The Flat!

I have always loved The Flat...sweet crepes...savory crepes...what could possibly be better? The Flat is located in the cutest little brick building right off of the Downtown Mall, and just recently they redesigned pieces of their Parisian styled building and it's to die for. 

A new flash of color and raw style of design...The Flat has had a make-over and I am loving it! 

The Flat is by far one of the cutest spaces on the Downtown mall...even their tip jar has some spunk! 

Check out The Flat soon and try one of their delicious crepes. From eggs and cheese to nutella and strawberries the choice is up to you ( my fav: simply nutella). 

Have a fun Friday...and check back soon! 

Timberlake's Drug Store

Drug Store and Best Milkshakes EVER 

Right on the Downtown Mall sits Timberlake's Drug Store. An old timey locally owned drug store that feels quite authentic. Timberlake's not only has a home run pharmacy, but they are stocked with everything from a new toothbrush to magic markers. 

Head towards the back of the building and you will find a diner, complete with family photos on the wall and a glass case of home-cooked pies and cakes! The best part: their milkshakes. Lansing and I decided to try the chocolate shake and had the best time watching the process from start to finish. 

Be sure to visit Timberlake's Drug Store on East Main Street this summer and cool down with their home-spun milkshakes!

Have a Terrific Thursday...and check back soon!

First Friday's of June

The other night Anna and I headed Downtown for the celebration of First Fridays! What a wonderful night to spend walking from gallery to gallery. We hit the McGuffey Center followed by The Garage and concluded our tour at a tiny little gallery know as Bozart.

The crowd was larger than normal... and I am sure it was due to the warm and pleasant night! This First Fridays also had a special twist, for it was the premiering night for LOOK3 Festival of the Photograph. The festival features exhibits, artist talks, outdoor screenings, and other exciting activities Running from June 9th until June 11th, the initial photographs were first shown this Friday as part of the First Fridays celebration. 

Along with the photographs, we had the chance to see paintings, sculptures, collages, and other artistic endeavours throughout the early evening. One painting I loved was created through an image of The Downtown Mall. What fun inspiration!

It was especially fun to see Matt Kleberg's artwork! I can remember being a second year at UVA and going with my best friend to one of his shows at Para Coffee. It was so exciting to see his art in the McGuffey Art Center this past Friday. I love his style of painting and most of  all the creative portraits he constructs... these pieces express personality, emotion, and character. Check out his site. 

One of the best things about First Fridays is the ability to see the individual artists working space. By having the opportunity to enter into their gallery spaces, we- the outsiders, get a glimpse of their daily routines and working lives. 

After taking our small art gallery tour, Anna and I headed to Fridays after Five at the Pavillion. We bought Sweet Frogs and sat on the hill, enjoying the nice night and fun company! 

Have a Tremendous Tuesday... and check back soon! 

Having fun around C'ville

The other weekend my mom and her girlfriends came to visit for the weekend...and what fun we had!

goofing around at Ivy Nursery 

chowin' down at Blue Grass 

dress shopping at Eloise

and just strolling the Downtown Mall

come back please please please!

Have a Wonderful Wednesday...and check back soon! 

little notes

I love writing little notes...thank you Rock Paper Scissors for supplying C'ville with all of your little goodies! 

Have a Thrilling Thursday...and check back soon!

This Weeks Issue of Cville

On the cover of the Cville this week is none other than my friend Sam Bush. I was so excited when Lansing pointed out the magazine earlier today in Shenandoah Joes... we both got pretty excited when when saw his face! I only wish this image was a little bigger, guess you will just have to check it out for yourself!

The cover article titled "Signs of a Crossing" focuses in on the local arts organizations and the blurring of the lines between Christian and secular art. The article starts by talking about the Welcome Wagon concert that I wrote about a few weeks ago...what an amazing show at the Haven, located off of the Downtown Mall.

"There was a time when the “Christian” label would’ve made fans of secular music roll their eyes. But the sanctuary at The Haven at First and Market was packed to the gills with concertgoers paying 10 bucks a ticket, a not insignificant price for a show by a little-known folk group on a boutique indie rock label at a non-venue attached to a homeless shelter 

The shows success demonstrates the growing trend of art and music within the Christian community of C'ville. And it's groups such as the New City Arts Initiative, the Garage, and Bifrost Arts that are encouraging this movement within our town....a movement that is drawing in a secular crowd.

can you spot me? Look on the left side third row back

The article even goes into the process of the creation of the Garage... a story I have truly always wondered about. This space, the garage for the old music director for Christ Episcopal Church has no signs of a Church affiliation in the building or on the website. Sam Bush, a music minister at Christ Episcopal and a songwriter with local folk-rock act the Hill & Wood, now curates the gallery and says that The Garage’s relationship with the church has been very “supportive, yet undemanding.” He went on to say that his passion in centered around what the Garage has to offer for the Charlottesville community: a place that brings people together. "It’s funny to talk about, because there’s never been an agenda. I’m not really sure what The Garage is. It’s basically a gift to the community for people to do what they want with it.”

"So The Garage is, in one sense, a reaction to that artistic climate. “We want bands that people think are weird. We want art that is challenging,” says Sam Bush. Be sure to check out the Garage in the upcoming weeks. There is a really great line-up for the month of May. Christ Church is supporting art for the sake of the community and we are lovin' it!

Have a Tremendous Tuesday...and check back soon!

Doobie Brothers at the Downtown Pavlion

Thursday night my best friend and I went Downtown to see the Doobie Brothers live! We are so lucky to have such a great concert setting outside AND Downtown. The nTelos Wireless Pavilion is located at the end of the mall, and is equip with covered seating and a great large lawn.

 

The venue is wonderful, especially during the late Spring and into the early Fall when the nights are warm and the crowds are big. With the purchase of a general admission ticket (usually the lowest priced tickets) you can plop down on the large green grass lawn with a blanket or lawn chair. Guests are welcome to bring along a cooler of snacks for the night... but all drinks must be purchased at the event, drink tickets are sold for $5. The staff are always welcoming and helpful...last night the man selling drink tickets even let me try on his 'beer case' hat! 

 

The Charlottesville Pavilion opened in July of 2005 and since that date has been a place guests seem to gather! The space offers a wide variety of entertainment throughout the night of a concert. From a man making children's balloons to hot dog and doughnut stand there are lots of activities surrounding the venue! (Red- Carpe Donut, Yellow- Last Call Hotdogs... does anyone know about this green one? Maybe Kettle Corn?)

Bessie and I decided to sit on the grass and enjoy the Doobie Brothers together! It was so great being surrounded by many people out enjoying the beautiful night and music together. From older couples sitting in lawn chairs to kids of all ages running about, the crowd contained a wide range of ages all out having a great time. 

I hope you can make it out to the Charlottesville Pavilion this Spring! Check out their site for the upcoming summer line-up. Also make sure to make it down to Fridays After Five....a wonderful and free concert series for the C'ville community presented by Bud Light. Every Friday from now until September 9 a local or regional band will take the stage and perform. 

Have a Super Sunday...and check back soon!

Skylight Studio

Tuesday night my friends and I bundled up in our raincoats and headed Downtown to Skylight Studios for a night of painting and wine! The founders, Kate and Erin, opened "Lush" with the concept of offering woman (and men too!) a fun night out on the town with an artistic twist!

With no previous painting experience necessary, Lush is the perfect way to get your feet wet and express your creative side. Groups are welcome to bring their own snacks and drinks to the studio as well! My friends and I set up the table with all kinds of goodies. From hummus to a wonderful cheese platter (thank you Kate!) we snacked on yummy snacks and drank wine while painting.

Together Kate and Erin formed Lush for the Charlottesville community...and aren't we lucky! Kate came to C'ville in 2006 from South Carolina. Soon after her move she opened Skylight Studios, an art gallery and shared studio space! Kate wished to open a studio that would "promote art and creative living".  Erin grew up in North Georgia and moved to Charlottesville last Fall. She loves being creative and having a fun while doing so.

Lush takes place on Tuesday and Thursday nights and must be planned in advance. Each group must have a minimum of six people and a max of ten and Kate and Erin can travel to you or groups can come to the studio space. I really enjoyed painting in the studio because the space was light and perfect for painting!

Each painter gets a 16 x 20 canvas and lots of colorful paint! Together the group decides on what they want to paint and Kate takes charge and leads the way! Step by step we followed her lead and eventually we all created similar versions of the same 'masterpiece'! My friends and I decided to go with the fun and youthful peacock...with a variety of blues, greens, and yellows they actually turned out pretty well. We were all so surprised how great they looked!

Our session was held from 7-10 and in three hours not only had we finished our paintings, but we had all had a fun night out together... eating, drinking, and most importantly spending time together in a unique and different setting. Lush would be such a fun idea for bridal parties, birthday parties, church outings, and mother/daughter nights out!

We just had the best time and are already planning our second night out at Skylight Studios.... we need artwork for our new apartments next year, but more importantly we want to spend another night together painting! Check out Skylight Studios and reserve your spot for a Lush night out. Kate and Erin were such a pleasure to work with and we all upped our creative ability a smidge. 

Have a Fantastic Friday...and check back soon! 

homemade dinner

Tonight, before going to the Kelly and the Ruths concert at The Garage my boyfriend and I are going to make homemade spinach gnocchi!

image 

The recipe looks pretty easy and there are few ingredients... I'll let you know how it turns out! After our dinner we are heading to The Garage for an 8pm concert. Hopefully the weather will hold off and we will be able to sit outside on the hill to enjoy the music! There are so many fun things going on in C'ville this weekend. We may even stop by The Southern for the Virginia Coalition concert, another amazing band based out of Virginia! 


I want to leave you with a few fun images before you set off on your Friday night fun! 

Have a Fantastic Friday night... and check back soon!

First Fridays: McGuffey Art Center

 Our second stop on Friday was the McGuffey Art Center, located right of the Downtown Mall on Second Street. The McGuffey is an artist association which works to support artistic growth of professional as well as emerging artists within the Charlottesville community! Through their open studios, exhibits, performances, outreach projects, classes, and tours the McGuffey Art Center brings art to our community on a daily basis!

The Center is open six days a week and is free of charge! On any given day you can walk in the doors and wander around throughout the different studio spaces if their doors are open. This Friday my friends and I went to their First Friday opening exhibit. Interesting fact: The McGuffey Art Center has at least 5,000 visitors come through their doors during the First Friday celebrations throughout the year...Wow!

 

The McGuffey Art Center was established in 1975 with the renovation of the former McGuffey School, built in 1916. The school was transformed into art studio spaces that were designed to be light and airy. In 2009 this building was recognizes as a historic building within the state of Virginia! I love the use of the old chalkboards mixed in with current artwork...how fun and unique, as well as a great way to display the original use of the building! 

There are three gallery spaces ( lower hall, upper hall, and main gallery) within the space where member's artwork is displayed throughout the year. Within the art center there are a number of studio spaces that can be rented out by members of the Association. Currently there are over 45 renting members and over 85 Associate members do not rent studio space. The renting members comprise of the Board of Directors and other various committees within the art center. How fun would it be to have a studio space in the McGuffey...large windows, beautfiul C'ville views, and a building full of other local artists. 

I love how visitors can get an up-close view of what happens in an artist's studio! Make sure to check out the McGuffey Art Center... it's open Tuesday- Saturday from 10-6 and Sunday from 1-5. 

Have a Terrific Tuesday...and check back soon!

First Fridays: Second Street Gallery

This past Friday was First Fridays on the Downtown Mall. Over the course of the next few days I want to share some fun photos from a few of my favorite galleries down there! We had such a great time wandering from gallery to gallery checking out the artwork and surrounding ourselves with the C'ville community. Our first stop on Friday evening was Second Street Gallery, located on Second Street SE right off the mall.

 

The Gallery is located in a fun and modern space, perfect for the style of artwork inside the building... contemorpary and cutting edge!  Second Street Gallery held an early opening reception for their donors and members from 5-6 and opened their doors to the public at 6:30. We made our way into the Gallery around 7:00 and wandered the Gallery for nearly 30 minutes, sipping a glass of wine. One word of advice: get there right at 6:30 if you want to nibble on the hors d'oeuvres We missed the boat on that one... they had been catered by Mona Lisa Pasta!

Second Street was very crowded, a popular place to go during First Fridays. The Main Gallery space held a preview of the artwork that will be part of the 2011 Benefit Art Auction, taking place this Friday.  The auction will follow a 3 course dinner at X lounge and will take place in the gallery... tickets are available online. The pieces were just wonderful! People from all over Charlottesville visited Second Street as a 'teaser' for the main event... getting an idea of what artwork will be auctioned off this weekend.

I loved these two pieces. Second Street works to bring the public many mediums of art, from sculpture to acrylics, to mixed media the Gallery sure does covers a lot of ground!

 

Something really fun that took place at Second Street this Friday was the New Collector's Silent Auction! Affordable art was being offered through the form of a silent auction. Sheets of paper were placed next to the art and bids could be made until a certain hour of the night. Fun pieces were sold to locals for reasonable prices...what a fun way to get a new piece of artwork for your apartment! 

First Fridays promotes a strong sense of community within Charlottesville. We are so lucky to have an event like this on the first Friday of every month. Anyone and everyone is welcome ( even the dogs!) into Second Street Gallery on First Fridays to view wonderful art and submerge themselves within the C'ville community.

Have a Super Sunday...and check back soon!

JohnSarahJohn

JohnSarahJohn is a local Charlottesville design group. Together John Owen, Sarah Owen, and John Gibson work within the community as creators, curators, and purveyors. As a team they strive to achieve visual solutions for anyone who comes their way. They work with clients and collaborators to promote design within a community setting as well as private spaces, depending on your personal need. With a handful of experience, the team has worked together on festivals as well as large and small scale commercial and residental interiors. They put their creative minds together to construct an idenity and brand for their corporate and nonprofit clients.

JohnSarahJohn is currently in the process of moving onto East Main Street, into an old and empty building which they are planning on restoring. After residing on the Downtown Mall for a while, they decided to make the move. The other day I had to run an errand for Pippin Hill and to my suprise was faced with a room full of fun antiques.... I though I was heading to an office space! John Owen greeted us at the door and was as friendly as could be. He showed us around the space and even allowed me to take some photos.

The new location will be opening within the next few weeks. John said this was the perfect move, a fun new location more appropriate for their design studio and store. The front of the old building is going to be a store for fun and unique interior treasures and the back will be their studio space. John Owens says they love to collect funky antiques, items that others might normally not pick up. Look closely below... how fun is the red and gold uniform!

Through the use of antiques, JohnSarahJohn combines old materials and produces wonders. How amazing is this colorful, funky chandelier. John Owen took the time to explain the design process and the process of collecting the pieces to make this wonderful piece.

I just love how they use their creativity to create things out of the ordinary. Their retail space is going to be phenominal!

Their new design and retail space is located right across the street from Blue Moon Diner, in an old and run down Auto Center. The front of the store has an old garage door that the group intends on opening up on sunny Spring and Summer days! The walls are concrete and adorned with old posters and paintings John, Sarah, and John have found during their travels.

Another awesome thing about JohnSarahJohn is their desire to involve the community within their sapce. Between musical performances and open house the team works to bring design into the Charlottesville community... something I LOVE! 

Currently anyone intereted in painting and art are welcome to JohnSarahJohn on Wednesday nights to paint. All you have to do is bring $10 and your own supplies. Community members gather around a model in the back of the studio, sketching and painting together. 

Be sure to keep an eye out for the opening of JohnSarahJohn on East Main Street in the next few weeks. It's going to be simply amazing, I am beyond excited! 

Have a Thrilling Thursday... and check back soon!