Happenings: The Only Roanoke Events Calendar You’ll Ever Need. Week of 9/18 to 9/25.

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

• Friday, 9/20 through Sunday, 9/22 — Roanoke Greek Festival at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church (30 Huntington Blvd. NE, Roanoke). Features Greek cuisine, a marketplace, and entertainment. Find more information at this link.
• Friday, 9/20 through Saturday, 9/21 — Opening weekend: Terror Manor (805 Norfolk Ave. SW, Roanoke). The events at Terror Manor may be too intense for young children, we require all children under the age of 16 to have a parent onsite. Open weekends through November 2. Visit this link for more spooky details. ($)

Wednesday, September 18

• 10 to 11 a.m. — Cupcakes with City Employees: Laura Carini at the Main Library’s teen classroom (706 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke). Learn more about what our city employees do. Laura Carini, Senior Assistant City Attorney, represents the Engineering Department, the Purchasing Department, the Roanoke Valley Cable Television Committee and the Office of Economic Development. Laura also has responsibility for environmental issues and contract formulation and review. 
• 5 to 8 p.m. — Live music: John Morgan with Pat Pollifrone at Salem’s 17th Annual Star B-Q at the Salem Farmers Market (3 East Main St., Salem). Salem's very own country, BBQ concert. features barbecue restaurants from around the valley, some of country music's top talent, and Beer and wine for sale from P.A. Short. Children under 10 are free. Find more information at this link. ($) 
• 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Live music: Mercy Creek at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). 
• 6 to 8 p.m. — Ultimate Frisbee Pick-up League presented by PLAY Roanoke at River’s Edge Park (302 Wiley Dr., Roanoke). Informal, fun, ultimate frisbee pick-up league. Continues weekly on Wednesdays through November 6, some dates excluded. Visit this link for details and to sign up for this low-cost series. ($)
• 9:30 p.m. — Awen Family Band at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link. 

Thursday, September 19

• 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. — Art by Bus Celebration and Book Launch with Artist Ray Kass and Writer by Bus Lindsey Smith Hull at the Third Street Station (307 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke). Join RIDE Solutions, GRTC, and the City of Roanoke’s Arts Commission to discover this year’s selected artwork and meet the 2024 Writer by Bus. The limited edition chapbook “the mountains rumble” will be available; arrive early to have your copy signed. For more information, visit this link. 
• 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. — Opening Reception: Altered Art – Making Art Your Own at Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine (2 Riverside Cir., Roanoke). Local artists have joined with Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine students, faculty, and staff to present their visions of creativity with discarded art by altering existing pieces to tell new stories.The exhibition is up until Friday, Dec. 13. Visit this link for more information. 
• 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Live music: Father Sun at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). 
• 6 p.m. — Juggling Club presented by Jefferson Rose and the Star City Circus Society at Elmwood Park (706 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke). Pay-what-you-can to help maintain equipment and purchase new circus props. Props are provided, no experience necessary. All are welcome. Meets every Thursday.
• 6 to 7:30 p.m. — Community Night: All About Gourds 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.
• 6 to 9 p.m. — Kick the Keg at the Salem Memorial Ballpark (1004 Texas St., Salem). Help finish the kegs from the 2024 season.
• 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.
• 7 p.m. — Stand-up comedy: Jim Gaffigan at the Berglund Center Coliseum (710 Williamson Rd. NE, Roanoke). For tickets and information, visit this link. ($)
• 7 to 9 p.m. — Author event: Eboo Patel, “Building Bridges Across Difference” in the Green Drawing Room in the Main Building at Hollins University (7916 Williamson Rd., Roanoke). Dr. Eboo Patel, founder of the organization Interfaith America, will offer his insights about democracy, pluralism, and faith, and discuss our shared responsibility of building bridges across differences. 
• 7 to 9 p.m. — Line Dancing with Angela at Los Amigos Bar & Grill (3424 Orange Ave. NE, Roanoke). Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just looking to learn, Angela’s got the moves to get everyone out on the floor, so dust off your best western wear, round up your crew, and come on down for a boot-scootin’ good time. 
• 7:30 p.m. — Broadway in Roanoke: Shrek the Musical at the Berglund Performing Arts Theatre (710 Williamson Rd. NE, Roanoke). For tickets and information, visit this link. ($)
• 7:30 p.m. (Doors open at 7) — Live music: Liz Longley at The Spot on Kirk (22 Kirk Ave. SW, Roanoke). Find more information and purchase tickets at this link. ($)
• 7:30 p.m. (Doors open at 6:30) — Live music: Grass is Dead at 5 Points Music Sanctuary (1217 Maple Ave. SW., Roanoke). Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
• 8 p.m. — Live music: Karlee Raye at Corned Beef & Co., Inc. (107 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke).  
• 8 p.m. — Live music: The Machine performs Pink Floyd’s The Wall at the Harvester Performance Center (450 Franklin St., Rocky Mount). Visit this link for more information and to purchase tickets. ($)
• 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. — Karaoke Night at Fork in the Market (32 Market Sq., Roanoke).
• 9:30 p.m. — Live music: The Mallett Brothers Band 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, September 20

• 5 to 9 p.m. — Live Music: Martin & Kelly presented by the Daleville Summer Concert Series at the Daleville Town Center (90 Town Center St., Daleville). Find more information at this link. ($) 
• 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Live music: Tin Can Locomotive at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). 
• 6:15 p.m. — Tartan 5k: A Twilight Run presented by Radford University Carilion Student Affairs starting at Fallon Park (2106 Dale Ave. SE, Roanoke). Visit this link for more information and to register. ($)
• 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. — Live music: Katy G and the Drive at Big Lick Brewing Co. (409 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke). 
• 7:30 p.m. — “The Turn of the Screw” presented by Opera Roanoke at the Jefferson Center’s Shaftman Performance Hall (541 Luck Ave., Roanoke). In the world of Bly Manor, a young governess is hired to care for Miles and Flora, two orphaned children… as she embarks on a mission to protect the children from two sinister ghosts. There will be a special pre-performance talk in the main performance hall beginning at 6:30 p.m. for those who want to go a little deeper. Visit this link for more information and to purchase tickets. ($)
• 7:30 p.m. — Live music: Tristan Dougherty at the 3rd Street Coffee House (305 Mountain Ave. SW, Roanoke). 
• 7:30 p.m.  — Live music: TJ Ellis at Olde Salem Brewing Company (315 Market St., Roanoke). 
• 8 p.m. (Doors open at 7:30) — Live music: Pocket Vinyl, L.A. Dies, and TLVS at The Spot on Kirk (22 Kirk Ave. SW, Roanoke). Find more information and purchase tickets at this link. ($)
• 8 p.m. — Live music: Y2K92 Bash at Sidewinders (16 Campbell Ave. SE, Roanoke). Featuring music from the band Y2K and DJ Dakota will be there playing all your favorite hits from the 2000s.  Get dressed up in your favorite 2000's gear and get ready to throw down.
• 9 p.m. — Live music: In the Pocket at Fork in the Market (32 Market Sq., Roanoke).
• 10 p.m. — Live music: The Captain Midnight Band Night One, “Waterbed Rock & Roll” at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link. Purchase tickets here. ($)
• 10 p.m. — Live music: Jake Bradley at Sidewinders (16 Campbell Ave. SE, Roanoke).

Saturday, September 21

• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Prepareathon 2024 presented by City of Roanoke Stormwater Utility, Emergency Management, and other safety partners at the Berglund Center Coliseum (710 Williamson Rd. NE, Roanoke). This free, family-friendly event provides participants knowledge about risks of local hazards, opportunities to practice preparedness actions, the confidence to help everyone stay safe during a disaster, and access to FEMA preparedness resources. For tickets and information, visit this link. 
• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Grandparents Day at the Virginia Museum of Transportation (303 Norfolk Ave. SW, Roanoke) featuring live music from The Brothers Young (1 to 3 p.m.) Find more information at this link. ($)
• 11 a.m. — Author event: Kris Spisak at Book No Further (112 Market St. SE, Roanoke). Spisak will discuss “Becoming Baba Yaga: Trickster, Feminist, and Witch of the Woods,” a robust work examining the folklore and feminist complexity of “the wiley shapeshifter.” Find more information and reserve your copy of Spisak’s book at this link. 
• Noon — Oktoberfest at Olde Salem Brewing Company (21 E. Main St., Salem). 
• Noon — Henry Street Heritage Festival presented by the Harrison Museum of African American Culture at Elmwood Park (706 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke). Features live music, performances, spoken word artists, dancers, children’s activities, art, shopping, and food vendors. Visit this link for more information including a complete music schedule and to purchase tickets. ($)
• Noon to 9 p.m. — Live music: Creekfest 2024 at Twin Creeks Brewpub at Explore Park (1 Old Salem Turnpike, Roanoke). A day of live music featuring Tim Rowlett, Dirt Road Breakdown and Vinyl Nation. Find more information at this link.
• 1 p.m. — Author event: Lon Wagner at Book No Further (112 Market St. SE, Roanoke). Wagner will discuss his new book “The Fever: The Most Fatal Plague in American History,”  the never-before-told story of the most deadly epidemic in American history. Find more information and reserve your copy of Wagner’s book at this link. 
• 1 p.m. to close — Live music: 10 Under the Big Top at Big Lick Brewing Co. (409 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke) to celebrate Big Lick Brewing’s anniversary featuring live music from Mad Iguanas with Claudia Hoyser. Join in for a night of high-flying fun, with live music, circus performers, and of course, plenty of our finest brews. Dust off your top hat and bring your best clown wig because this is one party you won't want to miss.
• 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. — Live music: Jeremy Davall at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). 
• 3 to 10 p.m. — Rocky Mount Fest in downtown Rocky Mount (149 Franklin St., Rocky Mount). Join us as we fill our streets with the sounds of local and regional musicians, delicious food from our favorite vendors, and activities for the whole family. Find more information at this link. 
• 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Live music: Bring Out Yer Dead at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). 
• 8 p.m. — Live music: CD Release Party: JStop Latin Soul with Big Lick Latin Underground at the Jefferson Center’s Shaftman Performance Hall (541 Luck Ave., Roanoke). Big Lick Latin Underground will be leading a dance class during the first thirty minutes of the event, which is included with the ticket for this performance. Visit this link for more information and to purchase tickets. ($)
• 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. — Karaoke Night at Fork in the Market (32 Market Sq., Roanoke).
• 10 p.m.  — Live music: The Captain Midnight Band Night Two: “Waterbed Dead” at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link. Purchase tickets here. ($)
• 10 p.m.  — Star City Secret Cinema EDGE presented by Justin Smith at the Grandin Theatre (1310 Grandin Rd. SW, Roanoke). Darker and dirtier, grittier and grosser, scarier and sexier, weirder and wilder than the usual closely-held films. At SCSC Edge, it's always midnight. 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, September 22

• 11 a.m. — Yoga at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). ($)
• 1 p.m.  — Steelers vs. Chargers Watch Party at Olde Salem Brewing Company (315 Market St., Roanoke). 
• 1 to 4 p.m. — Live music: Adam Markham at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). 
• 3 to 4 p.m. — Fall for All! Social Bike Ride presented by Frēbike at Brown-Robertson Park (913 Shadeland Ave. NW, Roanoke). Under 14 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Find more information at this link.
• 3 to 5 p.m. — Guitars Under the Star Guitar Pull presented by 3rd Street Coffee House at Mill Mountain Star (Prospect Rd. SE, Roanoke). Gather together outdoors with acoustic instruments in hand and celebrate music on the grassy area opposite the lower observation deck at Mill Mountain (see picture above). Originals or covers are fine. We have a range of people from touring pro’s to people who’ve never set foot on a stage, but like to play and sing. Everyone is welcome. Find more information at this link.
• 4 p.m. — Live music: Meskos Electric Revue feat. Aaron Geller at Big Lick Brewing Co. (409 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke). 
• 4 p.m. — Fall Equinox Gathering presented by Roanoke Church of the Wild at Happy Hollow Gardens Park (6697 Mt. Chestnut Rd., Roanoke). This gathering is outside and will include contemplative practices, song, silent wandering, and fellowship. All are welcome. Wear what you need to be comfortable, have something to sit on, and bring a food or drink to share (optional) that reminds you of the bountiful harvest!  For more information and to RSVP, visit this link. 
• 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: Mason and the Pentecost at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). 
• 6:30 p.m. — Live music: Greensky Bluegrass at The Coves at Smith Mountain Lake (301 Ivy Ln., Union Hall). Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)

Monday, September 23

• 6:30 p.m. — Live music: Irish Music Session at Big Lick Brewing Co. (409 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke). 

Tuesday, September 24

• 6 to 7 p.m. — Rainy Day Reads Book Club at Sycamore Station (1900 Dutch Oven Rd., Roanoke). This first meeting, come to discuss any work of fiction. Find more information at this link.
• 6 to 9 p.m. — Vegas Meets Virginia Dinner Show starring Tyrone Fox at Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center (110 Shenandoah Ave., Roanoke). Delight in Fox’s masterful renditions of classics from music icons such as Nat King Cole, Curtis Mayfield, Ron Isley, Prince,Teddy Pendergrass, Isaac Hayes, Frank Sinatra, and more. Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
• 6:30 p.m. — Live music: Candlelight: A Tribute to Taylor Swift performed by the Liteso String Quartet presented by Fever at the Grandin Theatre (1310 Grandin Rd. SW, Roanoke). Purchase tickets at this link. ($)
• 7 p.m. — Lecture: “The Final Five Years of N&W Steam” with Ken Miller presented by the Historical Society of Western Virginia’s Kegley Lecture Series at Christ Lutheran Church (2011 Brandon Ave. SW, Roanoke). The Kegley Lecture Series resumes as author and historian Ken Miller discusses how Norfolk & Western went from 100 percent steam to 100 percent diesel in less than 5 years. For more information, visit this link. ($)
• 7:30 p.m. — (Doors open at 7) — Stand-up comedy: The R.E.A.L. Funny Comedy Festival at The Spot on Kirk (22 Kirk Ave. SW, Roanoke). Find more information and purchase tickets at this link. ($)
• 8:45 p.m. — Live music: Candlelight: A Tribute to Coldplay performed by the Liteso String Quartet presented by Fever at the Grandin Theatre (1310 Grandin Rd. SW, Roanoke). Purchase tickets at this link. ($)
• 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. — Karaoke Night at Fork in the Market (32 Market Sq., Roanoke).
• 9:30 p.m. — Live music: Sky Dolphin at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link. 

Wednesday, September 25

• 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Live music: Mercy Creek at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). 
• 6 p.m. — Silent Book Club at Big Lick Brewing Co. (409 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke). 
• 6 to 8 p.m. — Ultimate Frisbee Pick-up League presented by PLAY Roanoke at River’s Edge Park (302 Wiley Dr., Roanoke). Informal, fun, ultimate frisbee pick-up league. Continues weekly on Wednesdays through November 6, some dates excluded. Visit this link for details and to sign up for this low-cost series. ($)
• 7 p.m. — Live music: Palmyra at the Grandin Theatre (1310 Grandin Rd. SW, Roanoke). Purchase tickets at this link. ($)
• 7:30 p.m. — Opening night: “To Kill a Mockingbird” at Mill Mountain Theatre (1 Market Sq., Roanoke). Set in a tranquil Alabama town during the Great Depression, the story revolves around Scout and Jem, growing up with their widowed father, Atticus Finch. Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
• 9:30 p.m. — Ben Trout Band at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). For more information, visit this link. 

Fall Festivals and Halloween Horrors

• Now through November 2 — Terror Manor (805 Norfolk Ave. SW, Roanoke). The events at Terror Manor may be too intense for young children, we require all children under the age of 16 to have a parent onsite. Open weekends through November 2. Visit this link for more spooky details. ($)

Ongoing

• Through September 27 — “Shining a Light on the Christiansburg Institute” exhibit in the Gainsboro Library community room (15 Patton Ave. NW, Roanoke). This exhibit tells the story of Christiansburg Industrial Institute, a school for African American students that was established in 1866 and later supervised by Booker T. Washington. It witnessed the United States’ attempt at Reconstruction, the successful installation of Jim Crow, and school desegregation and the Civil Rights Movement. Explore its history through featured artifacts, such as artwork, photographs, newspapers, and more. Find more information at this link.
• Through October 6 —  “To Kill a Mockingbird” at Mill Mountain Theatre (1 Market Sq., Roanoke). Set in a tranquil Alabama town during the Great Depression, the story revolves around Scout and Jem, growing up with their widowed father, Atticus Finch. Find more information and purchase your tickets at this link. ($)
• Through December 8 — Johnny Floyd “Child Be Free” exhibit at Roanoke College’s Olin Hall Galleries, Upper Smoyer Gallery (240 High St., Salem). The exhibit explores our relationship with time and how we define ourselves within its bounds delving into questions of purpose and identity, often through the lens of recursion theory, where repetition leads to revelation. Includes experimentation with paper, sewing, and digital manipulation, to intertwine archival imagery with themes of ancestry and connection, drawing inspiration from The Center for Studying Structures of Race’s project on naming unnamed enslaved individuals who contributed to Roanoke College's history. Find more information at this link.
• Through December 8 — Sandy Williams IV “Freedom is Not a Metaphor” at Roanoke College’s Olin Hall Galleries, Olin Gallery (240 High St., Salem). The exhibition invites viewers to reconsider the construction and contestation of memory, intertwining family portraits with discussions on public space, while challenging conventional narratives and encouraging dialogue on agency and historical injustices. Williams prompts us to confront our shared consciousness and envision a more inclusive and just society built upon a deeper understanding of our history and identity. Find more information at this link.
• Through December 13 — Altered Art – Making Art Your Own at Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine (2 Riverside Cir., Roanoke). Local artists have joined with Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine students, faculty, and staff to present their visions of creativity with discarded art by altering existing pieces to tell new stories.The exhibition is up until Friday, Dec. 13. To arrange for a visit, contact Courtney Powell (cbrakes@vt.edu).
• 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. ($)