2008 ROANOKE ARTS FESTIVAL SET

Second annual event to feature legendary Crystal Gayle; Rock ’n’ roll, bluegrass and classical music planned; Theater, culinary arts and puppet show among offerings

Planning already under way for 2009 Festival

ROANOKE, Va., (July 10, 2008) – The second annual Roanoke Arts Festival, re-timed this year to help celebrate the opening of the new Taubman Museum of Art, will be held Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 8-9 with free and ticketed events and activities to appeal to a wide range of audiences.

The 2008 Roanoke Arts Festival will complement the museum’s grand opening weekend and once again pay tribute to arts of the region and beyond with a host of rich offerings capped by a performance by Country-music legend Crystal Gayle. The Festival will include a free downtown rock ‘n’ roll concert, great Bluegrass music, a musical puppet show, an exposition of the culinary arts, theatrical performances, classical music and more.

The Festival will also serve as the grand finale to “40 Days and 40 Nights,” a celebration of arts and culture with daily activities and exhibits coordinated by the Arts Council of the Blue Ridge.

“This year’s Festival – timed for the museum’s opening and this historic moment for the arts and culture for our region – is a great way to celebrate all facets of the arts,” says Susan Jennings, Roanoke’s public art coordinator. “The 2008 Roanoke Arts Festival will extend this excitement onto the streets of downtown Roanoke and into venues in Roanoke Valley.”

“With the Taubman Museum opening its doors as one of the most impressive museums of its kind, we felt the Arts Festival should tie into that spirit and welcome visitors to explore not just the visual arts, but music, drama, film — even the culinary arts,” adds Festival manager Rick Salzberg.

As the final touches are being made to this year’s schedule, planning already is under way for the third annual Roanoke Arts Festival, scheduled to be held next fall.

“With strong interest and broad audience appeal from our inaugural Festival last year, we’ve heard from fans of the arts from throughout Virginia urging us to offer even more choices in years ahead,” Salzberg says. “That’s why we’re already looking ahead to next fall, when we will resume a four-day Festival.”

The 2007 Arts Festival was recognized as one of the year’s best festivals by the readers of City Magazine, and even nationally renowned performers lauded the Festival.

“I want to thank the committee for inviting me to the first Roanoke Arts Festival – and I know there will be many, many, many more,” Judy Collins said when she took the stage last October at the Roanoke Performing Arts Center.

Ramsey Lewis of the Ramsey Lewis Trio, had this to say: “When the Trio performs our intent is not only to communicate and have fun with each other on stage, but to extend those wonderful moments to the audience, and hopefully they will become a part of our musical conversation. When this happens, performer and audience become one and energize each other. This was the occasion on October 4, 2007, at the first Roanoke Arts Festival. The audience was musically sophisticated and a joy to play for. We eagerly look forward to our return.”

2008 ROANOKE ARTS FESTIVAL EVENTS AND SCHEDULE

The Roanoke Arts Festival schedule, released today at a reception for sponsors and supporters at the home of noted art collector Jim Hyams, will feature free performances, events and exhibitions at multiple venues across the city. Many of the activities, including the rock concert, will be free.

Ticketing details will be released close to the Festival. A schedule of events, including locations, is available on the Festival’s web site, www.RoanokeArtsFest.org, and will include:

Saturday, Nov. 8

• “FiddleFest Lite” a day of Bluegrass with teaching workshops and jam sessions followed by a concert by acclaimed Bluegrass performers.
• “Day of Music.” A free rock concert with the “Magic Twig Community” and a number of other popular regional bands.
• “Doubt.” The Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning play presented by the theatre departments of Hollins University and Virginia Tech.
• The James Piano Quartet.
• A concert at Blue 5 with great guest artists.
• Downtown art gallery tours.

Sunday, Nov. 9

• “An Exposition of the Culinary Arts” at the new Culinary Institute of Western Virginia.
• Staged readings from the works of venerated authors Nelson Bond and Jack Kestner presented with the Roanoke City Library.
• World premiere of “Bull – A Puppet Musical” by The Thistledown Puppets.
• A special film presentation by the Grandin Theatre.
• A second performance of “Doubt.”
• Crystal Gayle concert at the Roanoke Performing Arts Theatre, with the exciting new Nashville duo of Sam & Ruby as her opening act.

Also throughout the Festival, there will be ongoing exhibitions at area museums and public art, including:

• White Liquor, Blue Ridge Style at the History Museum of Western Virginia.
• Transportation Art: Photorealism From the Collection of James W. Hyams at the Virginia Museum of Transportation.
• A photography exhibition at the O. Winston Link Museum.
• Public art on view at different locations in the City with the Roanoke Arts Commission
• The James W. Hyams Collection on view in Old Southwest (portions of this collection have been on loan to more than eight museums, including the Va. Museum of Fine Arts).

“We are thrilled with the lineup we have so far, and especially delighted to be welcoming Crystal Gayle to Roanoke,” Salzberg says. “With three dozen hit records and 19 number one singles, her classic songs and continued success – Crystal was named ‘Best Female Entertainer’ by American Magazine for 2007 – assures a memorable performance which will delight fans, and serve as a strong cap to a weekend packed with ‘something for everyone.’”

Contact:
Thomas Becher, APR
tba Public Relations, Advertising and Marketing
540-772-3942
tbecher@tbtheagency.com