Community Calendar

Nominations are now being accepted for the Perry F. Kendig Arts and Culture Awards program. The awards, co-sponsored by Hollins University and Roanoke College, recognize individuals, businesses and organizations in the greater Roanoke region that provide exemplary leadership and support around the arts. The deadline for nominations is Sunday, Sept. 13, 2025, at 4 p.m. The nomination form and additional information about the program can be found at kendigawards.com.

Kendig Awards are presented in each of the following categories:
• Individual Artist (selected from all disciplines, including dance, literature, music, media arts, visual arts and theater)
• Arts and/or Cultural Organization
• Individual or Business Arts Supporter

Individuals, businesses and organizations from Virginia’s Blue Ridge region (which includes the counties of Botetourt, Franklin and Roanoke; the cities of Roanoke and Salem; and the town of Vinton) are eligible, as are past Kendig Award recipients from 1985-2012. Programs and individuals at Hollins and Roanoke College are eligible to be nominated. The Kendig Awards are named for the late Perry F. Kendig, who served as president of Roanoke College and was an ardent supporter and patron of the arts. Established in his honor in 1985, the program provides important advocacy for the essential role that arts and culture play in our lives and communities, including economic development and education.

The diversity of nominees and recipients through the years is illustrative of the Kendig program’s primary purpose: to celebrate and champion arts and culture in every form, and to demonstrate their vast impact in our region.

The awards presentation this year will take place at Hollins University, 7916 Williamson Road, Roanoke, VA 24020, on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026. More details about the event will be announced at a later date.

Women Supporting Women is excited to announce the return of the Accomack Support Group! This in-person breast cancer support group is open to survivors living in or around Parksley and Onancock, VA and the greater Accomack County, including Pocomoke. It's a safe, welcoming space for local Survivors to connect , share and support one another through every stage of their breast cancer journey.
Come meet our Facilitator: Cathy Kerns

Decisionmakers from six different news outlets in the Lexington area and across Virginia will appear as part of the first Meet the Press panel at Washington and Lee University, scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 16 at the school.

The participant lineup includes: David Seidel, news director, Radio I.Q.; Angilee Shah, CEO and editor-in-chief, Charlottesville Tomorrow; Doug Harwood, editor, Rockbridge Advocate; Megan Schnabel, managing editor, Cardinal News; Darryl Woodson, editor, The News-Gazette; Chris Coates, senior director of local news, Lee Enterprises.

The evening’s moderator with be Eric Deggans, Knight Professor of Journalism and Media Ethics at W&L and Critic at Large at National Public Radio. The event is free and open to the public, co-sponsored by the Knight Foundation and the Office of Community Based Learning at W&L.

The group will answer questions from the audience about how to get items in the news, how they make decisions about what is news and the challenges of local journalism in the modern age. Discussion topics will also cover the difficulty of navigating misinformation and disinformation in today’s media, the influence of artificial intelligence on journalism, local issues fueling news reports, the enduring impact of journalism ethics on news reporting and much, much more.

The Virginia Museum of History Culture is proud to welcome world-renowned chef Patrick O’Connell to celebrate the launch of his first-ever memoir! World-renowned chef Patrick O’Connell has been recognized as a pioneer of American cuisine; his internationally acclaimed restaurant in the Virginia countryside, the Inn at Little Washington, is Michelin starred and a Relais & Châteaux hotel. Named for the three historic streets in the little town where O’Connell’s life and career have taken root, Main, Middle & Gay chronicles O’Connell’s winding journey through the rough-and-tumble restaurant world. Growing up gay in the 1950s and working as a paperboy and a cook at a hamburger joint, O’Connell found his place with other misfits in the addictive restaurant scene, where he learned to be nimble and grew up fast while working long hours and late nights with colorful characters. He lived free-spirited on farms with friends and traveled Europe, teaching himself to cook along the way. When he opened his restaurant in an old abandoned garage, he had no idea it would grow to the heights it has achieved today. All ticket purchases include one signed copy of Main, Middle & Gay, which will be available for pickup at the VMHC on the night of the event. The content and opinions expressed in these presentations are solely those of the speaker and not necessarily of the Virginia Museum of History & Culture. About the event: 5:30 pm – Guest arrival featuring still and sparkling wines and truffled popcorn 6:00 pm – Program - Chef O'Connell will be joined in conversation by James Beard award-winning food critic, Tom Sietsma

Bingo Beer Co hosts bingo on Wednesdays from 7pm-9pm and Sundays from 3pm-5pm. It's family friendly and free to play! Let us know you're coming and make a reservation today.

This is a Weekly Recurring Event
Runs from Feb 25, 2026 to Dec 30, 2026 and happens every:
Wednesdays: 7:00pm - 9:00pm Timezone: Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Sundays: 3:00pm - 5:00pm Timezone: Eastern Time (US & Canada)

The Colonel William Preston Chapter NSDAR is presenting a U.S. Constitution Day bell ringing program on Thursday, September 17, at Freedom Plaza, Church Avenue. In case of rain, the event will be held at Greene Memorial United Methodist Church, Second Street, Roanoke. The program will begin at 3:30 pm and will be followed by a bell ringing at 4 pm. This is a celebration of the time and date church bells rang in Philadelphia announcing the signing of the U.S. Constitution. Attendees are asked to bring a bell to ring in the celebration.

Jazz in the Park is an annual summer concert series featuring a different top quality professional jazz group on Thursdays 7-9 pm at the Bandstand in Gypsy Hill Park in Staunton Va. This 2026 summer season runs July 9 - Sept. 3. Concerts are Free & open to the public, held rain or shine. Concessions are available. Some bench seating available in front of the bandstand; lawn chairs/ blankets recommended to stretch out comfortably in this lovely park seating under the trees. Family friendly. Come out & enjoy all the great music this summer! 🎶
For more info call or TEXT : 540-280-4321

Ebony Nicole is a Harrisonburg, Va based singer songwriter. Her music is all about connecting with people through melodies and lyrics that tell a story. Her sonic sound is a unique blend of indie, bedroom pop, with folk and lofi vibes mixed in. From soulful ballads to upbeat anthems, her songs are a blend of personal experiences with a touch of universal emotions.

Kids of all ages will enjoy this massive model train exhibition, filling the Depot with authentic towns and landscapes. The Sipping and Switching Society of Virginia returns for the second year with all new exhibits, including Rural Retreat in HO Gauge. Hours are 9 to 4 on Saturday, September 19th, and admission is free. The first 50 kids will receive a free railroad conductor cap.

The Mt Pleasant Volunteer Fire Department, in co-sponsorship with Twin Creek Brewery’s Brugh Pub, will sponsor their Annual Car Show at Explore Park on Saturday, September 19th (with a rain date of Saturday, October 3rd) from 10 am to 4 pm.
The Annual Car Show in past years has drawn more than 100 classic, antique, modified and, frankly, some real clunkers (they’ve got a certain charm, too). There are awards given in various categories of cars displayed – Most Unique, Best Truck, Chief’s Choice, People’s Choice, Best Exhaust and “Most Likely To Be In A Police Pursuit.” Registration is $25 for each vehicle with a limit of 120 vehicles, but the show itself is open to the public free of charge. Brugh Pub will also be selling food and drinks at the Car Show, and TreeTop Quest will be operating on its normal schedule at Explore Park.
This year the Mt. Pleasant Lions Club will have a booth set up with games and activities for the children on the Brugh Pub Lawn. The MP Lions Club is celebrating their 65th anniversary of service to the Mt. Pleasant Community.
The Car Show will be held in the Explore Park parking lot across from the Brugh Pub and will include several community attractions including a 50/50 raffle. DeeJays Pat Musselwhite and Sam Murdock – M&M Tunes - will be playing the golden oldies (in keeping with some of the older cars and drivers). Brugh Pub also will have cornhole games set up on the lawn along with a booth by the Bison Head Cigar Lounge.
On special display this year will be the MPVFD’s 1932 Seagrave Fire Truck; just refurbished through a successful community donation campaign to restore it to operational status. Kids also can climb up to get their photos taken in our more modern fire apparatus.
The MPVFD Car Show is an annual community fund raising event to support the department’s volunteer firefighters with training and additional equipment needs. Car owners wishing to register and show can do so using the QR code on the MPVFD Facebook Page or at the gate on the day of the event (cash or card accepted).
Explore Park is located at Milepost 115 on the Blue Ridge Parkway (currently accessible only from Vinton), or by way of 3900 Rutrough Rd in Southeast Roanoke County.
[For more information, contact David Riddle, 540-309-6330 / stilleridd@gmail.com.]