Visit their website… www.alandamy.com/index for more information about this talented duo, then join us on Saturday, Mar 20, 2010 at 7:30pm… you won’t regret it!

Bedford Central Library
321 North Bridge Street
Bedford, VA

$10.00 pp at the door

540-586-8911

www.friendsofbedfordlibrary.org/progalandamy

This season, Lime Kiln is planning to produce three musicals, including the 50th anniversary of The Fantasticks and Stonewall Country, which Lime Kiln resurrected last season.

Lime Kiln is collaborating with Mindbending Productions, the student theatre troupe from Washington and Lee, to produce the first show. Senior Jenna Worsham, who is currently directing Ah, Wilderness! at W&L, has signed on to direct The Fantastick. The very-active Josh Harvey is slated to be music director. Rehearsals begin April 12, and the show runs May 20-23.

“I am so happy that we are working with the W&L students on this production,” said Kim Renz, Lime Kiln executive director. “To me the partnership is natural. Here we are with local summer theatre, and they have students who need real-world experience between school sessions and before graduating. We are creating internships for them, and we expect them to work in every area of the production. I hope this grows into a regular part of their educational experience”

“This is still a community production,” said Renz. “While we expect a few students on stage, the show has a wide range of adult male roles, including two spirited fathers. There is one singing role for a young female, age between 16 and 20, with four roles for men who sing and three non-singing roles.”

The Fantasticks, with music by Harvey Schmidt and book and lyrics by Tom Jones, first opened off-Broadway on May 3, 1960, and launched the career of Jerry Aurbach. The play, which holds the distinction as the longest running musical in history, is a favorite in regional, community and academic theatres across the country. Kendal at Lexington is sponsoring the event.

Stonewall Country Cast

Stonewall Country is also a musical, with performance dates July 1-3 and 8-11. There are multiple roles for Men and for Women from 15 years up. Most Stonewall Country songs are performed by Guest Artists Robin and Linda Williams. Tom Conway, who appeared in the production last year and who led Dracula, or How’s Your Blood Count? will direct.

Renz said that this year’s Stonewall Country will resemble last year’s, though he expects some “tweaking” by Conway. “One of the beautiful aspects of Stonewall Country, and one reason why people come back year after year to see it, is that is evolves. Last year we took a storytelling approach, which we plan to keep, but this year we are looking for appropriate ways to enhance that particular approach, with some more costume pieces, a few more actors and a more enhanced staging. We don’t want to ruin what we made, just spruce it up some.”

Interested performers are asked to prepare a one-minute monologue and bring an acting resume and headshot, if they have them. They should prepare a song showing off their vocal ability and range and the sheet music for accompaniment. They may bring their own accompaniment.

Conway will also consider everyone for a role in a September musical production. Renz invites interested performers to email the headshot and resume to him at kim@theateratlimekiln.com or call 540-463-7088 with questions.

Friday, Saturday, & Sunday – March 19th, 20th & 21st, and 26th, 27th & 28th
Friday & Saturday show times are at 8pm; Sundays at 2pm

Adults $12, Children 12 and under $10

540 586-5881

Elks National Home Theatre
931 Ashland Avenue
Bedford, VA 24523

www.littletownplayers.com

Band lineup includes: Melissa Roach and Chris Cheatham on guitar and vocals, Eddie Wood on bass, and Jeff Routon on drums and vocals.

More about Dragonfly

Doors open at 5:00, music at 5:30. Admission is $8, at the door only. That includes appetizers. Music. Dancing. Socializing. Cash Bar. It’s a bargain no matter how you look at it.

We’re sorry, but no children under 12 admitted to Ellington shows. Those under 21 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Mandolin Orange is an all-original folk duo. Andrew Marlin and Emily Frantz pair guitar, violin and mandolin to compliment alluring lyrics and seamless harmonies. “The duo’s voices and instruments fit alongside each other like Johnny and June Carter Cash … Mandolin Orange embodies the same backwoods lovebirds aesthetic” (DailyTarHeel).

Their debut album “Quiet Little Room”, releasing in Spring 2010, reflects both the influence of traditional music on their contemporary style. Their influences range from Cole Porter to Townes Van Zandt, but their sound is something charming and all its own.

Pre-release copies of their debut album will be available at the show.

Find out more by visiting their website:  www.mandolinorange.com

Sunday, March 21st, 3pm

The event is free and open to the public.

The gallery will be open beginning at 2pm and the program begins at 3pm.

Bower Center for the Arts
305 North Bridge Street
Bedford, VA

540-586-4235

www.bowercenter.org

For every purchase that you make – mention the Academy, and the Education program will be benefit! Come out to not only have a great time, but to support two local businesses and organizations!

Saturday, March 13th, 10am – 2pm

Givens Books
2236 Lakeside Drive
Lynchburg, VA 24501

Check out our website at www.academyfinearts.com/classes/catalog.asp#givens for more details!

Saturday, March 13th, 8pm

James River Conference Center
400 Court St
Lynchburg, VA

434-845-6604

www.lynchburgsymphony.com

200th Anniversary of 3rd President’s Personal Retreat Breaks Attendance Record at Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest

Forest, VA – As Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest prepares to open for tours April 1, officials have announced that more than 30,000 people visited the National Historic Landmark in 2009, an unprecedented increase of 50% from the prior year. It was Poplar Forest’s highest visitation ever, since the Founding Father’s restored personal retreat near Lynchburg, Virginia, first opened for tours in 1986. Total visitation figures include general admission, adult and school groups, and on-site event participation.

In 2009, Poplar Forest celebrated the 200th anniversary of Thomas Jefferson’s retirement from public office and first stay in the unique retreat home that he has designed while President of the United States. Poplar Forest’s 200th Anniversary also commemorated Thomas Jefferson’s 1809 retirement from the Presidency and his departure from the White House following a lifetime of public service.

Poplar Forest was an important part of Jefferson’s life after public service, where he pursued his favorite past-times of reading, writing and thinking, and spent time with his grandchildren. The house at Poplar Forest is one of the first octagonal homes in America and many scholars, historians and leading preservationists consider it an architectural masterpiece that represents the culmination of Thomas Jefferson’s mature skills as an architect.

“The 200th Anniversary of Poplar Forest was an important year and we are honored that so many people chose to celebrate Thomas Jefferson’s extraordinary legacy with us,” said Lynn A. Beebe, President of Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest. “The moment marked a major milestone in the ongoing restoration and archaeology that continue to significantly enhance our collective understanding of one of the most important people, and places, in our nation’s history.”

Poplar Forest commemorated its 200th Anniversary with a number of special events and programs intended to help visitors better understand the private, personal side of Thomas Jefferson, and enable them to more fully appreciate the significant contributions that Jefferson made to the fabric of America well after he left the Presidency.

On April 1 of last year, then-Virginia Governor Tim Kaine officially kicked off the 200th Anniversary of Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest by unveiling with a ceremonial ribbon cutting the completed, world-class restoration of the exterior of Jefferson’s retreat home. With hundreds of visitors looking on and Virginia’s first governor, Thomas Jefferson (portrayed by Bill Barker of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation), by his side, Governor Kaine gave an emotional speech from the home’s original portico about the importance of Poplar Forest to America and the lasting impact that Thomas Jefferson has had on Kaine’s own life and career.

Other popular 200th Anniversary events included Conversations with Thomas Jefferson in May, Poplar Forest’s annual Independence Day Celebration on July 4th, and an outdoor concert by the Richmond Symphony Orchestra in October. In November, 2009, Poplar Forest hosted the inaugural Thomas Jefferson Wine Festival featuring the Bedford Wine Trail and regional Virginia wineries, local artisans and crafters and food purveyors. The event attracted nearly 2,000 people and proved to be such a success that Poplar Forest is hosting the 2nd annual Thomas Jefferson Wine Festival in November of this year.

Other important 200th Anniversary initiatives in 2009 were: the construction of the “curtilage fence,” a reproduction of the fence bordering the ornamental landscape that Jefferson designed at the heart of his Poplar Forest retreat; and GPS-guided handheld tours of the property’s pre-restoration landscape, that show audio and video clips highlighting archaeological finds and information about the plantation community. In 2009, Poplar Forest also was featured in the Washington Post, the New York Times, USA Today, the Wall Street Journal, Southern Living and in an Associated Press national feature story.

Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest will kick off the 2010 season, and its third century of making history, on April 1, 2010, when the house and grounds reopen to visitors. Visit www.poplarforest.org for more information on Poplar Forest’s history, its 2010 programs and how to plan a visit this year to Thomas Jefferson’s personal retreat.

About Poplar Forest

Poplar Forest is Thomas Jefferson’s secluded plantation and retreat home. Poplar Forest is a National Historic Landmark that was recently added to the U.S. nomination list to become a World Heritage Site. Exhibiting award-winning restoration and archaeology, Poplar Forest offers tours, special events and school outreach programs. Open April through November, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, except Tuesdays (closed) and Thanksgiving Day (holiday). For more information about Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest, call (434) 525-1806 or visit www.poplarforest.org.

Music by the House Band. Dinner catered by Barnyard Catering. Raffle and live auction.

Doors open at 6, dinner starts at 7, music 8-11:30.

$50 admission. Tickets available online only. Tickets will NOT be available in the outlets. RVVP by March 6th.

Follow this link to buy tickets

Live auction includes the following:  Honora freshwater cultured pearl jewelry from Bowen; Squire Guitar and starter package from Lynchburg Music; Stoneblue Productions- Ellington matted/framed photo; Fly fishing trip/breakfast and lunch; Wine from around the world; Opera/dinner package; Lynchburg culture package: Opera on the James, Lynchburg Symphony, Renaissance Theater, and Academy of Fine Arts tickets; Paul Thorn Swag Bag; Jimmy Thackery/Reba Russel/ Nick Curran items; Holiday Inn Select Honeymoon suite/dinner; James River Float Company-couples float (canoe or kayak); Craddock Hotel/Ellington tickets/dinner, Personal Growth coaching from Advantage Communique, and maybe more!

We will also have a raffle with MANY prizes, including Two Ellington season passes; a one hour massage courtesy of Albert Sul at Body Therapy Center; manicure/pedicure from Telitha, Peaksview Animal Hospital yearly checkup (x3); Tube trip for 6 courtesy of James River Float Company; gift certificate to Blackwater Bike Shop (x2); Bull Branch dinner for two; Cut and style from Sage Tryall Salon (x2); Farm Basket gift basket; Shure Headphones from Point Source Audio, Ellington Fridays Swag Bag, 8-inch cake from Magnolia Foods! $10/ticket.