ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Friday, June 14, 1996                  TAG: 9606140018
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 1    EDITION: METRO 
COLUMN: the tipoff 
SOURCE: ALMENA HUGHES

THE TIPOFF

SUPER START: Hot-air balloons, a chili cookoff and sampling, a parade, art shows, crafts, dancers and jazz to blues including Dr. Hook, Sammy Kershaw, Cephas and Wiggins - are only part of the first-day's line up for the Chautauqua Festival-In-The-Park, Saturday through June 23.

Admission is free to the weeklong event in the Elizabeth Brown Memorial Park in downtown Wytheville, but donations to offset program costs are appreciated. Saturday's hot-air balloon rally is set for 6:30 a.m., weather permitting, but on most days, festivities run from about 9 a.m.-9 p.m. For schedule specifics, call 228-6855.

PITCHMAN: During his 50-year career, "The King," Eddie Feigner, has pitched more than 11,000 softball games, won more than 90 percent of them and recorded more than 130,000 strikeouts - including 10,000 while blindfolded. Saturday, at 7:30 p.m., Feigner's legendary four-man team will definitely dazzle and most likely whip a local all-star lineup at the Laurel Park Youth Complex in Buena Vista. Call 261-7321.

SPIRITUAL AWAKENING: A novelist's research run amok will unearth his dead wife's spirit and set off a sequence of side-spliting events and encounters in the Franklin County Community Theater Company's production of Noel Coward's classic "Blithe Spirit." Performances are tonight and Saturday at 8 and Sunday at 2 p.m. in Franklin County High School's auditorium, Rocky Mount. Admission costs $5 for adults; $3 for children. Call 483-5026 ext. 4211.

RING THING: On Saturday handbell clinician and composer Robert Ivey will direct the Coventry Handbell Ringers in a program of classical, folk and original compositions. The 10-member Coventry group, from Charlotte, N.C., has won acclaim on both domestic and international tours. Admission is free to the concert at 7:30 p.m. at Greene Memorial Church in downtown Roanoke. Call 344-6225.

NIGHT MUSIC: Leon Redbone, reputedly one of ``The Tonight Show's'' favorite guests, will play the blues, and Dovie Muncy Sowers, self-accompanied on authoharp, guitar and banjo, will continue her quest to preserve "true Appalachian music." Their soulful, soothing serenades under the stars will begin at 8 p.m. Sunday in Theater at Lime Kiln's outdoor Bowl, Lexington. Tickets cost $21 for reserved chairs; $18 for lawn space. Call 463-7088.

GOSPEL GATHERING: The Harp Psalms, created by Roanoke Symphony Orchestra's principle harpist Elizabeth Dechent, is a rare three-harp choir. Minister Tom Russin turns secular tunes to sacred through his special lyric adaptations. The group Cornerstone melds influences from traditional bluegrass Christian to black gospel music to get its unique sound.

All will perform Sunday at 3 p.m. at Virginia Highlands Community College in Abingdon. Admission costs $7.50 for adults and is free for children under age 12. Call 628-5005.

HORSING AROUND: The Junior League of Roanoke Valley and the Roanoke Valley Horsemen's Association will co-sponsor the Roanoke Valley Horse Show Monday through June 22 at the Salem Civic Center. Special attractions will include the Budweiser Clydesdales, a stick horse event for children age 6 and younger and Jack Russell Terrier races.

Admission to Virginia's largest multi-breed Class A show varies according to events. For schedule and price specifics, call 375-3004.

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