The UVa Community Credit Union and numerous local car dealers have joined forces with the John Paul Jones Arena to host the areas largest auto sales event ever.  [Info]

Last week was the inaugural meeting of the Charlottesville, Virginia Coffee Party Movement.  Aided by the enchanting atmosphere of Rapture, the six participants sat down and discussed how the party movement might move forward and gain some momentum.  We are reliving that experience again, this Saturday, at Greenberry’s in the Barrack’s Road Shopping Center. 

All residents are invited to attend. 

Get more Coffee Party information below:  »Read More

Friday:

The Southern - Sets the chairs out for Landon Pigg with Ted Pitney.  The nomadic Landon has roots in Nashville, but spends time with his acoustic guitar traveling the nation.  Pitney, on the other hand, has spent at least a few years working directly in Charlottesville’s musical vein, with previous partner Sarah White, and a new band forming this summer.  @8:00PM – $10.00 [Info]
Rapture – Brings this Stevie Jay character back AGAIN for the umpteenth time in 2010.  Come see what all the fuss is about with exploration of Live, Love, Sex, Death… And Other Works In Progress.  @7:30 – $10(as you leave).  [Info]

Saturday:

The Paramount - Celebrates the dedication of our armed services, with the Kevin Bacon film: Taking Chance, with a reception afterwards.  @4:00PM – $Free [Info]
Downtown Mall – Charlottesville Young Professionals plan to paint the town green with a bar crawl/scavenger hunt of epic proportions.  Kicking off @ West Main, the crawl will take you through Escafe, Ventana, Rapture, and finally The X-Lounge.  Come adorned in green, and purchase a wristband through a CYP representative to be granted access to the drink specials.  P.S. Bring cash to expedite the bar hopping schedule.  @6:30 – $5.00 (wristband)  [Info] »Read More

Tomorrow, the first meeting of the Coffee Party chapter of Central Virginia will be gathering downtown at Rapture, Wednesday, 2 March 2010 at 7:30pm.  The guest speaker will be Eric Byler who heads up the greater Virginia Coffee Party movement.

 If you’re unaware, the Coffee Party is a nationwide group that seeks a higher level of dialog that acknowledges that the government is not the enemy, but that we, the people, are the government.  Their mission statement is. . .

MISSION: The Coffee Party Movement gives voice to Americans who want to see cooperation in government. We recognize that the federal government is not the enemy of the people, but the expression of our collective will, and that we must participate in the democratic process in order to address the challenges that we face as Americans. As voters and grassroots volunteers, we will support leaders who work toward positive solutions, and hold accountable those who obstruct them.

Both the NYTimes (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/02/us/politics/02coffee.html) and the Washington Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/25/AR2010022505517.html) have covered the on-going phenomenon.  Going from 9,000 Facebook fans on Friday to around 52,000 today, it’s quickly picking up momentum.

 Anyone may attend and everyone is encouraged to do so.  [Info]

Our friends over at Speak! shot us an invite for one of their cultural events, which typically pair regional foods with their counterpart drinks.  This should be a great way to stay warm for the last few weeks of winter.

Friday, February 26
5:30-7:30pm
$25 per person
Pre-registration required (Limit 30) Register/Pre-pay on-line to save your spot!

Za zdorov’je! To your health! : A Cultural Workshop on Russian Food and Drink

The stereotypical Russian is most often associated with vodka. Is this accurate? What is the history of drinking in Russia? What is the current attitude in Russia towards alcohol, and towards vodka in particular? Dr. Rachel Stauffer, an expert on Russian language and culture, will explain why, when, and how Russians drink. Attendees will have the opportunity to taste the foods that are most often paired for drinking throughout Russia and Eastern Europe in conjunction with a tasting of premium vodkas from Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Sweden, and Canada.

Friday:

The Paramount - Holds a showing of ‘Art And Copy”, a look behind the scenes at who and how our advertising landscape was shaped.  @8:00PM – $15.00 [Info]
The Southern - Says Farewell to Birdlips with Sarah White and the Pearls and the Cinnamon Band The Standard Dance Revue Spinning Records.  60’s & 70’s psychedelia combine for their last night in Charlottesville before a West Cost tour.  @9:00PM – $8.00 [Info]
The Jefferson – Brings one of reggae’s best new bands to the stage with SOLDIERS OF JAH ARMY.  We are big fans around here, and this is definitely an amazing group to check out.  @8:00PM – $20.00 [Info]
Club 216 - Shows off with the Love, Lust, & Legs party, thrown by none other than Brianna Leigh And Her Girls lustful Legs.  @10:00PM – $10(guests)/$25(membership) [Info]
The X-Lounge – Throws down with all the hits from the 90’s, with resident DJ’s Padati and Rhettoric.  @10:00 – $Free [Info] »Read More

Our friends over at Derriere de Soie are throwing a little soirée tomorrow evening (Friday the 12th) to help out us fellas in making Valentine’s Day all that it should be for our special ladies.  The event kicks off promptly at 8:00PM, and will include hors d’oeuvres & cocktails (bourbon and lingerie shopping, a match made in heaven), with a wrap at 11:00.  Please RSVP by calling (434) 977-7455, or e-mailing info@silkybottom.com.

Their experienced staff will be on hand to assist you in picking out the perfect gift.  Come out, enjoy a drink, relax, have fun, and knock her socks off with that special present.

The owner, Susan, has also been kind enough to donate a $50 gift card to one lucky commenter below, so say hi and show up tomorrow to claim it.  [Photo Credits]

Friday:

The Southern – And 106.1 team up for the first of a ‘The Corner Presents’ series, with Charlie Mars & Peyton Tochterman.  Charlie invites everyone to “… come over and get high, we can listen to ‘Dark Side of the Moon,’ “, along with other “cozy, sensual soul-rock arrangements that go places”.  @6:30 – $Free [Info].  Then Jesse Harper takes the stage, and brings with him a definite sense of humor, and an affinity for salad.  @9:30PM – $6.00 [Info]
The Bridge - Combines the improvisational skills of Charlottesville’s best comedians for one night only, all hosted and headlined by The Bent Theatre troupe.  @8:00PM – $7.00 [Info]
Live Arts - Continues the show with Intimate Apparel, a play following an African American seamstress who designs unmentionables for the rich and affluent to the debaucherous.  @8:00PM – $10-19.50 (running through Feb. 6th) [Info]
The X-Lounge – Hosts the annual CYP membership party.  Come decked out in black & white, and enjoy one free drink ticket with sign up, entry into the raffle, along with a custom lanyard, all thanks to Charlottesville Young Professionals.  @6:00PM – $35 (to join) [Info] »Read More

Traditional Music: A Lecture & Performance Series What is traditional music? What relevance does it have for us today in the 21st century? This noncredit lecture and performance series explores these questions and more through the lens of folklore, ethnomusicology, and performance. Students gain access to the contemporary world of traditional music by attending private performances, multimedia presentations, and engaging in conversations with musicians, folklorists, and ethnomusicologists throughout the state of Virginia. It all happens in one ideal location where music performance, technology, education, and food and drink converge in a congenial spirit of community and lifelong learning. The traditions under study include old-time, bluegrass, samba, jazz, blues, gospel, Sephardic, and Mande/Voltaic. By the end of the course, the students will have gained an insider’s knowledge and a greater appreciation for traditional music and some of its greatest artists and experts in the Commonwealth today. The series will be facilitated by ethnomusicologist Heather Maxwell, Ph.D. It will run for eight Tuesday evenings from 7-8:30pm beginning February 9. The tuition is $150. Dinner will be available at an additional cost beginning at 5:30pm. Advance registration is required through the UVa School of Continuing & Professional Studies. Call (434) 982-2779 or email scps-uc@virginia.edu for registration forms.

Thanks to the involved reader who submitted this to our Gossip address.  [Photo Credits]

Friday:

The Southern – Proves once again to be the hardest working venue in Charlottesville, with two performances this evening.  Andy Friedman – “Alone on Guitar” takes the stage for the early show, the “The King of Art Country” delivers “dark, singular sense of humor…world weary delivery, and talent for synthesizing heartache”.  @6:30PM – $6.00 [Info].  The Brian Patrick Band with The Rogan Brothers and Carl and Carleigh come in for the second round, guaranteed to satisfy.  @9:00PM – $6.00 [Info]
The Jefferson – Gives you THE Cheap Trick tonight, the world renowned group responsible for “I Want You To Want Me”, “Surrender”, and “The Flame”, they bring 36 years in the business, along with 20 million records sold, 40 gold & platinum awards, and 5K shows under their belt.  How many groups have released an album recently which spans CD, vinyl, & 8-Track?  This one.  @7:00PM – $37.00 [Info]
Live Arts - Continues the show with Intimate Apparel, a play following an African American seamstress who designs unmentionables for the rich and affluent to the debaucherous.  @8:00PM – $10-19.50 (running through Feb. 6th) [Info]

Saturday:

Fry Springs Beach Club – Hosts a benefit party from Hoos For Haiti & Cvillianrelief.org, with a silent auction featuring Camino, Derriere de Soie, Mas, Ventana, The X-Lounge, and MANY MORE.  Musical performances by ACME Swing MFG Co., 180, Buzzard Hollow Boys, Gladstones, Jeebus, & more!  A food and drink cash bar will be available, with beer donated by Beer Run.  Get there early for drinks, eats, dancing, prizes, and more importantly, aid to those in need.  @6:30 – $20 [Info]
Random Row – Bands local artists and musicians together in Love 4 Haiti, with bellydancing, world surf rock, roots reggae, acoustic, storytelling, psychadelic/garage/shoegaze, indie/pop/progressive, artistic FIRE dancing, improv/space funk, west African traditional music, and experimental jazz, WHEW!  A silent auctio of art works, gift certificats, and dance lessons will begin @ 5:00PM – $5.00 [Info]
The Paramount - Presses rewind to give you a rescheduled showing of Les Contes d’Hoffman, a psychological journey through the life of German Romantic writer E.T.A. Hoffmann.  The partial nudity appears to be edited out of our showing though…  @ 1:00PM – $17-23  [Info]
The Southern - Wipes off the dust from Friday, and kicks it with The Sometime Favorites with Farm Vegas and Kayce McGehee.  The Favorites bring a talent for combining diverse songwriting influences with a knack for the infectious hook that just won’t leave your head.  @8:00PM – $8 [Info]
Club 216 – Comes back from last weeks Heaven & Hell party with a tribute to all that was great in the 70’s, STUDIO 54.  Bring your best polyester and perm to enjoy go-go dancers, lights, music, and even the Man In The Moon.  @10:00PM – $5(members)/$15(non-member) [Info]

Sunday:

The Southern - Finishes the weekend off strong with Uncle Henry’s Favorites with The Orpheus Supertones, an old-time string band hails from Albemarle County, Virginia, home of rolling hills, Jefferson cups, farms, Wahoos and Cavaliers, mountain streams, and a surprisingly active and dedicated community of old-time country fiddlers, banjoists, mandolinists, Carter-family-style singing groups, guitar pickers, Cajun accordionists, square dancers, cloggers, bass fiddlers, and countless other homegrown-music enthusiasts…  Say that one time fast…  @1:00PM – $12 [Info]

As always…  Any corrections/substitutions/refunds?  [Photo Credits]