Studio Virginia

Studio Virginia airs Thursdays at 7:30 pm

APRIL

4.24.08 - The Caribbean Jazz Project in Blacksburg; a new season of music at the Charlottesville Pavilion; the Virginia Film Office judges its first annual competition; images from a Southwestern Virginia photographer in the war-torn Congo; and furry tales from a nurse-turned-children's book author.

4.17.08 - A Virginia Tech shooting victim, now recovered, writes a book about April 16; blues piano legend Henry Butler at Jefferson Center; a storytelling festival in Botetourt County; a new novel by the writer-in-residence at Hollins University; and a multi-media play based on the poems of Emily Dickenson.

4.10.08 - A Franklin County native now living and teaching in Wyoming talks about her latest novel on the eve of a visit back home; plus the Valley Writers Club tries its hand at poetry; an arts event from groups that banded together after last year's tragedy at Virginia Tech; and a down-home memoir provides a glimpse of life in the past.

MARCH

3.27.08 - A first time novelist from the New River Valley writes about the troubled places a mind can go; electronica meets traditional music as "Nancy and Two Meteors" performs at the Roanoke Public Library; and quilting as art in Lynchburg.

NRV professor is first-time novelist - 3.27.08

New River Valley Community College professor Scott Loring Sanders is a now a first time novelist with “The Hanging Woods.” He was interviewed on WVTF's "Studio Virginia" by host Gene Marrano. Listen.

3.20.08 - A Charlottesville author discusses her racy novel at the upcoming Virginia Festival of the Book; we'll hear from "a mom who reads too much;" plus high school students head to a performing arts competition in New York; and a story called "Aliens, Psychos and Soul."

3.13.08 - Radford native Andrew Gregory on his new CD and his appearance in a nationally-syndicated comic strip. Plus, it's time to get absolutely Irish for St. Patrick's Day at a film premiere in Charlottesville.

Radford native talks about new CD - 3.14.08

Radford native Andrew Rose Gregory is a now a songwriter and performer living in Brooklyn, NY. He was on Studio Virginia recently to talk about his new CD "The Color Red," and his appearance in the nationally-syndicated comic strip Gil Thorp. Listen.

Andrew Rose Gregory

3.6.08 - Two former residents of Southwestern Virginia talk about their recently published books; a musician keeps on playing despite being a quadriplegic; and a sneak preview of Charlottesville's Festival of the Book.

Meetings scheduled to talk about the arts - 3.3.08

Arts Council of the Blue Ridge executive director Laura Rawlings is hosting a series of Art Town Meetings over the next few months to find out what the public, artists and cultural organizations want from the Council in the future. Rawlings was a guest on Studio Virginia recently, speaking with host Gene Marrano. Listen.

Laura Rawlings is executive director of The Arts Council of the Blue Ridge.

FEBRUARY

2.28.08 - From “L.A. Law” and “Cheers” to Mill Mountain Theatre - actor Rob Neukirsch gives up the restaurant business and goes back to his former career; and The Arts Council of the Blue Ridge is going on the road with a series of town hall meetings.

2.21.08 - The Kimoyo Benefit Concert at Jefferson Center helps fun medical clinics and educational missions in West Africa; and a Hollins University professor describes visits to her native country through a new book, "Letters from Cairo."

2.14.08 - The first Dumas Arts Festival in Roanoke showcases local African American talent; a new magazine focuses on the arts community across the state and a not-so-sweet Valentine.

First Dumas Arts Festival in place - 2.14.08

The first Dumas Arts Festival takes place in Roanoke Feb. 22-24. Hollins University student filmmaker Kalimah Abioto was on Studio Virginia to talk about her entry, If the People Could Fly. Listen.

Kalimah Abioto

2.7.08 - The roots music of Red Clay River; Grace Potter brings her organic rock n’ roll to Jefferson Center; and a Roanoke video journalist talks about his new short film on the military surge in Iraq - which he saw first hand recently.

JANUARY

1.31.08 - Blacksburg singer-songwriter Leslie Brooks talks about her musical odyssey; and Roanoke City Mayor Nelson Harris on his latest book, "A History of the Greater Raleigh Court Neighborhood."

Mayor pens book on Roanoke communities - 1.31.08

Roanoke City Mayor Nelson Harris, also a history buff and author, appeared on Studio Virginia with host Gene Marrano to talk about his new release: Greater Raleigh Court: A History of Wasena, Virginia Heights, Norwich and Raleigh Court. Listen.

1.24.08 - The monologue's the thing as the English-speaking union holds its local Shakespeare competition for high school students; Stephen King's Misery is now a stage play at Mill Mountain Theater; a family-owned music shop that's been in business for 75 years; and the Cassatt String Quartet in Blacksburg.

1.17.08 - Center In The Square observes its 25th anniversary as a regional hub for the arts in Roanoke; UVa students study how music helps people cope; renowned guitarist Bill Frisell comes to Jefferson Center (interviewed by Cara Modisett).

1.10.08 - Sweet Briar College holds its first-ever "Fringe Festival," a blend of music, the lively arts and even some comedy; and Bedford's National D-Day Memorial is "Etched in Stone," a new book of photography about monuments to times of war from a UVa law graduate.

Fringe Festival at Sweet Briar College - 1.14.08

Sweet Briar College will hold its first-ever "Fringe Festival" of music, dance, fine arts and more from Jan. 31-Feb. 3. Nick Ross, Shelbie Filson and Geoff Kershner from Sweet Briar were guests on Studio Virginia to talk about the event. Listen.

1.3.08 - On this week's show a special conversation with Southwestern Virginia author and award-winning novelist Sharyn McCrumb; and a former Roanoker begins her 13-week run on a network soap opera.

Sharyn McCrumb on Studio Virginia - 1.3.08

Southwestern Virginia author and award-winning novelist Sharyn McCrumb joined Studio Virginia host Gene Marrano for a conversation about her new book, "Once Around the Track." Listen.