CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLERIGHTNOW) – Whether you’re looking to take in cinematic short films, indie-folk brilliance, or a string-backed Coldplay tribute, there’s plenty to explore across the region. Each week, Anand Harsh of 106.1 The Corner will direct your attention to the music and arts events happening in Charlottesville and surrounding areas that you absolutely can’t miss. These are, at the very minimum, shows you should hit if you’re in the neighborhood—all the way up to cancel-your-plans, call the sitter, and buy your tickets right now.

Anand’s Picks to Click

America turns 250, and the Downtown Mall turns 50

This is a special week for Charlottesville, because not only is the country turning 250, but the Downtown Mall in Charlottesville turns 50. The most American thing you can do is root on the US Men’s National Soccer Team in the World Cup on Wednesday, July 1st. Your best place to watch their round of 32 knockout match is at The Fox Den, which shows every single World Cup match and will boast a full house for this one. My recommendation is to show up an hour before the big game.

All weekend long there will be celebrations of America’s 250th, but the big Downtown Mall party is Friday, July 3rd. Theocles & the Muses and Baaba Seth play Fridays After Five at the Ting Pavilion, and then there’s a ticketed show at the Paramount just down the mall and tours and celebrations at many of the stores and restaurants lining the mall all night culminating in a 50th anniversary light show on the CODE Building that night.