Arts, Leisure and Sports
Last year 16 Million people visited the national park in our backyard – the Blue Ridge Parkway. And the new superintendent says that number could go up. More from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:
Of the 2500 or more who ran one of the recent Blue Ridge Marathon races a majority of them may have cruised past David Stewart Wiley’s home, where the music director for the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra and a ragtag band played inspirational music:
Leonard Bernstein by Jack Mitchell
The final Roanoke Symphony Orchestra “Masterworks” concert of the season is this Saturday night at the Berglund Performing Arts Center. Its the Bernstein Centennial Celebration, honoring the late American classical composer and music director Leonard Bernstein, who would have been 100 this year. RSO music director David Stewart Wiley worked with the man he knew as “Lenny” early in his career. He spoke to WFIR’s Gene Marrano about that and about this Saturday night’s concert – here is a “Longer Listen”:
Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster was in the NFL draft green room last Thursday. Foster and head coach Justin Fuente face another challenge this fall with more than half of the Hokie’s starting defensive team drafted or signed as free agents by NFL teams:
Never heard about the “Mad Gasser” of Botetourt County, which caused some local hysteria in the 1930’s? A Bristol author has now written about it and he’s in town for a discussion tonight as WFIR’s Gene Marrano reports:
Lots of patrons at Big Lick Brewing Company have been looking “up” over the past week as a Berlin-based artist worked on a giant mural covering the apartment building next door. More from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:
In addition to all the Hokies and Hoos that went in the NFL draft, a number of players have signed free agent contracts- meanwhile UVA head coach Bronco Mendenhall liked what he saw from projected starting quarterback Bryce Perkins during Saturday’s spring practice finale:
The National Football League held its first round draft last night and the Edmunds brothers from Virginia tech were both selected – linebacker Tremaine Edwards is going to the Buffalo bills. Terrell, a safety, is now a Pittsburgh Steeler. And checking in with a former Salem Red Sox player – Boston outfielder Andrew Benintendi: