April at Smith Mountain Lake provides some exceptional opportunities to experience a variety of excellent music. It isn’t every month that there are so many wonderful options to choose from as far as concert offerings. It makes you wonder if spring in a musicians blood causes them to want to burst into song more frequently. But whatever the cause, we are able to enjoy the results. Pick a couple of the concerts listed below to attend and drift away on a song.

Apr 18 - Opera on the James presents La Bohème - 7:30pm- If ever there were an opera to capture our hearts, it’s Puccini’s classic La Bohème. Opera on the James will pull out the stops to re-create a sumptuous new production of this gripping, heart-breaking drama. Returning featured artists Penelope Shumate, Sarah Hagstrom and Michael Mayes, joined by Daniel Holmes and others, will set your soul on fire in this not-to-be-missed production.

Tickets: $45.00 for Reserved Seating $75.00 for Premium Seating & Meet the Cast Reception (April 20), $25.00 for General Admission $10.00 for students. All ticket purchasers are invited to attend the director’s notes 30 minutes before each performance. - Academy of Fine Arts, Warehouse Theatre, Commerce Street, Downtown Lynchburg - 434-525-3397 - www.operaonthejames.org.

Apr 19 - Bedford Blues & BBQ - 3:00pm to 11:00pm- Historic Centertown Bedford will come alive with the soulful sounds that only Blues Music can create. Some of the area’s top blues performers will be on hand to entertain crowds well into the evening. A Backyard BBQ Competition is a highlight with a Peoples Choice Award. Bellies will be filled and thirsts will be quenched by the great food and the beer & wine café. In addition to hot dogs, hamburgers, funnel cakes, and ice cream, Bedford Ruritans will be spending the entire day cooking up several pigs…just for you! Adult admission is $5.00 (children 12 & under are free). Featuring: Michael Lee 3:00pm to 4:30pm, Minus John 5:00pm to 7:00pm, Eli Cook 7:00pm to 9:00pm and Billie Sutton & Roadhouse 9:00pm to 11:00pm. - Centertown Bedford, Farmers Market - 540-586-2148 - www.centertownbedford.com.

Apr 19 - Henry Butler Trio - 8:00pm- The finest all-around pianist in New Orleans crafts a rich amalgam of jazz, blues, R&B and New Orleans funk. Combining the percussive jazz piano playing of McCoy Tyner and the New Orleans style playing of Professor Longhair, Butler fashions a sound uniquely his own. - Jefferson Center, 541 Luck Avenue, Downtown Roanoke - 540-345-2550 - www.jeffcenter.org.

Apr 19 - Montana Skies in Concert - 7:30pm- A must see live concert experience: a duo with the full spectrum of an orchestra crossed with the energy of a rock band. Winners of the Lifestyle Radio Music Awards for Best New Artist of 2004 and Best Contemporary Acoustic Album of 2005, Jennifer and Jonathan Adams create a “new acoustic” sound with their pairing of cello, six-string electric cello, Spanish/classical guitar, and steel string guitar. These astounding musicians delve into music from Pink Floyd and Rush to Vivaldi, House of the Rising Sun, and Bach, as well as their own award winning originals that have been featured everywhere from NPR to the Travel Channel. Using a wide range of effects, Jennifer Adams’ blazing electric cello and Jonathan Adams’ guitar wizardry combine to create a sound that is truly remarkable. Montana Skies has an extensive tour schedule, which has taken them all across the US, Canada and to Asia. - Bedford Central Library, Community Room, 321 North Bridge Street, Bedford - $10.00 p.p. suggested donation - 540-586-8911 x 4 - www.friendsofbedfordlibrary.org.

Apr 22 - Open Mic Night - 9:00pm - Take your show on the road. We provide the stage, lights, mic and audience… you provide the talent. - 202 Market, 202 Market Square, Downtown Roanoke - Free - 540-343-6644 - www.202market.net.

Apr 23 - Blue 5 Jazz Jam - Come and enjoy the music from the best local jazz musicians in the Roanoke Valley. - Blue 5 Restaurant, 312 Second Street, Downtown Roanoke - 540-904-5338 - www.blue5restaurant.com.

Apr 25 - Harmonica Shah Band in Concert - 8:00pm - “Harmonica Shah’s got it… harp wizardry… hard to resist…” - LIVING BLUES MAGAZINE. - Blue 5 Restaurant, 312 Second Street, Downtown Roanoke - 540-904-5338 - www.blue5restaurant.com.

Thanks to the Bedford Chamber of Commerce for much of this information.