Here’s a roundup of entertainment briefs from around Southwest and Southside. Send yours for possible inclusion to news@cardinalnews.org.
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Ukrainian orchestra to perform at Radford Feb. 21
The Lviv National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine will perform at Radford University’s Bondurant Auditorium in Preston Hall at Radford University at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 21. The orchestra traces its roots back to its first performance in 1902.
The performance will be led by the orchestra’s principal conductor, Theodore Kuchar, the most recorded conductor of his generation with more than 140 recordings to his credit.
The concert will take place just three days before the one-year anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine.
Concert goers can expect to hear works from Ludwig van Beethoven, Max Bruch and Ukrainian composer Yevhen Stankovych.
Tickets are available online at radfordactivities.com, at the Hurlburt Student Center Information Desk or by calling 540-381-5420. They may also be purchased at the door.
Admission is $15 for adults, $7.50 for those under 12 years old and free with a Radford University ID.
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Ferrum College to host play on Henry “Box” Brown Feb. 21
North Carolina-based actor and playwright Mike Wiley will be performing “One Noble Journey: A Box Marked Freedom” on February 21 at 8:30 pm in the Ferrum College Panther’s Den. This performance will tell the true-life story of Henry “Box” Brown, an African American who was born a slave in 1816 in Louisa County and who escaped to freedom by having himself mailed in a wooden crate to abolitionists in Philadelphia.
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Cornett and Henderson to speak about Jimmie Rodgers at Birthplace of Country Music Museum Feb. 21
As part of the Birthplace of Country Music Museum’s February Speaker Sessions, musician Gregg Cornett and luthier Wayne Henderson will hold a discussion on Jimmie Rodgers, the “Father of Country Music,” and other musical influences.
The event will be held in the Performance Theater at the museum in Bristol at 7 p.m. Feb. 21, and via Zoom. The event is free and open to the public.
Cornett is a fourth-generation musician, born and raised in east Tennessee. Grayson County native Henderson is an award-winning musician and luthier who specializes in the craft of handmade, custom acoustic guitars and plays with a unique finger-picking style.
Those interested in participating in the Speaker Sessions should RSVP to attend in person or preregister to join the conversation online via Zoom. For more information, visit the Events page at BirthplaceOfCountryMusic.org.
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CornMaiz to play in Clintwood Feb. 24
Nouveau old-time family string band CornMaiz will take the Jettie Baker Center stage in Clintwood at 7 p.m. Feb. 24.
The band performs original music as well as traditional old-time tunes from East Kentucky, and offers unique covers of famous songs. Hailing from four different mountain counties, the band features clawhammer banjo, mandolin, guitar, bass, fiddle and three-part harmonies. Performances also include flat-footing and clogging.
Tickets are $10 at the door, and free for children and students. Patrons can make reservations at proartva.org.
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Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will perform at Tech Feb. 28 and March 1
The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater comes to the Moss Arts Center for two performances on Tuesday, Feb. 28, and Wednesday, March 1, at 7:30 p.m. Marking the first time the main company has performed in Southwest Virginia, each evening performance features a distinct and diverse repertory of new and classic works as well as founder Alvin Ailey’s masterpiece, “Revelations.”
The performances will be held in the center’s Anne and Ellen Fife Theatre, located within the Street and Davis Performance Hall at 190 Alumni Mall.
There are also two related events:
Film, “American Masters: Ailey”
On Wednesday, Feb, 22, at 7:30 p.m. the Lyric Theatre in downtown Blacksburg will host a free screening of “American Masters: Ailey,” a PBS documentary offering a portrait of choreographer Alvin Ailey.
Discussion with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Join the artistic staff of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for a conversation on the legacy and mission of dance company on Tuesday, Feb. 28, from 6-6:30 p.m. at Haymarket Theatre in Squires Student Center. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required.
Tickets for the performance are $40-$75 for 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.
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‘Jersey Boys’ coming to Mill Mountain Theatre March 15-April 8
“Jersey Boys” will run at Mill Mountain Theatre from March 15 through April 8 on the Trinkle Main Stage. Individual, season tickets and group tickets can be purchased online at millmountain.org or by calling the box office at 540-342-5740.
The show explores the music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons to discover the secret of a 40-year friendship as the foursome work their way from the streets of New Jersey to the heights of stardom.
“Jersey Boys” will be directed by Kristen Brooks Sandler, who recently directed “Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn” and “Legally Blonde” at Mill Mountain Theatre.
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Blue Ridge Music Center announces 4 shows
The Blue Ridge Music Center has announced four of the artists appearing on its amphitheater stage this summer as part of the annual Roots of American Music concert series. Tickets for these four shows go on sale at 10 a.m. Feb. 17.
The Music Center is at milepost 213 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, just south of Galax.
The Lonesome River Band will kick off the season at 7 p.m. May 27. The group is led by five-time International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Banjo Player of the Year, and winner of the Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass, Sammy Shelor. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 day of show, and free for children 12 and younger.
Scythian is appearing on the Music Center stage at 7 p.m. June 3. Scythian was founded by brothers Alexander and Danylo Fedoryka, who are first-generation sons of Ukrainian immigrants. From the start, the group has searched for and loved “old time, good time” Celtic-influenced music. They were inspired by a tale told by their grandmother of a roving fiddler who came into her farming village every six months or so. Once he was spotted, messengers were sent to all the outlying fields and mills and work ceased; everyone gathered in the barn and danced the night and their cares away. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 day of show and free for children 12 and younger.
Sierra Ferrell will perform at 7 p.m. July 22, as part of her Long Time Going tour. Tickets are $30 in advance, $35 day of show and $15 for children 12 and younger.
The Steep Canyon Rangers will take the mountain stage at 7 p.m. Sept. 2. The Rangers are Grammy winners, perennial Billboard chart-toppers and frequent collaborators with the renowned banjoist (and occasional comedian) Steve Martin. Tickets for this show are $40 for adults and $20 for children 12 and younger.
Advance tickets for these shows are available beginning 10 a.m. Feb. 17 at BlueRidgeMusicCenter.org. Multi-concert passes are also available including full season (all 14 concerts), half season (seven concerts), and pick 3 (three concerts) passes.
The complete lineup and opening acts for the annual Roots of American Music concert series will be released at the end of February.
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Harvester books 2 tribute bands
The Harvester Performance Center in Rocky Mount has scheduled two more acts for its 2023 schedule.
New York-based quartet The Machine will perform a diverse mix of Pink Floyd’s repertoire at 8 p.m. April 27.
The Harvester will welcome Lady Supreme – A Diana Ross Experience at 8 p.m. Oct. 13. Deanna Carroll covers the hits of The Supremes and performs all of Diana Ross’ biggest hits, including “Endless Love,” “Someday We’ll Be Together” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.”
Tickets for both shows will be available at 10 a.m. Friday at harvester-music.com.