Ohhhhhh Thank God, it’s the weekend! This week has been craziness. Unfortunately, there won’t be much time to slow down, because things are finally coming back to life in this town. There are no less than 3 great shows this weekend, and at least one awesome thing to do each day. The weather looks a little iffy, and I checked at least 3 different sites to try and find a forecast that didn’t potentially suck. As it turns out, all of the other sites use words that are more complicated than ‘Isolated T-Storms’ and ‘Sunny’, so weather.com saves the day yet again. On the upside, I checked out the hourly forecast and it looks like it’ll mostly be stiflingly humid all day, and the rain should only last an hour or two. I know we need the rain, but I’m willing to stick out one more blistering weekend just for the sake of being outside. I’ve spent the last two weekends baking in the sun while participating in flipcup tournaments, so I don’t see any reason to break that pattern now. I’m predicting much barbecuing and cup flipping.
So… check out the weather and shows below, and let us know what awesome things you’re getting into this weekend!

Friday – 7/9 – Isolated T-Storms – 94/73

Saturday – 7/10 – Scattered T-Storms – 80/66

Sunday – 7/11 – Sunny – 91/67

Friday

Trees on Fire – Fridays After Five – 5:30PM – Free!

-These guys are awesome, and this show is bound to be a lot of fun. Definitely worth checking out.

The Groove Train – The Jefferson – 8PM – $8/advance – $10/at the door

-Check out the link for this show. This looks amazing. I need bell-bottoms, a silk shirt, and an afro wig, STAT!

Ted Pitney Band – The Southern – 8PM – $8

Saturday

Southern Culture On The Skids – The Jefferson – 8PM – $15/advance – $17/at the door

-Yet another show that the promo picture alone is enough to sell me.

The New Best Recipe – The Southern – 9PM – $5

Sunday

Final Match of the World Cup – Netherlands vs Spain – ABC/The Paramount/Any bar with a TV – 2:30PM – Free!

-Ok, so it looks like there may be some ‘Supporters of the Paramount’ membership thing needed to get into that venue for free, but if you’re in that club, congrats. We don’t really have a horse in this race anymore, but I guess I could get behind the Netherlands. Those people in Amsterdam really seem to have their shit together.

Man.. things around town are getting kinda slow.  There aren’t too many events other than the standard weekly gigs at bars. It’s 4th of July weekend, so there will at least be plenty of drinking and exploding of things. But yeah… that’s about it. On the upside, the weather is going to be pretty awesome and there are a lot of private parties for the 4th. On the downside, we’re getting into the part of the summer where bars start closing for a week or more. Ventana is closed next week, and I’m sure there will be more to come.  But, getting back to the upside of things… it’s the weekend!!

Look below for the two things happening this weekend and some half-assed guesses at the weather!

Friday – 7/2 – Sunny – 81/55

Saturday – 7/3 – Sunny – 88/62

Sunday – 7/4 – Sunny – 95/69

Friday

Down Til Now – Charlottesville Pavilion – 5:30PM – Free!

Saturday

Last night before shutting down for a week – Ventana – 4PM-~3AM – $Allofyourmoneys

-This is going to be a drunkfest. Michael gets super generous on weekends like this, and everybody ends up super drunk. Get a seat. Stay late. Stumble home. Welcome to my usual weekend’s 3-step plan.

Sunday

McIntire Park Fireworks

-The city usually puts on a pretty awesome fireworks show. This year I’m going to be in a place that isn’t surrounded by 100-foot tall trees. Also, being minus one dog, I won’t have to spend the entire night consoling an animal in an extreme state of panic. I love having a dog, but the 4th of July is one of those weekends that can make it a chore. This year, it’s just me and the liquor bottle getting jiggy with it. Monday is going to be life-endingly terrible.

This weekend is going to be bananas. A good friend of mine is getting hitched, and I made sure that there would be shuttle service to and from the festivities. It’s a designated driver weekend. It’s going to be crazy hot, so things are bound to get real good and drunk/interesting at the wedding. I had to promise not to ice the groom during the walk down the aisle, so I can’t guarantee that the ceremony won’t be boring. The best part is that everyone in the wedding party is bound to go out later, so late night at the Box is going to look like a Billy Idol video. Anyway, there are a few fun looking shows out there this weekend, and the weather is going to be conducive to very little clothing. I predict that James River will look like a floating subsection of West Virginia.

Check out the weather and shows after the break!

Weather Forecast!

Friday – 6/18 – Sunny – 87/65

Saturday – 6/19 – Mostly Sunny – 92/73

Sunday – 6/20 – Sunny – 96/70

And the shows!

Friday

SGGL with Mariana Bell – Fridays after Five – 5:30PM – Free!

Anders Osborne – The Southern – 7PM – $15

-Looks like this will be a short show, because the Comedy Roundtable is coming up right afterward.

The Charlottesville Comedy Roundtable  - The Southern – 10PM – $6

-Just get a seat. That’s all I can tell you. I don’t know if this place will be shy of seats like some of the other comedy shows have been, but there is no confusing a comedy show with a concert. Standing up the whole time sucks, and is not hip in any way.

Saturday

Thao and Mirah with The Most of All – The Southern – 8PM – $12

-One of these girls looks kind of like an asian Bjork. That’s kinda hot.

Mary Chapin Carpenter – The Paramount – 8PM – $?

-If you were going to this, you would know exactly how much tickets cost because your fan club sent you an advance ticket order 6 months ago.

Sunday

BIG CATS: An Afternoon with Nat Geo Photog Steve Winter – The Paramount – 4PM – $12-$50

-Oh man.. I don’t think it’s this guy.. but one time I got stuck at a bar talking to one of these National Geographic photographer guys. Being out in the wild must really fuck up your social skills, because that dude was a really special combination of boring and asshole. I eventually dumped him off to Mz Fitz, and she had to deal with him for the next half hour. Hopefully, this guy will be a lot cooler, but if not… you were warned.

Father’s Day!

- Ok people, this is not a drill. This time, it’s the real thing. Call your dad. Thank him for that time that he talked the officer out of giving you a DUI.

Weekend Preview Time!!! Better late than never?

The weather is a little unsure for this weekend, but there’s still a lot of fun stuff going on. If nothing else, you can stay in and watch the USA tear shit up in the World Cup. Our first game is against England tomorrow, 8:30PM (South Africa Time). Tonight’s weather is supposed to be great, so I hope to see everybody out on the mall with a drink in hand. Paper bags are encouraged. I’m working on something pretty awesome towards the end of this month, so if you’ve just about given up on us by now, be sure to at least check back before the end of the month. For now, check out the weather and event listing below the break!

Weather Forecast!

Friday – 6/11 - Sunny – 87/67

Saturday – 6/12 - Isolated T-Storms – 91/73

Sunday – 6/13 - Scattered T-Storms – 92/73

And on to the events!

Friday

Kathryn Caine – Fridays After Five – 5:30PM – Free!

The Honey Dewdrops and The David Wax Museum – The Southern – 7PM – $12

Saturday

This Will Destroy You, A Cosmonaut’s Ruin, & Chiaroscuro – 8PM – $8/advance – $10/at the door

Sunday

Harry Connick, Jr – The Pavilion – 7PM – ~$33-$98

Secretly Y’all: Consumed – Random Row Books – 7PM – $5!

-Go to this. I didn’t have much time to boss you guys around when I did the event write up for this month’s SY, so I’ll take a moment to do so now. Go to Secretly Y’all. They’re so much fun, a great place to meet a lot of neat folks from around town, and very conducive to drinking. I’m predicting West Main for the pre-game.

Have an awesome weekend!!

(See below for update @ 2:37PM EST)

__________________________________________________________________________________________

To the University community:

We have learned this morning about the death of a University student, apparently late Sunday night or early this morning, in an apartment on 14th Street. Statements from University Police Chief Michael Gibson and the Charlottesville Police Department appear below.

Although we know no details of the police investigation of this death, we note with concern that the Charlottesville Police Department is treating the case as a homicide investigation. In Chief Gibson’s statement, you will find general advice on personal safety and specific instructions on how to reach the police quickly if you find yourself in danger and if you believe that someone else may be in danger.

Obviously, we take the death of any student very seriously, and we support the police investigation into the causes of this death.  Please read Chief Gibson’s and the Charlottesville Police Department’s statements carefully and completely, and cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation. If you have information that may be relevant to the investigation, follow the Charlottesville Police Department’s advice:  call Charlottesville Police Sergeant Mark Brake at 970-3970 or Crime Stoppers at 977-4000.

Leonard Sandridge           John Casteen

A Message from Mike Gibson, Chief of Police

Monday, May 3, 2010

This email is to alert the community that the Charlottesville Police Department is conducting an investigation on the suspicious death of one of our students in a private residence in the 14th Street area. While very few details are available at this time we would encourage the community to visit the UVA Homepage for updated information.

While Charlottesville remains a relatively safe environment, crimes do occur in our community. The best defense is to be prepared and to take responsibility for your own safety and for that of your friends and fellow students. A few key reminders:

Trust your instincts about a person or situation. If you feel uncomfortable, immediately report your concerns to police by calling 911.

If you are on the Grounds and need help, pick up one of the blue-light telephones. You will be immediately connected to University Police. Be aware of your surroundings. Do not let a cell phone conversation or listening to music distract you when crossing the street or in any type of situation that calls for your full attention.

Avoid isolated areas and walking alone at night. Use SafeRide (434-242-1122), walk with friends, or take a late-night weekend bus.

Keep your doors and windows locked.

Never allow strangers to follow you into a locked building and gain entry by “tailgating” you once you swipe the card reader in a residence hall. Also, never prop open card-reader doors.

If you see any of the following, immediately call the police at 911: a prowler, someone peeping into a residence, an individual watching, photographing or filming an area, or any other suspicious behavior.

Work with your neighbors and fellow community members to ensure a safe environment.

For additional safety tips from University Police, please see http://www.virginia.edu/uvapolice/prevention.html#Residence.

A Statement from the Charlottesville Police Department

Monday, May 3, 2010

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA – On the morning of May 3, 2010 at 0215 hrs, City Police were called to 14th ST N.W. for a possible alcohol overdose. Officers arrived and found a female University of Virginia Student unresponsive in the apartment. Police Officers and Rescue personnel who were called to the scene attempted to revive the victim but were unsuccessful.

Police are treating the case as a homicide investigation at this time.

Victim identification is being withheld at this time pending notification of next of kin.

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call Charlottesville Police Sergeant Mark Brake at 970-3970 or Crime Stoppers at 977-4000.

President Casteen approved distribution of this message.

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Stay tuned for more details. Our thoughts are with both families.

UPDATE:

An update from Casteen: (http://www.virginia.edu/emergency/message050310.html)

Message from President Casteen

Earlier today, we released a statement about a Charlottesville Police investigation of an apparent homicide in which the victim is a University of Virginia student. A just-released update of an earlier Charlottesville Police statement about this investigation identifies the victim as Yeardley Love, a fourth-year student from Cockeysville, Maryland, and a Varsity lacrosse player. The updated Charlottesville Police Department statement appears just below this one along with advice to students from University Police Chief Michael Gibson. The Charlottesville Police statement also discloses that George Huguely, a fourth-year student from Chevy Chase, Maryland, and a Varsity men’s lacrosse player, has been charged with First Degree Murder, and is in custody at the Charlottesville/Albemarle jail. We urge all students and faculty/staff to read both of the following statements with care.

Although we know nothing other than what appears in the Charlottesville Police Department’s more recent statement, this death moves us to deep anguish for the loss of a student of uncommon talent and promise, and we express the University’s and our own sympathy for Yeardley’s family, team-mates, and friends. That she appears now to have been murdered by another student compounds this sense of loss by suggesting that Yeardley died without comfort or consolation from those closest to her. We mourn her death and feel anger on reading that the investigators believe that another student caused it. Like students who have contacted us in the last few minutes, we know no explanation of what appears now to have happened.

Police investigators and the courts will eventually determine what happened and make judgments on the basis of evidence submitted by the police and the Commonwealth’s Attorney. Meantime, along with all in the University and family members and friends elsewhere, we grieve and ache for this loss. It is easy to imagine that professional counseling services may prove useful to any number of students as we try to assimilate this information. If you wish to meet with a counselor or one of the deans, call the office of the dean of students at 924-7133, and if you believe that a friend or acquaintance needs support and is not asking for it, call the same number, and explain what you have seen. Don’t hesitate to call. Don’t feel embarrassment about calling. Don’t keep quiet about a grieving friend who seems to need assistance but to be unable to request it.

And let us all acknowledge that, however little we may know now about Yeardley Love’s death, we do know that she did not have or deserve to die–that she deserved the bright future she earned growing up, studying here, and developing her talents as a lacrosse player. She deserves to be remembered for her human goodness, her capacity for future greatness, and for the terrible way in which her young life has ended.

John Casteen

A Statement from the Charlottesville Police Department

Monday, May 3, 2010 (1:33 p.m.)

University Student Found Deceased (Update)

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA – Regarding the death of a University of Virginia student occurring at a 14th ST N.W. apartment, the victim has since been identified as 22 year old, Yeardley Love. Ms. Love was a fourth year University of Virginia Student from Cockeysville, Maryland who played on the Women’s Lacrosse Team.

Preliminary investigation by detectives revealed that Ms. Love is the victim of an apparent homicide. She suffered visible physical trauma, however the specific cause of death is undetermined pending an autopsy.

George Huguely, a senior at the University of Virginia from Chevy Chase MD who plays for the UVA Men’s lacrosse team, has been charged with First Degree Murder and is in custody at the Charlottesville/Albemarle jail.

According to witnesses, Huguely and Love had a past relationship.

Charlottesville Police are continuing to investigate the case and will provide more details as they become available.

Anyone with additional information about this incident is asked to call Charlottesville Police Sergeant Mark Brake at 970-3970 or Crime Stoppers at 977-4000.

Ok, let’s kick this thing off with a quick weather forecast:

Thursday – Sunny – 75/46

Friday – Sunny – 84/63

Saturday – Partly Cloudy – 90/70

Sunday – Isolated T-Storms – 86/66

That’s right. Three perfect days of sun, and you get to fall asleep to the sound of distant thunder on Sunday. Mother nature got laid.

But, for serious…

This weekend is gonna be huge! There are a ton of events to pick from. Check out the guide below!

Thursday – 4/29

Edwin McCain – The Jefferson – 7PM – $15/advance – $20/day of show

-I haven’t seen an Edwin McCain show in ages. They used to be pretty good? If rated on a scale of hippie/jamband events… this one probably pales in comparison to the show at the Southern.

The Emmitt-Nershi Band – The Southern – 8PM – $10/advance – $12/day of show

-I’ve never seen/heard of these people, but their credentials lead me to believe that this may be jamband nirvana. One part String Cheese Incident, another part Leftover Salmon. If you forget your patchouli, I’m sure they’ll have some available at the door.

Friday – 4/30

Devon Sproule – The Southern – 8PM – $10/advance – $12/day of show

- I. Love. Devon. Sproule. I can’t recommend this show enough. It’s a little bit sappy/sweet/folksy, but you’ll be in love with her before the set is through. This is my favorite show this weekend.

Conjunto Sason – Fridays after Five – 5:30PM – Free!

Parachute – The Jefferson – 7:30PM – $13/advance – $15/day of show

The Taj Majal Trio – The Paramount – 8PM – $35-$52

The Hackensaw Boys – The Mockingbird, Staunton, Va – 8:30PM – $12/advance – $14/day of show

-The Hackensaw Boys!!!! If you find yourself in Staunton on Friday…. GO TO THIS SHOW! These people are so awesome. Make sure to meet Ferd. He’s absolutely hilarious.

Saturday – 5/1

The 30th Annual James River Runners Chili Cook Off - Hatton Ferry, Scottsville, VA – 11AM-?? – $15

-God save the town of Scottsville. I’m going to be bringing my alcoholism and appetite to this thing in full force. Beautiful weather, good food, cheap beer, and music? Why aren’t you going to this?

Robert Randolph & The Family Band – UVA Amphitheatre – 5:15PM – Free?

-I wasn’t able to find any real venue or ticketing information on this one. This seems like a pretty significant show to be so short on details. If you can find it, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. Everyone should see Robert Randolph play live at least once.

Update: I’m a jackass. The UVA Amphitheatre is the open air venue on grounds. This place, which would actually be a pretty amazing way to spend your late Saturday afternoon.

The Second Annual Revel Fundraiser – The Bridge – 8PM-12AM – $50/full admission – $10/after-party

-This sounds very cool. There are art auctions and cocktails served all night long. I can’t say for sure… but this sounds suspiciously like an open bar event. $10 for an open bar? Sign me up.

The Downbeat Project – The Southern – 8PM – $8

The Infamous StringDusters – The Jefferson – 8PM – $12/advance – $15/day of show

Christian Breeden and The Dirty Horse – Maya – 10:30PM – Free!

Montpelier Wine Festival 2010 – James Madison’s Montpelier – 11AM-6PM – $15/advance – $25/at the gate

-Here’s something for the winos in the crowd. This is a two day event, so no need to decide between this and the chili cookoff. The wine will still be there tomorrow.

Sunday – 5/2

The Sweetback Sisters – The Southern – 7PM – $10/advance – $12/day of show

Hogwaller Ramblers – Fellini’s #9 – 10PM-1AM – Free!

-I know that this is pretty much a standing gig, but it’s still fun. If you find yourself on a barcrawl at midnight on Sunday… Fellini’s #9 will be hopping. Seriously.. it’s this or Rapture. Haven’t you learned better than to go to Rapture by now?

Lotus – The Jefferson – 8PM – $18/advance – $20/day of show

Brian Regan – The Paramount – 7PM – $40

Montpelier Wine Festival 2010 – James Madison’s Montpelier – 11AM-5PM – $15/advance – $25/at the gate

Thursday through Sunday, check it out!

Thursday- 4/22

Ben Harper & The Relentless 7 – The Charlottesville Pavilion – 7PM  - ~$40

-Call me a hippie all you want. I’m probably going to this. I’ve seen some pretty awesome Ben Harper shows in the past, and this thing is going to be packed to the gills with hot girls.

Friday- 4/23

Six Day Bender – Fridays After Five/The Pavilion – 5PM – Free!

-Six Day Bender always puts on a fun show. I’ve learned better than to go to Fridays after Five, because that’s just too early for me to start drinking on a Friday night. If I start at 5, I’ll be blacked out by 11 and out drinking until 4AM.

Sons of Bill – Jefferson Theater – 8PM – $12/advance – $15/day of show

-Another fun show. If you haven’t been to the Jefferson yet, this is a pretty great excuse.

Sarah White and the Pearls with Red Rattles and Pompadour – The Southern – 8PM – $8

Saturday- 4/24

Foxfield!

Be it the summation of all that is fun or all that is evil, Foxfield is always sure to draw a huge crowd of drunken, sunburnt, revelers. I know that at least half of ya’ll are going, so please feel free to talk trash about how the other half lives in the comments below. If you’ve never been, I’d recommend checking it out at least once. I know that some of ya’ll may harbor a little anti-UVA sentiment; but there’s just something wrong with you if you can’t have a great time in the sun with all of your friends.

If you don’t have tickets yet, the Charlottesville Young Professionals group has some pretty sweet deals. Click their name to find out more.

Trees On Fire – Jefferson Theater – 8PM – $15

The X-Porn Stars with the John Lee Experience – The Southern – 8PM – $8

-Very fun show. Recommended.

Sunday- 4/25

Bassnectar with DJ Vadim & DJ XSV – Jefferson Theater – 8PM – $20

-I haven’t heard of any of these people, but B Yo gives it very high praise. This is enough to pretty much sell me on it.

It is official. I will have a vacation this year. No, it will not be a staycation, that damnable indicator of the decline of the American middle class, but rather a real live vacation out West.

Me and two of my oldest buddies will be flying out to Reno, spending a night there, driving to Lake Tahoe for some camping and fishing, then on to June Lake in California for more fishing, then Yosemite for a couple days of camping and trout fishing, and then on to San Francisco where we will be put up by another friend from ye olden days. Two days in San Fran to include some sight-seeing and a charter fishing trip on the bay and then back home on a flight to Dulles.

San Francisco is one of the three or four cities in America that I think are trip-worthy. New York, Portland, and possibly Seattle are the other cities on that list. San Francisco has the Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown, the Presidio, and Alcatraz. Most American cities are just so cookie-cutter and unremarkable.

I’ve been to Vegas and… meh. That town becomes totally tiresome after two days. How’s that for an alliterative dis? New Orleans would certainly be on my “must visit” list, except I’ve already been about six times.

If you’re an outdoors type, this trip should sound awesome to you. I want to giggle uncontrollably every time I think about it. The beauty of Lake Tahoe, June Lake, and the allmighty Yosemite should make for some great memories.

Another cool piece of this trip is that we know someone somewhere along the route who has a medical marijuana grow license in California. The location of this greenhouse is intentionally left out. I know what he’s doing is legal in California (his license is issued by the state) but I don’t know all the legal complexities involved, so best to not get specific.

In any event, I don’t even care if I smoke anything. I just want to see a greenhouse full of marijuana in full view and out in the open operating legally. I think my east coast sensibilities would find this absolutely surreal, but in a very good way. If this turns out to be true (I am told of this grow house Valhalla second-hand), I will take many pics to be sure.

http://twitter.com/txtnly

Here’s a place for all of your cVillain vitriol. With the new owner forgetting basics like ‘how Gateway IP’s work’ and other basic blog etiquette, I’m just over it.

However, I’m going to pull a Thor here. I don’t really want the general distaste for the new owner to become a focus point for txtnly. I’m not asking you to stop your bitching, because I still get a laugh out of it. I just don’t want it overrunning the rest of the blog.