We went through the valley's community calendars so you don't have to, so you didn’t have to. Want to know when the next City Council meeting takes place? Curious about what there’s to do this weekend? We’ve got you covered. We encourage folks to contact the venue directly to learn of any last-minute changes or cancellations.

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This is the biggest weekend of the fall downtown. GO Fest takes over Elmwood Park and Explore Park for three days, and the Rail Yard Dawgs open their season Friday night. The event we'd send you to first, though, is a youth boxing show on Saturday afternoon at the Berglund Center. Champ's Gym has been working with Roanoke kids for more than 50 years, and on Saturday you can watch them fight. Also this week: The Wiz on Sunday, a Vampire Circus on Thursday, and City Council on Monday. The city's Gun Violence Prevention Commission meets Tuesday at the Melrose Library, about a mile from the gym.

The Main Event

Return of the MAC IV: Boxing Against Gun Violence, Sat. 10/17

Saturday, October 17. Weigh-in 9 to 11 a.m. Doors at 1 p.m. First bell at 2 p.m.
Berglund Hall, Berglund Center, 710 Williamson Rd. NE, Roanoke.
Tickets: $30 for adults, $15 for ages 15 and under (Melrose Athletic Club). The Berglund Center also lists ringside seats at $50.

Champ's Gym opened in 1972. Its young boxers are fighting in a show sanctioned by USA Boxing. Champ's Gym hosts, and the Melrose Athletic Club, the nonprofit behind the gym, presents. The motto on the poster is "Defeating gun violence one round at a time." The club says the show seats up to 500 people (Melrose Athletic Club). The Berglund Center bills it as one of the largest amateur belt shows in boxing history, with Champ's Gym boxers facing opponents from around the country (Berglund Center).

Top Picks

Carilion GO Outside Festival, Fri. 10/16 to Sun. 10/18, at Elmwood Park (the Festival Basecamp) and Explore Park (the Adventure Outpost), with a free shuttle between them. It's free (GO Fest).

Rail Yard Dawgs Opening Night, Fri. 10/16, 7:05 p.m., against the Fayetteville Marksmen at the Berglund Center (Rail Yard Dawgs).

"The Wiz," Sun. 10/18, 7 p.m., at the Berglund Performing Arts Theatre (Berglund Center).

"American Made" opens to the public, Thu. 10/15, at the Taubman Museum of Art. General admission is free (Taubman Museum of Art).

Roanoke City Council, Mon. 10/19, with a 2 p.m. meeting and 7 p.m. public hearings (City of Roanoke).

This Weekend

• Friday, 10/16 to Sunday, 10/18 — Carilion GO Outside Festival at Elmwood Park (706 S. Jefferson St.) and Explore Park. Free. On Friday there's the Fleet Feet Beer Mile Relay at 6 p.m. (this year's costume theme is "Dollin' it up for Dolly Parton"), yacht-rock band Empty Bottles, and an 80-minute Mountainfilm showcase. On Saturday, Illiterate Light plays the main stage at 5 p.m., then Geezer and The Falsies, and the first Speedline Grand Slam champion is crowned on slacklines seven stories up. Sunday has Songwriters in the Round with Corey Hunley and closes with Big Daddy Love's Mo-Grass Band (GO Fest). Hours differ by source. The city lists Friday 5 to 11 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (City of Roanoke). Downtown Roanoke lists Sunday until 6 p.m. (Downtown Roanoke). Exhibitor booths close at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday (GO Fest).
• Street closures for GO Fest, Thursday morning, 10/15, to Sunday evening, 10/18. Closed: Jefferson Street between Luck and Elm, Franklin Road between Williamson and Jefferson, and 3rd Street SE between Tazewell and Bullitt (City of Roanoke).
• Through Sunday, 10/18 — "The Revolutionists" at Showtimers Community Theatre (2067 McVitty Rd. SW, Roanoke). Thursday to Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m. Box office: 540-774-2660 (Roanoke Rambler, 10/7 edition). ($)
• Friday, 10/16 and Saturday, 10/17 — Dizgo, two nights at 5 Points Music Sanctuary (1217 Maple Ave. SW, Roanoke), with Elf Machine on Friday and Solar Circuit on Saturday (Downtown Roanoke). Friday starts at 6:30 p.m. (BaseLocal). ($)
• Friday, 10/16 and Saturday, 10/17 — Terror Manors 8th Year Haunted House at 805 Norfolk Ave. SW. Starts 6 p.m. Friday and runs through 11 p.m. Saturday (City of Roanoke). ($)

Tuesday, October 13 — Civic night

Heads up: All Roanoke Valley libraries are closed today for staff training. They reopen with regular hours Wednesday (City of Roanoke). Downtown Roanoke's calendar still lists Teen Game Club at the Main Library today, so call before you go.

• 2 p.m. — Government: Roanoke County Board of Supervisors regular meeting at the Roanoke County Administration Center (5204 Bernard Dr. SW, Roanoke) (Roanoke County 2026 schedule).
• 5 p.m. — Family theater: Mill Mountain Theatre's "Curious George: The Golden Meatball," an outdoor show at Center in the Square (Mill Mountain Theatre).
• 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. — Government: Roanoke City Planning Commission in City Council Chambers, 4th floor, Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building (215 Church Ave. SW) (City of Roanoke).
• 6 p.m. — Run club: Move and Mingle Pub Run from Big Lick Brewing Co. (409 Salem Ave. SW). Free (Downtown Roanoke).
• 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Schools: Roanoke City School Board regular meeting at the William B. Robertson Administration Building (201 Campbell Ave. SW) (RCPS).

Wednesday, October 14

• All day — Free costumes: Kids' and Teen's Costume Swap at the Gainsboro Library. You can drop off clean costumes at any branch, and kids can take one for free all month (City of Roanoke).
• 3 p.m. — Government: City of Roanoke Pension Plan Board of Trustees at the Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building (City of Roanoke).
• 5 to 7 p.m. — Community: Free Dinner and a Movie at the Melrose Library Community Room. Dinner is first come, first served. Mill Mountain Theatre's "Curious George" is also at Melrose Library at 5 p.m. (City of Roanoke).
• 5:30 p.m. — Government: Roanoke Neighborhood Advocates meets. Agendas post online the Friday before (City of Roanoke).
• 5:30 to 8 p.m. — Parenting class: Parenting the Love and Logic Way (session 2 of 4) at Carilion Children's Pediatric Medicine, 4348 Electric Rd. $15 for the whole course (BaseLocal). ($)
• 6 to 7:30 p.m. — Talk: "Winnie the Pooh Turns 100", a lecture by C.W. Sullivan at the Raleigh Court Library, with Q&A and refreshments (City of Roanoke).
• 6:30 p.m. — Government: Salem Planning Commission (City of Salem).

Thursday, October 15

Open enrollment for Medicare starts today. Before you renew, read our Oct. 6 story, "Your Medicare Plan May Change in 2027," on roanokerambler.com.

• 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. — Museum: Opening day of "American Made: Paintings and Sculpture from the DeMell Jacobsen Collection" at the Taubman Museum of Art (110 Salem Ave. SE). General admission is free (Taubman Museum of Art).
• 2:30 p.m. — Government: Roanoke Public Library Advisory Board at the Gainsboro Branch Library (15 Patton Ave. NW) (City of Roanoke).
• 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. — Government: Architectural Review Board in City Council Chambers (City of Roanoke).
• 6 to 7:30 p.m. — Books: Virginia Y. Lee Book Club special edition on Toni Morrison's "Beloved" at the Gainsboro Library. Copies are available at the branch while they last (City of Roanoke).
• 7 and 7:30 p.m. — Tour: Downtown Roanoke Ghost Tour from Olde Salem Brewing Company (Downtown Roanoke). ($)
• 7 to 10 p.m. — Live music: Live Music on the Rooftop at Corned Beef & Co. (107 S. Jefferson St.). Free (Downtown Roanoke).
• 7:30 p.m. — Spectacle: "The Vampire Circus" at the Berglund Performing Arts Theatre. It's a 90-minute show set in the Underworld (Berglund Center). Tickets run $71 to $118 (96.3 ROV). ($)

Friday, October 16

• 10:30 a.m. — Kids: Storytime with Ms. Liv at the Gainsboro Library (City of Roanoke).
• 4:30 to 6 p.m. — Hockey: Rail Yard Dawgs Opening Night Pre-Party at The Haven (Rail Yard Dawgs).
• 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. — Pets: Angels of Assisi adoption event outside Sweet Donkey Coffee House (Angels of Assisi).
• 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Live music: Tyler Parrish at Parkway Brewing, downtown Roanoke. Free (Downtown Roanoke).
• 6 to 9 p.m. — Live music: Dan & DK at Big Lick Brewing Co. Free (Downtown Roanoke).
• 7 p.m. — Jazz: Lenny Marcus Trio, presented by Wendy Witt Realty Co. and the Jefferson Center, at the Jefferson Center (541 Luck Ave. SW) (Jefferson Center). ($)
• 7 and 7:30 p.m. — Tour: Downtown Roanoke Ghost Tour from Olde Salem Brewing Company (Downtown Roanoke). ($)
• 7:05 p.m. — Hockey: Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs vs. Fayetteville Marksmen, Opening Night, at the Berglund Center Coliseum. Gates 1, 2, 10 and 12 open at 5:30 p.m. Parking is $10 while spaces last and may sell out. A free shuttle runs from the Elmwood Park Garage starting at 5 p.m. (Rail Yard Dawgs). ($)
• 8 p.m. (doors 7:30) — Live music: Garrison Starr at The Spot on Kirk (22 Kirk Ave. SW). $20 in advance, $25 day of show (The Spot on Kirk; BaseLocal). ($)
• Friday and Saturday — Street closure: Luck Avenue SW between 3rd and 4th streets, for Straight Street Youth Night (City of Roanoke).

Saturday, October 17 — Fight day

• 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. weigh-in; doors 1 p.m.; first bell 2 p.m. — Boxing: Return of the MAC IV, a USA Boxing belt show hosted by Champ's Gym, at Berglund Hall (710 Williamson Rd. NE). $30 for adults, $15 for ages 15 and under (Melrose Athletic Club). This is our top pick of the week. See the main event above. ($)
• 9 a.m. — Race: Walkabout Outfitter Wild Gear Chase, a two-hour scavenger-hunt race from the GO Fest Basecamp, with 100 spots (GO Fest).
• 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. — Kids: Sensory Bug Experience at Kids Square, included with admission (Downtown Roanoke). ($)
• 12 to 4 p.m. — Benefit: Paws for Purpose Drag Show at the Highland Park dog park amphitheater, with vendors and food trucks. All profits go to Angels of Assisi (City of Roanoke).
• 1 p.m. — Film: "Illiterate Light: The Road to Newport" at the GO Fest Campfire Stage. It's about the band biking 750 miles to the Newport Folk Festival. They play the main stage at 5 p.m. (GO Fest).
• 3 p.m. — Books: Kids' Book Club (ages 9 to 13) at the Raleigh Court Library and Melrose Library Book Club reading "Devolution" (City of Roanoke).
• 6 p.m. — Family theater: "Curious George: The Golden Meatball" on the Waldron Stage at Mill Mountain Theatre (Mill Mountain Theatre). ($)
• 6 p.m. — Live music: Time Sawyer at Big Lick Brewing Co. (Downtown Roanoke).
• 7 to 10 p.m. — Live music: B.A.M. at Olde Salem Brewing Company. Free (Downtown Roanoke).
• 7:30 p.m. — Tribute: The Ultimate Elvis Tribute with Cote Deonath at the Jefferson Center (Jefferson Center). ($)
• 8 p.m. (doors 7:30) — Live music: Electronic Bass Music, presented by Sphinx Audio & Entertainment, at The Spot on Kirk (The Spot on Kirk). ($)
• 10 p.m. — Burlesque (21+): The Tipsy Tassel Revue at Golden Cactus Brewing (Downtown Roanoke). ($)

Sunday, October 18

• 8 a.m. — Races: Go Nuts mountain bike race at Explore Park and the Shorefire Trail Race at Smith Mountain Lake State Park (GO Fest). ($)
• 10 a.m. — Race: $5 5K, presented by RunAboutSports Roanoke. It starts in the parking lot across from Elmwood and goes out and back on the greenway over the Walnut Street Bridge (GO Fest; City of Roanoke). ($5)
• 10:30 a.m. — Fitness: Sunday Yoga at the Taubman. $10, or $5 for members and youth (BaseLocal). ($)
• 11 a.m. — Talk: "Roanoke's Food Shed Network" at the GO Fest Campfire Stage (GO Fest).
• 2 p.m. — Benefit: Paint for a Cure at VFW Post 1264 (4930 Grandview Ave. NW). $35 (BaseLocal). ($)
• 2 p.m. — Theater: Last performance of "The Revolutionists" at Showtimers (Roanoke Rambler, 10/7 edition). ($)
• 7 p.m. — Broadway: "The Wiz" at the Berglund Performing Arts Theatre. The new tour is directed by Schele Williams with choreography by JaQuel Knight. It runs about 2 hours and 20 minutes and is recommended for ages 8 and up (Berglund Center). ($)

Monday, October 19 — Council day

• 2 p.m. — Government: Roanoke City Council regular meeting in Council Chambers, Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building (215 Church Ave. SW) (City of Roanoke). You can watch live on YouTube or RVTV Channel 3 (City of Roanoke). The deadline to get an item on the agenda was 5 p.m. on Monday, 10/12 (City of Roanoke).
• 2:30 p.m. — Kids: Ballet and Books with the Roanoke Ballet at the Belmont Library (City of Roanoke).
• 5:30 p.m. — Fitness: Free Yoga for the People at Elmwood Park by the Main Library (BaseLocal).
• 5:45 p.m. — Sports talk: Roanoke Valley Sports Club with Jeff Bourne, the retired JMU athletic director and Salem native, at the Salem Civic Center Community Room (Salem Civic Center).
• 7 p.m. — Government: Roanoke City Council public hearings in Council Chambers (City of Roanoke). The agenda wasn't posted when we checked, so look at the city's agenda page before you go.

Tuesday, October 20

• 1 to 2 p.m. — Legal help: Legal Aid information session at the Main Library, Teen Classroom (City of Roanoke).
• 3:30 to 5 p.m. — Government: Roanoke Arts Commission at 117 Church Ave. SW (City of Roanoke).
• 5:30 to 7 p.m. — Government: Gun Violence Prevention Commission at the Melrose Branch Library (City of Roanoke). It meets three days after the Champ's Gym show and about a mile from the gym.
• 5:30 to 7 p.m. — Government: Parks and Recreation Advisory Board at the HR Learning Center, 3rd floor north, Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building (City of Roanoke).
• 5 to 6 p.m. — Books: Bookish @ Belmont, a book club for adults. October's theme is horror, and "Frankenstein" is the recommended read (City of Roanoke).
• 5 to 6 p.m. — Family: Melrose Game Night at the Melrose Library, with free food (City of Roanoke).
• 6 to 8 p.m. — Art: Black Light Spooky Character Paint & Sip at Well Hung Vineyard (Downtown Roanoke). ($)
• 6 to 7 p.m. — Art: Ghost Painting at the Raleigh Court Library. Supplies are provided (City of Roanoke).
• 7:30 p.m. — Live music: Algernon Cadwallader, with Lost in Space Camp and cul-de-sac, at The Spot on Kirk (The Spot on Kirk). ($)

The recurring list

• Tuesdays, 10/13 and 10/20: Move and Mingle Pub Run from Big Lick Brewing at 6 p.m. Teen Game Club at the Main Library, 4:15 to 8 p.m. (but the libraries are closed 10/13) (Downtown Roanoke).
• Wednesday, 10/14: Midweek Market at Golden Cactus Brewing, 5 p.m. Yoga at the Taubman, 5:30 p.m. Trivia with Rafe, 6 to 8 p.m. Trivia Night at Starr Hill Roanoke Pilot Brewery, 7 p.m. Line Dancing Night with HTLD at Corned Beef & Co., 8 to 11 p.m. (Downtown Roanoke).
• Thursday, 10/15: Live Music on the Rooftop at Corned Beef & Co., 7 to 10 p.m. (Downtown Roanoke).
• Thursdays and Fridays in October: Downtown Roanoke Ghost Tours from Olde Salem Brewing, 7 and 7:30 p.m. (Downtown Roanoke).
• All month: Gina Louthian-Stanley's "Muted Passages and Luminous Views" at LinDor Arts, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., through 10/31 (Downtown Roanoke).

Coming up

• Thursday, 10/22: Gillian Welch and David Rawlings play Grateful Dead songs at the Berglund Performing Arts Theatre (Berglund Center).
• Friday, 10/23: Last day to register to vote and still cast a regular ballot in the Nov. 3 general election (Roanoke Rambler, 10/7 edition). Also, "Hocus Pocus" plays at Movies in the Market in Market Square at dusk (Downtown Roanoke).
• Saturday, 10/24: Rail Yard Dawgs Howl-O-Ween Night, where you can bring your dog, against the Athens Rock Lobsters (Rail Yard Dawgs). Also, the Angels of Assisi Pet Health Fair at the Berglund Center, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Angels of Assisi).

The Roanoke Rambler