
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, June 30, 1995                   TAG: 9506300026
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 1   EDITION: METRO O{COLUMN} THE 
SOURCE: STACY JONES
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

THE TIPOFF

CARNIVAL DE SALEM: Not every fair can boast of have racing pigs and Kachunga, ``a real American bushman.'' The 8th Annual Salem Fair can. Fair organizers also claim it is the second-largest fair in the commonwealth. Maybe, but is it fun? If it's not, don't blame it on a lack of trying. There is the carnival side, which has games, 35 rides, music and food. Then there's the freak-show appeal - the pigs, the bushman wrestling with his nine-foot alligator, racing armadillos, and ``The Sensational Leighs,'' a family aerial act. Other activities include a petting zoo, a cooking show, the World Federation Pog Tournament and various firework shows. Foreigner, Firehouse, Laura Branigan and Sophie Hawkins take the musical stage Sunday at 4 p.m. The 10-day festival begins today at the Salem Civic Center. The fair hours are 4 p.m.-midnight on weekdays, noon-midnight on Saturday, Sunday and July 4th. Admission is free. Call 375-4013.

A BARD INTERPRETATION: Most big cities have an annual Shakespeare Festival, which made it understandable as to why Roanoke didn't have one. Outsiders no more, the city can brag of the newly formed Roanoke Valley Shakespeare Festival, which will present ``Hamlet'' this weekend. The production opens today and will be directed by Bart McGullion. The cast is composed of students and professional actors from the community. The show takes place in Whitman Auditorium at Virginia Western Community College. The play begins at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free. Call 384-6946.

A ZOO WITH A VIEW: What's on the minds of Americans as the Fourth of July approaches? Location. Location. Location. Which park, scenic landing or friend's house has the best view of area firework celebrations? One spot that may not come readily to mind is the Mill Mountain Zoo. In honor of the Fourth, this Tuesday, the Zoo has extended hours, which means it is a prime viewing area. Revelers have until 9 p.m. to get there, then the zoo gates will close until the fireworks are completed. Visitors are welcome to bring food or drink (non-alcoholic), although the concession stand will be open until 8:30 p.m. Admission is $3.50 for adults, $2 for children under 12 and free for children under 2. Mill Mountain opens at 10 a.m. Call 343-3241.

SUMMER UNCORKED: Now that summer is officially here, Roanokers need something to do during all of that extra daylight. Afton Mountain Vineyards has one of the better ideas - a summer open house. The open house will be held during the Fourth of July weekend, from Saturday-Tuesday. The farm winery will release three new wines throughout the weekend and offer free entertainment to boot. Dick Harrington and Victory Young will play traditional Southern folk music on Saturday, and Mark Dalton and Jodie Davis will perform pop and rock on Tuesday. Tastings, tours, hors d'oeuvres and door prizes are a part of the summer celebration. Admission is free. Afton Mountain Vineyards is located on Va. 631 in Nelson County. Call 456-8667.

AN AFTER DINNER MURDER: A salad, an entree and for dessert, Frederick Knott's classic mystery, ``Dial M for Murder.'' Such an experience can be had at The Blue Ridge Dinner Theatre in Ferrum. A two-week run of the suspense classic begins this Tuesday. The play centers on a man plotting to kill his wife and the subsequent police investigation. As for the menu, each carte du jour is inspired by the play that follows. Evening buffets will include salad, two meat entrees, vegetables, potatoes, bread, dessert and drinks. The dinner theater is located at Ferrum College. Show times (with dinner) are 12:15 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. Tickets are $13/$6.50 without dinner for the matinee and $16/$8 for the evening performance. Call 365-4335.

A BRILLIANT CONVERSATIONALIST: That was the title of T. Graham Brown's second hit album, it could just as well describe his musical abilities. OK, maybe not brilliant, but successful. Brown, who has had more than a few top 10 country singles in his career, will perform Saturday in the Rotary Club Show. The concert will be held in the football stadium at Franklin County High School in Rocky Mount. A Country Music Award winner in 1993 for his part on the George Jones single, ``I Don't Need Your Rockin' Chair,'' Brown is also known for his blues and beach music. In case that doesn't pique your interest, Brown was the guy on the Taco Bell commercials who played piano on a flatbed truck, and strummed guitar on a bi-plane. Dean Doyle and the Noel C. Taylor Community Choir will also perform. The gates open at 4:30 p.m. with the show beginning at 8 p.m. Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for children. Firework displays will be presented after the concert. Call 483-9542.

by CNB