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

DATE: FRIDAY, August 4, 1995                   TAG: 9508040009
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: STACY JONES
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

THE TIPOFF

FINE AND MELLOW: You can't help but feel ``with it'' when listening to jazz. Sunday, join the other cool cats at The Henry Street Music Center for ``Jazz Jamming.'' Random Acts of Sax will be the host band. Reflections, Thrillbillyz, Heather Banker and the Ray Ebbett Trio round out the line-up. Refreshments and finger foods will be served. The grooves begin at 4 p.m. Black T-shirt and shades optional. Tickets are $5. Call 981-9110.

FIELD OF DREAMS: Kevin Costner got his baseball field and Salem got its state-of-the-art stadium (and a dose of humility). The Salem Avalanche will play its first game at Salem Memorial Stadium this Monday. Invest in a ticket and see what $10 million can buy. The team mascot will also be unveiled. The Avalanche will play the Fredrick Keys at 7 p.m. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets range from $3-$6. Call 389-3333.

IAMBS AND ARTISTS: Poetry is hot these days, from grungy coffee house jams to celebrated book tours. The Harrison Museum of African American Culture offers its take on the craze Friday with ``Voice of a People,'' a poetry performance by local African American writers. Featured performers will be author Patricia Johnson, visual artist Vernie L. Bolden, Kent State English professor Melissa Prunty-Kemp and Jonah D. Martin, a songwriter and poet. The program runs from 7-8:30 p.m. and includes a ``Meet the Artist'' reception. Admission is free. Call 345-4818.

CITY SOUNDS: This must be the weekend for showcasing local talent. Add the ``Star City Jam'' to the list of happenings featuring resident artists - in this case, musicians. The two-day event begins Friday with the band Key West playing at First Union Plaza. Afterwards, music seekers can choose from a handful of downtown nightclubs - depending on one's musical taste. 3rd Degree, Load and Yams From Outer Space will take the stage at various spots on Friday. The Market Square stage is the place to be on Saturday. Radar Rose, The Housecats and 8 Eyes will perform from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Admission is $2 on Friday, free on Saturday. Call 342-2028.

FUZZY FRUIT FESTIVAL: Otherwise known as the Virginia Mountain Peach Festival. Friday and Saturday at Crestar Plaza locally grown mountain peaches will be the center of attention. Indulge in peach cobbler, peach sundaes and, guess what, peach milkshakes. Don't feel bad about going back for seconds, all proceeds benefit the Northwest Child Development Center. Desserts are priced from $3-$3.50. Festival hours will be 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday. Call 342-2028.

TUESDAY RUNES: Here's more proof that poetry is eclipsing karaoke in popularity: Books-A-Million now offers the spoken word the second Tuesday of each month. This week, in addition to the open mike, there will be four featured readers, among them Greta Evans of WSLS-TV and Claire Born of Hollins College. Sign-up starts at 7 p.m. with performances beginning promptly at 7:30 p.m. Prizes will be awarded. Admission is free. Call 366-6682.

by CNB