Husband, father, writer & digital experience leader. I work with founders who want to strengthen their narratives. I also write about the 90s @nostalgialab.co
Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Ben Larsen
“I Love Saying I’m From Lynn”: Keri Clougherty’s Mass. Hockey Journey
Keri Clougherty's mother had other plans. Those plans started when she signed up her only daughter for dance classes. But, Keri, 4-years old and the youngest of three, altered those plans the moment she took the ice at Connery Rink in Lynn. Dance classes didn't last. In fact, she never made it to one. “Mom wanted me to be a dancer,” Clougherty said. “But she wanted me to learn how to skate, too.
Arts This Week: Second Street Gallery
Ella Powell: You are listening to WTJU. Running for 7 weeks from Friday, December 5 through Friday, January 23, Second Street Gallery presents two solo exhibitions of Charlottesville based photographers, Stacey Evans and Courtney Coker. In the main gallery, Evans exhibit titled Passenger blurs the line between urban and rural landscapes through snapshots along the Northeast Regional Amtrak line.
Arts This Week: Swinging Into the Future: With UVA Director of Jazz, Sharel Cassity
Skip to main content Arts This Week: Swinging Into the Future: With UVA Director of Jazz, Sharel Cassity Dana Sun: You’re listening to WTJU Charlottesville. For Arts This Week, we talked with the UVA Jazz Ensemble drummer, Raghav Vasudeva. Raghav Vasudeva: My name is Raghav Vasudeva. I’m a fourth-year neuroscience major, English minor at UVA. I am in the Jazz Big Band. I’ve been playing drums for the last, like, I think, almost 10 years at this point, since I was like 12.
Arts This Week: Queen Lear
Skip to main content Arts This Week: Queen Lear Lewis Reining: You’re listening to WTJU Charlottesville. For Arts This Week, we chatted with actor and writer, Kate Bennis, about her involvement with the play Queen Lear. Tell us a little bit about your involvement with Queen Lear.
Arts This Week: The Fralin Museum of Art's 90th Anniversary Soiree
Skip to main content Arts This Week: The Fralin Museum of Art’s 90th Anniversary Soiree Coco Ahn: You’re listening to WTJU Charlottesville.The Fralin Museum of Art is celebrating its 90th anniversary with a soiree on November 7, from 6 to 11pm, featuring great food, performance, music and interactive activities. For Arts This Week, we spoke with Director of the Fralin, Karen Milbourne, to learn more about the event. Karen Milbourne: Hello, my name is Karen Milbourne, and I am the J.
Arts This Week: Fantasy Festival at IX Art Park
Skip to main content Arts This Week: Fantasy Festival at IX Art Park Ella Powell: You are listening to WTJU. On Friday, October 31, Halloween, Ix Art Foundation presents its Fantasy Festival, featuring live art, music, and performances from 2pm-10pm. For Arts This Week, we spoke to Ewa Harr, the Executive director of the Ix Art Foundation. Can you share a bit about the IX Art Foundation with me? What are your primary goals and what role do you play in the Charlottesville community?
Arts This Week: WXTJ Jamz
Skip to main content Arts This Week: WXTJ Jamz Dana Sun: You’re listening to WTJU, Charlottesville. For Arts This Week, we chatted with WXTJ Jamz director, Blake Cabral. Blake Cabral: I’m Blake Cabral. I’m the current director for WXTJ Jamz. I’m a third year and I’m majoring in music and history. WXTJ Jamz is a program where, essentially, we get guest artists to come in, usually they’re bands that have a plethora of originals.
Arts This Week: Wolfgang Buttress at The Les Yeux Du Monde
Skip to main content Arts This Week: Wolfgang Buttress at The Les Yeux Du Monde Ella Powell: You’re listening to WTJU Charlottesville. The Les Yeux Du Monde (LYDM) gallery presents an exhibit featuring work from Wolfgang Buttress, now, through November 16th. For Arts This Week, we spoke with the gallery Director, Hagan Tampellini. Hagan Tampellini: I’m Hagen Tampellini, Director of Les Yeux Du Monde (LYDM) Gallery in Charlottesville.
Arts This Week: Last Chance to See "Fuego Eterno: Soberanías Visuales"
Skip to main content Arts This Week: Last Chance to See “Fuego Eterno: Soberanías Visuales” Coco Ahn: At UVA’s Ruffin Gallery, the exhibition Fuego Eterno: Soberanías Visuales is entering its final week. Co-curated by Erika Hirugami, the show brings together indigenous artists and scholars from across the global Spanish speaking world, challenging colonial borders and celebrating ancestral sovereignty.
Arts This Week: "Georgia O'Keeffe: The Brightness of Life" at Vinegar Hill Theater
Ella Powell: You’re listening to WTJU Charlottesville. On Saturday, September 27th at 2pm, the Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society is showing Georgia O’Keeffe: The Brightness of Life, at Vinegar Hill Theater followed by a panel discussion with the filmmakers and UVAs Beth Turner, who we spoke with for Arts This Week. Paul Wagner: My name is Paul Wagner. I’m the writer and director of Georgia O’Keeffe, brightness of light. Ellen Casey Wagner: I’m Ellen Casey Wagner, and I was the producer.
Arts This Week: Upcoming Events at The Southern Cafe and Music Hall
Dana Sun: For Arts This Week we chatted with Jeanette Hosmer about upcoming music events at The Southern. Jeanette Hosmer: I’m Jeanette. I work at The Southern. I do some marketing, I do some promotion. I wear a lot of hats. The Southern Cafe and Music Hall is a music venue in Charlottesville. It’s a club-sized room, 300 capacity. We have a cafe. So we serve food, drinks, we have shows. It’s awesome.
Arts This Week: The Cville Chamber Music Festival
Skip to main content Arts This Week: The Cville Chamber Music Festival Ben Larsen: The Charlottesville Chamber Music Festival is happening from September 7 to the 20th. For Arts This Week, we spoke with Nathalie Hokanson. Natalie Hokanson: My name is Nathalie Hokanson. I am the executive director of The Virginia Chamber Music Foundation, which is the proud presenter of the annual Charlottesville Chamber Music Festival, as well as some occasional events during the year.
Arts This Week: Mad Jazz and Wine Festival 2025
Skip to main content Arts This Week: Mad Jazz and Wine Festival 2025 Coco Ahn: You’re listening to WTJU Charlottesville. The fourth annual Mad Jazz and Wine Festival is happening this September 6, from 11 to 5pm at the Prince Michel Vineyard and Winery. For Arts This Week, we spoke with Eric Mayberry, founder and organizer of the event. Eric Mayberry: My name is Eric Mayberry.
Arts This Week: "Fuego Eterno: Soberanías Visuales" at The Ruffin Gallery
Skip to main content Arts This Week: “Fuego Eterno: Soberanías Visuales” at The Ruffin Gallery Ella Powell: You’re listening to WTJU Charlottesville. On Friday, August 29th, the Global Spanish Art Exhibition, Fuego Eterno: Soberanías Visuales, will open at Ruffin gallery, showcasing work from 15 artists and 10 writers who share their indigenous and ancestral heritage from communities impacted by Spanish colonialism.
Arts This Week: "Soul Meets Body" at The Southern Cafe and Music Hall
Skip to main content Arts This Week: “Soul Meets Body” at The Southern Cafe and Music Hall Dana Sun: You’re listening to WTJU Charlottesville. For Arts This Week, we chatted with Nathan Scholz from the band Soul Meets Body. Nate talks about his band and their upcoming show at the Southern Music Hall and Cafe on August 21. Nate Scholz: Hi, my name is Nate. I play guitar in the band, Soul Meets Body.
Arts This Week: The Soul of Cville Festival
Skip to main content Arts This Week: The Soul of Cville Festival Ben Larsen: The annual Soul of Cville Festival is happening all this week, running from August 10th to the 17th. For Arts This week, we spoke with Khalilah Jones. Khalilah Jones: Hi, I’m Khalilah Jones, and I am the co founder of the Soul of Cville, and I’m super excited, because this is our fifth year. There is so much going on anything that is for families and children. Those events will be free. So we have our end of summer swim.
Arts This Week: "Nunga Screen" at the Violet Crown
Skip to main content Arts This Week: “Nunga Screen” at the Violet Crown Pooja Viswesh: You’re listening to WTJU Charlottesville. For Arts This Week, we chatted with Joshua Trevorrow, the First Nations Arts and Cultural Manager at Country Arts South Australia. He talks about his upcoming screening of Nunga Screen at the Violet Crown on August 7th. Tell us a bit about yourself and your work. Joshua Trevarrow: Thank you, firstly, very much for having me and for all the support. It’s incredible.
Arts This Week: Indie Short Film Festival's “The Price of Resistance”
Skip to main content Arts This Week: Indie Short Film Festival’s “The Price of Resistance” Ella Powell: You’re listening to WTJU Charlottesville. On Saturday, August 9th at 7:30 pm, Vinegar Hill Theater is showing “The Price of Resistance: Sala Udin, An American Agitator” and “Uprooted,” presented by the Indie Short Film Festival. Both documentaries recount stories of black resistance from the 1960s. For Arts This Week, we spoke to Ty Cooper, a co-producer of The Price of Resistance.
Arts This Week: WXTJ House Show Benefitting Trans Lifeline
Skip to main content Arts This Week: WXTJ House Show Benefitting Trans Lifeline Dana Sun: You’re listening to WTJU Charlottesville. For Arts This Week, we chatted with the directors of WXTJ, Isabel Xiao and Dana Sun. Isabel Xiao: My name is Isabel. I am the WXTJ director, which means that I direct the student radio station. I help put on shows. I help put our programming together. I put on other events and stuff like that. Dana Sun: And I’m Dana sun, WXTJ director of events and outreach.
Arts This Week: Tours and Programming at The Paramount Theater
Skip to main content Arts This Week: Tours and Programming at The Paramount Theater Coco Ahn: You’re listening to WTJU Charlottesville. Charlottesville Downtown’s Paramount Theater has ongoing opportunities to take a tour of the historic space, as well as attend live performances. For Arts This Week, we spoke with the Director of Communications, Andy Pillifant, to connect with this living landmark.
Arts This Week: Ruffin Gallery's Echoes of the Shadows
Skip to main content Arts This Week: Ruffin Gallery’s Echoes of the Shadows Ben Larsen: The Ruffin Art Gallery graduation exhibition is open until June 6th. The exhibition is a collection of student works curated by two of the department’s graduate students. For Arts This Week, we spoke with Elena Yu Ganiyu Jimoh and Elnaz Latifpour. Elena Yu: I’m Elena Yu and I’m the Ruffin gallery manager here in the Department of Art.
Arts This Week: Miniature Abstract Painting Workshop and Joan Mitchell Exhibition
Skip to main content Arts This Week: Miniature Abstract Painting Workshop and Joan Mitchell Exhibition Ben Larsen: The Fralin Museum of Art is hosting a Miniature Abstract Painting Workshop on May 15 to pair with the Joan Mitchell exhibition up until July. For Arts This Week, we spoke with art instructor Ursula Bell and curator Jordan Love. Ursula Bell: My name is Ursula Bell.
Skip to main content Arts This Week: A Little May Music with the Virginia Consort Ben Larsen: The Virginia Consort is closing out their season by hosting a concert at St Paul’s Memorial Church. For Arts This Week, we spoke with music director Deke Polifka. Deke Polifka: My name is Deke Polifka, and I’m the music director for the Virginia Consort.
Arts This Week: Ruffin Hall Studio Art Exhibition Series
Skip to main content Arts This Week: Ruffin Hall Studio Art Exhibition Series Ben Larsen: The University of Virginia art department is hosting opening receptions at Ruffin Hall throughout April as part of a thesis exhibition series for arts.
Arts This Week: The Phaeton Gallery
Skip to main content Arts This Week: The Phaeton Gallery Ben Larsen: The Phaeton Gallery is hosting an opening reception as part of a joint exhibition for works by Krista Townsend and Nikki Hare for arts. This week, we spoke with artist Krista Townsend and Lisa Hogan with the gallery. Krista Townsend: My name is Krista Townsend, and the show is called The Understory, and what that references is many layers of things. The understory is the bottom of the forest.
Arts This Week: A Continuous Storyline - Ruffin Gallery
Ben Larsen The University of Virginia art department is hosting an opening reception at the Ruffin Gallery as part of an exhibition honoring one of its professors. For Arts This Week, we spoke with Megan Marlatt. Megan Marlatt Hello, I am professor. Megan Marlatt, I am celebrating my 36th year of teaching at the University of Virginia, and have plans to retire at the end of this school year. In regards to that, I have put together an exhibition.
Arts This Week - Ruffin Distinguished Visiting Artist
Skip to main content Arts This Week – Ruffin Distinguished Visiting Artist Ben Larsen The University of Virginia Art Department hosted a regenerative somatic workshop at Visible Records as part of the Ruffin Distinguished Visiting Artist lecture series. For Arts This W eek, we spoke with Elena Yu. Elena Yu I’m Elena Yu, and I’m the Ruffin gallery and visiting artist coordinator for the Department of Art at UVA.
Arts This Week - Our Unbroken Line: The Griffiths Family
Skip to main content Arts This Week – Our Unbroken Line: The Griffiths Family Ben Larsen The Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection is inviting people to see their exhibition, Our Unbroken Line: The Griffiths family, before it’s too late. For Arts This Week, we spoke with Laura Snyder and Margo Smith, who work at the museum. Laura Snyder Hi, my name is Laura Snyder and I’m the Public Engagement and Communications Coordinator at Kluge-Ruhe.
Charlottesville Symphony Youth Concerts
Ben Larsen: The Charlottesville symphony is hosting their annual youth concerts, performed for fourth and fifth grade students Thursday the 17th. For Arts This Week, we spoke with Elizabeth Roberts, the Director of Youth Education for the symphony. Elizabeth Roberts: My name is Elizabeth Roberts and I function as the Director of Youth Education for the Charlottesville Symphony as well as the principal bassoonist in the orchestra.
Arts This Week - Final Friday at The Fralin Museum
Ben Larsen: You’re listening to WTJU Charlottesville. The Fralin Museum of Art is hosting their opening final Friday event of the academic year this Friday, the 27th from 5 to 7pm. For Arts This Week, we spoke with Lisa Jevack, the community relations manager for the museum. Lisa Jevack: I’m Lisa jevak. I’m the Community Relations Manager at the Fralin Museum of Art. Final Friday is a fun event for everyone. A lot of students come out, but it’s open to the public. We have live music.
Arts This Week - Jefferson School African American History Center
Ben Larsen: You are listening to WTJU Charlottesville. The Jefferson School African American History Center is opening the newest installation of Pride Overcomes Prejudice, entitled Toward a Lineage of Self, Saturday, September 21st. For Arts This Week, we spoke with Jordy Yager, the Director of Digital Humanities at the center. Jordy Yager: My name is Jordi Yeager. I am the Director of Digital Humanities at the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center.
Goal-setting (done well) can be a light in the darkness for personal brand growth
You gotta have goals. At least that's what Zig Zigler says. He's right. Within the context of your personal brand, he's right times a million. While getting started with your personal brand, you'll experience highs and lows. You'll hear noise. Lots of it.
I Had a Vasectomy
I had a vasectomy. It happened but two days ago. One of the reasons I co-founded this project was to get real with Dads out there. Upon launching, I pictured a day when we connected with Dads who may or may not be privy to certain experiences, may or may not feel certain uncertainties, and very likely experience anxiety about all the unknowns that fatherhood brings. Welp, today is one of those days. I’ll start with the obvious: proceed at your own discretion.
'They're just trying to keep us quiet': A Title IX investigation
Last summer, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln announced it was ending its partnership with Voices of Hope, a counseling service for victims of sexual assault and relationship violence, to replace the resource with its own in-house victim advocate. The shift forced the university to answer how it can protect survivors. Since September, The Daily Nebraskan has interviewed survivors of sexual assault and harassment to understand and shed light on their experiences with the Title IX office.
The Power of Saying ‘No’ for Growth-Driven Dads
Home / Featured Content / The Power of Saying ‘No’ for Growth-Driven Dads I am a people-pleaser. Naturally, I want there to be wins for all involved in any situation. I am also a serious opportunist with an appetite for opportunity. Those two characteristics together equate to me saying, “yes,” to just about anything and everything thrown my direction.
How to Define Your Core Values as a Dad
We all want to be better fathers. We all want to be better husbands or partners. We all want to be better men. That’s why you’re reading this. It’s why I wrote it. But, that’s a big, scary, lofty goal, isn’t it? I mean, what does it even mean to, “be better?” Better, of course, is relative. To truly strive for “better,” or to live life with a growth-driven mindset, we need some direction. We need a compass to help us get to wherever it is we’re trying to go.
8 Important Life Lessons My Daughter Learned Playing as the Only Girl on Her Hockey Team - The Good Men Project
Home / Families / 8 Important Life Lessons My Daughter Learned Playing as the Only Girl on Her Hockey Team When the COVID-19 outbreak hit the United States, it, abruptly ended, among many other things, my daughter’s hockey season. For any hockey parents out there, even you crazy ones, you know well that youth hockey isn’t meant to end suddenly.
Nebraska Legislature advances appropriations bill providing NU funding
The Nebraska Legislature on Wednesday discussed and advanced the biennial budget offered by the Appropriations Committee, which includes funding for the University of Nebraska system. The bill raised debate over whether proposed university spending levels are appropriate. The bill, LB294, allocates approximately $591 million to the University of Nebraska system for the 2019-20 fiscal year and $611 million for the 2020-21 fiscal year.
'They're just trying to keep us quiet': A Title IX investigation
Last summer, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln announced it was ending its partnership with Voices of Hope, a counseling service for victims of sexual assault and relationship violence, to replace the resource with its own in-house victim advocate. The shift forced the university to answer how it can protect survivors. Since September, The Daily Nebraskan has interviewed survivors of sexual assault and harassment to understand and shed light on their experiences with the Title IX office.
Nebraska hires Rachel Martin as new head rifle coach
Nebraska Athletic Director Bill Moos announced on Tuesday that Rachel Martin will be the Huskers’ new head rifle coach. Martin, who was previously the assistant coach at the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduated from Nebraska in 2017. “She understands and embraces the Nebraska culture,” Moos said in a press release. “As a recent student-athlete herself, she also has the ability to relate to her shooters.
Letter from the Editor: Tackle small goals before grand designs
When among friends, I often hear what has become a common refrain: “You look busy. And tired.” They’re correct most of the time. It’s typical to find me running across campus, entirely engrossed in whatever task I’m out to conquer. Late nights and early mornings are the norm, as are copious amounts of coffee. It’s in this rush that I’ve noticed how small, seemingly innocuous chores have fallen by the wayside in favor of what I consider to be more important goals.
Nebraska head basketball coach Tim Miles fired after 19-17 season
University of Nebraska-Lincoln athletic director Bill Moos announced the termination of head basketball coach Tim Miles on Tuesday, following the team’s loss in the second round of the National Invitational Tournament. Miles’ termination comes off the heels of a season-ending defeat at the hands of Texas Christian University, capping off a year which saw Nebraska’s initial NCAA Tournament hopes dashed by regular season struggles against Big Ten opponents and injuries to key players.
Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany retiring in 2020
Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany will retire at the end of his contract next year, ending a tenure that began in 1989 and witnessed Nebraska enter the conference. “It’s been an amazing opportunity to serve and lead these preeminent institutions, presidents, administrators, students and coaches,” Delany said in a conference press release. During his tenure, Penn State, Nebraska, Maryland and Rutgers joined the Big Ten. The conference also created the Big Ten Network under his leadership.
Letter from the Editor: Remove ‘toxic’ people from your life, don’t miss opportunities to grow
Dear reader, The most prescient advice I’ve ever received was also the most simple: “Get over it.” That nugget of wisdom came courtesy of my mom, who was listening to me complain for the umpteenth time about a situation I’ve nearly forgotten that occurred during a year of high school I hardly remember. After my griping finally trailed off, she simply said, “You’re always going to have to deal with difficult people. Get over it.” Her sagacious quip remains a governing philosophy of mine.
Dennis Rodman: 'Eddie Vedder is an inspiration to me'
Dennis Rodman's love affair with Pearl Jam --- and Eddie Vedder, in particular --- has long been documented. The depth of that love affair, however, may not have been realized until Thursday as Rodman, speaking to the media at the National Basketball Hall of Fame's Class of 2011 press conference, noted how big of an inspiration Vedder has been to him.
Employees, final customers react to the Nebraska Union Runza closing its doors
With the swipe of a credit card came the end of an era at the Nebraska Union. The union’s Runza closed today at 5 p.m. after serving the University of Nebraska-Lincoln community since 2008. The university plans to replace the restaurant with Chick-fil-A and Steak ‘n Shake next fall. The closure of the restaurant was met with tears by some employees and a range of emotions by customers. Patrons such as Hannah Fulton, a junior elementary education major, made their reactions clear.
Q Street closed after pedestrian struck by Red Cross Mobile Blood Bus
Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. Whenever Ben Larsen posts new content, you'll get an email delivered to your inbox with a link. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Letter from the Editor: Even our better angels have flaws
Dear reader,I’ve always been a sucker for political biographies.While my elementary school peers read about the foibles of Junie B. Jones and the Boxcar Children, I skimmed through junior biographies chronicling the feats of Julius Caesar and Ben Franklin. I can’t precisely pinpoint what sparked the passion, but once it got ahold of me there was no turning back. Even now, I’d prefer the entirety of H. W.
Letter from the Editor: Don’t fear jumping from failure to failure
Dear reader,A little over a semester and a half into my freshman year, I was a mess.Sitting glumly in Love Library, in mud-soiled sneakers and a rumpled t-shirt, I glared at my computer screen while shooting daggers at whoever made the mistake of drawing too close.
Golf's Biggest Party With Shane Bacon
Golf's biggest party runs this week in Scottsdale, Ariz. with the Waste Management Phoenix Open taking place at TPC Scottsdale. We're always in for a party and with that, we couldn't be more excited to see a quality field take aim at one of the early PGA Tour schedule's best titles. To celebrate, we decided to record another edition of the Arccos Golf Podcast.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Ben
Contact Ben, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack