From April Fools to May the Fourth: Here are 6 upcoming events at UVA Library

By Molly Minturn |

The University of Virginia Library has six locations; an array of cozy study spaces; millions of books, journals, videos, and newspapers available for checkout or browsing; and new resources arriving each day. And did you know we also offer events ranging from exhibitions to concerts for UVA and the Charlottesville community throughout the year?

Celebrate spring holidays at the Library with prank- and Star Wars-themed crafting sessions in the Makerspace. Or come by our libraries for experimental films, a performance by a talented local singer, or a silent disco in the Shannon Reference Room. All Library events are free.

For a full listing of Library events, check out our public calendar.

Cover of Puck magazine, dated April 2, 1884, featuring a cartoon illustration titled 'April Fool.' It shows a person stumbling over a hat on the ground, with trees and another person observing in the background.1. Prank Day at the Makerspace

Make a trick for April Fools’ Day.

Drop in anytime on Tuesday, April 1, to make a prank.

The Scholars’ Lab Makerspace is located in Shannon Library on the third floor (308i).

  • When: Tuesday, April 1; 9 a.m. – 10 p.m.
  • Where: The Makerspace (Shannon 308i) 

Text on screen from a film, reading "For the attention of the spectator: This film presents an experiment in the cinematic transmission of visual phenomena.2. Screentime at the Fine Arts Library

Twice a week throughout the month of April, the Fine Arts Library will host a series of informal screenings of experimental film and video art from the UVA Library collection. 

On Tuesday, April 1, in its ground-floor video niche, the Fine Arts Library will screen “Man with a Movie Camera” (1929), Dziga Vertov’s silent, Soviet-era experimental documentary. Ostensibly documenting urban life in three cities — Moscow, Odessa, and Kiev — Vertov also arranged the film as a visual manifesto, shaping the emerging language of cinema itself.

Later in April, see a selection of early experiments with perception from makers including Mary Ellen Bute, Alberto Cavalcanti, and James Broughton (1922-1954); “Here Come the Videofreex”(2015), with interviews and restored tapes from the radical film collective capturing their revolutionary use of film technology in the 1960s and 1970s, two films from Brazilian-born contemporary artist and filmmaker Ana Vaz that trace hybrid histories of colonialism; and “Shirin” (2008), an exploration of gendered spectatorship from acclaimed Iranian director Abbas Kiarostami.

Drop in and out as your schedule allows to see selections from a century of art of the moving image.

  • When: Tuesday, April 1; 4:15 – 5:30 p.m. (See links above for additional times.)
  • Where: Fine Arts Library

Promotional poster for a Silent Disco event at UVA Library featuring an illustration of a person with glasses placing a finger to their lips for silence, under a disco ball. Event details include "Shhhannon," on Thursday, April 3, 7-10 PM, Fourth Floor East Wing Reference Room.3. Silent Disco in the Library!

Join us for a silent disco in the Reference Room of Shannon Library!  Dance to one of three broadcast channels (including one with a live DJ and one curated by DJs from WTJU) and experience our study space as you’ve never experienced it before!

Headphones will be provided.

The first hour will be kid-friendly, so bring the family!

This event has been made possible by a grant from the University of Virginia Arts Council.

  • When: Thursday, April 3; 7 – 10 p.m.
  • Where: Shannon Library Reference Room (fourth floor, East Wing)

A person performing on stage, holding a microphone and gesturing with one hand. The performer is wearing a camouflage jacket and a black hat.4. Making Noise in the Library: Nathaniel Star

The Making Noise in the Library series brings artists into UVA libraries for free performances and is generously supported by a grant from the UVA Arts Council. In 2025, we are partnering with the Robertson Media Center to highlight the support and resources they provide to professional and amateur musicians at UVA and in the Charlottesville community. Come join us!

A talented singer, songwriter, and rap artist, Nathaniel Star creates art that is intimate, smart, and boldly explores a breadth of musical and artistic styles. Nathaniel’s artistic partner, Vintage, will be joining Nathaniel on keyboards. In addition to their musical performance, Nathaniel will be sharing information about his new interactive lyric book, which is being published and supported by the UVA Library. 

For more information about Nathaniel, visit him on Instagram or his linktree site. To listen to or purchase his music, visit his Bandcamp site

Promotional banner for Star Wars Day, featuring the text "May the 4th Be With You" with bold letters set against a yellow background and silhouettes of a cityscape below.5. Last Day of Classes – Star Wars Day Prep

Celebrate Star Wars with crafts and fun!

Stop by anytime to pick up some 3D-printed and laser cut models, make buttons and stickers, or just geek out with other “Star Wars” fans.

The Scholars’ Lab Makerspace is located in Shannon Library on the third floor (308i).

See here for open hours and a map.

  • When: Tuesday, April 29; 9 a.m. – 10 p.m.
  • Where: The Makerspace (Shannon Library, Room 308i)

Aisle in a library with shelves stocked with various comic books.6. Bonus: Graphic novels!

Are you interested in graphic novels? Have you ever read one, or been assigned one for class?
The Library is conducting a survey to enhance and globalize our collection, and we’d love to get your feedback! The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete. Take the survey now … and thanks for your help!