JMU Student Org Invites H’burg Community to Explore the World of Films

Next Monday, October 5, Clementine and Cinemuse Film Club will present a free showing of Amelie, a 2001 French romantic comedy and five-time Academy Award nominee, including nods for Best Foreign Film and Best Original Screenplay. The event starts at 7 PM with a short discussion afterward.

Cinemuse is a student-run JMU organization where film enthusiasts gather to watch and discuss classic, independent and foreign films. Club president Jessica Weaver states that members selected Amelie “due to its name recognition and the fact that it’s been embraced by a variety of movie goers,” from independent and foreign film buffs to so-called “chick flick” fans and people whose only experience with foreign movies is the spaghetti-eating scene from “Lady and the Tramp.”

Map for Oct. 2 Museum and Gallery Walk

Time again for the Museum and Gallery Walk! The fall 2009 event will take place from  5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, October 2 and everyone is invited to enjoy free art, music, dance and more. Highlights of this fall’s walk include Block Party in the ‘Burg battle of the bands and several stops at new downtown establishments including Madison Interiors, The Gaines Group, Harrisonburg League of Therapists, and Zion Gate Center for Positive Living. Download the map here, or keep reading for the list of exhibits and links to artists.

“The Future of Food”

Since May, Friendly City Food Co-op has hosted one movie a month at Clementine Café themed around food. Movies start at 7pm, with an FCFC representative on hand starting at 6:30 to answer questions and help new members sign up.

Join Friendly City Food Co-op for the next movie in their summer movie series, the documentary “The Future of Food.”

Here are what some critics say about it:

Restaurants Form Downtown Dining Alliance; 5 New Dining Establishments to Open

HARRISONBURG —Taste of Downtown, the biannual restaurant showcase, is here again.  From August 18th through the 20th, downtown restaurants will create and offer multi-course meals that show off their culinary creativity; from Ethiopian spreads to Greek samplers to all-American cuisine.  These menus offer a wide choice of budget-friendly dining options in every setting from fine dining to burger-bar.

“Originally we had nine participating restaurants, and in one year, the event has grown to twelve restaurants” says promotions manager, Alexis Morehouse.  “With four new restaurants ready to open in the coming months, we expect to see Taste of Downtown become a significant regional event over the next few years”.

Encouraged by the success of Taste of Downtown, restaurant owners of downtown Harrisonburg united to form the Downtown Dining Alliance.  This group, led by Dave Miller of Dave’s Downtown Taverna, Jeremiah Jenkins of Clementine and Sean Pugh of the Joshua Wilton House, plans to address common concerns and work together on advertising initiatives to support the dining industry within the historic downtown district.  “We are encouraged that the restaurant owners work collaboratively to promote downtown as a dining destination” stated Eddie Bumbaugh, executive director of Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance, “This effort goes beyond common competitive thinking, and allows independent restaurant owners to benefit by working together”.

Menus and event details for Taste of Downtown can be found at www.downtownharrsionburg.org.

Taste of Downtown is here again. From August 18 through 20, downtown restaurants will offer multi-course meals that show off their culinary creativity, from Ethiopian spreads to Greek samplers to all-American cuisine. These menus offer a wide choice of budget-friendly dining options in every setting from fine dining to burger-bar.

“Originally we had nine participating restaurants, and in one year, the event has grown to twelve restaurants” says promotions manager Alexis Morehouse.  “With five new restaurants ready to open in the coming months [Beyond, Pennybacker's, Union Station, Local Grill and Chop House and Carribean restaurant Arepera Las Chamas] we expect to see Taste of Downtown become a significant regional event over the next few years.”

Taste of Downtown Returns August 18-20

See why downtown has earned the nickname “Restaurant Row.” Come one day (or all three!) for amazing meals at wallet-friendly prices. View the menu and prices below.

Downtown Dominates DNR “Best of the Valley” Awards

Once again, Daily News-Record readers have shown their overwhelming support of downtown Harrisonburg shops, restaurants and other businesses with their votes in the annual “Best of the Valley” survey. Running away with the most honors is Clementine with EIGHT awards, including best renovation and best place to be seen. Harrisonburg Farmers’ Market made its first appearance on the list as the best place to take visitors, likely aided by its new location under the Turner pavilion constructed since the last poll.

Some favorites, like the Little Grill Collective, James McHone Jewelry, and Jess’ Quick Lunch, retained their titles as best vegetarian/breakfast, jeweler, and cheap eats, respectively, while the Artful Dodger showed its expanding versatility by winning the best dancing and best karaoke titles. Downtown services also got a shout out on this year’s list, with the Studio winning best salon and the Beauty Spa taking best day spa. Congratulations to other downtown businesses listed below – 16 in total!

Similar to last year, downtown as a whole won both accolades and criticism, with voters choosing downtown revitalization as the best use of taxpayer money and listing downtown among their favorite part of Harrisonburg, while displaying a lack of fondness for our new blue and yellow wayfinding signs as their least favorite part about the ‘burg.

DNR’s “Best of the Valley” Winners: Downtown Highlights

Cheap Eats
Jess’ Quick Lunch

Vegetarian
The Little Grill Collective

French fries
Dave’s

Late-night eats
Dave’s

Coffee
Shank’s

Drink specials
Clementine Café

Best atmosphere
Clementine Café

Place to take your family
Clementine Café

Place to be seen
Clementine Café

Place to sit and read
Earth and Tea Café

Outdoor dining
Dave’s

Place to blow your diet
Kline’s Dairy Bar

Place to take a date
Clementine Café

Downtown restaurant
Clementine Café

Best appetizers
Clementine Café

Best breakfast
The Little Grill Collective

Salon
The Studio

Day Spa
The Beauty Spa

Wine shop
Downtown Wine & Gourmet

Jeweler
James McHone

Best dancing
Artful Dodger

Best entertainment value
Court Square Theater

Best cheap date
Kline’s Dairy Bar

Karaoke
Artful Dodger

Museum
Harrisonburg Children’s Museum

Best place to take visitors
Harrisonburg Farmer’s Market

Best renovation
Clementine Café

Best use of taxpayer money
Downtown revitalization

Best way to spend a Saturday morning
Farmer’s market (Dayton, Shenandoah and Harrisonburg)

Best place to propose
Joshua Wilton House

Downtown Events this Weekend

Thursday, March 19:

Solas. Catch this Celtic band at Court Square Theater beginning at 7:30pm.

 

Friday, March 20:

Saffire. The “uppity blues women” return to Court Square Theater at 8pm.

 

Saturday, March 21:

Rebel 95.5 live remote. The Valley’s new country music radio station is broadcasting live from Clementine from 10am to noon. Would you like to appear on the program? Contact Mike Progin at mke@rebel955.com or 540.383.8637.

Our Local Feast. Gala fundraiser for OASIS Art Gallery at 7pm. Includes a locally-sourced buffet meal by A Bowl of Good, regional wines and beers, live jazz, and live and silent auctions of art and services. Tickets are $25: 540.435.1787.

Speed Dating Returns to Clementine in 2009

What was your resolution this year? To be bold or more assertive, to have more fun, to find love, to find a jogging partner, a new friend? Let go of 2008 and your old inhibitions to take a chance on Speed Dating, hosted by Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance. This is one of the best ways in the valley to have fun and meet other area singles.

As highlighted on hburgnews.com, Speed Dating will again be held at downtown restaurant, Clementine (153 South Main Street) on the evening of Saturday, February 7th. Event details and registration forms can be found at www.downtownharrisonburg.org or at the HDR office located in the Hardesty-Higgins House at 212 South Main Street (next to the library). Questions can be directed to Alexis or Kris at 540.432.8922. Any proceeds that are raised from the event are contributed to Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance’s revitalization and downtown beautification efforts.

Here’s what past Speed Daters have said about the event:

“I just want to thank you for all of the time and energy you put into this event.” -female, 34

“ . . . .speed dating is totally more fun than I thought it would be. Good event.” -female, 33

“Thanks for all of your work on this! This was a fun event! -female, 31

“Thanks to you, your staff and your volunteers for planning and running such a wonderful event.” -male, 48

“If my friend had not made me go, I would have never met my girlfriend. I’m so glad I took a chance, it was so much easier than I thought it would be!” -male, 27

“The entire program tonight functioned immaculately. You put together a great event. Every one had fun.” -male, 44

“This was a blast, and thank you for all your hard work. I can’t wait to see my matches. Please keep me informed if you do future events of this type.” -female, 54

You Made It! to Host Wine Tasting and Local Fare Sampling for Valentine’s Day

Celebrate love and friendship downtown with a Valentine’s Day Wine Tasting & Pottery Painting Event at You Made It! Pottery Studio. Bring a date or reserve a “stag” table for you and your friends.

Says co-owner David Miller, “I love this event. The studio fills up with doting couples and groups of friends that band together…Sipping wine, painting pottery together and enjoying local treats, it’s perfect.”

What’s on the menu: heavy hors’ duerves from Franklin’s Café & Wine Bar, delectable homemade truffles from Clementine Cafe, mouth watering sugar cookies with (what else?) heart sprinkles from Craving Cookies and gifts from Merle Norman Day Spa. Wines of all variety including reds, whites, Italian, French and more.

Cost: a mere $5 per person, plus the price of your pottery and studio fee.

Date: February 14th, 6-9pm (pre-registration required).

Location: You Made It! is located at 163 South Main Street in downtown Harrisonburg, VA. For more information call 540.434.4500 or visit www.youmadeit.net.

Speed Dating Returns to Downtown Harrisonburg

Back by popular demand, Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance will be hosting Speed Dating, a fundraiser for our organization and one of the few events in town that offers singles a chance to meet and greet.

The event will be held on Saturday, November 8 at Clementine and preregistration is required. For $25, you get two drinks, appetizers and TEN dates! Who can beat it? There are two events: one at 5pm for people age 40+ and another at 7pm for people 24-39.

When you arrive on November 8, you’ll have time to get a drink and casually mingle with all the singles. You’ll then be seated in groups of 20 – 10 gents on one side of the table, 10 ladies on the other. When the official “Speed Dating” clock begins, you will have six minutes to get to know the person sitting across from you. After six minutes, the men all move down one seat and another date begins.

At the end of your dates, you get to indicate whom you would like to see again on your match card. These all get turned into the HDR staff. Did you get a match? Great! Our staff will send you the other person’s contact information and wish you a happy future.

Read more about Speed Dating in the Daily News-Record, on hburgnews or sign up now! We especially need more MEN to register, so all you ladies out there – convince your single brothers, friends, co-workers and sons to take the leap and maybe find happiness at HDR’s Speed Dating!