Rob Froetscher

Three years ago, a small group of students frustrated with the U.Va. comedy community formed Amuse Bouche to broaden their options. Focused more on longform improv than the already well-known Whethermen, Amushe Bouche was U.Va’s second improv organization. After three years of development, members of this same innovative group have again furthered the scope of organized comedy at the University. The recently spawned La Petite Teet is the first live and video sketch comedy approved CIO.Read more...

“It is very American to think you could look at art from a car,” said Elizabeth Breeden, a bus whipping past behind her. We stood together on a grassy strip between the sidewalk and the busy traffic of McIntire Road, watching for her “missing artist” who was scheduled to install a piece that afternoon just southwest of the light at Route 250. Her lack of anxiousness at the artist’s absence made it clear that, as director of Charlottesville’s Art in Place, she had overcome problems like this at countless past installations.

In the midst of preparing the articles for the culture section this past weekend, I found myself in a more-than-minor quibble with another member of the managing board about what exactly what should be the focus of our content in the Declaration. For the casual readers out there, I fear that the Dec’s appeal lies in a steady stream of off-color jokes, vulgar language, and an omniscient being named Poodah. Though it may not look it, I swear there is coordination beyond this holy trinity of perversity.Read more...

It is a frustratingly frequent observation ‘round here at The Declaration that there is an unusual divide between local Charlottesville culture and that of the University. To see the dilemma in full-scale, consider the fact that though there are 12,000 undergraduates here during the winter, and it makes little difference to show turnout whether the event occurs during the academic year or outside of it. It seems to me, sometimes, that it has become part of our unofficial mission to connect the University to downtown. Thankfully, we are not the only force working towards this end.Read more...

Very high on the list of individuals who have most shaped the current Charlottesville music scene is promoter Danny Shea. Responsible for the booking—and partially for the existence—of the recently-closed Corner venue Satellite Ballroom, Shea brought large-scale indie rock to Charlottesville on a regular basis. After the Ballroom closed, Shea picked up a job booking for Starr Hill Presents, an organization awaiting the renovation of its venue, The Jefferson, on the Downtown Mall. In the meantime, Starr Hill, an arm of mainstream giant Red Light Management, books shows at other local spots.Read more...

The Mid Atlantic College Radio Conference took place in Harrisonburg this past weekend. The Dec was there, and we took pictures!

1. Adam Smith of The Invisible Hand during their set at The Artful Dodger.
2. Sunshine on Saturday outside The Artful Dodger.
3. The front row of the crowd enjoying a set by Slingshot Dakota.
4. Crowds watch The Invisible Hand.
5. Carly of Slingshot Dakota singing during their set.
6. A view of Harrisonburg, across the street from one of the venues. Saturday was clear and Sunny.Read more...

Fresh off the van from Austin after playing at SXSW and just a short week before playing MacRock in Harrisonburg, Charlotteville’s own Adam Smith had time to sit down and talk with me about his project, The Invisible Hand. As a favorite of many local artists and critics, the four-piece rock outfit has become since August “the band to see” in Charlottesville, and is gaining a reputation as a formidable live and touring force.Read more...

Dec: Tell me about yourself. You’re from Charlottesville, is that right?

Titus Andronicus exploded onto the national muisc scene last April after receiving a glowing 8.5 rating of their first LP, The Airing of Grievances, from Pitchforkmedia.com. Since then, the band has been in constant motion, playing the Pitchfork Music Festival in July, touring the country over the summer, and even venturing on a European tour from February to March. Just four short days after their last show in Paris, on March 15, Titus Andronicus, along with Miles Anthony Benjamin Robinson and locals St. God’s Hospital, played at Is venue in Charlottesville.Read more...

Two-piece Charlottesville outfit Birdlips is starting to make quite a flutter. Their debut, Cardboard Wings was recently named favorite local album of the year by the C-Ville Weekly. They have been featured in the Washington Post, the Washington Time, and on NPR’s song of the day for their track, “Tire Chains.” Before rushing off to New York for a show, recent U.Va. alumni Lindsay Pitts and Cliff Usher took some time out of their blossoming musical careers to sit down and talk with the Dec.Read more...