Here’s a round-up of entertainment briefs around the region:
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Irish fiddle champion to perform at Tech
Nine-time All-Ireland Fiddle Champion Eileen Ivers and her band, Universal Roots, will perform at Virginia Tech on Friday, Sept. 16, at 7:30 p.m.
The performance will be held at the Moss Arts Center in the Anne and Ellen Fife Theatre, located within the Street and Davis Performance Hall at 190 Alumni Mall.
One of the most awarded All-Ireland Fiddle and Banjo champions ever, Ivers has been called a “sensation” by Billboard magazine and “the future of Celtic fiddle” by the Washington Post. A celebrated guest soloist with over 50 symphony orchestras, she has a celebrated career as a performer, composer, producer, songwriter, band leader, educator, and multi-instrumentalist, connecting American, Irish traditional, jazz, blues, and world roots.
Grammy-awarded and Emmy-nominated, Ivers has performed with Sting, Fiddlers 3 with Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg and Regina Carter, Patti Smith, Al Di Meola, and The Chieftains. She was the groundbreaking musical star in the “Riverdance” theatrical shows, a founding member of Cherish the Ladies, a former member of the Hall and Oates band, and was a featured instrumentalist on many soundtracks, including “Gangs of New York” and “Back to Titanic.”
Immediately following the performance by Eileen Ivers and Universal Roots, there will be a question-and-answer session with the musicians.
Tickets for the performance are $20-$45 for the general public and $10 for students and youth 18 and under. Tickets can be purchased online; at the Moss Arts Center’s box office, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; or by calling 540-231-5300 during box office hours.
Paid parking is available in the North End Parking Garage on Turner Street. Virginia Tech faculty and staff possessing a valid Virginia Tech parking permit can enter and exit the garage free of charge. Virginia Tech also has partnered with ParkMobile to provide a convenient, contactless electronic payment option for parking, which may be used at any parking meter, campus parking space, or lot with standard F/S, C/G, or R parking.
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Floyd Country Store releases schedule
Here’s the upcoming schedule at the Floyd Country Store:
Thursday, Sept. 15 – 7:00pm – Larry Sparks & The Lonesome Ramblers Live
Live at The Floyd Country Store – Tickets are $30
Larry Sparks, known for his soulful vocals and unparalleled musicianship, is among the most widely known and respected touring musicians in bluegrass and gospel music today. Larry began his career in the mid-1960s as a guitarist with the Stanley Brothers and later became lead vocalist for Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys. He formed The Lonesome Ramblers in 1969, and they have toured and released albums for nearly 50 years.
Saturday, Sept. 17 – 7:00pm – Bill & The Belles
Live at The Floyd Country Store – Tickets are $20
A talented string band that doesn’t follow traditional genre rules. Bill and the Belles’ music is an energetic ode to early country music paired with playful lyricism, occasional oddball themes, and diverse musical influences that range from rock to 60s pop.
Saturday, Sept. 24 – 7:00pm – Dashawn & Wendy Hickman’s Sacred Steel
Live at The Floyd Country Store – Tickets $20
Sacred Steel music that blends blues, gospel, and world rhythms featuring DaShawn & Wendy Hickman, whose new project is produced by Charlie Hunter.
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Virginia Children’s Theatre opens 15th season Oct. 7-8
The Virginia Children’s Theatre opens its 15th season with “The Secret Garden.” The show will be at the Jefferson Center in Roanoke Oct. 7-8.
For more information and to purchase tickets, patrons may contact the Jefferson Center box office at (540) 345-2550. Tickets are also available online at VirginiaChildrensTheatre.org.