Happenings: The Only Roanoke Events Calendar You’ll Ever Need. Week of 5/21 to 5/28.

We scoured 30 disparate community calendars (yes, 30) so you didn’t have to. From live music to theatre, lectures to drag shows, we’ve got you covered. We encourage folks to contact the venue directly to learn of any last minute changes or cancellations.

Have a Happening? Does your business want to sponsor a newsletter? Reach out to us at news@roanokerambler.com with “Happening” in the subject line. Have fun!

This weekend:

• Thursday, 5/22 to Sunday, 5/25 — “The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes” at Attic Productions (7490 Roanoke Rd., Fincastle). Step into the fog-laced alleys and brass-bolted chambers of Victorian London with Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson as they unravel a quartet of the most baffling cases ever to rattle the rivets of 221B Baker Street. Adapted from four of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s most iconic tales. Ages 10+. ($)
• Thursday, 5/22 to Sunday, 5/25 — “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” presented by Showtimers Community Theatre (2067 McVitty Rd., Roanoke). When Monty learns he is 9th in line to a lavish earldom, how far is he willing to go to gain power, wealth, and the woman he loves? ($)
• Friday, 5/23 to Sunday 5/25 — Festival in the Park with performances by LANCO, lovelytheband, and 1964 The Tribute at Elmwood Park (706 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke). Purchase weekend passes here. ($)
• Friday, 5/23 to Sunday, 5/25 — Spring Gem, Mineral, and Jewelry Show at the Salem Civic Center (1001 Roanoke Blvd, Salem). ($)

Wednesday, May 21

• 4:30 p.m. — Networking: Beer & Biotech presented by the Roanoke Blacksburg Technology Council at Big Lick Brewing Company (409 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke).
• 5 to 7 p.m. — Art at Perry Park (1101 Norfolk Ave. SW, Roanoke). Different activities for West End neighbors and friends every week. 
• 5 to 8 p.m. — Mid-week Market at Golden Cactus Brewing (214 Fifth St., Roanoke).
• 5 to 8 p.m. — Jazz Nights hosted by Brian Mesko at Six and Sky Rooftop Grille (1 Market Sq., Roanoke). 
• 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Live music: Sideshow Runaways at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). 
• 6 to 8:30 p.m. — Housing Discussion & Potluck with guest presenter Hope Browning at the Alexander-Gish House (641 Walnut Ave. SW, Roanoke). Roanoke City neighbors, renters and landlords come together to share concerns about the housing crisis and discuss issues and solutions to help one another. 
• 6:35 p.m. — Salem Red Sox vs. Delmarva Shorebirds: Bark in the Park at the Salem Memorial Ballpark (1004 Texas St., Salem). 
• 7 p.m. (Doors open 5:30) — Live music: John Morgan at Sidewinders (16 Campbell Ave. SE, Roanoke). ($)
• 7 to 9 p.m. (Gather at 6:30) — 2025 Roanoke Ride of Silence presented by PedalSafe ROA in collaboration with the City of Roanoke starting at 1 Market Sq., Roanoke. The Ride of Silence is an annual international bicycle ride to commemorate cyclists killed and support those injured while riding on public roads. The event raises awareness among motorists, the public, and decision makers about the dangers cyclists face on roads. This year's honorary ride chairman is Roanoke City Mayor Joe Cobb. The ride is approximately 4 miles.
• 7 to 11 p.m. — Open Mic at The Front Row (356 Salem Ave., Roanoke). Whether you're a poet, musician, comedian, or just have something to say, this is your chance to shine.
• 8 p.m. — Live music: The Wood Brothers at the Harvester Performance Center (450 Franklin St., Rocky Mount). ($)
• 10 p.m.  — Live music: Shmazz at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). 

Thursday,  May 22

• 4 to 7 p.m. — Gaymer Night at Roanoke Diversity Center (425 Campbell Ave. SW., Roanoke). Hang out with other local young adults in the lounge, watch the latest music videos, play board games, chat and mingle. Bring your controllers and play your friends with our Nintendo Switch or Playstation, or start an RPG, card games and board games.
• 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Live music: Father Sun at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). 
• 6 p.m. — Live music: Jordan Davis at Elmwood Park (706 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke). ($)
• 6 to 7:30 p.m. — Community Night: DIY Green Cleaning presented by Carilion Clinic at Morningside Urban Farm (917 Morgan Ave. SE, Roanoke). Yoga, gardening/farming and kids activities kick off at 6 p.m., followed by a workshop at 6:45 p.m. 
• 6:30 p.m. — Spelling Bee & Brews at Big Lick Brewing Company (409 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke). Think you can outspell the competition after a pint or two? Prizes for top spellers, plus drink specials throughout the night. Must be 21+ to compete.
• 6:35 p.m. — Salem Red Sox vs. Delmarva Shorebirds at the Salem Memorial Ballpark (1004 Texas St., Salem). 
• 8 p.m. — Live music: Twitty & Lynn Salute Conway & Loretta at the Harvester Performance Center (450 Franklin St., Rocky Mount). ($)
• 8 to 11 p.m. — Live music: Solacoustix at Corned Beef & Co. (107 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke). 
• 9:30 p.m. — Live music: Creedence Clearwater Recital at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). 

Friday, May 23

• 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Live music: Jordan Harman & The Humble Brags at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). 
• 6 p.m. — Live music: FFnT featuring Kinnfolk & Keri at Sweet Donkey (2108 Broadway Ave., Roanoke).
• 6 p.m. — Live music: Ella Folk Duo at Twisted Track Brewpub (523 Shenandoah Ave., Roanoke). 
• 6 to 9 p.m. — Live music: Keith Goggin Band at Fork in the Alley (2123 Crystal Spring Ave., Roanoke).
• 6:30 p.m. — Live music: Caleb Carpenter & his full band at Big Lick Brewing Company (409 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke). 
• 6:35 p.m. — Salem Red Sox vs. Delmarva Shorebirds at the Salem Memorial Ballpark (1004 Texas St., Salem). 
• 7 to 9 p.m. — Patriotic Concert: Stars and Stripes Forever featuring the Jefferson Choral Society with jazz vocalist Tina Hashemi and her band at the National D-Day Memorial (3 Overlord Circle, Bedford). ($)
• 7:30 p.m. — Jason Hostetter at Olde Salem Brewing Company (315 Market St., Roanoke).
• 7:30 to 10 p.m. — Live music: Doc McClintock at Hanging Rock Tavern (1790 Thompson Memorial Dr., Salem).
• 8 p.m. (Doors open at 7:30) — Live music: Bending Genres: A Live Music Event by The B&G Music Collection at The Spot on Kirk (22 Kirk Ave. SW, Roanoke). ($)
• 8:30 p.m. — Festival in the Park: LANCO at Elmwood Park (706 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke). ($)
• 9 to 10 p.m. — Karaoke with Dollar Bill at Awful Arthur’s (108 Campbell Ave. SE, Roanoke). 
• 9:30 p.m. — Live music: GAK! at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). Purchase advance tickets here. ($)

Saturday, May 24

• 1 to 4 p.m. — The Great Pinball Pub Crawl 4 at Golden Cactus Brewing (214 Fifth St., Roanoke). ($)
• 1 to 5 p.m. — The HOPE Center Community Cookout (501 11th St. NW, Roanoke). Music, games, entertainment, food & drinks. 
• 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. — Live music: Jive Exchange at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). 
• 2 p.m. — Soulful Breaths: Moms’ Retreat to Tranquility at Motel Studios (128 Albemarle Ave. SE, Roanoke). ($)
• 2 to 6 p.m. — Saturday Sessions at Fork in the Alley (2123 Crystal Spring Ave., Roanoke). Come kick it with us on The Front Porch Stage to check out some great music and enjoy one of our frozen drinks at The Patio Bar.
• 3 p.m. — Live music: Sky Dolphin Duo at Hanging Rock Tavern (1790 Thompson Memorial Dr., Salem).
• 4:30 p.m. — Live music: Dave & Alex in the Beer Garden at Hanging Rock Tavern (1790 Thompson Memorial Dr., Salem).
• 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Live music: Seedpicker at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). 
• 6 p.m. — Live music: The Oddfellows at Starr Hill Pilot Brewery & Side Stage (6 Old Whitmore Ave., Roanoke).
• 6 p.m. — Live music: Hairball at Dr. Pepper Park at the Bridges (9 Old Whitmore Ave., Roanoke). ($)
• 6 p.m. — Live music: Five Dollar Shake at Twisted Track Brewpub (523 Shenandoah Ave., Roanoke). 
• 6 to 9 p.m. — Strand Theatre Revival Free Jazz Concert at the Claude Moore Education Complex (109 Henry St., Roanoke). This concert by the Gainsboro community is to bring awareness of this historic storied stage and ask volunteers to help bring it back to life.
• 6:35 p.m. — Salem Red Sox vs. Delmarva Shorebirds at the Salem Memorial Ballpark (1004 Texas St., Salem). 
• 7:30 p.m. — Napoleon Dynamite Live at the Berglund Performing Arts Center (710 Williamson Rd., Roanoke). This unique evening includes a full screening of "Napoleon Dynamite" followed by a lively, freewheeling, discussion with fan-favorite cast members; Jon Heder (Napoleon Dynamite), Jon Gries (Uncle Rico) and Efren Ramirez (Pedro). ($)
• 7:30 to 10 p.m. — Live music: Becki & Bob at Hanging Rock Tavern (1790 Thompson Memorial Dr., Salem).
• 7:30 p.m to midnight. — Late Night Karaoke with MC Stevie D at Olde Salem Brewing Company (315 Market St., Roanoke).
• 8:30 p.m. — Festival in the Park: lovelytheband at Elmwood Park (706 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke). ($)
• 9 p.m. — The All-White Birthday Bash presented by StarCity DJs at Holiday Inn Tanglewood (4468 Starkey Rd., Roanoke). ($)
• 10 p.m.  — Live music: RADO at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). Purchase advance tickets here. ($)

Sunday, May 25

• 11 a.m. — Downtown Divas Drag Brunch at Evie’s (1212 4th St. SW, Roanoke). Get ready for a fabulous Sunday filled with delicious food, mimosas, and dazzling performances by some of the fiercest drag queens in town. ($)
• 11 a.m. to Noon — Yoga at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). ($)
• 1 to 4 p.m. — Live music: William Seymour at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem).
• 1:05 p.m. — Salem Red Sox vs. Delmarva Shorebirds at the Salem Memorial Ballpark (1004 Texas St., Salem). 
• 3 to 5 p.m. — Guitars Under the Star Guitar Pull presented by 3rd Street Coffee House at Mill Mountain Star (Prospect Rd. SE, Roanoke). Gather together outdoors with acoustic instruments in hand and celebrate music on the grassy area opposite the lower observation deck at Mill Mountain. Originals or covers are fine. Everyone is welcome. Find more information at this link.
• 4 p.m. — Live music: Mark Folks at Big Lick Brewing Company (409 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke).
• 4 to 6 p.m. — Live music: Summer Kickoff Party with Indian Run String Band at Mountain Lake Lodge (115 Hotel Circle, Pembroke).
• 5 to 8 p.m. — Live music: Mason Creek at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem).
• 5 to 8 p.m. — Live music: Red Ferns at Fork in the Alley (2123 Crystal Spring Ave., Roanoke). 
• 8:30 p.m. — Festival in the Park: 1964 The Tribute at Elmwood Park (706 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke). ($) 

Monday, May 26

• 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. — Manic Monday Karaoke at Olde Salem Brewing Company (315 Market St., Roanoke).

Tuesday, May 27

• 6 p.m. — Coffee, Tea, & Poetry at the Roanoke Higher Education Center (108 N. Jefferson St., Roanoke). Local poets will share their work in a safe, judgment-free space. Coffee, tea, and light snacks will be provided. 
• 7 p.m. — Kegley Lecture: “A Spy Unmasked 250 Years Later” with Michael Hudson presented by the Historical Society of Western Virginia at Christ Lutheran Church (2011 Brandon Ave., Roanoke). ($)
• 7 p.m. (Doors open at 6) — 2025 Film Lab Showcase at the Grandin Theatre (1310 Grandin Rd. SW, Roanoke). features short films produced written, filmed and edited by students. ($)
• 7:30 p.m. (Doors open at 7) — Live music: The R.E.A.L. Funny Open Mic Comedy Show at The Spot on Kirk (22 Kirk Ave. SW, Roanoke). No cover. Tips & Donations appreciated.
• 8 p.m. — Live music: Steve Earle — Solo & Acoustic at the Harvester Performance Center (450 Franklin St., Rocky Mount). ($)
• 9:30 p.m. — Live music: Christian Q. & Co. at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). 

Wednesday, May 28

• 5 to 8 p.m. — Jazz Nights hosted by Brian Mesko at Six and Sky Rooftop Grille (1 Market Sq., Roanoke). 
• 6 p.m. — Unsavory History: “Medieval Brothels” presented by the Botetourt County Historical Society at 1772 Rooftop on Main (18 S. Roanoke St., Fincastle). Dr. Whitney Leeson from Roanoke College will speak on medieval brothels with maybe even a sprinkling of naughty nuns in the mix. Reservations required. ($)
• 6 to 8 p.m. — Silent Book Club at Ursula’s Cafe (511 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke). No assigned reading. No pressure.
• 6:30 p.m. — Open Mic Comedy Night at Big Lick Brewing Company (409 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke). 
• 7 to 11 p.m. — Open Mic at The Front Row (356 Salem Ave., Roanoke). Whether you're a poet, musician, comedian, or just have something to say, this is your chance to shine.
• 10 p.m.  — Live music: Ben Trout Band at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). 

Looking ahead

• May 30 to 31, 8 p.m. — Live music: Morgan Wade at the Harvester Performance Center (450 Franklin St., Rocky Mount). ($)
• June 26, 6 p.m. — Roots & Resistance: Washington Park presented by Gainsboro Branch Library & Friends of Washington Park at Gainsboro Branch Library (15 Patton Ave., NW Roanoke). Join historian Brittany Flowers and Friends of Washington Park to dive into the history of Washington Park. This lecture will explore how this green space evolved from a symbol of oppression to a stage for protest and community resilience and determination.
• August 14 to 17 — Roanoke Comedy Fest

Ongoing

• Through May 31 —  Many Minis — Local Miniature Paintings at Lindor Arts (306 First St., Roanoke). A captivating show of miniature paintings from multiple local artists. Each painting showcases delicate artistry and intricate detail, beautifully incorporated into each piece as they were meticulously crafted.
• Saturdays through December 27 — Downtown Roanoke Food & Cultural Tour starting at 11:15 a.m. from Hotel Roanoke (110 Shenandoah Ave., Roanoke). A walking tour that connects Roanoke's local food scene with the city's colorful history. Visit six food-tasting locations within the historic and vibrant downtown historic district. Delicious samplings, enough for a hearty meal for most, are served from locally-owned eateries at iconic historic locations. ($)
• Every Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — VA Works Assistance presented by the Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement in Meeting Rooms B and C at the Roanoke City Main Library (706 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke). Do you need help with your job search? Looking for temporary income support or transition and training services? Visit the workforce experts at their satellite desks at the Main Library in downtown Roanoke.