The Fall Block Party at the McGuffey Art Center brings great bands, public art, food trucks, and a craft beer garden to the front lawn of Downtown Charlottesville’s historic schoolhouse-turned-gallery. Step inside for ten artist demonstrations in their studios and a Creative Mixer in Studio 10. On the lawn, don’t miss charity cornhole and awards for Founding Cville, plus special mixers for tech and music.
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The Block Party is FREE
RSVP above to win t-shirts & other goodies!
#tomtomfest
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FOUNDING CVILLE
The Block Party also celebrates the launch of Founding Cville, an initiative honoring innovators, artists, and community leaders who create great things in Charlottesville. Check out their profiles on the Downtown Mall’s lamppost banners, read exclusive Q&As on our website, and come to the award ceremony at the Block Party!
OUTDOORS
5pm
MICHAEL COLEMAN
guitar-based rock and soul outfit
TECH SOCIAL
Cville's tech firms meet student entrepreneurs
CHARITY CORNHOLE COMPETITION
supported by AEPi and AXO
benefiting SHE and the Bone Marrow Foundation
6:30pm
FOUNDING CVILLE PRESENTATION
celebrating Cville's standout innovators and leaders
7pm
MATT HORN AND FRIENDS
soul-drenched horn ensemble
7:30pm
CHS STEP TEAM
8:30pm
VIRGINIA ACROBATICS
aerial spectacle fusing dance, gymnastics, and vaudeville
9:00pm
BLACK MASALA
danceable gypsy funk explosion
INDOORS
5pm
MCGUFFEY ARTISTS OPEN HOUSE
featuring:
fine art
selfie studio
reverse painting on glass
vacuformed masks
5:30pm
POP-UP SHOP
featuring:
Willow Knows
Rebekah Graves Light Sculptures
SCREENING: 20
Peter Kreb's high-speed journey through a nocturnal landscape
7pm
CREATIVE MIXER
Local artists, students, and designers mix and mingle
9:30pm
JOE LAWLOR
musical performance to accompany 20
MUSIC
Black Masala blends melodies of Eastern European brass bands, New Orleans jazz, Latin grooves, ambient and experimental indie rock riffs, and even a hint of Appalachian twang. “People dance so hard they’ve fallen into our drum sets.”
Matt Horn & Friends (7pm)
Charlottesville based soul-funk-jazz fusion with a blazing horn section.
With influences ranging from Otis Redding to Dave Matthews, local Michael Coleman combines soulful vocals and a percussive guitar style that draws on his background as a jazz drummer.
ART
Demos + Workshops (5-10pm)
Come see what the McGuffey Art Center is all about. Dozens of local artists call McGuffey studios home. Appreciate their artwork or start your own project at live workshops and demonstrations.
Check out this spectacular fusion of dance, acrobatics, and vaudeville. Virginia Acrobatics is a group of Charlottesville and UVA artists, performing aerial gymnastics.
Creative Mixer (7-8:30pm)
Come to Studio 10 at the McGuffey to meet fellow artists, designers, and stylists, including Rebekah Graves Light Sculptures, KiraKira, Scout Guide, Futures in Fashion Association at UVa, and a pop up trunk show with Willow Knows.
INNOVATION
Tech Social (5-8pm)
Over 35 of Charlottesville’s most innovative firms host a meet-and-greet to connect with each other and with students from across the state. Hosted by WillowTree Apps and U.Va.'s School of Engineering.
Tour Charlottesville's tech startups with the Entrepreneurship Group at UVA and HackCville. Tour concludes with the Tech Social at 5pm.
Founding Cville Awards (6:30pm)
A brief ceremony celebrates Cville’s Founders: scientists, entrepreneurs, artists, and community leaders who make Charlottesville a hotspot for innovation.
FOOD & BEER
Craft Beer Garden (All night!)
Featuring classic drafts & new beers from New Belgium Brewing and Wild Wolf Brewing Company.
Regional food trucks
(All night!)
Hot, fresh, & local from Blue Ridge Pizza, Got Dumplings, Kona Ice, Barefoot Bucha, Little Manila, and The Bavarian Chef.
Cornhole Charity Competition (5-10pm)
Support a good cause while testing your skills against U.Va.’s finest. AXO and AEPi field their varsity players to benefit the Shelter for Help in Emergency and the Bone Marrow Foundation.
