Week of 5/6 to 5/13

We scoured community calendars, city listings, downtown postings, and regional event pages so you didn’t have to. From ribbon cuttings and public meetings to concerts, races, and museum events, here’s what’s happening in Roanoke and surrounding areas this week. We encourage folks to contact the venue directly to learn of any last-minute changes or cancellations.

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This week

Wednesday, May 6 through Friday, May 8 — Economic Development Week in Roanoke, led by the City of Roanoke Department of Economic Development. The city is marking the week with a message about jobs, housing, education, and quality of life.

Wednesday, May 6 — RoVa Labs ribbon cutting at Carilion Clinic, 3 to 6 p.m. The new 40,000-square-foot biotech incubator celebrates its opening with tours and introductions to tenants 

Wednesday, May 6 — National Small Business Week virtual summit, part of the federal small-business celebration running May 3 to May 9 

Wednesday, May 6 — BRRAG monthly meeting at Gainsboro Library, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The agenda includes the Sorriest Bus Stop contest wrap-up and Juneteenth planning

Wednesday, May 6 — Cardinal News 250 Trivia Night at Twisted Track Brewpub, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. A free trivia night tied to Virginia’s VA250 commemoration.

Wednesday, May 6 — Best Practices for Small Business Success, SBDC workshop, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. 

Wednesday, May 6 — From Credit to Capital: Getting Your Business Funding Ready, SBDC workshop, 12 p.m.

Wednesday, May 6 — Legal Essentials for Business: Contract and Policy Basics, SBDC workshop, 4 p.m. 

Wednesday, May 6 — LGBTQ+ Suicide Prevention & Sensitivity Training, hosted by the Virginia Department of Health at Melrose Plaza 

Thursday, May 7 — Roanoke County School Board Work Session

Thursday, May 7 — Youth Mountain Bike Race at Upper Washington Park, 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.

Thursday, May 7 — Community/office-hours civic meetings around Roanoke continue to roll through local calendars, including constituent and neighborhood-facing sessions 

Friday, May 8 — A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Mill Mountain Theatre, 7 to 9 p.m.

Friday, May 8 — Daytime small-business and civic programming continues across the region as part of Economic Development Week and Small Business Week.

Saturday, May 9 — Lyme Warrior 5K at Wasena Park, all day.

Saturday, May 9 — FORKAPALOOZA at Fork in the Alley, 3:00 to 10:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 9 — Mother’s Day R&B Festival at Elmwood Park, 4:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 9 — Daisy Art Parade and Carnival, River’s Edge Sports Complex – North, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday, May 9 — Art and Architecture Walking Tour: Heart of Downtown, Taubman Museum of Art, 1 to 2 p.m.

Saturday, May 9 — The Darkside Experience – Pink Floyd Tribute, 5 Points Music Sanctuary, 6:30 to 11:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 9 — Star Hill Brewery after-party for Daisy Art Parade and Carnival.

Saturday, May 9 — VA250 Mobile Museum Experience in Franklin County at Benjamin Franklin Middle School, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday, May 9 — Weekend restaurant and brewery happenings continue across Roanoke’s event calendars and hospitality venues.

Sunday, May 10 — Music on the Mountain, Mill Mountain Discovery Center, 5 to 7 p.m.

Sunday, May 10 — Mother’s Day Tiffany Inspired Collage Flower Pot, Taubman Museum of Art.

Sunday, May 10 — Magoo w. The Red Ferns, 5 Points Music Sanctuary, 6:30 to 11:30 p.m.

Monday, May 11 — Weekly recurring events continue across downtown, museum, and restaurant calendars, including recurring arts and food offerings.

Tuesday, May 12 — Regional business, civic, and venue calendars continue to fill in with weekday events across Roanoke and Salem.

Wednesday, May 13 — Boogie on the Mountain, Mill Mountain Discovery Center, 6 to 8 p.m.

Wednesday, May 13 — Wednesday Night Disco Mountain Bike Race, Mill Mountain Trail System, 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Wednesday, May 13 — QuickBooks 101: Set Up and Start Tracking Your Business Finances, SBDC workshop, 10 a.m. 

Wednesday, May 13 — A Tour of Italy with the Roanoque Baroque Chamber Orchestra and Choir, St. John’s Episcopal Church, 6 to 7:30 p.m.