The Wayne Theatre presents The Blues Brothers

After his release from prison, Jake (John Belushi) reunites with his brother, Elwood (Dan Aykroyd) — collectively known as the “Blues Brothers.” Jake’s first task is to save the orphanage the brothers grew up in from closing, by raising $5,000 to pay back taxes. The two are convinced they can earn the money by getting their old band back together. However, after playing several gigs and making a few enemies, including the police, the brothers face daunting odds to deliver the money on time. What better way to see this 1980 cult classic than at the iconic Wayne Theatre?

Earth Day Staunton at Gypsy Hill Park

Saturday, April 26th from 11AM to 3PM Come celebrate Earth Day Staunton at Gypsy Hill Park · Meet local wildlife with programs from The Wildlife Center of Virginia. · Touch stream critters. See a Bee Hive. Take home a tree. & some native plants. Look through a solar telescope. · Check out some cool electric cars. · Learn from the local organizations that work every day for the Earth. Celebrate some local Earth Heroes. · Kids receive an event passport to get stamped and earn a souvenir button. · Food Trucks on site. Bring a reusable water bottle. More information can be found at earthdaystaunton.org

An Evening of Traditional and Experimental Folk Music

Thursday, April 24th at 7PM, The SolArt Center presents An Evening of Traditional and Experimental Folk Music This will be an evening of folk, experimental, and classical sounds on traditional bluegrass and stringed instruments. The evening will feature performances by: Eleanora (ambient/classical harp) Doomi Soomi (experimental accordion & banjo) Mike Gangloff & Kaily Schenker (traditional Appalachian and classical sounds on fiddle & cello) More information can be found on the SolArt Facebook Page

Staunton Jams

May 2-May 4 The Judy Chops and 106.3 WQSV are excited to present Staunton Jams, in downtown Staunton. Staunton Jams will be a jamtastic weekend filled with music, arts, culture, and fun for all ages. The event kicks off Friday night and continues into Saturday with a stage on West Beverley Street, with additional events through Sunday happening all over downtown at satellite venues. General attendance is free with tickets available for special events. To find out more information or to get involved as a volunteer, visit stauntonjams.com. Come see how Staunton Jams!

Dear Reader: A Taylor Swift & Shakespeare Literary Crossover

Thursday, April 24th at 6:00pm, as part of Shakespeare’s Birthday Festival, join Viktoria Capek for Dear Reader: A Taylor Swift & Shakespeare Literary Crossover. For Swifties, Shakespeare lovers & literary deep-divers get ready to shake it off with Shakespeare! This interactive masterclass unpacks Taylor Swift’s literary influences, revealing hidden Shakespearean Easter eggs in her lyrics. From Love Story and Willow to Hamlet and Twelfth Night, she’ll break down key plays through “Swift Notes” summaries, song pairings, and lively discussions—because when it comes to storytelling, Taylor and Will are a match made in iambic heaven.

Victorian Ghostly Encounters Tour with Ghosts of Staunton

Embark on a short journey through part of Staunton’s Gospel Hill district as they present part of the Queen City’s Victorian past. The tour will focus upon the paranormal and supernatural during the Victorian era. Mourning traditions, customs and beliefs are discussed as you walk along Kalorama Street to your final destination, the Spotts – Coffman House, believed by many to be Staunton’s most haunted house. The house is believed to be haunted by Mrs. Charlotte Coffman and has been a regular and very popular stop on many of their ghost tours through the years. Now you will have the opportunity to go inside this incredible, historic, Victorian mansion and learn of first-hand accounts of paranormal, haunted activity. The house is not only believed to be haunted by Mrs. Coffman but perhaps many more personalities and individuals.

Annual Harrisonburg Soap Box Derby

The 20th Annual Harrisonburg Soap Box Derby Returns to Rockingham County on May 10. The Rotary Club of Rockingham County is gearing up for an exhilarating event that promises to bring fun, excitement, and friendly competition to the community. The highly anticipated Harrisonburg Soap Box Derby is set to take place on May 10, 2024, bringing together participants of all ages for a day filled with fast-paced races and family-friendly entertainment. Organized by the Rotary Club, this year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever before. The Soap Box Derby has become a beloved tradition in our community, attracting participants from across the region who display their engineering skills and love for speed on the racetrack. The Soap Box Derby is an opportunity for children and teenagers to design and construct their own gravity-powered cars. With creativity and precision, participants assemble their vehicles from a kit, customizing the outside, and refining factors such as weight, aerodynamics, and safety measures to ensure a thrilling yet secure race. For driving and racecar questions, please contact Thomas Rea at trea@bankofthejames.com or 540-239-0023. For media inquiries, please contact: Jim Elmore at jim.elmore@gmail.com or 540-421-7254.

ShenanArts Presents Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Come see ShenanArts’ production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, one of the most enduring musicals of all time! This reimagining of the Biblical story of Joseph, his father Jacob, eleven brothers and the coat of many colors is told entirely through song. After being sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph ingratiates himself with Egyptian noble Potiphar, but ends up in jail after refusing the amorous advances of Potiphar’s wife. While imprisoned, he discovers his ability to interpret dreams and soon finds himself in front of the mighty, but troubled, Pharoah. Joseph’s solution to Egypt’s famine elevates him to Pharoah’s right-hand man and reunites him with his family. The magical musical is full of catchy songs in a variety of styles, from a parody of French ballads (“Those Canaan Days”), to country-western (“One More Angel in Heaven”), and calypso (“Benjamin Calypso”), along with unforgettable classics, “Any Dream Will Do” and “Close Every Door.” With a multi-generational cast, you will not want to miss this joyful journey celebrating the enduring power of faith, perseverance, hope, and dreams. Tickets: $12-$19, www.shenanarts.org Showtimes: Friday and Saturday 7 pm, Sundays 3 pm. Recommended for ages 6 and up. Directed by Jennifer Vaughan and presented through special arrangement with Concord Theatricals.

Breaking Bread Community Conversation: What are we losing? Where do we want to go from here?

Every spring, Building Bridges for the Greater Good invites the public into conversation around important issues affecting our community. This year’s Breaking Bread event will focus on how decisions that are being made in Washington will affect the Staunton-Augusta-Waynesboro area – and what we want to prioritize as a community and as a Commonwealth going forward. Building Bridges is an all-volunteer community initiative that was founded to work towards the vision of “a community of equality, unity and love where everyone can thrive.” They believe the past decade witnessed greater recognition of the need to address the legacies of historic harms and to enact policies to help create a community in which all can live in dignity, with safety and belonging. Yet as Building Bridges founder, Mr. Ophie Kier observes: “Many of these gains are now threatened and we are facing the challenge of how best can we, as a community, hold onto our values and continue to make progress?” The event will start with a few speakers briefly describing some of the likely local effects of national budget cuts and policy changes. This will be followed by table group discussions, where everyone will have a chance to talk with neighbors about the implications for their lives, their concerns and their hopes. The program will conclude with a whole community discussion about how best we might respond in order to ensure that everyone in our community might thrive. Speakers for opening remarks include: · Leslie Beauregard – Staunton City Manager · Dr Ryan Barber – Waynesboro City Schools Assistant Superintendent · AnhThu Nguyen – Chair, Staunton DEI Commission · Shonny Kier Cooke – Director of Workforce Programs, Piedmont Community College · Dr. Amy Tillerson Brown – Dean, Mary Baldwin College Because this is an important election year for Virginia, we are inviting those who want to be candidates for state office to participate as listeners and their campaigns can set up tables to connect with voters. To continue with the tradition of having conversations while enjoying home baked treats, Building Bridges is also inviting community members to bring homemade cookies to share, if they are able.

Come Dance with “Steve the Painter”

Come dance with ‘Steve The Painter’ this Saturday April 12th, 8PM – 11PM, with DJ grooves, dance and lights! at The Warehouse Staunton, 162 Greenville Ave, Staunton, VA.