Two Salem artists to be featured in Watercolor ExhibitionPosted Sep18, 2008 at 03:16 PMJudy Bates and Susan Egbert are among 22 artists from around the Roanoke Valley to show in the Virginia Watercolor Society’s 29th exhibition. The 2008 show attracted over 450 entries from the state's 398 VWS members. Only 80 entries were selected for exhibition by nationally known juror, Donna Watson. Watson, a Seattle native who has won numerous national awards and her work has appeared in several national magazines and books. She will award over $10,000 in prizes to the top watermedia artists in Virginia. The 2008 exhibition will be open to the public beginning Monday, Sept. 22 thru Saturday, Nov.1 at: The Shenandoah Club, 24 Franklin Road, SW, Roanoke, Va 24003. Show hours will be 2:00-5:00, Mon-Sat or by appointment at (540) 345-1576. A special Welcome Reception for VWS members and guests is planned for Sept.19 at the O. Winston Link Museum. The reception will feature an exhibit of works by VWS Founding Members John Will Creasy, Ernest Johnson, Norris Coleman and Pat Lawson. The Awards Ceremony and Banquet for VWS members and guests, is scheduled for Sept. 20 at the Shenandoah Club. Salem grad -- and big band leader -- comes home for show Sept. 20Posted Sep05, 2008 at 11:18 AM Doug Bowles is a 1984 graduate of Salem High School -- and later a graduate of Roanoke College. He now leads a big band in the D.C. area. And we mean "big band" as in the big band era. He's coming home for a show Sept. 20 at Roanoke College. Here are the details, with another photo below: Roanoke College Presents Doug Bowles and his SingCo Rhythm Orchestra In A Big Band Tribute Concert A Tribute America's Greatest Big Bands Featuring the SingCo Rhythm Orchestra Live onstage at Olin Theatre of Roanoke College in Salem, Virgina, Doug Bowles and his SingCo Rhythm Orchestra perform a swinging live big-band tribute show featuring charts by SingCo's fabulous staff of arrangers. The band will feature arrangements from some of the best big bands of the hot jazz and swing era. Beloved songs and lesser known tunes from the 1920s to the mid-1950s will be showcased, along with a special tribute to the World War II generation drawn from Doug Bowles' G.I. Jive: Letters from the War. Saturday, September 20, 2008 Continue reading "Salem grad -- and big band leader -- comes home for show Sept. 20 " » Vacation photo from Busch GardensPosted Sep02, 2008 at 09:22 AM
Did you go somewhere enjoyable for summer? What did you do on Labor Day? Tell us about it at news@sosalem.com! Submitted by: Laura Tucker For more vacation photos from people in Salem and western Roanoke County, see below: Salem man's film to be shown at Grandin TuesdayPosted Aug20, 2008 at 05:32 PM Salem filmmaker Hank Ebert will have one of his short films shown Tuesday night, August 26, at the Grandin Theatre. The film is called "It's What's Inside That Matters" and one of the actresses is also from Salem -- Miriam Frazier. Others in the cast include Mary Jean Redon Levin and Jayne Brill from Roanoke and Anthony Georgetti from Botetourt County. All are well-known veterans of community theatre in the Roanoke Valley The screening is part of the Grandin's "Open Projector Night." A total of seven short local films will be shown, starting at 7 p.m. Admission is $5.75. Here's how Hank describes his film: "A lonely woman in search of direction seeks guidance from a fortuneteller. With help from the visionary, and the mystical box she receives, the woman experiences a life-altering event and, at the same time, the fortuneteller learns something meaningful about herself." Above: Jayne Brill (left) stops by to see Miriam Frazier while production assistant Marianne Ebert holds the boom microphone. Below: Filmmaker Hank Ebert prepares a shot. If you go, come back to this blog and leave a comment about what you thought. Continue reading "Salem man's film to be shown at Grandin Tuesday" » Glenvar grad Adam Clark to perform in downtown RoanokePosted Aug19, 2008 at 10:21 AM
Glenvar High School grad Adam Clark will return to Roanoke with his Boston-based band, The Superpowers in a couple weeks. On Tuesday, Sept. 2 the band will perform at Blue 5 in downtown Roanoke with local opening band, The Seed. Clark describes the band's sound as Afrobeat: "Like James Brown's band goes to Africa," he said in an interview with So Salem earlier this summer. The show will last from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. The cost is $10. Blue 5 is located on 2nd St. in downtown Roanoke. Photo: Adam Clark plays the drums with the band he founded, The Superpowers. Salem band places at Old Fiddlers ConventionPosted Aug15, 2008 at 03:03 PMThe Dixie Bluegrass Boys from Salem took fifth place at the Old Fiddlers Convention in Galax on Aug. 4-9. A complete list of winners appears in Friday's Extra section of The Roanoke Times. Here's some video from the festival -- doesn't feature the Dixie Bluegrass Boys, but you'll enjoy it anyway. Want to congratulate the band? You can click "comment" below. Six Mac and Bob's bartenders featured in Hot Bartender ContestPosted Aug14, 2008 at 10:13 AM If you've opened up the Inside Out section of today's Roanoke Times -- or surfed over to the entertainment page on roanoke.com -- you've probably already come across the Hot Bartenders Contest. If not, well, you might be interested to know that six bartenders from Mac and Bob's are in the running -- and you get to be the judge, because it's an online-voting contest. The six contenders from the well-known Salem establishment: Cliff Bordewisch, Reid Dougherty, John Hartman, Adam Leroy, Jordan Parkinson, and Mike Rose. Now, we're not encouraging anyone to stuff the ballot box. In fact, the way it's set up, you can only vote once. But hey, if you like one of these guys and want to spread the word to your friends, well, that's your business, eh? And while we're at it: You'll see the 36 contestants are listed by their establishment -- so it's possible some other folks with Salem connections are in there, but we don't know it because they work at other places. So if you're from Salem and you're one of those 36 contestants, let us know so we can talk you up, too! Just click "comment" below.
Kellie Pickler to perform at Roanoke College on Sept. 13Posted Aug11, 2008 at 03:45 PM Former American Idol contestant Kellie Pickler will perform at Roanoke College on Sept. 13. Details follow, straight from Roanoke College: Roanoke’s Campus Activities Board will welcome former American Idol contestant Kellie Pickler for its fall concert. A recent triple-winner at the fan-voted CMT Music Awards, Pickler will perform hit songs, including “My Red High Heels,” “I Wonder,” “My Angel,” “Don’t You Know You’re Beautiful,” “Things That Never Cross A Man’s Mind” and more. Saturday, September 13, 8 p.m. Bast Center. Tickets are $23 in advance and $30 at the door. Tickets are available at the Roanoke College Colket Center Information Desk, by calling (540) 378-5125 or online at www.roanoke.edu/tickets. Oak Ridge Boys will play Salem Sept. 5Posted Aug05, 2008 at 12:25 PM The Oak Ridge Boys will play the Salem Civic Center on Sept. 5. Tickets are $32.50 for gold circle seats, all other reserved seats are $23.50. For tickets, see the Salem Civic Center box office, call Ticketmaster at 343-8100, or go online to For details on the band, the official release follows: Adam Clark finds 'epic' sound with The SuperpowersPosted Jul30, 2008 at 02:52 PM
Glenvar High grad Adam Clark is founder and drummer of the New England-based Afrobeat band The Superpowers. Before playing at FloydFest, he spoke with So Salem journalist Ryan N. Jones by phone. Q. So how did The Superpowers get started? Q. What made you want to start the band? Q. Did you know all the band members before? Q. How many people are in the band now? Q. Why so many? Q. Explain Afrobeat. Q. Is it hard to find acceptance playing this African-inspired music when only one member of your band is of African descent? Continue reading "Adam Clark finds 'epic' sound with The Superpowers" » Ashley-Kate Meador's art wins at The Salem FairPosted Jul14, 2008 at 11:44 AM Ashley-Kate Meador, 12 years old, won several awards for her art in The Salem Fair Art show. She placed 1st in Cartooning, 3rd in Water Color Painting, 4 Blue Awards and one Red Award. She is a resident of Blue Ridge. She has been taking Art classes from local artist Katherine Devine since she was 5 years old. Among her accomplishments, her collage was recently in the June Bella magazine. Glenvar student spends summer in theaterPosted Jul10, 2008 at 01:13 PM
Now, she’s going to be a senior at Glenvar High School with big dreams of a future in performance. After graduating, Emma wants to attend Marymount Manhattan College in N.Y. and major in musical theater. She hopes to one day work on Broadway. “I’m realistic about it, but it’d be really nice to get there,” she said. And the Performing Arts Camp will help her on her way. Professional actors, choreographers and singers lead all the rehearsals, workshops and elective classes. To maximize the experience, high-school campers choose a “stream” of focus—either Musical Theatre or Acting—and use the week of camp to prepare scenes and songs for a final public performance. This year, Emma chose the Musical Theatre stream and especially enjoys the “Improvisation” elective. She explained why she keeps coming back. “You meet so many new people that all have a love for theater like you do. It’s a really great experience,” she said. “[Camp] has taught me about myself and what I’m capable of doing, not just in theater but in life. I’m more than I thought I could be.” But one week of summer camp each year is only the beginning of what it takes to really make it in show business. Emma has also been a member of the Kevin Jones Performing Arts Studio Ensemble for the past four years. It’s a Musical Theatre training program that features private lessons and professional-level performances at Jefferson Center and around Roanoke. “I’m really glad I found Kevin [Jones]. If it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t have found musical theater and realized I could do this as a profession,” she said.
For photos from the high school “Combo Camp” visit our gallery. Photo: Emma Sayles outside the Burton Center for Arts and Technology in Salem, where the KJPA Camp was held this year. Photo by Ryan Jones, So Salem Remus Tales, presented (free) by Theatre Roanoke CollegePosted Jun24, 2008 at 10:04 AM
Here's something free you can take the kids to: This Friday (June 27) through Monday (June 30), Roanoke College students as the characters Brer Rabbit, Brer Rox, Brer Terrapin, and Brer Bear will enact Remus Tales, adapted from the stories of Joel Chandler Harris, by Stanley Vincent Longman. Showtime is 8 p.m. The play's location is slated for the outdoor amphitheater next to Olin Hall on High Street, on Roanoke College campus. If the weather doesn't hold up, the play will move inside, says director Lisa Warren. The play is suitable for all ages and admission is free! Photo, from left: Brer Rabbit, played by Haley Thompson; Brer Bear, played by Ryan Webster; Brer Fox, played by Cory Lawson; and Brer Terrapin, played by Chelsea Stroker. What's your favorite thing about the Salem Fair?Posted Jun20, 2008 at 06:58 PMThe Salem Fair kicks off July 3. So what's your favorite thing about the fair? Leave comments below or email us at news@sosalem.com so we can include them in an upcoming issue. (A full name would help!) Got a favorite ride? Favorite game? What advice would you give to someone who's never been before? (Yeah, we know -- we hasn't been to the Salem Fair? But just in case . . .) And just so you know: The fair runs through July 13. Glenvar grad rocks Blue 5 with song for his momPosted Jun17, 2008 at 09:50 AM Glenvar grad Adam Clark brought his band The Superpowers to town over the weekend and Tad Dickens has this report from the show at Blue 5 over on our music blog. A tidbit: One of the songs the band played was one that Clark wrote for his mom. Were you at the show? If so, hit "comments" and share your thoughts below. In case you missed 'em, The Superpowers are playing again tonight -- Tuesday, June 17 -- in Blacksburg. Details on the link above. Also, the band will be back in late July to play at FloydFest. Our last post on Adam Clark was June 12. Glenvar grad brings his Boston-based band to Roanoke on SundayPosted Jun12, 2008 at 09:33 AMGlenvar High grad Adam Clark brings his Boston-based collection of Afrobeat freaks -- the Superpowers -- back to Roanoke. If you're into the groove, this show will have it running deep for you. Go check out the band's MySpace page for some incredibly hip, in-the-pocket playing with cool melodies. If you can listen without something on your body tapping or swaying, you might want to make sure you're still breathing. When: 7 p.m. Sunday. For more on the music scene in the Roanoke Valley this weekend, check out music writer Tad Dickens' full report. Salem student appears in Mill Mountain Theatre showPosted Jun04, 2008 at 11:45 AM Hallie Newcomer, a student at Salem High School, is performing in the Mill Mountain Theatre production "Into The Woods." Hallie appears as Sleeping Beauty. She's on the right in this photo. At left is Lindsay Wirt from Patrick Henry High School, who plays Snow White. In the foreground are Aaron Keller (Rapunzel's Prince) and David Weitzer (Cinderella's Prince). The show opens tonight and runs through June 29. It's a musical by Stephen Sondheim and features many fairy tale characters. For more information on show times and tickets, see Mill Mountain Theatre. Hallie, by the way, appeared in another Mill Mountain show earlier this year -- "The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stoopid Tales." We have a photo of her in that right here. We have another photo from the show -- this one showing Jack, of beanstalk fame, and his bedraggled cow -- on our Southwest Roanoke County news site. Photo by Ayme Gierchak Choral Society holds two concerts SaturdayPosted May07, 2008 at 12:14 PM The Salem Choral Society holds its final concert of the season Saturday night at Olin Hall at Roanoke College.
Salem Awful Arthur's releases its May schedulePosted Apr22, 2008 at 10:43 AMAwful Arthur's in Salem has released its May line-up of acts. For details on who's playing, see our cut'n'scratch music blog. Packing up the Brown HousePosted Apr17, 2008 at 04:31 PM
The Salem Museum’s last official day of exhibitions before the remodeling project will be this Saturday, April 19. The upside: the gift shop is having a sale, with a good deal of items at half price or at cost so that museum volunteers don’t have to pack it all up. The new plans for the museum are eco-friendly; the new patio will have a grassed roof that will naturally heat and cool the building. The downside: there really isn’t one. The museum will still let wandering tourists and city residents in the front drawing room and gift shop until the last of the exhibits are packed up and construction begins. The website will be fully functional, and “it may be an opportunity to put things in libraries and schools,” according to John Long, museum director and curator. “Simon Says” at Glenvar High School this weekendPosted Apr16, 2008 at 03:33 PM
This Thursday and Friday, the Highlanders are putting on a show with a collection of scenes from one of America’s best playwrights, complete with a 360-degree rotating stage. Curtain call at Glenvar High School is 7:30 p.m. and tickets will be $5 for adults and $4 for students. The rotating stage was built specifically for the play: “It’s a 19-foot stop sign, basically” assistant director Dale Bayless said. The cast and crew are welcoming everyone to a tailgate on Friday beginning at 5:30 p.m. $4 will get you a hot dog or hamburger, two sides and a drink. Continue reading "“Simon Says” at Glenvar High School this weekend" » RC Alumna and Salem native Corynne Wilder to rock Alumni WeekendPosted Apr11, 2008 at 04:38 PM
Afterdawn recently won Supernova’s “Out of the Garage” series in Brooklyn and will advance to the national finals. Members include Wilder on vocals, 2001 grad of RC, Steve Solution on guitar, Matt Kaskela on bass, and drummer Vinny Listrani. Here's a link to Olin Hall's ticket office and a link to Wilder's MySpace page. Kandinsky Trio's season finale this SaturdayPosted Apr09, 2008 at 11:30 AMOld companions bassist J.B. VanDemark and violist Lenny Schranze team up with the Kandinskys for the beloved “Trout Quintet” by Franz Schubert for the Kandinsky’s 20th anniversary Season Finale at Roanoke College this Saturday, April 12, at 8:00 p.m. Tickets will cost $15 for the general public and $10 for the Roanoke College Community. Click here to order tickets or call the Olin Box office at 375.2333 for more information. Picnic @ the Pops this FridayPosted Apr08, 2008 at 03:49 PMThe Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, directed by David Wiley, will perform with Art Garfunkel at the Salem Civic Center this Friday, April 11 at 8:00 with the doors opening at 6:30. Food of any kind will be permitted, but you can only bring bottled water in (they’ll sell you beer, wine, cocktails, coffee, tea, soft drinks and small boxed dinners if you’d like them). Here’s where to purchase tickets.
Two Salem students star in Mill Mountain Theatre showPosted Apr02, 2008 at 06:09 PM They are Jenna Whisler and Hallie Newcomer. The show toured elementary and middle schools in Virginia during March, and now has a one-week run on the Trinkle Main Stage. For information on showtimes and tickets, see Mill Mountain's website. At left: Jenna Whisler as Snow White, with Corrine Davis as Goldlilocks. Continue reading "Two Salem students star in Mill Mountain Theatre show" » Salem HS is alive with “The Sound of Music” this Thursday through SaturdayPosted Apr02, 2008 at 01:59 PM
The cast of 57, crew, budget (and, hopefully, the audience) are the largest in Rachel Sailer’s 20 years of experience as stage director. An orchestra of 18 student instruments plus a keyboard and a modern sound system are a first for the program, as well. “We have twenty-seven extra nuns. It really gives you a nice, full sound,” Sailer said, as the nuns opened the dress rehearsal effectively with the opening number. Photo: The nun-governess, Maria, played by Rena Glavas, is surrounded by Captain Von Trapp’s (Matt Lipscomb) children as she teaches them to sing “Do Re Mi”. Check out trivia and information on the 1965 movie “The Sound of Music” here and here. Roanoke College’s “Four Dogs and a Bone” to open April 2Posted Apr02, 2008 at 01:09 PMPulitzer and Academy-Award writer John Patrick Shanley’s “Four Dogs and a Bone” will play in Olin Hall’s auditorium Wednesday, April 2 through Saturday, April 5, with show time at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $7 for the general public and $5 for senior citizens and students. The comedy focuses on the behind-the-scenes of the movie business with conflicts between the producer, writer, and two actresses. With a title like “Four Dogs and a Bone”, you can only wonder what kind of satiric and egotistical arguments might crop up. There is limited seating per performance and the content is for mature audiences. Check out an in-depth article by a New York Times reporter about Shanley. The cast includes Lisa-Sun Gresham, a junior theatre and sociology double major from Wilton, Conn.; Cory Lawson, a senior theatre major from Roanoke; Samantha Clifford, a sophomore theatre major from Rumson, N.J; and Jake Bozek, a junior English major from Clifton. Salem High School forensic team to perform April 8Posted Mar28, 2008 at 08:36 PMThe two-time defending state champion Salem High School forensic team will perform at High Point Coffee at Brambleton Plaza on April 8 as a tune-up for the VHSL state competition. For more info about High Point, check out our cut'n'scratch music blog. "Blithe Spirit" is showing at Showtimers TheatrePosted Mar27, 2008 at 01:11 PMIf you’re looking for something a little more live and charming than sitting on the couch with the dog, cat, or significant other with a video store rental or the latest episode of CSI in a far away metropolitan area, “Blithe Spirit” at Showtimers could save your Wednesday to weekend night sometime in the next two weeks. Don’t expect for it to bring you back to Roanoke, either: set in the 1930s, a British author’s information gathering during a séance goes awry when the zany Madame Arcati, played by Nancy Lawrence, conjures up his first wife. As if that weren’t enough, Charles and Ruth Condomine (Ruth is his second and current wife) must navigate through polite society as they deal with the unruly and “blithe” ghost of Elvira, played by Cris Emerson. Charles and Ruth Condomine are played by Phil Boyd and Stevie Holcomb, respectively. Continue reading ""Blithe Spirit" is showing at Showtimers Theatre" » Upcoming theatricals in and around SalemPosted Mar25, 2008 at 01:22 PMMarch 26 through April 5 at 8 p.m., April 6 at 2 p.m.: “A Blithe Spirit”, at Showtimers Community Theatre, $12/ticket April 2-6 at 7:30 p.m.: “The Sound of Music”, at Salem High School, $8 for adults, $5 for children April 2-5 at 8 p.m.: “Four Dogs and a Bone”, at Roanoke College, $7 for adults, $5 for students and senior citizens, mature content and limited seating Want to act it out yourself??? Is there somebody around Salem or Glenvar acting in a production in the valley or elsewhere? Let us know by e-mailing news@sosalem.com! Roanoke College upcoming events open to the public:Posted Mar21, 2008 at 12:36 PMLate March to early April RC events: March 27 at 4:45 p.m.: A lecture by 2007 Pulitzer Prize winner, Hank Klibanoff, no charge March 29 at 6:30 p.m.: A senior voice recital by Rose Stephens-Booker April 1 at 7:30 p.m.: A reading of his short story "Boone: A Biography" by Robert Morgan, no charge. This is Morgan's latest book; it was placed on The Washington Post's "Best Books of 2007" list. April 3 at 7:30 p.m.: A lecture by Sandra Harding “Gender and Science: New Issues”, no charge April 5 at 8:00 p.m.: A swing dance with Martha and the Moodswingers in Alumni Gym, $5 (lessons at 1:00 and 2:15, $5 per person per session) April 7 at 7:30 p.m.: A lecture by Joseph Cummins “Anything for a Vote: Mudslinging…”, no charge April 12 at 8:00 p.m.: Kandinsky’s Trio Concert: 20th Anniversary Season Finale, $15 for general public, $10 for senior citizens and students April 13 at 3:00 p.m.: Roanoke College's Children's Choir: "A Little Spring Music", $17 for general public, $14 for senior citizens, $11 for children 12 and under, at The Jefferson Center. April 15 at 7:30 p.m.: A lecture by Alan Dershowitz, a continuation of RC's series "Exploration and Discovery" April 17 at 7:30 p.m.: The Roanoke College Wind and Jazz ensembles will present a joint concert in Olin Theatre, no charge Roanoke College News and Public Calendar More Interested in Collegiate Lacrosse, Baseball, Softball, Track, Tennis, or Golf??? Making a hobby of saving bluebirdsPosted Mar19, 2008 at 12:45 PM
All it took was one look at the design for the Peterson Style Bluebird House in the “Birds in Bloom” book to hook Tom Clifton into building one. The retired GE electronics technician has a knack for woodworking, and he’s been using it for the sake of bluebird conservation for almost eight years now. Clifton has built hundreds of houses for at least five counties, and maintains several bluebird trails himself. The bluebirds in Salem, Roanoke, and Botetourt need your help! Trail monitors are needed for Green Hill Park in Salem, the Countryside Golf Course in Roanoke, and Greenfield Park in Botetourt. If you’re interested in donating three to four hours of your time a week, walking through parks or golf courses, call or e-mail Tom Clifton, 389-2942, tomclif@rev.net, or call Earl Morris at 776-1640. Trail volunteers do a weekly check of each house on their designated trail. It involves opening the box, identifying the species, counting the eggs and hatchlings, and troubleshooting predator problems. Volunteers are trained and supervised several times before having to care for the birds on their own. For more information about bluebirds, visit The Virginia Bluebird Society. Salem Civic Center eventsPosted Mar19, 2008 at 12:11 PMThe Salem Civic Center has issued an updated schedule, including The Better Living Home Expo March 28-30, My Little Pony Live! April 5-6, A Roanoke Symphony Orchestra Performance with Art Garfunkel April 11, Arthur Live! May 6-7, and many more. Visit The Salem Civic Center's website and calendar for more information. Glenvar students to perform at Jeff Center April 10Posted Mar13, 2008 at 04:27 PM Eight students from Glenvar High School will be featured in a musical performance at the Jefferson Center on April 10. Here's the scoop: Many of you are familiar with the annual show that the students from the Kevin Jones Performing Arts Studio put on each year at The Jefferson Center. This year, it packed the auditorium for two straight shows. Well, Kevin -- whose studio is in the Cave Spring area -- also teaches at the Roanoke County Center for the Performing Arts and has a similar show coming up featuring the center's students on Thursday, April 10 at 7:30 p.m. Continue reading "Glenvar students to perform at Jeff Center April 10" » Statler Brothers' farewell concert to be televisedPosted Mar12, 2008 at 04:47 PMWere you at the Statler Brothers' farewell concert -- which was at the Salem Civic Center on Oct. 26, 2002? If so, you might see yourself on TV either Thursday, March 13 or Friday, March 15. Blue Ridge PBS is airing "The Statler Brothers Farewell Concert" at 7 p.m. each night. That concert was the only time the Staunton-based country music quartet ever allowed an indoor concert to be videotaped. Viewers will also have an opportunity to receive a copy of the group’s new book, “The Statler Brothers: Random Memories,” autographed by group members and authors Harold Reid and Don Reid. For more information about “The Statler Brothers Farewell Concert” and the autographed book, visit blueridgepbs.org. And if you were at the show, click "comment" below to share a remembrance. |