Here’s a roundup of entertainment briefs from around Southwest and Southside. Send yours for possible inclusion to news@cardinalnews.org.
* * *
Virginia Tech Philmarmonic to perform Feb. 24
The Virginia Tech Philharmonic will perform at the Moss Arts Center on Feb. 24. The concert will honor and feature the two students who won the Virginia Tech Soloist Competition earlier this academic year.
The first winner, Mary Wright, will sing two arias from Rossini’s operas, “L’Italiana in Algeri” and “Il Barbiere di Siviglia.” The first movement of E. Séjourné’s “Concerto for Marimba and Strings” will be performed by winner Miranda Hughes. The concert also will feature the world premiere of a new work, “Three Love Letters,” written by California-based composer Adam Hochstatter. The piece was commissioned by Mathias Elmer, the Virginia Tech Philharmonic’s conductor.
The Virginia Tech Philharmonic is also performing “Symphony No. 5 in D minor, op.47” by Dmitri Shostakovich. In the 1930s, when he wrote the piece, the Soviet Union was under Stalin’s control; this work in particular was banned.
The Philharmonic is one of several large music ensembles on campus with more than 60 members, comprised of music majors and non-majors. Auditions for the orchestra occur at the beginning of each academic year and are open to every Virginia Tech student as a one-credit class.
The performance is Friday, Feb. 24, at 7:30 p.m. in the Anne and Ellen Fife Theatre at the Moss Arts Center. Tickets are $15 general/$12 senior/$10 student with free online streaming via YouTube.
Ticket information is available online, or by calling the Moss Arts Center at 540-231-5300.
* * *
Showtimers opens “Echoes,” runs through March 5
Showtimers Community Theatre in Roanoke is now staging “Echoes,” by N. Richard Nash.
Two young people build a paradise of happiness in an asylum, only to have it shattered by the intrusion of the outside world. As they struggle to determine the difference between illusion and reality, their effort is lightened by shared love and pretend games.
The show runs Feb. 23-26 and March 2-5, with shows a 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and 2 pm. on Sundays.
Directed by Sally Miller, the production features Betsy Quillen, Anthony Maranto, and Ethan Kring. The production is supported by Stage Manager Ashleigh Benois, along with the collaboration of the design team including Jessie McKeon, Cole Schraitle, Jamie Stewart and Corey Stewart.
Showtimers is located at 2067 McVitty Road Southwest in Roanoke. Tickets are $14 for adults and $7 for students. The box office is at boxoffice@showtimers.org.
* * *
Medical school art exhibit tells stories of hope and healing; opens Feb. 28
The Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine’s Creativity in Health Education Program will host a community tour and artists’ reception for its current art show, “The Healing Power of Hope,” at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 28 at the school, located at 2 Riverside Circle in Roanoke.
“We’re thrilled to have so many extraordinarily talented artists displaying their work in our exhibit,” Dave Trinkle, the school’s associate dean for community engagement, said in a statement. “This show allows us to immerse ourselves in the integral power that hope has in any healing process, whether it’s within ourselves, our friends and family, or our community.”
The exhibition showcases the works of regional artists in a variety of media, including those of featured artists Kristy Ottinger of Ottinger Quilts in Greeneville, Tennessee; Jay Flack of Flacktion Art in Johnson City, Tennessee; and the late William Fields, a native of Chilhowie.
One component of the show is a collection of art submitted through Roanoke’s Child Health Investment Partnership, or CHIP.
“The Healing Power of Hope” will run through May 8. If you are unable to attend the opening reception, you may visit the show at another time by emailing Courtney Powell or calling 540-526-2588.
* * *
World-folk fusion group to perform in Big Stone Gap March 1
Pro-Art and Mountain Empire Community College present world-folk fusion ensemble Project Locrea on Wednesday, March 1st at 7 p.m. in the Goodloe Center on the Mountain Empire campus in Big Stone Gap. Tickets are $15 at the door and all children and students are free to attend. More information and reservations at proartva.org.
The world-folk fusion ensemble blends traditional musical instruments including the Chinese Hammered Dulcimer, Andean Pan Flutes, and Argentinian Bombo, with modern western instruments, namely the flute, guitar, drums and percussion.
Founded by Bulgarian-born flutist Yana Nikol in 2018, the project began with flute, Chinese dulcimer, Azeri tar, guitar, bass and drums. Since then, Project Locrea has expanded and welcomed many new members and instruments including a Peruvian pipes player, a Bulgarian kaval player and an Ethiopian vocalist.
* * *
University of Lynchburg opens theater season with ‘Urinetown’ March 2
The University of Lynchburg’s theater season opens March 2 with the musical “Urinetown.”
The cast includes Hubbard Farr ’08, who was a theatre minor at Lynchburg and recently received a BroadwayWorld award for his performance in the title role of Wolfbane Productions’ “Macbeth.”
Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for students, and the public is invited to attend. Tickets can be purchased here. The musical contains mature themes and staged violence and is not recommended for children ages 10 and younger.
The 2023 spring season also includes these free performances:
- March 8: A “New Works Festival” featuring script-in-hand readings of students’ original works.
- March 31: Curtain Call, Lynchburg’s musical theater ensemble, will present a concert of contemporary Broadway songs. Curtain Calls’ composers’ workshop, a partnership with emerging musical theater writers from New York City, will be on May 5.
- Starting April 13: The Alpha Psi Omega National Theatre Honor Society will present a play chosen and cast by them to showcase student-directed and designed performances.
- April 21: Dance Works will present a full concert of student, faculty, and guest artist-choreographed works in various styles, including Broadway, ballet, jazz, tap and swing.
More details about upcoming shows can be found online.
* * *
Spring Jam at Southern Gap will feature Ralph Stanley II and the Clinch Mountain Boys March 4
Southern Gap Outdoor Adventure in Grundy will hold its spring music jam featuring Ralph Stanley II and the Clinch Mountain Boys with special guest Clinch Mountain Echo on March 4.
Tickets are $20, with children ages 12 and younger admitted free. Tickets are available for purchase in advance at Southern Gap Outdoor Adventure Visitor Center and will also be available for purchase at the door the night of the concert.
The show will be held at the visitor center. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and the music will start at 7 p.m. Pig-n-Out food truck will be on site.
The concert is sponsored by Noah Horn Well Drilling, Buchanan County Tourism and Legacy Bank.
Stanley has had two Grammy nominations for albums he recorded with Rebel Records. In 2002,
he earned his first Grammy along with his father, Ralph Stanley, for their collaboration with Jim Lauderdale on “Lost in the Lonesome Pines.” Stanley II has six solo albums under his belt, along with an acclaimed duet album with his father, “Side by Side.”
This year marks the 77th anniversary of the Clinch Mountain Boys, which today includes Stanley Efaw on fiddle, mandolin and vocals; Landon Fitzpatrick on banjo and vocals; Randall Hibbitts on the upright bass and vocals; Caleb Shifflett on guitar and vocals; and Stanley on the guitar and lead vocals.
For more information, call Southern Gap Outdoor Adventure at 276-244-1111.
* * *
Fun run on March 11 to benefit Brain Injury Services
March is Brain Injury Awareness Month and March 11th there will be a 5k, 1 mile, and virtual fun run, LewisGale’s Joggin’ for your Noggin, to raise awareness and support for Brain Injury Services of Southwest Virginia. The in-person event will occur along the Roanoke River Greenway. You can find more info here.