Club life in Charlottesville is often lively. Known these days as the home of the Dave Matthews Band, Charlottesville has a lot more to offer music fans than the table scraps of its one big nationally-known, multi-platinum band. There’s literally something for every music fan here, from bad to good, from folk to rock to jazz to blues, if you know where to look.
In addition to once-in-a-great-while big name rock ‘n’ roll offerings (like Son Volt, Wilco and Jon Spencer Blues Explosion. Even a recent small venue show from Live), and steady diet of local and regionals in the hippie-jam-band vein, from the TRAX club (122 11th St. SW. http://WWW3.redlt.com/trax), there’s the smallish TOKYO ROSE (13 University Shopping Center), a sushi bar by day-club by night that is known for booking an adventurous blend of up-and-coming independent rock and established CMJ vets-- everything from Juliana Hatfield to Cibo Matto to David Thomas of Pere Ubu to Catpower to Dismemberment Plan, as well as up-and-coming groups like Bedhead and varied locals like True Love Always. The owner of the Rose, Atshushi, also hosts and performs acoustic performances upstairs on Tuesdays (Wed. and Thurs. often see free shows upstairs), and you can even catch the odd Grip writer / editor picking strings and warbling (Don’t let that frighten you) at the Rose! The club is in the Ivy Road Shopping Center. Call 804-296-3366 or dial the concert line at 804-295-ROSE. The Rose is also an original advertiser of Grip-- and therefore this site-- so if you’ve liked what you read here or in the magazine, support the Rose because they have helped make it all happen. . .
Also something: a night at MILLERS on the Downtown Mall. This jazz club features a smoky ambience, a locals hubbub and fine jazz, folk and blues from acclaimed locals like John D’Earth (Thursdays) and The Rosensky-Decker Quartet (Wednesdays). Grip ‘s Paul Wilkinson’s own Glass Babies are also a featured attraction. . . . and, yes, it’s true that Dave Matthews WAS a bartender at Millers during his salad days, but don’t tip yourself off as a tourist and dare mention it. Please. MICHAEL’S BISTRO, on the UVa corner at West Main Street (1427 University Ave.), also features free live music from local jazz, folk, funk and blues acts most Sundays-Wednesdays. Elsewhere, the OUTBACK LODGE (in Preston Plaza, 979-7211) hosts a year-around series of regional and national artists, mostly on the bluesy and classic rock end. Recent shows have included Buddy Miles, Average White Band, Vince Welnick, Buckwheat Zydeco and James Cotton.
. . . and longtime regional treasure, The PRISM COFFEEHOUSE (214 Rugby Rd.) is the home of some of the finest folk, bluegrass and international acts passing through the area. Everyone from (in the last few years alone), Ralph Stanley, Gillian Welch, John Hartford, Tony Rice, Norman Blake and numerous americana and international acts. Even some local folk-rock bands can be found, if they are willing to tone it down a bit. The small and cozy Prism club, promoted and booked by able musicologist Fred Boyce and his Piping Hot Productions, also promotes great shows at the nearby Jefferson Theatre. In the past, they’ve brought acts like Hot Rize and Altan to the Downtown mall theater. Alas, the small club at 214 Rugby Rd. is closed during the summer months.
Fridays After Five at the DOWNTOWN AMPITHEATRE is a free event every Friday evening-- live appearances from local blues, funk and country performers. Not exactly the most adventurous lineup in local music, but it’s free and a fun place to people-watch. The Ampitheatre, which is next to the Downtown Mall, also hosts other multi-band shows and tickets for those events are usually available at local vendors.
Fueling the area’s musical awareness is, not one but TWO, cool college radio-affiliated stations. Both highly recommended. Although the competing parties don’t always see eye to eye, Charlottesville is an exceptionally rich radio town because of their differing slants on what makes for eclectic contemporary and oldies programming. (Charlottesville’s commercial radio stations, like those in the rest of the Commonwealth, are not much to talk about. So we won’t.)
The first station-- WTJU-- is a rich and varied frequency that has been up and going for forty years, with a rock department that’s been around for over half that time playing the best and weirdest in obscure oldies and rockin’ cutting-edge stuff. This regional wonder, at 91.1 FM, features everything from folk to classical to blues to current rock programming (http://wtju.radio.virginia.edu). The late night rock staff is particularly strong (good stuff during drivetime too, like Rolling Stone columnist Rob Sheffield’s splendid "Description Without Place" on Wednesdays at 2 p.m). Rock deejays are currently struggling against further cuts in the Rock department, so your support during fundraising time is mighty helpful. Many great blues, jazz and country shows as well. And, yes, Classical. Keep the dial at 91.1 when in the area.
The other noteworthy station in town-- WNRN-- is a recently-launched 24-hour a day formatted modern rock, alternative folk and late night hip hop resource (WNRN@cstone.net). Make sure you tune in weeknights at 10 p.m. for the excellent "Boom Box" program, hosted by the 92 Crew-- a mighty fine, hard-hitting hip-hop and rap show that goes all night long on Saturdays starting at 10. The station also boasts specialty shows on everything from the omnipresent Grateful Dead to corporate /alternative-type fare. WNRN is found at the 91.9 dial placement.
Clubs
BAJA BEAN 804-293-4507. 1327 W. Main st. next door to Plan 9. This Mexican restaurant’s Monday open mike nights are a Charlottesville tradition. No cover.
BERLIN & CO 804-979-5211. 532 Pantops Shopping Center. Restaurant features blues, jazz and folk performers on Wednesdays and weeknights. No cover usually.
BISTRO 151 804-361-1463. Valley Green Shopping Center on Rt. 151 in Nellysford, Va. Country and blues rock on weekends. With world famous pizza, this is on the way to the Wintergreen Ski Resort. Door admission.
BLACKSTONE’S COFFEE CO 973-1332. Albemarle Square Shopping Center. Features occasional folk and classical performers. No cover.
BLUE RIDGE BREWERY (709 W. Main; 804-977-0017) Popular student hangout that occasionally features acoustic music, blues and string bands. Some events free, some door admission.
BOMB SHELTER (946 Grady Ave. in Charlottesville.) This club bring an eclectic mix of rock, folk and dance music to clubgoers. As of this writing, Monday and Tuesday nights are "local band nights." Door admission.
BLUE RIDGE BREWERY (709 W. Main; 804-977-0017) Popular student hangout that occasionally features acoustic music.
DOWNTOWN ARTSPACE (Downtown Mall, Charlottesville. 804-963-7976) Occasional indie-rock and acoustic local shows at this gallery, usually accompanying openings.
DURTY NELLY’S 804-295-1278. 2200 Jefferson Park Ave. Local and regional acts weekends and Tuesdays. Blues, folk, country. Some open mics and jams too. Occasionally a local alternative group. Door admission.
ESCAFE (on the Charlottesville Downtown Mall, under Eastern Standard restaurant;804-296-4789) Raves, disco and dancin’ late night Thurdays and some weekends. Sundays with Hogwaller Ramblers. Late night.
EXPRESSO CORNER 804-293-6833. 100 14th St. on the UVa corner. This coffeehouse features acoustic performers regularly. No cover.
KATIE’S COUNTRY CLUB 804-974-6969. In Shoppers World Center on Charlottesville’s Rt. 29. Regional country acts most weeknights and weekends. Door admission.
MICHAEL’S BISTRO 804-977-3697. 1427 University Ave. Jazz, blues and folk on the UVA corner at West Main and University. Most shows free. www.skylinemall.com/bistro/
MILLERS 804-971-8511. 109 W. Main Street on the Downtown Mall across from Woolworths. Well-known blues and jazz venue. Door admission.
MONTEREYS 804-977-0166. Barracks Road Shopping Center North Wing. Off of Emmet St./ Rt. 29. Blues, jazz and country performers most nights. Door admission.
ORBIT BILLIARDS & CAFE 804-984-5707. University Ave. and 14th Street on the Uva Corner above Pita Inn / Espresso Corner. This cool pool hall features the odd Irish, folk or blues jam. A fine place to hang (if you can secure a table).
OUTBACK LODGE 804-979-7211. 917 B/C Preston Ave. in Preston Plaza. Tickets available at the door. Specific advance tickets available thru local outlets.
PRISM COFFEEHOUSE 804-977--7476. 214 Rugby Rd. Advance tickets are available at the venue or thru local outlets. www.theprism.org
TOKYO ROSE 804-296-3366. 13 University Shopping Center, on Ivy Rd. in Ivy Rd. Shopping Center. Small as the downstairs stage may be, this is Charlottesville’s, and maybe VIRGINIA’S, premier indie rock venue. Tickets available at the door, or through local retailers.
TRAX 804-295-TRAX. or http//redlt.com.trax. 122 11th St. Advance tickets for most shows available at local retailers or charge by phone at 1-800-594-TIXX
Selected disc stores/ instrument shops /
retail establishments / studios of interest:
CD’S FOR LESS (Downtown Mall, Charlottesville) Used vinyl and compact discs.
CHARLOTTESVILLE MUSIC (Rt. 29 & Rio Rd., 804-973-5859) Instrument shop with mucho music equipment and accessories. Recording equipment too. Full-line.
HEINZ MUSICTRONICS (2171-8 Ivy Rd.; 804-977-2797) Full-line of stuff, PA rentals and repairs.
PARAGON STUDIOS (110 A-3 Goodman St., 804-923-0967) New Belmont-area studio. Call for rates and info.
PMD RECORDING (Grady Ave., next to Bomb Shelter) Popular local studio, co-sponsor of the Charlottesville B’And Aid competition. www.pmdrecording.com
PLAN 9 RECORDS (1325 W. Main St., 804-979-9999 / Albemarle Square, 974-9999) The two Charlottesville locations of this Richmond-based chain.
SPENCER’S 206 (206 W. Market St., 804-295-3080) A locally-owned music store, on the outskirts of the Downtown Mall near Vinegar Hill Theatre (look for the Steve Keene-painted sign). As of this writing, it is due to move somewhere close to its longtime location on the Mall.
STUART'S MUSIC (2780 Hydraulic Rd.; 804-973-2805) Woodwind and brass instruments a specialty. Also the place in Charlottesville to get sheet music. Rentals and repairs too. This store is highly recommended.
STACY’S MUSIC (1766 Rio Hill Center; 804-974-1555) Also hightly recommended, this full-line instrument shop has a neat selection of vintage guitars and features a full line of new stuff too. Also PA rentals.
TIM SPEARS MUSIC CITY (216 W. Main St. in Waynesboro. 540-949-7034) Stocked instrument shop a bit West of Charlottesville. If you need supplies or strings as you are heading up the mountains, this is the place.
VIRGINIA ARTS STUDIOS (512 Stewart St., 971-1411) One of the region’s biggest, and busiest, studios. Call for rates and info.
(Tell 'em you heard about 'em from Grip and
the Virginia Music Flash web site)