ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, March 14, 1997 TAG: 9703140016
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
COLUMN: out & about
SOURCE: DONNA ALVIS-BANKS
It's time to wash the winter grime off the windows ... whisk away the corner cobwebs ... and put something gorgeous on the wall!
Spring cleaners and art lovers are in luck this weekend. Two great art auctions are happening Saturday, and they're both for a good cause.
More than 100 local artists have contributed treasures for the 15th annual art benefit. It's a fund-raiser for the Free Clinic of the New River Valley and Program for Special Medical Care.
The Free Clinic was founded in 1981, and the Program for Special Medical Care was started six years later. The two organizations merged last year in order to serve more patients and eliminate duplication of boards, administrative and fund-raising functions.
The agency now provides medical and dental care for local people who can't afford to pay for these services. Last year, 1,500 New River Valley residents were served.
Saturday's art benefit starts with a preview, an artists' reception and a silent auction at 6 p.m. The live bidding starts at 7:30. It's all happening at Virginia Tech's Donaldson Brown Hotel & Conference Center.
Artists Martha Dillard, Leslie Roberts Gregg and Carole Davis are members of the art benefit committee. They drummed up support from a virtual army of artists. Items up for bids include paintings, sculpture, jewelry, baskets, dolls and stained glass.
Committee chairman Cam McLaughlin said the auction will offer something for everyone:
"It's a real showcase of the great artistic talent of the New River Valley and Southwest Virginia."
John Carlin, news anchorman at Roanoke's WSLS (Channel 10), is the master of ceremonies, and Leon Linkous is the auctioneer. Admission is $8 per person or $15 per couple, and the price includes refreshments and musical entertainment.
Meanwhile ... you'll find more fine art and more fun Saturday over in Dublin at the New River Community College Alumni Association's art auction. This one begins with a preview at 6:30, followed by bidding at 7:30 in Edwards Hall. Lee Ann Necessary, also of WSLS, will ring in as honorary chairwoman.
Marlin Art of New York coordinated this auction which features oil paintings, lithographs, watercolors, woodcuts and other pieces in many price ranges.
Admission at the door is $6 and includes refreshments.
Proceeds go to the Alumni Scholarship Fund. Each year, the association awards $1,000 to a parent, spouse or child of an NRCC graduate.
WHAM! BAM! It's a Yam!
Actually, it's four of 'em.
The Yams from Outer Space - Blacksburg's own - will be back at the home watering trough tonight. The foursome will play its famous funk (with the emphasis on fun) tonight at the South Main Cafe.
The Yams sprouted forth in 1986, and they've since produced two CDs, "Domesticating Your Rhino" and "Rug Fibre." They play to packed houses from Baltimore to Tallahassee.
Recently, the Yams even made an appearance in Playboy magazine's "Weird Band Names Department," along with a curious crew called Sinus Envy.
Jook opens tonight's show at South Main Cafe. It starts at 10, and the cover charge is $4 if you're 21 or older, or $5 if you're under 21.
If you're interested in booking the band, call Todd Miller at E-Flat Productions, (404)451-1203.
GREEN, GREEN: Yes, it's time to make the green scene.
Everyone's invited to an Irish celebration on St.Patrick's Day at Montgomery County Park. Roaring Jello will play jigs, reels, waltzes and all sorts of spirited dance tunes for your frenzied feet.
The local band (a group of four friends who share a love of Celtic and Appalachian music) features Becky Barlow on hammer dulcimer and bodhran; Jack Hinshelwood on fiddle and guitar; Tim Sauls on banjo, guitar and bazouki; and Bob Thomas on bass.
Monday's celebration is for all ages, and it's alcohol free. It runs from 7 to 9 p.m.
Admission is $5 for adults or $3 for kids 12 and younger, and you can buy concessions.
For more information, call Kemvia Adams at 382-6979. For Roaring Jello bookings, call Jack Hinshelwood at 268-1165.
YOUNG FOLKS: Meet them and listen to their lovely blended voices Thursday. The 67-member choir of the College of William and Mary - all undergraduates and most with concentrations outside music - will perform at 8 p.m. in Radford's First Baptist Church, Third and Downey streets.
The Williamsburg choir has gained a reputation for great singing all over the world. In addition to concerts at home, recent appearances include stops in France, Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands and England. This year marks the choir's 75th anniversary.
In 1994, the choir performed for Queen Elizabeth II. In January, it was one of only four choirs invited to perform with the U.S. Marine Band at the presidential inaugural.
Thursday's concert is free and open to everyone. In addition to the choir, you'll hear several selections performed by the Botetourt Chamber Singers, a small ensemble that sings without accompaniment. The group's name honors Lord Botetourt, who was a Colonial Virginia governor and supporter of the College of William and Mary.
HOW 'BOUT JAZZING IT UP? Radford University's student jazz combos will present their spring concert Wednesday. It starts at 8 p.m. in Preston Auditorium.
Duke Ellington, Paul Desmond, Miles Davis, Horace Silver - you'll hear works made famous by these and other jazz masters.
Admission is free with Radford University ID. It's $3 for adults and $1 for children not connected with the university.
LENGTH: Long : 108 linesby CNB