Cantina. I’d heard lots about this new Mexican joint on the corner, but had yet to pay a visit for myself. When I heard that Illville Crew, a rising local hip-hop outfit was descending upon the place on Saturday, I decided to check things out. So, I threw on  my Led Zeppelin hoodie, a pair of torn jeans and my trusty cowboy boots and set off Corner-bound. I wasn’t quite sure where the place was, so I parked in the Corner parking lot,  behind the university bookstore. As soon as I stepped out of my car, however, I knew where I was going. One could hear the grooves echoing all through the block. The place was located next to Coupe Deville’s, on  Elliewood Ave.

I quickly found there to be a very generous crowd gathered in the small patio area, and Illville were already at it. Frontmen Quentin (Q*black) Walker & Marquis Monroe were throwing down their solid rhymes in the flawless way that only they can, with Bobby McLaren aka DJ Ducktape laying down the back tracks. The boys kept ‘em coming, announcing that it was Q*black’s birthday and bringing up the full-band; Jay Chowdhry on guitar and keys, Gabe Engel on bass & Chris Doermanm on drums. The beer was cheap and available right there on the patio. The crowd continued to grow. Looking around, I saw a sea of sun dresses and polo shirts and was instantly reminded that I was on the corner; not a hipster in sight (don’t hipsters like hip-hop too?).  I briefly second-guessed my attire. Inside, Cantina sported awkward color schemes with various pin-up girl paintings on the wall and a very “homey, mysterious vibe” as frontman Q*black later explained to me:

“…I had never went went, but when I did, it’s close, personal, like someone’s house. The coolest part is that people hear us before they can even see the place. It is always a good time; probably our favorite place to play in town because its not too big!”

Overall it was an amazing show and I was quite impressed with what Cantina had going on (and you HAVE to check out “el baño”). I highly recommend checking out both Cantina & Illville Crew (I heard rumor that they would be back on the 26th?). I also got a brief chance to ask Quentin what was in store for the group.

“We’ve got a lot of stuff that is diverse and  a little bit everywhere; now its time to work on putting a casing on what we have and focusing on making the best music we can that will keep the party going.”

The weather is getting warmer, and this weekend is hotter. This should keep you busy this weekend:

• Fridays After Five: The Charlottesville Funk All Stars open for the Lee Boys performance at 5:30PM . From their website “The Lee Boys are one of America’s finest African-American sacred steel ensembles. This family group consists of three brothers, Alvin Lee (guitar), Derrick Lee and Keith Lee (vocals) along with their three nephews, Roosevelt Collier (pedal steel guitar), Alvin Cordy Jr. (7-string bass) and Earl Walker (drums). Each member began making music at the ages of 7 and 8 in the House of God church they attended in Perrine, FL. Here they underwent a rigorous course of training in a variety of musical instruments, including lap and pedal steel guitars. Born and raised in Miami, each of The Lee Boys grew up in the church where their father and grandfather, Rev. Robert E. Lee, was the pastor and a steel player himself.” They are also playing at the Outback Lodge at 10PM for $10.
• Sex And The City Party: For all of you wannabe New-yorkers still living in cville, you can almost live vicariously through the show’s best music at 216 on Friday night.
• Sex And The City Movie Premiere: This movie is only playing in one theater in all of Cville, Carmike 6 on Garden Blvd. You can watch this all weekend at 1:00, 1:30, 4:00, 7:00, 7:30, 10:00, 10:30. The Girl’s Night Out is organizing a move night for all you women out there.
• Bent Theatre Comedy Group: Performing in Lovingston, VA, at Rapunzel’s Coffee and Books from 8pm-10pm on Friday night.
• String of Pearls: Live Art’s new performance opens tonight at 8PM. Buy tickets here for $12 -$14. Catch the next show on Saturday night at 8PM as well
• Farmer’s Market: Saturday from 7AM-12PM you can catch the freshest produce, meat and poultry this side of the Mason Dixon.
• Crabtree Falls Hike: a moderate hike with 7 people attending so far
• Handgun Shooting: Saturday 2PM at Rivanna Rifle and Pistol Club. This will come in handy when you run for President and claim that you were born with an NRA license in your mouth.

What other happenings are going on this weekend?

 A bit late to the party on this one, and I think I know who to blame: They Might Be Giants, whose rockin’ tunes inspired me to pour an immeasureable volume of beer into my face last night. Their show at the Satellite Ballroom was, hands down, one of the funnest shows I’ve ever seen in Charlottesville.

Halfway through the show, a little birdie leaned over to me and said, “I’ve never seen so many nerds in one place.” So true! Here’s to nerd rock, and the purveyors and consumers thereof.

 I espied at least one other cVillain there. Who else went? What did you think?

[Credit: Caroo]

View the lineup.

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Two of you wrote and mentioned that Feist announced its US tour.

One stop? The Charlottesville Pavilion on April 26.

Thanks Megan & Bacon!

There are six photos, all courtesy of Yupster. You can send us photos from concerts and events any time. Thor or I will resize them and post.

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Ladies and Gentlemen, step right up for your week in review.

We got villains dissing on wine bars, gunshots at the Outback and some Grecian food. Don’t forget to stop around back to sample our smelly PR move, celebrity wannabies, and your favorite musical acts. When you leave, grab the gift bag– it’s full of tats, lawsuits, and monkey sex. Enjoy!

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Upcoming JPJ shows:

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Beer tasting at Beer Run, 5-7pm
And get this. It’s ROGUE. And it’s FREE.

Will Kimbrough with Amy Loftus at Gravity Lounge, 7pm
I hear things. Good things. $10 and $15.

Steve Kemper and his robotic string instrument performer at the Bridge Progressive Arts Initiative, 8pm
This is so over my head. (In a good way.)

Cleb Stine at Twisted Branch Tea Bazarre, 10pm
Because where would the US be without country rock? Or creative bathroom graffiti?

DJ eSc at Escafe, I see 11pm in listings but it often starts earlier
I’m impressed with the tribute to Heath… It’s tragic, no? Brad Renfro died last week, now this. I’ve heard an amazing remix of the Brokeback Mountain theme. Movie themes can be pre-tty powerful. Yupster and I are fans of the cafeteria, she with the pumpkin vodka, I with… well I won’t incriminate myself.

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.)