May 06 Monday
Four-time GRAMMY winner Sarah Jarosz has announced her new album, Polaroid Lovers. The record is set for release on January 26th, 2024 via Rounder Records. To mark the occasion she has shared the album opener, "Jealous Moon," and its companion video. WATCH HERE. The song finds Jarosz backed by a decidedly more electric band, with her Texas lilt as clear and evocative as ever. Polaroid Lovers is available for pre-order today digitally and on vinyl with gray, lavender, orange and green splatter variants. Indie retailers will also have a special blue and green splatter vinyl. For more information visit https://store.sarahjarosz.com/
Jun 07 Friday
Arts Council of the Valley invites you to join in the arts-focused fun on the First Friday of EVERY month! Throughout Harrisonburg and Rockingham County, 40 venues offer a variety of new art exhibitions, live performances, poetry, comedy, music, artmaking activities, food, and so much more. You can find a list of venues, online map, and pdf with links to First Fridays of the Valley events – all updated monthly – at valleyarts.org/first-fridays-venues! Thanks to Kathy Moran Wealth Group, Exclusive Sponsor for 2024 First Fridays of the Valley.
May 07 Tuesday
The Charlottesville Jazz Society and WTJU are pleased to present The Howard Levy 4 in concert on Tuesday, May 7th. The concert will be held at Belmont Arts Collaborative on Carlton Road at 8 pm.
Led by the Grammy-Award-winning diatonic harmonica master, pianist, and composer Howard Levy, well known for his long-time tenure with Bela Fleck and The Flecktones, this powerhouse ensemble delivers musical magic in a range of styles that includes Jazz, Latin, World Music, and Blues. Besides several distinctively reworked American and Brazilian compositions, the band has a diverse repertoire of original compositions that combine and blend many cultures and rhythms, creating an extraordinary original sound. In addition to Howard, this amazingly accomplished Chicago-based quartet is comprised of guitarist Chris Siebold, the outstanding upright and electric bassist Joshua Ramos, and the exceptional Brazilian drummer Luiz Ewerling.
A prolific recording artist, Howard Levy has released 17 albums under his name and appeared in hundreds more. He was a founding member of Bela The Flecktones and has performed and recorded with an incredibly diverse range of artists including Paquito D’Rivera, Donald Fagen, and Kurt Elling. The revolutionary technique that hedeveloped on the diatonic harmonica transformed it into a fully chromatic instrument for the first time, opening up possibilities for limitless musical exploration while still retaining the cry of the Blues. Sounding like no other on stage, it has been said of Howard’s unparalleled harmonica playing, “As Art Tatum was to the piano, so is Levy to the harmonica: a hyper-virtuoso whose feats can be admired and studied but never really replicated.”
The rest of this remarkable band is very much up to the task of complementing a virtuoso like Howard. Chris Siebold, house guitarist for A Prairie Home Companion for four years has recorded and toured with Chicago’s most eclectic Jazz and fusion groups; Joshua Ramos, one of Chicago’s most in-demand bassists, spent five years with jazz legend Ramsey Lewis, while drummer/composer Luiz Ewerling contributes rhythmic and compositional fire and depth to The Howard Levy 4.
May 10 Friday
SHOWTIMESFri (5/10) 2:30 + 7:00Sat (5/11) 5:00Sun (5/12) 6:30Wed (5/15) 2:30 + 7:00Thurs (5/16) 11:00am
Showtimes subject to change, please visit courtsquaretheater.org for latest updates.
TICKETS$11.50 Adults$10.00 Seniors + StudentsMovie Tickets are $9.00 for all on Wednesdays!
This loving tribute to Gene Wilder celebrates his life and legacy as the comic genius behind an extraordinary string of film roles, from his first collaboration with Mel Brooks in The Producers, to the enigmatic title role in the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, to his inspired on-screen partnership with Richard Pryor in movies like Silver Streak. It is illustrated by a bevy of touching and hilarious clips and outtakes, never-before-seen home movies, narration from Wilder's audiobook memoir, and interviews with a roster of brilliant friends and collaborators like Mel Brooks, Alan Alda, and Carol Kane. Remembering Gene Wilder shines a light on an essential performer, writer, director, and all-around mensch.
Rating: PGRun Time: 1 hour 32 minutes
“Remembering Gene Wilder,” which Ron Frank directed, is a somewhat unusual documentary, starting with the odd career arc it chronicles. The most unusual thing, and very much in a good way, is that Wilder serves as de facto narrator.- Mark Feeney, Boston Globe
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFriday, May 5, 2024FROM: Staunton Augusta Art Center Augus Carter, Executive Director Carolyn Maloney, Operations Manager
The Staunton Augusta Art Center commemorates Mental Health Awareness Month in May with the 17th Annual exhibition Art: A Voice, A Mental Health Show.
STAUNTON, VA— The Staunton Augusta Art Center commemorates Mental Health Awareness Month in May with Art: A Voice, A Mental Health Show in collaboration with the National Alliance of Mental Illness and Mental Health America in Virginia. This exhibition is, once again, proudly sponsored by Augusta Health. Local and regional artists- from patients and doctors, from nurses to clients- are encouraged to submit their work. Everyone’s work is welcome. The concept of the exhibition is the display the work of artistic participants who utilize the strength of creating artwork as therapy in their journey and recovery.An opening reception is on Friday, May 3 from 5-7 pm in the 2nd Floor Galleries.
Openings are FREE and ALL are welcome.
Location: Staunton Augusta Art Center, R. R. Smith Center for History & Art, 20 S. New Street, Staunton, VA 24401Admission: FREE and open to the public, all are welcome. Website: https://www.saartcenter.org
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Angus Carter and Carolyn Maloney(director@saartcenter.org/info@saartcenter.org), 540-885-2028
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May 11 Saturday
The Blue Ridge Irish Music School presents Joey Abarta on the Irish uilleann bagpipes. has spent the last sixteen years touring North America, Europe, and Asia, teaching and performing music on the uilleann pipes, the irish bagpipe. A Los Angeles native, he first received instruction on the pipes from Dubliner Pat D’Arcy, a founding member of the Southern California Uilleann Pipers Club.The evening will feature music from Brightwood, Irish music on harp, flute and fiddle plus Irish dancers.
The Staunton Augusta Art Center opens the Staunton Emerging Artist Showcase, running April 5 – May 11, featuring the work of the next generation of Staunton artists.
STAUNTON, VA— The Staunton Augusta Art Center announces the opening of the Staunton Emerging Artist Showcase, running from April 5 – May 11 in the downtown galleries. This exciting and unique showcase features the multi-media artwork of over a dozen emerging artists, a next generation of local artists at various stages in their artistic careers who redefine the cultural landscape within their community. These artists reflect remarkable backgrounds and cross-cultural roots.
An opening night reception will be held in the galleries on Friday, April 5 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm.
This exhibition is proudly sponsored by the Staunton-Augusta-Waynesboro Habitat for Humanity ReStore whose staff and volunteers support the creative work of local artists and affordable housing.
Location: Staunton Augusta Art Center, R. R. Smith Center for History & Art,
20 S. New Street, Staunton, VA 24401
Admission: FREE and open to the public, all are welcome.
Website: https://www.saartcenter.org
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Angus Carter and Carolyn Maloney
(director@saartcenter.org/info@saartcenter.org), 540-885-2028
May 12 Sunday
Harriswingburg invites you to a night of jazz and swing dancing at Brix & Columns. All are welcome—seasoned dancers, beginners, and anyone who just wants to watch, listen, and have a glass of wine.
Nick and Moriah will teach a beginner lesson from 7:00 to 8:00. Zuzu's Hot 5 will play from 8:00 to 10:00!
May 18 Saturday
Join us as we remember the Battle of New Market that raged across Jacob Bushong’s farm and the soldiers that struggled there. Special emphasis will highlight the role of the Cadets from the Virginia Military Institute that were asked to fill a gap in the Confederate battle line and helped to turn the tide of the battle.
The museum and grounds will host numerous living historians who will tell the story of the battle through programs and presentations designed to educate and entertain. Visit with the Society of Civil War Surgeons and delve into the aftermath of battle and the people responsible for caring for the wounded. Handle period fire-arms courtesy of The American Civil War Original Long Arms Collectors group. Take time to visit the military camps and ask what daily life was like for Civil War soldiers. Explore the home built by Jacob and Sarah Bushong where they sheltered with their family as the heaviest fighting raged outside their door. These and many other activities await you!
On online auction of jewelry and gifts perfect for Mother's Day! All proceeds to benefit the animals at the RHSPCA! Daily preview of auction items available from 11-1 pm daily and also 5-7 pm on Wednesday 5/1. Item pick up on 5/8 at the RHSPCA between 5pm-7pm.
Event site: https://givebutter.com/c/celebratemom2024/auction
The Shenandoah Valley Art Center during the month of April, in the 416 W. Main Street Gallery, will be presenting an exhibit by Marsha Heatwole, a native of Waynesboro. Heatwole has had the good fortune to continue her 40 years and ongoing career in artmaking. Her work has won numerous awards and is proudly displayed locally and internationally. Her studio is tucked next to a spring in an idyllic mountain hollow near Lexington Virginia. Art making is a healing therapy. A way- “Of knowing that we are tied to the land—the trees and animals and soil and water—and to one another, and that we have a responsibility to care for these connections and resources, ensuring the sustainability of these ecosystems for future generations and to honor those who came before. Of treading lightly, taking only what gifts we need, and giving back. Of showing humility toward and tolerance for all we are connected to in this circle of life.” All the paintings are her perceptions about nature and our world. Marsha strives to tell a story of what beauty we have and what we are in danger of losing. The Ambassadors of Gaia are a group of animal portraits portraying that the whole Earth is a living organism, alive with communication, pathos, and cooperation. The exhibition will be open April 1 – April 27, Tuesday – Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., 416 W. Main St., Waynesboro, Va.
National Police week will be celebrated in our West Water Street window.
“The Spirit of Summer” is a show by the Shenandoah Valley Watercolor Society. Their shows always delight and amaze with their creativity and craftsmanship. Do join us for First Friday on May 3. There will be light refreshments and live music by The Countryside Garage Band.
More information can be found on our website: oasisfineartandcraft.org, and on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/oasisfineartandcraft.
Please contact Barbara Camph (tbcamph@aol.com) if you have any questions.
Need to relieve some stress? Tess Yergin invites you to come join the fun in her painting class, Introduction to Meditative Dot Painting. The class is open to ages 16 and up, requiring no previous art experience. While the focus is on freestyle, you will explore the whimsical world of dots as a daily meditative practice as well as sharing tips and secrets for creating your own colorful pieces! There are two dates left to accommodate busy schedules. You are welcome to register for as many as you’d like. (Jan 13- 1:00-4:00pm, Jan 15- 6:00-9:00pm, $95, SVAC Studio at 416 W. Main Street) To register: svartcenter@gmail.com.
Moving Mediation is a slower paced class, mindful moving and breathing while holding poses longer. You will explore your edge yet still feel a relaxed and renewed experience. This class is geared towards all practitioners looking to build muscle and relax the mind. (Shenandoah Valley Art Center, 416 W. Main Street, Waynesboro, VA. 22980, as a 4-week series on Mondays, April 29 - May 20, 5:45 – 6:45 p.m., $10 drop-in rate or $40 tax deductible 4-week series pass purchased in advance at www.svacart.com, Instructors: Paula Figgatt, RYT, Leslie Chisnell, RN, LMT, RY)
🥕 The Tuesday Market features a cozier selection of vendors selling vegetables, prepared foods, artisan crafts, breakfast and lunch.
🥕 Don’t miss Tuesday-only vendors and discounts!
🥕 The Tuesday Market is open April-November
In the SVAC Member’s Gallery the theme is “Black!” Presented will be unique works of art, priced to accommodate art collectors seeking pieces to expand their collection. The public is invited to view the exhibit remembering that the art center serves the community by recognizing talent, encouraging creativity, and joining lives through art! (Opening April 6, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., exhibition dates: April 6 - 27, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Tuesday – Saturday, 126 S. Wayne Avenue, Waynesboro 22980)