Happenings: The Only Roanoke Events Calendar You’ll Ever Need. Week of 5/15 to 5/22.

Norfolk Southern trains idle on the tracks near the Virginian Railway Passenger Station, as seen from the bridge on Jefferson Street this month. PHOTO BY HENRI GENDREAU. Have a "recognizably Roanoke" photo for Happenings? Email us at editor@roanokerambler.com for a chance to be featured in this space.

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’s 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.

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Want to know about regular weekly events, including bar trivia, bingo and yoga? Check out our new recurring Happenings calendar!

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 5/16 through Sunday 5/19 — “Radium Girls” presented by Showtimers Community Theatre (2067 McVitty Rd., Roanoke). In 1926, radium was a miracle cure, Madame Curie an international celebrity, and luminous watches the latest rage—until the girls who painted them began to fall ill with a mysterious disease. Inspired by a true story. Find more information at this link. ($)
Friday 5/17 through Saturday 5/18 — The Star City Rockabilly Festival at the Virginia Museum of Transportation (303 Norfolk Ave. SW, Roanoke). featuring two days of live music, food trucks, beer from Big Lick Brewery, moonshine cocktails from 5-Mile Distillery, craft vendors, photo booth, and kids corner. Friday night entertainment includes a car show; on Saturday, there will be a pin-up contest. See special section below for a live music schedule. Visit this link for more details. ($)
Saturday 5/18 through Sunday 5/19 — Live music: Bach & Vivaldi performed by Roanoque Baroque at First Evangelical Presbyterian Church (2101 Jefferson St., Roanoke). Features guest artists, period violins, flutes, harpsichord, recorders and soloists. Free or with $20 recommended donation. Saturday 7 p.m.; Sunday 3 p.m. Find more information at this link.

Wednesday, May 15

1 p.m. — Roanoke City Board of Zoning Appeals meeting in city council chambers at the Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building (215 Church Ave. SW, Roanoke).
4:30 p.m. — Networking: Beer & Biotech presented by the Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology Council at Big Lick Brewing Company (409 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke). The topic is: Innovating for Impact: A Biodesign Approach to Health Needs Identification with speakers Andrew Schroeder, Jenna Altaii and Leah Thomas. Visit this link for more information and to register.
5:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Live music: Leonard Blush & The Camelcals at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem).
6:30 p.m. — Queer Tango Lessons & Practice presented by Queer Dance Roanoke and Dance with Lane at Ursula’s Cafe (511 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke). Join in this spring to learn Argentine Tango, a gender-norm defying dance where anyone can lead or follow. No dance partner necessary. Find more information, including a schedule of lessons and practices at this link. ($)
6:30 and 8:45 p.m. — Live music: Candlelight — Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and More performed by Listeso String Quartet and presented by FEVER at The Grandin Theatre (1310 Grandin Rd. SW, Roanoke). Doors to the main theatre open 45 minutes before each showtime. Find more information and purchase tickets at this link. ($)
8 to 10 p.m. — Live music: Morgan Wade (solo acoustic) at the Harvester Performance Center (450 Franklin St., Rocky Mount). Visit this link for more information and to reserve your tickets.
8:30 p.m. — Live music: Big Whoop at Fork in the Market (32 Market Sq., Roanoke).
9:30 p.m. — Live music: Jacob Ritter of the Wilson Springs Hotel at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link.

Thursday, May 16

Noon to 1:20 p.m. — Harmony in Motion, Women’s Wellness: 2024 LeadHERship Series featuring Alicia Worthington at the Salem Museum (801 E. Main St., Salem). Find more information and register at this link. ($)
5 p.m. — Roanoke City Architectural Review Board Committee meeting in city council chambers at the Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building (215 Church Ave. SW, Roanoke).
5:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Live music: GOTE at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem).
6 to 7:30 p.m. — Community Night: Plant Cloning for the Thrifty Gardener presented by Carilion Clinic at Morningside Urban Farm (917 Morgan Ave. SE, Roanoke). Yoga and kids activities begin at 6 p.m., with the workshop to follow at 6:45. Community nights are free and open to all ages. Visit this link for more information and to RSVP.
POSTPONED: 6:30 p.m. — 2024 Roanoke Ride of Silence presented by PedalSafe ROA in collaboration with the City of Roanoke starting at Cardinal Bicycle’s Grandin Village location (1312 Winbourne St. SW, Roanoke). The Ride of Silence is an international event that honors cyclists who have been killed or injured while riding on public roads. Participants are encouraged to decorate their bikes with messaging supportive of cyclists and wear a black armband to show support for cyclists killed or injured on public roads. Find more information at this link.
7 p.m. (Doors open at 6) — Live music: Gangstagrass at the Grandin Theatre (1310 Grandin Rd. SW, Roanoke). Visit this link for more information and to purchase tickets. ($)
8 to 10 p.m. — Live music: Morgan Wade (solo acoustic) at the Harvester Performance Center (450 Franklin St., Rocky Mount). Visit this link for more information and to reserve your tickets.
8 to 11 p.m. — Live music: Karlee Raye – Live on the Rooftop at Corned Beef & Co., Inc. (107 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke).
9:30 p.m. — Live music: Widely Grown at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link.

Friday, May 17

5 to 9 p.m. — Live music: Brightside presented by First Fridays (Downtown Roanoke, Franklin Road between S. Jefferson St. and Williamson Rd.) This is a 21+ event. For more information, visit this link. ($)
5:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Live music: Kerosene Willy at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem).
8 to 10 p.m. — Live music: Sara Evans at the Harvester Performance Center (450 Franklin St., Rocky Mount). Visit this link for more information and to reserve your tickets.
9 p.m. — Live music: Sasha McVeigh at Sidewinders (16 Campbell Ave. SE, Roanoke). ($)
10 p.m. — Live music: Cinémathèque at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link. ($)

Saturday, May 18

9 a.m. — Yoga & Community Gardening presented by Sweet Rain Healing at Hurt Park Community Garden (1718 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke). Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Safe Community Expo presented by the Roanoke Sheriff's Office at the Berglund Center (710 Williamson Rd., Roanoke). There will be community vendors on site, a shred truck, car seat safety checks, craft vendors on the inside and a car, bike, motorcycle show outside.
11 a.m. to 5 p.m. — Local Colors Festival at Elmwood Park (706 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke). South Korea will be this year’s featured country. Thanks to the work of the Roanoke Valley Sister Cities and the relationship with their sister city, Wonju, South Korea, a delegation from Wonju will be participating in the Local Colors Festival including performance groups featuring contemporary and traditional Korean cultural dance. Find more information at this link. ($)
Noon — Household Waste Collection at Tinker Creek Transfer Station (1020 Hollins Rd. NE, Roanoke). Visit this link for more information and to register in advance.
1 to 3 p.m. — A Holistic Approach to Black Women’s Health presented by The Roanoke Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority at Sweet Union Baptist Church (521 Madison Ave., Roanoke). Find more information at this link.
1:30 to 2:30 p.m. — Sister Cities’ 60th Anniversary Celebration at the Taubman Museum of Art (110 Salem Ave. SE, Roanoke) with special guests from Wonju and featuring performances by K-Pop group LEAD and the Wonju Traditional Dance Team (WTDT).
1:30 to 4:30 p.m. — Live music: Tracee Perrin & Daniel McBroom at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem).
5 to 10 p.m. — 2nd Annual Tattoo Experience Fashion Show presented by La De Da at Century Plaza (12 Church Ave. SE) with an afterparty to follow at TXTUR (13 Church Ave. SE) in celebration of La De Da achieving 30 years in business. Find more information and purchase tickets at this link. ($)
5 to 9 p.m. — Live music: Mellencougar as part of the Daleville Summer Concert Series at Daleville Town Center (90 Town Center St., Daleville). Find more information at this link. ($)
6:30 to 9:30 p.m. — Live music: The Rarely Available at Big Lick Brewing Co. (409 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke).
7 to 10 p.m. — Live music: Sip and Swing at Olde Salem Brewing Company (315 Market St., Roanoke). East Coast swing lessons at 7 followed by a social. Find more information at this link.
7:30 p.m. (Doors open at 6:30) — Live music: Johnny Folsom 4 – Johnny Cash Tribute at The Spot on Kirk (22 Kirk Ave. SW, Roanoke). Visit this link for more information and to purchase tickets. ($)
8 to 10 p.m. — Live music: Sara Evans at the Harvester Performance Center (450 Franklin St., Rocky Mount). Visit this link for more information and to reserve your tickets.
8 to 11 p.m. — Live music: Dueling Pianos at Corned Beef & Co., Inc. (107 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke). This is a pre-sale event only. Call 540-342-6935 ext. 2 to purchase your tickets. Find more information at this link. ($)
10 p.m. — Live music: Charissa Joy Jam at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link. ($)
10 p.m. — Star City Secret Cinema: Edge at the Grandin Theatre (1310 Grandin Rd. SW, Roanoke). It's the mystery movie series you love, but darker and dirtier, grittier and grosser, scarier and sexier, weirder and wilder. Visit this link for more information and to purchase tickets. ($)
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, May 19

11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. — Roanoke Diversity Center 11th Year Gayla at Sixth and Sky (1 Market Sq., Roanoke). Featuring performances, dancing, and unforgettable memories. Wear your best brunch cocktail attire or rainbow it up. Drag performances by Amia Bellisima, Angelle Zhane, Jezzi Belle, Jasmeen Simmons, and Amazon Rome. Music by DJ T-Wiz, silent auction provided by local artists and businesses. Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
Noon to 4 p.m. — Big Lick Bachata Brunch: Rep Your Rhythm at the Roanoke City Market Building (101 Market St. SE, Roanoke). Cost is $5 at the door for dancers (cash or Venmo); free entry for those only ordering food downstairs. Kids aged 16 and under are welcome with free entry, but must be supervised at all times by an adult. Find more information at this link. ($)
1 to 1:30 p.m. — Calling the Powers ballet performance at the Taubman Museum of Art (110 Salem Ave. SE, Roanoke). Funded by the Roanoke Arts Commission, “Calling the Powers” is based on artist Larry Betchel’s statue of the same name located on the Roanoke Greenway. Prior to the performance, there will be a 10-minute artist talk with the choreographer and the sculptor. Free and welcoming to all, though registration is highly encouraged to reserve your seat. Find more information at this link.
1 to 4 p.m. — Live music: Mason Creek at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem).
2 p.m. — Hootenanny for Forever Homes to benefit Angels of Assisi (1001 Winchester Ave., Roanoke). Featuring live music from The Rarely Available Band, Charissa Joy & The High Frequency, War Chile, and The Thrillbillyz. Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
5 to 8 p.m. — Lights, Camera, Cocktails with Jackie Gentry at The River and Rail (2201 Crystal Spring Ave., Roanoke). This is a full hands-on experience where you will be making your own cocktails and learning what cocktails became all the rage when being in certain films that we all know and love. Class includes snacks, cocktails, and booklets to take home full of fun facts and recipes you can share with friends while making at home. Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
5 to 8 p.m. Live music: The Harwell Grice Band at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem).

Monday, May 20

12:30 p.m. — Greater Roanoke Transit Company Board of Directors meeting in EOC conference room 159 at the Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building (215 Church Ave. SW, Roanoke).
2 p.m. — Roanoke City Council meeting in city council chambers at the Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building (215 Church Ave. SW, Roanoke).
6:30 p.m. — Live music: Irish Music Session at Big Lick Brewing Co. (409 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke).
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).

Tuesday, May 21

7 p.m. (Doors open at 6) — Author event: Nelson Harris book launch, “The Roanoke Valley in the 1950s” at the Grandin Theatre (1310 Grandin Rd. SW, Roanoke). Visit this link for more information and to reserve your seat.
7:05 p.m. — Salem Red Sox vs. Fayetteville Woodpeckers at the Salem Memorial Ballpark (1004 Texas St., Salem). Visit this link for more information and to purchase tickets. ($)
8 to 10 p.m. — Open Mic Night at the Jefferson Center’s Music Lab (541 Luck Ave., Roanoke). These nights are all about celebrating local talent and creating a supportive community of music lovers. Take your instruments and prepare to share your talents. For more information, contact Brian Waites at bwaites@jeffcenter.org.
10 p.m. — Live music: Charissa Joy Jam at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link. Purchase tickets here.

Wednesday, May 22

5:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Live music: Mercy Creek at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem).
6:30 p.m. — Queer Tango Lessons & Practice presented by Queer Dance Roanoke and Dance with Lane at Ursula’s Cafe (511 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke). Join in this spring to learn Argentine Tango, a gender-norm defying dance where anyone can lead or follow. No dance partner necessary. Find more information, including a schedule of lessons and practices at this link. ($)
7:30 p.m. — Live music: Christian Mcbride & Inside Straight at the Jefferson Center’s Shaftman Performance Hall (541 Luck Ave., Roanoke). Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
9:30 p.m. — Live music: Late Night Stumblers at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link.

Ongoing

Through May 17 — Paulina Swietliczko exhibit at Blue Ridge PBS (1215 McNeil Dr. SW, Roanoke). As a painter, Swietliczko is interested in capturing her own experience of living a simple life and finding magic in the mundane. The exhibit is open on weekdays.
Through May 19 — “Radium Girls” presented by Showtimers Community Theatre (2067 McVitty Rd., Roanoke). In 1926, radium was a miracle cure, Madame Curie an international celebrity, and luminous watches the latest rage—until the girls who painted them began to fall ill with a mysterious disease. Inspired by a true story. Find more information at this link. ($)
Through May 24. — Reading into Art presented by Book No Further and Art on 1st at Art on 1st (300 1st St. SW, Roanoke). Artists from throughout Western Virginia have created art inspired by one of five books written by local authors. Visit this link for a list of this year’s celebrated artists and authors.
Through July 28 — All She Surveys exhibit at the Taubman Museum of Art (110 Salem Ave. SE, Roanoke). highlights 16 mid- to late-career women artists based in Roanoke or a contiguous county. This intimate group exhibition gives a taste of the work these artists have made and are creating. Find more information at this link.
Through August 25 — Rimer Cardillo exhibit at the Taubman Museum of Art (110 Salem Ave. SE, Roanoke). Through graphic work, sculptural objects, and large-scale installations, Cardillo presents viewers with his searching inquiry into relations across national borders and his rigorous investigation of continuities between historical epochs. Find more information at this link.

The Star City Rockabilly Festival
Virginia Museum of Transportation (303 Norfolk Ave. SW, Roanoke).

Friday 5/17
5 to 7 p.m. — Jesse Ray Carter Duo
7 to 9 p.m. — Skylar Saufley Music

Saturday 5/18
5 to 6 p.m. — Aaron and the Beaux Ties
6 to 7 p.m. — The Flea Bops
7 to 9 p.m. — Jared Petteys and the Headliners