Friday, December 29, 2006
Just When You Thought...
it was going to be a boring week with nothing to write about, John Grisham shows up! If you live in lovely Charlottesville, then you know that the celebrated author lives here and dines out often. I spotted him last night at Dragon Lady on Ivy Road. DL is the only place I go for Chinese food, and evidently Mr. Grisham has the same great taste as moi. Again, I did not have my camera, but I probably wouldn't have taken his picture even if I did. The celebs around here like the fact that they are treated just like us normal folk and not hassled. Then again, I hassle and take pictures of my normal folk friends all the time! - A
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Upcoming Cool C'ville Events
Usually Charlottesville is a crazy hotbed of activities. But this week, between Christmas and New Year's Day, seems bleak. Besides the showing of Talladega Nights on DVD tonight at my house, everything in The Ville seems to be focused on New Year's Eve. So, I will follow suit...
December 31st:
First Night VA - activities start at 2:30pm in and around Charlottesville's Downtown Mall. This family friendly event includes music, comedy, magic and much more. Event info and admission button purchases can be found at www.firstnightva.org.
Starr Hill Music Hall -Celebrate New Year's Eve with XPS (X Porn Stars) above the Starr Hill Restaurant. One of the more popular New Year's parties. Admission fee. More info at www.starrhill.com.
Club R2 - (behind Rapture on the Downtown Mall) 2 DJs are there to help ring in the New Year with your favorite dance music of today and yesterday. Admission fee. Doors usually open by 9pm. 293-9526 for more info.
Club 216 - DJ Frank Rivera spins the tunes at this Open House New Year's Eve event. Admission fee for members and non-members at this gay-friendly dance club. Usually open doors at 10pm. www.club216.com.
In other news...RIP to James Brown who performed in our little city not too long ago...Happy Kwanzaa...Be safe and do not forget about the Free Ride Home Program after your New Year's Eve celebrating! Hope to see you out and about in C'ville! - A
December 31st:
First Night VA - activities start at 2:30pm in and around Charlottesville's Downtown Mall. This family friendly event includes music, comedy, magic and much more. Event info and admission button purchases can be found at www.firstnightva.org.
Starr Hill Music Hall -Celebrate New Year's Eve with XPS (X Porn Stars) above the Starr Hill Restaurant. One of the more popular New Year's parties. Admission fee. More info at www.starrhill.com.
Club R2 - (behind Rapture on the Downtown Mall) 2 DJs are there to help ring in the New Year with your favorite dance music of today and yesterday. Admission fee. Doors usually open by 9pm. 293-9526 for more info.
Club 216 - DJ Frank Rivera spins the tunes at this Open House New Year's Eve event. Admission fee for members and non-members at this gay-friendly dance club. Usually open doors at 10pm. www.club216.com.
In other news...RIP to James Brown who performed in our little city not too long ago...Happy Kwanzaa...Be safe and do not forget about the Free Ride Home Program after your New Year's Eve celebrating! Hope to see you out and about in C'ville! - A
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Very Happy Holidays
<<--Look at this groovy group of holiday revelers. These are my buds Tim, Beth, and Rick. We met up last night at Rhett's (29N across from Brown's Auto) for some Christmas cheer. We didn't get dinner, but I have eaten there recently and the crabcakes are to die for! What we did have last night was great conversation. Tim has recently been to India, and Beth is heading to Dubai soon. It makes my recent trip to Vegas look like a bike ride to Monticello!
I will probably not post again until after Christmas. So, I wish you and yours the happiest of holidays and the merriest Christmas ever:-) - A
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
A Perfect Ten?
Last night was the annual 'girls' Christmas dinner' at the semi-new Japanese restaurant Ten, located above Blue Light on the downtown mall. <<--(pictured: me, Melis, Susie Baby, and Tracy - 3 of the best friends a girl could have!) It was good that we ladies had a lot to catch up on, because it was a sloooowwww dinner. I'm not sure if it is because they are still working out the kinks, or because they mean for you to take 2-3 hours for a small dinner, but just make sure to get there early if you are seeing a movie later. The food is actually quite tasty, though, and reasonably priced. (Traditional Japanese fare) I suggest the spicy chicken skewers and the tuna/honey sushi. The atmosphere is very 'Manhattan meets a warehouse'-type vibe. No dessert menu. So, you may want to head downstairs to Blue Light after for some sorbet or a chocolate martini. Overall, I truly enjoyed Ten. Then again, it may have just been the good company. So, you may want to make your first visit with some great friends. - A
(Inside Ten - yes, I need to learn to stand still when taking 'indoor dark' photos.)Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Upcoming Cool C'ville Events
This week it's all about the 'FREE'...(save that holiday dough, honey!)
Wednesday, Dec. 20th:
Don't miss this opportunity to see Ian Gilliam at Atomic Burrito, located at 109 2nd St SE, just off the downtown mall. NO COVER. late night.
Thursday, Dec. 21st:
Feast, in the Main St. Market, is hosting a FREE wine tasting at 4pm. Find a good wine and pick up a last minute gift for the wine lover on your list. 244-7800.
Saturday, Dec. 23rd:
Musical Benefit for the Homeless - at First Presbyterian Church, 500 Park St. Holiday favorites while helping a great cause! Donations will be accepted at the door. So, okay, it's not exactly free, but I bet if you don't have any money, they'll let you in anyway. But, if you do have money, give it to those who don't, you cheap bastitch.
Wednesday, Dec. 20th:
Don't miss this opportunity to see Ian Gilliam at Atomic Burrito, located at 109 2nd St SE, just off the downtown mall. NO COVER. late night.
Thursday, Dec. 21st:
Feast, in the Main St. Market, is hosting a FREE wine tasting at 4pm. Find a good wine and pick up a last minute gift for the wine lover on your list. 244-7800.
Saturday, Dec. 23rd:
Musical Benefit for the Homeless - at First Presbyterian Church, 500 Park St. Holiday favorites while helping a great cause! Donations will be accepted at the door. So, okay, it's not exactly free, but I bet if you don't have any money, they'll let you in anyway. But, if you do have money, give it to those who don't, you cheap bastitch.
Monday, December 18, 2006
Merry Vegas, Baby!
What better way to kick off the holiday season than to blow a bunch of money at the blackjack tables in Vegas! Actually, I had a very good reason to leave hip C'ville and head to Vegas...my BFF's 40th birthday party. I wouldn't have missed it for the world...the Real World to be exact, as his party was in the Real World suite at The Palms. After a night at the Palms, it was over to the Hard Rock Hotel to lose some more money. <-This is the view of the strip from our Hard Rock room. This coming week is going to be uber-holiday busy, as I catch up with friends and family. I'll be doing a lot of restaurant visits, including my first Ten visit. So, keep checking back this week for my restaurant reviews! - A
(My friends Jason, Glenn, and Dan (the birthday boy))
(Steve and I try out the Real World hottub)Thursday, December 14, 2006
Vegas pics coming, but for tonight...
For all Charlottesvillians, overnight tonight is your chance to witness one of the cosmic wonders called the Geminid Meteor showers. The Geminids have actually been active since around the 6th of December, but they are supposed to peak at 6am on the 15th at around 20 meteors per hour near the northern horizon. In case you get up, brave the chill, and don't see anything...you don't know me and we never had this discussion. - A
Friday, December 08, 2006
Blog with no pics...totally uncool
...but that's what you're getting today. I didn't have my camera last night at Barnes & Noble where I saw the one and only Sissy Spacek, Oscar winner and local fav celeb. I also didn't have my camera at Toy Lift 2006 this morning to get pictures of all the do-gooders (and I do mean that in the best way possible) giving toys for Central VAs less fortunate kids. They will be at Fashion Square until 9pm tonight accepting toys. I think I'm going to get one of those camera necklaces, so I can take it with me wherever I go. Or maybe handcuff my camera to me. (I already have the handcuffs. Yowsa!) - A
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Upcoming Cool C'ville Events
December 7th - Help the Boys and Girls Club of C'ville by attending the Gingerbread Ball at Sage Moon Gallery. Dancing, a silent auction, and wine tasting. Call 977-9997 for more info.
December 9th - Get in the holiday spirit with the Virginia Glee Club at the Paramount Theater for only $15.
December 13th - Hops N' Chops at Starr Hill benefitting Locks of Love and the UVA Children's Hospital. More info at www.myspace.com/HOPSNCHOPS
Hope to see you at one of these great events! - A
December 9th - Get in the holiday spirit with the Virginia Glee Club at the Paramount Theater for only $15.
December 13th - Hops N' Chops at Starr Hill benefitting Locks of Love and the UVA Children's Hospital. More info at www.myspace.com/HOPSNCHOPS
Hope to see you at one of these great events! - A
Friday, December 01, 2006
You Light Up My Life, part deux
(The Rotunda just before and just after the lighting ceremony)Last night was a beautiful evening to visit the Lawn at UVA. The amount of people on the Lawn rivaled graduation crowds, and everyone seemed to be in great holiday spirits. Boy, did it bring back memories...some blurry and involving clothing-optional activities...but they were grand flashbacks. - A
(The Lawn view from the Rotunda after the lighting- click on pics to get larger view)
