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 04 Saturday
Traveling the country since 2014, Letters Aloud has been delighting audiences with thought-provoking, relevant, hopeful, and humorous stories told through the real voices of real people via their personal correspondence. Letters Aloud – The Road to Fame brings together letters from every era that chart the course of luminaries from their humble beginnings to fame and chronicle their achievements and surprising lessons learned. With a core of acclaimed actors, live musical accompaniment, and a dynamic media backdrop, Letters Aloud is guaranteed to inspire!
The Piedmont Master Gardeners will hold their annual Spring Plant Sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 4, at Albemarle Square Shopping Center in Charlottesville. The sale will offer thousands of annuals, perennials, vegetables, fruit-bearing plants, trees, shrubs, herbs and houseplants, including a large assortment of native plants. In addition, shoppers can purchase gently used garden implements, yard ornaments and other “Green Elephants,” as well as bags of locally produced compost. The sale will also feature a Help Desk for answering gardening questions and an array of displays and information tables on such topics as conservation landscaping, soil health, composting, trees and shrubs, pest management, and invasive plants. Cash and credit cards will be accepted. All proceeds support the many free and low-cost programs the Piedmont Master Gardeners offer to the community. Learn more at http://piedmontmastergardeners.org/events/.
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.
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 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
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Batesville Day, Saturday, May 4, 2024Thrills in the Hills8:00 am – 3:00 pm
Make plans to come to the 47th annual village fair celebrating this vibrant community in the Blue Ridge foothills. Enjoy activities for all ages – the famously-challenging 10k race; an eclectic Country Parade; yoga in the field; cake walks; Maypole dance; samurai sword demonstration; Albemarle Morris Men; fairy house trail; plant exchange; free books for kids; a Talking Batesville History tent; Not-So-Ugly truck raffle; games; bake sales and more!
Music by the Henley Middle School Marching Band, Bluzonia, Monsters Under the Bed, Shannon Williams and the Go To’s, The Cry Babies – all FREE!
8:00 am 10k Race10:00 am Yoga for All Bodies10:30 am Country Parade11:00 am – 3:00 pm Fair, Music, Food
For event details, registration, and parking information, visit www.batesvilleva.org. Organized by the Batesville Community Club (Ruritans).
May 05 Sunday
9 to 5 The Musical is a musical based on the 1980 film of the same name, with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton. It features a book by Patricia Resnick based on the screenplay by Resnick and Colin Higgins.
9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL tells the story of three women pushed to boiling point by their sexist and egotistical boss. Concocting a plan to kidnap and turn the tables on their despicable supervisor, will the ladies manage to reform their office – or will events unravel when the CEO pays an unexpected visit?
All tickets will have a fee of $6 added at purchase. ($3 for the Historic Preservation of the Wayne and $3 for Ticket Handling)
Your confirmation email will come from Etix.com with the subject line: 'Thank You For Your Purchase'. Please check your SPAM folder if it isn't found in your inbox.
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/
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 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.
Join us at the Saturday Market to:
🎶 Enjoy live music🛍️ Shop with 50 vendors📚 Learn from community organizations🌱 Find fresh, local produce🥚 Discover local eggs and 🥩 pasture-raised meats🥖 Taste artisan breads and pastries🍲 Enjoy prepared foods like crepes, wood-fired pizza, and kettle corn🎨 Find artisan goods like natural skincare, handmade candles, and wood crafts
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
Free Celebration featuring workshops, lectures, demonstrations, and performances located in and around Court Square Theater and the Smith House Galleries!
Court Square Theater:11am, Frida Kahlo Documentary1pm, Rocktown Improv Workshop3pm, ARTEINMOVIMENTO Dance Co Performance4pm, Arts Impact Panel Discussion2pm, Commedia Dell’Arte Mask Workshop5pm, The 3 Fairies of the Wind Performance7:30pm, Dr How and the Reasons to Live Concert
Court Square Marketplace Gallery:11am – 6pm, Day of the Arts Mural12 – 1:30pm, Mask Decorating Workshop with Abigail Huneycutt1 – 2:30pm, OASIS Art Mosaic Project3:30 – 5pm, Playtime with Puppets with JP Gulla2 – 3:30pm, Face Painting with Valerie Smith4 – 4:45pm, Wreath Decorating Workshop with Kevin Boyd
Smith House Galleries and Outside:9:30am – 3pm, Chalk Art at Asbury UMC with Robert Mott10am – 1pm, JMU ArtsMobile10am – 4pm, Smith House Galleries Open1 – 2:30pm, Music on the Front Porch by iRon Lion2:30 – 3:30pm, James Albright Artist Talk: Artomatic
All included programming is provided at no cost to the community, thanks to support, in part, from The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg & Rockingham County’s Earlynn J. Miller Fund for the Arts.
The Shenandoah Valley Art Center during the month of March, in the Cabell/Arehart Invitational Gallery, is presenting an exhibition, Stay on Your Cloud, featuring works by Coco Roshi. In this compelling exhibition, acrylic and mixed media paintings serve as a vibrant homage to the rich tapestry of African American female creative genius, weaving through the realms of logos, iconography, and memes—the modern symbols through which our culture processes and digests the complexities of our world. As we navigate the overwhelming currents of our own lives, these artworks offer a sanctuary, inviting us to find solace and inspiration in the ethereal clouds of another creator's imagination. This body of work stands as a testament to the unbroken chain of innovation and resilience, celebrating the enduring spirit and transformative power of African American women's creativity. The exhibition will be open to the public April 6 – May 24, Tuesday – Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at 126 S Wayne Ave, Waynesboro, VA 22980. Come join us and meet the artist at the exhibit opening’s Conversation with the Artist on April 6, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
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)
The Shenandoah Valley Art Center during the month of May, in the Cabell/Arehart Invitational Gallery, is presenting an exhibition, Stay on Your Cloud, featuring works by Coco Roshi. In this compelling exhibition, acrylic and mixed media paintings serve as a vibrant homage to the rich tapestry of African American female creative genius, weaving through the realms of logos, iconography, and memes—the modern symbols through which our culture processes and digests the complexities of our world. As we navigate the overwhelming currents of our own lives, these artworks offer a sanctuary, inviting us to find solace and inspiration in the ethereal clouds of another creator's imagination. This body of work stands as a testament to the unbroken chain of innovation and resilience, celebrating the enduring spirit and transformative power of African American women's creativity. The exhibition will be open to the public May 1-24, Tuesday – Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at 126 S Wayne Ave, Waynesboro, VA 22980
In the SVAC Member’s Gallery the theme is “White!” The members will present 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 May 4, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., exhibition dates: May 4 - 25, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Tuesday – Saturday, 126 S. Wayne Avenue, Waynesboro 22980)
The Shenandoah Valley Art Center during the month of May, in the 416 W. Main Street Gallery, will be presenting an exhibit, The Water of Life by Delmon Brown Hall IV. In Del’s own words: “these paintings are a celebration of the spiritual force that gives life to all. It weaves together all things, all places, and all time.” In addition to new paintings from Del’s “Cosmic Fiber” series he will also be premiering new work inspired by the beauty of the Ocean, which includes a massive 5’ x 24’ piece. When asked about the painting Del said, “I set out with the intention to paint trees, but I surrendered to the process and I ended up with, go figure, water lilies — and I couldn’t be happier. It’s better than I could have ever planned myself. I find life is a lot like that too. When I quit holding on so tightly to how I think things should be and start swimming with the current instead of against it things are just better in every way.” Del is a nationally exhibited artist who attended the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston after growing up in Virginia Beach. He has over one hundred paintings in private and public collections including a 5’ x 12’ piece at Sentara Martha Jefferson in Charlottesville, Va. The exhibition will be open May 4 – June 29, Tuesday – Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., 416 W. Main St., Waynesboro, Va. 22980. An opening reception to meet the artist will be held May 4, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
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.