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

DATE: FRIDAY, September 29, 1995                   TAG: 9509290095
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: EXTRA   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: STACY JONES
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

THE TIPOFF

HISTORICAL HOOPLA: It's that time again. Time for the pride, creativity and vitality that was Henry Street to present itself in the form of the Henry Street Heritage Festival. Despite its title, the Saturday celebration will be held at Elmwood Park. The main stage activities include jazz, blues, and gospel bands, a dance troupe, a talent showcase and fashion show. The children's stage will have storytelling, Pecan and Willie Webster (ventriloquists) and a variety of art projects. An Afrocentric vendors' market, food court and beer garden provide additional diversions. Festival hours are 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Admission is free, as is parking at the Williamson Road Parking Garage. Call 345-4818.

GRATIS GIG: Not many things are free these days - sometimes not even the air for your tires. And on the rare occasion you do find something for no charge, it's ususally because it has no redeemable value. Not so this Sunday when six local bands gather at the Highland Park Amphitheater for ``Fallfest.'' This free concert features Straub, Load, Yams From Outer Space, The Fabulous Nightcrawlers, The Thrillbillyz and Walter Trexell. The show will start at noon. Call 774-6900.

WILDE AND CRAZY: ``The Importance of Being Earnest'' tends to set off eye-watering, stomach-cramping, can't-catch-your-breath laughter. Oscar Wilde's play skewers pompous Victorian manners and morals with plots frighteningly similar to an ``I Love Lucy'' skit - but with more brillance and relevance, of course. The Cherry Tree Players are presenting Wilde's classic weekend evenings at 8 through October. Tickets are $10. All performances ae at Cherry Tree Playhouse in the Lynchburg suburb of Boonsboro. Call (804) 384-4577.

JAZZ PICKS: The guitar isn't often associated with jazz (at least not in my head), so whenever I hear said instrument emitting such smooth sounds, I become mesmerized. The Vinny Valentino Trio may have the same effect when it plays Roanoke College's Olin Theater on Wednesday. Hailed as a ``young genius with a brilliant tone'' by George Benson, Valentino has performed with legends such as Charlie Byrd and Paul Bollenback. Completing the trio are bassist Paul Langosch and drummer Richard Seals II. The performance begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $8. Call 375-2333.

WAKE THE KIDS: Wasn't it the Village People who sang the virtues of the YMCA? Straight Street, a youth organization, plans to show kids just how much fun the place can be. Saturday, Straight Street presents Roanoke Valley Youth Night for kids 12-19. The entire Central YMCA facility will be open from 7-11 p.m. for almost any sport, plus board games, cards and more. Bring a towel if you plan to swim. Beverages and snacks will be served. The Central Branch is located at 425 Church Avenue SW. Admission is $3. Call 342-2078 or 344-9622.

QUARTET-A-GO-GO: Looking at their press clippings, it appears that the Montclaire String Quartet has been everywhere - the Kennedy Center, the Aspen Music Festival, Colombia, France. And on Monday night, the in-demand quartet will be in Talmadge Recital Hall at Hollins College. Franz Schubert's "Quartetsatz," Bela Bartok's Quartet No. 4 and Mendelssohn's Quartet in A minor (Opus 13) are scheduled. The concert begins at 8:15 p.m. Admission is free. Call 362-6451.

SUPPORTIVE SISTERS: The AIDS/HIV discussion has fallen from the front pages, but one local AIDS service organization hasn't forgotten. Sisters In The Name Of Love Of The Roanoke Valley will be hosting an AIDS Benefit Thursday at the Iroquois Club. The 10 p.m. gathering is an effort to support persons living with the disease. Female impersonators Anita Mann, Marolyn St. James, Jenna McCleary and Savannah Savage will provide the entertainment. Admission is $3. Call 982-1124.

ART FOR SALE: The annual Art in the Alley exhibit will be held in Langhorne Place, Salem, on Sunday from 1-5 p.m. Twenty two artists, among them such well-known area names as Peyton Klein, Harriett Stokes, Kate Woods and Eric Fitzpatrick, will exhibit their work. In case of rain, the show will be held at Olde Salem Framing and Gallery at 201 E. Main Street. Call 389-9471.

by CNB