May 25 Monday
This class is an opportunity for actors to dig deeper into proven techniques that will strengthen the voice, body, presence, imagination, and instinct. Guided by the work of practitioners such as Sanford Meisner, Cicely Berry, Uta Hagen, and others, participants will work toward developing a reliable toolkit to access deeper connections to their characters, scene partners, objectives, actions, and their own instrument. This class is open to anyone who has some previous experience or training and is interested in deepening their practice, enhancing their skill set, and approaching old acting challenges in new ways. This class will be entirely practical.
May 21 Thursday
This class will provide aspiring actors with the tools they need to smoothly go from first read-through to opening night. Participants will learn proven techniques for analyzing a script and understanding a character’s motivations, and practice essential skills for working with scene partners, making bold choices, and being creative in the rehearsal room. This class is open to anyone who is curious about how to get started in acting, with no experience required. Whether you are keen to get on the stage yourself, or even to understand the process of those you enjoy watching on stage, this class is for you. This class will be entirely practical.
A farm-to-table experience that will fuel our growth: Chef Throwdown Benefiting Jones Gardens- September 7, 2026 @ 5:30pm (Location TBD)
Jones Gardens invites Virginia chefs to apply for a friendly Farm-to-Table Chef Throwdown, featured as part of a lively, ticketed fundraising dinner celebrating local food, farms, and community.
Each selected chef will be paired with a Virginia farm and challenged to create a dish that highlights the farm’s ingredients and a thoughtful farm-to-table approach. Guests will enjoy the event as both entertainment and dining, tasting inspired dishes while cheering on chef–farm teams.
All proceeds benefit Jones Gardens, and help fuel our operations, particularly a new and exciting venture that will break soon break ground, which will bring more programming and education to the community.
What Chefs Receive
Stipend for participation Volunteer assistance during prep and service (if needed) Exposure to a broad, food-loving community audience through our social media and website, as well as potential to be featured in local news broadcastings Collaboration with a Virginia farm A fun, high-energy competition for a meaningful cause
Chef Requirements (Seeking 2-3 chefs)
Must apply via the Jones Gardens website Must Prepare at least one dish that contributes to the full course meal (either an appetizer, entree or desert) Submit a short video clip showing yourself preparing a dish and explaining your process Be genuinely passionate about Jones Gardens’ mission and local food systems
Chefs of all backgrounds and culinary styles are encouraged to apply.
May 22 Friday
Virginia Women's Music Festival - A music festival created exclusively for women, by women. Held Memorial Day Weekend in May every year at CampOut in Kents Store, VA. Celebrating women artists, community, and music in the woods. CampOut has multiple camping options. The Music festival hosts 15 artists over 3 days, nightly dances and bonfires, 5k trail run, drumming circles, Memorial Day Ceremony, and various workshops.
Join Feel The Rain Brothers Brew Co. and Blue Ridge CASA at our taproom in downtown Harrisonburg as we raise our pints, raise awareness, and raise some well-deserved dollars for an organization that's vital to our community.
May 23 Saturday
The Rocktown Rollers have more live roller derby coming your way!
On Saturday, May 23 at 5 p.m., your Rocktown home team Trash Cats will take the track for the second time this season!
Will the Punk Possums possess the perseverance to pile on points?
Or will the Thrash Pandas threaten them and thrive?
Bring your chair and your cheers and we’ll see you trackside at Funky's Skate Center! Doors open at 5 p.m., first whistle at 5:30.
Let’s skate fast and eat trash!
May 24 Sunday
On Sunday, May 24, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., we invite you and your four legged friends out on the Highland Rustic Trails for a day of doggone good fun!
The Highland Rustic Trails are free and open to the public. All dogs must be leashed. Dog owners are responsible for cleaning up after their animals. Please keep our trails clean so everyone can enjoy their experience on the Highland Rustic Trails.
*Please note that while dogs will be allowed on the Highland Rustic Trails on May 24, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., only service animals, as defined by the ADA, are permitted in the ticketed museum area.
May 26 Tuesday
This introductory playwriting course invites adult learners to explore the fundamentals of writing for the stage in a supportive, creative environment. Participants will examine various dramatic structures, engage with key narrative conventions, and experiment with techniques that bring stories to the stage through dialogue, character, and action. Through guided exercises, discussions, and writing prompts, participants will develop original pieces of dramatic art while gaining a deeper understanding of how plays are often built to function as meaning machines. This class offers a mix of practical application and theoretical discussion.
May 28 Thursday
Charlottesville, Journey is coming to John Paul Jones Arena on May 28th for their FINAL FRONTIER TOUR!
May 30 Saturday
LIVE MUSIC @ Cooter's Luray
Sat May 302pm-4pm
The Shenandoah Valley Art Center during the month of April, in the Cabell/Arehart Invitational Gallery, is exhibiting the artwork of Joan Graybeal Menad of New Hope, VA. Born and raised in the Washington, D.C. suburbs, Menard moved to the Shenandoah Valley in 2012. She has created art her entire life and enjoys combining multiple media in her work. In response to an often chaotic world, Joan creates her own fantasy figures. Her calm-faced ladies emerged during Covid, when she missed seeing people’s happy expressions. She hopes they bring a sense of peace and joy to viewers. “Life Is a Stage: Welcome to Joan of Art’s World” features her beloved ceramic figures alongside new mixed-media assemblages. Step into Joan’s imaginative world and stay awhile. The public is invited to the opening reception on April 4, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. where you can meet and talk to the artist. The exhibition will be open to the public April 4 – May 30, Tuesday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Saturday, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., at 126 S. Wayne Ave, Waynesboro, VA 22980.
In the SVAC Member’s Gallery the theme is “Green.” The members will present their unique interpretations of the theme in each work of art which is priced to accommodate art collectors seeking pieces to expand their collection. The public is invited to view the exhibition, remembering that the art center serves the community by recognizing talent, encouraging creativity, and joining lives through art! The exhibition opening will be April 4, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. The exhibition will be open to the public April 4 – May 30, Tuesday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Saturday, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., 126 S. Wayne Avenue, Waynesboro, VA 22980.
A new month means new artwork at Arts Council of the Valley’s Smith House Galleries! Kicking off with an opening reception Friday, May 1, lovely paintings and ceramic works fill the Rhapsody Room and Darrin-McHone Gallery at the Smith House in TWO new exhibitions: "Young Warriors" by Richmond-based artist Sukenya Best and "Water’s Journey" by Virginia Beach-based artist Anna Freeman.
Stop by throughout May to explore mixed media paintings and sculptural works speaking to resilience, protection, strength, and tranquility. Opening reception festivities (during First Fridays of the Valley May 1, 5-7 pm) include an opportunity to meet and hear from both visiting artists; complimentary refreshments; and popup, pay-what-you-will live portrait-drawing sessions (20 minutes each) by guest artist Will Stroud on the Smith House patio!
Both May exhibitions, sponsored by The UPS Store #6595, will be on view through May 29, with in-person visits Monday-Friday, 11 am to 4 pm AND Second Saturday (May 9), 10 am-2 pm.
Learn more at valleyarts.org!
Building and supporting our community is what we do at the LIFEworks Project! We invite you to shop our client choice grocery outlet today from 4:30pm-7pm.The River City Bread Basket is located at 505 N. Winchester Ave. in Waynesboro, Va. Select what works best for you and your family! Grab a shopping cart and not a box! All items are available while supplies last! Meat, eggs, dairy and more! All FREE!Call 540-251-2381 to registerWe’ll see you soon! #ThriveThursday#distributionwithdignity #buildcommunity#foodjustice #empowerment
The Sperryville Summer Concert Series is back and kicks off with Rebecca Porter and the Rhinestone Roses. Raised in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley and born in Guam, Rebecca Porter’s bold songwriting and striking voice blend Appalachia with Pacific Island warmth. Her 2023 EP Queen of the Local and 2025 debut Roll with the Punches have earned national acclaim from NPR’s Mountain Stage, No Depression, The Bluegrass Situation, KEXP, and Lonesome Highway. Expect a dynamic six-piece band featuring guitars, fiddle, pedal steel, bass, and drums.
The annual series has become a HUGE HIT, and runs over five months, May through September. This year’s lineup includes returning and new top local bands appearing on the Sperryville stage in the River District, at 6PM every third Thursday, with rain dates every fourth Thursday, each month.
The concerts are located near the beautiful confluence of the north and south branches of the Thornton River, at the end of River Lane (accessed from Water Street) next to Copper Fox Antiques and Copper Fox Distillery. For those using GPS, the address is 7 River Lane, Sperryville, VA 22740.
Check out the rest of the summer concert line up here!
Come learn the sport of rugby while getting fit and making great friends. All are welcome. No experience necessary.
Live Arts Radio PSAsFRINGE FAVORITES Contact andrew@livearts.org with any questions.Start Date: 5/4/26Kill Date: 6/4/26PSA 1Length: 10 secondsVO: Check out our two FRINGE FAVORITES productions beginning May 21st! STRATEGIC LOVE PLAY and GODOT IS A WOMAN. Visit livearts.org for tickets.
PSA 2Length: 20 secondsVO: Live Arts has two shows opening May 21st as part of our FRINGE FAVORITES programming! STRATEGIC LOVE PLAY, by Miriam Battye, directed by Laura May Brunk; and GODOT IS A WOMAN, by Silent Faces, directed by Mandy Shuker. Come see these two fantastic avant-garde comedies! Visit livearts.org for tickets.
PSA 3Length: 30 secondsVO: Live Arts has two shows opening May 21st as part of our FRINGE FAVORITES programming! Yes, that’s right folks, two shows! STRATEGIC LOVE PLAY, by Miriam Battye, directed by Laura May Brunk; and GODOT IS A WOMAN, by Silent Faces, directed by Mandy Shuker. Come see these two fantastic and cutting-edge avant-garde comedies! Running until June 6th. Sponsored by Miller & Lee Susen, Awkward Sage Media, and Bay Ridge Private Wealth Management Group.Visit livearts.org for tickets.