Jazz in the Park

The Jazz in the Park Concert Series begins July 11 and continues every Thursday evening through Sept. 5. Concerts are held at Staunton’s Gypsy Hill Park Bandstand, FREE & open to the public, held rain or shine. Concessions are available. Family friendly, Pet friendly. For info call or text 540-280-4321 or message on our Facebook page @Jazz in the Park Concert Series. July 11: Just Jazzin’ Big Band July 18: Dave Pope Quartet July 25: Beleza Quartet August 1: David Bach Consort August 8: Johnny’s Blue Locomotive August 15: Kurt Crandall & True Story August 22: Jay Ware Quartet August 29: John D’Earth Quintet September 5: Rob Maletick Band

Downtown Staunton First Fridays

Hosted by The Staunton Downtown Development Association. First Fridays highlights local art, food, music, shopping and more! Come out to experience numerous dining options, art exhibits, street performers, and the gorgeous Downtown Staunton environment. The July First Friday will feature the Opening Reception for Debra Sheffer’s exhibit “Nearby.” Live music provided by “Daydreams.” Light refreshments served, and a free prize drawing for an original artwork by Paula Hurley at 6pm. For more information you can visit stauntondowntown.org

Happy Birthday America

Happy Birthday America is a small-town, big-time 4th of July celebration happening at Gypsy Hill Park! The Happy Birthday America committee and Wilson Fairchild are hosting a 3 day event with music, food, fun, a parade, a beauty pageant, a vesper service, a country music show, and some end-of-the-night-light-up-the-sky fireworks. This is a family friendly event that is free and open to the public.

QCMS House Concert Series Presents: ETSU Bluegrass Pride Band

The ETSU Bluegrass Pride Band Lizzie Cahalin- guitar; Virginia Will Hart – mandolin/ guitar; North Carolina Will Potts – bass; Georgia Steven Ivey – fiddle; Alabama Gabe Hebert – banjo; New Brunswick, Canada With special guest Kalia Yeagel of Bill and the Belles and lecturer at ETSU. From one of the premier bluegrass programs in secondary education, this band consists of young musicians from the East Tennessee State University Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Roots Music Program, one of which is Staunton’s own Lizzie Cahalin! Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Roots Music Studies at East Tennessee State University is the oldest established program of its kind at any four-year institution. Founded in 1982 by Jack Tottle, the program offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in Bluegrass, Old Time, and Roots Music Studies as well as an undergraduate minor. Students from around the globe are attracted to ETSU for the chance to study and experience the music and Appalachian culture of East Tennessee, headed by Professor Dan Boner.

Raymond Burns and Todd Messegee Opening Reception

The Staunton Augusta Art Center is excited to announce the opening of a dual art exhibition featuring “RAILS, RUST, AND RIVETS” by Raymond Burns and “YOU BELONG HERE” by Todd Messegee on June 28th from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. Raymond Burns, a Washington DC-based oil painter, explores the rustic allure of railroads in his latest series, drawing inspiration from his discoveries of abandoned railroad equipment and structures. His paintings highlight the beauty found in the decay and utilitarian design of these machines, encouraging viewers to appreciate their unique shapes, colors, and textures. Todd Messegee, an accomplished artist and educator, brings the charm of Staunton, Virginia to life in his series “YOU BELONG HERE.” With a background in the Los Angeles entertainment industry and a passion for art education, Messegee’s work reflects his deep connection to the community. His fine art paintings capture the essence of Staunton through a vivid portrayal of its landscapes and architecture. The exhibition’s opening reception offers an opportunity to meet the artists, enjoy their work, and engage with the local arts community.

Foundry Free Music Series featuring The Settlement

Saturday, June 29th at 8PM The Foundry at Basic City Beer Company is hosting their Foundry Free Music Series featuring The Settlement.The Settlement is a funk-fusion jam band from Huntington, WV. Cleverly combining rowdy rock riffs, complex jazz harmonies, funky bass lines, dreamy pop melodies, jammin’ reggae grooves and a multitude of diverse world music influences. This event is free. For more information you can follow the Foundry at Basic City Beer Co.

Murder at The Wake

Saturday, June 22nd at 5:00 pm The Society for Victorian Arts and Culture is hosting Murder at The Wake. This event is a two-hour interactive murder mystery where the attendees are the detectives that will question the suspects and gather testimony to solve the crime! Tickets are $27. For more information you can visit victorianartsandculture.com.

ART by Yasmina Reza (dinner theatre option!)

Silver Line Theatre Exchange proudly presents Art by Yasmina Reza, directed by Constance Swain. Our Professional Performance Series connects working artists with production opportunities and introduces our local community to incredible professional talent available in regional theatre. Please note Saturday, July 13 and Saturday, July 20 tickets include a Farm to Theatre Dinner by Chef Aaron Gardner. THE STORY: How much would you pay for a white painting? Would it matter who the painter was? Would it be art? One of Marc’s best friends, Serge, has just bought a very expensive painting. It’s about five feet by four, all white with white diagonal lines. To Marc, the painting is a joke, but Serge insists Marc doesn’t have the proper standard to judge the work. Another friend, Ivan, though burdened by his own problems, allows himself to be pulled into this disagreement. Eager to please, Ivan tells Serge he likes the painting. Lines are drawn and these old friends square off over the canvas, using it as an excuse to relentlessly batter one another over various failures. As their arguments become less theoretical and more personal, they border on destroying their friendships. At the breaking point, Serge hands Marc a felt tip pen and dares him: “Go on.” This is where the friendship is finally tested, and the aftermath of action, and its reaction, affirms the power of those bonds. 7/12 at 7:30 p.m. 7/13 at 6 p.m (dinner and a show) 7/19 at 7:30 p.m. 7/20 at 6 p.m. (dinner and a show) 7/26 at 7:30 p.m. 7/27 at 7:30 p.m.

Tree Walk in Montgomery Hall Park

Take a Summer Tree Walk with the Staunton Tree Stewards in Montgomery Hall Park on Sunday, June 30th from 4 to 6 PM. We will be led by Emily Ferguson, our colleague from the Charlottesville Area Tree Stewards. We’ll look at a wide variety of trees around the Irene Givens Administration Building, learn how to identify them and hear some of their stories. Meet by the front porch — we will bring the iced tea!

Book Launch of She Serves the Realm

Historical fiction author Lee Swanson will be launching the fourth novel in his thrilling No Man is His Master series, She Serves the Realm at The Book Dragon in Staunton, Virginia, 12-2 PM on June 22, 2024. She Serves the Realm is the fourth book in the historical fiction series No Man is Her Master. The saga takes place in early 14th century England and follows the exploits of Sir Frederick Kohl, Hanseatic master merchant and English knight, who is in reality Christina Kohl, a woman in disguise. She returns to London to discover her beloved Lady Cecily’s abusive husband is dead. They now only need the king’s permission to fulfill their dreams of marriage. But in the turbulent times of Edward II’s reign, he is much more concerned with making use of Christina’s considerable talents than in bringing happiness to her life. Autographed copies of all Lee’s books will be available, as well as giveaways and a chat about all things medieval. Don’t miss this opportunity to whisk yourself back to England in the Middle Ages, if only for a day.