Propagated and Rooted by Alex Foster – Art exhibit and gallery opening: The opening reception will be Friday, Jan. 26 from 6-8 p.m. The exhibit runs Jan. 27-March 31 from 1-4 p.m. daily in the Olin Hall Galleries at Roanoke College. In Propagated and Rooting, Alex Foster presents an exploration of liminal space- the threshold between what was and what will be. Through a range of media, including naturally dyed textiles, plants, organic material and technology, viewers are invited to contemplate the interconnectedness of humans and the natural world. The exhibition is a metaphor for the process of healing and rebuilding in the face of global chaos; highlighting the ways in which we can work together to create a more sustainable and equitable future for all. Foster explores the role of natural dyes in this process and highlights their beauty and versatility as a sustainable alternative to synthetic materials. Each piece of fabric is created from a moment with nature, through their pigments the plants communicate a union of breath, sun, and soil in the effortless giving of life.
Habitation by Jennifer L. Hand – Art exhibit and gallery opening: The opening reception will be Friday, Jan. 26 from 6-8 p.m. The exhibit runs Jan. 27-March 31 from 1-4 p.m. daily in the Olin Hall Galleries at Roanoke College. Jennifer L. Hand lives in a small house, on seven acres of earth, under an expanse of sky, surrounded by trees, overlooking water. Her work acknowledges and translates the experience of sharing this habitat with what she describes as “all that was here before I arrived, all that lives here with me now, and all that will continue to live here after I am gone”. Hand’s process includes wandering, observing, gathering, making drawings, and sewing things together as a way to ground herself in this place and time. Hand uses “fabric-with-a-history,” donated, found, and inherited, which weaves the greater human community into the work, opening it to the larger habitat that we all share.
“Winterfest Beach Bash”: Salem’s annual “Winterfest Beach Bash” is coming back in February of 2024 with the legendary “Band of Oz”. The 2024 version of this entertaining indoor beach party will take place on Friday, Feb. 2, at 7 p.m. inside the Salem Civic Center arena. This is the 17th straight year that the Hall of Fame band has been selected to showcase it talents for this popular wintertime party. Tickets for the group’s appearance went on sale at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12, at the Salem Parks & Recreation Department, 620 Florida Street. Admission is $10 in advance and $12 the day of the show or you can purchase a table of eight for just $80. Cash, check or credit card will be accepted between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays from Dec. 12 – Feb. 2. This event is often a complete sell-out, so those who are interested are encouraged to get their tickets early. For additional ticket information, please contact the Salem Parks and Recreation Department at 540- 375-3057.
Mac Beth: Theatre Roanoke College’s production of “Mac Beth” was selected for inclusion at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. Before the theatre takes the show on the road, it will bring it back to campus for a one-night-only preview. Come out to see the play and support its cast and crew. Admission is free, but tickets can be reserved by contacting the Olin Box Office at boxoffice@roanoke.edu or 540-375-2333. All are welcome. The performance is on Saturday, Feb. 3 from 7:30-9 p.m. in the Olin Theater.
Dr. Michael Blakey on “The Blinding Light of Race: Race and Racism in Science and Society”: The event will be Monday Feb. 5 from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Wortmann Ballroom at the Colket Center. Blakey is an NEH Professor of Anthropology, Africana Studies and American Studies at William & Mary. He works at the interface of human biology and culture at the articulation between human biology, racial ideology and public policy.
First Mondays: The family-friendly events are held by Gary John, who manages the “Mason Creek” bluegrass group, and Vicky Sword from the center. The bluegrass/acoustic shows are free, but a tip bucket will be passed around for donations to the musicians. Cake raffles and door prizes will be offered. The event is on Monday, Feb. 5: 7p.m. – The Brothers Young and 8 p.m. – Bubba Chandler & Mary Butterworth.
First Mondays: The family-friendly events are held by Gary John, who manages the “Mason Creek” bluegrass group, and Vicky Sword from the center. The bluegrass/acoustic shows are free, but a tip bucket will be passed around for donations to the musicians. Cake raffles and door prizes will be offered. The event is on Monday, March 4: 7 p.m. – Mark & Karen Templeton and 8 p.m. – Seph Custer
Riley Green & Tracy Lawrence: Riley Green, the Academy of Country Music’s new male artist of the year in 2020, is set to make his first appearance at the Salem Civic Center. Green will be joined by Tracy Lawrence and opening act Ella Langley when he hits the arena’s historic stage on March 7, 2024. Tickets can be purchased at the Salem Civic Center Box Office Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. and online anytime at www.ticketmaster.com.
Raising Lazarus: The Search for Solutions with Beth Macy: The event will be on Tuesday, March 12 from 7:30-8:30 p.m. in the Olin Theater. To attend the lecture, register here: https://www.givecampus.com/schools/RoanokeCollege/events/an-evening-with-beth-macy James C. and S. Maynard Turk Pre-Law Program presents the Gentry Locke Lecture featuring journalist and best-selling author (Factory Man & Truevine), Beth Macy. She will discuss the unraveling of rural America, from the aftermath of globalization to the opioid crisis, the subject of her book, Dopesick.
A Dialogue on Freedom, Difference, and Civil Society with Dr. John Inazu: The event will be on Tuesday, march 15 from 7-8 p.m. in the Wortmann Ballroom in the Colket Center. Registration: https://www.givecampus.com/schools/RoanokeCollege/events/an-evening-with-dr-john-inazu The Henry H. Fowler Public Affairs Lecture Series hosts John Inazu, the Sally D. Danforth Distinguished Professor of Law and Religion at Washington University in St. Louis. He is the author of Liberty’s Refuge: The Forgotten Freedom of Assembly (Yale University Press, 2012) and Confident Pluralism: Surviving and Thriving Through Deep Difference (University of Chicago Press, 2016), and co-editor (with Tim Keller) of Uncommon Ground: Living Faithfully in a World of Difference (Thomas Nelson, 2020).
REO Speedwagon and Rick Springfield: Classic rock and roll hitmakers REO Speedwagon and Rick Springfield are once again joining forces on the road in 2024 and bringing their tour to the Salem Civic Center on Tuesday, March 26. Tickets range in price from $35 to $169. Tickets can be purchased at the Salem Civic Center Box Office or online at ticketmaster.com.
First Mondays: The family-friendly events are held by Gary John, who manages the “Mason Creek” bluegrass group, and Vicky Sword from the center. The bluegrass/acoustic shows are free, but a tip bucket will be passed around for donations to the musicians. Cake raffles and door prizes will be offered. The event is on Monday, April 1: 7-9 p.m. – Maynard & Lee Palmer.
Rend Collective: Rend Collective, the popular Contemporary Christian worship band from Northern Ireland, is coming to the Salem Civic Center on Sunday, April 7, 2024, for a night of uplifting and upbeat praise music. The band is an eclectic collection of multi-instrumentalist performers who have produced two No. 1 albums on the Christian charts and produced a song of the year in “Counting Every Blessing.” Tickets, which can be purchased at the Salem Civic Center Box Office or online at ticketmaster.com, start at $28 and go up to $48.
Dustin Lynch: “Kill the Cowboy” tour: Country musician Dustin Lynch will perform at the Salem Civic Center on Friday, April 12, 2024, as part of his “Killed the Cowboy” tour with special guest Skeez. Tickets start at $35.50. Lynch first appeared in Salem in 2015 when he starred on the final day of the Blue Ridge Music Festival at Salem Stadium. He was just starting to crank out hit songs back then, but he now has eight No. 1 songs, four top-5 albums, 10 gold and platinum certified singles, and he has tallied over 5.4 billion cumulative global streams. His sixth studio album is “Killed The Cowboy.”
First Mondays: The family-friendly events are held by Gary John, who manages the “Mason Creek” bluegrass group, and Vicky Sword from the center. The bluegrass/acoustic shows are free, but a tip bucket will be passed around for donations to the musicians. Cake raffles and door prizes will be offered. The event is on Monday, May 6: 7 p.m. – Mike Conner and 8 p.m. – Rarely Available.
Happy Trails Film & Television Festival: The festival will take place at CommUNITY Church in Salem on May 17, 18 and 19. There will be panels, workshops, special programming, autographs and a banquet. The event is billed as a “nostalgia/faith media convention for the whole family.”
First Mondays: The family-friendly events are held by Gary John, who manages the “Mason Creek” bluegrass group, and Vicky Sword from the center. The bluegrass/acoustic shows are free, but a tip bucket will be passed around for donations to the musicians. Cake raffles and door prizes will be offered. The event is on Monday, June 3: 7-9 p.m. – Eastern Divide.
First Mondays: The family-friendly events are held by Gary John, who manages the “Mason Creek” bluegrass group, and Vicky Sword from the center. The bluegrass/acoustic shows are free, but a tip bucket will be passed around for donations to the musicians. Cake raffles and door prizes will be offered. The event is on Monday, July 8: 7 p.m. Virginia-Carolina Band.
First Mondays: The family-friendly events are held by Gary John, who manages the “Mason Creek” bluegrass group, and Vicky Sword from the center. The bluegrass/acoustic shows are free, but a tip bucket will be passed around for donations to the musicians. Cake raffles and door prizes will be offered. The event is on Monday, Aug. 5: 7-9 p.m. – Maynard and Lee Palmer.
First Mondays: The family-friendly events are held by Gary John, who manages the “Mason Creek” bluegrass group, and Vicky Sword from the center. The bluegrass/acoustic shows are free, but a tip bucket will be passed around for donations to the musicians. Cake raffles and door prizes will be offered. The event is on Monday, Sept. 9: 7-9 p.m. – The Guard.
First Mondays: The family-friendly events are held by Gary John, who manages the “Mason Creek” bluegrass group, and Vicky Sword from the center. The bluegrass/acoustic shows are free, but a tip bucket will be passed around for donations to the musicians. Cake raffles and door prizes will be offered. The event is on Monday, Oct. 7: 7-9 p.m. – Franklin Station.
First Mondays: The family-friendly events are held by Gary John, who manages the “Mason Creek” bluegrass group, and Vicky Sword from the center. The bluegrass/acoustic shows are free, but a tip bucket will be passed around for donations to the musicians. Cake raffles and door prizes will be offered. The event is on Monday, Nov. 4: 7-9 p.m. – Luv Buzzards.
First Mondays: The family-friendly events are held by Gary John, who manages the “Mason Creek” bluegrass group, and Vicky Sword from the center. The bluegrass/acoustic shows are free, but a tip bucket will be passed around for donations to the musicians. Cake raffles and door prizes will be offered. The event is on Monday, Dec. 2: 7-9 p.m. – The Bluegrass Brothers.
Public meetings:
The Salem City Council will meet on Monday, Feb. 12 at 6:30 p.m.
The Salem City Planning Commission will meet on Wednesday, Feb. 14 at 7 p.m.
The Salem City Council will meet on Monday, Feb. 26 at 6:30 p.m.
The Salem City Council will meet on Monday, March 11 at 6:30 p.m.
The Salem City Planning Commission will meet on Wednesday, March 13 at 7 p.m.
The Salem City Council will meet on Monday, March 25 at 6:30 p.m.
