Dazzling displays of holiday spirit blanket the Roanoke Valley. Local events and decorations celebrate family reunions and bring in the New Year. The most outstanding seasonal event is Roanoke City’s live integrated performance of Dickens of a Christmas. It is performed throughout the Historic Downtown Market area with full participation from vendors, art galleries, merchants and the city. For a more a specifically art related seasonal experience attend Floyd’s 15th Annual Winterfest. Held in association with Jacksonville Center for the Arts, this 2 day event is an unparallel occasions for holidays shoppers. The Taubman Museum of Art is providing plenty of variety for those with a case of holiday overload. Out of the kaleidoscope of events I particularly look forward to the annual peoples choice selections from the Grandin Theater’s, Open Projector Night. However the array of offerings is plentiful. Pick up a calendar or got to http://www.taubmanmuseum.org/ to find more. No matter what you need, the Roanoke Valley will provide it with a little extra embellishment to decorate your holiday experience.
1. Event: Emerging Dickens of a Christmas
Dates: Fridays in Dec. 4th, 11th, and 18th
Location: Historic City Farmers Market,
Downtown Roanoke
Cost: Free
This award winning fun-filled alternative to holiday shopping at a mall is fun for the whole family. The historic market area will be decorated in old-fashioned greenery and bows. Spectators and shoppers mingle with performers dressed in full Victorian garb giving merry greetings bringing Dickens, Christmas Carol to life with the entire market area as the fully dressed theatrical stage. For those that are not interested in shopping or watching the horse drawn carriage rides, carolers in the streets, a myriad of street performances, re-enactors dressed in costume, music and dance, vendors selling their wares, outdoor holiday movie, pet costume contest, a special ‘kids zone area’ and loads of culinary treats are more than enough to satisfy. The popularity of Dickens of a Christmas has soared and become a true Roanoke holiday tradition. Don’t miss it. For more information go to http://www.downtownroanoke.org/dickens.htm or contact Downtown Roanoke Inc. at 540-342-2028.
2. Events: Best of Open Projector Night, Year in Review
Dates: Friday, Dec 4th 7-8:30pm
Location: Taubman Museum of Art, Taubman Theatre
Downtown Roanoke
Cost: $6.50
Escape the mayhem of the holiday by delving into the worlds of art as presented by the Taubman Museum. Several special events are held throughout the month. Everything from workshops, forums, art talks and a presentation of this years selection from Open Projector Night. This medley of short films by local film aficionados judged as this years favorites will be presented for viewing in the theater at the Taubman Museum.
Open Projector Night is a quarterly film screening of locally produced short films. Held at the historic Grandin Theatre, filmmakers of all levels of experience submit entries for consideration. Local filmmakers are offered a chance to showcase their work and network with other filmmakers, helping to create a forum for feedback and camaraderie from their peers and the audience. This series is available through conjunction with The Taubman Museum of Art Teen Advisory Committee and the Grandin Theater. For more information visit www.taubmanmuseum.org or go to www.grandintheatre.com/open_projector_nite.
3. Events: First Fridays and Winterfest
Dates: Fri Dec 4th 5–8pm, Sat Dec 5th 10-6pm
Location: throughout Downtown Floyd VA and
The Jacksonville Center for the Arts,
220 Parkway Ln S, Floyd, VA
Cost: Free
Decembers’ First Friday brings a special treat. As one of Floyd’s monthly music and fine art attractions this month It is paired up with the kickoff for the 15th Annual Winterfest Artisans Festival at the Jacksonville Center for the Arts and runs through Saturday, December 5. Also featuring the opening of the Breezeway Gallery Exhibit that showcases the Center’s 2009 People’s Choice Award winners. Live music and a food court included. The 15th annual Winterfest is the Center’s longest running program, Winterfest is something you won’t want to miss. Always the First weekend in December, The Center will be filled with visitors enjoying art, crafts, music, kids’ activities and tasty treats.
Located on the crest of the Blue Ridge, Floyd County’s lush landscapes are a continuing source of inspiration to artists and photographers alike. The county population is a mix of people whose families have been here for generations, families who came here in the ‘Sixties during the back to the land movement, and the latest wave of families who discovered Floyd to be the perfect antidote to urban living. For more information go to www.jacksonvillecenter.org or call 540-745-2784.
4. Naughty & Nice: The Christmas Show at the Market Gallery in downtown Roanoke
Naughty & Nice: The Christmas Show runs Nov. 14-Jan 2, featuring small works by 24 artists. The Market Gallery exhibits contemporary fine art, photography, and pottery by 24 regional artists. Call 540-342-1177 for more information or visit www.marketgalleryroanoke.com.
5. Classic Crafts Exhibition at Piedmont Arts Center in Martinsville
Classic Crafts, guest curated by John and Judy Matthews, is an exhibition of the very best crafts in the country. Works vary in media and include ceramics, glass, sculpture, wall hangings, wooden bowls, jewelry and baskets. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. For more information, please visit www.piedmontarts.org.
6. “Lucy Shoots” An Exhibition of Photographs by Addison Middle School Students at the O. Winston Link Museum
This exhibition of work was created over four weeks by 8th graders at Addison Middle School as a part of an 21st Century Learning Centers’ after school program for Roanoke City Schools in partnership with education programs at the O. Winston Link Museum. Students used digital cameras and were led in their photography experience by Link Museum Educator, Leah Gardner, and documentary photographer, Jared Soares. This program aims to inspire students about the value of photography as both a documentary art and a venue for personal expression. This exhibition is up now at the O. Winston Link Museum and will remain on display until December 18. www.linkmuseum.org
7. Fantasyland, An Exhibition of Christmas Visions Past at the History Museum of Western Virginia in Center in the Square
Fantasyland began in the 1970’s when several downtown businesses donated their retired Christmas figures, first to Downtown Roanoke, Inc., then to the Roanoke Valley History Museum (now History Museum of Western Virginia) to preserve their magic for future generations. Fantasyland is an exhibition of various holiday characters harkening back to a simpler time. Santa’s elves appear working in his workshop, penguins and polar bears frolic in arctic snow, characters from many countries are poised to sing songs from around the world, and reindeer wait in their stalls for Santa to hook them to his sleigh so they may begin their journey around the globe. Fantasyland also features visits with Santa in History Museum’s warm and comfortable new library. This event runs until December 23. For more information, visit
www.history-museum.org
8. “Places We’ve Been” at Gallery 108 in Downtown Roanoke
December’s featured show at Gallery 108 is titled “Places We’ve Been” and showcases member artists’ works from near and far. The gallery invites everyone to their opening reception December 3rd during Art By Night where you’ll also find many new works and hand-crafted items on display for holiday shopping at Roanoke’s largest cooperative art gallery. 108 Market Street, downtown Roanoke. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. – 4p.m.
