While many students participate in the grand exodus that takes place in Charlottesville each May, the draw of a more relaxed environment and no parents leads many students to continue to make the University their home for the summer. The 'Ville may not be the hive of activity it is in the fall and spring, but that doesn't mean it settles down for a long summer nap. The weather is better, the Corner is less crowded and Jefferson's old stomping ground is still very much alive.
Summer tunes
The major local music venues certainly don't close their doors over the summer months.
Jamie Sisley, a Starr Hill promoter involved with shows at the Pavilion, the Paramount and Starr Hill Music Hall, noted that many musical groups will be paying a visit to Charlottesville this summer, frequently appearing at local outdoor venues.
"Most of the shows go outdoors." Sisley said. "We've got a few shows at the Pavilion students should really dig. If you're into the whole jam scene we've got the Disco Biscuits on July 27. That should be a pretty big one."
Other artists coming to the Pavilion include Lyle Lovett, The B-52's and Nickel Creek with Fiona Apple.
Paramount Director of Marketing Kristen Gleason said she was also pleased with the artists, not all of them musicians, coming to the Paramount.
"We have some great music and comedy acts this summer," Gleason said. "Legends like Doc Watson and Ryan Adams. We're thrilled to have them both over here. We also have Josh Blue, who won last year's Last Comic Standing, and Chicago City Limits."
Satellite Ballroom will be sporting a few bands from the national indie scene over the summer including Man Man and Deerhunter.
Though various national acts are headed to Charlottesville, Sisley was quick to note that much of Charlottesville's summer music scene is fueled by local musicians and bands.
Sisley was particularly excited about the continuing tradition of Friday's After Five, a series of free concerts booked with local bands every Friday at the Pavilion.
"It's a lot of fun," Sisley said. "You just come out and drink and have a good time. A lot of students don't even know about it. That kind of bums me out."
While American Idol winner Taylor Hicks is coming to Starr Hill in early July, Sisley also pointed out Starr Hill will continue to support local artists.
"We've got Sons of Bill [coming]." Sisley said. "They're one of Charlottesville's biggest local bands. That will probably sell out."
Culture in C-ville
For those interested in theater, Live Arts is running Nobel Prize winner Harold Pinter's play "Old Times" through June. Though Pinter is known for what has been coined "comedy of menace," director Fran Smith assures that "Old Times" does not lack levity.
"Pinter is a classic absurdist," Smith said. "It's very funny. There's not one thing in this play that doesn't make you say 'something just like that happened to me.'"
Though some may find Pinter's plays challenging, Smith was pleased to report so far the play, which opened last Friday, has had no trouble finding an audience.
The University Art Museum has a number of varied exhibits on display through the summer months.
"We just opened a Mesoamerican summer exhibit called In the Land of the Corn Gods," museum curator Andrea Douglass said. "It looks at Mayan ceramics and addresses the different kinds of subject matter that are depicted there."
In addition to this new exhibit, the museum offers an mix of works from varying mediums, styles and periods.
"We also have an exhibit that represents work from Sam Abell, Emmet Gowin, Sally Mann and William Wylie, all of these photographic artists who live in Virginia and work in Virginia," Douglass said.
The Art Museum's video gallery will be open and displaying the films of Peter Whitehead throughout the summer.
"He's an avant-garde British film maker of the 60s," Douglass said. "We're going to be presenting four of his films."
Downtown history
The Charlottesville Historical Society continues to offer various activities and events throughout the summer.
"The main [attraction] would be the Saturday morning walking tours," Society Director Douglas Day said. "They are guided tours through Historic Downtown every Saturday morning."
Though the tours are the Historic Society's staple, it has a number of other active programs. Day said the society is particularly focusing on enlisting volunteers for the Veterans History project, a campaign to document the personal accounts of veterans of foreign wars.
"We have a lot of college students working for us, but we still have a lot of veterans just waiting to be interviewed," Day said.
A tradition of the Downtown scene unique to the summer is the Charlottesville Summer City Market. The market is probably the best spot in town for local goods because all products sold are required to be home baked, home-grown or home-made.
Movin' to the country
It is, of course, always an option to venture outside for something a bit more physically demanding every once and a while. Those looking to tube the James River or hike part of the Appalachian Trail might consider visiting the University's Outdoor Recreation Center.
According the Liz Troxel, an employee of the Outdoor Recreation Center, anyone with a valid University I.D. can rent canoes, kayaks, tents and other types of camping equipment.
The center also offers a number of classes open to the general public at a reduced fee for University students and employees.
"We offer some climbing classes, kayaking classes, fly fishing classes, horseback riding classes, things like that," Troxel said.
Many more summer outdoor activities are offered by the University's Summer Intramural program. Intramurals include everything from caving to martial arts. The deadline for intramural membership is today at 5:30 p.m., so those looking to join in should waste no time getting to the Aquatic & Fitness Center.
Summer also offers a great opportunity for students to venture outside of the University area. According to their Web site, Blue Ridge Drive, part of Skyline Drive and Shenandoah National Park, offers great views along 105 miles overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains. Nearby, Humpback Rock rewards climbers with a view of the Shenandoah Valley.
Summer also gives students a chance to make the short trip to Thomas Jefferson's home, Monticello. According to Monticello summer guide Kevin Richards, the estate will be offering tours throughout the summer. Visitors can choose between four different tours led by specially trained guides in order to see the main house, gardens or slave quarters.
Carter Mountain in Charlottesville and Chiles Peach Orchard in Crozet give visitors the chance to pick their own produce or purchase homemade goods at the store. According to owner Cynthia Chiles, peach season should start later this month and apple season will begin in August, but she also noted that "some people just come for the view."
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