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.

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This weekend

• Thursday, 8/7 to Sunday, 8/10 — “Guys and Dolls” presented by Attic Productions (7490 Roanoke Rd., Fincastle). Set in the colorful world of 1950s New York City, Guys and Dolls is a high-energy musical comedy that follows the unlikely love stories of a slick gambler, a prim missionary, a showgirl dreaming of marriage, and a craps game that just won't stay underground. ($)

Wednesday, Aug. 6

• 5 to 8 p.m. — Live music: Sideshow Runaways at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem).
• 6 to 9 p.m. — Jazz Nights hosted by Brian Mesko at Six and Sky Rooftop Grille (1 Market Sq., Roanoke). 
• 6:35 p.m. — Salem Red Sox vs. Kannapolis Cannon Ballers: Bark in the Park at the Salem Memorial Ballpark (1004 Texas St., Salem). 
• 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.
• 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. — Live music: Zach Elmore at Hanging Rock Tavern (1790 Thompson Memorial Dr., Salem).
• 10 p.m.  — Karaoke Night! at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). 

Thursday,  Aug. 7

• 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. — Small Town Royals at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). 
• 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Party in Elmwood: Jim Quick and Coastline at Elmwood Park (706 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke). ($)
• 6 to 7:30 p.m. — Community Night: Battling Garden Burnout 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. 
• 6:35 p.m. — Salem BeerMongers vs. Kannapolis Cannon Ballers at the Salem Memorial Ballpark (1004 Texas St., Salem). 
• 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. — Live music: The Ben Trout Trio at Hanging Rock Tavern (1790 Thompson Memorial Dr., Salem).
• 8 to 11 p.m. — Live music: Noah Spencer at Corned Beef & Co. (107 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke). 
• 9:30 p.m. — Live music: Latin Night feat. The Latin Side of Terry Brown at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). 

Friday, Aug. 8

• Noon to 7 p.m. — PLAY-palooza at Washington Park (1610 Burrell St. NW, Roanoke). Discover after school care providers, sports clubs, family services, recreation opportunities, and more. Local recreation clubs will provide on-site recreation activities and there will be a bounce house, lawn games, and entertainment by DJ Dink.
• 5 to 9 p.m. — Daleville Summer Concert Series: Southern Accents at Daleville Town Center (90 Town Center St., Daleville). Bring a chair or blanket. No weapons. No outside food/beverage. No pets. ($) 
• 6 p.m. — Live music: Friday Food Truck and Tunes at Sweet Donkey (2108 Broadway Ave., Roanoke).
• 6 p.m. — Extra Grandin Chillage in the Grandin Village (enter between Westover and Grandin Ave., Roanoke). Live music from Shorefire, food trucks, adult beverages, and family entertainment. ($)
• 6 to 9 p.m. — Crawford & Power with special guest Will Reid at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). 
• 6:30 p.m. — Concerts by Canoe: Cory Hunley & Matt Powell at Twin Ridge Recreation Area at Philpott Lake (1052 Twin Ridge Marina Road). Bring your canoe, kayak, SUP, tube or float and paddle your way to a front row seat for this one of a kind event. Music begins at 6:30pm. Arrive early to unload your paddlecraft at the venue’s dual launch ramp. Motor boats use the Salthouse Branch boat launch. Regular fees apply.
• 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. — Live music: Liv Sloan & the Die Hards at Big Lick Brewing Co. (409 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke). 
• 7 p.m. (Gates open at 6) — Live music: The Legacy Motown Revue at The Coves at Smith Mountain Lake (301 Ivy Ln., Union Hall). ($)
• 7 to 10 p.m. — Mingle at the Market: Five Dollar Shake at the Vinton Farmers Market (204 W. Lee Ave., Vinton).($)
• 7:30 p.m. — Live music: Eli Lev at the 3rd Street Coffee House (305 Mountain Ave. SW, Roanoke).
• 7:30 p.m. — Live music: Maiden & Crow Tattoo Presents: Inimical Drive and Silvertung at The Spot on Kirk (22 Kirk Ave. SW, Roanoke). ($)
• 7:30 to 10 p.m. — Live music: Sky Dolphin Duo at Hanging Rock Tavern (1790 Thompson Memorial Dr., Salem).
• 8 p.m. — Live music: Atlanta Rhythm Section at the Harvester Performance Center (450 Franklin St., Rocky Mount). ($)
• 10 p.m.  — Live music: Moonroof with Texting & Driving at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). Purchase tickets here. ($)

Saturday, Aug. 9

• 8 a.m. — Salem Distance Run ending at Longwood Park (611 E, Main St., Salem). 5k and 10k will begin at 201 E. Main St. in Downtown Salem. The Kids Run will be in Longwood Park. 
• 10 to 11 a.m. — N&W Architectural History Walking Tour starting at the O. Winston Link Museum (101 Shenandoah Ave., Roanoke). Registration required. ($)
• 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. — Art and Architecture Walking Tour: Heart of Downtown led by Taubman Museum of Art Research Fellow and historian James Moser starting at the Taubman Museum of Art (110 Salem Ave. SE, Roanoke). Registration required. ($)
• 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. — Live music: Dave Corbitt and Jeremy Davall at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). 
• 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.
• 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. — Live music: Phat Pocket Show Band in the Beer Garden at Hanging Rock Tavern (1790 Thompson Memorial Dr., Salem).
• 5 to 7 p.m. — Special Exhibit Reception: “Built to Better the Best” at the O. Winston Link Museum (101 Shenandoah Ave., Roanoke). ($)
• 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Live music: Dempsey Haden Greenstreet Sipe at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). 
• 6 p.m. — Lost 80s Live presented by SteveFM at Elmwood Park (706 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke). Get stoked —we’ll play all the songs from your raddest mixtapes. ($)
• 6 p.m. — Legends of the Hidden Lager at Starr Hill Pilot Brewery & Side Stage (6 Old Whitmore Ave., Roanoke). Watch teams of three compete in beer-themed obstacles inspired by Legends of the Hidden Temple. In total 90s madness, teams will face-off in a gauntlet of hilariously challenging stations.  
• 6 p.m. — Live music: Lenny Marcus at Montano’s International Gourmet (7813, 3733 Franklin Rd. SW, Roanoke).
• 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. — Live music: Blackwood Station at Big Lick Brewing Co. (409 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke). 
• 6:35 p.m. — Salem Red Sox vs. Kannapolis Cannon Ballers at the Salem Memorial Ballpark (1004 Texas St., Salem). 
• 7:30 p.m. — Live music: Ire’son at Hanging Rock Tavern (1790 Thompson Memorial Dr., Salem).
• 7:30 p.m. — AEW presents Collision at the Berglund Center Coliseum (710 Williamson Rd., Roanoke). ($)
• 8 p.m. — Live music: Grateful For Biggie at 5 Points Music Sanctuary (1217 Maple Ave. SW., Roanoke). ($)
• 10 p.m.  — Live music: Phat Anchovies at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). Purchase tickets here. ($)

Sunday, Aug. 10

• 11 a.m. to Noon — Yoga at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem). ($)
• 1 p.m. — Live music: Christian Q. at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem).
• 1:05 p.m. — Salem Red Sox vs. Kannapolis Cannon Ballers at the Salem Memorial Ballpark (1004 Texas St., Salem). 
• 3:30 p.m. — Live music: Mama Said String Band at Big Lick Brewing Co. (409 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke). 
• 5 to 6 p.m. — Live music: Groove Kontrol at Fork in the Alley (2123 Crystal Spring Ave. SW, Roanoke).
• 5 to 7 p.m. — Music on the Mountain: Jason Long at Mill Mountain Discovery Center (2019 Prospect Rd., Roanoke). 
• 5 to 8 p.m. — Live music: Jive Exchange at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem).

Monday, Aug. 11

• 6 to 8 p.m. — PedalSafe ROA August Group Ride & Public Meeting starting at Market Square (1 Market Sq., Roanoke) and ending at Starr Hill Pilot Brewery & Side Stage. Meet at 6 p.m. at Market Square for a 6:15 p.m. 1 mile no-drop ride down the Jefferson Ave. corridor. We will end at Starr Hill Brewery, where we will hold our public meeting, which will feature a deep dive on strategies for advocating for permanent bike infrastructure on the Jefferson Street corridor. 
• 6:30 p.m. — Live music: Irish Music Session at Big Lick Brewing Co. (409 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke). 

Tuesday, Aug. 12

• 4 to 8 p.m. — Happy Hour for All at A Few Old Goats Brewing – Roanoke (515 8th St. SW, Suite 228, Roanoke). 
• 5 to 8 p.m. — Live music: Foster Burton at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem).
• 9:30 p.m. — Live music: The Request Line with Jared Stout at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). 

Wednesday, Aug. 13

• 5 to 8 p.m. — Live music: Sideshow Runaways at Parkway Brewing Company (739 Kessler Mill Rd., Salem).
• 5 to 10 p.m. — Opening night: Franklin County Agricultural Fair at Franklin County Recreation Park (2150 Sontag Rd., Rocky Mount). The 2023 Agricultural Fair was “an authentic showcase of Franklin County,” according to Kevin Tosh, that county’s director of tourism and marketing. Experience tractor competitions, midway rides, live music, a multitude of exhibitions, demonstrations, animal shows, a pageant, contests, and midway food and games. No pets. Continues through Aug. 16. ($)
• 6 p.m. — Live music: Hinder at Dr. Pepper Park at the Bridges (9 Old Whitmore Ave., Roanoke). ($)
• 6 to 9 p.m. — Jazz Nights hosted by Brian Mesko at Six and Sky Rooftop Grille (1 Market Sq., Roanoke). 
• 7 p.m. (Gates open at 6) — Live music: Devon Allman’s Blues Summit at The Coves at Smith Mountain Lake (301 Ivy Ln., Union Hall). ($)
• 7 p.m. — Out Loud Musicals: “Hairspray” at The Grandin Theatre (1310 Grandin Rd. SW, Roanoke). The Grandin Theatre’s newest series! ($)
• 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. — Live music: Ryan Greer (Solo) at Hanging Rock Tavern (1790 Thompson Memorial Dr., Salem).
• 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.  — The Ambassador presents Reggae Night at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (413 1st St., Roanoke). 

Looking ahead

• Aug. 14, 7 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. 
• Aug. 14 to 17 — Roanoke Comedy Fest a weekend-long celebration of live comedy in the Star City. 
• Aug. 16, 4 to 8 p.m. — Festival of India 2025 presented by the India Heritage Society at Elmwood Park (706 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke). This festival will showcase the Indian culture and way of life while also recognizing the community’s police chiefs, fire chiefs, and their departments Featuring non-stop music and dance performances, Indian food delicacies, a kids’ craft area, and a marketplace with items for purchase. 
• Aug. 16, 4 p.m. — Improv: Comedians Play Dungeons & Dragons hosted by comic extraordinaire Taylor Reschka and presented by Roanoke Comedy Fest at Big Lick Brewing Company (409 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke). What do you get when you cross a natural 20 with a tight five? Chaotic quests, hilarious characters, and luck-of-the-draw shenanigans. Come for the laughs. Stay for the adventure. 
• Through Aug. 16 — Franklin County Agricultural Fair at Franklin County Recreation Park (2150 Sontag Rd., Rocky Mount). The 2023 Ag fair was “an authentic showcase of Franklin County,” according to Kevin Tosh, that county’s director of tourism and marketing. Experience tractor competitions, midway rides, live music, a multitude of exhibitions, demonstrations, animal shows, a pageant, contests, and midway food and games. No pets. ($)
• Aug. 17, 12 p.m. (Doors open at 11:30) — Stand-up: Comediennes' Brunch at The Spot on Kirk (22 Kirk Ave. SW, Roanoke). Kick off your Sunday with a jab of hilarity and hospitality as Roanoke Comedy Fest spotlights a lineup of powerhouse female comics. From razor-sharp punchlines to joyful absurdity, these performers will dazzle you with their stage presence and comedic chops. All-woman lineup. Everyone welcome. ($)
• Aug. 18, 7 p.m. (Doors open at 6) — Film Screening & Discussion: “The Encampments” presented by the Southwest Virginia Coalition for Palestine at the Grandin Theatre (1310 Grandin Rd. SW, Roanoke). The evening will feature a screening of “The Encampments” followed by a Q&A. The film documents the Gaza Solidarity Encampment created by students on the lawn of Columbia University in order to pressure that university to divest from the US and Israeli weapons companies. Register in advance for this free showing.

Ongoing

• Through the end of August — “HOME” at Art on 1st (300 1st St. SW, Roanoke). “Home” aims to showcase emerging and established artists together, providing collectors a fresh perspective on art in Roanoke, Virginia. The exhibition will be on display throughout the month of August.
• Saturdays through Dec. 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.