Re: Visiting Charlottesville
Charlottesville is kind of divided into 2 parts - the area concentrated around the University of Virginia's campus and on the other side of the bridge, the area around the downtown mall.
Miller's in right in the middle of the downtown mall, and is impossible to miss. It's also one of the few places where you can openly ask about DMB if you care to. Can't guarantee if the server will know anything or want to field questions about DMB, though. Upstairs in Miller's is where Dave first showed roi and carter his music, which is interesting. You'll see the very very small stage in Miller's which is a great place to see music.On the other side of the downtown mall from millers, across the street (and on the other side of a parking lot) is an odd pink building - which is the 'warehouse', and the location of the famous first DMB show, which was on the roof.
At the end of the mall (on the far side) is the beautiful cville pavilion (I think it's the nTelos Pavilion?). Obviously some old DMB shows were played there, and more recently a Dave and Tim show - but it's open to the public so you can walk on stage and all... it's very pretty.
On the campus of UVA (which you should really visit - it's arguably one of the most beautiful campuses in the country/on earth), you can see the outdoor amphitheater - McIntire Amphitheater - where DMB played the release party for Under the table and dreaming. Trax is no longer there, but it stood near the railroad tracks on the UVA side of the bridge, but nothing remains.
Otherwise... there's not much that would fascinate a DMB fan. My advice, if you're comfortable, is to talk to and ask business owners or locals (people between 40-60 is perfect) about Dave Matthews, and you'll find a ton of people have connections to the band. If it's a football weekend, don't ask if it's really busy, but hit the downtown mall early one day and just ask the local shopowners if they have any stories/etc. I've met tons of people casually, without even looking for information, including a woman who let Dave live in her basement in the earliest days of the band. Carter and Dave would practice there until this lady would ask them to stop (haha!). From what I know, he stayed there for 6-9 months and at the time, drove a Saab or Volvo. Something semi-nice.
Either way, enjoy Charlottesville. It's a beautiful place. I highly recommend the Saturday morning market on the downtown mall, walking on the stage of the pavilion, and seeing/exploring the UVA campus as much as you can.
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Thanks to all #CvilleAnts who tweeted Stefan!!
11/19 and 11/20
Best shows I've ever seen, I'll miss this band
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