Author Talk and Reception with Beth Macy

Charlottesville NOW, with support from Virginia NOW, will host bestselling author and journalist Beth Macy on Sunday, March 15 at 2:00 PM at the Shenandoah Valley Art Center, 416 W. Main Street, Waynesboro. Macy spent 25 years as a reporter for The Roanoke Times, covering the stories of people and communities across western Virginia. Her books examine work, opportunity, and the forces shaping life in rural America. Her first book Factory Man chronicled how globalization reshaped small towns. Dopesick explored the opioid crisis and was adapted into an Emmy- and Peabody-winning Hulu series she helped produce and write. Her newest book, Paper Girl, is a memoir about her childhood and her lifelong focus on community and resilience. The program will include a talk, audience Q&A, book signing, and reception. Books will be available for purchase through Stone Soup Books (Waynesboro, Virginia). The event is free and open to the public. Registration is encouraged: https://www.cvillenow.org/events

Historic Garden Week, Staunton Tour

Spend your day just minutes from artsy, historic downtown Staunton. This year’s tour features city and country gardens that each take the unique perspective of their owners and are viewed against the backdrop of the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. Tour homes include a stately old Virginia mansion; an elegant post-war home; and a fascinating Colonial Revival. Nearby, the Augusta Garden Club will highlight recent improvements to historic Gypsy Hill Park, the setting of the club’s award-winning Project Dogwood. Informative gardening tutorials and talks by master gardeners complete your perfect day in the verdant Queen City. TOUR HEADQUARTERS Gypsy Hill Park, John Moxie Memorial Stadium (aka Winston Wine Memorial Stadium) parking lot TICKETS • Morning (9 am to 1 pm) or afternoon (1 pm to 4 pm) tickets available. Limited availability of both tickets. • $40 pp sold online and in advance at VAGardenWeek.org. • $50 pp day of tour at VAGardenWeek.org and Tour Headquarters, cash or check only • Children’s tickets available for $15 for children ages 5-17 years old. All children must be accompanied by an adult. FACILITIES Gypsy Hill Park Golf Pavilion 5 Deaver Drive Staunton, VA 24401

The Society for Victorian Arts and Culture presents Cupid’s Court – An Interactive Event

Come be the jury to decide whether a young widow was taken advantage of by the charming bachelor. Did he propose marriage and back out? Or was he really just after her money all along? A court case based on actual reported events which is also played for some laughs. A lighthearted look at 19th century love in Staunton.

The Visulite Cinema is Hosting the Paul McCartney Documentary, Paul McCartney: Man on the Run

What happens when you wake up the morning after leaving the most important rock band of all time? In April 1970, Paul released his first solo album, McCartney, alongside a shocking press release that announced the beloved band had split. When asked what he’d do next, he said his only plan…was to grow up. Man on the Run captures Paul’s transformative decade in the wake of The Beatles’ break-up. Paul and his wife Linda escaped to a remote farm in Scotland and raised their family while Paul grappled with the reality of making music on his own. He decided to start from scratch, putting together a band called Wings, first with only Linda, and then eventually with an ever-rotating line-up of musicians. Paul wrestled with critics who wouldn’t acknowledge his solo abilities, with The Beatles over legal issues, and with his own discomfort being the leader of a new band. But Paul just kept writing music, never afraid to try something different. Always grounded and inspired by Linda and their kids, Paul emerged triumphant, embarking on a world tour and producing hit after hit. 1980 brought not only John Lennon’s death, but also an arrest in Japan that left Paul reevaluating everything. The end of the most pivotal decade of his life ended the same way it began, with the dissolution of a band and the release of a groundbreaking solo album. Through stunning archival footage, Linda McCartney’s exceptional photographs, and interviews with Mick Jagger, Chrissie Hynde, Sean Ono Lennon, Mary and Stella McCartney, all the living Wings members, and of course Paul himself, the film examines this time through a uniquely vulnerable lens. This is a Paul McCartney you’ve never seen before.    

Mary Baldwin University Theatre Presents X

In this terrifying play, a team of astronauts are stationed on Pluto. They want to go home but haven’t heard from Earth for weeks. Gilda is Captain, after the unexpected death of the mission’s original leader, Ray. He thought he saw a little girl looking at him through the capsule’s window. Then, she vanished and Ray died. Now, the shuttle’s clock has stopped working and nerves are frayed. The crew struggles to keep it together and hold onto who they are. This production features chills, thrills, and puppetry. For showtimes and to purchase tickets click on the link below  

Galentine’s Day in Downtown Staunton

Galentine’s Day in Downtown StauntonFriendship deserves a night out.What is Galentine’s Day?Galentine’s Day is all about celebrating your favorite people. Your besties, your ride-or-dies, your brunch crew, your chosen family. It’s a day to hype each other up, laugh too loud, and enjoy quality time together. No partners required. Just love, connection, and good vibes.What’s happening?Grab your gal pals and join us for a progressive walk through downtown Staunton, featuring locally owned shops, bevs & girl dinner along the way. Pop in, stroll on, treat yourselves, and make a whole night of it. Expect fun stops, surprises, discounts, and plenty of reasons to linger downtown with your people.Perfect for:•Girls’ night out•Bestie dates•Coworker crews•Celebrating friendship•Supporting local small businessesWhere: Downtown StauntonWhen: Galentine’s Day, February 13Who: You and your favorite humansStay tuned for more details and a full list of participating businesses! Trust us. You’re going to want this on your calendar.

Valentine’s Day Tea at the Frederick House

Join the Frederick House for Valentine’s Day Tea! Tea is $22 per person and includes: ~Your choice of tea, coffee, or hot chocolate ~3 courses of light eats ~Meet and interact with the adoptable cats at Wendy’s Place Cat Rescue Food is a set menu and is vegetarian but NOT vegan. If you have any food allergies please alert them when you make a reservation. All proceeds benefit Wendy’s Place Cat Rescue. Reservations are recommended, but not required and can be made via by calling 540-885-4220 or visiting their Facebook Page.

The Mountaintop at ShenanArts

The night before his assassination King retires to room 306 in the now famous Lorraine Motel after giving an acclaimed speech to a massive church congregation. When a mysterious young maid visits him to deliver a cup of coffee, King is forced to confront his past and the future of his people. Katori Hall’s award-winning play is heartbreaking, humorous and breathtakingly powerful.  The Mountaintop also explores being human in the face of inevitable death—a dramatic feat of daring originality, historical narration and triumphant compassion. The Mountaintop contains adult language and is not recommended for children under 16. February 13-15 and 20-22 Friday-Saturday at 7PM, Sundays at 3PM

The American Shakespeare Center and Staunton Jams Presents Love Songs (With and Without Words)

Staunton Music Festival partners with the American Shakespeare Center for an intimate Valentine’s Day concert at the Blackfriars Playhouse. Whether this is your first visit to the Playhouse or your first live chamber music concert, this evening is designed to feel welcoming, close, and easy to enjoy. Candlelight fills the room, and the musicians perform just a few feet from the audience. This one-hour chamber music concert features three musicians: Sheila Dietrich, soprano, James Wilson, cello, and Carsten Schmidt, piano. The program moves naturally between songs for voice and piano, duos for cello and piano, and a piano solo or two, creating a varied and intimate listening experience. The music originates from the Romantic era and features works by two remarkable composer pairs: Robert and Clara Schumann, and Felix Mendelssohn and his sister, Fanny Mendelssohn. Fanny Mendelssohn composed extensively, though much of her music was published under her brother’s name during her lifetime. Hearing these works together offers a fuller picture of the era’s emotional range and creative partnerships. At the heart of the evening is a rare instrument. The piano used in this performance is a historically accurate replica of a 1830-era fortepiano, commissioned for the Staunton Music Festival. This is the kind of instrument these composers would have known and written for. Its sound is lighter and more intimate than a modern grand piano, making it especially well-suited to a space like the Blackfriars Playhouse. For many listeners, this will be the first opportunity to hear a fortepiano like this in person. With candlelight all around and every seat close to the music, Love Songs, with and without words offers a Valentine’s experience centered on listening, closeness, and shared light.

Cider and Chocolate Pairing at Ciders From Mars

Ciders From Mars annual pairing is back! Stop by the taproom on Valentine’s Day weekend for a match made in heaven – Cider and Chocolate! Their expert cider maker and talented bartenders have joined forces with Laurie’s Chocolates to bring you the perfect pairing experience. Try four ciders paired with four chocolates anytime all weekend long while supplies last! Worried about missing out on this one-of-a-kind experience? Purchase tickets for your pairing up to a week in advance and we’ll reserve one just for you!