metropolis | december 2006

Written by Nicci Page

“Sanctuary” Mixed Media Ceramic Sculpture by Dreama Kattenbraker

Mad for meringue? Serious about sauté? Your bible has arrived. Thomas Keller, chef and owner of the famous French Laundry, calls The Professional Chef a “serious book for the serious chef”; Chef Anthony Bourdain of Brasserie Les Halles praises it as “the mothership for recipes and basic culinary techniques.” Exploding with over 640 recipes and 650 photographs (and weighing in at least five pounds), it ought to be. The massive publication explores culinary traditions of the Americas, Asia, and Europe, and was created by the Culinary Institute of America, one of the nation’s top academies. This is the 8th edition of The Professional Chef, completely updated with the latest in nutrition information and cooking trends. It retails for around $70 and would make an impressive holiday gift choice for the culinary-conscious in your circle. Look for it online or on the shelves of your local book shop.

Roanoke Symphony calls out all the stops this year with the seasonal finale of Picnic at the Pops Series, The Holiday Pops Spectacular. Touted as Virginia’s biggest and best musical holiday tradition, the December 8 event at the Salem Civic Center combines the forces of Roanoke Symphony, Roanoke Symphony Chorus, Roanoke Youth Symphony Orchestra, Roanoke College Children’s’ Symphony and the skill of talented Conductor David Wiley. The 300+ musicians will perform Christmas and Hanukah favorites, a carol sing-along and other holiday surprises at this seasonal extravaganza for all ages. The show starts at 7:30 pm; doors open at 5:30. Tickets start at just $15 per person.
www.rso.com | 540.343.9127

Check out the Vintage Cellars in Blacksburg and Radford throughout the season for all your unique spirits needs. The two shops offer a selection of fabulous beers and wines that can rarely be found elsewhere and offer weekly tastings. One unique offering is a Chinese Chardonnay and Cabernet Gernischt. According to Chuck of the Radford Vintage Cellar, “This last varietal was originally planted in Bordeaux over 100 years ago but due to the louse that wiped out most of the vineyards in Europe it was lost. Until now. Someone brought over some vines from France over 100 years ago and planted them in China. This is the only place in the world that has this grape. And it’s pretty darn good.” Call the shops for various tastings days and hours.
www.vintagecellar.com | 540.731.8466

Attention cigar aficionados: downtown Roanoke’s Milan Bros. Tobacco has joined an elite group of tobacconists who sell Davidoff, some of the most elegant and sought-after cigars in the world. Only 190 shops carry these famous (and smoked by the famous) cigars that combine different blends of tobacco cultivated in accordance with ancient traditions. All Davidoffs are handmade in the Dominican Republic, where for over five centuries this art has been passed on from generation to generation. On October 30 the Davidoff line became available at Milan Brothers, a local shop that’s becoming famous in its own right with a one-of-a-kind humidification spring cutting through the cement floor of the cellar, and a recent article in Pipes & Tobaccos Magazine. The Davidoff cigars range from $6-$24 a piece in 4 different blends. They’re the perfect holiday gift for the cigar aficionado.
www.milantobacco.com | 877.70.MILAN

Most beloved of holiday traditions, fantasies come to life as area theatre and dance troupes take the stage to dazzle the masses… Here are a few highlights (for more, check out City’s Holiday Guide, page 43): Mill Mountain Theatre brings an unusual adaptation of A Christmas Carol (through December 22) to the stage with a modern twist on the classic: four homeless people tell the story of the infamous Scrooge, huddled around a fire on a cold winter night. The production has 26 actors playing more than 50 roles. At the Roanoke Performing Arts Theatre, the Southwest Virginia Ballet presents the most well-known and beloved ballet of all time, The Nutcracker. The classic features lush scenery and costumes, along with Tchaikovsky’s lavish score as the perfect backdrop for E.T.A. Hoffman’s timeless story (Saturday, December 16 at 7 pm and Sunday, December 17 at 3 pm. The Sunday afternoon performance will feature a Sugar Plum Parade after the performance for children to meet and greet performers). Roanoke Ballet Theatre’s Visions of Sugar Plums (Saturday, December 16 at the Grandin Road studio) offers an intriguing twist on the classic; the company fuses the second act of The Nutcracker with modern dance pieces—the result is a vibrant collage of holiday spirit. Lynchburg’s Virginia School of Arts with the E.C. Glass Theater Department and Radford University will also present versions of The Nutcracker; see their website for times and ticket prices.
www.millmountain.org | 540.342.5730
www.roanokeballet.org | 540.345.6099
www.svballet.org | 540.387.3978
www.vsaart.com | 434.847.8688
dance.asp.radford.edu/events.htm | 540.831.5162

Sparkling lights on still water are sure to illuminate community hearts at Smith Mountain Lake as the famous 19th century side-wheeler Virginia Dare leads the 9th Annual Virginia Dare Flotilla for Toys Boat Parade December 9 at 7 pm. More than 40 boats will bedazzle with holiday light displays as they cruise around the lake from Virginia Dare Marina to Halesford Bridge at Bridgewater Plaza, past SML State Park and back again. All participants and viewers are asked to bring an unwrapped toy to benefit the Lake Christian Ministry’s toy drive for local children in need. The 2005 drive collected more than 1800 toys for kids and with your help, 2006 is sure to be a smashing success as well. Celebrate the season in its full, glittering regalia and make a difference all at once.
www.visitsmithmountainlake.com | 800.676.8203

Attention discerning shoppers: the new West Village, just up the road from Tanglewood Mall in Roanoke, promises one of the most luxurious shopping experiences available to date in the Star City. “Even the architecture and attention paid to every aspect—the terra cotta details and beautiful awnings—create a sophisticated ambiance for shoppers,” says Barry Ward of Poe & Cronk Real Estate Group. The retailers include some of the region’s finest, ranging from the ritz of Fink’s Jewelers to the relaxation offered by Pure Spa; from Plantagenet Rose’s eclectic, romantic gift items and home furnishings to the designer frames and vision accessories of the Optical Shop. Other vendors calling the West Village home include: Bliss (formerly of Towers Mall, forward-thinking fashion for fun, sophisticated tastes); Black Forest Gifts (specializing in German gift items); Kathy’s Boutique (upscale women’s clothier with racks bursting with designer labels); Vivendi (one-of-a-kind Brazilian fashions); the Robin’s Nest (fine china, bridal registry items); John Norman (classic clothing for professional women and men); Henri Kessler Furs (fur, fabulous fur!) and the Daily Grind coffee shop. Look for an Irish pub and Elderberry’s smoothie and wraps, coming soon. This sumptuous spending playground promises to up the ante for shopping in Southwest Virginia; it’s located at 3555 Electric Road, adjacent to North Cross School
540.989.5464

Speaking of spending, receiving your monthly credit card bill need not elicit tears—when your hard-earned dollars go towards a worthy cause. At the 2006 Holiday Couture: Saving Children is Always in Style, 43 local luminaries will model fashions from E. I. Randle and Henri Kessler Furs in support of the Roanoke Valley CASA Foundation. Pairing high fashion with charity (what better combination?), models slated to strut their stuff include the presidents of many of the area’s universities; the executive vice president of Carilion; prominent lawyers, activists and other savvy business folk. Beyond the catwalk, partygoers can mix and mingle while perusing the grand silent auction, featuring fine art, jewelry, furniture, weekend getaways, and more. Other entertainment includes William Penn on piano with bass player Leroy Taylor; the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra Youth String Ensemble; and more groups to be announced. The Roanoke Valley CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) are everyday people who are appointed by judges to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children. Volunteers humanize the often complicated and frightening legal system for young victims by acting as mentors, role models, support people, and advocates. Tickets for the 2006 Holiday Couture are $50 each (available at the CASA office or at the door), with corporate tables at only $500 (seating for 8; a tax deductible contribution). This festive, fashionable evening takes place at 6 pm on Tuesday, December 5 at the Hotel Roanoke.
www.roanokevalleycasa.org | 540.853.2407

Curious about the Square Society? Try a wander with the Square crew on their Annual Holiday Elf Cocktail Pub Crawl December 16, and check it out for yourself. The Square Society is not just about cocktails and merriment, folks (though that’s fun, too); the society’s mission is to raise funds and increase awareness of Roanoke’s Center in the Square, especially among young professionals. Center in the Square houses and offers support to the following: the Art Museum of Western Virginia, the Science Museum of Western Virginia, the History Museum, the Arts Council of the Blue Ridge and Mill Mountain Theatre—those vital organizations that infuse Roanoke city with its creative flavor. Other holiday happenings with the Square crew include a December 7 Holiday Party and (of course) a December 31 New Year’s Eve Celebration. So if you, too, would like to toast to an important cause, check them out.
www.squaresociety.org | 540.580.4901