5.26–6.01

Mon 5/26 - Memorial Day 🇺🇸
I hope you're getting some time to relax and celebrate this day of remembrance. Looking for something to do but stuck inside because of the weather? Google offers this Virtual Tour of United States Veterans and War Memorials, and this evening PBS will be airing their National Memorial Day Concert. Or, check out the Veterans Fighting Fascism's reading list if you're seeking a greater understanding of where we are and where we've been in the fight against authoritarianism.

Tue 5/27
✮ 5:30–6:30pm: Plawking in Southeast // Salvation Army // free ↝
📚 6–7:30pm: Coffee, Tea, & Poetry (poem sharing) // Roanoke Higher Ed Center // free ↝
🏆 6–9pm: Crokinole Night (Canadian board game club) // Golden Cactus // free ↝
🎭 7pm (doors 6): 2025 Film Lab Showcase (student work) // Grandin Theatre // $7 ↝
✮ 7pm: "A Spy Unmasked" (Revolutionary history lecture) // Christ Lutheran Church // $5 ↝
🎭 7:30pm (doors 7): The R.E.A.L. Funny Open Mic Night (comedy) // The Spot on Kirk // free, donations appreciated ↝
♫ 8pm (doors 7): Steve Earle (country, rock) // The Harvester Performance Center - Rocky Mount // $71+ ↝
♫ 9:30pm: Christian Q. & Co. (funk, blues, jazz, pop) // Martin's Downtown // free ↝

Wed 5/28
✮ 5–7pm: Lick Run Farmers Market (every final Wednesday) // Lick Run Farm // free ↝
✮ 5–8pm: Community Health & Wellness Market // Golden Cactus // free ↝
♫🍔 5–8pm: Jazz Night // Six and Sky // reservations recommended ↝
✮🍔 6pm: History After Dark (medieval brothels talk with tapas bar) // 1772 Rooftop on Main - Finastle // $30, call to reserve ↝
✮ 6:30pm: Creative Conversations: Side Hustle vs. Full-Time Entrepreneurship (speaker-led conversation) // The Collective // free ↝
📚 6–8pm: Silent Book Club // Ursula's Cafe // free ↝
🎭 7–9pm (sign-ups begin at 6:30): Open Mic Comedy Night with the Comedy Lab // Big Lick Brewing // free ↝
♫ 7–11pm: Open Mic Night // The Front Row // free ↝
♫ 7:30–10:30pm: Tim Rowlett (country, variety, cover) // Hanging Rock Tavern - Salem // free ↝
♫ 9:30pm: Ben Trout Band // Martin's Downtown // free ↝

Thu 5/29
✮ 4–6pm: Off the Clock (networking, hors d'oeuvres, beverages) // 202 Social House // $10 ↝
🎨 4–7pm: Artistic Encounters: Amy Woods (watercolor artist meet & greet) // Blue Ridge PBS // free ↝
🎨 5:30–7:30pm: Mosaic Lamp & Candle Holder Experience (workshop) // Hammer & Stain // $32+ ↝
♫ 5:30–8:30pm: Party in Elmwood: The Tonez // Elmwood Park // $10 ↝
📚 6–7pm: Rainy Day Reads (book club) // Sycamore Station // free ↝
🌳 6–7:30pm: Community Night: Explore SE Walk & Talk (workshop, kids' activities, and yoga) // Morningside Urban Farm // free ↝
♫ 7:30pm (doors 7): ADJY, Lost In Space Camp, TLVS (shoegaze, math rock) // The Spot on Kirk // $12 adv. $15 day of ↝
♫ 7:30–10:30pm: Starfire Live! (cover) // Hanging Rock Tavern - Salem // free ↝
♫ 9:30pm: Caleb Carpenter (Appalachian indie pop/rock) // Martin's Downtown // free ↝

Fri 5/30
🏆 10am–noon: Mahjong at the Mansion (4-week introductory series) // Fishburn Mansion // $65 for all classes ↝
🧸🎨 4–5:30pm: Sculpture & 3D for Children (art class) // Art on 1st // $35 ↝
🎨 6–7:30pm (doors 5:30): Southwest Sunset Paint & Sip // Stoney Brook Vineyards - Troutville // $32 ↝
♫ 6–9pm (doors 5:30): Shorefire (funk, rock, reggae) // Grandin Chillage // $5 (<12 free) ↝
♫ 6–9pm: Charissa Joy solo (soul, acoustic) // Twisted Track Brewpub // free ↝
♫ 6:30pm: Chris Hammock (singer-songwriter) // Twin Creeks Brewing // free ↝
♫ 7–9pm: Drum Circle with The Beat Goes On // Highland Park // free ↝
♫ 7:30–10:30pm: Troublesome Blues Band (rock, folk, blues) // Olde Salem Brewing - Roanoke // free ↝
♫ 8pm (doors 6:30): Red NOT Chili Peppers (RHCP tribute) // 5 Points Music Sanctuary // $24+ ↝
♫ 8pm (doors 7): Morgan Wade, Aidan Canfield (country) - night 1 // The Harvester Performance Center - Rocky Mount // $60+ ↝
♫ 8pm (doors 7:30): Songwriters Night feat. Matt Browning, William Seymour, Hoppie Vaughan, & Addie Levy // The Spot on Kirk // $20 adv. $25 day of ↝
♫ 10pm: Billingsley (indie rock, fusion) // Martin's Downtown // $10 ↝

Sat 5/31
✮ 10–11am: Farm Sanctuary Tour // Butterfly Field Farm Sanctuary - Bedford // $12 ↝
🧸🏆 10am–4pm: Family STEM Olympics (outdoor games, all grade levels) // River's Edge Sports Complex // free ↝
✮ 10am–4:30pm: Free admission for locals // O. Winston Link Museum ↝
🎨 10am–5pm: Sidewalk Art Show - day 1 // downtown Roanoke around the Taubman // free ↝
🏆🍔 11am–1:30pm: Aventon Fest (e-bike seminar & cookout) // Cardinal Bicycle // free ↝
🧸 11am–3pm: Spring Fun Day (family-friendly entertainment) // Melrose Plaza // free ↝
🏆🍔 11am–3pm: Wickets & Wine (benefit social with lunch and croquet) // Fishburn Mansion // $50 ↝
🌳 11am–4pm: Spring Hollow Exploration (guided hike) // 6200 W. Main Street, Salem // $30 ↝
🏳️‍🌈🐾 noon–4pm: Paws with Pride Block Party (adoption event, vendors, & entertainment) // 1340 Baldwin Ave NE // free ↝
📚 1–3pm: Found Poetry Workshop - early session // Dragon Bite Books & Crafts // $10 ↝
🎭 2–4pm: Improv Workshop // Ursula's Cafe // suggested donation $30; ages 12+ ↝
🎨 2–7pm: Tie Dye Workshop // Atheling Meadery // free; BYOS(hirt) ↝
📚 3:30–6:30pm: Found Poetry Workshop - late session // Dragon Bite Books & Crafts // $10 ↝
♫ 4–9pm: Star City Rockabilly Festival (music, food, & drinks) // VA Museum of Transportation // incl. in museum admission ↝
♫ 4:30–7:30pm: McFadden and Friends (jazz, blues, R&B) // Hanging Rock Tavern - Salem // free ↝
🎭 5–6pm: Family-Friendly Improv Show // Ursula's Cafe // suggested donation $10 ↝
♫ 6pm–late: EDM Night w/ Roanoke Rugby // Starr Hill Brewery // free ↝
💃 7–11pm (beginner lesson at 7): BLUU: Island Sunset Salsa Social // The Galleria on Williamson // $10 ↝
♫ 7:30pm: The Matt Tucker Band (country) // Sidewinders ↝
♫ 7:30–10:30pm: Winn, Mesko, & Young (local supergroup) // Hanging Rock Tavern - Salem // free ↝
♫ 8pm (doors 7): Morgan Wade, Aidan Canfield (country) - night 2 // The Harvester Performance Center - Rocky Mount // $60+ ↝
♫ 8pm (doors 7:30): Joe Kaplow, The Stray Lions (indie pop, folk) // The Spot on Kirk // $12 adv. $15 day of ↝
♫ 9pm: Patchwork Band (cover) // The Coffeepot // free ↝
🏆 9pm–1am: Season Finale Sip & Skate (adults-only roller skate night club) // Firehouse Skate 'N Play // $15 adv., 21+ ↝
♫ 10pm: Screaming Infidelities Emo Night // Martin's Downtown // $12 ↝

Sun 6/1
🏆🌳 6–8am: Star Run (monthly running event) // 208 Reserve Ave SW // free ↝
🏆 6:30am–1pm: Conquer the Cove 25K & Marathon Trail Races // Sherwood Archers // $70–100 ↝
🎨 10am–5pm: Sidewalk Art Show - day 2 // downtown Roanoke around the Taubman // free ↝
🎨 1–4pm: Opening Reception: A Thread Through Roanoke// Art on 1st // free ↝
♫ 2–5pm: The Star City Céilí Band (Celtic) // Twin Creeks Brewing // free ↝
🎨 4–6pm (doors 3:30): Mythical Creatures Paint Party // Bubba's 33 // $32 ↝
♫ 5–7pm: Music on the Mountain with Foster Burton // Mill Mountain Discovery Center // free ↝
♫ 5–8pm: Grass Roots Union (bluegrass) // Fork in the Alley // free ↝
♫ 7:30pm (doors 7): Jason Scott & The High Heat, Jared Stout Trio (alt country, Americana) // The Spot on Kirk // $15 adv. $20 day of ↝
🎭 8pm: Kevin James (comedian) // Berglund Performing Arts Theatre // $41+ ↝

Ongoing/Multiple Dates

🚂 May 30–31: 611's 75th Anniversary Celebration // Virginia Museum of Transportation // "Our iconic steam locomotive, the N&W J-Class No. 611, turns 75 this month!" Activities include railyard cab & car tours, motor car rides, photo ops, presentations, an art exhibition, a silent auction, live music, food, beer garden, kids' activities, and strolling magic! // prices vary ↝

🇱🇧 May 30–June 1: Roanoke Lebanese Festival // St. Elias Maronite Catholic Church // Experience the culture of Lebanon through traditional food, folk dancing and music, kids' activities, and historical tours. // free ↝

🖼️ May 31–June 1: Sidewalk Art Show // Taubman Museum // "Hosted on the streets immediately surrounding the Museum, this annual event has become one of Southwest Virginia’s most anticipated events...All of the works exhibited are for sale including original paintings, prints, watercolors, etchings, mixed media, fine art photographs, fine crafts, and sculpture." ↝

🍱 May 31–June 8: Virginia's Blue Ridge Restaurant Week // various locations // "It's time for a culinary metro mountain adventure in the Roanoke Region in Virginia's Blue Ridge!" Featuring menu specials at set price points from participating restaurants in Roanoke, Salem, Vinton, Rocky Mount, Botetourt, Franklin, and Roanoke. // See the restaurants here ↝