Shenandoah National Park marks 100th birthday of the National Park Service
Shenandoah National Park extends an invitation to join us in celebrating the 100th birthday of the National Park Service this week.
As a birthday gift to everyone, the entrance fee to Shenandoah and all other national parks is waived from August 25 through August 28.
The National Park Service was born on August 25, 1916 when President Woodrow Wilson signed the legislation that created the National Park Service. Today, there are 412 national parks throughout the country and each one tells an important part of the American story. Some commemorate notable people and achievements, others conserve magnificent landscapes and natural wonders, and all provide a place to have fun and learn. Shenandoah National Park has many special activities planned during this special week to celebrate our milestone 100th birthday. All activities are free.
Thursday, August 25, 2016
8:30 p.m., Big Meadows Amphitheater (mile 51 Skyline Drive)
“An Interview with Stephen Mather” features Shenandoah National Park Superintendent Jim Northup portraying Stephen Mather, the first director of the National Park Service, near the end of his stellar career in 1929. In this living history interpretive program, Park Ranger Michael Punches will portray a newspaper reporter asking questions about the many challenging issues regarding the formation and development of the National Park Service.
Friday, August 26, 2016
9:00 a.m., Loft Mountain Amphitheater (mile 79.5 Skyline Drive)
Coffee with the Superintendent – Join Superintendent Jim Northup for an informal gathering to chat about Shenandoah National Park.
10:00 a.m., Upper Hawksbill Parking Area (mile 46.7 Skyline Drive)
Centennial Hike: Hike to the Highest Peak – Explore a high-elevation forest on the way to the summit of Shenandoah’s tallest mountain, Hawksbill. 2 hours, moderate 2.1-mile hike
Saturday, August 27, 2016
11:00 a.m., Byrd Visitor Center (mile 51 Skyline Drive)
“Time Travel with Bubba Jones & Family” – Time travel to meet President Franklin D. Roosevelt and the Civilian Conservation Corps boys. Come prepared for a short stroll with Jeff Alt, outdoor recreation expert and award- winning author.
4:00 p.m., Big Meadows Lodge (mile 51 Skyline Drive)
“Walk for Sunshine: Appalachian Trail” – Jeff Alt will present his acclaimed Walk for Sunshine Appalachian Trail program.
4:00 p.m., Big Meadows Amphitheater (mile 51 Skyline Drive)
Centennial Hike: Highest Point at Big Meadows – Take a short walk along the Appalachian Trail to the spectacular view from the Blackrock viewpoint. 1 hour, easy
Sunday, August 28, 2016
10:00 a.m., Pocosin Trailhead (mile 59.5 Skyline Drive)
Centennial Hike: Hike Through History – Travel back in time to learn about some of the Park’s human history and visit the ruins of an Episcopal mission. 2 hours, moderate 1.9-mile hike
Superintendent Jim Northup said “Please join us as we celebrate one of America’s best ideas – our National Park System”.
For more information about these events and other park programs, visit the Shenandoah National Park website at nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/index.htm.
First full season at Wayne Theatre kicks off
The opening of an art exhibit, the debut of LIVE @ the WAYNE and a concert with the Chairmen of the Board highlight the Kickoff Weekend of the first full season at the Historic Wayne Theatre/Ross Performing Arts Center.
“This is the big opening weekend for the Wayne Theatre that we’ve been working toward for the past 15 years,” said Tracy Straight, the executive director of the Wayne Theatre, which re-opened in March after a lengthy, multimillion-dollar renovation.
The Kickoff Weekend begins on Thursday, Sept. 8, with the opening of an art exhibit celebrating the cultural legacy of the Wayne Theatre in the 21st century. The exhibit features the work of an array of well-regarded Virginia photographers, including Kevin Blackburn, Deb Booth, Conrad Matiuk, Mark Miller, and Alison Thomas. The art opening and reception will begin at 5 p.m.Admission is free.
On Friday, Sept. 9, at 7:30 p.m., the Wayne Theatre marks the debut of a new monthly variety show, LIVE @ the WAYNE, on Friday, Sept. 9. The debut of LIVE @ the WAYNE will feature Americana music artist Bryan Elijah Smith, who will join host Tracy Straight and house band The Boogie Kings at the 7:30 p.m. show. Admission to LIVE @ the WAYNE is $15.
The Kickoff Weekend finale is Saturday, Sept. 10, at 8 p.m., with Chairmen of the Board, one of soul music’s most consistent hit makers. Tickets for the Chairmen of the Board show are $20/$25.
Other highlights of the 2016 full season include …
- September 22: Johnny Peers and the Muttville Comix
- September 23: Big Bill Morganfield
- October 2: Jill Haley
- October 14: Scott Miller Country
- October 15: Wilson Fairchild
- October 21: Acrobats of Cirque-Tacular and Spooktacular
- October 28: Who’s Bad – The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience
- October 29: Standup Comedy with Brett Leake and Tony Deyo
- November 1: Holiday Decorating Secrets with Celebrity Designer Sam Harris
- November 10-20: The Secret Garden Musical
- November 26: Scott Linton Bluegrass
- December 10: Wilson Fairchild Christmas Show
The Wayne Theatre/Ross Performing Arts Center is located at 521 West Main Street in downtown Waynesboro.
For more information, call (540) 943-9999 or visit waynetheatre.org.
United Nations of Comedy Tour returns to Paramount Theater
The United Nations of Comedy Tour returns to The Paramount Theater on Saturday, November 12.
This tour features national comedians as seen on NBC’s Last Comic Standing, Showtime, HBO, Ellen, Comedy Central, Comic View, TV shows, commercials, movies and other national programs. The United Nations of Comedy has become one of the area’s most highly anticipated comedy shows to visit the Paramount. From audience members bumping their head on the seat in front of them to tears streaming down their face, these things happen from uncontrollable laughter.
The Tour was founded with the premise of promoting diversity through laughter. The tour’s creator places focus on choosing the perfect blend of national comics by selecting an eclectic mix of comic styles. This year’s line up includes an hysterical array of national comedians: Emma Willmann, Funnyman Skiba, Antoine Scott, Alex Carabaño and Jason Andors. It does not get much funnier than that. Buckle your seatbelt and prepare for the ride of a lifetime but you may want to use the restroom first.
Back by popular demand, this will be Funnyman Skiba’s 11th visit to Charlottesville and his sixth visit to the Paramount Theater. He has been named the funniest comic alive and is extremely difficult for comedians to follow. Emma has made the list of being one of the Top 10 comics in New York. She has her own show on Sirius Radio and has appeared on a variety of national television programs. Being the only lesbian comic on the line up, she fits in perfectly to shake it up. She’s been featured on AfterEllen, Comedy Central and others.
Jason Andors is legendary for his real life comedy making fun of himself as a young jewish guy who used to break dance and later, appeared on Showtime at the Apollo, BET Comic View four times, showing how real comedic talent can make anyone laugh. He also appeared on HBO, Showtime, Comedy Central and many other outlets. Representing the latino community, Alex Cabaño has been labeled as one of NY funniest comedians and appeared on CBS, Telemundo, BRIC Tv, etc. Antoine Scott has the ability to win over any crowd. He has appeared on TVOne and Showtime at the Apollo.
Doors to the Theater open at 6:45pm for VIP ticket holders and 7pm for general. General Admission tickets are $38.25; VIP tickets are $48.25, which include a Meet and Greet Reception with catered food, drinks & a live performance by the Robert Jospé Express, premium seating in the center orchestra section.
Tickets may be purchased at The Paramount Theater, located on the Downtown Mall at 215 East Main Street, Charlottesville, VA, online at www.UnitedNationsofComedy.com, www.TheParamount.net or may be purchased by phone at 434.979.1333. For event sponsorship opportunities call 434.825.0650.
The Paramount Theater was chosen as the host venue for its elegant appeal, historical wealth and its extremely convenient location on the the downtown pedestrian mall. This event is sponsored by Cville Weekly, Melody Robbins Photography, The Hyatt Place, Yellow Cab, and the Charlottesville Albemarle Convention and Visitors Bureau.
World premiere of Shakespeare’s Sister at Blackfriars Playhouse
The untold story of Judith Shakespeare, a young woman challenged to reconcile her dreams with the social constructs of Elizabethan London, will come to life at the Blackfriars Playhouse.
Relishing its fresh commitment to produce new work using Shakespeare’s staging conditions, the American Shakespeare Center has chosen the new play Shakespeare’s Sister by Emma Whipday to be a part of the upcoming, revamped Actors’ Renaissance Season. The playwright, Emma Whipday of King’s College London, will be joining the ASC actors and director Jim Warren in the rehearsal room.
Judith Shakespeare has one ambition: to be a playwright, just like her famous brother Will. When her debt-ridden father forces her into an engagement, she runs away with the help of dashing actor Ned Alleyn, hoping to join her brother in London. But when Judith arrives in the plague-stricken capital, she finds her brother gone, Ned engaged to another, and her play refused. Judith befriends the women in a local brothel, and together, they decide to stage her play in secret. But Elizabethan London is a dangerous place to perform an unlicensed play.Shakespeare’s Sister is full of ideas and events as relevant to Shakespeare’s London as they are to today’s Virginia: the challenges of making a living, religious extremism, and the conflict between social expectations and individual dreams. “On top of all that drama, this play is darn funny,” says Warren.
The Actors’ Renaissance Season has been a unique theatrical venture in which the ASC dives deeper into Shakespeare’s staging conditions (leaving the lights on, utilizing a troupe of about a dozen actors, incorporating music before and during the show) by also re-creating some of Shakespeare’s rehearsal conditions: the troupe of actors direct themselves with very few group rehearsals, no outside directors, no formal costume designers, and often with just their cue scripts in hand, like scholars believe Shakespeare’s troupe worked. This year the ASC is shaking things up by mounting two Shakespeare plays and one Restoration play in their typical “Ren Season” style while also adding the new play directed by ASC co-founder and Artistic Director Jim Warren and the first professional revival in centuries of The Fair Maid of the Exchange by Shakespeare’s contemporary Thomas Heywood.
“We’ve been doing a Ren Season since 2005,” explains Warren, “and we’ve continued to experiment with the best ways to combine Shakespeare’s rehearsal conditions with many modern conventions like running a show for three months, which Shakespeare didn’t do. Presenting new plays written for Shakespeare’s staging conditions has been a goal of mine since we built the Blackfriars in 2001. So this year we’re taking the Ren Season experiment to new levels by bringing in a new play to explore with its playwright. Even though we’ve been playing in our Ren Season creative laboratory for over ten years, we’re still searching for new ways to shake things up and delight our audiences.”
Playwright Emma Whipday’s academic interest in Shakespeare’s staging conditions has primed her to fit in perfectly at the American Shakespeare Center. She is a teaching fellow at King’s College London and has published academic research on contemporary performance of early modern drama, staging closet drama, and early modern popular culture, as well as directing two productions of early modern plays as part of her research. Whipday borrows the character Judith Shakespeare from Virginia Woolf’s A Room of One’s Own, but re-imagines her story to reveal the “familial, societal, economic, and political pressures that shaped her world. We know that some women did perform in Shakespeare’s England,” Whipday says, “but the details of their performances are, for the most part, lost. Shakespeare’s Sister brings to life the early modern theatrical world that fostered Shakespeare’s talent – and in doing so, it imagines the stories of some of the women lost to history.”
Act fast, because you’ve only got 10 chances to catch this exciting and whimsical new play. You can guarantee your seat for Shakespeare’s Sister by calling 1.877.Much.Ado (540.682.4236), by logging online to AmericanShakespeareCenter.com, or by visiting the Blackfriars Playhouse Box Office on 10 South Market Street in Staunton. Ticket prices start at $26. Residents of Staunton, Waynesboro or Augusta County can take advantage of $18 local rush tickets on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Student, Senior, Military and AAA discounts also are available.
National Park Service announces Shenandoah Valley history programs
Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park and its partners will offer a series of special National Park Service ranger programs and other events this August to highlight various stories related to the history of the Shenandoah Valley.
“These programs will give visitors a chance to explore important events of the Valley,” said Eric Campbell, the park’s chief of interpretation. “We will cover a numerous subjects and offer a wide variety of events, including a Star Gazing Party, special programs for Civil War Weekend, programs on critical moments of the Battle of Cedar Creek and a celebration of the National Park Service’s 100thBirthday.”
These special presentations include both the popular “History at Sunset” programs and also the new “Battlefield Series” programs. All of these programs are free and last between 90 minutes to two hours.
* August 19-21 Civil War Weekend A series of special events and programs at historic and Civil War related sites in Frederick, Shenandoah and Clarke counties, including Winchester. Activities typically include special tours, children’s activities, book signings, living history demonstrations, and more. For more information and a complete schedule of events see: www.visitwinchesterva.org or www.shenandoahatwar.org or call: (877) 871-1326.
* August 19 —History at Sunset: “Attention – Company!” Civil War Soldier for an Evening (7:00) Have you ever attended a Civil War “living history” event or re-enactment and wondered about all those strange movements, battle formations and commands? Or the details of the various steps in loading and firing a rifled-musket? Join Ranger Jeff Driscoll for a hands-on interactive experience on the basics of Civil War drill. For adults and kids alike! Meet at Belle Grove Plantation Manor House (336 Belle Grove Road, Middletown, VA).
* August 20—“I will guarantee that my line will stand” Ramseur’s Attack Against Hayes and Kitching(9:00 am)
Join Ranger Jeff Driscoll as he explores the attack of Maj. Gen. Stephen D. Ramseur’s Division on the Union line held by Col. (and future President) Rutherford B. Hayes and Col. J. Howard Kitching’s troops. Meet at the National Park Service Visitor Contact Station (7712 Main Street, Middletown, VA).
* August 20—National Regiment Living History Encampment and Firing Demonstrations (10:00–5:00) Members of the National Regiment will set up an encampment and discuss the life of the common Civil War soldier. Firing demonstrations at 11:30 am, 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm. Meet at the 8th Vermont Monument. Parking is located at the Claytor Farm parking area (2262 Claven Lane, Middletown, VA). The location will be marked by NPS signage.
* August 25—National Park Service Centennial Celebration (9:00–4:30). Stop by the Visitor Contact Station (7712 Main Street, Middletown, VA) to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service with cake and light refreshments. Free.
* August 27—Belle Grove Wine Festival (11:00 – 6:00) An annual favorite at Belle Grove that will feature tastings of regional vineyards, music, chef demonstrations, vendors, and more. Fee. For more information call(540) 869-2028.
* August 27—Battlefield Series: “Don’t run until the Vermonters do!” The Vermont Brigade at Cedar Creek (2:00)One of the most well-known units to fight at Cedar Creek was the Vermont Brigade, which saw action both during the critical morning defensive stand on Cemetery Hill, and also during the Union counterattack in the afternoon. Join Park Ranger Jeff Driscoll as he explains the role of these soldiers from the Green Mountain State. Meet at the Visitor Contact Station (7712 Main Street, Middletown). Visitors will then car caravan to various locations on the battlefield.
For details and updates, call (540) 869-3051 or see: www.nps.gov/cebe.
National Park Soundscapes focus of Oct. 2 concert in Waynesboro
Composer Jill Haley and guitarist David Cullen will perform songs from the CD National Park Soundscapes at the Historic Wayne Theatre/Ross Performing Arts Center on Sunday, Oct. 2, at 3 p.m.
Admission is pay what you will.
National Park Soundscapes was inspired by a trip to Glacier National Park in Montana, which produced the first song on the CD, “Glacier Soundscapes.”
She wrote several more pieces while spending a month at Badlands National Park in South Dakota, then hit on the idea that became the CD.
Parks represented in National Park Soundscapes also include Acadia, Bryce Canyon, Cuyahoga Valley, Everglades, Grand Canyon, Mesa Verde, Shenandoah, Yosemite, Valley Forge and Zion.
The Oct. 2 concert at the Wayne Theatre will include selections that feature Shenandoah National Park, Mesa Verde National Park and Badlands National Park.
The Wayne Theatre/Ross Performing Arts Center is located at 521 West Main Street in downtown Waynesboro.
For more information, call (540) 943-9999 or go online at WayneTheatre.org.
Busy Kickoff Weekend at Wayne Theatre
The opening of an art exhibit, the debut of LIVE @ the WAYNE and a concert with the Chairmen of the Board highlight the Kickoff Weekend at the Historic Wayne Theatre/Ross Performing Arts Center in September.
“This is the big opening weekend for the Wayne Theatre that we’ve been working toward for the past 15 years,” said Tracy Straight, the executive director of the Wayne Theatre, which re-opened in March after a lengthy, multimillion-dollar renovation.
The Kickoff Weekend begins on Thursday, Sept. 8, with the opening of an art exhibit celebrating the cultural legacy of the Wayne Theatre in the 21st century. The exhibit features the work of an array of well-regarded Virginia photographers, including Kevin Blackburn, Deb Booth, Mark Miller, Conrad Matiuk and Alison Thomas.
The Sept. 8 art opening will begin at 5 p.m. Admission is free.
On Friday, Sept. 9, at 7:30 p.m., the Wayne Theatre marks the debut of a new monthly variety show, LIVE @ the WAYNE, on Friday, Sept. 9.
The debut of LIVE @ the WAYNE will feature Americana music artist Bryan Elijah Smith, who will join host Tracy Straight and house band The Boogie Kings at the 7:30 p.m. show.
Admission to LIVE @ the WAYNE is $15.
The Kickoff Weekend finale is Saturday, Sept. 10, at 8 p.m., with Chairmen of the Board, one of soul music’s most consistent hit makers.
Tickets for the Chairmen of the Board show are $20/$25.
The Wayne Theatre/Ross Performing Arts Center is located at 521 West Main Street in downtown Waynesboro.
For more information, call (540) 943-9999 or go online at WayneTheatre.org.
Lime Kiln Theater presents Furnace Mountain in concert
Lime Kiln Theater’s Summer 2016 concert series continues on Saturday, Aug. 13, as Furnace Mountain will perform with opener Jordan Tice and Horse County. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the show starts at 7:30.
Advance tickets are $15 and are on sale now at www.limekilntheater.org. Tickets will be $20 at the door, with cash, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover all accepted.
Lime Kiln Theater’s summer concert series is sponsored by Devils Backbone Brewing Company and Charles W. Barger & Son Construction. Devils Backbone beer, Kind Roots Café food and Rockbridge Vineyard wine are available for purchase at all shows. The Furnace Mountain show is presented by CornerStone Bank.
Though often overshadowed by Southwest Virginia and its famed Crooked Road, the Shenandoah Valley and Virginia’s northwestern counties have always been fertile ground for traditional music, and they continue to be home to many of its finest practitioners. Named for a mountain near where all of its members grew up, Furnace Mountain consists of some of the most innovative and gifted young musicians in Virginia. With Aimee Curl on bass and vocals, Danny Knicely on mandolin and fiddle, Dave Van Deventer on fiddle, and Morgan Morrison on guitar, bouzouki, and vocals, the band creates music that is at times lively and raucous, with spirited fiddle melodies weaving in and around the powerful rhythms of the bass and bouzouki, and other times poignant and poetic, with sublime vocal harmonies beautifully interpreting some of the oldest songs ever written.
Jordan Tice is an accomplished guitarist and prolific composer of instrumental acoustic music and songs. He is well-versed in bluegrass flat-picking, blues and ragtime finger-picking, classical composition, and jazz-inspired improvisation, and his original music reflects these diverse interests in a cohesive and musical way. He has released three records of original music to rave reviews and performed or recorded with The Dave Rawlings Machine, Tony Trischka, Mark Schatz and friends, Steve Martin, and the Duhks.
Lime Kiln Arts, Inc. is a non-profit (501c3), operating at Lime Kiln Theater in Lexington. It opened in 1984 and is rooted in and inspired by the magic of a natural, outdoor theater. After a brief hiatus that started in 2012, Lime Kiln Theater is thrilled to present its third straight summer season of live music and theater featuring local, regional and national acts.
For more information, visit Lime Kiln on the web at www.limekilntheater.org, or check out the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/LimeKilnTheater.
Visiting Harrisonburg for a JMU game? Stay At By the Side of the Road Inn & Cottages
Football season, volleyball season, soccer season – no matter the season that brings you to Harrisonburg, the best place to stay is By the Side of the Road Inn & Cottages.
Less than three miles away from James Madison University, our rooms are the perfect place to relax after the excitement of a Dukes game. Reserve one of our suites or cottages, and you’ll enjoy spacious accommodations, privacy, and great amenities. Queen-size beds, whirlpool tubs, fireplaces, WiFi, and more – a stay with us is a guaranteed win!
Download our free Shenandoah Valley vacation guide, and then contact us by calling (540) 801-0430 to book your stay with us today.
JMU Sports and What You Need to Know
A member of the CAA (Colonial Academic Alliance) conference, James Madison University offers exciting NCAA Division I competition across multiple sports. Tennis, football, field hockey, or volleyball: regardless of the sport, the JMU Dukes bring a high level of competition to the field, court, or track. Men’s programs include baseball, basketball, football, golf, soccer, and tennis. Women’s sports include basketball, cross country, field hockey, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, and volleyball.
Dukes Domination
2016 has already brought a considerable amount of success to JMU sports. The women’s basketball team finished the 2015-16 season in first place in the CAA conference, and the softball team took first place in the CAA as well, finishing with an impressive 50-6 record overall. 2016 marked the second year in a row that the JMU softball team was crowned the National Club Softball Association National Champion!
In 2015, the Dukes football team finished second in the CAA, reaching the first round of the FCS playoffs. With the 2016 season quickly approaching, the Dukes plan to replicate and improve on 2015’s success. Former Dukes football stars have found success beyond the gridiron in Harrisonburg, too. Gary Clark, a wide receiver legend for the NFL’s Washington Redskins, played for the Dukes in the 1980s. Clark would later go on to win two Super Bowls with Washington.Arthur Moats, current linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers, was drafted out of JMU in 2010. According to the JMU sports website, there are five former Dukes on current NFL rosters!
On the pitch, James Madison alum C.J. Sapong represents the Dukes as a member of the Philadelphia Union, an MLS club. According to jmusports.com, Sapong has scored six goals and two assists so far this season, ranking third in scoring for the Union.
However, not every JMU sports success story spent time in a jersey. Lindsay Czarniak, the popular ESPN Sportscenter anchor, graduated from JMU in 2000.
JMU also features a roster of highly successful club sports teams. Since 1999, JMU club sports programs have been building an impressive resume of success. This includes multiple NIRSA Open National Championships for the both the men’s and women’s soccer teams, as well as national championships in field hockey, rugby lacrosse, and more. A full list of club sports championships can be found on the JMU website.
JMU Sports 2016
With a national championship already in the books, 2016 is gearing up to be another exciting season for the Dukes. Here are a few home games that you won’t want to miss:
Football: JMU vs. Rhode Island (Homecoming game). Oct. 29, 2016.
Women’s Basketball: JMU vs. Tennessee. Nov. 11, 2016.
Men’s Soccer: JMU vs. Lehigh (Season opener). Aug. 26, 2016.
Volleyball: JMU vs. North Carolina Central, Georgia State, Holy Cross, and Washington (JMU Invitational). Aug. 26-27, 2016.
For all things JMU sports, including rosters, schedules, standings, and tickets for all the school’s teams, visit the Dukes online.
Shenandoah National Park celebrates National Park Service history
Stephen T. Mather was a successful businessman, brilliant promoter, and a visionary who became the first director of the National Park Service (NPS) in 1916, setting the standard for all who followed.
To honor Director Mather and celebrate the NPS Centennial, a special one-hour, costumed, living history interpretive program will be presented twice this season. “An Interview with Stephen Mather” features Shenandoah National Park Superintendent Jim Northup portraying Stephen Mather in 1929, near the end of his stellar career.
Interpretive Park Ranger Michael Punches will portray a newspaper reporter asking questions about the many challenging issues regarding the formation and development of the National Park Service.
The events are set for 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 10th at the Skyland Amphitheater and at 8:30 p.m. on Founders Day, August 25th at the Big Meadows Amphitheater for this entertaining glimpse into the creation, development, and early history of the National Park Service.