A FESTIVAL ABOUT TOMORROW'S CHARLOTTESVILLE

After two years of postponement, our community came back together for a Tom Tom Fest like no other. The 10th Annual Tom Tom was about the importance of connection and creating a sense of belonging—and together, we accomplished just that. THANK YOU for another incredible year of unity, inspiration, connection, and in-person good times! 

We can’t wait to create more with you as we continue to build Tomorrow’s Charlottesville in the days and years to come.

TOM TOM IN PICTURES

Block parties, marching bands, talks on criminal justice reform and community building, lots of dancing, an entrepreneur pitch night, thoughtful dinners, and so much togetherness. 

DAY 1
TOMORROW’S CHARLOTTESVILLE: CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM 

Over 70 jurists, lawyers, educators, law enforcement, non profit leaders and formerly incarcerated all joined to connect and talk about criminal justice reform, and the work ahead for reentry and rebuilding community. 
 

DAY 1
THE WELCOME DINNER 

Groups neighbors and friends, old and new, sat down together to connect. Discussions on what community means to them. A special thanks to Passaflora, Siren and South Central.

DAY 2
COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS 

A bootcamp for aspiring community builders on sharpening storytelling, and creating projects with vision and purpose. From psychedelics, to digital communities, to courageous conversations, ideas were shared on how to connect and strengthen communities.

DAY 2
CROWDFUNDED PITCH NIGHT

The competition featured ten local entrepreneurs pitching to a live audience who pledged funds to their favorite concept. Cynthia Kankeu (Kank’s Store): a natural cosmetic manufacturer took home the crowd funded prize.

DAY 2
SILENT DISCO: FUTURE

Wireless headsets were worn as ridiculously fun, high-energy DJs manned three channels for the crowd to choose from. We all got down on the dance floor to hip hop, pop and techno, for a party that needed no words.

DAY 3
DOWNTOWN MALL BLOCK PARTY

It happened! A cultural experience to remember, the Downtown Mall was turned into a New Orleans-styled festival. The block party opened up the bricks for multiple stages and allowed people to meander in and out of shops with drinks from their local bars in hand. 

DAY 3

CARNIVALE: LATIN

A night of Latin soul brought all the dance communities of Charlottesville together with two dance floors featuring salsa, bachata, zouk, kizomba, and Brazilian funk.

DAY 4

DOWNTOWN MALL BLOCK PARTY

It happened again! Day two of the Downtown Block Party brought more stages of music, performances, dancing and all without leaving the comfort of the Downtown Mall.  Who wants to make this happen more often?!

DAY 4

PARADISE AFROBEATS

A global rhythm that has defined hip hop, pop, and electronic, took center stage to close out Club Tom Tom with a sonic immersion into afro beats and afrofuturism.

DAY 5

PORCHELLA

A series of free acoustic front porch concerts and jam sessions closed out Tom Tom in the historic Belmont neighborhood and featured over 15 bands.