Lynda Bostrom featured at Darrin-McHone Art Gallery (Smith House)

From the Daily News-Record, posted 2009-06-25:

The Arts Council of the Valley will host the work of Lynda Bostrom at the Darrin-McHone Art Gallery at 311 S. Main St. In conjunction with First Fridays Downtown, the show opens from 5-7 p.m. on July 3.

The exhibition includes works from “Loss and Learning” and “Conversations and Speech.” Through ceremonial pieces and large paintings, Bostrom’s art reveals her per-sonal life and inspirations while communicating in a universal manner, organizers say.

A visual artist from the Tampa Bay area, Bostrom graduated from the Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, Fla., before working as the Chief Exhibitions Coordinator of the Art Center of Sarasota.

Bostrom brings a new perspective to the Shenandoah Valley with her unique upbringing and wide range of celebrated skills. Though it is her visual art that will be showcased at the Smith House, Bostrom is also a talented musician with her own album “The Trees Knees and Pretending” (Arkain Records, Richmond).

For more information on exhibitions or the First Fridays Downtown initiative, visit www.ValleyArts.org or call 801-8779.

Valley 4th Schedule/TV Commercial

All Day

• Downtown patriotic window decorating contest

12pm

• Reading of the Declaration of Independence on Courthouse steps by David J. Hatmaker, for Harrisonburg Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution

1pm

• “The People of Harrisonburg” walking tour with Dale MacAllister with the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historic Society.  Tour meets in front of Massanutten Regional Library

1-5pm

• “Steps to Freedom”, a presentation of the African- American struggle for freedom and independence. Live music and guest speakers at Liberty Park

• Adona Music hosting Charles Barone who will perform “Remember When”, Frank Sinatra

2-3pm

• Musical performance by Shenfine, Celtic music with an Appalachian twist!

2-4pm

• Court Square Theater hosts Mental Flossing, live improvisational comedy and skit/sketch. Free admission. Doors open at 2pm with 30 minute shows at 2:15pm, 3:00pm & 3:45pm

• Face painting and entertainment by Rosie the Clown

• Dunking booth on Court Square

3pm-9pm

• Food and craft vendors open with an assortment of goodies

• El Sol, The Old Fashioned Kettle Korn Co., Little Jimmies Italian Ice & Pizza, funnel cake & cotton candy vendors, and Smokin’ Pig ( be sure to stop by because owner Dave Sonnafrank continues his tradition of giving out a free hotdog to the first 2,000 visitors!)

3:30-5pm & 6-7:30pm

• Shenandoah Valley Music Festival presents: Mr. Slomo!   Keep a look out for him as he walks through the crowds, bet he’ll make you laugh! Can’t get enough? Check out future performances at Court Square Theater and Shenandoah Valley Music Festival.

3:30-7:30pm

• Harrisonburg Children’s Museum activities free and open to the public, sponsored by Valley Renovators, Inc.

• The Gus Bus visits 6pm-8pm

• Massanutten River Adventures climbing wall, corner of East Market & Main Streets

• Skateboarding demo by Function 4 Sports, north Court Square

4-4:30pm

• Asbury Church Pre-Parade Musical Fireworks Concert: Hand bells, piano, trombone, and organ. Free, all welcome. Doors open 3:30pm-4:45pm.

4-10pm

• John D. Eiland beer garden located at the Bank of America parking lot. Ages 21 and over only, 2 ID’s required. Proceeds benefit Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance

4:30-5pm

• Watch for Unicyclist Matt Lind and the Uncle Sams just before the parade starts

5pm

• JMU Valley 4th Parade on Main Street (from the City Municipal Building to the County Administration Building) with grand marshall, Dr. Linwood Rose, president of JMU

• Look for the WSVA van and local celebrity Mike Schikman! He’ll be the  parade announcer and  concert emcee.

• Music by: City of Winchester Pipes & Drums

6-6:30pm

• Annual pie-eating contest (limited number of participants, sign up at the Information Booth)

• Star-Spangled Banner, performed by Pete Johnson

6:30pm-9:30pm

• Musical Showcase featuring The Goldmine Pickers, and Everyday People

10:00pm (approx.)

• Grand Fireworks Finale by Dominion Fireworks from the roof of One Court Square, brought to us by Harrisonburg Electric Commission.

Follow HDR on Twitter!

Okay, we’re a little slow on the uptake…but we’re finally starting to use the Twitter account we set up last December. I mean, if more than a million people are hanging on every word by that guy from “Dude, Where’s My Car?”, surely there are at least a few people who want to know what’s happening now in downtown Harrisonburg.

Check the Twitter feed in the right column of this blog. Or make it official here.

Fridays on the Square tonight

Silent Film: Grandma’s Boy. Comedian Harold Lloyd is a timid wallflower pining for a lovely Mildred Davis.  Threatened by the town bully, Lloyd musters up courage from stories of his ancestor’s heroic acts to go forth and win the affections of his beloved.  With live piano accompaniment by Adair McConnell.

Sponsored by the Darrin-McHone Charitable Foundation and Lucas Roasting Company, LLC

If you only get to one Fridays on the Square for the entire year, this is the event to attend.

The silent film has become a tradition of the annual summer film/concert series. What makes the event special is the live piano accompaniment by Adair McConnell, pianist for St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church. Adair’s mother was an honest-to-goodness ragtime piano player, and he has obviously inherited her talent. Throughout the movie Adair will supply the piano music to accompany the action – entirely by improvisation. Matching the mood of each character’s emotion and the cadence of the plot’s lighthearted and melodramatic moments (melodramatic – this is a silent film after all), it’s easy to forget that you’re listening to a live musician. This is communal movie watching at its best.

Tonight’s film: Grandma’s Boy. Comedian Harold Lloyd is a timid wallflower pining for a lovely Mildred Davis.  Threatened by the town bully, Lloyd musters up courage from stories of his ancestor’s heroic acts to go forth and win the affections of his beloved.

Sponsored by the Darrin-McHone Charitable Foundation and Lucas Roasting Company, LLC

Massanutten Regional Library Gets Big Grant for Big Read

Massanutten Regional Library today announced that it has received a $10K grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to host The Big Read for the third consecutive year in a row. MRL is one of 269 nonprofits–including arts, culture, and science organizations; libraries; and municipalities–to receive a grant to host a Big Read project between September 2009 and June 2010.

The Big Read gives communities the opportunity to come together to read, discuss, and celebrate one of 30 selections from U.S. and world literature. The Big Read this time will focus on the collected works of Edgar Allan Poe and activities will take place throughout the month of October 2009.

Massanutten Regional Library has been honored with this grant two previous times for the following works/Big Read projects: To Kill a Mockingbird – Fall 2007 and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer – Fall of 2008.   During these projects, MRL distributed over 10,000 free books and materials to Valley readers and hosted numerous literary and artistic events to support the program and to pique residents interest in reading classic literature.

Components of the 2009 Edgar Allan Poe Big Read will include:

• Distribution of 5,000 free copies of the collected works of Edgar Allan Poe (including 1,000 to area middle and high schools) beginning October 1, 2009.
• POEtry nights at local non-profits and community gathering places
• POE man’s lunch weekly book discussions
• Reading and screening of Fall of the House of Usher
• POEtry lock-in for teens at Main Branch featuring a POEtry slam, Goth fashion show and more.
• Weekly children’s Poe-related crafts at all MRL branches
• Candlelight tour of downtown area cemeteries to “meet Poe Contemporaries”
• Final celebration at Halloween on the Square featuring Poe readings, programs for children and performances by Scott Jones, a noted Poe dramatist.

For more information about The Big Read please visit www.neabigread.org.  For more information on Massanutten Regional Library, log on to www.mrlib.org.

Take a Downtown Walking Tour!

The guided walking tours and carriage rides have already begun for the summer season in downtown Harrisonburg.  Their popularity appears to be closely linked with the increase in tourism and the popularity of the downtown Farmers Market.  Last year, Harrisonburg Tourism and Visitor Services logged an average of 3,000 tourists per month who came into the Visitor Services location in the Hardesty-Higgins House.  These individuals along with local history enthusiast make up a large portion of tour attendees.

To offer a wide variety of guided tours, Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance teamed up with the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society, Harrisonburg Tourism and Visitor Services, and Classic Carriage, owned by Terry Burkhalter.  “We hoped that by offering more tours on different days, with different topics, that tourists as well as local residents could enjoy them”, says Eddie Bumbaugh, Executive Director of Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance.

Since its inception in 2007 the tour series has been supported by James McHone Jewelry and the Darrin-McHone Charitable Foundation.  They continue to support this year in honor of Mr. and Mrs. RH Strickler.

Tour dates, times and topics are listed on Harrisonburg Tourism’s website.

Celebrate the 4th of July Downtown

Valley 4^th, Harrisonburg’s July 4^th celebration is right around the corner!

This free all-day festival, held in beautiful downtown Harrisonburg, offers something for everyone including:

• The reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Rockingham County Courthouse
• Walking tours
• Activities for children and adults
• Patriotic parade along Main Street
• A pie eating contest
• Live bands
• Fireworks at dusk over Court Square

Valley 4^th would not be possible without the support of our community. Show how much Valley 4^th means to you by volunteering for an hour or 2, marching in the parade, or making a donation to the event.

Contact HDR at hdr@harrisonburgva.gov for more information.

See you at Valley 4^th!

Bison in the ‘Burg (and They’re Darn Good Eatin’)

Here are this weekend’s food updates from Chef Mark:

**While it lasts, we have local bison

**Wild Rockfish and Softshell Crabs

**locally grown asparagus, peas, spinach, strawberries, lettuces and bamboo onions are being used in the preparations of the menu items*

 

Just got this weekend’s food updates from Chef Mark Newsome at Joshua Wilton House:

“While it lasts, we have local bison

Wild Rockfish and Softshell Crabs

Locally grown asparagus, peas, spinach, strawberries, lettuces and bamboo onions are being used in the preparations of the menu items”

You Made It! Turns Six, Throws a Month-Long Bash

David Miller and Joan Clasbey, co-owners of YOU MADE IT! POTTERY STUDIO in

Historic Downtown Harrisonburg, celebrate their 6th year anniversary with a NEW LEASE AND A BIG BASH CELEBRATION PARTY!  May 31st of this year marked the end of the first 6 years for You Made It.  We are happy to report that we have signed on for 5 years more at our present location at 163 South Main St. Harrisonburg, VA across from the Massanutten Regional Library.    

Says Clasbey, “The climate of ‘recession’ in Harrisonburg compels us, more than ever, to provide a place for people to spend time with friends and family and to have fun while enjoying meaningful moments!  Producing art, whether it is painting ceramics, throwing clay on the wheel or fusing colorful glass creations at You Made It is a wonderful release from the stress and uncertainty of our times”.

To celebrate signing our new lease, You Made It is hosting several events during the month of June.  “We are very excited to expand our offerings to the public,” says Miller.  “We opened a new Pottery Wheel Room where people may take throwing lessons or, for just $8 per hour, practice their artistic skills on the Potter’s Wheel.  I will be showcasing the wheel with demos on our front steps during First Friday (June 5th) from 5-7pm.”

“Another exciting addition to our studio is the new warm glass room due to open later this month,” reports Clasbey.  “Here people may come in and design their own jewelry and other glass pieces such as plates and bowls.  We’ll fire them on site in our new glass kiln.”

To celebrate SCHOOL’S OUT and SUMMERTIME, You Made It is hosting a “Pottery Potluck” on Friday, June 12th from 6-8pm.  Everyone is welcome to bring a dish to share with new friends while we provide beverages, plates, utensils, etc. and pottery to paint, of course!  We’re big on family celebrations so we haven’t forgotten Father’s Day on Sunday, June 21st, where families painting with Dad save 1/2 off their studio fees.

Our BIG CELEBRATION EVENT is CUSTOMER APPRECIATION DAY on Saturday, June 20th from 12– 6pm.  David Miller, also co-owner of Midtowne Market says, “We’re serving up the best hot dogs in town from Midtowne Market and cutting the anniversary cake at noon.  We’ll be having storewide specials throughout the day.  The public may also preview our summer art camps for children, as well as check out our new pottery wheel room and our brand new warm glass room.  Everyone is welcome!”

We would be happy to provide more details and photography or schedule a media visit.  You Made It! Pottery Studio is a member of the National Contemporary Ceramic Studios Association and is located across from the Massanutten Regional Library on Main Street in Historic Downtown Harrisonburg.  You can visit us at www.youmadeit.net  or call

540-434-4500 for more information.David Miller and Joan Clasbey, co-owners of YOU MADE IT! POTTERY STUDIO in

Historic Downtown Harrisonburg, celebrate their 6th year anniversary with a NEW LEASE AND A BIG BASH CELEBRATION PARTY!  May 31st of this year marked the end of the first 6 years for You Made It.  We are happy to report that we have signed on for 5 years more at our present location at 163 South Main St. Harrisonburg, VA across from the Massanutten Regional Library.    

Says Clasbey, “The climate of ‘recession’ in Harrisonburg compels us, more than ever, to provide a place for people to spend time with friends and family and to have fun while enjoying meaningful moments!  Producing art, whether it is painting ceramics, throwing clay on the wheel or fusing colorful glass creations at You Made It is a wonderful release from the stress and uncertainty of our times”.

To celebrate signing our new lease, You Made It is hosting several events during the month of June.  “We are very excited to expand our offerings to the public,” says Miller.  “We opened a new Pottery Wheel Room where people may take throwing lessons or, for just $8 per hour, practice their artistic skills on the Potter’s Wheel.  I will be showcasing the wheel with demos on our front steps during First Friday (June 5th) from 5-7pm.”

“Another exciting addition to our studio is the new warm glass room due to open later this month,” reports Clasbey.  “Here people may come in and design their own jewelry and other glass pieces such as plates and bowls.  We’ll fire them on site in our new glass kiln.”

To celebrate SCHOOL’S OUT and SUMMERTIME, You Made It is hosting a “Pottery Potluck” on Friday, June 12th from 6-8pm.  Everyone is welcome to bring a dish to share with new friends while we provide beverages, plates, utensils, etc. and pottery to paint, of course!  We’re big on family celebrations so we haven’t forgotten Father’s Day on Sunday, June 21st, where families painting with Dad save 1/2 off their studio fees.

Our BIG CELEBRATION EVENT is CUSTOMER APPRECIATION DAY on Saturday, June 20th from 12– 6pm.  David Miller, also co-owner of Midtowne Market says, “We’re serving up the best hot dogs in town from Midtowne Market and cutting the anniversary cake at noon.  We’ll be having storewide specials throughout the day.  The public may also preview our summer art camps for children, as well as check out our new pottery wheel room and our brand new warm glass room.  Everyone is welcome!”

We would be happy to provide more details and photography or schedule a media visit.  You Made It! Pottery Studio is a member of the National Contemporary Ceramic Studios Association and is located across from the Massanutten Regional Library on Main Street in Historic Downtown Harrisonburg.  You can visit us at www.youmadeit.net  or call

540-434-4500 for more information.

On May 31, You Made It! Pottery Studio celebrated six years in business at 163 South Main Street across from Massanutten Regional Library. The paint-your-own pottery studio has signed a lease for an additional five years in the building and is celebrating throughout the month of June with new classes, specials and demos.

In a press release, co-owner Joan Clasbey stated that “the climate of ‘recession’ in Harrisonburg compels us, more than ever, to provide a place for people to spend time with friends and family and to have fun while enjoying meaningful moments! Producing art, whether it is painting ceramics, throwing clay on the wheel or fusing colorful glass creations at You Made It is a wonderful release from the stress and uncertainty of our times.”

New at You Made It!

• a new pottery wheel room where people may take throwing lessons or, for just $8 per hour, practice their artistic skills on the potter’s wheel. David Miller, the store’s other co-owner, will be showcasing the wheel with demos during First Friday (June 5th) from 5-7pm.
• a warm glass room due to open later this month. Here, people may come in and design their own jewelry and other glass pieces such as plates and bowls to be fired on-site in their new glass kiln.
• “Pottery Potluck” on Friday, June 12th from 6-8pm. Everyone is welcome to bring a dish to share with new friends. Beverages, plates, utensils, and pottery to paint will be provided.  
• Father’s Day on Sunday, June 21st. Families painting with dad save 1/2 off their studio fees.
• Customer Appreciation Day on Saturday, June 20th from 12–6pm. Free hot dogs from Midtowne Market on Water Street (which Miller also co-owns) and cutting the anniversary cake at noon. Storewide specials throughout the day and public previews of the warm glass room, pottery wheel room and summer art camps for children.

More information at www.youmadeit.net  or by calling 540.434.4500.

Celebrate Court & Market Days this Saturday at the Farmers’ Market

The unique history and agricultural roots of Rockingham County and Harrisonburg, VA. will be celebrated a bit differently this year. The annual Court Days festival, held each June, also has a new name this time around: Court & Market Days.

The Saturday, June 6 festival activities will be held at the Downtown Harrisonburg Farmers Market located at the Turner Pavilion and Park. This year’s festival hours are 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.

“It’s a great pairing, where people coming to shop at the farmers market can come to the event — people that come to the event can come over to the market,” says Kris Ludwig, Special Events Manager at Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance.

There is no cost to attend the event, which is geared toward families and people of all ages. Ludwig explained that re-enactors from the 1850s will make visitors think they have stepped into Harrisonburg as it was in the mid-1800s. Visitors can enjoy a walking tour of historic Harrisonburg, and visit with old friends and neighbors as they mingle with the costumed characters from the 1850s.

“The are some activities that will almost guide you on a tour of downtown. So you can learn about the history of Harrisonburg,” Ludwig says. “We have a walking tour that will be happening. We’ll also have mini-lectures. There’s a wonderful passport program for children, where they have a little booklet and they go around to different artisans and they find different buildings and fill out their passport in order to win a prize. So its a great way to learn about Harrisonburg and take some tours of the town and not just from the park area.”

Court & Market Days features a play called “Dog Days at Town Council.”  The play offers a bit of humor along with history and will be performed by the Valley Players in the city council chambers. The script has been created directly from original Harrisonburg City Council minutes that date back to the 1850s.  

Other activities include games for children, music and dancing, as well as horse and carriage rides, which will occur about every 15 or 20 minutes throughout the entire event.  Along with arts and crafts vendors and the farmers market vendors, there will be plenty of food available.

The market offers a wide variety of locally-grown produce, including fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices, bedding plants and shrubs for landscaping, and fresh-cut flowers. In addition, visitors will find home-baked breads and cookies, cheeses, honey, fruit pies, brown eggs, pastured chicken, beef, and lamb and much more.

Local and regional artisans will be on hand to demonstrate historic arts known in contemporary society as the southern decorative arts. These talented artisans create objects and goods that were used daily in the 1850s. 

At Court & Market Days, a variety of artisans and craftsmen will display heritage skills such as textile-making and spinning, pottery, oil painting, furniture making, wood-turning, engraving and gun-stocking.

For people visiting Harrisonburg from out of town, there will be signs from the Interstate 81 that guide the route to the downtown area. From I-81, take Exit 245 (Port Republic Road). Turn right onto Main Street (U.S. Rt. 11) and travel north until the Municipal Building appears on the left. Watch for signs. Free parking is available in the Water Street parking deck and the municipal lot on Liberty Street.

  

For more information, visit www.courtdaysfestival.org or call (540) 432-8922.