eventzone » festival in the park

Support EventZone and the Festival in the Park’s Scholarship for the Arts Program!

Larry — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:00:50 +0000

Since 1991, EventZone and Festival in the Park has awarded and funded over $122,000 in art scholarships to students around the Roanoke Valley and surrounding areas. We appreciate all the teachers and school staff that help spread the word about the Festival Scholarship and encourage students to apply. Each year the scholarship judges are more impressed with the high caliber of work that is submitted, it proves to be a more difficult task choosing winners! See some of the prior year recipients on this web page.

You can help fund these students’ futures by donating now. With just a click of the button below you can donate any amount and because EventZone is a non-profit 501(c)(3), all donations are tax deductible. Thank you for supporting these young adults in your community and helping them achieve their dreams!

Donate and Support local students pursuing arts education

The Family Stone & 1964: The Tribute – will take you higher at Festival in the Park!

Larry — Wed, 11 May 2011 17:33:51 +0000

Sunday night, May 29, in Elmwood Park on the Festival in the Park big stage with the big screen, we’ll be taking you higher! Or should we say it’ll be a family affair! Either way we say it, you’re guaranteed a unique and unforgettable musical experience. The Family Stone, features three original members of the legendary Soul/Funk/R&B band Sly & the Family Stone, surrounded by the hottest R&B, funk and soul musicians you’ll find. Cynthia Robinson (trumpet), Jerry Martini (saxophone) and Greg Errico (drums) are original founding members of Sly & The Family Stone. Jerry, Cynthia and Greg are also 1993 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees, as well as R&B Pioneer Award winners. They are also the heart of The Family Stone and are keeping the legacy alive and true to its original sound and raw funk groove.

But they’re obviously not alone, The Family Stone features the powerful voices of Alex Davis and Trina Johnson. Alone with an outstanding assemble of musicians. Together they’ll bring you a musical message of peace, love and social consciousness through musical harmony wrapped in one of the funkiest and liveliest shows you’ll find. Experience for yourself the roots of funk and you’ll understand what half a million others worldwide already know…”Cynthia and Jerry got a message, they say… ALL THE SQUARES GO HOME!”

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Plus keeping a Festival in the Park tradition alive (but with a twist) opening for The Family Stone is 1964: The Tribute. Since the early 80’s, “1964″…The Tribute has been thrilling audiences all over the globe with what Rolling Stone Magazine has called the “Best Beatles Tribute on Earth”. “1964″ takes their audiences on a journey through a quintessential moment in music history that will live forever. Over 20 years of researching and performing have made “1964″ masters of their craft. They are hailed by critics and fans alike as the most authentic and endearing Beatles tribute show in the world.

Of course fans of Festival in the Park already know about this – but did you know that Roanoke’s Festival in the Park is one of the band’s favorite shows each year!

What a night of unforgettable night of music and showmanship!

Tickets for this show and all other Festival in the Park concerts are on sale now!

We suggest you take advantage of the new online advance “Print at home” discount e-ticketing.

Be certain to be a Festival in the Park Facebook fan to get all the latest information.

Presented by

Blues Traveler’s John Popper Headlines Saturday at Festival in the Park

Larry — Tue, 10 May 2011 15:58:09 +0000

Saturday night, May 28, in Elmwood Park on the Festival in the Park big stage with the big screen, up close it’s John Popper, the enigmatic front-man of multi-platinum Grammy winners, Blues Traveler! John and his awesome new band,The Duskray Troubadours, will be playing songs from their just released CD, and some Blues Traveler classics such as “Run-Around” and “Hook.”

This new project is labor of love says Popper, “Something in me kicked in and I just floored it,” says the singer/harp slinger. “It was absolutely exhilarating. I felt free, because I was going to do something I loved, and just for me.” That something was a month-long recording session in the mountains of New Mexico. The result was the self-titled debut CD of John Popper and The Duskray Troubadours.

This is a side project for John, it’s like a part-time scrappy, roots-rock extension of Popper’s work in Blues Traveler. But before you get the wrong idea, John Popper and The Duskray Troubadours is more than a Popper-led solo project or a back-to-basics whiff of nostalgia. It’s the sum of six rock-solid players—rounded out by bassist Steve Lindsay, drummer Mark Clark, guitarists Kevin Trainor and Aaron Beavers, and guitarist/producer Jono Manson—coming together to channel the loose, limit-less spirit of simpler days. “What I love about this album is that I’m playing differently,” says Popper, “and not because I tried to, either. The music led me there, which is the best way to do it, really. On this album, melody is what drove everything.”

Tickets for this show and all other Festival in the Park concerts are on sale now.

We suggest you take advantage of the new online advance “Print at home” discount ticketing.

Buy tickets Now!

Be certain to be a Festival in the Park Facebook fan to get all the latest information.

Presented by

AEP Festival 5 & 10K Run Registration is Live

Larry — Mon, 09 May 2011 16:31:12 +0000

All that winter training is ready to pay off. The annual Appalachian Power Festival 5 & 10K Run is the “unofficial” start of the race season for many in SW Virginia. As always, it scheduled for the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend – May 28, 2011.

Simultaneous start for 5K & 10K

Disposable chips will be used!

New tech T-Shirt this year!

Registration Info:

$21.00 (Till midnight of May 13)

$30.00 (May 14th & after)

Tech T-shirts are guaranteed to participants who register by midnight of May 11, 2011.

Register Online Now (click here) or download mail-in entry form:

Mail-In Entry Form

(Mail-in entries add an additional $5)

Make Checks Payable to:

EventZone

711-C 5th Street NE

Roanoke, VA 24016

Packet Pick-Up

Packets may be picked up at Fleet Feet (622 Townside Road SW, Roanoke, VA 24014) on Friday, May 27 from noon till 6 pm or on race day from 6:30 am to 7:30 am in front of the Library Downtown (706 South Jefferson St Roanoke, VA 24011)

Race routes

Only a slight change in the the route for both course. The Start/Finish line is moved slightly south on Jefferson Street to accommodate the new venue layout of Festival in the Park. The routes will run along Jefferson Street, Walnut Avenue and then enter the Roanoke River Greenway – before returning. Open the map files below for more detailed information.

5K_Festival_Run_Map_2011

10k_Festival_Run_Map_2011

Post Race Celebration

The post race Celebration and award ceremony will be held at the main stage of Festival in the Park within Elmwood Park. Water, sports drinks, fruit and other food will be available. Plan to spend the morning with us at Festival in the Park as well!

Time & Results

Again we’re using the disposable chip timing. Results will be posted on the following websites following the event:

www.MountainJunkies.net

www.CommonwealthGames.org

www.EventZone.org

For any additional information you can contact the Virginia Amateur Sports office at 540.343.0987 or 1.800.333.8274 (Virginia only)

Silent Auction at the last Kroger Cabin Fever Series – March 4

Larry — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 23:06:35 +0000

At the March 4, 2011 Kroger Cabin Fever Series concert (featuring Jim Quick and Coastline) – we will be holding a terrific Silent Auction to benefit the Festival in the Park Scholarship for the Arts Program. Make sure you arrive early, as there are so many great items to bid on! This is a fun night filled with dancing and fabulous music, why not help out a worthy cause while you’re there -

and pick up some great deals!

Festival’s Scholarship for the Arts Program began in 1991 and has to date awarded over $115,000 to area students pursuing further education in the arts. These awards are made annually to high school seniors and college freshmen who live within a 100 mile radius of Roanoke. This scholarship program is for post secondary educational studies in the arts which include: music, dance, theater, sculpture, painting, photography, and drawing. Please help us support the future of the ARTS in our community!!

For more information about the Scholarship for the Arts Program, visit the Festival in the Park website.

Click here to purchase Kroger Cabin Fever Series tickets.

Put on your dancing shoes and don’t forget your wallet! We will see you there!

A Memorial Day weekend that won’t break the bank!

Larry — Tue, 18 May 2010 14:01:31 +0000

Roanoke, Virginia (May 28-31, 2010) - Festival in the Park will celebrate its 41^st year during Memorial Day weekend. As always, Festival in the Park is an exciting weekend with tons of stuff to do for any age, but this year will prove to be the best by far! We’ve got a fantastic concert line-up as well as a jammed packed weekend of family friendly activities that are sure to please! We’re bringing back many of the popular activities that people look forward to during Festival weekend like the Fine Arts & Craft Show, the Youth Art Show, the infamous Fireman’s Foam, Honey tree’s inflatables and face painting, Fire Safety House and many fabulous daytime performing artist.

However, we’re excited about the new additions to the line-up this year like Larry’s Tropical Bird Show, Dr. Laura Mann’s “Opera-tunity” Show and the Mega- Extreme Obstacle Course & Bungee Run. All the daytime activities are absolutely free! What a great way to entertain an entire family without having to spend lots of money.

In addition to all of the great activities listed above, Festival in the Park is excited to bring many well-known, national acts to downtown Roanoke. Star Country, WDBJ-7 and Festival in the Park are bringing country star- Rodney Atkins and Big Kenny, from Big and Rich. Rodney Atkins has had over five hit singles that have topped both Country Music Charts as well as Billboard. Rutledge will also be performing on opening night, May 28^th; gates open at 5:30pm. On Saturday, May 29^th K92, Bud Light and Festival in the Park are bringing international sensation Sister Hazel. Polychrome is a local group who will be opening for the platinum selling group. Star Country and Cox Communications are back at it on Sunday, May 30^th with another great concert line-up including Chris Young, The Band Perry and Jaron & The Long Road to Love. All three acts currently have hits on the Country Music Charts and I-tunes top 50. Again, gates open at 5:30pm; music starts around 6:00pm. Join us to celebrate Memorial Day (Monday, May 31^st) in style with 1964: The Tribute, presented by Q99, Kroger, Oakey’s and Festival in the Park. This act is always a crowd favorite and we are excited to have them back again for another year!

You can enjoy all four nights of fabulous music for only $32.00 by purchasing a “Festival EZ 4-Pass” at any area Kroger Store or $10.00 per person at the gate. Don’t miss out on this Memorial Day weekend tradition!

Festival in the Park concert artists have 17 – Top 30 Hits!

Larry — Sat, 08 May 2010 19:09:28 +0000

We added up the Top-30 hits from the artists at this year’s Festival in the Park, May 28-31, and wow! We were blown away. Collectively the artists performing at this year’s Festival in the Park concerts have 17, Top-30 hits. And we’re not counting the Beatles music performed by 1964: The Tribute or the hits of Big & Rich (Big Kenny will be appearing solo on Friday Night).

Here’s the breakdown

Rodney Atkins – 7
Honesty (#4 – 2003)
If You’re Going Through Hell (Before the Devil Even Knows) (#1 – 2006)
Watching You (#1 – 2006)
These Are My People (#1 – 2007)
Cleaning This Gum (#1 – 2007)
It’s America (#1 – 2008)
15 Minutes (#20 – 2009)

Sister Hazel – 6
All For You (#1 – 1997)
Change Your Mind (#5 – 2000)
Champagne High (#22 – 2000)
Mandolin Moon (#26 – 2006)
Your Mistake (#27 – 2003)
Happy (#27 – 1998)
Life Got In The Way (#36 – 2003)

Chris Young – 2
The Man I Want To Be ( Currently #2)
Gettin’ You Home (The Black Dress Song) (#1 – 2009)

Jaron & The Long Road To Love – 1
Pray For You (Currently #22)

The Band Perry – 1
Hip To My Heart (Currently # 20)

By the way Concert admission is just $10.00 at the gate, or purchase a Festival EZ 4-Pass for $32.00 (that’s four admissions to be used in any combination. You can’t go to the movies for that! Festival EZ 4-Pass tickets will be on sale soon at all area Kroger stores.

2nd Annual Derby Day Gala – a huge success!

Larry — Mon, 03 May 2010 17:47:30 +0000

It was a beautiful day on Saturday, May 1 at Rockledge for the 2nd Annual Derby Day Gala fundraiser. It was a little warm until the sun set, so all those big hats and cool seer sucker suite came in handy! The food was great, the beverages refreshing, and Hoppie Vaughn and the Pace Brothers sounded terrific. Nearly 150 “good looking” people attended and enjoyed the Kentucky Derby and the view from Mill Mountain – while supporting the Festival in the Park Scholarship for the Arts.

See photos from the 2010 Derby Day Gala.

See more photos here.

Pace Brothers & Hoppie Vaughan at Derby Day Gala

Larry — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 16:43:15 +0000

The music at this year’s Derby Day Gala on Sat., May 1, 2010, will be kickin’ it up a little bit. It will feature The Pace Brothers with Hoppie Vaughan.

The Pace Brothers feature James Pace on organ and Cyrus Pace on guitar. Inspired by the great jazz groups lead by the organists Jimmy Smith, Jimmy McGriff, and Dr. Lonnie Smith, the Pace Brothers play a modern version of jazz and soul music. Cyrus Pace toured extensively with US Navy Band and received his Master’s degree from Manhattan School of Music. He is also the Coordinator of Fine Art for the Roanoke City Public School system. James Pace is a full time musician touring internationally as well as performing with several bands in the Roanoke Valley Area. He also offers private piano and organ lessons. Their first CD together is due to be released in May. It was recorded at the Music Lab at the Jefferson Center.
Hoppie Vaughan is Roanoke’s best known and legendary blued-eyed, soul singer. Faithfully recreating the sounds of Curtis Mayfield, Luther Vandross, and James Brown to name a few. Together the Pace brothers and Hoppie will keep the party moving in all the right ways!

The Derby Day Gala is a fund raiser for the Festival in the Park Scholarship for the Arts Program. Tickets are $100.00 per person (a portion is tax deductible). Admission include food, beverages, entertainment and all the good-looking people watching you can handle! See photos from the 2009 Derby Day Gala.

IMPORTANT! Capacity is limited to the Derby Day Gala – so RSVP today to Debbie McClure dmcclure@rev.net or call (540)-580-2526 to make your reservations.

Food is just one of the stars of Derby Day Gala!

Larry — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 20:50:30 +0000

Photo Courtesy of Rod Dixon

There’s a lot of elements that made last year’s inaugural Derby Day Gala fundraiser such a huge success. The breathtaking view from Mill Mountain, the elegance of the Rockledge home, the graciousness of our event hosts, the enthusiasm of the Derby Day Gala committee members, the great looking people in their Derby attire, the fine wine, the mint juleps, and even the Kentucky Derby itself. But certainly one of the big attractions of the event was the food prepared by the chefs and students of the Virginia Western School of Culinary Arts. Not only was the menu absolutely delicious, beautiful in presentation and plentiful – but the Culinary Arts students were so enthusiastic and enjoyable – they became a big hit themselves.

Photo Courtesy of Rod Dixon

The menu for this year’s Derby Day Gala, on May 1, 2010, has been tweaked to add even more classic Derby culinary treats. It will feature action stations with carved turkey hot browns, shrimp & grits, strip lion with Henry Bains sauce. Also expect pork lion on sweet potato biscuits, grilled vegetables, Rumaki-scallops wrapped in bacon, Italian sausage dip, Kentucky Burgoo to name just a few. Of course no Derby Day Gala would be complete without Kentucky Derby pie and other sweet treats!

Invitations have been mailed to last year’s guests. We’ve had overwhelming response and the buzz has started. Capacity to the Derby Day Gala is limited, but if you are interested in joining us I bet we can find room – and some food! The Derby Day Gala is a fund raising event for Festival in the Park and it’s Scholarship for the Arts Program. Your tax deductible contribution of $100.00 per person guarantees you a great experience and a few keep sakes. Event begins at 4:00pm- 9:30pm. Oh yea, we understand that Derby hat sales at Roanoke Valley retailers is already brisk – so we suggest you get started on your attire ASAP! See this web site for Derby Hat ideas and tips.

Email Debbie McClure or call (540) 580-2526 for more information.

See photos from the 2009 Derby Day Gala!

Photo Courtesy of Rod Dixon