Happenings: The Only Roanoke Events Calendar You’ll Ever Need. Week of 7/31 to 8/7.

The Roanoke River as seen over the Walnut Avenue bridge in April 2023. Have a "recognizably Roanoke" photo for Happenings? Email us at editor@roanokerambler.com for a chance to be featured in this space. PHOTO BY HENRI GENDREAU

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.

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

  • Wednesday, 7/31 to Sunday, 8/4 — Mountain Valley Cluster Dog Show at the Salem Civic Center (1001 Roanoke Blvd, Salem). Find more information at this link. ($)
  • Thursday, 8/1 to Sunday, 8/4 — “9 to 5: The Musical'' presented by Showtimers Community Theatre (2067 McVitty Rd., Roanoke). Dolly Parton's musical brings together three female co-workers who concoct a scheme to overthrow their sexist male boss. When they take control of the office they realize there is nothing they can't do, even in the man's world of the late 1970s. Playing through August 18. Find more information and purchase tickets at this link.
  • Friday, 8/2 to Saturday, 8/3 — Botetourt County Fair at Buchanan Town Park (485 Lowe St., Buchanan). An opportunity for kids, young and young-at-heart, to learn more about the rich agricultural heritage of the region from local working farms, 4-H programs, as well as sample local fare, including Botetourt grown products. Find more information at this link.
  • Friday, 8/2 to Sunday, 8/4 — Shakespeare’s Garden presented by the Taubman Museum of Art and Virginia Tech’s Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology at the Taubman Museum of Art (110 Salem Ave. SE, Roanoke). Meander through five immersive scenes to experience Shakespeare’s works through imagery and soundscapes. Step into his texts to hear recordings of sonnets, soliloquies, and scenes reimagined and performed by Virginia Tech students. Find more information at this link.
  • Saturday, 8/3 to Sunday, 8/4 — Big Lick Comic Con at the Berglund Center Coliseum (710 Williamson Rd. NE, Roanoke). For tickets and information, visit this link. ($)

Wednesday, July 31 

  • 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Live music: Mercy Creek at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). 
  • 6 p.m. — Cake & Sip at Well Hung Vineyard (402 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke). Enjoy a bite to eat and your favorite wine or cocktail while learning how to decorate a personal 6-inch cake. Seating is limited. Find more information and hold your place at this link. ($)
  • 6 to 7 p.m. — Silent Book Club at Big Lick Brewing Co. (409 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke). No need to read the same book, feeling pressured by deadlines or other people’s opinions. Just come out, bring your latest pull from your TBR pile and settle in. For more information, visit this link.
  • 6:30 p.m. — Opening night: Disney’s “Finding Nemo Jr.” at Mill Mountain Theatre Trinkle Main Stage (1 Market Sq., Roanoke). When Nemo is captured and taken to Sydney, Marlin overcomes his fears, embarking on an epic ocean adventure. Visit this link for more information and to purchase tickets. ($)
  • 9:30 p.m. — Live music: Ben Trout Band at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link

Thursday, August 1

  • 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Live music: Holiday Band presented by Delta Dental’s Party in Elmwood at Elmwood Park Elmwood Park (706 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke). Find more information at this link. ($)
  • 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Live music: Bunco at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). 
  • 6 to 7:30 p.m. — Community Night: LOVE Rocks! Paint Night 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.
  • 9:30 p.m. — Live music: GOTE at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link

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Friday, August 2

  • 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Friday Float Day presented by Roanoke Mountain Adventures at Wasena Park (806 Wasena Ave. SW, Roanoke). Book your Friday Float Day shuttle – it is the cheapest day to float. The RMA van will meet you at Wasena Park and shuttle you up to Bridge Street to launch your rental tubes for about a 2 hour float back to your car at Wasena Park. Visit this link for more information. ($)
  • 5 p.m. — Live music: Soul Expressions presented by First Fridays at Five, Inc. (Downtown Roanoke, Franklin Road between S. Jefferson St. and Williamson Rd.). This week’s benefiting nonprofits include Family Promise, Healing Strides and Roanoke Valley SPCA. This is a 21+ event. For more information, visit this link. ($) 
  • 5 to 9 p.m. — Live music: The Worx presented by Salem After Five at the Salem Farmers Market (3 East Main St., Salem). Bring a chair and blanket while enjoying brews and local food. Under 12 admitted free. Find more information at this link. ($)
  • 5 to 9 p.m. — Late Nights for All – An Interactive Evening Celebrating the Arts and All Abilities at the Taubman Museum of Art (110 Salem Ave. SE, Roanoke). Artist John Bramblitt – whose work is collected in more than 120 countries, and who is also blind – will give a talk, as will children’s author and illustrator Cece Bell, who identifies as deaf/hard of hearing. Find more information and register in advance at this link
  • 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Live music: Mountain Walrus at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). 
  • 6 p.m. — Live music: Southern Shine at Starr Hill Pilot Brewery & Side Stage (6 Old Whitmore Ave., Roanoke).
  • 7 p.m. — 19th Annual Guns and Hoses Softball Game at Carilion Field, home of the Salem Red Sox (1004 Texas St., Salem). Your local firefighters take on your local police officers in this very competitive game to support the Ronald McDonald house. Visit this link for more information and to purchase tickets. ($)
  • 7 p.m. — Live music: Jess Klein at the 3rd Street Coffee House (305 Mountain Ave. SW, Roanoke). Find more information at this link.
  • 7 p.m. — Live music: America — Ride on Tour at the Berglund Center Performing Arts Theatre (710 Williamson Rd. NE, Roanoke). For tickets and information, visit this link. ($)
  • 8 p.m. (Doors open at 7:30) — Live music: Dogwood Tales, Rebecca Porter, and catherine the great at The Spot on Kirk (22 Kirk Ave. SW, Roanoke). Find more information and purchase tickets at this link. ($)
  • 9 p.m. — Live music: Vinny B at Sidewinders (16 Campbell Ave. SE, Roanoke). 
  • 10 p.m. — Live music: Anthony Rosano and the Conqueroos at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link. ($)

Saturday, August 3

  • 8 a.m. to noon — Junk in the Trunk rummage sale presented by Roanoke City Parks and Recreation at River’s Edge Sports Complex North (304 Reserve Ave. SW, Roanoke). The cost to rent a space for the event is $20, and vendors get to keep all their earnings. Free to browse and thrilling to shop! Visit this link for more information. 
  • 5 to 9 p.m. — Live Music: Big Daddy Ray presented by the Daleville Summer Concert Series at Daleville Town Center (90 Town Center St., Daleville). Find more information at this link. ($) 
  • 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Live music: The Thrillbillyz at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). 
  • 6 p.m. — Live music: Adam Markham and Bob Casey Duo at Starr Hill Pilot Brewery & Side Stage (6 Old Whitmore Ave., Roanoke).
  • 7 p.m. (Gates open at 5) — Hoot and Holler: Road Trip! at The Coves at Smith Mountain Lake (301 Ivy Ln., Union Hall). Eight stellar true tales coming at you… you’ll howl with laughter… what could possibly go wrong? Find more information, plan your road trip and book your tickets at this link. ($)
  • 8 p.m. — Live music: Atlanta Rhythm Section at the Harvester Performance Center (450 Franklin St., Rocky Mount). Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
  • 8:30 p.m. (Gates open at 7) — Live music: Shakedown Street Party: A Jerry Garcia Birthday Celebration featuring The Dead Reckoning, Lady Couch, and Sisters & Brothers on two stages at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link. Purchase tickets here. ($)
  • 9 p.m. — Live music: Vinny B 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.

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Sunday, August 4

  • 11 a.m. — Yoga at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). ($)
  • Noon to 4 p.m. — Roanoke Bridal Expo at the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center (110 Shenandoah Ave. NW, Roanoke). meet and speak directly with many quality wedding professionals - all in one location. Visit this link for more information. ($)  
  • 3 p.m. — Live music: Eric Wayne Band at Olde Salem Brewing Company (315 Market St., Roanoke). 
  • 4 p.m. — Live music: Michael and the Pentecost with Allan Dale Sizemore at Big Lick Brewing Co. (409 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke).  
  • 5 to 7 p.m. — Dirt Church with Trek Roanoke at Carvins Cove – Bennett Springs (4300 Carvins Cove Road Salem). A fun-filled day of mountain biking at the cove; all levels welcome. Two rides will take place — one of around 15 miles and another of around 10. Pace will be for all riders and skill levels. Find more information at this link.
  • 5 to 8 p.m. — Live music: The Floorboards at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). 

Monday, August 5

  • 9 a.m. — Joint meeting between Roanoke City Council and the Roanoke City Planning Commission – informal meeting in city council chambers 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).
  • 2:30 to 5 p.m. — Monday Music Jam at the Charles R. Hill Community Center (820 E. Washington Ave., Vinton). Open to musicians and spectators. Find more information at this link.
  • 5 to 7 p.m. — Join members of the Vision Zero Roanoke project team, PedalSafe ROA, and community bike, pedestrian, and greenway leaders at Big Lick Brewing Company (409 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke). Learn about and discuss the Vision Zero Safety Action Plan for the City of Roanoke. Full event details and the RSVP link can be found here.
  • 6:30 p.m. — Needs-a-New-Name Book Club discussing Amanda Cockrell’s “Coyote Weather” at Book No Further (112 Market St. SE, Roanoke). Free admission, but please purchase your book from Book No Further to defray staffing costs. Read ahead for 9/9: “Promise” by Minrose Gwin. New book-club-members should RSVP. Find more information here.
  • 6:30 p.m. — Live music: Irish Music Session at Big Lick Brewing Co. (409 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke). 
  • 7 p.m. (Doors open at 6) — Star City Secret Cinema presented by Justin Smith at Grandin Theatre (1310 Grandin Rd. SW, Roanoke). What's the film? You won't know until you take your seat and the lights go down. Visit this link for more information and to purchase tickets. ($)

Tuesday, August 6

  • 5 to 8 p.m. — Live music: Sideshow Runaways at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). 
  • 5:30 to 7 p.m. — Living with Grief Meetup: Soul Collage presented by Carilion Clinic at Ursula’s Cafe (511 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke). Find more information and hold your place at this link
  • 7:05 p.m. — Salem Red Sox vs. the Delmarva Shorebirds at Salem Memorial Ballpark (1004 Texas St., Salem). Visit this link for more information and to purchase tickets. ($)
  • 9:30 p.m. — Live music: Christian Q & The Funky Truth at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link

Wednesday, August 7

  • 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Live music: Kerosene Willy at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). 
  • 7:05 p.m. — Salem Red Sox vs. the Delmarva Shorebirds at Salem Memorial Ballpark (1004 Texas St., Salem). Visit this link for more information and to purchase tickets. ($)
  • 9:30 p.m. — Live music: Ben Trout Band at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link

Ongoing

  • Through August 18 — “9 to 5: The Musical'' presented by Showtimers Community Theatre (2067 McVitty Rd., Roanoke). Dolly Parton's musical brings together three female co-workers who concoct a scheme to overthrow their sexist male boss. When they take control of the office they realize there is nothing they can't do, even in the man's world of the late 1970s. Find more information and purchase tickets 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
  • Through August 30 — Sons of the Village: The Art of Fatherhood curated by Fletcher Nichols at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine (2 Riverside Circle, Roanoke).  “I believe fatherhood extends beyond our blood relatives and into the fabric of the community,” Nichols said. “We are all connected to a village.” Nichols’ vision for celebrating meaningful, mentoring relationships between men – those who came before them and those who will come after them – comes to life in a series of photographs. In addition to Nichols’ photography, the show includes sketches, metal works, and multimedia by other local artists. The show will be open until August 30. If you would like to visit the exhibit, contact Courtney Powell at cbrakes@vt.edu to make arrangements. Find more information at this link.
  • Through August 31 — Disney’s “Finding Nemo Jr.” at Mill Mountain Theatre Trinkle Main Stage (1 Market Sq., Roanoke). When Nemo is captured and taken to Sydney, Marlin overcomes his fears, embarking on an epic ocean adventure. Visit this link for more information and to purchase tickets. ($)
  • Through mid-September — When Salem Sizzles: Tales of Summers Past at the Salem Museum (801 E. Main St., Salem). Visitors will enjoy a fun look back in time to see how we kept our cool in the days before air conditioning, and the fun we had once the weather turned warm. The Lake Spring resort and Lakeside Amusement Park offered cool spots to take a dip. There were graduations, June weddings, Fourth of July parades, scout camps, and lots and lots and lots of sports. And, oh – we had such trouble with the iceman. Find more information at this link.
  • Saturdays through December 28 — Downtown Roanoke Food & Cultural Tour starting at 11:15 a.m. from Hotel Roanoke (110 Shenandoah Ave., Roanoke). A walking tour that connects Roanoke's local food scene with the city's colorful history. Visit six food-tasting locations within the historic and vibrant downtown historic district. Delicious samplings, enough for a hearty meal for most, are served from locally-owned eateries at iconic historic locations. Find more information and reserve your spot at this link. ($)