Happenings: The Roanoke Rambler Events Calander Week of 11/3-11/9
Election Day opens the week. Veterans take Jefferson Street Saturday, Jim Messina plays the Jefferson Center, the Rail Yard Dawgs have two home games, and the Roanoke Symphony closes the week with a VA250 salute.
Roanoke Rambler | Your week in the Roanoke Valley and beyond
Election Day opens the week. Veterans take Jefferson Street Saturday, Jim Messina plays the Jefferson Center, the Rail Yard Dawgs have two home games, and the Roanoke Symphony closes the week with a VA250 salute. Times and prices are the organizers'. Call ahead before you go.
1. VOTE: General and Special Election
Polls are open 6 a.m.–7 p.m. If you're in line by 7 p.m., you can vote. On the ballot: U.S. Senate, U.S. House, three proposed state constitutional amendments, plus local offices and referendums that vary by locality. Vote at your assigned precinct. (Virginia Department of Elections)
2. Virginia's Veterans Parade — Sat., Nov. 7, downtown Roanoke. The region's biggest Veterans Day salute. (City of Roanoke)
3. Love on 11th Community Festival — Sat., Nov. 7, 11th Street NW. A neighborhood block party meant to keep residents in charge of the story as city redevelopment heads toward the corridor. (City of Roanoke)
4. Roanoke Railway Expo — Sat.–Sun., Nov. 7–8, Virginia Museum of Transportation. Model trains, rail memorabilia and vendors, all for $5. (VMT)
5. Jim Messina — Thu., Nov. 5, Jefferson Center. The Buffalo Springfield, Poco and Loggins & Messina veteran plays, then takes audience questions. (Jefferson Center)
TUESDAY, NOV. 3 — ELECTION DAY
VOTE: General and Special Election
Polls are open 6 a.m.–7 p.m. If you're in line by 7 p.m., you can vote. On the ballot: U.S. Senate, U.S. House, three proposed state constitutional amendments, plus local offices and referendums that vary by locality. Vote at your assigned precinct. (Virginia Department of Elections)
Move & Mingle Pub Run with Fleet Feet Roanoke
6 p.m. | Big Lick Brewing Co., 409 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke | Free
A weekly social run that ends with a beer. (Downtown Roanoke; Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge)
Teen Game Club
4:15–8 p.m. | Roanoke Public Library | Free (Downtown Roanoke)
Justin Wells x Abe Partridge
Doors 7 p.m., show 7:30 p.m. | The Spot on Kirk, 22 Kirk Ave. SW, Roanoke
Kentucky country-rock songwriter Wells shares the bill with Mobile, Alabama, storyteller and songwriter Partridge. (The Spot on Kirk)
"Burnin' Up the Road" Watch Party
6:30 p.m. | The Exchange Music Hall, 201 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke (SupNoke)
Mahjong Lessons
5:30–8 p.m. | Parkway Brewing Co., Salem — Back Bar (SupNoke)
Trivia @ The Alley Cat
Weekly on Tuesdays | The Alley Cat, 335 S. Main St., Rocky Mount (Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge)
Fall-O-The-Light: An Evening of Disc Golf, Music & Food
5–8 p.m. | Eureka Park, Roanoke | FREE
PLAY Roanoke hosts disc golf, with a glow round after dark. Star City Swag plays 5:30–7:30 p.m., and El Muchacho Alegre brings the food. No registration needed. (Roanoke Parks and Recreation)
"ELF" — Spirit FM Community Pick
Doors 6 p.m., film 7 p.m. | Grandin Theatre, 1310 Grandin Rd., Roanoke | $5 + tax general admission (VIP sold out)
The holiday season starts early. Hope Tree Services will collect stocking stuffers for foster youth ages 11–17, such as socks, lip balm and art sets. (Grandin Theatre)
"An Evening with David Sedaris"
7:30 p.m. | Fife Theatre, Moss Arts Center, 190 Alumni Mall, Blacksburg | $95; $10 students with ID and youth 18 and under
About 90 minutes of readings and audience Q&A, with no intermission. (Center for the Arts at Virginia Tech)
Cat Café with Angels of Assisi
3–5 p.m. | Gainsboro Branch Library, Roanoke (SupNoke)
Dinner and a Movie
5–7 p.m. | Melrose Branch Library, Roanoke | Free community dinner (SupNoke)
Foster Burton
5:30–8:30 p.m. | Parkway Brewing Co., Salem (SupNoke)
Midweek Market
5 p.m. | Golden Cactus Brewing, Roanoke (Downtown Roanoke)
Yoga at The Taubman
5:30 p.m. | Taubman Museum of Art, 110 Salem Ave. SE, Roanoke (Downtown Roanoke)
Trivia Night
7 p.m. | Starr Hill Roanoke Pilot Brewery & Side Stage | Free (Downtown Roanoke)
Line Dancing Night with HTLD
8–11 p.m. | Corned Beef & Co., 107 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke | $10 cover (SupNoke)
Open Mic at The Front Row
Weekly on Wednesdays | The Front Row, 356 Salem Ave. SW, Roanoke (Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge)
Jefferson Center Presents: Jim Messina
7:30 p.m. | Shaftman Performance Hall, 541 Luck Ave. SW, Roanoke | $46–$91 (includes a $6 box office fee)
Messina helped invent country rock with Poco and now tours with The Road Runners. After the show, stay for "Conversations with Jim," an audience Q&A emceed by WVTF's Luke Currie. It's included with your ticket. Box office: 540-345-2550. (Jefferson Center)
Lua Project — ¡Música y Cultura! series
Doors 7 p.m., show 7:30 p.m. | The Spot on Kirk | $15 advance, $20 day of show
The trio blends Mexican and Appalachian song forms. (The Spot on Kirk)
Rail Yard Dawgs "Paint the Ice"
Fans can paint the Berglund Center ice with names and messages honoring loved ones affected by cancer, the day before Stick It To Cancer Night. (Berglund Center)
Professional Development Workshop for Educators
9:30–11:30 a.m. | Taubman Museum of Art (Downtown Roanoke)
General Orientation & Makerspace Tour
6:30–7:30 p.m. | MAKE Roanoke | Free (Downtown Roanoke)
Thursday Night Trivia
6:30–9 p.m. | Atheling Meadworks | Free (Downtown Roanoke)
Fishburn Mansion Music Sessions
5:30–7:30 p.m. | Historic Fishburn Mansion, Roanoke (SupNoke)
Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs vs. Pensacola Ice Flyers: Stick It To Cancer Night
Puck drops 7:05 p.m. | Berglund Center, 710 Williamson Rd. NE, Roanoke
Gates open at 6 p.m. Players wear specialty jerseys that are auctioned after the game, with 100% of proceeds going to the American Cancer Society. Parking at the Berglund Center is $10. Fans who scan the QR code can park free at the Elmwood Park Garage, and free shuttles run from 5 p.m. (Rail Yard Dawgs)
Late Night at the Taubman — Holiday Photo Night
5–8 p.m. (galleries open until 9 p.m.) | Taubman Museum of Art | FREE
Four holiday photo backdrops for your holiday card. Questionable sweaters are encouraged. (Taubman Museum of Art)
The Dirty Grass Players with The Red Ferns
Doors 6:30 p.m., show 8 p.m. | 5 Points Music Sanctuary, 1217 Maple Ave., Roanoke | $18–$35, all ages (5 Points Music)
Dylan Dent: "Growing Pains" Album Release Show
With Taye The Truth, Just Some Random Dude and VG | Doors 7:30 p.m., show 8 p.m. | The Spot on Kirk (The Spot on Kirk)
Opening Reception for Tracy Budd
5:30–8:30 p.m. | Left of Center Art Space | Free (Downtown Roanoke)
Geoff the Fiddler
6–9 p.m. | Atheling Meadworks, Roanoke | Free (Downtown Roanoke)
VT vs. SMU Watch Party
6:30–10 p.m. | Big Lick Brewing Co. | Free (Downtown Roanoke)
Terror Manor Haunted House
6–11 p.m. Fri.–Sat. | 805 Norfolk Ave. SW, Roanoke
Children under 16 must have a parent on site. (City of Roanoke; Terror Manor)
SURROUNDING AREAS
· Harvester Free Fridays: Sam Fribush — Doors 7 p.m., ends 10 p.m. | Harvester Performance Center, 450 Franklin St., Rocky Mount | FREE. Hammond organ soul-jazz. (Harvester Performance Center)
· Friday Night Jamboree — 6:30–10 p.m. | Floyd Country Store, 206 S. Locust St., Floyd | $10 adults, $7 ages 7–12, free for kids 6 and under. Gospel from The Comptons, then old-time dance sets with Larry Sigmon & The Virginia Girls. Door tickets go on sale at 4:45 p.m. (Floyd Country Store)
Virginia's Veterans Parade
Downtown Roanoke | Parade 10:45 a.m.–1 p.m. (city listing)
The parade lines up on Jefferson Street between Elm and Walnut, heads north on Jefferson, turns east on Campbell Avenue and ends at Williamson Road. Expect local high schools, universities, VFW posts, veterans groups and scouts. The reviewing stand is in front of the Market Building, and WSLS will televise it. (City of Roanoke) Road closures: Jefferson Street between Elm and Maple closes at 7:30 a.m., and Campbell Avenue between the Jefferson garage and Williamson closes at 8:30 a.m. Side streets along Jefferson close at 9:45 a.m. All roads reopen by 2 p.m. Questions: 540-853-2676. (City of Roanoke)
Love on 11th Community Festival
2–7 p.m. | 11th Street NW, Roanoke
Organizers say the festival is a chance for neighbors to "make sure the community is leading the narrative" as the city's Main Street Project and economic development plans reach 11th Street. It highlights the businesses and churches already there and turns empty spaces into pop-ups. (City of Roanoke)
Roanoke Railway Expo
10 a.m.–5 p.m. Sat.; 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Sun. | Virginia Museum of Transportation, 303 Norfolk Ave. SW, Roanoke | $5
Vendors sell new and used model trains, books and railroad collectibles. Co-organized with the Norfolk & Western Historical Society. (Virginia Museum of Transportation)
Free Art Venture Community Day
10 a.m.–4 p.m. | Taubman Museum of Art | FREE (courtesy of Foot Levelers)
Kids can paint, build, sculpt and try 3D printing and printmaking. Walk-ins welcome. (Taubman Museum of Art)
Rail Yard Dawgs vs. Pensacola Ice Flyers: Small Dawg Races
Puck drops 7:05 p.m. | Berglund Center
Dogs 25 pounds and under race on the ice. Owners must register in advance. (Berglund Center)
Fortunate Youth with Kash'd Out & Jarv
Doors 6 p.m. | The Exchange Music Hall, 201 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke | All ages, standing show
Reggae-rock at downtown's newest music hall. (Afton Tickets / The Exchange)
Weird Phishes — Radiohead/Phish Fusion
Doors 6:30 p.m., show 8 p.m. | 5 Points Music Sanctuary | $16–$33, all ages (5 Points Music)
Dream Cup Kids Soccer Tournament
8 a.m.–6:45 p.m. | River's Edge South, Roanoke (City of Roanoke)
Architectural Highlights Behind-the-Scenes Tour
1–2:30 p.m. | Taubman Museum of Art (also Sunday) (Taubman Museum of Art)
Meet & Greet with Author Steven Gellman
2–4 p.m. | The Bibliopub | Free (Downtown Roanoke)
High Strung Irish
6–9 p.m. | Atheling Meadworks (Downtown Roanoke)
SALEM
· Collage a Card — 2–3 p.m. | Salem Public Library | Family program, registration required. (Salem Public Library)
· Fall Into Blessings: Winter Giveback with S.O.S. — 3 p.m. Free chili, plus gift bags of socks, gloves, hand warmers and jackets for neighbors in need. Donations can be dropped off at Tiki Lounge, 165 Lancaster Dr. SE. (Salem Reporter)
Roanoke Symphony Orchestra: All-American Celebration — Tribute to VA250
3 p.m. | Shaftman Performance Hall, Jefferson Center
Van Cliburn winner Jon Nakamatsu joins the orchestra on piano, with David Stewart Wiley conducting. (Roanoke Symphony Orchestra)
Roanoke Railway Expo, Day 2
11 a.m.–4 p.m. | Virginia Museum of Transportation | $5 (VMT)
Yoga at the Taubman — Sunday
10:30 a.m. | Taubman Museum of Art (Downtown Roanoke)
Watercolor Class: Blue Ridge Parkway Bridge
2–4 p.m. | Big Lick Brewing Co. (Downtown Roanoke)
First Edition D&D with Steve Ausband
1–6 p.m. | Atheling Meadworks | Free (Downtown Roanoke)
The Parlour
3–5 p.m. | The Bibliopub | Free (Downtown Roanoke)
RING Gymnastics (kids under 7)
10:30–11:30 a.m. | Williamson Road Library | Free (Roanoke Public Libraries)
Zine Club (all ages)
3:30–4:30 p.m. | Raleigh Court Library (Roanoke Public Libraries)
Yoga for the People
5:30–6:30 p.m. | Main Library auditorium | Bring your own mat. (Roanoke Public Libraries)
PUBLIC MEETING: City Building and Fire Code Board of Appeals
1–4 p.m. | City Council Chambers (City of Roanoke)
Santa's Helper Shopping Event
10 a.m.–6 p.m. daily Fri.–Mon. | Walkabout Outfitter, 304 Market St., Roanoke (Downtown Roanoke)
· "Washington's Greatest Victory: Yorktown and American Art" — Taubman Museum of Art. Closes Sun., Nov. 8. Last chance. (Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge)
· "American Made: Paintings and Sculpture from the DeMell Jacobsen Collection" — Taubman, through Jan. 24, 2027. (Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge)
· "Kent Bicentennial Portfolio: The Spirit of Independence" — Taubman, through April 11, 2027. (Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge)
· "Jake McCord: Jolly Company" — Eleanor D. Wilson Museum, Hollins University, through Nov. 14. (Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge)
· "No Excellent Beauty: Disability Aesthetics" — Eleanor D. Wilson Museum, through Nov. 25. (Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge)
· "It's a Party! Abstract Work from the Permanent Collection" — Taubman, through Jan. 3, 2027. (Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge)
· "Mallory Zondag: Transmissions from the Anthropocene" — Eleanor D. Wilson Museum, Hollins University, through Dec. 5. (Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge)
· "Maryam Safajoo: The Dream of Freedom" — Eleanor D. Wilson Museum, through Dec. 12. (Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge)
· D-Day, Omaha Beach Traveling Exhibit — National D-Day Memorial, Bedford, daily through Nov. 25. (Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge)
· "Give Me Liberty" Traveling Exhibition — Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest, Lynchburg, daily through Nov. 13. (Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge)
Mark your calendar: The Rail Yard Dawgs host Military Night on Sat., Nov. 14 (Berglund Center). Mill Mountain Theatre's "The Wizard of Oz" opens Nov. 27 (Mill Mountain Theatre).
Got an event for Happenings? Send the date, time, place, price and a link to the organizer's page.
The Roanoke Rambler