
home \| contact us \| sitemap

metropolis | july 2007

Written by Nicci Page

crank up the country
Roanoke’s country music scene gets a tune-up this summer as Event Zone presents Kickin’ Country Nights in Elmwood Park June 29, July 20, and August 31. The three concerts take place on Friday nights between 5:30 and 8:30 pm and will be set up much like Party in the Park. Event Zone with WYYD and the Bull are offering an exciting and “hot” country dance party—“kick butt music, with kick your heels up dancing” according to the enthusiastic organizers. The series kicked off June 29 with Rain, and continues with Keith Bryant of Lexington in July. Bryant’s large regional fan base and a recent major recording contract should bring out country fans from all over. The final concert in August features Cimmaron and Diamondback, doubling up to showcase local favorites and end the series on a high note. Music starts at 6 pm; admission is $6 for adults, 12 and under free.
www.kickincountrynights.org 540.342.2640

lights, camera…camp!
If your high school or middle school-aged child is interested in film, look into Explore Park’s Reel Opportunities for Virginia Artists (ROVA) Film Camp. At each week-long camp, students work in teams headed by a local independent filmmaker to create their own film. With a generic script, each team works on dialogue, action, and storyboards to develop their perfect film while learning the art of working a camera, sound, and lighting. All this in the lovely rural setting of Explore Park, any cinematographer’s dream with its hills and valleys, rivers and streams, historic and modern buildings and more. Camp is followed by a premiere showing, when families are invited to a ROVA gala to view short films and honor the winning team. Students receive a Virginia Film Office certificate upon completion. Middle school camp is July 23-27; high school camp is from July 30-August 3. Camp runs from 8 am to 5 pm and the cost of $350 includes
lunch, snack, and T-shirt.
www.explorepark.org 540.427.2440

smoke on the mountain 2007
BBQ connoisseurs should head toward the Blue Ridge Highlands on Friday, July 13 and Saturday, July 14 for the Virginia State Barbecue Championship. Follow the aroma to Galax, for the best of the best in BBQ from every corner of the U.S. For those who know, the Memphis Barbecue Association is the hands-down leader in defining all things BBQ; it’s the support mechanism for barbecue contests around the country. Galax will host this “Memphis In May” sanctioned Championship in grand style. Enjoy Southwest Virginia hospitality and a family-friendly atmosphere with a special section just for the children and entertainment for all to enjoy including DJ Janet and The Crystal River Band with special performances each evening by The Fantastic Shakers and General Johnson as well as Chairman of the Board. And of course visit all the artist and crafters displaying and selling their wares in charming downtown Galax.
www.twincountychamber.com 276.236.2184

an all-american blowout at the homestead
The Homestead resort in Hot Springs offers a typical all-American cookout for the Fourth in an atypically lovely setting. Special Independence Day events include a concert under the stars from the band Elevation, which some consider “the greatest U2 tribute band on the planet.” Afterwards, enjoy a breezy, mountain-lined sky filled with breathtaking fireworks. The day includes a cookout, golf and shooting clinics, and lots of fun classes and outdoor activities. Special holiday activities are ongoing daily from Saturday, June 30 through Wednesday, July 4—see the website for the full line-up.
www.thehomestead.com 866.354.4653 540.839.1766

summer fun in floyd
Each summer in Floyd County the Zion Lutheran Church of Floyd presents a series of Saturday Night Out—Under the Stars events at the Oak Grove Pavilion in town. Since 1994 the Pavilion has hosted a wide variety of “family-friendly” music and theatrical productions and 2007 is no exception. From folk music to Celtic and Gospel, the venue offers performances at 7:30 pm, rain or shine. Admission is free, but a donation is encouraged at intermission. Over $40,000 dollars has been raised and distributed to local charities through these concerts. This year’s line-up includes windfall folk/Americana music The New Dominion Ramblers July 7; Oddfella’s Celtic ensemble July 14; New Roanoke Jug Band August 4; Spiritual Four Gospel Singers August 11; and a special Zion Players Melodrama (a play) August 17 and 18. The Oak Grove Pavilion is located directly behind the Zion Lutheran Church, Floyd; shows begin around 7:30pm.
www.floydlutherans.org 540.745.2096

get in the games
If you’re ready to play…. Register today for the Coventry Commonwealth Games of Virginia, an Olympic-style amateur sports festival for athletes of all ages and abilities that takes place July 20-22 throughout the region. Produced by Virginia Amateur Sports, Inc., the games are sanctioned by the national governing body for State Games: the National Congress of State Games, the NCAA, the VHSL, and recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee. The 2007 games feature sporting events from skateboarding to fencing, wrestling to running, disc-golf to chess, and many others. Following tradition, they begin with opening ceremonies Friday night at the Roanoke Civic Center and showcase a parade of athletes, fireworks, and a nationally known guest speaker, TBA. For registration information and event and location listings visit the website.
www.commonwealthgames.org

dog days of july
Ever a bustling summer venue, Chateau Morrisette in Floyd is gearing up for two new events to add to their already packed schedule: the 2007 Black Dog Wine and Music Festival and the Hokie Bird Wine Festival. Held on the Saturdays of July 14, August 11, and October 13 from 12 to 7 pm, the Black Dog Festival experience includes a varied musical line-up (among the performers are Le Hotclub de Big Lick, Melva Houston, Deborah Liles, Tim Martin, The Embers—see the full schedule on the website), plus multiple tents with artisans, wine seminars, food demonstrations, regional delicacies, and more. Tickets are $12.50 in advance and $20 at the gate or $15 for the designated driver of your group, and admission includes touring and tasting privileges. The Hokie Bird Wine Festival on July 21 from noon to 4 pm celebrates the debut of the 2008 label of the Hokie Wine collector series, with partial proceeds supporting Virginia Tech scholarship funds. Tech’s honorable Hokie bird will be on site to sign autographs and take pictures while bluegrass bands No Strings Attached and Crossties Bluegrass Band jam in the background. Also look for face painting, crafters, and tasty food to pair with your wine samples. A $15 ticket includes all this plus a Chateau Morrisette/VT logo glass. Finally, the Chateau’s Sunday Sounds on the Lawn is back through October with free music on the winery lawn from 1-4 pm. Each Sunday will feature entertainment from a variety of musical styles including folk, bluegrass, jazz, blues, and easy listening favorites. The D-Vine stage grill will be open to offer sandwiches, snacks and beverages for purchase during the afternoon. If you’ve ever needed an excuse to spend a day sipping and swaying at a famous Virginia winery in the magnificent rural setting of the Blue Ridge Mountains, your day has come.
www.thedogs.com 540.593.2865

take flight on the fourth
Lexington, Virginia has something different to offer for Independence Day as the Lexington Sunrise Rotary Club sponsors the 11th Annual Hot Air Balloon Rally on the VMI Parade Grounds. This two-day event has grown in popularity, drawing thousands to the Lexington-Rockbridge area. Activities include hot-air balloon rides, fireworks, live music, children’s activities, various displays including an antique car show, a market place garage sale, and a ton of local crafts and delicious food. Festivities begin with a piloted flight on July 2nd, but main events are held July 3 and 4 from 6 am to 10 pm.
www.lexingtonvirginia.com 877.453.9822

a mighty, mighty festival
They’re doing it again in downtown Roanoke…the Blue Ridge Blues Society hosts the 2nd Annual Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ Festival Saturday, July 21, on the market at the Railside Stage and Plaza. The festival features a main course of 15 blues acts on two stages and heaps of great BBQ on the side. With “the incredible Soul Blues explosion” of Mighty Sam McClain and His Mighty, Mighty Band and the big swingin’ sound of Mighty Lester and The Blues Kings along with 13 other acts, the music rings out from 12 noon… until it stops. And attention blues musicians: in keeping with their goal, The Blue Ridge Blues Society is having a contest to find the best blues act to represent the BRBS at the 2008 International Blues Challenge held on Beale St. in Memphis next February. The contest is Friday, July 20 at Martin’s downtown and space is limited so enter today to ensure your spot. The contest is open to bands and duo or solo acts and the winner receives at least $1,000 in cash, a paid slot at The Big Lick Blues Festival held in Roanoke in September, prizes, and of course the right to represent the BRBS at the 2008 IBC.
www.blueridgeblues.org 540.529.8502

opera in the mountains
Fine music and theater fans should make the short hike to Wintergreen for some world-class concerts in July as Wintergreen Performing Arts, Inc. presents its 11th Summer Music Festival. Celebration ‘07 honors the 400th Anniversary of Jamestown and the 200th Anniversary of Nelson County with a program of chamber and orchestra concerts, lectures, master classes, and open rehearsals. The concert program includes familiar masterpieces such as Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 and Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9 (“From the New World”), two chamber music world premieres and the American Premiere of Ottorino Respighi’s transcription of Claudio Monteverdi’s magnificent 1607 opera Orfeo. The festival concludes with conductor Peter Oundjian and violinist Robert McDuffie performing Bruch’s magnificent Violin Concerto. And don’t miss the world premiere of Peter Coy’s latest play about an infamous 1907 murder in Nelson County. Concerts are held daily July 9-29 in the Evans Center at Wintergreen Resort; check the website for
times and more information.
www.wintergreenperformingarts.org 434.325.8292

Photos credits from top:
Cowgirl artwork courtesy of EventZone.
Fireworks photo courtesy of The Homestead.
Photo of Robin Wynn, a performer at Black Dog Wine and Music Festival.

Posted: July 1st, 2007 under Performing Arts.

metropolis | july 2007

Post a Comment