ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, July 12, 1996 TAG: 9607120019
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
COLUMN: out & about
SOURCE: DONNA ALVIS-BANKS
Straight Street - the popular meeting place for local teens - has found a new stamping ground.
Kids can now meet in a much larger building on Radford Road in Christiansburg. It's right next to the Dr. Video store.
The Christian youth ministry will inaugurate its new center with a big party Saturday. The event marks Straight Street's sixth anniversary.
"We're really excited about this move," said Straight Street director Bob Anderson. "We'll have arcade games, concerts and a snack counter like before, but we will now have indoor basketball, too."
"It's going to look rough at first," Anderson said, noting that the building's interior design is in the bare-bones stage now.
"We've been cleaning, but we're hoping the kids will give us ideas on how to fix it up," Anderson said. "We're going to have fun with it."
Anderson said he foresees a state-of-the-art nightspot for teens with a new name, "The 180 Club," in the near future.
For now, Anderson said he's just expecting to see energetic teens enjoying fellowship, food and some fine music. Saturday's bash features two musical crowd-pleasers: Reality Check and Whosoever.
Reality Check is made up of four Liberty University graduates who play a hip-hop alternative rap style. These guys recently won a first-place award at the Gospel Music Association's Spotlight Competition in Nashville.
"This group has been the most popular ever at Straight Street," Anderson said. "Reality Check has performed all over America and even in Canada. They have played in several festivals like Atlanta Fest and Fishnet."
Whosoever, the opening band, plays Christian rock cover tunes and some originals. The six-member group also does secular rock numbers with the lyrics modified to fit its Christian format.
Saturday's party runs from 7 to 11 p.m. In addition to the music, there will be free food, free drinks and free gifts for everyone.
Tickets, available at local Christian bookstores, are $5 in advance or $4 for groups of 10 or more. Admission at the door is $6.
To reserve tickets or for more information, call Straight Street at 381-1006.
BE SQUARE IF YOU DARE: The Blacksburg Old-Time Music and Dance Group is putting on its monthly mountain square dance Saturday. It starts at 8 p.m. at the Newport Recreation Center in Giles County.
Traditional square dancing with caller Chris Youngblood is what you'll find here. It's open to everyone - experienced or not.
Mac Traynham and friends will play the dancing tunes. Traynham is a champion fiddler.
Bring your favorite dish, too. After the dance, you're invited to stay for a potluck supper. The recreation center has picnic tables and a playground for the younger squares.
Admission to the dance is $5. To get to the center from Blacksburg, take U.S. 460 west (10 miles) to Newport. Turn right on Virginia 42 and go 0.7 miles. You're there!
JUMPIN' JAMBOREE: This month's jamboree put on by New River Community College's Fiddle, Banjo and Dance Club features some lively bluegrass music.
The Grayson Highland Band and James Lindsay and his Mountain Ramblers will play from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday. Come early, though, for the jam sessions at 5 p.m.
The shindigs are in Edwards Hall on the Dublin campus. Admission is free but donations won't be turned down. The money helps the musicians pay their traveling expenses.
Plan on putting your best foot forward at this jamboree. As always, winners of the dance contest will receive a cash prize.
MENAGERIE: Yes, the "Menagerie" art show - an annual exhibit of works by New River Valley artists - is the July exhibit at the Fine Arts Center in Pulaski. Make sure you see it. You might be surprised at the talent you've been missing in your own back yard.
"Menagerie is always a popular show," said center director Michael Dowell. "It gives the shade-tree artist a chance to exhibit his or her talent and get feedback on it. This show has been the beginning of fairly successful art careers for some people."
In addition to newcomers, the show also draws many accomplished artists from the area. Bill Beamer, Sally Mook, Elizabeth Bonham, Betty Sadler, Al Trivisonno and James Harman are among those who submit works year after year.
You can catch the exhibit weekdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., or Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the gallery, 21 W. Main St. Admission is free.
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