tonight

Party in the Park

Downtown Roanoke's Thursday night dance party, with The Embers. 5 p.m. Elmwood Park, Roanoke. Tickets: $6. 342-2640, pitp.org.

friday

Cork and Curtain

"See You in Spain." Silent auction, music, wine tasting, four-course gourmet dinner and live auction. Tickets are $100. 5:30 p.m. Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center, Roanoke. 342-5740. millmountain.org.

Movies in the Park

Last event of the summer season. Bring a blanket or a lawn chair. Movie begins at dark. Sponsored by WSLQ-99 FM, WDBJ Television, City of Roanoke Parks and Recreation and Downtown Roanoke, Inc. Concessions on site. This week: Dirty Dancing (PG-13). 7 p.m. Elmwood Park, Roanoke. 342-2028.

Did you know?

Mountain Lake Hotel in Pembroke, where many scenes in "Dirty Dancing" were filmed, is offering a "Dirty Dancing" Weekend Nov. 17-19. Highlights include a tour of the locations seen in the movie, dance lessons, dance demonstrations and more. Rates start at $185 for two people. Call (800) 346-3334 or visit www.mtnlakehotel.com.

saturday

Marine 5K Mud Run

11th annual event to benefit Toys for Tots. "The cleanest fun you'll ever have with a 5K race." Registration is $20 in advance, $30 day of; $5 for Pollywog Jog (kids 12 and under) in advance, $12 day of. 9:15 a.m. Green Hill Park, 2501 Parkside Road, Roanoke County. 387-6078. mudrun.com.

Olde Salem Days

26th annual event featuring more than 400 artisans and craftsmen. Antique car show, children's fair, food court and live music. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Main Street, Salem. 772-8871.

Taste of the Blue Ridge Blues & Jazz Festival

Roanoke serves up a day-long helping of blues and jazz, with James Cotton, Guitar Shorty and local jazz vocalist Rene Marie. Plus eats. Noon to 10:30 p.m. Elmwood Park, Roanoke. Tickets: $18, $15 in advance. 342-2640, tobr.org.

saturday

LoCash Cowboys featuring the Jugbusters

Rain or shine. Admission includes a winery tour and wine tasting. Noon to 5 p.m. Chateau Morrisette, Milepost 171.5 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, Meadows of Dan. Advance, $21.50; At-gate, $25. 593-2865, thedogs.com.

12th Annual Rockbridge Wine Festival

Food, wine tastings and live music. Theater at Lime Kiln, Lexington. (540) 463-5375. lexrockchamber.com.

sunday

In Remembrance...Not Forgotten

A memorial for the fifth anniversary of Sept. 11. Includes choral music by David Wiley and an address by Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Roanoke). A collaboration between Roanoke and Bedford cities, the town of Vinton, and the counties of Bedford, Botetourt, Franklin and Roanoke. 7 p.m. Market Square, downtown Roanoke. 853-6019.

Kickball Day

An afternoon of good ol' fashioned kickball. Sneakers and shorts/sweats required. Refreshments provided. Free to members and supporters of the Square Society. 1:30 p.m. Wasena Park Brick Shelter, 12th St. and Wasena. activities@squaresociety.org.

monday

Washington County Fair

The week-long fair features the music of Percy Sledge, Jake Owen, Rhonda Vincent, Billy Currington, Ronnie McDowell and Confederate Railroad and the Victoria Circus. Food, rides, crafts, petting zoo, chili cook-off, demonstrations and more. Through Sept. 16. Washington County Fairgrounds, Abingdon. Monday: $8; kids, $2. Tuesday-Saturday: $10; kids, $2. (276) 628-3789, washcofair.com.

wednesday

Festa Italiana

A celebration of Italy featuring a live performance by Musicalia, a folk ensemble from Italy. Also with wine tasting and hors d'oeuvres. Tickets are $35 for wine tasting and concert, $15 for concert alone. 7:30 p.m. Jefferson Center, Roanoke. 345-2550. jeffcenter.org.

racing

NASCAR Dodge Weekly Racing Series

Racing at Motor Mile Speedway. 7 p.m. (Gates open at 2). Saturday. 6749 Lee Highway, Radford. Tickets: $10-$50, $1 for kids. (540) 639-1700.

Drag Racing

IHRA-sanctioned racing at Motor Mile Dragway. 1 p.m. (gates open at 10 a.m.). Saturday. 6749 Lee Highway, Radford. General admission: $15, $1 for kids. (540) 639-1700.

food

Mount Tabor Ruritan Fish Fry

Last fish fry of 2006. Fish, fries, slaw, homemade desserts, and beverage. Adults, $6; children, $3. Live music by Simple Gifts of the Blue Ridge. 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday. Slusser's Picnic Shelter. 1531 Mt. Tabor Road, Blacksburg. 449-6178. mttabor.ruritan.org.

Taste of Cultures

Local Colors invites everyone to experience a different culture each month, as their heritage, food, wares and entertainment are highlighted. Free. This month, "Haiti: The Caribbeans." 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday. Century Plaza, Downtown Roanoke. 904-2234.

bluegrass + country

Fincastle Bluegrass Festival

A bluegrass music festival from noon to 10:00 p.m. Saturday. Cahoon's Farm, 4 miles north of Fincastle. Features the Bluegrass Brothers, the Wright Kids, the Kenny and Amanda Smith Band, Country Gentlemen, Big Country Bluegrass, Blue Ridge, and Carlton Haney with Acoustic Endeavors. 473-3077

Footlights of the Blue Ridge

Music program featuring bluegrass on the second and fourth Fridays. This week: Virginia Carolina. 7 to 9 p.m. Friday. Rocky Mount Train Depot/Welcome Center, downtown Rocky Mount. 483-4569.

Original Orchard Grass

The band plays as part of the Roanoke Mountain Music Program. 5 p.m. Sunday. Roanoke Mountain Campground, Blue Ridge Parkway, Roanoke. Free.

Saturdays at Blue Ridge Music Center

Lonesome River Band, Cana Ramblers, Wright Kids. $10. 2 p.m. Saturday. Blue Ridge Music Center. Milepost 213, Blue Ridge Parkway. (276) 236-5309.

family

Fall Festival at the Reynolds Homestead

A day of celebrating Appalachian culture. Events include workshops on banjo, mandolin and fiddle, and pie making, as well as plays, demonstrations and vendors. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. Reynolds Homestead, 463 Homestead Lane, Critz. (276)694-7181.

Pool Party for Pooches

Dog swim, raffles, concessions and more. $5 per dog, $1 per person, proceeds benefit the Humane Society of Montgomery County. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Montgomery County "Frog Pond" Pool. Cinnabar Road, Christiansburg. 382-1166.

Smyth County Patriot Day

This year's theme: "In Honor and in Remembrance." With guest speakers including Virginia senator Phillip Puckett (D-Russell County). Bagpipers, Marion middle and high school bands. Honoring members of civil services. 7 p.m. Monday. Marion Town Hall, 138 West Main St. (276) 783-4190.

rock + other

Danielle Howle

A performance by the frontwoman compared to Nina Simone and called "one to be treasured" by the New York Times. 4:45 p.m. Friday. The Colket Center, Roanoke College. 378-5125. roanoke.edu.

Professional Southern Gospel Concert

Down East Boys play. 7 p.m. Friday. Halesford Baptist Church. Located at intersection of SR122 & Lost Mountain Road. 721-8640, halesford.com.

Sunday Sounds

Chateau Morrisette serves up a free afternoon of music at the winery's outdoor pavilion. 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Milepost 171.5 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, Meadows of Dan. (540) 593-2865.

The Survivors and Carbon Culture

The Survivors have been in the alternative lifestyle culture in Florida's Lower Keys since 1977, playing jazz, reggae and calypso blends. Survivors' Din Allen is father of Carbon Culture's Janiah and Jamiel, while Woody Allen is Carbon Culture's Zeph's dad. 8 p.m. Friday. The Sun Music Hall. 302 South Locust St., Floyd. $8. 745-7883.

dances

Dances of Universal Peace

Second Fridays of the month. 7:30 p.m. Friday. Christ Episcopal Church. 360 Washington Ave. SW, Roanoke. 343-0159. christchurchroanoke.org.

Floyd Contra Dance

The return of contra dancing. Come as you are, wear soft flexible shoes and clothing. Beginner's dance lesson at 7:30 p.m. $7. 8 p.m. Saturday. Sun Music Hall. 302 Locust St., Floyd. 745-7883. floydcontradance.org.

Moonlight Squares

Plus-level dancing. 7:30-9:30 p.m. Monday. Preston Park Recreation Center, 3137 Preston Ave., Roanoke. 774-2455.