THURSDAY, April 24
PERFORMANCE
Motherland: UVA student playwright Ben Bolling presents his musical, The Motherland-- a folk opera of sorts-- that tells the story of the industrialization of Appalachia. Helms Theater, 109 Culbreth Road. 8pm. $5. 924-3376.

After school workshop: In this course, "Making the World: Storytelling and Drama," students (ages 8-13) explore great old stories and experiment with basic theatrical elements of sound, movement, and ensemble as they give the stories expression. A student story showcase will be featured at the end of the six-week course. Instructor: Andrea Rowland. 4:30-6pm. LAB space, Live Arts, 609 E. Market St. $45-60. 977-4177, ext. 100.

Double shot: Live Arts offers two of Sam Shepard's well-known plays: Buried Child, playing on the Main Stage, and True West, appearing in the LAB Space. Both plays examine the phenomenon of the American family. Buried Child plays at 8pm and True West begins at 8:15pm. 609 E. Market St. Reserved tickets for the Main Stage show run $12-14. The $7 ticket for True West must be purchased at the door. 977-4177.See Performance feature.

FAMILY
Let's be friends: Renowned Massachusetts storyteller Katie Green tells stories with a magical blend of original stories and folktales and plenty of singing at Northside Library. All ages welcome. 4pm. Free. Albemarle Square. 973-7893.

Don't be chicken: The Dogwood Festival Chicken Bar-B-Que happens at McIntire Park tonight. Tim and Steve Ryalls supply the music. 5:30pm until the food is gone. $5. Tickets available at Staples Barber Shop, the Daily Progress, and Tuel Jewelers. dogwoodfestival.org.

WORDS
Catfights: Gossip and slights are as hurtful as fists, and no one knows that better than best-selling author Rachel Simmons, a pioneer in scholarship on the power of female teen aggression. Simmons discusses and signs her book, Odd Girl Out, tonight at 8pm. UVA Bookstore. 924-1073. See Words feature.

Att: Greene County: Head for the public forum on Greene County's proposed Land Use Plan, featuring six speakers and Q&A session. In favor? Opposed? Not sure? Come to Ruckersville Elementary, 7pm. 990-1111. Sponsored by Thomas More Institute.

WALKABOUT
Virtual outdoors: Steve Bruner shares stories and slides from a summer paddling in the Canadian Arctic at this presentation of the Darden Outdoors Club Spring Slide Show series, in conjunction with Blue Ridge Mountain Sports. This slideshow tells the story of Bruner's 42-day canoe trip on the Back and Ellice Rivers in Canada's Nunavut Territory. Attendees are invited to stay for refreshments after the event, which takes place in the Darden School auditorium on UVA's north grounds. 7-8pm. Free. 977-4400.

TUNES
Daybreak at the Prism Coffeehouse: Southern bluegrass ensemble Daybreak builds on "the Nashville influences of Jerry Douglas, Russ Barenbery, and Edgar Meyer," and features the fiddling work of Deanne Whelan. The group's debut CD was rated among the top 10 bluegrass recordings of 2002 by CMT. $12/$10 advance, 8pm.

The University of Virginia's Opera Workshop's Spring Concert at Old Cabell Hall: Director Dr. Louisa Panou-Takahashi leads students and faculty of the McIntire Department of Music in a program of scenes from Donizetti's The Elixir of Love, Rossini's The Barber of Seville, Gounod's Faust, Beethoven's Fidelio, Bernstein's "On the Town," and Rogers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma! $10/$5 students, 8:15pm.

Jim Waive at the Blue Moon Diner. No cover, 8pm.

Chicken Head Blues Band at Dürty Nelly's. $4, 9pm. (W)

Beija-flor at El Girasol. 10pm, no cover. (W)

The Jessup, Mills & Snider Trio at Escafé. No cover, 10pm. (W)

The Victrolas at High Street Steak and Grill. No cover, 8:30pm. (W)

Van Dyke Brown at Jabberwocky. No cover, 11pm.

Cannonball Coming at the Mellow Mushroom. No cover, 8pm.

John D'earth and friends at Miller's. $4, 10pm. (W)

Sweet Trouble at Mountain View Grill. $5, 6:30pm.

Hard Rock Night: Lyman, Tighten, The Little White Pills at Outback Lodge. No cover, 10pm.

Grasping at Laws upstairs at Tokyo Rose. No cover, 9:30pm. (W)

FRIDAY, April 25
PERFORMANCE
Double Shot: See Thursday, April 24.

Motherland: See Thursday, April 24.

University Singers: UVA's premier mixed-voice ensemble presents the second of two concerts highlighting the choral music of Mozart. The program will feature several of Mozart's most joyous compositions: The Coronation Mass, The Vesperae Solennes de Confessore, and The Exsultate, Jubilate. 8:15pm. Old Cabell Hall, The Lawn, UVA. $5-10. 924-3984.

Bill T. Jones, American Icon: Jones, a well-known dancer and choreographer, who is also a 1994 McArthur Fellowship winner, presents "Dance Today: Steps and Commentary, a Lecture and Demonstration." Culbreth Theater, 109 Culbreth Road. 8pm. $6-12. 979-9999.

No Shame: Join the weekly line-up of performers at this open mike for actors, if you dare. Live Arts LAB Space, 609 E. Market St. 11pm. $5 at the door. 977-4177.

WORDS
How do you use this thing?: Nobel prize winning economist Daniel Kahneman is the featured speaker at the McIntire School's spring symposium exploring "Technology and Innovation in a Time of Uncertainty." Kahneman is a founder of the new field of behavioral finance, suggesting that man is irrational but in ways that can be predicted. 8:30-3pm, keynote at 8:45am, Old Cabell Hall, 924-7005.

Regime change: UVA's William Quandt discusses the Middle East after Saddam. Miller Center, 2201 Old Ivy Road. 11am. 924-0921.

FAMILY AND WALKABOUT
Dogwood breakfast: The annual Dogwood Festival Breakfast featuring Master of Ceremonies Mac McDonald takes place at the Omni Hotel. 8am. $15. Tickets available at Gitchell's Studio, Staples Barber Shop, the Daily Progress, and Tuel Jewelers. dogwoodfestival.org.

FAMILY
What's your name?: Old Michie Theatre's spring production transplants a classic tale by the brothers Grimm to the South Pacific in Rhumb Tiya: A Rain Forest Rumpelstiltskin. Local youth perform in this live stage production with exotic phrasings, traditional island rituals, and lyrical music. 7pm. $6 in advance, $7 at the door. 221 Water St. 977-3690. oldmichie.com.

WALKABOUT
Victorian fest: Stroll downtown Staunton's turn-of-the-century streets at the fifth annual Victorian Spring Festival. Enjoy family fun in a Victorian Way through Sunday, April 27. Music, magic lantern shows, carousel rides, crafts, and more. Period costume admired but not required. For a complete schedule, visit stauntondowntown.org or call 800-332- 5219.

Meet your City: The City of Charlottesville holds its fourth annual Government Services Fair today from 9:30am-2:30pm on the Downtown Mall. Dozens of City agencies will set up along the Mall in an effort to inform citizens about the breadth and scope of city services, and to introduce them to some of the people entrusted to carry out those responsibilities.

TUNES
James Mason, Lure, and Big Fast Car at Outback Lodge: The folk/pop of James Mason will be absolutely adored by fans of Elliot Smith-&endash; Mason plays intricate quiet songs in Smith's vein. Great! $6, 10pm.

The University Singers present their Spring concert at Old Cabell Hall: The University Singers, UVA's mixed voice ensemble, present their Spring concert, featuring selections of choral music by Mozart: the Coronation Mass, the Vesperae solennes de Confessore, and the Exsultate, Jubilate. $10/$5 students, 8:15pm.

Sugar and cream: Busdriver and Radioinactive (as The Weather), AWOL One, and Andre Afram Asmar perform at the Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar. No cover, 8pm. See Tunes feature.

Jubeus at Coupe De Ville's. No cover, 10pm.

Marzaks at the Mudhouse. No cover, 8pm.

Halfgrassd at Millers. $4, 10pm.

Atlas at Mountain View Grill. $3, 9pm.

Borne Storm, Municipal Waste, and Darkest Hour at Tokyo Rose. $5, 10:30pm.

SATURDAY, April 26
PEFORMANCE
Double shot: See Thursday, April 24.

Motherland: See Thursday, April 24.

Murder mystery: Join the Jefferson Players for their weekly foray into the world of murder and intrigue over a four-course buffet meal. They offer the comedy by Jason Campbell, It's My Party and I'll Die If I Want To. Courtyard Marriott, 1201 W. Main St. 7pm. $29.90. 977-1144 or jeffmanor.com.

Live jazz: The University of Virginia Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of trumpeter John D'earth, offers their final concert of the academic year, featuring guest trombonist and composer Conrad Herwig and some of his compositions and arrangements. 8:15pm. Old Cabell Hall. $5-10. 924-3984.

Advanced improv workshop: Daniel Perez, who has studied with Chicago's Second City and Improv Olympic, offers a Saturday morning improvisation workshop on "long-form," the technique developed by legendary improv guru Del Close, Saturdays through June 7. Live Arts, LAB Space, 609 E. Market St. 10am-12noon. $90-110. 977-4177.

WORDS
Make a living: Visual artist Andy Friedman and local bluesman Paul Curreri teamed up in March 2000 to take their mutual visions on the road. The road leads them to The Prism tonight at 8pm. $10/$12. 214 Rugby Rd. 97-PRISM.

FAMILY
Puppets at play: Old Michie Theatre presents "Dick Whittington and His Cat" at 11am, 2pm, and 4pm. This is a puppet adaptation of a rags-to-riches tale set in London. Admission is $5. 221 E, Water St. 977-3690. oldmichie.com.

Marching orders: Marching bands, clowns, floats, Miss Virginia, and the Dogwood Queen and her court…The Dogwood Festival Parade has it all starting at 10:45am and moving along Water and Market Streets. dogwoodfestival.org.

Queen's ball: This year's dogwood celebration concludes with the crowning of the new Dogwood Festival queen at the Queen's Ball at Monticello Event & Conference Center. Music and dancing, cash bar or BYOB, and hors d'oeuvres are included. 8pm-midnight. $15. Tickets available at Gitchell's Studio, Staples Barber Shop, The Daily Progress, and Tuel Jewelers. 201 Monticello Ave. dogwoodfestival.org.

Rollin' on the river: The historic Hatton Ferry takes tourists back in time with a trip across the James River every Saturday and Sunday through October 12. This is one of the last functioning pole ferries in the country. 9am-5pm. Free. Just outside Scottsville on Rt. 625. Call ahead to the Albemarle Charlottesville Historic Society to check if it's running the day you want to go. Free. 296-1492.

Making tracks: Hub Knott of the Living Earth School teaches nature explorers how to search for signs of wildlife activity in a Tracking Basics workshop at Ivy Creek Natural Area. Meet at the barn. Reservations requested. 9am. Free. Earlysville Road. 540-456-7339.

Art class: Artful Native American basketry from the special exhibition "Uncommon Legacies: Native American Art" informs a family workshop at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. In the studio, participants use paper reeds to weave their own artful baskets. The workshop for kids ages five to seven takes place from 9:30-11am. The one for kids 8-12 is from 11:30am-1pm. Cost is $11 per person/$9 for members. Meet in the Children's Studio, off the main lobby. Call to register. 2800 Grove Ave., Richmond. 804-340-1405.

What's your name?: See Friday, April 25.

WALKABOUT
Rabies clinic: Protect your pets at a low cost rabies Vaccination Clinic today from 1-3pm at the Claudius Crozet Park Shelter #1. $6 per vaccine. Cash only, please. Dogs must be on leashes and cats in carriers. Albemarle County registration/tags also available. 973-4517 for more info.

Victorian Fest: See Friday, April 25

Garden art: Celebrate beauties both natural and man-made at Historic Garden Week in Orange. Thanks to the Dolley Madison Garden Club's "Art in the Garden," the most gorgeous homes in Orange will be open to the public, enhanced by juried art displayed in the gardens. Tickets on the day of the tour are $20 block or $10 per single home. Tour includes Mayhurst, Woodley, 119 Peliso Ave., and 150 and 154 S. Almond Street. Call 540-985-8327 for more info.

Cycle recycling: Help recycle and repair donated bikes for Community Yellow Bikes from 11am-3pm. Meet at the shop at the rear of the building on the corner of W. Main and Ninth streets SW, behind the Hampton Inn. 220-0247.

TUNES
The 54th Annual Dogwood Festival Ball at Monticello Event & Conference Center: Get out your glass slippers! It's time again for the Dogwood Festival Ball. This year The Janitors from Virginia Beach perform '60s soul, R&B, '70s funk, classic rock, and more. $15, 8pm.

Andy Friedman & Paul Curreri at the Prism Coffeehouse: Artist Andy Friedman and local folk musician Paul Curreri have been touring the country in unison since March, presenting their acoustic muti-media experience to towns far and wide. Projections of Friendman's art, paired with his renowned storytelling, immediately precede Curreri's humorous and melodic take on folk and "country-blues." Curreri's new CD, Songs For Devon Sproule, just came out on City Savage Records. $12/$10 advance, 8pm.

The Jazz Ensemble present their Spring Concert Old Cabell Hall: The final concert of the academic year will feature Grammy nominated guest jazz trombonist and composer Conrad Herwig, and will include pieces written and arranged by the artist. $10/$5 students, 8:15pm.

Ezra Hamilton at Mountain View Grill. $5, 9pm.

Alligator at Outback Lodge. $6, 10pm.

Circulatory System, The Porlor Scoots, True Love Always at Tokyo Rose. $7, 10:30pm.

SUNDAY, April 27
PERFORMANCE
Double Shot: See Thursday, April 24. Today's show is at 2pm.

Motherland: See Thursday, April 24.

Early Music Ensemble: The University of Virginia Ensemble for Early Music under the direction of Paul Walker presents a spring concert of Renaissance and Baroque music for voices and instruments. Featured in this concert is Handel's Concerto in F for horns, oboes, bassoon, strings, and harpsichord, with special guests Dwight Purvis and Clara Mincer playing natural horn. 3:30pm. Old Cabell Hall. $5-10. 924-3984.

Sunday salsa: The Charlottesville Salsa Club sponsors a weekly opportunity to learn and practice salsa and other dances in a smoke free nightclub atmosphere. Music is salsa mixed with other Latin styles. Special advanced salsa workshop by Edwin Roa happens from 6:45-7:45pm for $10. Complimentary water and sodas. The Outback Lodge, 917 Preston Ave. 8pm-midnight. $8. 979-7211 or sundaysalsa@cvillesalsaclub.com.

WORDS
Planetary community: Rabbi Arthur Waskow, UN "Wisdom Keeper" and director of the Shalom Center, presents "Beyond Iraq: The Spirit, The Planet and Activism." Sponsored by CCPJ and community religious groups. Lane auditorium, Albemarle County Office Building, Preston & McIntire Roads. 7pm. $5 suggested donation. 456-6028.

FAMILY
Rollin' on the river: See Saturday, April 25.

What's your name?: See Friday, April 25. Today's performance is at 3pm.

FAMILY AND WALKABOUT
Back to nature: Ivy Creek Natural Area hosts its annual fun fair for nature lovers: Natural History Day. Representatives from local environmental organizations and clubs spend the afternoon informing folks of all the natural possibilities available in our area. Hands-on activities for the whole family and the unique opportunity to purchase garden-grown native wildflowers and ferns are all part of the fun. 1-3pm. Free. Earlysville Road. 973-7772. See Walkabout feature.

WALKABOUT
Victorian fest: See Friday, April 25.

Beyond Iraq: Rabbi Arthur Waskow, named a "Wisdom Keeper" by the United Nations, speaks on "Beyond Iraq &endash; the Spirit, the Planet and Activism," at Lane Auditorium in the Albemarle County Office Building tonight at 7pm. $5 suggested donation. Sponsored by The Charlottesville Center for Peace and Justice. 456-6028 for more info.

Baby walk: In an average week in Virginia, 222 babies are born preterm. The March of Dimes wants to do something about this pressing problem, starting with a six mile WalkAmerica 2003 at the UVA Law School on north grounds. Registration starts at 1pm and the walk at 2pm. Afterwards, walkers and their families will be treated to a picnic and plentiful entertainment, including a moon bounce and face-painting. Free. 800-868-5894.

TUNES
PVCC Chorus presents Schubert: Franz Schubert's Mass in G features soloists Rebecca Ewing, David Diggs, and Daniel Stern joining the 54-member PVCC chorus directed by Jeff Suling. PVCC auditorium, College Road. Free, 3pm.

Early Music Ensemble Spring Concert at Old Cabell Hall: Paul Walker directs the Early Music Ensemble in a concert of Renaissance and Baroque music for voices and instruments. The show will include Handel's Concerto in F for horns, oboes, bassoon, string, and harpsichord, and Heinrich Schütz's Herr unser Herrscher for double choir, brass, and organ. $10/$5 students, 3:30pm.

The Hogwaller Ramblers at Escafé. No cover, 10pm. (W)

Matt Wilner at Mellow Mushroom. No cover, 8pm. (W)

Dead Night at Michael's Bistro. No cover, 10pm. (W)

Faster Than Walking at Mountain View Grill. $5, 6:30pm.

Allan Long Book Signing at Mountain View Grill. Free, 8pm.

Fellowship Gospel Choir at the Salvation Army Corps Chapel (207 Ridge Road). Free, 6pm.

Majahkamo with Loosely Bound at Hereford College amphitheater. UVA. Free, 1pm.

MONDAY, April 28
FAMILY
Hi! I'm Susie's Mom: The moms' club meets for a playgroup at 3:15pm. This new club offers stay at home moms the chance to socialize while the kids play and generally fool around. Free. Info, call Eveline at 973-7069 or Maria at 244-3615.

WORDS
And health-care for all: UVA Medical School Dean Tim Garson leads a forum on achieving high-quality, low-cost healthcare. Co-sponsored by the Charlottesville Free Clinic. Miller Center, 2201 Old Ivy Road, 11am. 924-0921.

TUNES
Jackson Gibson at Coupe DeVille's. No cover, 10:30pm. (W)

Max Collins at Michael's Bistro. No cover, 10:30pm. Experimental acoustic. (W)

George Melvin at South Street Brewery. No cover, 9:30pm.

TUESDAY, April 29
PERFORMANCE
Where the acting: Join fellow actors for a workout guaranteed to stretch your performing muscle groups. Carol Pedersen, a local acting coach, leads an hour of physical and mental exercises. The Attic, 313 Second St. SE, Studio 208. 7pm. $10 drop-in rate. 977-4177, ext. 100.

After school workshop: Designed for the teen actor, this six-week workshop focuses on the actor's vocal production and physical movement, skills that will be put to use in developing monologues. Amanda McRaven leads the class. Live Arts LAB Space, 609 E. Market St. 5-6:30pm. $45-60. 977-4177.

WALKABOUT
Deadline today! Key West tour: If you wan to join botanist Ruth Douglas and members of the Wintergreen Nature Foundation in search of wildflowers found on the flood plane at Key West in Charlottesville... trout lilies, bluebells, spring beauty, and more, register today. The walk is tomorrow, April 30, but today's the deadline for registration. You'll need money for lunch. $7 members, $10 non-members. 9am tomorrow. Register today at the latest by calling 325-7451.

Open meditation: The Joshua Tree Mindfulness Center, a new community-based meditation center, invites you to join them in quiet meditation from 7:15am-8:15am, and again from 5:15pm-6:15pm. Cushions, small benches and chairs are provided. No fee. 2125 Ivy Road (in the plaza next to Foods of All Nations). For more info, call 244-3144 or e-mail joshuatree@cstone.net.

Sit easy: Rivanna Rowing Club's annual preseason meeting happens this evening. Get info on all rowing programs, including learn-to-row. Meeting is free and open to all. Westminster Presbyterian Church library, 190 Rugby Road, 7pm. Email info@rivannarowing.org, or call 978-2092.

TUNES
Still tootin': The Charlottesville Municipal Band's first concert of their 81st season features the "Invercargill March" by Alex Lithgow, Charles Gounod's opera Faust, and native son Mark Camphouse's Three London Miniatures. Free, 8pm. Dickenson Auditorium, College Road, PVCC.

Jamie and Rolland at the Blue Moon Diner. No cover, 8pm. (W)

Glenn Mack at Coupe DeVille's. No cover, 10:30om. (W)

Steve and Timmy Ryalls at Dürty Nelly's. $3, 8pm. (W)

The George Turner Quartet with special guests Robert Jospé and John D'earth at Orbit. No cover, 10:30pm.

B.C. upstairs at Tokyo Rose. 9:30, No cover. (W)

WEDNESDAY, April 30
PERFORMANCE
Double Shot: See Thursday, April 24.

WALKABOUT
Guided meditation: The Joshua Tree Mindfulness Center, a new community-based meditation center, hosts a weekly discussion-meditation series led by local instructors. Topics include joy, fear and anger. Brief talks will feed into meditation practice. Come to any or all sessions. 7pm-8:30pm. No fee. 2125 Ivy Road (in the plaza next to Foods of All Nations). For more info, call 244-3144 or e-mail joshuatree@cstone.net.

Beyond Colombia: NASA veteran (since 1959), Arnold Futkin discusses the questions surrounding manned space flights and the future of the shuttle. Miller Center, 2201 Old Ivy Road, 11am. 924-0921.

Swing your partner: Couples dancing and line dancing. Fry's Spring Beach Club, 2512 Jefferson Park Ave. 2-Step Lesson 7-8pm. Dancing 8-11pm. $6 cover. 977-0491.

TUNES
Bennie Dodd at Coupe DeVille's. No cover, 10:30pm. (W)

Wednesday Jazz Night with Phatback Boogaloo at Dürty Nelly's. No cover, 8pm.

Jeff Decker and Mike Rosensky Quartet at Miller's. No cover, 9pm. (W)

Beleza upstairs at Tokyo Rose. No cover, 9:30pm. (W)

THURSDAY, May 1
WORDS
Strangers among us?: To what extent have Americans developed a new understanding of Islamic culture and values? A free public panel on Muslim cultural diversity featuring UVA's Farzeneh Milani and Aziz Sachedina takes place tonight at The Jefferson Theater on the Downtown Mall. 7-9pm. Limited seating. Reservations at 1-866-UVA-OUTREACH.

WALKABOUT
Population growth: Advocates for a Sustainable Albemarle Population feature a discussion on "How does local population growth affect affordable housing?" tonight at 7:30 in the Westminster Presbyterian Church Library. Former mayor Francis Fife leads the discussion. 974-6390.

TUNES
The Adams Duo at the Prism Coffeehouse: Cello and guitar will illuminate the evening with the Adams Duo combining "classic sensibilities and modern style." Folk, world music, Celtic, and pop, as well as originals-- all instrumental, all the time. $12/$10 advance, 8pm.

Glück's Orpheus & Eurydice at PVCC: Mezzo-soprano Brenda Patterson and Sarah Wolfson, recent graduates of Julliard master's program, perform Gluck's masterpiece in Italian. The two will be accompanied by piano, flute, and string quartet. Dickenson Auditorium, College Road.

Jim Waive at the Blue Moon Diner. No cover, 8pm.

Chicken Head Blues Band at Dürty Nelly's. $4, 9pm. (W)

Beija-flor at El Girasol. 10pm, no cover. (W)

The Jessup, Mills & Snider Trio at Escafé. No cover, 10pm. (W)

The Victrolas at High Street Steak and Grill. No cover, 8:30pm. (W)

John D'earth and friends at Miller's. $4, 10pm. (W)

Hard Rock Night: Lyman with IsolatioNow at Outback Lodge. Free, 10pm.

Grasping at Laws upstairs at Tokyo Rose. No cover, 9:30pm. (W)

B.C. at the Virginian. No cover, 10:30pm. (W)

ONGOING AND UPCOMING
WALKABOUT AND FAMILY
Rail ride: On May 10, 17, and 31, the James River Rambler takes you on a trip through the springtime scenery of some of Buckingham County's most beautiful rolling hills and deep forests. Trips to New Canton feature a spectacular view of the James River. The train, headquartered in Dillwyn, is pulled by a diesel locomotive from the 1950s and features preserved passenger cars from the 1920s as well as open air sightseeing cars. Fares range from $10-$20 adults, $6-$10 children. For a complete schedule and for reservations (suggested!), call 800-451-6318 on Saturday (10am-4pm) or Sunday (1-4pm).

Re-imagining Ireland: President Mary McAleese of Ireland presents the keynote address at "Re-Imagining Ireland," a international conference and festival to be held May 7-10. This unique Irish "town meeting" features more than 100 Irish politicians, citizens, artists, writers, scholars, and musicians in discussions about Ireland's storied past, its present challenges, and future promise. Related cultural activities includes major music, theater, film, and art. For a complete schedule, visit re-imagining-ireland.org/.

ONGOING
Record-A-Thon: The Virginia/North Carolina Unit of Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic hosts its annual Record-A-Thon April 27-May 3 at its studio at 1021 Millmont Street. Volunteers and financial contributions are welcome. Contact Janet Ewert at 293-4797 or jewert@rfbd.org for more information.

Who's who: Northside Library celebrates National Library Week with a month-long contest to see who can match the book character with the Newberry Award-winning book. Contest forms must be turned in by April 30. Free. Albemarle Square. 973-7893.

Behind the scenes: Now through the end of October, Montpelier guides take visitors on special tours of rarely seen rooms in the mansion made famous by James and Dolley Madison. Offered every half-hour from 10:30am-4pm. Included in the cost of admission. 11407 Constitution Highway (Rt. 20 in Orange). 540-672-2728. montpelier.org.

Discovering plants and animals: The Virginia Museum of Natural History at UVA offers another Lewis and Clark exploration. Visitors can learn about the plants and animals that the Corps of Discovery encountered on their historic journey in the new exhibit "Natural History Pioneers: The Flora and Fauna of the Lewis and Clark Expedition." Admission is free. 104 Emmet St. 982-4605.

Westward adventure: The Virginia Discovery Museum invites kids to visit the Mandan Indians as Lewis and Clark did in the winter of 1804-05 in their Back Gallery exhibit "Up from the Earth: The Mandan Way of Life." The exhibit lets kids meet a bison, set up house in a Mandan earth lodge, and try their hands at hunting, farming, and trading in the wild state of North Dakota. Included in the price of admission. East end of the Downtown Mall. 977-1025.

Building power: Young engineering types can test their metal at the Science Museum of Virginia's new exhibit "Engineer It!" now through April 27. Can you build a tall building that will stand up to an earthquake? Construct a seven-foot arch? (Hint: It takes a team.) And what happens when you wear wings in a wind tunnel? These and other exhibits help kids learn the inside story. Exhibit included in the price of admission. 2500 West Broad St., Richmond. 800-659-1727. smv.org.

Because it's there: Visitors to the Science Museum of Virginia can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the daredevils who struggle to reach the vertiginous summit at 29,028 feet in the IMAX film Everest. Tickets are $6.50. The combination ticket that lets you see the exhibits too is $10.50 for kids 4-12, $11.50 adults, $11 seniors. Call for times and reservations. 2500 West Broad St. 800-659-1727. smv.org.

Monkey around: The legendary primate researcher Dr. Jane Goodall leads viewers to a remote area in Tanzania to visit a few of her long-time friends in the IMAX film Jane Goodall's Wild Chimpanzees at the Science Museum of Virginia through June 14. Tickets for the film only are $6.50, but get the package deal and see the exhibits too. 2500 W. Broad St., Richmond. 800-659-1727. smv.org.

Food and shelter: The Children's Museum of Richmond hosts an exhibit that helps kids learn some of the wilderness skills the Lewis & Clark crew needed to make it through the journey…things like navigating by the stars, building forts, and tracking animals for food. Interactive displays help modern adventurers record their observations and identify unknown animals. A replica of a Sioux tipi is displayed, and Native Americans will drop by to share their skills. 2626 W. Broad St. 804-474-2667. c-mor.org.

ART LIST
Govisual presents the color photography of Victoria Dye. "Tidepools of Olympic National Park," runs through June 5 at 208 Third St. NE. 293-4475. See Art feature.

On April 25 at 6:30pm, the Kiwanis Club of Charlottesville presents an art exhibit and auction to support the J.T. Graves Memorial Youth Scholarship Fund. There is an admission fee. 1715 E. Market St. For reservations, 971-2094.

Gerald Mitchell exhibit of new work to benefit the Thomas Jefferson Food Bank opens May 2 and runs through May 30 at the Jeweler's Eye, 201C E. Main St. 979-5919.

Nancy Spahr's oil paintings are on display through April 30 at the New Dominion Bookshop. 404 E. Main St. 295-2552.

The Renaissance School is showing Alexander Hawkins' "Resonances: Images from the Modern Day Grand Tour," an exhibit of photography taken in Italy and Asia, through April 30. 406 E. Main St. on the Downtown Mall. 984-1952.

Dean Dass' "Mnemosyne" runs through April 26 at Les Yeux du Monde @ Dot2Dot. 115 S. First St. 973-5566.

Nellie Appleby and Nikolai Goodich share the Nature Gallery space through April 25, when the collaborative show wraps up with a closing party. Some new work, and a performance by the band Bjeard. 111 E. Water St. m3atballs@hotmail.com. 979-8855.

The Central Virginia Watercolor Guild exhibits members' work at the Alzheimer's Association through April 28. 1807 Seminole Trail, Suite 204. 964-1423.

C'Ville Coffee shows "All Outdoors," an exhibit by Doris deSha, Nancy Frye, Joan Griffin and Anne Warren Holland, through April 30. 1301 Harris St. 979-4402

Sun Bow Trading Company presents "25 Years of Secret Holdings," 16th-19th century textiles from the Silk Road, through the end of April. 401 E. Main St. 293-8821.

"Bring the Garden Indoors," featuring the work of Haley Jensen, will be on view at Transient Crafters through April. 118 W. Main on the Downtown Mall. 972-9500.

The C&O Gallery hosts new work by artist Nancy Galloway through the end of April. Opening May 2, David Eakin's Virginia landscape paintings, "More than Places," which runs through the month. 511 E. Water St. 971-7044.

The Thomas Jefferson Memorial Church shows the figurative and landscape paintings of Barbara Finn through May 5. 717 Rugby Road. 293-8179.

At the University of Virginia Art Museum, "Political Humor: A Tribute to Herblock," and "Masterworks from African Art: Selections from the Collection." Both exhibits run through May 4. Also on display are the Museum's newly acquired Joseph Cornell boxes and collages, which will be on exhibit through June. Also, "Re-Imagining Ireland: Irish Art Today," works by living Irish artists, runs through June 8. Summer Arts @ the Museum, an art program for kids in three sessions, begins July 7. The museum also presents a Spring Family Festival, Sunday, May 4, from 2-4:30pm. Rugby Road. 924-3952.

Catch Joy Levick Cross' exhibit of watercolors, "Art Interprets Flowers… a Garden of Windows," at Art Upstairs through April 29. 316 E. Main St. on the Downtown Mall above the Hardware Store Restaurant. 923-3900.

At Angelo, Loes Van Riel's "Jewelry for the Walls," runs through April. 220 E. Main St. on the Downtown Mall. 971-9256.

Until May 1, Delmon Brown Hall IV shows new paintings at the Mudhouse. 213 W. Main St. on the Downtown Mall. 984-6833.

At the McGuffey Art Center "Self-Portraits" a group show, is on view in the upstairs gallery; and "2002-New Work-2003," an exhibit of figurative artwork by Joan Soderlund and Edith M. Arbaugh, is downstairs through April 27. 201 Second St. NW. 295-7973.

Second Street Gallery presents the satirical "Codices Canibales: Books and Prints," by Enrique Chagoya, through April 27. 201 Second St. NW 977-7284.

A group show by 20 members of the Charlottesville-Albemarle Art Association is on view through June 30 on the upper mezzanine of the Charlottesville Airport. The show includes works in oil, watercolor, pastel, and mixed media by Janice Breeden, Thomas Walsh, Peg Redd, Karen Jaegerman Collins, Ralph Schultz, Michael Thompson, Trilbie Knapp, Judy Ely, Vidu Palta, Gail Mankie, Rachel Fanning, Betty Arehart, Phyllis Frame, Anne Marrocco, Matalie Deane, Cristian Perl, Ed Mochel, Mercedes Lopez, and Coy Roy. 980-2523.

Radar

"Harmonies From Life," watercolor and oil paintings by Ray Martin, will be on view at the Front Street Gallery through May 31. 773 Front St. Lovingston. 263-8526.

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts presents "Despite Many Adversities, We Are Still Here," photographs of Native Americans by Carolyn DeMerritt. April 24-July20. 2800 Grove Ave., Richmond. 804-204-2704.

FEATURES/FEATURES/FEATURES
ART
Intertidal: Dye's art captures hot zone
BY AARON STEINBERG ART@READTHEHOOK.COM

Photographer Victoria Dye had occasion to spend a couple weeks at Washington's Olympic National Park and had the presence of mind to bring along a camera. Olympic National is a beautiful place, or so art critics hear.

What broad and prodigious splendor that park offers does not find a documentarian in Dye, however. At least in her time there, the photographer found the little things much more engaging than the big ones. The park preserves some 65 miles of coastline, though Dye restricted herself to a small section of it, the intertidal zone-- a hot little strip where all the invertebrates go to hang and be seen.

With her modes exhibit, "Tidepools of Olympic National Park," Dye exhibits work that showcases her obvious strengths. She has an eye for bright color-- which she likes to isolate or set off against dark or colorless backgrounds and sharp contrast and occasionally comes up with a beautifully composed photo.

These qualities are evident primarily in a few special photographs that overshadow the rest of the exhibit. In "Ochre Sea Star," Dye brings out the strikingly bright oranges and yellows of a sun-touched starfish by placing it in and around a pile of dull-gray clams.

This technique also works in favor of "Pacific Goose Barnacle," where a small flash of red-orange, the shell of a lone colorful clam, gives the photograph a subtle look.

Nothing stands out quite so much as Dye's "Pacific Blood Star." Dye sets this starfish's brilliant orange against a wet, slate gray stone slab, giving it a striking contrast that catches the eye instantly.

It is clear in this exhibit, however, that Dye's interests are more than just visual. In what comes across as a touching gesture, Dye balances her exhibit between the aesthetic and the educational. She really wants us to know about what she's taken the time to photograph. Beyond giving the photo's titles, Dye's informational material placed next to the photographs describe only the biological workings of her subjects.

In other words, no mention of film type or artistic intention here. Dye is far more interested in giving her viewers a little more insight into vascular systems, intertidal zones, and muscular feet.

Govisual presents the color photography of Victoria Dye. "Tidepools of Olympic National Park," runs through June 5 at 208 Third St. NE. 293-4475.

PERFORMANCE
Gimme two: Shepard works end Live Arts season
BY TOBY EMERT PERFORMANCE@READTHEHOOK.COM

Regarded as one of the country's foremost playwrights, Sam Shepard integrates wild humor, grotesque satire, mythology, and spare language to create a subversive pop art vision of America.

Shepard has written more than 45 plays and won 11 Obie Awards. Buried Child, perhaps his best-known work, was the first play to win the Pulitzer Prize without first appearing on Broadway. Live Arts ends their regular season with a tribute to Shepard, and they want to do it up right: 24 performances, 11 interesting characters, five bushels of corn, two powerhouse directors, one on-stage haircut, and more toast than you could ever butter.

Boomie Pedersen directs the Main Stage production of Buried Child, one of Shepard's "family plays." In Buried Child, a family of broken individuals lives within a dilapidated house. The aging father, Dodge, is a ranting drunk. The mother, Halie, is in retreat from reality. Two sons, Tilden and Bradley, are profoundly damaged, one mentally and the other physically.

Beneath the disheveled veneer of this fractured family runs an undercurrent of menace, violence, and savage humor. Into the middle of it comes Vince, Tilden's son, with his girlfriend, Shelly. Vince has come looking for his roots, but what he finds is a dark secret and his own surprising place in the life of the family.

In the LAB Space, Amanda McRaven takes on True West, another of Shepard's "family plays" that is uncharacteristically traditional in its structure, but typically over the top in its story and style. True West is a tale of sibling strife as two estranged brothers, Lee and Austin, go mano a mano, giving each other grief but, at the same time, paradoxically, giving each other life.

In the course of the play, the two switch roles: The younger Austin, a mild-mannered screenwriter with a wife and family, steals toasters from neighboring homes, while Lee, a desert rat who steals for a living, hustles an off-the-wall movie treatment to Austin's agent.

Adding to the drama of this mini-Shepard festival is a special staged reading of Curse of the Starving Class, the first play of the Sam Shepard "family trilogy," written in 1976. The cast for this staged reading will be members of the Buried Child and True West casts.

Artistic Director John Gibson says, "Sam Shepard is our great primal playwright, and his essential 'family plays,' Buried Child, Curse of the Starving Class, and True West, make for must-see live theater." One playwright, three plays, a wealth of opportunities to get to know more about one of the country's premiere writers for the stage-- sounds like the perfect way to end a good theatrical season.

Buried Child and True West run through May 3. The staged reading of Curse of the Starving Class takes place on Sunday, April 27, at 7pm. Live Arts, 609 E. Market St. Ticket prices range from $7-14.

FAMILY
Facing the future: Hospice helps kids cope with loss
BY LINDA KOBERT FAMILY@READTHEHOOK.COM
Childhood should be a magical time, a time when a child's growing awareness of the world is met with a state of awe and wonder that adults sometimes envy. When a young person is confronted with the death or terminal illness of a significant loved one, though, this ephemeral state can shatter, leaving the child unprepared to confront some of the most difficult realities of human life.

For more than 22 years, Hospice of the Piedmont has been around to help families in Charlottesville and nine surrounding counties deal with end-of-life issues. Their "Journeys through the Seasons" was created especially to serve the needs of children ages six to 16 who have been affected by the serious illness or death of a loved one.

Using art and play as therapy, this one-day bereavement camp program gives kids the chance to interact with others their own age who have suffered a loss and to work through the normal human process of grieving.

"It's a safe place to experience their feelings about loss," said Kacie Woodard, an art therapist with the program. "Interacting with others lets kids feel they're not alone, that their emotions are normal, and that it's OK to laugh and play."

The spring Journey will be held May 3 at Triple C Camp. Therapists and volunteers will lead a variety of activities, including a kite-making project in which kids will be invited to focus on their loved one as they decorate the kites. As they send the kite aloft, their wishes and hopes can soar up to the heavens as well.

The group of up to 30 children will also get to know each other and work on team-building skills on Triple C's low ropes course. They will then travel to Walnut Creek Park to hike, canoe in the lake, and play water games. The day ends with a closing ceremony to which parents are invited in which the children memorialize their lost loved one and say goodbye to the group.

Any child who has experienced a loss is invited to participate in this free therapeutic camp, which is made possible through the generosity of the Rotary Club and Triple C Camp.

"It gives kids hope for the future," Woodard said, "and mostly it just lets them have fun."

Hospice of the Piedmont's spring "Journeys through the Seasons" bereavement camp takes place May 3 from 9am-5pm at Triple C Camp. For information and an application, call the Journeys program at 817-6900 or 800-975-5501.

TUNES
Rock is dead: Long live hip-hop
BY MARK GRABOWSKI TUNES@READTHEHOOK.COM

About a week ago, I couldn't sleep, so I began a long Socrates-style dialog with my better half (of my mind; I call him Pepe) about whether hip-hop is the future of music.

For one evening, at least, I agreed with Pepe that hip-hop has the upper hand over all other modern genres-- for example, its avant-garde productions seem to lack the regimented structures, set lyrical topics, and stylized repetition of modern music's other front-runner, rock.

From an evolutionary standpoint, hip-hop seems to be the fitter beast, and in a Darwinesque showdown (for you scattered Social Darwinists out there) it just might be able to claim the popular crown.

By the next morning I had slipped back into my "Rock is great!" stance, believing with absolute certainty that my favorite style's demise had been brought on by too much selective MTV viewing and coke (a Cola)-&endash; but my suspicions remained.

In one of those coincidences where you suspect someone is listening in on your private monologue, Busdriver and Radioinactive with Daedelus' new avant-garde hip-hop album, The Weather, appeared in my box last Friday. After I'd listened for about 10 minutes, my personal rock vs. hip-hop argument began afresh&emdash; that's how good this album is.

The Weather is the work of three artists on LA-based Mush records, who (or so it sounds on their CD) got together, got loose, and just let the tapes roll.

Busdriver was a part of the LA based "hip-hop educational seminar" Project Blowed; Radioinactive was once a member of the similarly based group Log Cabin; and a chance collaboration on Busdriver's previous disc, Temporary Forever, led the two to see the benefits of (non-sexual) partnered living.

"Exaggerated Joy" starts the disc off, with lyrics that seemingly take the form of a word jumble that makes partial sense, with a beat that goes from simple to overly complex in the span of a verse.

"For the people who know/deeper than hundreds of thousands of debt/your couch is now wet/Here is the washcloth to wipe yourself dry," raps Radioinactive in a relaxed, mildly melodic nasal tone at the beginning of the verse.

Busdriver takes over for the chorus-&endash; his is a gasping voice, more energetic than Radioinactive's has been, and he throws out a melody so complex that each syllable he sings is a new note. And Radioinactive's computer-vocaled bridge-like section halfway through the track, where a Bosanova beat suddenly appears? Genius.

The album keeps up its general merriment and loose yet tightly together sound from there on out. "Pen's Oil" is the first track where Radioinactive and Busdriver show off their amazing ability to rap faster than a speeding bullet, barely leaving time for the listener to comprehend the ridiculous words before something else rears its hilarious head.

The Weather is great from the beginning to the end, and like classical music, just might increase your mental power a bit.

Rock fan? Your days are numbered, my friend.

Busdriver and Radioinactive (as The Weather), AWOL One, and Andre Afram Asmar perform at the Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar April 25. No cover, 8pm.

WALKABOUT
Favorite sons: Native plants personalize gardens
BY CHRISTINA BALL WALKABOUT@READTHEHOOK.COM

If your knowledge of local flora begins and ends with the dogwood, then the Virginia Native Plant Society has something to teach you. Actually, the local Jefferson Chapter of the VNPS will be doing more than educating Sunday, April 27, at the 5th annual Natural History Day at the Ivy Creek Natural Area.

As those who've been showing up early each year to get first dibs on difficult to find natives like Columbine, Maidenhair ferns, and Purple Coneflower know well, the highlight of this springtime celebration is the sale of potted wildflowers, trees, and shrubs orchestrated by the members of the local VNPS and the Ivy Creek Foundation. Several local environmental organizations will also be on hand with info and activities focusing on everything from butterflies to animal tracks to summer nature camps.

As the name suggests, the VNPS is dedicated to the worthwhile cause of preserving Virginia's wildflowers and other native plants.

"We'd like to see Virginia look more like Virginia," Jefferson Chapter President Phil Stokes says. The 120 members gladly expend time and energy potting plants (grown primarily in their own gardens) for this sale, their only fundraising event.

Of special interest in this year's sale are dozens of specimens rescued from the G. Richard Thompson Wildlife Management Area-&endash; Jack-in-the-pulpit, Trillium, White wood Aster and Solomon's Seal, to name a few. All in all, you can expect to find about 700 plants and 50 different varieties.

In addition to wildflowers, there will also be trees and shrubs such as Spice Bush and Flowering Dogwood. And if you're into grass (ornamental, that is) like I am, you'll want to find out more about native grasses like Big Bluestem and Indian Grass. Expect some surprises, too.

I didn't realize until my conversation with Phil Stokes that the omnipresent, quick-growing Leyland Cypress is actually foreign to this area. Or that I could grow wild ginger or persimmons in my very own backyard.

Now I have native plant fever. If you care to join me on Sunday, Phil and the other VNPS members will surely share tips on transforming our gardens into Virginia gardens. Why not start with some Virginia Blue Bells for $4? Early bird gets the... well, you know.

Natural History Day takes place at the Ivy Creek Natural Area on Sunday, April 27, from 1-3pm. Ivy Creek is located off Earlysville Road, 1.2 miles from the Albemarle High School. Free, unless you plan on bringing home a truckload of trillium. Call 973-3337 for more info. E-mail Phil Stokes for info on joining the local chapter of the VNPS &endash; phils@hoos.net.

WORDS
Mean minxes: Girls' aggression isn't a joke
BY ELIZABETH KIEM WORDS@READTHEHOOK.COM

One teenage girl to another: "No offense, but you're dressed really slutty today."

We call it catty, we call it mean. We characterize it as friendly sniping and expect the offending teen to back down, "I was just kidding!"

Rachel Simmons says it's time to call this kind of interaction what it really is… aggression.

"This is a social problem that has long been silenced," says the author of Odd Girl Out, a journalistic map of female aggression. "We have always treated it as meanness, a rite of passage, a phase, a developmental problem, but not as aggression."

Simmons began researching the gender-specifics of bullying as a Rhodes scholar, but found that even at Oxford, that bastion of gentile scholarship, there was very little study on the topic. Returning to America to do her own investigation, Simmons began interviewing girls, young women, and mothers and concluded that female hostility has been socialized into a particularly damaging form.

Girls, Simmons says, are expected to eschew violence. Much of that expectation is the result of evolutionary trends. Early hominid females exhibited less violence than males, presumably to avoid orphaning their offspring.

Today's girls are less likely to be thinking about preservation of their young when they choose their method of attack, but they still favor non-physical confrontations. Yet, any girl who has ever been ostracized in the schoolyard will tell you that notes and whispers are as hurtful as fists.

Simmons breaks girl bullying into three main types. There's social aggression, wherein the victim's self-esteem and social status are deliberately eroded (rumor mongering and smear campaigns are particularly effective).

Then there's indirect aggression, typified by the above exchange, and crowned with the (accusing in itself) retort, "Oh come on, I was only joking." Finally, everyone's favorite (my four-year-old son included)-- the "I'm not going to be your friend anymore if you don't…" threat.

How serious a problem is girl bullying? Pretty serious for millions of thin-skinned young ladies, including the author, whose childhood memories inspired this book. But Simmons argues that the issue highlights a larger societal flaw. These girls, she argues, have been taught that name-calling, snubbing, and character sniping are acceptable forms of hostility, when they're not.

"Girls need to be more direct," concludes Simmons. "They need to assert their feelings in a natural, healthy manner."

Or as my mother would say, "Don't go to bed mad. Stay up and throw things."

Just kidding.

Rachel Simmons has appeared on Oprah, Dateline, and the Today Show. She's at the UVA Bookstore Thursday, April 24, at 8pm. 924-1073.