The Bridge Progressive Arts Initiative. I’ve brought up the Bridge before, and if you haven’t checked it out, January’s ripe for you. They will be having a reception tonight from 8 to 11pm to kick off its month-long celebration of sound, featuring… sound artists. Imagine layering ambient samples and found sounds to create a composite aural experience. My words, not theirs. I really can’t tell you what more to expect than to be excited and challenged. Check out their calendar and stay tuned for more from me throughout the month. (Aside: anyone remember the Virginia Film Society’s guest artist who fed his vinyl record sleeves to his turntable a few years ago? Written with a smug grin. The good kind.)
First Fridays. Check out the listings at the C-VILLE online. Prison art? Oh yes. One of us villains has a promising future in that, I’m sure.
Mando Mafia at the Gravity Lounge. The venue’s website describes the mafia’s sound as a “wall-of-mandolin.” I have a little thing for mandolin music, so this listing struck me as interesting. Maybe you will see me there this Sunday…
Assignment. Go to Crush, the Box, Siips, and Beer Run and report back next week. What do you get if you do? The feeling of satisfaction. The absence of scorn and contempt.
Also, read this. Anyone interested in setting something up like this? Nerds need only apply. (Yes I am one.)
Popularity: 5% [?]
Tagged as: Activities, Calendar, Charlottesville, Concerts, Downtown Mall, Events, Parties, Weekends
On the First Fridays front, don’t forget to drop by Mudhouse to take a look at the art of Gerry Mitchell, known (unfortunately) more widely for being the wheel-chair bound crosswalk victim of a Cville cop. While Mitchell was readmitted to the hospital earlier this week and was unlikely to attend the First Fridays opening, this is a chance for all of us to learn more about the art this remarkable man creates.
If you want to hear a sample of Mando Mafia, then tune into WTJU (91.1) tomorrow morning around 9:30. They are one of the most talented string bands in the country. One caveat about tomorrow is the person handling engineering could ruin their sound. But by all means show up on Sunday. It will be a great show, and the introduction of their newest member.
One caveat about tomorrow is the person handling engineering could ruin their sound.
Hahahahahaha
But really, not so funny when he’s ruining mandoline awesomeness.
I would offer to make sure you get on the guest list Lilith, but it would mean having to identify yourself to me…and I just don’t see that happening. But if you send an e-mail to the address that only you and Thor should have (as it is one I don’t check more then every month or two), then let me know.
There’s things going on besides NFL football? I call shenanigans.
By the way, you can listen to an older clip (before Kelly Purdue died two years ago) at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuexddxNuFs. The new guy is a young buck who grew up listening to Mando Mafia, who builds violins (and plays of course as any luthier of any instrument should) as his chosen career.
hmm, couldn’t get the clip to work. well, just go to mandomafiaDOTcom to find the link.
lillith, I happily accept your assignment to visit Beer Run. I’m dreaming of a 20 oz. Allegash right now. Ummmm . . . . beeeeeer . . . .
The folks at Beer Run have been pleasantly responsive to a couple of special requests I’ve made and Greg from Crush really went out of his way when I stopped by on NYE to sell his store/concept and make a connection. I’m looking forwarding to checking in with both stores tomorrow.
Off-topic, but unfortunately there was a car accident last night on 20 south that seemed likely to have involved a local who many of us know and love, named Oliver. It was NOT him. I’ve talked to him on the phone today, after not being able to sleep last night ’cause the police wouldn’t give out any info. Who was driving a Ford GT identical to his and perished in the accident, I don’t know, though I imagine that information will come out some time today, but I am relieved to report that it was NOT my friend Oliver.
Sorry, back to weekend preview.
hd - Ford GT as in the new “GT 40″? I didn’t even know one of those was in CVille.
Oliver K? Can’t claim to be his friend, but we have talked cars, and if I had to guess one CVille resident to own a GT, it would be him.
Oy, yes, one of those, and a black one with no stripe, same as his… maybe there’s five or ten on earth, and one wrecks practically in his backyard. Scary.
here’s his site:
http://www.fordgttv.com/
he’s turning a few of them into actual race cars.
hipster, do you have sources?
there are at least 4 GT40s in Charlottesville. I’ve seen 1. THe other three are race specs.
Sources other than Oliver? No cars are ‘race specs’ yet. design and parts fabrication is done, and cars are beginning to be assembled for this years competitions.
Do you mean sources for how many black ones with no stripe? The five or ten on earth I made up based on some assumptions, but I just looked at the data, and out of a total run of 4,038 cars in ‘05-’06, I calculate 71 black ones with no stripe. Still looooong odds that it wasn’t him.
yes, four cars are being built I believe.
Glad to hear he’s ok, sorry to hear someone is not.
Thanks for the link - the GT is on the short list of ‘reason’s I want to become stinkin’ rich’ (the rest mainly have to do with sorority girls and truffle oil (in combination))
Keep me in the loop on updates - especially if he runs them at VIR. ALMS I’m assuming? What are their FIA homologation requirements? (I’d google, but I’m swamped at work - shouldn’t even be here, actually…)
So The Box is really opening this weekend? Those guys must have put renovations into overdrive. Can’t wait to check it out.
I’m hoping to check Beer Run off my list by lunch today. Pint of Old Leghumper should lead into an afternoon nap quite nicely.
Oy - that you just made a sexually implicit comment involving truffle oil is divine. Had to be said.
Damn. And here I am, wasting truffle oil on potatoes and other such silly things…
will I be cast out of heaven, my divinity sullied, if I make a comment about loving the taste of fish and truffle oil together?
wow - you really just went there, didn’t you?
My words fly up, my thoughts remain below - “Hamlet”
Recipe:
Sushi rice
Avocado
Crab
Lime juice
Ahi tuna tartare
Truffle oil
Mint leaf
In a stack
Ohhyeah
If anyone has any questions about Oliver’s Ford GT project, you can contact me, my number is on the website fordgttv.com
We are happy to report Oliver is okay, I saw him this moring in Lynchburg, my thoughts go out to the family of the guy driving the other ford gt.
Thanks for the phone call this AM hipdoof
and on another note, Lilith, please make that roll and come right over for lunch….it’s time to cash in on your suckface.
I propose an impromptu meet up a Beer Run for dinner this evening. I was planning to treat myself to dinner there tonight, and who doesn’t like a study buddy when it comes to getting through some of Miss Lilith’s homework.
Beer Run is an awesome idea. I’d totally go, but I gotta work. I was in there last week, and I couldn’t leave. Like a kid in a candy store walking from fridge to fridge to corner to corner and back to fridge…
Yes! Storytime: I was there last weekend enjoying a sandwich. “This pepper jack cheese is excellent. Can I buy some?”
The nice lady tells me they don’t really carry it among their cheese selections, but, aw heck, she’ll just lop me off a bit and sell it to me that way.
Beer! Cheese! Nice people!
i am going out NOW. i am starting early. i have been a good little hooker, but tonight that changes.
see you kids on the flip side!!
Additional item: Jordan and Rob of The Nice Jenkins will each be doing solo acoustic stuff at Mono Loco tonight. Starts between 10p and 11p.
In case anyone is interested, I’m off to Beer Run, book in hand as I assume no one will join me (which is okay, ’cause it’s a really good book).
Happy first weekend after going back to work post-holidays.
Chad: What? You ain’t got my digits…
I’ll be at McGrady’s!
Disco as unusual at the cafe! 11-2. feel free to drop your drunk asses in and bounce em around.
a few notes:
1) I waited til I was home alone to start hiccupping. score!
2) other, better people than me will post on our experiences tonight. they are worth posting about, as long as I retain anonymity.
3) the oxo dj confirmed all my horrors of shitty cville music choices and almost lost me a mitten. damn you for playing the identical set list I heard over a month ago, including the sad 30 seconds of Jackson 5, plus UVA favorite “living on a prayer.”
4) I love cvillain.
the end.
also b-yo rocks. the end (again).
mc, yes he does
true dat!
Erh insomniacs anyone?
singles and marrieds are tied. 2o4, we’re in a stalemate!
What a horror mc, a horror indeed
I have been to siips, I have siipped at siips. My report? They have a cute girl working there and they will fail. Too much space, beer at $6.50 a bottle and you get your choice of TWO? Lights too bright, music too lame, that place is like a cavern inside, would a little art kill them? Chairs and couches straight outta a Best Western lobby? ‘Nuff said.
it is horror. but my hiccups are dead, so i’m okay with super singledom tying with super commitment. I’m at peace with it as long as my diaphragm isnt spasming in the most geeky way possible.
me=drunky mcdrinksalot
me also= thanks for the ride home. you know who you are.
has anyone noticed there are zero D I V O R C E D (*sung in a country twang) votes? Interesting…..
Caroline, or maybe just non that will stand by the fact….you do qualify in both the single, dating and divorced category if you are divorced I suppose….
were any of you in the drunken mass of people i yelled “awkward hugs all around!” to on your way to oxo around 1:30 am?
caroline - that statistic pleases me.
well, who wants to admin they are divorced.. that is kinda depressing!
i had a marriage annuled when i was 19. it was totally awesome.
so….hung……over…….
millers, mono loco, oxo and then home to hot tub with a bunch of people i didnt know. ouch.
Hip-Doof & MC Maude: Thanks for a fun evening. For those not in the know, here’s a recap.
8:00 - Drove to the McCormick Observatory on o-hill. If you haven’t been, Go. The building is beautiful, and both it and the telescope are about 125 years old. And from the looks of it the technology hasn’t changed much. Lot’s of gears and ropes and pulleys- very 19th century. Place was crawling with kids and more than a few couples on dates. Very sweet. We looked through three telescopes. The professors and grad students went to great lengths to explain why the images (mars on two scopes and a nebula on the third) were unclear: a refraction design flaw common to all telescopes and an over active atmosphere were the chief culprits. Could it be the ancient hardware??? No.
9:15 - Kiki’s. A bit of a disaster. Obnoxious, drunk patron. Lighting to bright. Suck-ass music (Dave Matthews! Are you kidding me? TV had a video of a fire (fire place fire not house or car or forest fire - although that would have been cool), later changed to surfing.
11:00 - Stumbled upon Siips. With the goal of crossing one of Lilith’s homework assignments off the list, we entered. Cavernous space, empty walls, homely color palette, particularly the ceiling (which is otherwise beautiful), nice bathrooms with incredible paper towels. Big sign in bathroom imploring employees to wash hands. Such notices are common but for once I’d like to see a sign that reads, “Everyone must wash hands” Really, is that too much to ask? Note to owner: Two bathrooms with a single toilet in each + 2 1/2 acres of restaurant/bar space = verrry long lines. Very friendly staff and the owner was very sweet. He does, however, make his employees wear logo-emblazoned polo shirts, incongruous with the fancy wine bar aesthetic. Bar was large (in a good way) but the overhang was too small/short/insufficient to permit the complete storage of one’s legs; this make’s belly-upping to the bar impossible which in turn will make for awkward bar side dining and lead to expensive dry cleaning bills. Instead of a flat screen TV on the wall behind the bar showing a video of a fire, Siips had an actual (gas) fire place that looked like a flat screen television. We made three improvements to the aesthetic which just may help Siips remain in business. (1) We tutored the bartender on proper music selection, (2) we asked them to decant our beer, and (3) we had them dim the lights. They were clueless about the importance of lighting in setting a mood. After some fiddling with the controls the bartender dialed down the overheads from a level better suited to a dermatologist’s office. The customers erupted in applause and cheers (TRUE). I don’t think it’ll stay in business long, so get there now.
11:30 - Introduced MC Maude to X lounge. Ran into the delightful Yupster. All around good vibe. Departed all too quickly for Oxo.
12:00 - Oxo. Pure hell.
12:05 - Escafe. Yupster again. Hip-Doof, MC Maude and I settled into a booth. Good times. B Yo spun delicious tunes. Thanks
2:00 - Kicked out in a graceless manner.
3:00 – Found ourselves in hot tub with someone who I now realize was happy hooker. Very odd set of events,
4:00 – Marriage
5:00 - Annulment
6:00 - Bed
If you’re looking for a louder way to end the weekend:
Cateract Camp(cville myspace.com/cateractcamp)
Titus Andronicus(Glen Rock, NJ myspace.com/titusandronicus)
Truman Sparks(cville myspace.com/trmnsprx)
at Dust on Sunday, 8ish.
Silmo, I sent thor a post on the observatory, but I like your take better! Maybe he’ll incorporate it, or mine will just disappear?
I won’t say OXO was hell, but the rest you have my complete agreement on.
Oh, and another complaint about Siips’ beer price ($6.50) and selection (2) wouldn’t hurt.
Hooker’s not up the pole, I hope?
Sorry to steal your thinder H-D. Forgot our deal.
Beer Run
Just got back from my first trip to Beer Run and boy is Lys drunk.
Everything is so new! It’s nice. They have a VERY large wall clock. I ordered a sandwich and had to wait over ten mintutes for them to make it. There were only a few other people there so I don’t know why… The side orderof potato salad is tiny. It comes in a cup more commonly used for single servings of salad dressing.
I’ll report back on food quality in a few
Damn that was a good sandwich
Beer Run was pleasant last night - got a brat, which they serve cut in half on the bun (sorta odd, as it reminded me of all those mothers in the late 80’s who read about hot dogs being the most common food kids choke on and proceeded to slice ‘em up before doling them out), but the bun was a pretzel bun so that was fun. The bartender was super nice (good balance of chatty and knowing when to let me eat) and the owner seemed very involved in a good way (I watched him turn someone on to Bell’s, always a good thing). I had two small beers and the brat and was out of there for under $12 before tip, so not bad for a quick place to grab a bite and a brew. No idea how they’ll do in the long run, but they were nice guys so I wish them well.
the siips peeople seem cluueless and naaiive about ooperating a buusiness. niice enough, though.
Damn. I want a sandwich. I think I might roll down hill to beer run and get one right now. Will report back to debate or hug Silmo.
mc, that cracks me uup
I think I’ll repost a lot of what you’re saying about Siips and Beer Run as a feature article, so keep reporting! And thanks for doing the “assignment”! You guys might see me at Siips tonight…
Hugs for silmo! Damn fine sandwich, and friendly folks too. My sandwich creation time… 6.48 minutes. Teh Winnar!
And what the fuck is siips anyway? Where is it? Is the double ‘i’ just someone not knowing how to do the key command for an umlaut?
And sorry bout the way y’all got bum rushed out of the snatch last night. It isn’t you guys in particular, its the past procrastination of previous patrons. I went to 216 to chill out and watch overweight rednecks dry hump each other. Wish I would have gone with you guys.
They did the extra “i” to speed up the name process legally. I went easy on it before, but I’ve got to say, if you’re so apathetic about getting the word “Siips” right, why not name it something else? These days, you can pick three random letters and put them in any order and name your restaurant that, and people will think it’s cool. It’s so easy! And what if I want to gulp the wine, as opposed to sipping it? Will I be allowed? I’ve received four not-so-hot reports of the experience already. Dah!
Oh yeah, go Skins. Whee.
I heard The Box isn’t open yet. I want it nnnnnnooooowww
I did go to Mono Loco last night. I like the atmosphere in the tent outside - it’s not too cold, live music, smoke friendly, well ventilated, and sparkling lights everywhere.
Happy to hear you enjoyed your sandwich Yo
how is it possible that i am still hung over. ridiculous. anyone at mono loco when i announced i was happyhooker? i hope not.
whats the haps tonight?
i am headed to mas at 11. dont know what after that. alcohol, i suppose.
I could meet you at OXO after Mas, if you’re up for that?
let’s make a bar called “swallow.” it would serve donkeypunch.
whoops! i’m fired.
HD– i could be into that.
haha!! swallow! donkey punch!!!
hh, I’ll be there after midnight. Ask the guy at the door to point you in ’steve’s direction (not my real name)
It was really nice to meet you guys, too!!! Super fun night all around.