metropolis | september 2007

Written by Nicci Ray

a weekend in rockbridge
City arts patrons looking for a weekend away with minimal travel should make the hour trip to Rockbridge County to catch a show at the unique natural coliseum, Theater at Lime Kiln. A starry night sky as backdrop to the 19th century lime kiln ruins and rock quarry creates an unusual and beautiful setting for the venue’s remaining 2007 theater and concert schedule. The Kiln actually houses three performance arenas for your enjoyment: “the Bowl” is the naturally occurring amphitheater primarily used for concerts and fitted with permanent bench seating; “the Kiln”, is carefully restored hearth kilns and a towering stone chimney—primarily used for plays; and “the Tent” comfortably provides covered seating for shows during inclement weather. Saturday, September 1 come see Arthur Miller’s The Crucible at the theater and stay for the Sunday concert event featuring The Nighthawks. The Bert Carlson Quintet will perform September 16. And bring your kids back to the Kiln for the Refuse to Use Youth Concert on September 29, with a Battle of the Bands, cash prizes, and lots of food and fun. In October, Kathy Mattea will perform on the 18th; and for Halloween the Kiln will present Folktales by Firelight on the 25th through the 28th.
www.theateratlimekiln.com 800.594.TiXX

handbag heaven
It always gets to me when I see a gorgeous Fendi or Gucci handbag listed in the back of the magazine at $1200. That’s more than my rent and they go up from there. It’s a fact, the hottest bags sell for the highest prices and it’s nearly impossible for budget-conscious girls to stay trendy. Brothers David and Jason Chung offer an answer to this dilemma. Co-Founders of Baghaus.com, the brothers are bringing women the latest styles with more fashionable price-tags. Baghaus.com provides working women with handbags inspired by more than  30 of today’s top designers, including Chanel, YSL, Jimmy Choo, Hermes, Versace, Dior, and every conceivable designer. So, welcome to handbag heaven. Whether your look is Boho, classic, or contemporary, Baghaus can suit your style. The website features evening bags, totes, hobos, and oversized bags, in all sizes, shapes, fabrics, and textures at an average ticket price of $50. Refuse to go bankrupt for your favorite bag and check the brothers out.
www.baghaus.com 877.861.7257

the hot ticket
High School Musical fans will delight that Roanoke Civic Center, Disney, and Feld Entertainment will bring us a whole new level of cool with Disney’ s High School Musical: The Ice Tour, October 2 and 3 at 7 pm. Tickets are already on sale for the shows, but you may want to hurry—popular response has already prompted the addition of a second day to the performance. The ice tour features a live fusion of songs, dance, and team-spirited fun to celebrate the original Emmy Award-winning Disney Channel movie, and its sequel High School Musical 2, set to debut on Disney this summer. The extravaganza has become one of the hottest tickets in town, spotlighting some of the best skaters in the world cast as Troy, Gabriella, Ryan, Sharpay, Chad, and Taylor with extraordinary performances set to the chart-topping tunes and signature choreography. With the ice as the dance floor, this event will be an unprecedented twist on a fan favorite.
www.roanokeciviccenter.com www.highschoolmusicaltheicetour.com 888.397.3100

unexpected unions
Check out artist Suzun Hughes’ work at the newly-combined Zak’s Gallery Café and Studios on the Square at 126 West Campbell Avenue: Unexpected Unions of Shape and Color, hanging now through October 30th. The bright and stimulating pieces—featuring dizzying, even hypnotic layers of pattern and detail—feature uncommon arrangements of elements both organic and industrial. Hughes uses a synthesis of digital and traditional art techniques to create; her work investigates “fundamental structures and luminosity.” In December 2006, the artist and her husband John Wilson, 30-year residents of San Francisco, made Roanoke their new home after touring Southwest Virginia and falling in love with the Star City. The pair purchased the old Henri Kessler building at 117 West Campbell Avenue and immediately dove into civic involvement through the Downtown Neighborhood Watch (of which Hughes was just elected president) and the newly established Downtown Residents Association. See Hughes’ breathtaking exhibit while you still can, and stay tuned for more on the innovative artist in forthcoming issues of City Magazine. ~EP
www.studiosonthesquare.com         www.suzun.com        540.345.4076

movement + innovation
Innovation characterizes the new 2007-2008 season at the Southwest Virginia Ballet (SVB).  September 29th at 2 and 7 pm at Hidden Valley High School and October 6th at 3 pm at The Jefferson Center look for excerpts from Paquita with two guest artists from the State Ballet of Virginia dancing lead roles. First produced in Paris in 1846 for ballet’s technical virtuosos, the story, set in Spain, centers around the gypsy girl Paquita, whose only connection with her mysterious past is a small medallion. An exuberant score by Ludwig Minkus drives this energetic ballet; the excerpts form a “best of” classical masterpiece.  The performance will open with original choreography by Susan Honer, alumni of Hollins University and SVB, and two other pieces created by the SVB’s artistic director Pedro Szalay. The October 6th performance at the Jefferson Center is part of the first ever Roanoke Arts Festival, October 4-7 (see The Arts, page 19, for a complete write-up on the festival).  For this special afternoon, Szalay has created and will perform a solo piece to the live accompaniment of Roanoke blues saxophonist Frank O’Brien. Finally, join the SVB for a special evening of dining, dance, and entertainment at the stunning Nutcracker Ball, a fundraiser for their December Nutcracker performances, November 17th at the Hotel Roanoke. Tickets are $80 person or $150 couple. ~EP
540.387.3978              www.danceetc.us      www.svballet.org       www.roanokeartsfestival.org

mixin’ it up
Curious what’s happening behind the paper-covered windows at 16 Campbell Avenue, in the former location of Dolce? Get ready for The Mix One Six, a new restaurant-nightlife spot that is preparing to open its doors this month.  Owner and Executive Chef Alan Dever promises to shake up the downtown scene with something that appeals to everyone in our diverse city—and he means everyone. Hence the “mix” part of the name: the menu (open for both dinner and lunch) will have everything from wraps, sandwiches, and quiche to “full-on” steak entrees, fish platters, pasta dishes, etc. He anticipates a crisp, extensive salad bar to be a big draw for the lunch crowd. As far as entertainment, look for—you guessed it—eclecticism. Dever recognizes great music (and fans) come in all flavors, and he plans to book anything from country to jazz to hip-hop to rock-and-roll to rockabilly to bluegrass. “We’ll have big national acts plus groups that are just on the verge of breaking through,” he promises. “And we want to keep people guessing. Once a month, we’ll really trick out the place and offer something crazy like a comedy act or a magician or a ventriloquist…” (yeah, you read right).   With the dizzying variety of food and entertainment plus extensive venue renovations, “It won’t be Dolce—that’s for sure. People won’t even recognize the place.” Hmmm… City is intrigued. Stay tuned for info on the grand opening, plus up-coming acts, via The Mix’s Myspace page. ~EP
www.myspace.com/themixone6club 

a taste of athens just moments from home
Opa! It’s finally here, Roanoke’s Greek Festival rolls around again September 14 and 15 from 11 am to 10 pm and September 16 from noon to 7 pm at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. If you’ve ever longed to visit the shores of Greece or if you just love incredible food, don’t miss this event. Roanoke’s Greek community comes together each year to create an array of fare and festivities to bring their home culture to our hometown. The 2007 celebration will include performances by Kostas Kastanis—one of the hottest and most exciting Greek bands in the U.S.; of course there will be wild and traditional dancing. There will also be an Agora Marketplace with a wide variety of vendors of everything: art, jewelry, handbags, coin scarves, apparel, linens, pottery, and more brought from Greece. For the children there will be face painting, Greek tattoos, caricature drawing, and other amusing games. And of course, the food! Try the authentic moussaka, souvlaki, pastichio, and baklava. Dare to say you wouldn’t like to visit Greece, and you might, because there will be a raffle on Sunday morning for a trip to Athens, too!
www.roanokegreekfestival.com 540.362.3601

an odd couple
It’s bound to be an interesting combination of talents as Salem Civic Center presents friends and fellow Grammy winners, Ricky Skaggs and Bruce Hornsby, with Skaggs’ award-winning band, Kentucky Thunder on October 20 at 8 pm. The trio has united to create some brand new tunes and a new take on some traditional bluegrass classics, as seen on CMT Crossroads. Skaggs has been in the business for 36 years and as a 12-time Grammy Award winner is doing his part to lead the recent roots revival in music. Known affectionately as bluegrass music’s official ambassador, he has brought the genre to greater levels of popularity in the past few years. With his own Skaggs Family Records label, and eight consecutive Grammy-nominated classics, bluegrass is undoubtedly in good hands with Skaggs at the helm. Hornsby, a three-time Grammy winner himself, has sold more than ten million records since his multi-platinum debut in 1986. With a unique sound and style, Hornsby draws from a wide array of influences—jazz, pop, classical, bluegrass, rock, and vaudeville all while bringing his patented blend of playful lyrical whimsy and refined musicality to the table. The $40 ticket price is worth it for either artist and the combo is bound to be something to talk about.
www.salemciviccenter.com www.ticketmaster.com  540.343.8100

treasure-hunting on the downtown market
If you weren’t looking for it on Roanoke’s downtown market, you might just miss it—although Seeds of Light has been a local institution since 1995. The small, family-owned and managed business is big at heart, brimming with an assortment of unusual items including—but not limited to—beads, jewelry, blown glass, locally created art, clothes, gemstones, gift items, bumper stickers, and some say, the best candle and incense selection in town. Located in the Historic City Market Building at 32 Campbell Avenue, owner Juniper Healy works hard to maintain a welcoming ambiance and knows many of her customers by name. On display now, in the store and on the web, are beautiful blown glass pendants, beads, and other gifts crafted by Healy’s son Caleb. He calls the line “Liquid Fire Glass Art,” and continues to work behind the counter at Seeds of Light when not in his studio. Other great finds at Seeds of Light include the international music selection. Often the Healy’s carry CDs, instruments, trade items, and books from remote locations all over the world. You never know what treasures you’ll find in this chock-full shop, so be sure to come ready to explore. ~EP
540.342.8037  www.seedsoflight.com

 

 

 

Posted: September 1st, 2007 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.