metropolis | november 2006

Written by Nicci Page

“La Pensierosa,” bronze, by Betty Branch

On Thanksgiving Day, the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center will once again unveil the Fashions for Evergreens Professional Designer Christmas Tree Contest . Come out and see how the pros do it as local artists, florists, and designers are pitted against one another to win Roanoke ’s most popular tree vote. Set amidst the charm and character of downtown Roanoke ’s Dickens of a Christmas festivities, these decadently adorned trees are a must see. Visitors can vote for their favorite tree through December 19th, and you can visit the display until Christmas Day.
www.hotelroanoke.com | 540.985.5900

Beginning November 4, the famed Dumas Hotel begins its new life as the Dumas Center for Artistic and Cultural Development. “The paint is dry and the sound of hammers fading, much like the years of segregation that made the Dumas Hotel the center of African-American culture in Roanoke for many years,” proclaims the announcement. Organizers have worked long and hard on the $4.1 million renovation of the historic venue. In bygone days, Jazz greats performing in Roanoke were forced by segregation to stay in Dumas, the only African-American hotel in town. The re-opening as a cultural center will honor the structure’s important history, while embracing the future of the arts in the Valley. The Grand Opening Ceremony takes place at 10 am at the center ( 110 First Street , downtown); it’s free and open to the public. Tours of the facility begin at 11, followed by performances by Opera Roanoke, The Downtown Music Lab, the Dumas Drama Guild, the Northwest Community Jazz Band and more. At 7:30 the celebration continues with the Dumas Doo Wop Concert at the Roanoke Performing Arts Theater, with live performances by legends like Gene Chandler “the Duke of Earl,” the Shangri-La’s, and The Platters. Tickets start at $27 and are available at the Civic Center Box office, at tickets.com, or charge by phone: 888.397.3100.
www.tickets.com | 888.397.3100

Virginia wine aficionados—or should I say lovers—shouldn’t miss out on a day trip to Afton . Family owned and operated, Cardinal Point Vineyard and Winery lies in the lush foothills of the Blue Ridge , in the shadow of Afton Mountain . Upcoming events at the vineyard include the Third Annual Oyster Festival November 11 and 12 from 11 am–5:30 pm , where the vineyard will serve up Rappahannock River Oyster Company’s tasty aphrodisiacs raw, roasted, and stewed along with live music and fall festivities for young and old. Admission is $7 in advance, $10 at the door; kids under 12 admitted free. If you can’t make it for the oysters, try the wine. The Cardinal Point 2006 Nouveau Release Party is November 16 and the winery tasting room will remain open until 7:30 pm to celebrate the release of its 2006 Nouveau Red. Hors d’oeuvres will be served, and the Nouveau and other Cardinal Point wines will be available at special prices. Tickets for both events will be available at Cardinal Point Winery and online starting October 15.
www.cardinalpointwinery.com | 540.456.8400

Every Roanoker has heard of it…. a few may have actually seen it in its heyday…but I’ll venture to say almost no one can fathom how amazing Mini-Graceland of Riverland Road will be after its complete restoration. Mike Epperly has high hopes; he was barely a teen when his father began building the extravagant spectacle for his Elvis-loving wife. Once you see the pool sparkling, the stained glass windows of the church alight, you’ll know why it is so famous to Roanokers and beyond—even President Carter visited. Epperly uses his own resources to complete the project and it’s admittedly slow going. He works fulltime and is a busy parent, but keeps up the good fight and hopes to have Mini-Graceland in good shape for the holidays. Stop by and put a donation in the box. After all, who wouldn’t love to see the King again?
540.765.8575

Opera Roanoke opens its 30th anniversary season with a sensuous soirée and a new production of La Bohème , Giacomo Puccini’s titillating tale of romance, jealousy and survival. The performance takes place at the Shaftman Auditorium in the Jefferson Center on Friday, November 17 at 8 pm and Sunday, November 19 at 2 pm . Following Friday’s show, join the cast for Wine and Dine with the Stars Opening Night Party with tantalizing food, drink and song but of course ($35 per person, reservations required). In partnership with the Mill Mountain Theatre, La Bohème features some of opera’s great young talent. Soprano Yunah Lee and tenor Dinyar Vania lead the cast as the star-crossed lovers Mimi and Rodolfo. Both artists have performed these roles in the New York City Opera. Yunah Lee received acclaim in Cleveland, Minneapolis , Tokyo and orchestras in Beijing , Seoul , and New York ’s Carnegie Hall. Vania was recently with the Connecticut Lyric Opera and the New York City Opera where he made his debut in Mark Adamo’s Lysistrata. The cast also features soprano Lily Hseih as Musetta, baritone Philip Torre as Marcello, and bass-baritone Jason McKinney as Colline. This year, the masterful costumes of designer Laurie Powell-Ward will enhance the series. Veteran Ronald Boudreaux directs.
www.operaroanoke.org | 540.745.7880

Once again, Historic Old Southwest celebrates the Annual Holiday Parlor Tour of Homes . For the 27th year this neighborhood will show Virginia ’s historic beauty with a tour of 8–12 beautifully decorated holiday homes in styles dating from the height of the Victorian era, the early twentieth century, to the early 1800s. Just a few minutes walk from Downtown Roanoke, Old Southwest is a living celebration of history and architecture. Take a tour through four centuries this month and learn how our nation’s forefathers and mothers decorated and entertained guests. Visit historic neighborhoods and chat with actors dressed in period costumes, and enjoy holiday music and sample mulled cider, gingerbread, and yuletide treats. It all takes place on Saturday, December 2, from 5–9 pm and Sunday, December 3 from 12–5 pm ; admission is $15. Tickets can be obtained and the tour begins at the entrance to Highland Park.
www.oldsouthwestinc.com

For only two weeks a year, renowned sculptor Betty Branch opens her studio and gallery to the public for an open house. Peruse the stunning space filled with Branch’s work—early, current as well as pieces debuting in Roanoke . There will be 80-plus on display. Branch has developed a unique style: figurative sculpture with both realistic and impressionistic aspects. Other members of Branch’s talented family will exhibit as well: watercolorist Patrick Branch; painter Sally Branch; painter and sculptor Polly Branch; and photographer Bonny Branch. The Betty Branch Sculpture Studio and Gallery is located at 123 Norfolk Avenue in historic downtown Roanoke, and the open house takes place December 2 through 14, 2–5:30 pm. (Call the number below to schedule a viewing appointment at other times).
540.344.4994

On Friday, November 24 at 7:30 pm Roanoke’s own beloved bluesy-rockers the Original Royal Kings will perform at the Holiday Reunion Show and Dance at Hotel Roanoke. Although some of the band members play ‘round town as the Royal Kings (note omission of “Original”), only twice a year do all the old members get together for a show like this. “It’s a thrill for us to get together and play as a group again,” says bandleader Perry Caligan. The Kings will share the stage with The Original Rhythm Doctors of Salem (house rockin’ rhythm and blues) and The Key West Band (Jimmy Buffet covers). Tickets are $25 per person and may be purchased at the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center , The Longbranch Restaurant in Salem , VA or at Kings Entertainment Agency. Doors open at 6:30 pm.
www.kingsentertainmentagency.com | 540.989.5464

Old New York makes a comeback Friday and Saturday December 1 and 2 as former pastor Robert Garner narrates the annual Greene Memorial United Methodist Church Candlelight Dinner and Holiday Program to benefit the 2006–2007 Fine Arts Series. It’s a family affair as Greene’s Organist and Director of Music and Fine Arts, Richard Cummins, combines forces with his talented family: cellist Stephanie Cummins, soprano Rita Cummins, and violinist Cenovia Cummins. The Cummins women tour all over: Cenovia is a concertmaster of New York ’s Riverside Symphony and is currently touring with Barbara Streisand; and Stephanie is the solo cellist of the London/Disney production of Mary Poppins, which opens November 16 at New Amsterdam Theatre on Broadway in New York . The evening begins with a candlelight dinner followed by Garner’s readings of O’Henry’s “The Cop and the Anthem”; a special visit to two beautiful churches; the Cummins’ performances; and the annual reading of Clement Clarke Moore’s “A Visit from Saint Nick.” The Holiday Singers will perform a selection of Christmas Carols and include audience participation. Tickets are $25 per person with dinner and concert; the program starts at 6:30 pm.
www.gmumc.org | 540.344.6225

Get away this holiday season for Deck the Halls Weekends. Start by calling one of the five participating wineries to sign up and reserve a wreath from that vineyard. From that point, tour and taste your way through five vineyards, collecting each of the uniquely designed ornaments offered by the wineries. Care to sip in style? Call Reston Limo at 703.478.0500 or Holtzman Limousine Service at 540.636.9080 to arrange transportation. Each participating vineyard offers its own merry celebration; wreath and ornament tickets are just $25 per couple. The tours take place Thursday, November 23 through Friday, November 24 from 11 am–5 pm ; and Saturday, December 2 through Sunday, December 3 from 11 am – 5 pm. Participating wineries include Veramar Vineyard, LLC (540.955.5510), Deer Meadow Vineyard (540.877.1919), North Mountain Vineyard (540.436.9463), Shenandoah Vineyards, Inc (540.984.8699), and Shenandoah Caverns (540.477.3115).
www.shenandoahvalleywinecountry.org

While Toys for Tots, the Salvation Army, and the Angel Tree are more traditional ways to volunteer your time and money during the holidays, there are new and diverse ways to give back. The Council of Community Services has launched a website to match people, age groups, and talents with hundreds of charity organizations. Create a volunteer account, submit the online form to the agency with your message and contact information, and begin volunteering. There are unique opportunities that include helping teens and youth, mentoring, and tutoring. If you promised yourself last year that you would volunteer but you couldn’t find the resources, they are now available online.
www.councilofcommunityservices.org

Posted: November 1st, 2006 under Performing Arts.
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~Nicci Ray is a freelance writer whose interests lie in arts, entertainment, fiction and fine cuisine. A Roanoke resident by birth, she has worked with such publications as The Roanoke Times & World News, Artbeat Magazine, Radford News Journal, Christiansburg Messenger, NRV News, and In the Loop Magazine of The Tampa Tribune. She holds a degree in Print Journalism from Radford University. Nicci can be contacted in care of City Magazine at 540.345.6300 or contact@citymagazineonline.com.