We scoured 30 disparate community calendars (yes, 30) so you didn’t have to. From live music to theatre, lectures to drag shows, we’ve got you covered. We encourage folks to contact the venue directly to learn of any last minute changes or cancellations.

Do you want to sponsor a Happenings calendar? Reach out to us at jeff@roanokerambler.com. Have fun!

This Week

• Now Open — Strong Men & Women in Virginia History Exhibit at the Gainsboro Branch Library (15 Patton Ave. NW, Roanoke). Through this exhibition, the Library of Virginia and Dominion Energy honor distinguished Virginians, past and present, who demonstrate how African Americans have actively campaigned through education and advocacy for better lives for themselves and all Americans. This year's exhibit includes one of Roanoke’s own: Librarian Virginia Y. Lee. Open daily through March 24.
• Thursday, 2/20 through Saturday, 2/22 — “A Monster Calls” presented by Theatre Roanoke College at Olin Theater (240 Maxey Way, Salem). From the novel by Patrick Ness. ($)
• Friday, 2/21 through Saturday, 2/22 — “In Gardens & Palaces with the Sons of JS Bach & GF Handel” presented by the Roanoque Baroque Orchestra + Eye Planetarium at the Science Museum of Western Virginia (1 Market Sq., Roanoke). Features spectacular planetarium dome visuals, and light fare. ($)
• Sunday, 2/23 through Sunday, 3/2 — Vinton’s Restaurant Week. Enjoy exclusive menus, special deals, and mouthwatering dishes from some of Vinton’s best kitchens.

Wednesday, February 19

• 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. —  Networking: Beer & Biotech — Pioneering a Future for Alpha-Gal Syndrome presented by the Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology Council at Big Lick Brewing Co. (409 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke). 
• 5 to 7 p.m. — Lecture: “Lead Authentically: Crafting Tables, Seats, and Your Legacy” with Shamaill Ross at Hollins University’s Moody Center, Ballator Gallery (7916 Williamson Rd., Roanoke). Networking and beverages begins at 5:00pm, and the presentation starts at 5:30pm. 
• 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Live music: Jared Stout Trio at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). 
• 6:30 p.m. — Live music: Candlelight — The Best of Hans Zimmer presented by Fever at the Grandin Theatre (1310 Grandin Rd. SW, Roanoke). ($)
• 7 p.m. — Live music: Tim Martin & Brian Wheeling at Brambleton Deli (3655 Brambleton Ave., Roanoke).
• 7 to 8 p.m. — Lecture: “The Battle of Point Pleasant and Lord Dunmore’s War” with Dave Robbins as part of the Revolutionary Roundtable Series at the O. Winston Link Museum (101 Shenandoah Ave., Roanoke). This single, decisive battle of Lord Dunmore's War has been argued as the first battle of the Revolution and shaped how some Native Americans sided during the Revolution. 
• 8:30 p.m. — Live music: Candlelight — Romantic Classics presented by Fever at the Grandin Theatre (1310 Grandin Rd. SW, Roanoke). ($)
• 9:30 p.m.  — Live music: Bunco at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). 

Thursday,  February 20

• 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 to 6:30 p.m. — Lecture: “How Big Med Drives Rising Healthcare Costs” with Vivian Ho, Ph.D as part of the Mary Strauss Distinguished Public Lecture Series at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC (2 Riverside Circle, Roanoke). The public is welcome to attend the lecture, which begins at 5:30 p.m. and is preceded by a 5 p.m. reception.
• 5:30 to 7 p.m. — Lecture: “The Selfie: From Stone Age to Digital Age” with B. Scott Crawford presented by the Blacksburg Museum and Cultural Foundation at the Alexander Black House & Cultural Center (204 Draper Rd. SW, Blacksburg.) This is the first lecture in Crawford’s series, Artistic Footprints Through Time: The Preservation and Remembrance of Self. 
• 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Live music: Leonard Blush and the Camelcals at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). 
• 6 p.m. — “Uncovering & Honoring Hollins Community History: A Community-Centered Approach” with researcher and Hollins University alumna Brittany Flowers at the Gainsboro Branch Library (15 Patton Ave. NW, Roanoke). This research initiative is dedicated to preserving and honoring the history of families from the Hollins Community—a community whose ancestors were enslaved by Hollins University’s founder and those closely associated with the institution. 
• 6 p.m. ( Doors open at 5:30 p.m.) — BUZZ Live! Talk Show Filming at The Spot on Kirk (22 Kirk Ave. SW, Roanoke). BUZZ4Good is launching its brand-new talk show, a “Tonight Show” for non-profits, to be filmed in front of a live studio audience on Thursday nights in February. 
• 7:05 p.m. — Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs vs. Knoxville Ice Bears at the Berglund Center Coliseum (710 Williamson Rd. NE, Roanoke). ($)
• 9:30 p.m. — Live music: Nice Couch at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). 

Friday, February 21 

• 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Live music: Mad Iguanas at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). 
• 6:30 p.m. — Ice Bumper Cars at the Berglund Center Coliseum (710 Williamson Rd. NE, Roanoke). ($)
• 7:30 p.m. — Karaoke at Sidewinders (16 Campbell Ave. SE, Roanoke).
• 7:30 p.m. — Retro Game Night featuring Mario Kart at Olde Salem Brewing Company (315 Market St., Roanoke). 
• 7:30 to 9 p.m. — Live music: Kinnfolk with Cyanwoode at the 3rd Street Coffee House (305 Mountain Ave. SW, Roanoke). Pay what you can. 
• 8 p.m. (Doors open 6:30) — Live music: The Dirty Grass Players + The Plate Scrapers at 5 Points Music Sanctuary (1217 Maple Ave. SW., Roanoke). ($)
• 8 p.m. (Doors open at 7:30) — Live music: Water Culture, feedtherightwolf, Alchemy, Regen Tate at The Spot on Kirk (22 Kirk Ave. SW, Roanoke). ($)
• 8 p.m. — We Downstairs! presented by Roanoke Bass Society special EDM event featuring 5 DJs at The Park Dance Club (615 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke). ($)
• 9:30 p.m. — Live music: The Mallet Brothers + Jared Stout Band at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). Purchase advance tickets here. ($)

Saturday, February 22

• 10 to 11 a.m. — Happy HeARTS Community sessions (Ages 10 and older) at the Taubman Museum of Art (110 Salem Ave. SE, Roanoke). These sessions are designed with specific adaptations for those who identify as: Blind or have low vision, Deaf or hard of hearing, Neurodiverse (Autism Spectrum, Sensory Processing, Learning Disabilities), Living with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. 
• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Author event: Comic book creator Stephanie Williams at B&D Comic Shop (2937 Brambleton Ave., Roanoke). Her impressive portfolio of title includes  'Nubia and the Amazons,' 'Nubia: Queen of the Amazon,' 'Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur: Wreck and Roll',, and the highly anticipated graphic novel adaptation of Maggie Stiefvater's 'The Raven Boys' (August 5th, 2025). 
• 11 a.m. & 2 p.m. — Beginning Gardening: Lesson & Question Session at Greenbrier Nurseries (5881 Starkey Rd., Roanoke). Our knowledgeable staff will cover topics such as soil preparation, plant selection, watering techniques, and more. Feel free to bring any questions you have about gardening - we're here to help. ($)
• 6 to 9 p.m. — Murder on the High Seas presented by Jump Into Mystery at Twisted Track Brewpub (523 Shenandoah Ave., Roanoke). Wear your best pirate costume, take on a unique character created just for you, and see if you can figure out whodunnit. Purchase your tickets in advance. ($) 
• 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. — Live music: Charissa Joy at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). 
• 2:30 p.m. — Ice Bumper Cars at the Berglund Center Coliseum (710 Williamson Rd. NE, Roanoke). ($)
• 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Live music: Seedpicker at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). 
• 7 p.m. — Public Ice Skate at the Berglund Center Coliseum (710 Williamson Rd. NE, Roanoke). ($)
• 7 p.m. — Student Black Box performance presented by the Roanoke Ballet Theatre (1318 Grandin Rd., Roanoke). Each program is a sampling of different genres of dance, and features the professional company members, apprentices, and trainees of RBT. ($)
• 7 & 9 p.m. — Stand-up: Native Comedy Jam with Jim Ruel, Marc Yaffee, and Ernest Tsosie at the Moss Arts Center at Virginia Tech (190 Alumni Mall, Blacksburg). ($)
• 7:30 p.m. — Live music: Jason Hostetter at Olde Salem Brewing Company (315 Market St., Roanoke). 
• 7:30 p.m. — Improv: Big Lick Conspiracy at Ursula’s Cafe (511 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke). Hilarious, improvisational comedy based entirely on audience suggestions along with sketch comedy. Fast-paced, smart and outrageously funny; we want you to think of us when someone asks "what's there to do in Roanoke?" Pay what you can. ($)
• 8 p.m. (Doors open at 7:30) — Live music: Unholy Matrimony: Booze-free Metal Night at The Spot on Kirk (22 Kirk Ave. SW, Roanoke). All Ages. ($)
• 8:30 p.m. (Doors open at 8) — Love, Lust, and Luxury presented by The House of Boleyn Drag Show at Inka Grill Peruvian Cuisine (14 Campbell Ave. SE, Roanoke). ($)
• 8 p.m. — Live music: Corey Smith at the Harvester Performance Center (450 Franklin St., Rocky Mount). ($)
• 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. — Live music:  White in Winter — Trap Dickey Live at Tajzmah’s Lounge (434 Church Ave., Roanoke). ($)
• 10 p.m.  — Live music: Eric Wayne Band at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). Purchase advance tickets here. ($)

Sunday, February 23

• Noon. — Ice Bumper Cars at the Berglund Center Coliseum (710 Williamson Rd. NE, Roanoke). ($)
• 1 p.m. — Live music: Ben Trout at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem).
• 1 to 4 p.m. — Library Grand Reopening and Drag Storytime at Roanoke Diversity Center (425 Campbell Ave. SW., Roanoke). After months of hard work and dedication, we are ready to show off our newly renovated space. Whether you're a book lover, a community supporter, or just looking for a fun afternoon, this event is for you.
• 2 to 3:30 p.m. — Truth & Lies: 7th Annual Roanoke College International Film Series co-presented by Hollins University at the Taubman Museum of Art (110 Salem Ave. SE, Roanoke). 
• 5 p.m. — Live music: Eric Wayne Band at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem).  

Monday, February 24

• 6:30 p.m. — Live music: Irish Music Session at Big Lick Brewing Co. (409 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke). 
• 6 p.m. — “The Last Black Man in San Francisco” as part of Black History Month at the Grandin Theatre (1310 Grandin Rd. SW, Roanoke). ($)

Tuesday, February 25

• 7 p.m. (Doors open at 6) — “School Daze” as part of Black History Month at the Grandin Theatre (1310 Grandin Rd. SW, Roanoke). 
• 7 p.m. — Live music: Matvey Lapin & Katya Lapin of Duo Amabile presented by the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra in celebration of the 150th Anniversary of Fritz Kreisler at Heights Community Church (2014 Memorial Ave., Roanoke). ($)
• 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. (Doors open at 7) — Stand-up: The R.E.A.L. Funny Comedy Show hosted by L.A. Preston at The Spot on Kirk (22 Kirk Ave. SW, Roanoke). Please RSVP if you plan to attend. If you would like to inquire about the open mic, please contact the host.
• 9:30 p.m.  — Live music: Sky Dolphin at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). 

Wednesday, February 26

• 8 p.m. (Doors open at 7:30) — Live music: Abe Partridge at The Spot on Kirk (22 Kirk Ave. SW, Roanoke). ($)
• 9:30 p.m.  — Live music: Ben Trout Band at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). 

Looking ahead

• Noon, Thursday, February 27 — Civility Rules: A Bipartisan Discussion with Virginia’s Top Legislators presented by Cardinal News at the Jefferson Center’s Fitzpatrick Hall (541 Luck Ave., Roanoke). Hear from top Republican and Democratic House and Senate leaders as they discuss the issues on which they found consensus and those in which they remain far apart. They’ll also leave time to answer your questions. ($)
• Thursday, February 27 through Sunday, March 9 — “Almost, Maine” presented by Showtimers Community Theatre (2067 McVitty Rd., Roanoke). As the northern lights hover in the star-filled sky above, residents of Almost, Maine find themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected and often hilarious ways. ($)
• 8 p.m., Saturday, March 15 — Romeo & Juliet Drag Show at 5 Points Music Sanctuary (1217 Maple Ave. SW., Roanoke). This is Shakespeare like you've never seen it before! An all-drag-artist cast, featuring some of Southwest Virginia's favorite queens and kings, brings you the classic tale of Romeo and Juliet in a brand new, gender-bending experience. Follow the story of the star-crossed lovers through upbeat lip syncs, Shakespearean shade, and dazzling dance numbers all the way to their tragic death(drop)s. ($)

Ongoing

• Through February 28 —  “Love in Many Colors” at Art on 1st (300 1st St. SW, Roanoke). This exhibition seeks to celebrate the diverse expressions of love — romantic, platonic, familial, self-love, and beyond—through the lens of color, culture, and individuality. Find more information at this link.
• Through March 16 — 2025 Juried Biennial Exhibition at Olin and Smoyer Galleries (240 High St., Salem). This exhibition exemplifies works of art from artists within 200 mile radius of Roanoke College. Fine Arts media including but not limited to painting, sculpture, graphic design, ceramics, textiles, mixed media, video and photography are accepted for submission. Find more information at this link.
• 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.
• Through March 30 — Charisse Pearlina Weston: "I saw the room but darkly dreamed it..." art exhibition at Moss Arts Center at Virginia Tech (190 Alumni Mall, Blacksburg). Weston's exhibition features new glass, lead, and concrete sculptures and works on canvas that challenge fixed narratives and systems of control. The core of this disruption lies in the manipulation of Mirropane, a reflective and transparent glass often used for monitoring. This material transformation symbolically subverts the mechanisms of surveillance, questioning who holds power in the act of observing and being observed. Visit this link for more information. 
• Through March 30 — Shauté Gates: “This is Not a Test” art exhibition at Moss Arts Center at Virginia Tech (190 Alumni Mall, Blacksburg). Extracting from multiple time-based media that include current events, history, and cinema, perhaps paradoxically, labyrinths or worlds are constructed to be deconstructed into what Gates describes as, “moments that feel to be on the brink of an unconscious truth.” Visit this link for more information. 
• 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. ($)
• Every Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — VA Works Assistance presented by the Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement in Meeting Rooms B and C at the Roanoke City Main Library (706 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke). Do you need help with your job search? Looking for temporary income support or transition and training services? Visit the workforce experts at their satellite desks at the Main Library in downtown Roanoke.