Three Notch’d Road Baroque – Cello Joy: Boccherini String Chamber Music

Three Notch’d Road: The Virginia Baroque Ensemble kicks off its 16th season with a program of string chamber music by Italian cello virtuoso Luigi Boccherini, whose Spanish-influenced style delights the ear and charms the heart. Hailing from Lucca, Italy, Boccherini worked for the royal court of Madrid. The program will feature his exuberant string chamber music, including his cello quintet in E Major (G. 275), string trio in G Major (G. 108), and the programmatic cello quintet “Musica notturna delle strade de Madrid” (G. 324) with variations on Retirada. With cellists René Schiffer and James Wilson, violinists Fiona Hughes and Matvey Lapin, and violist Caitlin Cribbs. Discounted season tickets available online and at the first performance; youth/students free

Ox-Eye Vineyards Tasting Room Presents Art Show: June Jordan, The Chimney Series

June Jordan is a Staunton based artist who mainly works in oil on canvas or linen. This series centers around the various views of a specific chimney in downtown Staunton. This show runs until September 3, 2026.

CoArt Featured Exhibition for September is The Art of Photography: Celebrating 200 Years of Photography

Ever since the first “heliograph” of the scene outside a window in Burgundy, France in 1826, photography has been a tool of science, technology, journalism, exploration, and arguably, art. By the early 20th century, the debate over whether photography was mere chemical documentation of reality or a fine art form had been settled by pioneers of the medium such as Stieglitz, Steichen, Weston and Adams. Photography was shown to demand artistic decisions about such things as composition, technique and emotion. Now, two hundred years from the beginning, artistic photography is a broad medium with a whole spectrum of genres, styles and applications. Five artists at the CoArt Gallery use photography in entirely different ways to produce different results and feeling. A special Featured Artist show for September celebrates 200 years of photography will include the work of Michael Bedwell, Susan Bruney, Gail Haile, Alison Thomas, Astrid Tuttle, and Michael Ward. Opening Reception Saturday, September 12 4-6 p.m. During the reception, each artist will discuss their process and inspiration and answer questions.   

It’s Art in the Park!

Mark your calendars! Art in the Park is back at Gypsy Hill Park for Labor Day weekend! Join us for one of the Shenandoah Valley’s favorite arts festivals, featuring over 90 local and regional artists and makers. Browse original paintings, pottery, jewelry, fiber arts, photography, and more — all in the beautiful setting of Gypsy Hill Park. There will Food trucks Art competition with prizes Youth activities Free parking Free admission This is a rain or shine event. We can’t wait to see you there!  

Chalk It Up Staunton: Life in the Creek

Staunton Parks and Recreation in conjunction with the Staunton Augusta Art Center are hosting Chalk It Up Staunton: Life in the Creek Get ready to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary! Join us for a day of vibrant expression and artistic wonder of our NEW chalk art competition. You can win by turning the pavement into a sprawling, colorful canvas that is cohesive with our theme: Life in the Creek. Come for the art, stay for the community spirit, music, and fun! All skill levels/ages are welcome. Reserve your “canvas” aka parking space for $8. *Contestants are encouraged to bring their own washable/non-permanent art supplies but we will have some supplies on hand. NOTE: all participants must adhere to the City’s public art policy  

The Staunton Public Library is hosting The REAL Women: Veterans of Vietnam

Join the Staunton Public Library for an unforgettable evening with award-winning journalist Nancy E. Lynch. Inspired by Kristin Hannah’s best seller, The Women, a fictional account of Army nurse Frankie McGrath’s experiences in war-torn Vietnam, journalist Nancy E. Lynch reads and discusses actual correspondence she received from REAL Delaware women in Vietnam. Delaware military nurses wrote to Ms. Lynch’s award-winning newspaper column, Nancy’s Vietnam Mailbag, a popular read from 1968 to 1972 in The Morning News, then a statewide paper. And a special civilian “Donut Dolly” visited her newspaper office in 1970 to share her experiences. Ms. Lynch included these women’s letters, among the nearly 900 she received from Delaware troops in Vietnam, in her acclaimed book, Vietnam Mailbag, Voices From the War: 1968-1972. She has since gifted these war letters to Delaware Public Archives for their preservation. Mark your calendar, invite your friends, and join us for a moving night of living history!

Mischief Magic & Murder: Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre 2026

Get ready for an evening of suspense, suspicion and intrigue where every twist and turn leads closer to the truth… or does it? Morris Slumpthorn is the renowned professor of arcane studies at Olde Staunton University of Witchcraft & Wizardry. Professor Slumpthorn is on the verge of a major breakthrough. He has invited you and other esteemed guests to his home in Olde Staunton to dine with him as he reveals his latest discovery. But beware, all is not as it seems, and not all wizards should be trusted …{dun dun Dunn} Event Details: Your evening begins with a Potions (1/2) Hour: Meet & greet other guests, take photos or pick up a specialty potion from the cash bar. Be sure to stay alert for hints and clues of any suspicious behavior from your host or fellow invitees. Following Potions Hour dinner is served. Enjoy a 3-course buffet style meal including salad, entrée & dessert. As you dine, the mystery will unfold before your eyes. If you pay close attention you’ll find everything you need to put together the clues and solve a magical murder. You may even be called upon to assist magical law enforcement in identifying the killer! Space is limited and the event was SOLD OUT in past years, so snag your tickets now before they disappear! Enjoy the show! Show Dates & Times: Friday, September 25th 6:30 PM – Doors/Bar opens 7:00 PM – Show begins Saturday, September 26th 4:00 PM – Doors/Bar opens 4:30 PM – Show begins & 7:30 PM – Doors/Bar opens 8:00 PM – Show begins *Ticket time indicates beginning of potions 1/2 hour. Curtain time is 30 minutes after ticket time. Attire & Seating: Guests are welcome to dress to impress in your favorite wizarding or non-magical finery (casual attire is welcome as well) Seating will be on a first come first serve basis, other than groups who have purchased an entire 6 person table. Group purchased tables will be reserved and labeled with the last name of the party who purchased the table. Tickets: Tickets can be purchased online at: https://mischiefmagicandmurder.simpletix.com/ ADVANCE TICKET PURCHASE REQUIRED Tickets will not be sold at the door. Ticket includes an ORIGINAL, FAMILY FRIENDLY two-hour immersive murder mystery experience performed by professional actors, a delicious three-course meal! Please bring a digital or printed copy of your ticket confirmation to present at check-in prior to your showtime. *Discounted children’s tickets/meal available **On-site event parking available

Art & Play Open House at the Staunton Augusta Art Center

Bring your preschooler (ages 4–5) for a complimentary Art & Play lesson: Kitty kites! Art & Play is our revolving, open-enrollment Thursday morning program for preschoolers and their grownups. Free to attend.

Meet The Artist: Valerie Sargent

Join the Wayne Theatre as they host Charlottesville artist, Valerie Sargent.  She will present a collection of abstract paintings that explore movement, emotion, memory, and the subtle currents that shape our lives. For more than two decades, Valerie has worked as an intuitive practitioner, hypnotherapist, Akashic Record reader, and energy healer. Her exploration of consciousness, intuition, and the unseen aspects of human experience naturally found its way onto the canvas. Sargent’s path to painting was anything but traditional. Her paintings range from quiet and contemplative to bold and energetic, reflecting the full spectrum of human experience. Some pieces evoke a sense of mystery, while others pulse with movement and transformation. Each invites viewers to bring their own stories, emotions, and interpretations to the work. While creativity has always been present in her life, painting arrived unexpectedly later in adulthood and quickly became an essential form of expression. What began as curiosity took root as a calling, evolving into a vibrant body of work that continues to surprise and inspire her.

It’s Historic Trades Day at The Frontier Culture Museum

Have you ever spent an afternoon with one of The Frontier Culture Museum’s blacksmiths as they make one-of-a-kind objects for use on their historic farms? Have you ever wondered how buckets and barrels are made? Step back in time at their Historic Trades Day! Talk to expert artisans and watch as they demonstrate their craft using time-honored techniques. With a variety of unique hand-crafted items to explore, you’re sure to find something interesting. You might even find something to take home! This event is general admission and is included in the Annual Pass Program.