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Annie Moses Band plays the Wayne Theatre on March 3

The Annie Moses Band has played Carnegie Hall and the Grand Ole Opry. Now the band is readying for its turn on the stage at the Wayne Theatre in Waynesboro.

The eclectic six-member band will be at the Wayne for a show on Friday, March 3, at 7:30 p.m.

“The Annie Moses Band has a national following, and we’re glad to give their local fans from their appearances on PBS and elsewhere a chance to hear them live at the Wayne,” said Tracy Straight, the executive director of the Wayne Theatre.

The Annie Moses Band combines the best of beloved genres in a style that unifies audiences, young and old, classical connoisseurs and roots enthusiasts, jazz aficionados and bluegrass buffs.

Founder Annie Wolaver Dupre, named for her great-grandmother, Annie Moses, is a Julliard-trained violinist, and her bandmates have pedigrees that include Julliard, the Eastman School and the University of London.

“We look forward to having this talented ensemble of songwriters, singers and musicians, combining technical skill with exhilarating showmanship, on our stage at the Wayne,” Straight said.

Ticket prices range from $17 to $42.

 

About the Wayne Theatre

The Wayne Theatre is located at 521 W. Main St. in Waynesboro.


40UNDER40 featured at Shenandoah Valley Art Center in March

The Shenandoah Valley Art Center, during the month of March, in the Cabell/Arehart Gallery is presenting 40UNDER40, the annual exhibit for Virginia artists aged 40 and under.

This juried exhibition features forty contemporary works that push boundaries of media with no size or subject restrictions. The show will be judged and awards will be given to the top three works chosen by a juror from SVAC and a juror from Beverley Street Studio School. The top prize will be a solo exhibition at SVAC in 2018, and a $100 gift certificate and membership to Beverley Street Studio School. An opening reception will be held March 4, 6 – 8pm.  The public is invited to come, meet, and talk to the artists. In conjunction with the exhibit in our 122 S. Wayne gallery, SVAC is holding a UNDER40 Pop Up Market in the 416 Main Street gallery from 10:00a.m – 8:00 p.m. on March 4. The art market day will showcase artists and business owners under 40.

In the Members’ Gallery, the theme Orange will be interpreted by SVAC members through a variety of media and creative ideas. In the Upstairs Hallway Gallery, a tribute to art education features an exhibition of artwork by Waynesboro Public Schools art students.  The exhibit celebrates Youth Art Month, a national initiative promoting art and art education for kids.  Exhibiting artwork in a professional gallery is an important experience for the exposure of young artists to the world of art. A special Opening Reception for the young artists, their families, and teachers will be held for the public to meet the artists on March 9, 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Ever wonder what your art needs to be finished, successful, win awards, and appeal to buyers? Join the Shenandoah Valley Art Center’s new monthly critique class led by nationally recognized instructor Karen Rosasco. The critique will broaden your horizons, fine tune your design skills and help you to create a masterpiece every time. Bring one or two finished pieces or works-in-progress along with a sketchbook, pencil, eraser, and Sharpie pen. After critiquing the participants’ work, Karen will lead a short design exercise which will strengthen knowledge of the elements and principles of design. The class will meet Thursday March 9, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. and cost $20. Call SVAC to register. On Wednesday, March 15, 1:00-4:00 p.m., Karen Friedlander will teach Etching Metal Jewelry.  Students will learn how to trace simple designs onto metal, and then permanently capture the image through the etching process.  Preselected designs are available or artists can create their own. ($45 – all supplies included)

Tai Chi in the Art Gallery with Linda Revis!  Join in the fun every Tuesday morning in March, from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. in the Invitational Gallery. Discover the graceful art that is tai chi which uses gentle movements combined with breathing exercises to help open the energy passages throughout the body, leading to overall improvement in body, mind, and spirit.  Each week will add on to what was learned in previous classes, with continued practice until participants are confident.  No special clothes needed, but comfortable clothing and athletic/flat shoes are suggested.  Everything taught can be adapted for persons in a wheelchair or sitting in a folding chair. ($10 per class) All are welcome!

ARTIST OPPORTUNITIES!  Go on line to the SVACART.COM and check out artist opportunities and calls for artists.  Applications for SVAC Open Studio Tour, September 16 – 17, Fall Foliage Art Show, October 14-15, and 2018-2019 Solo/group exhibitors in the Invitational Gallery can be found.

For the young artist, Shenandoah Valley Art Center offers, the ever popular Saturday Art for Kids, presenting a creative art experience for young artists. Designed as a program that expands upon art offered in school or as an art experience for the home schooled, the classes are taught by artists who are amazing with kids. All supplies and snacks included for children ages 6 – 10.  Preregistration required. (March 4, 11, 18, and 25, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., $15 per class).

Open studio opportunities in the Virginia Ross Education Studio are available to printmakers and ceramic artists.  Access to top of the line clay and printmaking equipment and space to work will be furnished for $60 per quarter.   Apply on line at www.SVACart.com.

The art center is a retail alliance partner with the Artisan Center of Virginia. In the SVAC Gift Shop you can find the perfect creative gift in fiber, jewelry, wood, glass, pottery, and more by juried artisans from Virginia and SVAC member artists.

The Shenandoah Valley Art Center is located in downtown Waynesboro at 122 S. Wayne Avenue.  Galleries are open to the public 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.  For more information, call (540) 949-7662 or visit www.svacart.com.


Virginia ranks ninth nationwide for local food sales

virginiaVirginia ranks ninth nationally for direct farm sales, according to a USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service study on local food marketing practices.

Nationwide, 167,009 farms reported selling $8.7 billion in edible goods directly to consumers, retailers, institutions and local distributors in 2015.

A total of 3,415 Virginia farms reported direct farm sales of food, including value-added products, bringing in a combined $217.3 million.

“Virginia agriculture includes various multiple enterprises within its industry portfolio,” remarked Tony Banks, a commodity marketing specialist for Virginia Farm Bureau Federation. “This survey illustrates how robust local food sales are in Virginia and across the nation.”

In 2015 Virginia also ranked fourth nationwide for direct-to-consumer sales, with $155 million in sales.

Local foods are linked to many USDA priorities – including an enhanced rural economy, environmental interests, food access and nutrition, and strong agricultural producers and markets. Survey results are available at agcensus.usda.gov/Publications/Local_Food/index.php.


Compass Shakespeare Ensemble to perform A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Compass Shakespeare Ensemble will present a production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream on Sunday, February 26th and Monday, February 27th at 8:00pm at the Blackfriars Playhouse, located at 10 South Market Street in Staunton.

All performances are free to the public. A suggested donation of $5 in support of our season’s mission may be offered at the door.

In this delightful comedy by William Shakespeare, four young lovers bent on righting their romantic wrongs find themselves lost in an enchanted forest where satyrs and nymphs abide. Oberon and Titania, the fairy King and Queen, find themselves at odds, and no creature – magic or mortal – is safe from the crossfire. In the midst of this magical mayhem, a group of craftsmen gather together to present a play for the Duke on his wedding night. Meanwhile, the mischievous Puck, servant to Oberon, takes delight in causing chaos and confusion along the way. This exhilarating story of mixups, magic and true love ends with a hilarious play-within-a-play.

Compass Shakespeare Ensemble’s commedia dell’arte inspired production will incorporate a traditional use of masks, stock characters, magic, and improvisation to tell the story of this lighthearted comedy.

Guest director John Bellomo helms this production. A Philadelphia-based director/actor/movement specialist, Bellomo has studied commedia dell’arte at Maestro Antonio Fava’s International School for the Comic Actor and is a founding member and Artistic Director of Ombelico Mask Ensemble. As a Fight Director, he is a six-time Barrymore Award nominee and one time recipient. He has taught stage combat at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London, Teatro-in-Polvere in Milan, The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York, Temple University, and Officina Teatrale in Catanzaro, Calabria, Italy. He received an MFA in Directing from Temple University and a BFA in Acting from the University of the Arts.

His work with Commedia dell’arte has been seen worldwide and Compass Shakespeare Ensemble is thrilled to bring that work to the Blackfriars Stage. Join CSE as they bring to life some of Shakespeare’s most beloved characters like they’ve never been seen before.


Signature Speaker Series features JMU archaeologist

Dr. Carol Nash, a professor and archaeologist at JMU, will speak at the Wayne Theatre on Tuesday, Feb. 28, on “Native Americans in the Shenandoah Valley.”

The talk is being presented as part of the Wayne’s Signature Speaker Series.

Admission is Pay What You Will. Concessions are available.

“We’re honored to have a renowned teacher and scholar of the caliber of Dr. Nash as part of our Signature Speaker Series at the Wayne,” said Tracy Straight, the executive director of the Wayne Theatre.

“Dr. Nash is a well-regarded expert on Native American settlement in the Valley. This should be a highlight event in our Signature Speaker Series schedule,” Straight said.

Dr. Nash has taught at JMU for 28 years and is currently associate professor in the Department of Integrated Science and Technology. She is the author of numerous technical reports, papers and publications, and has directed archaeological research in Shenandoah National Park since 1999 and at Wintergreen since 2003. Her recent work has focused on the interaction of Native Americans and European settlers.

The Wayne Theatre is located at 521 W. Main St. in Waynesboro.

 

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Solas brings Irish-American music to Court Square Theater

court square theaterThe Court Square Theater Music Series continues on Friday, February 24th with a concert by Irish-American group, Solas.

2016 marks the 20th anniversary of the quintessential Irish-American band, Solas. Formed in 1996, in a manner befitting their name (Gaelic for “light”), Solas burst onto the Irish music scene and instantly became a beacon – an incandescent ensemble that found contemporary relevance in timeless traditions.

Eleven albums later, with numerous awards to their credit, and more miles traveled touring the world to count, Solas will mark this milestone with a exciting new recording project and tour, ALL THESE YEARS. It is a celebration of a band that, from its inception, captured the musical world’s attention and went on to become one of the most influential groups in the history of Irish music. ALL THESE YEARS sees Solas reuniting with all the members of the band, past and present, to record new material and embark on a year long world tour.

Anchored by founding members Seamus Egan (flute, tenor banjo, mandolin, whistles, guitars, bodhran) and Winifred Horan (violins, vocals), who form the backbone of the uniquely definable Solas sound, long time members Eamon McElholm (guitars, keyboards, vocals), and Mick McAuley (button accordion, vocals) and newest member, the dynamic Moira Smiley (vocals, banjo), Solas is musically at the top of their game and continues to be the standard bearer not only for great Irish music, but great music in any genre.

Solas performs at Harrisonburg’s Court Square Theater on Friday, February 24th. Doors open at 7:00pm and the concert begins at 8:00pm. Tickets are $22 in advance and $25 at the door. Please visit valleyarts.org or call 540.433.9189 for more information and to purchase tickets.

Court Square Theater is located at 41-F Court Square in downtown Harrisonburg, Virginia.


The Young Irelanders bring Irish music, culture to Wayne Theatre

Traditional Irish music, song and dance comes to the Wayne Theatre on Friday, Feb. 17, with The Young Irelanders.

The eight-member troupe has performed for three U.S. presidents, the Queen of England, Prince Albert of Monaco and several heads of state.

“It sometimes disheartens me when audiences outside of Ireland don’t get a chance to see and hear what our Irish culture is really about but are instead fed a derivative of the real thing,” said Young Irelanders producer Eric Cunningham.

The Wayne Theatre is a natural stop for the troupe on its four-month North America tour. The Shenandoah Valley has deep Scots-Irish roots dating back to the first settlement of the Valley of Virginia in the early 18th century.

“We’re thrilled to have this talented group of performers here to bring a slice of authentic Irish culture to the stage at the Wayne,” said Tracy Straight, the executive director of the Wayne Theatre.

The Feb. 17 show begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adults or $15 for students.

The Wayne Theatre is located at 521 W. Main St. in Waynesboro.

 

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Bridgewater College to present Interfaith Film Festival Feb. 15-16

Bridgewater College will present an interfaith film festival Feb. 15 and 16. Both films will be shown at 7 p.m. in the Boitnott Room on campus.

American East will be screened on Wednesday, Feb. 15. A 2008 film, American East is a drama about Arab-Americans living in post-9/11 Los Angeles. The story highlights the pressures under which many Arab-Americans live by focusing on the points-of-view of three main characters.

A Bottle in the Gaza Sea will be shown on Thursday, Feb. 16. A 2011 drama about the friendship that develops between a 20-year-old Palestinian and Tal Levine, a 17-year old Israeli immigrant. When a terrorist explosion kills a young woman at a café in Jerusalem, Levine writes a letter, puts it in a bottle, and sends it to Gaza—to the other side—beginning a correspondence with a young Palestinian man that will open their eyes to each other’s lives and hearts.

Both films are open to the public at no charge.

Bridgewater College is a private, four-year liberal arts college located in the Central Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Founded in 1880, it was the state’s first private, coeducational college. Today, Bridgewater College is home to nearly 1,900 undergraduate students.


Virginia Tourism announces Valentine’s Day Instagram sweepstakes

The Virginia Tourism Corporation announces a Valentine’s Day Instagram sweepstakes beginning Friday, Feb. 10 through Sunday, Feb. 19.

In order to enter the sweepstakes, adults 21 and older must share their photo on Instagram and tag @VisitVirginia and use #LOVEVA. All photos must feature a Virginia LOVEwork to be considered a valid entry.

The winner will be randomly drawn to receive a free one night stay in a grand premier room at Richmond’s historic Jefferson Hotel, the region’s only Forbes Five Star and AAA Five Diamond Hotel. See below for usage restrictions.

The drawing will be held Tuesday, Feb. 21. The winner will be contacted through Instagram and their photo will be featured on the Virginia is for Lovers Instagram account.

To learn more about the sweepstakes, visit blog.virginia.org/2017/02/loveworks-instagram-sweepstakes.

To learn more about the LOVEworks program, visit virginia.org/love.

The one night stay at The Jefferson Hotel is subject to availability. Advance reservations are required. Certificate is valid through Feb. 28, 2018.

 

About Virginia is for Lovers

Tourism is an instant revenue generator in Virginia. Every dollar invested in Virginia Tourism’s integrated marketing results in $7 of revenue for the Commonwealth. Those marketing dollars are targeting travelers who will visit Virginia, stay longer, and spend more money. Learn more at virginia.org.

 

About LOVEworks

The artwork, commissioned by Virginia Tourism Corporation, is an extension of the “Virginia is for Lovers” brand, and features giant LOVE letters in towns and cities across the Commonwealth. The LOVE letters, called LOVEworks, have become popular tourist attractions, inspiring viral posts on social media using the hashtag #LOVEVA.

 

About The Jefferson Hotel

Built in 1895, The Jefferson Hotel is located in the heart of downtown Richmond and is within minutes of the city’s most popular attractions, restaurants and shopping.  It is a member of Preferred Hotels and Resorts and Historic Hotels of America. Guests of The Jefferson enjoy complimentary downtown transportation, fitness center and indoor pool access, high-speed internet access and evening turndown service. The Jefferson is also home to Lemaire Restaurant, TJ’s Restaurant and Richmond’s most famous Sunday Champagne Brunch.  For more information about The Jefferson Hotel, visit jeffersonhotel.com or call 804-788-8000.


Paint Staunton Quick Draw Art Competition, Wet Paint Sale set for April 29

The second annual Paint Staunton Quick Draw Art Competition and Wet Paint Sale promises fun for professional artists, amateur artists, budding young artists and collectors of original art.

Area plein air artists will compete for $875 in cash prizes. The public is invited to come watch artists of all ages capture the timeless beauty of downtown Staunton and purchase the art during the wet paint sale.

The paint competition begins at 9:30 am at the Sunspots Pavilion in downtown Staunton on Saturday, April 29. Judging will take place at the Sunspots Pavilion at 12:30 pm and prizes awarded at 1:30 pm. Rosealie Day White, a BSSS co-founder, and esteemed plein air painter will serve as juror. The Wet Paint Sale begins at 2:00 pm.

Registration for professional and amateur artists is $15. Artists 16 and under participate for free.

For more information regarding the Paint Staunton Quick Draw Art Competition and Wet Paint Sale, visit www.bssschool.org.

Paint Staunton Quick Draw Art Competition and Wet Paint Sale is an event of the Beverly Street Studio School (BSSS) whose mission is to provide the community and region with a variety of opportunities to explore the world of the visual arts through practice, professional instruction, and contact with practicing artists. BSSS is a non-profit organization and is proud to be celebrating 25 years in 2017.