Arts, Leisure and Sports
Governor Northam says he is ready to “slowly ease” COVID-related restrictions as of April 1st – a week from tomorrow. But he will continue to have smaller size limits on high school sports than for college and professional contests, and band and cheerleader members will remain counted as among the spectators. More from WFIR’s Evan Jones.
Under Governor Northam’s latest executive order, spectator numbers at high school sports events will be permitted up to 100 people indoors and 500 outdoors, as long as they remain under 30% of permitted capacity.
(from hokiesports.com) BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech Director of Athletics Whit Babcock announced on Tuesday that Tech Athletics is not planning to host a traditional spring football game in 2021. Following the local and state guidelines, and in consultation with campus officials, we determined that we would not be able to provide our traditional fan experience, and it would not be in the best interest of the Blacksburg and Virginia Tech communities to hold a spring game in 2021. Babcock and Tech officials are hopeful that state, local health department restrictions limiting capacities at outdoor sports venues in Virginia will be further eased to allow fans to return to Lane Stadium in greater capacities this fall.
“Regrettably, given the current restrictions in place and out of concern for the health and well-being of our community, our student-athletes and our fans, we have made the decision to not have a spring football game,” Babcock said. “We realize this is disappointing for many and certainly for our football team, but we believe that it is the proper decision for the Virginia Tech community and the town of Blacksburg. Additionally, we did not want to provide our fans with an experience which would be far less than they are accustomed to at Lane Stadium, including no tailgating. We certainly hope and expect this fall that they can enjoy our full gameday environment with Hokie Village, the Hokie Walk, the Marching Virginians, the Corps of Cadets, the VT Spirit Squads, tailgating and more.
“The final element of conducting a spring game that proved problematic was determining an equitable way to allocate the very limited amount of tickets we would have been permitted to issue,” Babcock concluded. “With the limit at 1,000, it would have been limited to guests of student-athletes and would not have provided an opportunity for many fans to come to Lane Stadium anyway. Even if the appropriate officials and agencies were to move to a increased attendance protocol in the near term, it’s just too soon to jump back into it. I wish we could and we will soon; when it’s appropriate. We will be offering our fans enhanced, behind-the-scenes features from spring football practices and our creative team will deliver exclusive interviews and other special features to our donors and fans throughout spring ball.”
Betty Branch- Ian Price photo
A year ago well-known local artist Betty Branch donated a sculpture called “A Perfect Balance” to Jefferson Center, to be placed outside the doors to the Shaftman Performance Hall. COVID-19 delayed the installation and unveiling until yesterday – when Betty Branch was on hand. Branch’s public sculptures can be seen elsewhere locally at venues including the Taubman Museum of Art.
From Downtown Roanoke Inc. After canceling our 2020 season of Party in Elmwood, we are excited to announce Party in Elmwood will return for 2021 bringing 22 weeks of outdoor, live music to Elmwood Park. Check out the schedule below!COVID-19 Guidelines:
We will follow all guidelines in place over the duration of the Party in Elmwood season. At the time of this release, that includes masks, social distancing, extra spacing between attendees and performers, and an attendee limit of 1,000 for Elmwood Park. Anyone experiencing fever, symptoms of COVID-19, or who has tested positive for COVID-19 or have a known exposure to someone who has COVID-19 must stay at home.
The Best Beach Party in the Valley is in Elmwood Park every Thursday night starting from 5:30pm to 8:30pm. Admission is $5 per person at the gate. Kids under 12 are free!
Join us for all of your favorite bands and jams! Enjoy music, friends, food, and drinks in the region’s most vibrant and exciting destination: Downtown Roanoke. Bring your lawn chair and relax in Elmwood Park. No coolers, please.
Visit the Party in Elmwood Facebook page for event updates due to weather.
2021 EVENT DATES:
5/20 – Chairmen of the Board
5/27 – Blackwater Rhythm & Blues Band
6/3 – Band of Oz
6/10 – The Entertainers
6/17 – The Embers feat. Craig Woolard
6/24 – Bill Deal’s Original Rhondels
7/1 – The Kings
7/8 – Too Much Sylvia
7/15 – Legacy Motown Revue
7/22 – The Catalinas
7/29 – Gary Lowder & Smokin’ Hot
8/5 – Cat5 Band
8/12 – The Pizazz Band
8/19 – Jim Quick & Coastline
8/26 – Band of Oz
9/2 – The Embers feat. Craig Woolard
9/9 – The Entertainers
9/16 – Too Much Sylvia
9/23 – Part-Time Party Time Band
9/30 – The Holiday Band
10/7 – Blackwater Rhythm & Blues Band
10/14 – The Kings
Each season we partner with local non-profits who help us by volunteering at our shows. In turn, DRI makes a donation to these wonderful organizations. This year’s partner non-profits will be announced soon.
Virginia Tech led for most of the game against the Florida Gators, lost the lead late, tied it at the buzzer on a 3-point short before falling in overtime to Florida 75-70 , which outmuscled the Hokies in the second half of the opening round NCAA basketball tournament game. Liberty plays tonight and UVA tomorrow night. Head coach Mike Young after the loss:
Cindy Petersen -courtesy Taubman Museum
The Taubman Museum of Art is one of 30 finalists for the 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service. Only 5 art museums nationwide – including the Taubman – are among the finalists. Cindy Peterson is executive director for the iconic downtown Roanoke Museum. She says the “Brush Pals” outreach project during the height of the pandemic is just one reason. The winner chosen by the Institute of Museum and Library Service will be announced in late May.
(from News Release) ROANOKE, Va. —The Institute of Museum and Library Services announced today that the Taubman Museum of Art is among 30 finalists for the 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service. The Taubman Museum of Art is one of only two institutions in Virginia to be selected as a finalist for this award, and one of only five art museums in the nation. The National Medal is the nation’s highest honor given to museums and libraries that demonstrate significant impact in their communities. For more than 25 years, the award has honored institutions that demonstrate excellence in service to their communities. Since 1996, only 170 institutions have been recipients of the honor. Past winners can be viewed on the IMLS web site.
“This nomination speaks to the power that art can play in making an especially meaningful difference for individuals and communities,” said Cindy Petersen, executive director of the Taubman Museum of Art. “In recent years, our Museum has focused on using art to start new and often challenging conversations, to expand our ways of thinking, to encourage the embrace of diverse cultures, and to lift up new voices.
“Art can also be a valuable tool in helping people deal with loss and trauma. When COVID-19 hit, we adapted our outreach programs and worked with our community partners to ensure our continuous engagement of K-12 students, seniors in retirement communities, families, front-line healthcare workers, underrepresented communities, and those served by programs such as Feeding America and the Roanoke Rescue Mission.” An example of the Museum meeting the community where they were during this past year includes the Taubman’s “Brush Pals” program, which has distributed more than 70,000 hands-on art kits, instructional worksheets and “Cards of Encouragement” to Southwest Virginians living in Botetourt, Campbell, Floyd, Franklin, Grayson, Montgomery, Roanoke, Smyth and Washington counties, many of whom did not have ready access to art.
In addition, the Museum pivoted to remotely continue its program titled “Healing Ceilings: A Community Tile Project,” in partnership with Carilion Clinic. Community groups including Burton Center for Arts and Technology, Community Youth Program, Friendship Retirement, Roanoke City and County Public Schools, Science Museum of Western Virginia LAB students, Temple Emanuel Teen Youth Group, Total Action for Progress, local homeschool groups, and more were provided with materials and prompts to paint more than 250 ceiling tiles with colorful, whimsical designs that will be installed at Carilion Clinic’s facilities to provide comfort to patients as they seek treatment.