Community Calendar

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!

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.

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!

The Blue Ridge Irish Music School (BRIMS) offers classes for all ages and skill levels in Irish dance, music and singing. The winter/spring semester begins on January 20 & 22 and runs for 12 weeks.

In 1940, as Nazi forces shattered France, Henri Matisse chose not to flee but to remain in Nice, a quiet symbol of endurance. While the occupation deepened, members of Matisse’s family took extraordinary risks in Resistance networks, facing arrest and helping Jewish artists escape. Against this backdrop of peril and sacrifice, Matisse reinvented his art, pioneering radiant paper cut-outs and producing landmark late works like "Jazz." Drawing on letters and newly explored archives, Gorham traces how Matisse transformed illness, guilt, and wartime terror into works of fierce beauty, reframing imagination itself as a form of resistance.

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Attend in person: The event is free to the public, but reservations are required. To reserve a seat (or for more information), email Leigh McFaddin at mcfaddinlh@marshallfoundation.org or call 540.463.7103, ext. 138.
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Stream + Q&A: Livestreamed on the Marshall Foundation YouTube channel (https://bit.ly/4kwLZrr). During the livestream, submit questions in YouTube live chat (lower right of the video) or by email to librarian@marshallfoundation.org. Questions are moderated.
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After the lecture: Join us for a reception in the Camden R. Fine Lobby and a book signing in the Robert A. Lovett Reading Room.
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Event Link: https://www.marshallfoundation.org/.../earning-their-wings/
Spring 2026 Legacy Lectures: https://bit.ly/4rHViXR
 

Shenandoah Valley Art Center presents Stretch and Release Yoga with Paula Figgatt and Leslie Chisnell. Gather in the Heart of Downtown Waynesboro for a meditative experience that benefits the mind while increasing your range of flexibility and centeredness in the body. Stretch & Release Yoga targets the fascia and connective tissues including tendons, ligaments and bones while creating suppleness, openness and health for our inner organs and muscles. By stilling the mind, bring the awareness deeply inward to create peace and relaxation to restore and renew the Spirit! (Register: www.svacart.com or call 540-949-7662, Fee: $10 per session, Tuesdays, March 3 – April 14, 6:05 - 7:00 p.m., 416 Gallery, 416 W Main St, Waynesboro, VA 22980).

Come learn the sport of rugby while getting fit and making great friends. All are welcome. No experience necessary.

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!

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.