Check It Out:

See if our Paparazzi cameras caught you or your friends at any recent events around town.

Standouts: Event highlights for the week of April 18-24

Ron White

Turn captions on

Cheech Marin

Dot-Marie Jones

The Roanoke Times

Thursday, April 18, 2013

TODAY

Ron White

The comedian brings his "A Little Unprofessional" tour to town. 7:30 p.m. Roanoke Performing Arts Center, Roanoke Civic Center. $45 or $65. 853-5483.

"Classics from Around the World"

A benefit concert for Virginia's Blue Ridge Music Festival featuring Roanoke Symphony Orchestra violinist Akemi Takayama and conductor David Stewart Wiley on piano. Other musicians include Julee Hickcox, John Smith and Al Wojtera. A reception will follow. 6:30 p.m. $30 or $10 for students. Floyd EcoVillage, 188 Eco Village Trail, Floyd. 267-4221.

John Rutter's "Requiem" and Arron Garber's "Magnificat"

The Chorus of the Blue Ridge presents John Rutter's "Requiem" and Aaron Garber's "Magnificat." Joining the chorus will be students from Salem and Patrick Henry high schools and soprano soloist Carol Hill. 7:30 p.m. Jefferson Center, Roanoke. $15, $20 or $25; students are free. 345-2550.

TODAY, SATURDAY >> SUNDAY

The Amazing Acro-Cats featuring the Rock Cats Band

The Rock Cats is a band made up of five felines and a hen named Gregory Peck who perform under the direction of Chicago-based animal trainer Samantha Martin. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Angels of Assisi. Today, 7 p.m.; Saturday, 6 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. Adults, $18; children 12 years and younger, $15. Roanoke City Market Building, downtown Roanoke. www.circuscats.com.

FRIDAY >> SATURDAY

Sounds of the Mountains Festival

The 12th annual storytelling and music festival featuring Donald Davis, Kevin Kling, Geraldine Buckley, Doug Elliott and The Company Store Band. Friday, 7 to 9:30 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Price varies; weekend and partial day options are available. Camp Bethel, 328 Bethel Road, Fincastle. www.soundsofthemountains.org.

SATURDAY

Blacksburg Master Chorale 25th Anniversary Celebration

The Virginia Tech choirs and Blacksburg Children's Chorale join the Blacksburg Master Chorale in celebrating its 25th anniversary. This concert will feature Gabriel Faura's "Requiem" and songs by Aaron Copland. 7:30 to 9 p.m. $25 or $10 for students. Burruss Auditorium, Virginia Tech. www.blacksburgmasterchorale.org

Blue Ridge Marathon

Spectators can watch the competitors cross the finish line at the intersection of Norfolk Avenue and Market Street, and then enjoy post-race festivities like a climbing wall, live music, a beer garden, food vendors, bouncy houses and more. Races begin at 7:35 a.m., and festivities at the finish line go on from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free. Downtown Roanoke. www.blueridgemarathon.com.

Earth Day Celebration

With a tour of the EcoVillage, a presentation by Barbara Pleasant on composting, chain saw lessons with John Hairfield, a panel discussion, a nature hike, a lecture on the Healing Harvest Foundation and more. Kids can crawl through Cameron, the 55-foot inflatable caterpillar, receive free seedlings, meet different animals, play in a bouncy house and do crafts. There will also be a plant and seed exchange. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free. Floyd EcoVillage, 188 Eco Village Trail, Floyd. www.floydecovillage.com.

Earth Day Roanoke

With local musicians, information from environmental and community service groups, children's activities with Ziggy Entertainment, and food by local restaurants and vendors. Lectures will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. inside the CODA building, and other special events include a DIY electric car display, tips on how to make herbal products and more. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free. Grandin Village, Roanoke. www.earthdayroanoke.com.

National D-Day Memorial Prelude to Invasion: Living History Event and Scout Day

If you have ever been curious about the uniforms, history, tactics, gear, weapons, or morale of U.S. servicemen and the Allies during the turbulent period leading up to D-Day, here is your opportunity to learn more. See history recreated by viewing a WWII period command tent, attend a briefing on the invasion and learn about the weapons of war. Pre-registration for Scouts is recommended. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adults, $8; youth, 6 to 18, $5; children under 6, free. Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts in uniform receive free admission. National D-Day Memorial, 3 Overlord Circle, Bedford. www.dday.org.

The Salem Museum: Herb Faire

The Salem Museum and Virginia Cooperative Extension have partnered together to offer a fun, delicious and educational day of herbs. Enjoy cooking demonstrations/tastings, herb gardening workshops, quality herb plants for purchase, plant your own herb pot and more. Roanoke Valley Master Food Volunteers and Master Gardeners will provide the demonstrations, seminars and workshops. For more information, contact the Roanoke Extension Office. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. $5. The Salem Museum, 801 E. Main St., Salem. 772-7524.

SATURDAY >> SUNDAY

2nd Annual Lexington Rockbridge Studio Tour

A tour featuring the work of 36 artists and 11 private art studios. These studios - from log cabin to industrial warehouse - reflect the personalities of the artists and present the tools of their craft. Studios will also host additional guest artists. The self-guided tour is along a well-marked 20-mile loop through the historic town of Lexington and Rockbridge County. Many artists will offer on-going demonstrations, and all artists will answer questions. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Free. Various locations, Rockbridge County. www.lexingtonrockbridgestudiotour.com.

SUNDAY

Big Hats & Fabulous Pumps: The Fight Against Domestic Violence

Featuring kiosks, musical performances, vendors, a fashion show and guest speakers. The keynote speaker will be Dot-Marie Jones, who plays Coach Beiste on the hit Fox television show, "Glee." The event aims to provide education and awareness about domestic violence in our community. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Sabrina's Place, which provides services to victims of domestic violence and their children. 1 p.m. $25. Hotel Roanoke. 355-9422.

Moonshine Express

Meet characters associated with Franklin County's famous liquid at 20 scenes as you ride a vintage bus around the Town of Rocky Mount. There will be a replica liquor still, vintage cars and actors. Advance tickets recommended. Proceeds benefit the Franklin County Historical Society. Call ahead to reserve a time. $14. Buses depart from the Town Municipal Building. 483-1890.

MONDAY

Gallery Lecture: Cheech Marin

The actor who gained fame with the Cheech & Chong comedy act will lecture on his exhibit, "Chicanitas: Small Paintings from the Cheech Marin Collection," which showcases 65 paintings by 26 painters represented in Marin's personal collection of Chicano art. The exhibit will be on display through May 24. 5:30 p.m. Free. Staniar Gallery, Washington & Lee University. 458-8861.

Take the Kids

SATURDAY

15th Annual Blue Ridge Kite Festival

The Richmond Air Force Kite Club will provide a day of professionally choreographed routines and flying tricks. There will also be food vendors, arts and crafts vendors, and free children's kits and T-shirts. 10 a.m. to
4 p.m. Free. Green Hill Park, 2501 Parkside Drive, Salem. 387-0267.

SUNDAY

Dino Dig and Petting Zoo

The Dino Dig is a traditional scavenger hunt with a technological twist. Accompanied by an adult with an iPhone or Android phone, kids adopt the role of a paleontologist's apprentice and visit various locations guided by a location-based, augmented reality app. The game allows participants to interact with their environment at each location and learn dinosaur-related facts. Each stop includes a challenge (answering a trivia question or completing other tasks) to earn virtual dinosaur bones and clues to the next location. The Dino Petting Zoo features human-powered puppets, from a baby Dryosaurs to the awe-inspiring Giant Allosaur. Children have the opportunity to help feed, water, and care for these prehistoric marvels with a simple lesson in animal husbandry. Dig, 1 p.m.; petting zoo, 3 p.m. Free. The Dino Dig starts at the plaza between the Graduate Life Center and Squires Student Center, and the Dino Petting Zoo is on Henderson Lawn. www.icat.vt.edu.

COMING UP

April 26: Hell on Wheels Tour: Brantley Gilbert with Kip Moore and Brian Davis
7:30 p.m. $24.75, $29.75 or $37. Roanoke Civic Center. 853-5483.

April 26-28: Buchanan Civil War History Weekend
Specific event times vary. www.townofbuchanan.com.

April 26 and 28: Opera Roanoke: "The Pirates of Penzance"
Friday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 2:30 p.m. Price varies. Jefferson Center, Roanoke. www.jeffcenter.org. April 27: "Around the World in Lexington: No Passport Required" House & Garden Tour

April 27: "Around the World in Lexington: No Passport Required" House & Garden Tour
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. $20 in advance, $25 day of event; $15 for students. Various locations, Lexington. 463-3777.

April 27: 80th Historic Garden Week in Roanoke
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. $25 in advance, $30 day of event. Tour headquarters: Ronald McDonald House, Roanoke. 589-3084.

April 27: Roanoke Heart Ball
6 p.m. $125. Hotel Roanoke. 989-2810.

April 27: Drug Take Back Day
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free. Roanoke Civic Center. 853-5483.

Monday, August 12, 2013