Even after logging more than 700 performances over more than three years, actor Jerry O’Boyle loves the way the musical “Hairspray” teases new insights out of him.

Vusi Mahlasela’s musical message of optimism continues to spread around the world. The iconic South African folk singer has been a celebrated hero in his native country since his young days as a poet-activist playing a homemade guitar during the dark times of apartheid.

When they show up for auditions, many young people who seek hands-on backstage work on a theater production find themselves strangers in a strange land.

An album co-produced by the Virginia Folklife Program of the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities was named gospel album of the year by the eighth annual Independent Music Awards.

Jim Connor, a former member of the New Kingston Trio who was a sidekick to John Denver and wrote the song “Grandma’s Featherbed,” will perform 8 p.m. Saturday at part of the Barking Cherry House Concerts series.

Gambling is fun. Gambling is good for you. Gambling helps the community.

A series of exhibitions are opening next week in conjunction with the Big Read.

‘Art of Paris’ opens at UVa Museum

Charlottesville Ballet will present “Winter Solstice of the Heart,” a full-length dance performance, at 7:30 tonight and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Theatre at Ix.

If there’s anything better for a violinist than performing on an astonishing instrument, perhaps it’s being able to choose between two of them.

The University of Virginia Art Museum’s new director brings a background in education, scholarship and museum administration.

Doug Schneider has no shortage of pleasant memories from participating in Four County Players productions over the years.

I don’t remember how old I was when I saw my favorite movie. It was sometime between the first and third grades.

Singer-songwriting duo Chris and Thomas has built a loyal audience in its home base of Los Angeles, but its earthy brand of pastoral folk sounds more in tune with the English countryside than Century City.

So the economy stinks, and some of us are a little scared.

Who says the ladies get all the good roles in ballet? The gentlemen of Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo can don pointe shoes with the best of them.

It’s been an unforgettable week. And tonight will be no exception.

Political cartoonist will draw at UVa

Ah, dancing. Poetry. Do the two go together?

The Quality Community Council offers a family-friendly Celebration of Community Organiz- ing from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Carver Recreation Center.

It’s a buzz. A buzz that has been humming with a purpose since Election Day.

Tucker gives tour of 2 shows

The Virginia Quarterly Review has announced the winners of its writing prizes for 2008.

If you are feeling anxious to do something to celebrate the new president but can’t get to the inauguration, there’s another way you can take note of the history-making occasion.

So who’s in charge between the return of Dancer and Prancer to the North Pole and the arrival of Cupid?

For nearly 70 years Lois Scott Kannensohn has used the soft, rich tones of watercolors to express beautiful things around her.

Guitarist Ian Gilliam still relies on techniques he learned from his hometown guitar teacher — everything from finger rolls to alternating bass lines. On Saturday, he will return the favor by bringing fellow musicians and fans together to help one of teacher Dean Musser’s pet causes.

Tommy Garrett, when he’s not back home in Buckingham County, spends a lot of his time in Los Angeles, where he has been — among other things — writing an entertainment column for the Canyon News in Beverly Hills.

New ‘Landscape’ unfolds at Ruffin

The Guggenheim Grotto has spent the past five years steadily growing from Irish folk-circuit regulars to international underground phenoms with a solid following.