happenings

Art By Night Gallery Walk

Showcases diverse art at 13 galleries in downtown Roanoke featuring exhibition openings, demonstrations, refreshments and live music. Self-guided walking tour and complimentary limousine shuttle. Free. 5 to 8 p.m. today. Start at any of the participating downtown Roanoke galleries: Studios on the Square (126 W. Campbell Ave., 345-4076), Gallery 108 (108 Market St., 982-4278), Gala Studio (139 W. Campbell Ave., 816-9097), The Market Gallery (23 E. Salem Ave., 342-1177), Art Museum of Western Virginia (One Market Square, 342-5760), Cheshire Gallery (118 W. Campbell Ave., 400-8037), Roanoke Valley Printworks (108 E. Salem Ave., 343-0296), Harrison Museum of African American Culture (523 Harrison Ave., 345-4818), Pamela Jean Gallery (115 E. Salem Ave., 904-7797), McGraw Fine Art (21 Franklin Road, 312-6436), Roanoke Main Library (706 S. Jefferson St., 853-1057), Wilson Hughes Studios and Gallery (117 W. Campbell Ave., 529-8455) and Signature 9 Gallery (301 S. Jefferson St., 342-0703). 342-2028.

Artful Writing Group

Learn techniques that use art in the museum's collection to enhance and inspire writing. 7 p.m. Tuesday. Art Museum of Western Virginia, 1 Market Square, Roanoke. 342-5762, artmuseumroanoke.org, tgray@artmuseumroanoke.org.

"Art Off the Wall"

Show and sale featuring fine crafts by area artisans in media including clay, fabric, jewelry and more. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Jacksonville Center for the Arts, 220 Parkway Lane, Floyd. 745-2784, jacksonvillecenter.org.

Art on the Rocks

An interactive art experience with refreshments and entertainment. $10. 8 to 11 p.m. Friday. Art Museum of Western Virginia, 1 Market Square, Roanoke. 224-1223, artmuseumroanoke.org.

That Film and Coffee Thing at the Art Museum

A chance to check out The Art Museum of Western Virginia's latest exhibit while mingling with other art lovers and enjoying the atmosphere and coffee before the film, which begins at 6 p.m. 5:30 p.m. Friday. Art Museum of Western Virginia, 1 Market Square, Roanoke. 224-1232, artmuseumroanoke.org.

Tour of "Senior Show: Class of 2008"

Tour by graduation senior art majors. 2 p.m. Sunday. Maier Museum of Art, Randolph College, 2500 Rivermont Ave., Lynchburg. (434) 947-8136.

exhibits

Art Gallery at Mish Mish

Opening Friday: An exhibition of artwork by the employees at Mish Mish. Opening reception Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. Also on display: A juried exhibition of artwork by Montgomery County High School students. Through May 30. Hours: 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. 8 a.m. to midnight Monday through Thursday. 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday. 125 North Main St., Blacksburg. 552-1020, mishmish.com.

"Art with a Twist"

New: Featuring the work of more than 50 local artists. Through May 10. Opening reception Friday at 6:30 p.m. with cocktails and light hors d'oeuvres. Logan Gallery, North Cross School, 4254 Colonial Ave., Roanoke. 989-6641, ext. 259; northcross.org.

Bedford Academy for the Arts

Opening today: "Through Their Eyes: Students Do Art" featuring works by the students of Montvale Elementary School. Through May 31. Also on display: Cheryl Smith's showing of "From the Basement-- Painting the Life I Feel," a collection of oil paintings. Through May 31. Hours: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday. 305 North Bridge St., Bedford. 586-4235.

Earthworks

Featuring handcrafted works of Roanoke area potters. 5 to 8 p.m. today, 3 to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday: Grand opening celebration. 1902 Main St. S.W., Roanoke. 985-8698.

Eleanor D. Wilson Museum

Opening Tuesday: "Senior Exhibition" featuring the work of members of the class of 2008 majoring in studio art and film and photography. Through May 18. Also on display: "Women Only! In Their Studios," an assemblage of works by women artists who have become successful but are not yet famous. Through June 28. Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday. Hollins University, Roanoke. 362-6532.

Emerging Artists Series

Opening today: A photography show by Cricket Powell. Opening reception tonight from 6 to 8 p.m. with country blues musician Jason Ring and food provided by Tong's Thai Restaurant. Free. Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays. Roanoke Main Library, 706 S. Jefferson St. Roanoke. 853-1057.

Gallery 108

Opening today: "New Beginings" by featured artist-in-residence Terry Lyons. With artists-in-the-window Margaret DuBois and Myrtle Hooker. Through May 31. Opening reception tonight from 6 to 8 p.m. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Roanoke City Market. 982-4278, gallery108.biz.

Harrison Museum of African American Culture

Opening Saturday: "Cannaday's V.I.A.L Sports Hall of Fame" created by Harold Cannaday Jr. and recognizing individuals who played in the Virginia Interscholastic Athletic League. Through Dec. 31. Opening reception Saturday at 1 p.m. Hours: 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. 1 to 7 p.m. Thursday. 523 Harrison Ave., Roanoke. 345-4818, harrisonmuseum.com.

Holtzman Alumni Center

Opening Monday: A photography exhibit by Pat and Nancy Artis. Through August. Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. West Campus Drive, Virginia Tech. 231-6285, alumni.vt.edu.

Pamela Jean Gallery

Closing Friday: "Antiquitas," a mostly graphite, ink, gouche and watercolor exhibit by Joe Rowell. Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. 115 Salem Ave. S.E., Roanoke. 904-7797, pamelajeangallery.com.

Radford University Art Museum

Closing Saturday in the Bondurant Center for the Arts: Spring Graphic Design Show exhibiting the best works of students in graphic design classes. Closing Saturday in the RUAM Downtown, Flossie Martin Gallery and Powell Hall room 200: Spring BFA Show exhibiting the best works of students in the bachelor of fine arts program. Also on display: "Tesfaye Tessema: Affirmation of the Self" as part of the African Cultures Festival. In Gallery 205 through May 16. Hours: Radford University Art Museum Downtown: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. Bondurant Center, 1129 East Main St., Radford. Flossie Martin Gallery: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Powell 200, Radford University. Gallery 205: 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Powell 205, Radford University. 831-5754, radford.edu.

Rescue Mission Permanent Art Collection

Opening Sunday: The Permanent Collection Show. Through June 6. Reception honoring the finalists and winners of the Third Annual Permanent Art Collection Competition with curator Ted Batt of Lynchburg's Academy of Fine Arts presenting the winners with a "Mission Angel" in recognition of their accomplishment 2 p.m. Sunday. 402 Fourth St. S.E., Roanoke. 777-7687, rescuemission.net.

Roanoke College Art Galleries

Closing Saturday: Roanoke College fine arts majors exhibit all media in a pre-graduation show. Closing reception Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon. 1 to 4 p.m. Olin and Smoyer Galleries, Roanoke College. 375-2282, roanoke.edu.

Sage Moon Gallery

Opening Friday: "Meditation of Land and Sea" by May Featured Artist of the Month, Kathy Buist. Through May. Meet the artist reception Friday from 5:30 to 8. Gallery hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday and Monday. 420 E. Main St., Charlottesville. (434) 977-9997, sagemoongallery.com.

Virginia Museum of Transportation

Opening today: "From Mud to Mobility: 100 years of the Virginia Department of Transportation," and exhibit featuring automobiles from every decade since the 1900s. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. 303 Norfolk Ave., Roanoke. 342-5670, vmt.org.

WVTF Art Gallery

Opening today: "They Came From Inner Space," a photography exhibit by Roanoker Jim Stroup. Through May. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. 3520 Kingsbury Lane, Roanoke. 989-8900, wvtf.org.

classical music

"Music... A Sound Foundation for Life"

The Thursday morning Music Club presents a concert in celebration of the National Federation Music Club's National Music Week. Performers include the Simplicity Singers, the Hall Trio, Pantasia and others. 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday. Tanglewood Mall. 563-4782.

Music at the Maier

Featuring Robert Jospe and Inner Rhythm in conjunction with the art exhibition "Senior Show: Class of 2008." 8 p.m. Friday Maier Museum of Art, Randolph College, 2500 Rivermont Ave., Lynchburg. (434) 947-8136.

Thursday Morning Music Club

The Thursday Morning Music Club Chorus celebrating National Music Week and NFMC Founders Day. Non-members welcome to attend the free concert of sacred and secular music. Followed by a $12 luncheon. 10:30 a.m. first Thursdays. Thrasher United Methodist Church, Vinton. 563-4782.

Valley Chamber Orchestra Spring Concert

Selections include "America the Beautiful," "Lohengrin Introduction to Act III," "Victory at Sea" and others. Free. 3 p.m. Sunday. Hollins University duPont Chapel. hollins.edu.

theater

"Almost Home"

A farce about a grandmother who forces her spoiled granddaughters to live like Southern Belles for two weeks before they inherit her Civil War mansion. By local playwright Karon Sue Semones. $10, general; $6, seniors and students. Showing weekends through May 18. 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays. Star City Playhouse, 2914 Williamson Road, Roanoke. 366-0060, starcityplayhouse.org.

"Beauty and the Beast"

The Disney animated film brought to the stage. 6 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays through June 15. Matinees available. Wohlfahrt Haus Dinner Theatre, 170 Malin Drive, Wytheville. wohlfahrthaus.com.

"Keep on the Sunny Side"

A play honoring the region's musical heritage with songs including "Will the Circle be Unbroken"

and "Keep on the Sunny Side." $20, general; $10, students. Through May 24. Barter Theatre, 160 Cummings St., Abingdon. (276) 628-3991, bartertheatre.com.

"Much Ado About Nothing"

A new adaptation of the Shakespeare classic set in the not-so-distant future with characters based on present day political figures. $23.50 to $29, general; $13.50, children under 12. Through May 24. Barter Stage II, historic downtown Abingdon. (276) 619-3343, bartertheatre.com.

No Shame Theatre

The first 15 pieces submitted will be performed. Come see and possibly be a part of this show presenting theater, music, poetry, dance and more. Scripts taken at 10 p.m. $5. 11 p.m. Fridays. Mill Mountain Theatre. 342-5740, noshame.org.

"Waiting on Dolley"

An evening of conversation with Thomas Jefferson featuring First Lady Dolley Payne Madison following a wine reception. $25, general advance; $12, youth advance; $28, general at the door; $14, youth at the door. Reservations recommended. 7 p.m. Saturday, May 3. Poplar Forest, Charlottesville. (434) 534-8108, poplarforest.org.

"You're A Good Man Charlie Brown"

New River Stage presents a play for the whole family. With music sung by your favorite characters in the "Peanuts" comic strip. $15, advance general; $12, advance children, students and seniors; $15 at the door. 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Fieldstone United Methodist Church, 3385 N. Franklin St., Christiansburg. 585-4295, newriverstage.org.

"You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown" Auditions

Ages 15 to 30. Come prepared to sing, accompanist provided. Dress comfortably. 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday. Piedmont Arts Association, 215 Starling Ave., Martinsville. (276) 632-3221.