Who’s ready for some football? Even if you don’t like watching football, you can’t complain about partying with friends, eating wings, waiting for those crazy commercials and wasting your Sunday afternoon. I know everyone has different plans for Sunday, but I imagine well over 50% of you are involved in this event. Anything special happening in Charlottesville?
Here is it April. I keep catching glimpses of the sun and in hopeful anticipation of it sticking round, whip out my sunglasses. The second I get them on the clouds roll in. Sun or no sun, I have definitely got a bad case of spring fever. No matter the man, when I’m walking down the mall, I just want to jump everyone. I even steal extra looks at girls in their cute little skirts. I am in no way interested in them, but can feel the effects of cabin fever reversing. I am ready to go out and play, playmate optional, but preferred.
I know all this built up anxiety and eagerness stem from the need for outdoor physical activity. I am sure you are all right there with me. So in an effort to avoid needing one of those lovely over-the-counter paternity tests, I am offering a list of some outdoor fun to enjoy in the spring in Charlottesville.
Get Outdoors–Meet Some New People with Outdoor Adventure Social Club
More simply you could just have Dinner or a Drink Outside at: Blue Light, Miller’s, Sticks, Orzo, McGrady’s, Christian’s, Bizzou, Etc. This is always a guaranteed way to enjoy nice weather, but may not provide much needed spring fever release.
Well, I know that we are all going to pray for the continuation of this weather, but here are the events which I think are pretty sweet and unique.
Wine tastings @ Market Street, Crush and Beer Run.
Starting at 8PM on Friday, dance party at OURSPACE (414 e. main st. beneath the twisted branch tea bazaar) with oodles of DJs…. DJ’s John Midyette, Bristol, Boyd 80, Loki, and DJ Red Lab. Visuals by Colourboy.
If things get rainy, you can see the 7th Annual Ballroom Dance Spring Showcase at 8PM Tonight. Tickets are $7. Hopefully they can think of a shorter name in the future.
Oh ya, see OK GO at the UVA’s Spring Fest on Saturday. Remember it’s FREE! [more info]
I briefly dated a guy who was smart, sensitive, and sweet. The problem was he stretched the truth sometimes. Ok, a lot of times. It got to the point where I had to stop and analyze everything he said to me to try to figure out whether it was the truth or whether it was another one of his fantasies.
One fine day, he was all about heading up to Bellair market on Ivy Rd, grabbing two of their yummy samiches and heading off to what he called his “secret spot” for some summertime alonetime. I know, sounds romantic, right? Little did I know.
Tonight at the cafeteria will be a bit different and a bit special. It will be ABSOLUTely enhanced with new green flavor. Usually, in instances like this, there are lots of freebies, shirts, specials etc., Last time, Escafe broke the New Year’s Eve bar sales record, and the elevation of the dance was out of control.
Sunday in Charlottesville seems to be monopolized with hangover recovery, kickball, and sports watching. There doesn’t seem to be much else? Wrong. Sunday night is your opportunity to get hot and sweaty with some salsa dancing.
Sunday night (8:00 p.m.) at Outback lounge for just $5.00 ($10.00 if there is a live band) you can dance your heart out. A local company called Zabor Dance offers these classes along with Charlottesville Salsa Club. These are beginner classes, so everyone from inexperienced to expert can enjoy themselves. After the class they have an open dance. About ten minutes before the class lets out the “experts” (Latin dancing locals) show up. Once the class wraps up the hot and sweaty part begins. Luckily the bar is open and drinks are up for purchase to help with the heat.
The teachers from Zabor are great. The guy who teaches is witty, entertaining, and encouraging. There is actually a pretty even man to woman ratio, which is surprising, but nice. The overall experience is fun. You should be careful if you decide to attend multiple classes and are good at salsa, as each classes is generally the same routine. If you happen to be a salsa expert you can always wait and show up for the open dance, which is never the same, and always a kick.
Ah, springtime. The days are longer, the sun is brighter, and the blooming trees not only bring color to the world again, but fill the air will the bitter smell of semen. It’s also the time of year when girls begin to roll the elastic on their shorts down, their sleeves up, and pound the pavement in attempt to shed their winter weight.
In the office, I was mistakenly given a cubicle with a window with a view of one of the most run streets in town. It’s hard (giggity) to sit here and watch the flesh flash by my window all day. But this thread, hopefully, won’t be about flashing flesh. Got that W8? It’s about running. I see more people running in this town than anywhere I’ve ever visited. It seems that there are either some very eco-conscious people in big hurries, or there are a lot of people who are concerned about their health, and appreciate the benefits of outdoors cardiovascular exercise. I applaud all of you. I, too, like to get out and run. I do 10-20 miles a week, running various places around town.
The Rivanna Trail System is awesome. I’d like to do the entire 20 mile loop one day, but that might be ambitious. There are also several good races. The 10 miler is coming up. I’ve signed up for that. I’m also doing the Ukrop’s 10K in Richmond the following weekend. That’s a great race, too, through the prettiest part of that town. I’ve heard that the C’ville marathon is a killer. I’m curious to find out how many of the internet lovers on this site get out and enjoy a good jog. Where are the best places to run. I like to go through and around campus for the scenery. What/when are the good races? I know there are hashers out there. I’ve seen the flour marks.
Crash a friend’s apartment complex hot tub and drink champagne from a Solo cup. Don’t feel like subjecting your “winterweight” to a bathing suit? Or sitting in a hot tub solo? I’m with you. Buy a heating and massage pad for about $30 from one of those non-local mega-stores you hate and blow bubbles in your champagne with a straw.
Eat at Mas. The hottest restaurant in Charlottesville (without trying) is not breakings its no-reservations policy for the holiday, so manchego cheese and sundried tomato aoli can be yours, all to yourself. Arrive early, ladies and gentlemen, or you will wait, and it will still be worth it.
The Shoghaken Armenian Folk Ensemble is performing at the University of Virginia’s Old Cabell Hall at 8pm, $10 for public, $5 for students. Apparently, this group is the preeminent authentic traditional Armenian folk ensemble. I bet it’s going to be really cool. You try to play a duduk.
File your taxes. If you’re already in a bad mood, why not?
(But I really recommend having a cheesy fun Valentine’s Day to celebrate yourself.)
DJ Payne at OXO. You know those people who are just so cool that you get really excited when you run into them? DJ Payne. He’s been working the velvet rope, now he’s working the playlist. Go shake yer tailfeathers.