Happenings: The Only Roanoke Events Calendar You’ll Ever Need. Week of 1/15 to 1/22.

We scoured 30 disparate community calendars (yes, 30) so you didn’t have to. Want to know when the next City Council meeting takes place? Curious about what there is to do this weekend? We’ve got you covered. We encourage folks to contact the venue directly to learn of any last minute changes or cancellations.

Have a Happening? Does your business want to sponsor a newsletter? Reach out to us at news@roanokerambler.com with “Happening” in the subject line. Have fun!

This Weekend

• Thursday, 1/16 to Sunday, 1/19 — “Frieda” presented by Hollins-Mill Mountain Winter Festival of New Works at Hollins Theatre (8004 Hill House Ct., Roanoke). Find more information at this link. ($)
• Friday, 1/17 to Saturday, 1/18 — Roanoke Regional Writers Conference at Hollins University  (7916 Williamson Rd., Roanoke). Join writers of all levels for two inspiring days of skill-building, networking, and creativity. Friday features a keynote speaker, with writing covering fiction, nonfiction, poetry, publishing, and more to follow starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday. Find more information and register at this link. ($)
• Friday, 1/17 to Sunday, 1/19 — “New Year, New Works” presented by Exit, Pursued by Bear — aka The Bear Theater — at Community High School (302 Campbell Ave. SE, Roanoke). The Bear Theatre presents a weekend of three staged readings of significant new plays with audience talk-back sessions to follow. This series is a pay-what-you-will fundraiser for The Bear Theatre. Visit this link for times and a description of each production.
• Friday, 1/17 to Sunday, 1/26 — Restaurant Week in Downtown Roanoke. Find more information at this link.
• Saturday, 1/18 to Sunday, 1/19 — Salem Gun and Knife Show at the Salem Civic Center (1001 Roanoke Blvd, Salem). Find more information at this link. ($)

Wednesday, January 15

• 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Live music: Ben Trout Trio at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). 
• 9:30 p.m.  — Live music: Adam Hill Trio at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). For more information visit this link. ($)

Thursday, January 16

• 4 to 7 p.m. — Gaymer Night at Roanoke Diversity Center (425 Campbell Ave. SW., Roanoke). Hang out with other local young adults in the lounge, watch the latest music videos, play board games, chat and mingle. Bring your controllers and play your friends with our Nintendo Switch or Playstation, or start an RPG, card games and board games.
• 5 p.m. — Roanoke City Architectural Review Board committee meeting in city council chambers at the Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building (215 Church Ave. SW, Roanoke).
• 5 to 6:30 p.m. — Lecture: Where Love Leads — Love as a Leadership Strategy presented by Mary Dana Hinton, Hollins University president as part of the new Batten Leadership Institute’s “Leading Together” speaker series. The lecture will be held in the Moody building at Hollins University (7916 Williamson Rd., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link.
• 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Live music: GOTE at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). 
• 6 to 7:30 p.m. — Community discussion: The Blue Rose — The Mystery of Black Fathers at the Gainsboro Library community room (15 Patton Ave. NW, Roanoke). Join the Gainsboro Branch Library as we have an open discussion on the state of Black fathers in society and how can we change the narrative in our community. Light refreshments provided.
• 7 to 9 p.m. — Line Dancing with Angela at Los Amigos Bar & Grill (3424 Orange Ave. NE, Roanoke). Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just looking to learn, Angela’s got the moves to get everyone out on the floor, so dust off your best western wear, round up your crew, and come on down for a boot-scootin’ good time.
• 7 to 10 p.m. — Urban Kiz Dance Social at Olde Salem Brewing Company (315 Market St., Roanoke). Starts with a basic lesson from 7 to 7:30 p.m., with a social to follow. Features a mixed playlist of traditional kizomba, urban kiz, ghetto zouk and other great music for dancing. Find more information at this link.
• 7:05 p.m. — Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs vs. Macon Mayhem at the Berglund Center Coliseum (710 Williamson Rd. NE, Roanoke). For tickets and information, visit this link. ($)
• 7:30 p.m. (Doors open at 7) — Live music: Rick Price at The Spot on Kirk (22 Kirk Ave. SW, Roanoke). Find more information and purchase tickets at this link. ($)
• 9:30 p.m.  — Live music: Seedpicker at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). For more information visit this link. ($)
• 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. — Late Night Karaoke with DJ Marshall (AKA ParMar) at Los Amigos Bar & Grill (3424 Orange Ave. NE, Roanoke). Grab that mic and sing your heart out.

Friday, January 17

• 8 to 10 a.m. — 2025 Annual Meeting & Networking Breakfast presented by the Salem-Roanoke County Chamber at the Salem Civic Center (1001 Roanoke Blvd, Salem). Find more information and register at this link. ($)
• 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Live music: Father Sun at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). 
• 6 p.m. — Murder in the Vines at Sycamore Station (1900 Dutch Oven Rd., Salem). Play a character, solve clues, and interrogate all of the suspects. Everyone will get their character role at this adults-only murder mystery event, so be sure to arrive by 5:45. Visit this link for more information and to purchase tickets. ($)
• 6:30 p.m. — Live music: Adam Hill Trio at Big Lick Brewing Co. (409 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke). 
• 7:05 p.m. — Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs vs. Birmingham Bulls at the Berglund Center Coliseum (710 Williamson Rd. NE, Roanoke). For tickets and information, visit this link. ($)
• 7:30 p.m. (Doors open at 6:30) — Live music: Big Something at 5 Points Music Sanctuary (1217 Maple Ave. SW., Roanoke). Appearing on both Friday and Saturday nights. Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
• 7:30 to 9 p.m. — Live music: Doug Alan Wilco with Caroline Beat at the 3rd Street Coffee House (305 Mountain Ave. SW, Roanoke). Pay what you can. 
• 8 p.m. — Live music: Solacoustix at Pok-E-Joe's BBQ (105 E. Washington Ave., Vinton). 
• 8 p.m. — Live music: Michael Cleveland at the Jefferson Center’s Shaftman Performance Hall (541 Luck Ave., Roanoke). Visit this link for more information and to purchase tickets. ($)
• 9 p.m. to Midnight — Fiesta Friday at Inka Grill Peruvian Cuisine (14 Campbell Ave. SE, Roanoke). 
• 10 p.m. — Live music: James Tamelcoff at Sidewinders (16 Campbell Ave. SE, Roanoke).
• 10 p.m. — Live music: Wim Tapley & The Cannons at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). For more information visit this link. ($)

Saturday, January 18

• Noon to 10 p.m. — Live music: Seph Custer & Charissa Joy (1 to 4 p.m.), Isaac Hadden & Friends (5 to 8 p.m.), and The Aurora Observatory (8:30 to 9:30 p.m.) to celebrate Parkway Brewing Company’s Twelfth Anniversary (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). For more information visit this link. 
• 2 to 4 p.m. — A Salute to Southwest Virginia: 250th Anniversary of the Fincastle Resolutions at the O. Winston Link Museum (101 Shenandoah Ave., Roanoke). Featuring a flag presentation, keynote remarks, historical reenactment, and the debut of the VA250 mobile museum experience. Find more information at this link.
• 3 to 5 p.m. — Open Mic Comedy hosted by The R.E.A.L. Funny Comedy Show at Ursula’s Cafe (511 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke). 
• 6 p.m. — Back to the 80s Party at Starr Hill Pilot Brewery & Side Stage (6 Old Whitmore Ave., Roanoke). Dust off your leg warmers, tease your hair, and get ready to moonwalk.
• 7 p.m. — Live music: Alum Ridge Boys & Ashlee as part of the Homegrown Music Series at the Harvester Performance Center (450 Franklin St., Rocky Mount). Visit this link for more information and to purchase tickets. ($)
• 7:05 p.m. — Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs vs. Birmingham Bulls at the Berglund Center Coliseum (710 Williamson Rd. NE, Roanoke). For tickets and information, visit this link. ($)
• 7:30 p.m. (Doors open at 6:30) — Live music: Big Something at 5 Points Music Sanctuary (1217 Maple Ave. SW., Roanoke). Appearing on both Friday and Saturday nights. Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
• 8 p.m. (Doors open at 7) — Stand-up: The R.E.A.L. Funny Comedy Show at The Coffee Pot (2902 Brambleton Ave., Roanoke). Hosted by Arthur Stump and featuring performances by Toron Rodgers and L.A. Josh Preston. Open mic to follow. Purchase tickets at this link. 
• 8 p.m. (Doors open at 7:30) — Live music: Woody Woodworth & The Piners with Dimestore Cowboys and Marie-Claire Evans at The Spot on Kirk (22 Kirk Ave. SW, Roanoke). Find more information and purchase tickets at this link. ($)
• 10 p.m.  — Live music: Gasoline Alley at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). For more information visit this link. ($)
• 10 p.m. — Live music: James Tamelcoff at Sidewinders (16 Campbell Ave. SE, Roanoke).
• 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. — Vinyl & Vibes with the Star City Soul Club at Sidecar (411 1st St. SW, Roanoke). Find more information at this link.

Sunday, January 19

• 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Dog Bowl Market at Black Dog Salvage (902 13th St. SW, Roanoke). Featuring hand-made, upcycled, or vintage items. We will have your favorite vendors and some new ones, plus over 100 local artisans and vendors located inside The Marketplace at Black Dog Salvage. Find more information at this link.
• Noon — Jolene Jamboree featuring live music from the Catawba Cryptids at Golden Cactus Brewing (214 Fifth St., Roanoke). Pull out those blonde wigs, your braziers, and your coats of many colors for the third-annual Dolly birthday bash. This year, Golden Cactus is collecting K-12 books to donate to the West End Center for Youth. For more information, visit this link.
• Noon to 4 p.m. — Big Lick Bachata Brunch at the Roanoke City Market Building (32 Market Sq., Roanoke). Starts with a beginner-friendly lesson at noon. DJ Perico will be playing a mix of salsa, bachata, kizomba, zouk, and merengue from until 4pm. Come hungry and check out Sticks & Spoons’ special menu. Find more information at this link. ($)
• 1 to 4 p.m. — Live music: Brad Collier at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). ($)
• 1 to 4 p.m. — International Wine Festival at the Taubman Museum of Art (110 Salem Ave. SE, Roanoke). Sample more than 40 wines from around the world while you enjoy live music and expertly paired hors d’oeuvres and desserts. Purchase tickets at this link. ($)
• 5 to 8 p.m. — Live music: Minor Strings at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). ($)
• 8 p.m. — Live music: Umphrey’s McGhee at the Jefferson Center’s Shaftman Performance Hall (541 Luck Ave., Roanoke). Visit this link for more information and to purchase tickets. ($)

Monday, January 20 — Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

• 10 a.m. to noon — Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service Clean-up at Roanoke EnVision Center (2607 Salem Turnpike NW., Roanoke). Work together to make a difference in the Lansdowne neighborhood. Help organizers plan ahead for supplies by registering here.
• 6:30 p.m. — Live music: Irish Music Session at Big Lick Brewing Co. (409 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke). 

Tuesday, January 21

• 2 p.m. — Roanoke City Council meeting in city council chambers at the Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building (215 Church Ave. SW, Roanoke).
• 5 to 8 p.m. — Live music: Leonard Blush & the Camelcals at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). ($)
• 6 p.m. — Star City Poet’s Society Open Mic Night at Big Lick Brewing Co. (409 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke). Sign ups begin at 6 p.m.; the first poem will be shared at 6:30. Find more information at this link.
• 6 p.m. — PAW Patrol Live: A Mighty Adventure at the Berglund Performing Arts Theatre (710 Williamson Rd. NE, Roanoke). Performances on Tuesday and Wednesday. For tickets and information, visit this link. ($)
• 7 p.m. — Roanoke City Council meeting – public hearings in city council chambers at the Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building (215 Church Ave. SW, Roanoke).
• 9:30 p.m.  — Live music: Christian Q. & Co. at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). For more information visit this link. ($)

Wednesday, January 22

• 6 p.m. — PAW Patrol Live: A Mighty Adventure at the Berglund Performing Arts Theatre (710 Williamson Rd. NE, Roanoke). Performances on Tuesday and Wednesday. For tickets and information, visit this link. ($)
• 7 p.m. — Live music: Tim Martin and Brian Wheeling at Brambleton Deli (3655 Brambleton Ave., Roanoke).
• 9:30 p.m.  — Stray Lions & Limbers at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). For more information visit this link. ($)

Ongoing

• Through March 16 — Eternally New: The Art Nouveau World of Alphonse Mucha at the Taubman Museum of Art (110 Salem Ave. SE, Roanoke). An exhibition and immersive art experience featuring masterworks from one of the most celebrated and influential artists of the 20th century. The Taubman is the first museum outside of Europe to showcase the immersive from the Grand Palais Immersif in Paris. This is a ticketed exhibition. Guided tours are offered daily at 1 p.m.
• Saturdays through December 27 — Downtown Roanoke Food & Cultural Tour starting at 11:15 a.m. from Hotel Roanoke (110 Shenandoah Ave., Roanoke). A walking tour that connects Roanoke's local food scene with the city's colorful history. Visit six food-tasting locations within the historic and vibrant downtown historic district. Delicious samplings, enough for a hearty meal for most, are served from locally-owned eateries at iconic historic locations. Find more information and reserve your spot at this link. ($)