eyes, being held at gunpoint by a long-haired hippie type).  Personally I’ve been a fan of Todd Snider’s music since first discovering his 2000 release Happy To Be Here, which was his fourth studio album and his first on John Prine’s Oh Boy Records.  I’ve been following his career ever since.

In recent years Snider has been taking songwriting aim at the current state of affairs both politically and socially (check out his song “Conservative Christian, Right Wing, Republican, Straight, White, American Males” from 2004’s East Nashville Skyline or pick up a copy of 2006’s The Devil You Know, which made many “Best of the Year” lists including those of NPR, No Depression, and Rolling Stone.)  Blender recently called Todd Snider “the sharpest and funniest protest singer working today” and Peace Queer serves to back-up that claim.

Todd Snider’s Peace Queer hit stores yesterday on CD and is being released on vinyl in November, but between now and October 31st, you can also download the album for free from the artist’s website.  [click here].   And just in case you’re wondering about Snider’s take on the political world around us, the title of the album’s opening cut, “Mission Accomplished” should give you an idea of where this one’s going.  One of the album’s highlights, the acoustic rendering of CCR’s “Fortunate Son”, features backing vocals by Patty Griffin and can be heard below.

Listen:
MP3:  Todd Snider–”Fortunate Son”

Popularity: unranked [?]

So says Candace Schoner, Executive Director and Founder of Virginia Artists In Action (VAIA).

VAIA is a new initiative dedicated to promoting artists who make a difference in the community, and their first show is scheduled for Friday, October 17th, from 5:00 - 7:30pm at 1924 Arlington Boulevard. Gallery space has been donated by Great Graphics and Discount Framing.

Schoner says that her love of art, combined with her desire to support worthwhile causes in Virginia, led to the development of the Charlottesville-based member organization. VAIA “provides increased visibility, profitability, and professionalism for artists who are both passionate about their work and charitable causes.”

This Friday’s event is open to the public and VAIA will be donating a portion of the proceeds to the Nature Conservancy in Virginia.

Featured artists at the inaugural event include locals Ellen Moore Osborne and Robin Hoffman.

To RSVP or to get more information about this week’s event or about the VAIA, Schoner may be reached at director@virginiaartistsinaction.org or at 434.295.4080.

NB: the invitation points you toward Wild Wings. My far-reaching wings knowledge suggests you should head toward BW3 instead to get to the show.

Popularity: unranked [?]

The poster should tell you everything you need to know.  A three-band bill featuring The Antlers (Brooklyn, NY), King of Spain (Tampa, FL), and The Winter Sounds (Athens, GA) tonight at the Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar.  9pm.  $5. [videos from The Winter Sounds and King of Spain, plus a MP3 from The Antlers after the break] » Read More

Popularity: unranked [?]