AIA 150, VIRGINIA ARCHITECTURE WEEK ’07
APRIL 9-14
You are invited to join Virginia Architects in a nationwide celebration of 150 years of commitment to design, architecture and the building arts. Join the Blue Ridge Chapter of the American Institute of Architects at these local events. Contacts: Jeffrey Wood AIA, jeff@rifewood.com and Joyce VanGilder, AIA Assoc., jvangilder@sfcs.com. KIDSTRUCTION AT ART VENTURE Saturday April 14, 10am- 2pm at Center in the Square, Roanoke, Saturday. Calling all Kids for a day of design and construction. Come and join the architects at Art Ventures to help build a city, draw you dream home or color your castle. Spend an hour or spend the day. Admission is free and open to kids of all ages. SPRING ARCHITECTURE LECTURE, Joshua Prince of Ramus of REX-NY, Hancock Hall, VaTech, April 11, 7pm. With the creation of his new firm REX-NY, Architect Joshua Prince-Ramus is building on his success as principle-in-charge of such well know projects as Seattle Central Library at OHM founded by Rem Koolhaas. Mr.Prince-Ramus will discuss current works with students at the College of Architecture and Urban Studies. Lecture is free and open to the public. URBANITY & SUSTAINABILITY BUS TOURS, Saturday April 14, 10am and 1:30 pm at Center in Square Roanoke, Campbell Street Entrance. Climb on the bus and join us for an urban planning seminar on wheels. Tour and discuss how history, geography and the patterns of development have conspired to shape our city. Learn about the new opportunities offered by sustainable urban development practices. Tours approximately 90 hr. Admission is free, seating is limited.
APRIL IN PARIS AT HOTEL ROANOKE
Presented by United Way of Roanoke Valley, Thursday, April 26 at 5:30 pm. Gala dinner, entertainment & live and silent auctions featuring works of noted regional artists to benefit United Way Impact Fund supporting 60+ local health and human services. Tickets $75 per person, sale dates to be announced. Call for information 540.777.4230
ARBOR DAY UPTOWN, MARTINSVILLE
Over 50 new trees are in the process of being planted in Uptown Martinsville. Martinsville Uptown Revitalization Association and Gateway Streetscape Foundation are accepting sponsorships for the new trees in memory of or honor of your loved one. Please call Susan McCulloch 276.632.5688 for more information. Arbor Day Uptown, an event celebrating the newly sponsored trees, as well as the city of Martinsville becoming an official Tree City USA. Mark your calendars for April 28 at 10 am and celebrate at the Historic Henry County Courthouse. Guest speaker will include local officials as well as Representative Virgil H. Goode, Jr. and will include tree-related activities.
A TASTE OF RADFORD
SAT APRIL 28, 8am-1pm in the Farmers Market parking lot. The Taste of Radford will mark the tenth season of our Main Street Radford’s Farmer Market. And we couldn’t be prouder. It seems like just yesterday that dedicated MSR Board members would meet down at the market at 7:00 am and set up a rag tag conglomeration of tents. And here we are 10 years later with a beautiful circa 1900 style train depot as a backdrop to our market. To help us celebrate our anniversary, the Farmers Market vendors will be sampling their locally made wares such as jams, jellies, cheeses, buffalo meat jerky to freshly baked breads, cakes, pies and cookies. Not to be overlooked, are the craft vendors of the Market with such creative items like hand turned wooden bowls & utensils, soup & cake mixes, gorgeous wreaths from dried or fresh cut flowers to beautiful one of a kind pieces of jewelry. Or you could get a jump start on bedding plants or herbs. After browsing the Market, spend a bit more time enjoying the soulful ballads of local favorites Jon & Lucinda Piro. From their own originals to their renditions of Joni Mitchell, the Piros can play it all. Did I mention our children’s corner? Well, kids are always welcome at the Radford Farmers Market. We decided to start with a moon bounce, added a face painter and then for good measure we threw in some games and craft activities. Hungry? Well, you’re just a stone’s throw away from several wonderful locally owned restaurants. Mi Puerto is just right across the street from the market. The Coffee Mill, everyone’s favorite hang out, is half a block down, while right at corner of Tyler Avenue and Main sit Screamer’ and Subway. And the sales!! This will be the day! Our local merchants will have specials and sidewalks all day. It clearly adds up to a fun filled day, so come out and have a Taste of Radford, Saturday April 28.
BENEFIT CONCERT FOR AMERICAN STROKE ASSOCIATION
April 1, 3-5pm at Colonial Presbyterian Church. Concert will feature the steel drum band Spiritual Steel and members of the Key West Band. Call 540.774.2706 for more information and directions.
BINGO TO BENEFIT THE SPCA
Early next month, we will be starting up Bingo (target date of Friday, April 6th) with the proceeds to benefit the SPCA. We will be doing this every other Friday at Happy’s on Williamson Road in Roanoke. We are looking for volunteers, over 18, to help out. If you’re helping that night, you cannot play. There is a concession stand and we will pay for your meal if you are volunteering. Training will be provided. Bingo will allow us to cut down on some of the smaller fundraisers we do. Projected earnings are over $35,000 for the year, to help our various sheltors. If you know of someone who would enjoy being involved in this, please have them contact me. Bingo will be twice a month, from 5 to 10 pm with a meal provided and a great benefit to the Shelter and our animals!
BLUES AND BBQ
Apr 21-Featuring some of the region’s best blues music and BBQ! Beer & Wine Garden, Backyard BBQ Competition, crafts, great food! Admission only $5. Children 12 & under free. BYOC (Bring your own chair). Located at the Bedford Farmers Market in Centertown Bedford. Entry gates on West Main Street next to Suntrust Bank and on Washington Street behind Bedford Hardware. Eli Cook & the Red House Blues Band plays from 3-5 pm, Eric Hollandsworth plays from 5:30-8pm and Deanie Blues Band plays from 8:30-11pm 540.586.2148 www.centertownbedford.com
BOOK SALE/ROANOKE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
April 14-19, 2007. BOOK SALE. HQ/419 Library. Book sale open to the public beginning at 9:00 am on Saturday – come early. Box day is Wednesday and Thursday; fill any box any size with as many books as you want; all for just $2.00
CELTIC FESTIVAL AT SEDALIA
Apr 28-Clans and fans of Celtic culture will gather at the 9th Annual Celtic Festival. Music, Celtic Reinactors, Celtic Craft Vendors and Cultural Workshops. – Sedalia Center, Big Island Highway 434.299.5080 www.sedaliacenter.org
DANCING IN THE STAR CITY WEEKEND
The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center, a Doubletree hotel, is bringing the glamour and elegance of ballroom dancing to the Roanoke Valley April 7-8 with an exciting Dancing in the Star City Weekend. Just in time for the return of the popular reality television show, the event will feature professional dance instruction in a variety of ballroom moves, including Waltz, Cha-Cha, West Coast Swing, Merengue, Hustle, Rumba, Foxtrot, Mambo, Samba and Tango. Dancers will be matched to their abilities, with workshops for newcomers and beginners, intermediate and advanced. As part of this unique package, guests also will enjoy a four-course banquet dinner with dancing during and after the meal, accommodations in the historic hotel, and awe-inspiring dance exhibitions by internationally recognized ballroom champions F.J. and Catherine Abaya. The program begins on Saturday, April 7, when participants will receive professional instruction between 9am-4:15pm. That evening, during an elegant banquet dinner, the Abayas will address the group and perform dance exhibitions. On Sunday, April 8, participants can enjoy the Hotel’s famous Easter Brunch. Special packages are available, for more information, visit: www.hotelroanoke.com
EASTER BONNETS ON PARADE HOTEL ROANOKE
The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center, a Doubletree hotel, is the place to be this Easter, with a bonnet design competition. To get into the spirit of the spring, the area’s leading professional designers are competing for top prizes at the annual “Easter Bonnets on Parade Promenade” contest that ends April 10. Designers will use non-perishable items to create extraordinary Easter bonnets that will be on display in the lobby, the Palm Court and Peacock Alley inside the Hotel. Votes for favorite entries will be accepted at the Regency Floral Gift Shop on the first floor of the Hotel. Winners will be announced before Easter. The winning bonnet will be on display at the main centerpiece in the Crystal Ballroom for the Grand Easter Buffet on Sunday, April 8.
EASTER CELEBRATION AT SML STATE PARK
Apr 7 from 10:30am-12pm. Gear up for the Easter bunny with a morning of rabbit facts, basket making and an Easter egg hunt. Bring a picnic lunch for the family to enjoy at our scenic Visitor Center after the festivities. There is a charge of $5 per basket made. Otherwise, it’s free. Smith Mountain Lake State Park, 1235 State Park Road, Huddleston 540.297.6066 – www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/smi.shtml
FIRST FRIDAY’S AT FIVE is back…
First Friday’s at Five Festivities will kick off the 2007 season at the Rail Side Amphitheatre on April 6th. The party starts at 5:30 and runs until 8:30. Admission is only $5. Drink tickets are on sale for $3 a piece or 4 tickets for $10 (5 beer maximum per individual per event). Proceeds from the events benefit local charities! If you’re in the mood for some good music, fun, networking or want to support one of your local charities, please come out to join us this year!April 6, May 4, May 18, June 1, July 6, August 3, Aug 17, September 7 and September 21. In the event of inclement weather, event will be rescheduled for the next Friday. For a listing of this season’s entertainment, please check out our website at www.firstfridaysroanoke.com Must be 21 or older to attend.
FRAGILE X SPRING FASHION SHOW
The MOMS Club of Roanoke-North presents: Fashion Funds Fragile X, a Spring Family Fashion Show on Saturday, April 21st, 2:00pm at Valley View Mall. All proceeds will benefit the National Fragile X Foundation. Carnival-like activities for the kids include face-painting, balloon animals, and a magician. Top raffle prize is a new Sony DVD Home Theatre System.
FRANKLIN COMMUNITY BANK CHUG FOR THE JUG
4 mile road race, Saturday, April 21, 2007. The race course begins and ends at the Farmer’s Market in downtown Rocky Mount. This new 4 miler takes runners through sweeping flat sections of North Main Street, State Street and through a short residential section. Novelty jugs and medals will be awarded at a post race ceremony at the Market. All runners and walkers are also eligible for door prizes. Walkers may also register as a team and compete for the Carilion Challenge Cup. The day’s events will include: Franklin County Parks and recreation Kid’s Fun Run, Carilion Franklin Memorial Hospital Health Walk and Franklin Community Bank Chug for the Jug 4 Miler. Race entry forms for all events are available from The Community Partnership for Revitalization. Contact us at 540.489.3825. Race day events are organized by The Community Partnership, Franklin County Parks and Recreation and the Rocky Mount Rotary Club.
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY DINNER
April 13, 2007 (Friday). The Friends of the Library Annual Dinner and Preview Book Sale at the HQ/419 Library. Doors open at 6:30 pm. Membership into the Friends organization is $5.00 for a single membership and $10.00 for a Family membership. For more information call 540.772.7507
HISTORIC GARDEN WEEK
The Roanoke Tour of Homes & Gardens will be on April 28th 10am-5pm. The self guided tour will begin at South Roanoke United Methodist Church, 2330 South Jefferson Street, Roanoke, Virginia. Tickets will be available the day of the tour for $20. Proceeds of the Roanoke Garden Tour are given to The Garden Club of Virginia for the purpose of restoring landscapes and gardens of Virginia’s historic sites. Since 1929, over 50 landscape and garden restoration projects have been funded through Historic Garden Week. For more information and advance ticket sales contact the Roanoke Council of Garden Clubs,
540.343.4519
KALEIDOSCOPE 2007
CASA’S SECOND ANNUAL ART FEST
On Thursday evening, April 19, the doors of Fitzpatrick Hall at the Jefferson Center will open at 6:00pm to again welcome the public to a unique opportunity to purchase art created by more than 120 regional artists and more than 25 high school students in the Roanoke Valley. In addition, patrons will be treated to an exhibition of Live Progressive Art by four artists: Joan Henley, Ken Motley, Greg Osterhaus and Kay Sutherland. After the artists have rotated among 4 large canvases, their cooperative artistic creations will be auctioned at the close of the evening. This is the second annual art event mounted to benefit the CASA program. Roanoke Valley Court Appointed Special Advocates are trained volunteers who are appointed by judges to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children. These children are thrust into the confusing world of foster care, and court appearances, and are faced with the anxiety of not knowing what their future will hold for months at a time. The CASA volunteer works with each child until they are placed in a safe, permanent and nurturing home. Cases involve children from every socioeconomic level in the Roanoke Valley. KALEIDOSCOPE 2007 will include live music by the Lenny Marcus Trio, beer, wine and soft drinks and wonderful food. Admission is $35 per ticket and all attendees are welcome to purchase the art panels displayed throughout the hall and bid on the completed live art pieces. The event is scheduled from 6:00-9:00pm. For more information, contact the CASA office at 540.853.2407, or check the website www.roanokevalleycasa.org.
OXFAM BENEFIT
SUN MUSIC HALL AND CULTURAL ARTS CENTER
Sunday, April 22nd. Oxfam America is committed to creating lasting solutions to global poverty, hunger, and social injustice. We at The Sun couldn’t agree more with these ideals, and what better day than Earth Day to raise funds for this vital cause? And we’re not the only ones: New Roanoke Jug Band, Blame James, Curious Strange, True Sound, Carbon Culture and Viben Oodle are all coming to play, and Oxfam’s Rasa Dawson will be here to tell you why this is all so important. 302 S Locust Street, Floyd 540.745.7883 wintersuninc.net
PAWS FOR CELEBRATION AT THE FINCASTLE FIREHOUSE
Paws for Celebration, the League for Animal Protection’s annual benefit for the animals, will be held Saturday, May 19 at the Fincastle Firehouse from 10 am-2 pm. For more information, call LAP at 540.473.3853
RAOC 5K Run/Walk
Rockbridge Area Occupational Center, 3rd Annual 5K Run/Walk Benefit, Saturday, April 28, 2007 at Washington & Lee University Ruins. Registration is 8:15 am, Race is 9 am, USATF Sanctioned. Course runs through W&L and Woods Creek Trail. Registration $15 Sponsorships $75. At 9:55 am post race activities begin (race/run walk results, 1st, 2nd, & 3rd prizes for runners/walkers, corporate cup, entertainment and food). Info, registration forms, sponsorship forms, or to volunteer: contact jdick@wlu.edu or raoc@ntelos.net or 540.261.6159. Be a champion by supporting people with disabilities!
SEDALIA SPRING FIBER FESTIVAL
Apr 14 at 10am-4pm. A celebration of natural fiber featuring fiber animals and the fiber arts. Livestock, raw products, harvesting, processing, and finished goods are all presented. Classes, demonstrations, exhibits, and vendors make for a memorable day of fun, learning and remarkable finds. A wonderful event for the entire family. Adults $10, 6-12 $5, Under 6 Free. Sedalia Center, Route 122, Big Island 540.586.1745 – www.springfiberfestival.com
THE 9TH ANNUAL BLUE RIDGE KITE FESTIVAL
The Salem-Roanoke County Chamber will host the 9th Annual Blue Ridge Kite Festival on Saturday, April 21 at Green Hill Park in Roanoke County from 10-4pm. Featuring free kites and t-shirts to the first 1000 children. Arts and crafts and food vendors are needed for the event. Please contact the Chamber to receive a vendor application. For more information visit www.s-rcchamber.org or call 540.387.0267
TURN OUT FOR A TWIST ON MILL MOUNTAIN THEATRE
Twist and Turns owner, Cynthia Gardner is sponsoring a second annual weeklong benefit in her store in an effort to sustain a sound financial future for Mill Mountain Theatre. The benefit will take place May 1-5, 2007 at Twist and Turns on the corner of Campbell Avenue and Williamson Road. Ms. Gardner will host the event and donate 20% of her sales from that week to Mill Mountain Theatre. Keep and eye for details in our May issue.
VILLAGE GREEN: EARTH DAY 07
Saturday, April 21 2007, 9AM-8:30PM, Events throughout Grandin Village, FREE. Here is the listing of the day’s events, which focus on the environmental benefits of supporting your community. 9am–7pm at Roanoke Natural Foods Co-op: Roanoke Valley Cool Cities Coalition (RVCCC) visits the Co-op, offering information about energy solutions and global warming. RVCCC is THE local organization in the Roanoke Valley that is tackling the difficult problem of global warming through local actions, advocacy, and education. 9am– 8pm at Roanoke Natural Foods Co-op: Local, organic seedling sale kick-off date! The sale will last into early May, and will offer local, organic fruits, vegetables, and edible plants from Full Circle Farm. Dennis Dove, local organic grower of the seedlings, will be on-site to answer questions. 10am-12noon at Raleigh Court Methodist Church: “And Let It Begin With Me,” Spirituality and Ecology session presents an interdenominational discussion about the creation of a congregational stewardship committee in places of worship. 11am–4pm at Roanoke Natural Foods Co-op: Get to know local producers and taste their products! The Co-op is pleased to welcome Café Kelepa, Commonwealth Wines, Dennis Dove, expert organic gardener, Gary’s Ripple Chips, Murray Cider Company, Price’s Piece Soaps, and Starr Hill Brewery to the store. 12-1 pm at Roanoke Natural Foods Co-op: Slow Foods, Organic Foods: Eating our way to a healthy planet, free talk with nutritionist Jeanie Redick in the Co-op community room. This discussion delves both the personal and long-term environmental health benefits of the slow foods movement and organic foods. Space is limited to 30. Sign up at the Co-op or email info@roanokenaturalfoods.coop. 11:30am-4pm at Grandin Gardens: Exhibitors at Grandin Gardens, sponsored by Blue Ridge Environmental Network. Connect with local green groups! 11:30am-3:30pm at Virginia Heights Baptist Church Courtyard: Clean Valley Council’s Earth Day program for kids: Puppets with Pizzazz, games, and stories. 2:45PM: Free showing of ‘Kilowatt Ours’ at Grandin Theatre. In this 35-minute documentary about energy consumption in the southeast, Jeff Barrie takes viewers on a journey from the coal mines of West Virginia to the solar panel fields of Florida, as he discovers solutions to America’s energy related problems. This fascinating film will be followed by a Q&A. 4- 8:30pm at Virginia Heights Baptist Church Courtyard: Live music performed by local musicians of the Southwest Virginia Songwriters Association (SVSA). The tentative setup follows: 4:30-5:10 – Steve Langston and Lawanda; 5:20-6:00 – Three Old Guys with Guitars; 6:10-6:50- David Simpkins; 7-7:40 – The Aardvarks; 7:50-8:20 – Curley Ennis.
52ND ANNUAL VINTON DOGWOOD FESTIVAL
This year’s festival will include a parade featuring the Woodland String Band (Mummers Band), craft show, antique car show, expanded children’s area, carnival rides and games, entertainment stages, distance run, festival foods and more. Beginning at 6 pm each evening at the Roanoke County Career Center Carnival Stage will be Contemporary Christian Music on 4/25, The Worx on 4/26, Cimarron and Highway 101 on 4/27, and Key West on 4/28. Various entertainment stages on Sat. 4/28 will feature a Jazz Band, Puppets with PIZZAZZ, juggler, magician, karate demos, dance performances, and more. For more information visit www.vintondogwoodfestival.org or 540.983.0614
