You are invited to Church World Service Immigration and Refugee Program’s 3rd annual photo show at Clementine Cafe in downtown Harrisonburg. Our focus is on Refugee children in Harrisonburg and their journey to academic success.  Faced with hurdles including language barriers, cultural differences and family adjustment, this year’s show gives us a glimpse of the adjustment and achievement taking place in children’s lives.  This event is sponsored in part by Virginia Refugee Student Achievement Project.  Learn more at our website.

The Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection invites you to UVa’s newest exhibition, Black Prints from Cicada Press.  This event on will be on Friday, May 31st from 5:30 – 7:30 pm.  Since 2006 Michael Kempson, director of Cicada Press, and Tess Allas, curator of Black Prints, have invited emerging and established Aboriginal artists to explore printmaking as an artistic practice in the form of workshops and residencies.  The result is an eclectic but meaningful exhibition addressing the contemporary Aboriginal experience in Australia today.  The reception will also celebrate the re-opening of the permanent exhibition Past Forward Contemporary Aboriginal Art, after two months closed due to renovations.  The Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection of UVa is the only museum of Australian Aboriginal Art in the US, and one of two in the world.  It is located on Pantops next to Martha Jefferson Hospital. For more information visit our website.

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The Foothills Child Advocacy Center works to stop child abuse and neglect through intervention on behalf of children who have been victimized, case management for traumatized children and their families, and public education and outreach activities.  Foothills primarily serves the City of Charlottesville and County of Albemarle and is an accredited member of the National Children’s Alliance.  On Thursday, June 6, 2013, from 5 to 8 p.m, five stores at the Barracks Road Shopping Center will participate in Sip and Shop.  Each store will provide wine, cheese, or other refreshments, and shoppers who visit all 5 stores will be eligible to win raffle prizes donated by each store.  Fifteen percent of the proceeds will benefit the Foothills Child Advocacy Center.  For more information, please visit the center’s website or call 434-971-7233.

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The Endstation Theater Company invites you to enjoy William Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew”.  This show will be performed at the Renaissance Theatre in downtown Lynchburg May 31-June 9 and on the campus of SweetBriarCollege June 15-July 7.  Six vaudeville performers from the turn of the century bring this madcap classic comedy about love and marriage to life.  Through the fun and energy of vaudeville performance styles, audiences meet the residents of Padua as they employ Petruchio to “tame” their infamous “shrew”, Katarina.  For more information and to purchase tickets visit our website or call 434-826-0391.

The Hospice of the Piedmont invites you to ArtHoP: Celebrating the Healing Power of Art and Music on Thursday June 6^th from 5:30 to 7:30pm at the Live Arts building in downtown Charlottesville.  This open to the public reception is an opportunity to enjoy the beauty of art and music while learning more about the gifts Hospice of the Piedmont brings to our community.  Guests can enjoy paintings and photography created by local artists.  There will also be live music, tasty treats, and beverages.  Hospice of the Piedmont provides professional, compassionate care to terminally ill patients and their families, plus bereavement support for community members coping with the death of a loved one.  We are committed to providing care and support services to all members of our community regardless of their ability to pay.  Visit our website to learn more information and to RSVP for ArtHoP.

Rockingham County Fair

You’re invited to the Rockingham County Fair.  The Rockingham County fair has been named Top Agricultural Fair in North America by the International Association of Fairs and Exhibitions, is the state’s largest county fair . It takes place Aug. 12-17 in Harrisonburg and will feature entertainers Old Crow Medicine Show,  Alan Jackson, Kellie Pickler, Easton Corbin and more.  The theme for the 2013 fair is Having a Good Time.  For more information please visit our website.

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Albemarle Ballet Theatre (ABT) and the Studio for the Performing Arts (SFTPA), present their 9th Spring Dance Gala at PVCC’s Dickinson Theatre on Saturday, May 18th at 6pm.  This one and a half-hour, fantasy and fun-filled show includes performances taking the audience through a safari, on cultural journeys, back to the roaring twenties, and contemporary music.  Tickets are available at our website, ABT’s studio in Crozet or PVCC on the day of the show.  For more information call 434.823.8888, email us or visit our website.

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The Piedmont Fiddle and Banjo Association’s is having a 1 day only “Music of the Piedmont” show at Pleasant Grove Park in Fluvanna County, from 9 a.m.-6 p.m., rain or shine on May 11th.  There will be 9 bands performing and the event is FREE. vThe event is to preserve and promote bluegrass, old-time and acoustic music in the Piedmont region of Virginia and increasing public awareness and enjoyment of our organization.  For more information visit us on Facebook.

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Pack a brown bag lunch and join PCA for “Courting the Media 101: Effective Strategies for Getting the Coverage You Want” with veteran media relations coordinator and arts and culture writer Mary Burruss.  Get help in defining the current gap between the media and arts and culture coverage and learn how you can bridge that gap.  Advance registration is required.  Visit our website for more information.

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You’re invited to Art Drinks!  Join Piedmont Council for the Arts for a monthly casual networking event to mingle with other arts enthusiasts and creative professionals in Charlottesville! This month, Art Drinks takes place at Positively 4th Street, located at 401 East Main Street on the Downtown Mall.  This event is FREE and open to the public.  To learn more, visit our website.

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You are invited for an evening of music to celebrate the life of The Haven.  We holding The Haven Acoustic Showcase on Friday, May 17th, 7pm – 11pm. This annual benefit concert for The Haven will feature Alex and Amelia of Mountain Man, Caleb Stine, and Red & The Romantics.  The Haven works to reduce homelessness by initiating creative solutions and coordinating regional resources and services.  The Acoustic Showcase promises to be an evening of the very best singers and songwriters around!  Refreshments will be available at the event.  Tickets will be available at the door or reserve your spot online at TheHaven.org.

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Piedmont CASA is hosting a special summer training session in Louisa for those who want to become a CASA Volunteer.  CASAs advocate in court on behalf of abused and neglected children in our community.  Training will be held June 10- 27.  This training is designed specifically for Louisa and for those who will serve in the county.  For details call 434-971-75-15 or visit pcasa.org.  One person can make a difference and you can be that person!

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The Appomattox 1865 Foundation invites you to a two-day event celebrating the music of the banjo with Joel Sweeney and the Banjo.  This concert and conference will focus on the history of the banjo from Africa to America and how the instrument was used by slaves and later by freed people.  Joel Sweeney was from Appomattox and several residences of his contemporary relatives are currently restored and part of the national park.  We are having screenings of two documentaries on the banjo and are also hosting a concert that includes a former member of The Carolina Chocolate Drops, Eddie Adcock and the McKenzies.  For more information on this event Appomattox1865Foundation.org.

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This year, the Emergency Food Bank celebrates our 40^th anniversary.  Since 1973, the EFB has been serving Charlottesville City and Albemarle County neighbors in need with groceries for several days of emergency food.  Our organization works to decrease hunger in our community.   Albemarle County and Charlottesville City residents who find themselves in need of a three-day emergency supply of food can call us daily, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. through 12 noon to request food. On the same day, they will be able to pick up their order between 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. at our distribution center at 900 Harris Street.  Clients may use our services once a month.  To learn more about our organization, including information about volunteering or donating food, you can visit us on the web at www.emergencyfoodbank.org or call 434-979-9180.

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Children Incorporated is a Richmond-based non-profit bringing resources, education, and opportunities to impoverished children in both the U.S. and abroad since 1964.  On Saturday, May 11^th, Children Incorporated is holding the ONE CAN Benefit Concert at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery to spread our organization’s message to the public and provide opportunities to become a sponsor.  Come join us from 4:00 to 9:00 to for live performances from local bands, delicious food and drinks, and the chance to support a great cause.  For more information and to purchase tickets, visit our website at childrenincorporated.org.

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Bluegrass Benefit

Saturday, May 25, 2013 11am-10pm

Madison County Rescue Squad Building

1473 NORTH MAIN STREET. Madison, VA 22727

Performances by:

Don Sisk and New Highway Gospel

Glory Road

Southern Hospitality

The Ridge Runners

Family Tradition

Dixie Hill Grass

Stacy Roach and Country Poor Bluegrass Band

And more!

FREE ADMISSION!

DONATIONS ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED!

FOOD WILL BE AVAILABLE!

LIVE AUCTION AT 4P.M.

50/50 RAFFLE

SPECIAL RAFFLES

DOOR PRIZES

BAKED GOODS

ALL PROCEEDS WILL BE DONATED TO ISAAC ROACH OF GREENE COUNTY. MR ROACH SUFFERED THE LOSS OF HIS HOME AND ALL HIS PERSONAL POCESSIONS ON FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 2013 TO FIRE. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR NEED DIRECTIONS OR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT 434-465-1944 or 1dixiegirl@gmail.com

People and Congregations Engaged in Ministry Saturdayinvites you to our annual Handbell Festival on April 27^th.  This concert will take place from 7:00-8:30 p.m. at Aldersgate United Methodist Church at 1500 East Rio Road. The event is open to the public, and will support PACEM’s continued work organizing shelter sites and compassionate support.  For more information on The Music of Seven Handbell Choirs and PACEM, visit PACEMShelter.org.

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The Monticello Bird Club is an informal group of local birding enthusiasts, who gather to share their love of birds and the natural world.  We meet monthly from September through June in the Education Building at Ivy Creek Natural Area to exchange news and learn from an invited guest speaker.  The bird club sponsors numerous field-trips led by experienced birders to Virginia birding hotspots. On the first Saturday of every month, a club member leads a bird walk at Ivy Creek Natural Area.  Attendance at any of these events is open to both members and non-members of all skill levels.  For details about MBC, MonticelloBirdClub.org.

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The Women’s Initiative in Charlottesville seeks to honor women who have transformed challenge into change.  The Women’s Initiative is sponsoring the “Challenge to Change” essay contest.  Writers are asked to submit original essays that honor women who have turned difficult circumstances into positive changes.  The Women’s Initiative is looking for inspiring essays of 500 words or less.  The deadline for submissions is April 30th.  Winners will receive prizes and cash awards.  All essayists will be celebrated at Play On! Theatre on June 15, from 4:30 to 6:30.  For more information on to enter the contest go to TheWomensInitiative.org.

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Once again the Virginia Film Festival encouraging high school students from throughout the Commonwealth to share their filmmaking talents in the second annual ACTION! High School Director Competition.  This festival will welcome submissions from rising 10th, 11th and 12th graders from throughout the Commonwealth.  The Grand Prize winner for the competition will be awarded a check for $1,000.  Each of the two runners-up in the competition will be awarded $500, and all three winning films will receive a special screening at the upcoming 2013 Virginia Film Festival in early November.  Each filmmaker from the three winning films will also receive a Participant Badge, which provides access to VFF screenings and the VFF Filmmakers and Sponsors Lounge.  Applications and complete rules for entry can be found at VirginiaFilmFestival.org.  The Virginia Film Festival is presented by the University of Virginia.  ACTION! The Virginia Film Festival’s High School Director Competition is generously supported by the Virginia Film Office.