Community Calendar

Get ready to kick off your Sunday shoes and cut loose with Footloose: The Musical! Bursting with high-energy dance numbers, electrifying music and a story that celebrates freedom, friendship and finding your voice, this stage adaptation of the iconic film will have audiences on their feet from start to finish. Contains adult content and violence. Parental discretion advised. FOOTLOOSE is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals.

Join us for Henry Funeral Home’s 7th Annual Drive-Thru Trick-or-Treat!! It happens Friday, October 16, from 6–9 p.m. at Henry Funeral Home in Staunton. Look forward to a fun evening of Halloween treats, costumed employees, fog machines, music, inflatables, and so much more - all from the comfort of your car!

Join VMRC for the 23rd Annual Shenandoah Valley Lyceum Season featuring Clayton Brooks on October 16, 2026. Brooks will present “Interracial Cooperation and the Segregation of Virginia,” exploring an important chapter in Virginia’s history. The Shenandoah Valley Lyceum brings engaging speakers to the Valley to explore topics in history, culture, science, and the arts. Tickets are available to the public.

A Film Festival by Activists for Activists

SYRCL’s Wild & Scenic Film Festival inspires environmental activism and a love for nature–through film. Wild & Scenic shares an urgent call to action, encouraging festival-goers to learn more about what they can do to save our threatened planet.

This is the 5th year of the Living Earth School hosting this amazing film festival in Charlottesville. Join us to celebrate the wonder of nature and the connections it brings. Our program this year features incredible films hand-selected by us, so we can guarantee they’ll inspire you like they inspired us. The films you’ll see are adventurous documentaries and short films on nature. Our theme for the films we chose was Earth Care, People Care. The films will inspire, educate, and move you to tears. Tears of joy and sadness. Come be a part of connecting with nature and a community of like-minded individuals who are committed to making our world a better place for all, nature included.

All proceeds from the event support our mission to nurture and deepen our relationships with nature, ourselves, and our communities — simply stated as: Earth Care, People Care.

Join us at the Light House Studio at Vinegar Hill Theater for an evening of community connection and inspiration! Food vendors starting at 5:30 pm, community partners, and an online auction before the films start rolling at 7 pm.

Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias is one of the world’s most successful stand-up comedians and one of the highest grossing touring comedians of all time. He is one of the most watched comedians on YouTube with over 2 billion views and over 34.6 million fans across social media. Come join us at John Paul Jones Arena to see Gabriel Iglesias live!

All are invited to the Carrier Library Art Galleries Opening Reception, presented by JMU Libraries and the JMU School of Art, Design and Art History (SADAH) on Thursday, October 22, from 3 to 5 p.m.

The featured exhibitions showcase art and design by JMU students: “A Third Space: Making Space” by SADAH Architecture students and “Exquisite Corpse” by SADAH Studio Art students.

Enjoy light refreshments and explore new work across two galleries: the Updike Gallery on the second floor and the Ground Floor Gallery.

Opening remarks will take place at 3 p.m. at the Updike Gallery.

Explore the battlefield after hours at our only nighttime event! Step back in time with our annual lantern tour program, “Spirits of New Market,” as we recognize the spirit of those whose lives were impacted by the Battle of New Market. You’ll follow your guide on a lantern-lit tour of the Battlefield encountering living historians portraying soldiers, townsfolk, and Bushong family. While interacting with the characters, you’ll be able to lend aid to the wounded, ask questions and experience the Battlefield in a whole new way.

Doors open at 5:45 p.m. This is not a haunted tour, and is intended for guests of all ages. Please leave your furry friends at home, service animals welcome.

Event Rates: $10 per adult (ages 13 and older) $6 per youth (ages 6-12) Children 5 and under are free, $5 for New Market residents (ages 6+) with proof of residency.

Each walking tour lasts approximately 45 minutes and covers approximately ½ mile over grass and gravel.

The Commercial Rock Ensemble (Matthew Niess, director) presents a high-energy concert celebrating the full spectrum of rock and commercial music. From classic rock, pop, funk, soul, R&B, blues, alternative, progressive rock and contemporary hits, this performance showcases the power and versatility of today’s commercial music styles. Featuring dynamic vocals, driving rhythm section, electric guitars, horns and powerful ensemble playing, this concert brings together iconic songs and fresh arrangements for an exciting night of live music.