Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, July 30, 1993 TAG: 9309070191
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Almena Hughes
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Showtimers 39-member cast, under the direction of Jeff Walker, will present the musical - with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim - through Sunday and again Wednesday through Aug.8. Performance times are Wednesday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets are $8 and $9, with special discounts available for students. They're available at the box office, 2067 McVitty Road or call 774-2660.
\ DAMN YANKEES WANTED: To portray "the other side" in the second annual Civil War battle re-enactment of abolitionist Gen. David Hunter's Raid of 1864. The battle, which actually occurred where Peters Creek empties into the Roanoke river, was an important prelude to the Battle of Hanging Rock becoming a Confederate victory.
Camps open at 9 a.m. Battle time is 1:30 p.m. both days. There also on Saturday will be an evening dress parade at 7 p.m. and an 1865-style baseball game between the re-enactors at 2:30 p.m. Authenticity is mandatory, including a requirement of sack cloth, shell jacket and frock coat for all participants in the field.
A bounty of $125 is being offered for each 10-15 man unit willing to don Yankee blues for the event Saturday and Sunday at Green Hill Park in Roanoke County. Spectators' admission is $3 for adults; $2 for children. For information, call 387-6086.
\ BLUEGRASS BASH: Rain or shine, Taylor's Park third annual Bluegrass Festival in Axton will get underway today from 3 p.m.-midnight and on Saturday from noon-midnight. Performers will include the Gillis Brothers, the Hazel River Band, the Churchmen, the Bluegrass Cardinals, Andrew Roblin & Pocono Mountain Boys, Lost & Found, UCLA Ramblers and Clearwater.
Covered seating, food, restrooms and electric hook-ups are available. Tickets are $10 and $15. For information and travel directions, call 650-3841 or 650-1755.
\ LADY SINGS THE BLUES: In a poignant work by Lanie Robertson, songstress Karen Turner Ward and Jonathan Spivey recreate the final four months of blues singer Billie Holiday's beleaguered life. In a setting of a seedy Philadelphia bar, Ward, as Holiday, sings all of the singer's famous songs and shares the joys and sorrows that made her life a physical and emotional roller coaster. Spivey portrays Holiday's accompanist Jimmy Powers.
"Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill" runs 8:15 p.m. Monday-Saturday through Aug. 14 at the Heritage Repertory Theatre in Charlottesville.
Tickets are $15 general admission; $12 senior citizens and $10 students. There also are special rates for Monday and matinee performances. Call (804) 924-3376.
\ MAGICAL MOMENTS: Saturday Arts at Old First presents the "amazing, amusing, astounding" magician Jim Murphy on - what else? - Saturday, Aug. 7, at 11 a.m.
Murphy's marvel- and mystery-filled program is designed for 6-12 year olds. But it just might appeal to the kid in all of us.
Admission is 25 cents. For information, call 774-8101.
\ WIPE OUT: A demolition derby and antique tractor pull on Saturday will kick off the 41st annual New River Valley Fair in Dublin, which runs Monday through Aug. 7. In addition to the midway, there'll be equipment displays, a flower show, performances by the Royal Palace Circus and daily entertainment.
Admission at the gate is $5 for adults, $2 for children and that includes the price of grandstand shows.
For information, call 674-5115, 674-0288 or 674-1548.
\ A DIFFERENT DRUMMER: Think of The Summer Music Games of Southwest Virginia as a competition of music and marching abilities. This year's event, for the first time being sanctioned by Drum Corps International, has been likened to the first round of the NFL playoffs. In other words, the cream of the corps - from Pennsylvania, Georgia, Ohio, North Carolina and Canada - are vying on their way to the world championship competition, which on Aug. 21 will be telecast live on public broadcast television.
Our own Pride of Salem Drum Line will play during the corps' retreat. Proceeds will benefit the non-profit Salem Band Boosters. Showtime is Tuesday, 8 p.m. at the Salem Civic Center Stadium Complex. All tickets are for reserved seating and cost $10 in advance, $12 at the gate. Get them at the civic center or through Salem Band Boosters, P.O. Box 535, Salem, Va. 24153. For additional information, call 387-3301.
\ PICK OF THE POPS: A few tickets remain for Saturday's Picnic With the Pops Concert featuring guest artist Willie Nelson.
The Roanoke Symphony Orchestra-sponsored presentation at the Salem Civic Center will begin at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $16 and can be purchased at the civic center box office or at the RSO offices,1630 Braeburn Drive in Salem.
A sellout is expected, so get there early. For information, call 343-6221.
by CNB