Hard to believe someone so famous is going to be just down the road from Smith Mountain Lake. But sure enough you can buy tickets for Friday, September 10th at 8pm at the Roanoke Civic Center to see Maestro David Stewart Wiley and the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, performing  with Liza Minnelli!

As you can imagine all seats are reserved for this fabulous event. Tickets range from $25 seats in the upper corners of concourse on up to $75 seats at tables (which seat 8 people). Dinner is an extra $25 served by the well-known Encore Catering by Ovations. Dinners are available for purchase in advance and will be served at 6pm. allowing plenty of time to eat before the entertainment.

Tickets on sale through HometownBankTix.com, the Roanoke Civic Center Ticket Office, or charge by phone at (877) 482-8496. For more info. or to see the coming season of events visit RoanokeCivicCenter.com.

If you are new to the area or simply have not tried out one of our local theatres, there are a couple good ones to choose from. Take your best pal out for the evening……..and don’t forget the popcorn.

MAYBERRY DRIVE-IN AND DINER is a real old time drive-in theatre. You have to take the kids and let them experience the fun of a drive-in. Visit their great website for all the fun details…… http://www.mayberrydrivein.com/Home.html.

EAGLE CINEMA 5  is located on Tanyard Road, in Rocky Mount, Va. They have better accomodations for movie goers than many big city theatres I have been in. Call them for shows and times at 540-483-9121.
Movie Prices are as follows: Adult: $7.50/Child: $5.50/Seniors $6.50

WESTLAKE CINEMA offers movies for all ages in a comfortable family atmosphere and they sell a variety of different kinds of food to snack on during the movie. A theatre is the perfect destination on rainy days or late afternoons or just for a change of pace anytime. Visit westlakecinema.com or call 540-721-6326 for show times.

There are also a couple of theatres in Martinville, Va. if you are headed that direction:

In the meantime, come join us as the Booker T. Washington National Monument celebrates Juneteenth on Saturday, June 19th from 1:00-4:00 p.m.  There will be musical entertainment, a petting zoo, food for sale, and more. 

It’s a great opportunity to check out all that you may have been missing at the Monument such as the visitors center with audio and video presentations, historic trails to walk, old time gardens, farm area with sheep, pigs, horses and much more. You can contact the park at (540) 721-2094 for more info.

Does the idea of a tractor pull, blacksmith demonstrations, bluegrass music, and antique farm equipment exhibits sound like fun to you? There will be all that and much more including quilting exhibits, farm equipment demonstrations, petting zoo, tractor rides, gardening seminars and lots of homemade food of various kinds.

Fun for the whole family, Southwest Virginia Antique Farm Days will take place at the Franklin County Recreation Park (on Sontag Road) from Fri. June 18th to Sun. June 20th. Admission is free for children under 12 and $5 a day for everyone else. For more info. call 540-483-9293 or 540-483-0442. You can also email questions to
angelyoung@franklincountyva.org or visit  www.svapf.org/.

A State Park ranger from SML will provide a program for passengers about wildlife around the lake, including finned and feathered ones. Lunch is included in the tour. The cruises will take place the first Wednesday of each month through October 6th. They will last for 2 hours from Noon to 2 p.m. All cruises begin at the Virginia Dare Marina, Moneta. Call for cost information at 540-297-7100 or visit www.vadarecruises.com.

Schedule at a glance:

Jun 2nd 12-2
Jul 7th 12-2
Aug 4th 12-2
Sep 1st 12-2
Oct 6th 12-2

The next concert will be on July 1st, presenting “The Kings” and the last one for the summer will be on Aug. 5th and the band will be “The Part Time Party Time Band”.

This series of 3 concerts is called the ‘After 5 Jive at Smith Mountain Lake’, and tickets cost $5 for adults, children 10 and under get in free. (ID required for 21 and older.) ALL PROCEEDS GO TO BENEFIT THE UNITED WAY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.

There will be a children’s play area including inflatable slides and moonwalk, face painting and other activities. Lawn chairs welcome. No coolers, outside food or drinks, rollerblades, skateboards or pets are allowed on the premises..

Events are subject to cancellation and possible rescheduling due to inclement weather. Participating food and drink vendors include Homestead Creamery, Hot Shots, Brooks Mill Winery, Budweiser and Coca-Cola. After 5 Jive is presented by Prudential Waterfront Properties, Verizon Wireless, Smith Mountain Building Supply, Kroger, WDBJ-7 and Coca-Cola.

Quick overview for the  ‘After 5 Jive at Smith Mountain Lake’ concerts series:
Thursday, June 3rd “The Domino Band” from 5 – 8:30pm.
Thursday, July 1st “The Kings” from 5 – 8:30 pm.
Thursday, August 5 “The Part Time Party Time Band” from 5 – 8:30 pm.

Come out and join in the Bedford Humane Society fundraiser; Bedrock Tattooz Poker Run 2010. Help take care of abandoned animals by participation and have a great time as well. It will be held on May 22nd, rain or shine at 9:30am. Cost is $20 per driver, $10 rider, breakfast and dinner included!  Winning hand will receive a cash prize of $250. For more info. call 540-586-2445 or visit www.bedfordhumanesociety.petfinder.org.

EastLake Community Church is excited to announce the agreement to purchase and major renovation of the Old Shop-Rite Building and the Village Plaza located at 1118 and 1126 Hendricks Store Rd.  We look forward to a late Summer early Fall grand opening.  www.elcchurch.com.

Sellavision Media and SMLTV are pleased to announce their 2 newest locations hosted by Bridgewater Marina and Hot shots. They appreciate Roy Enslow and Jeff Shott for embracing Smith Mountain Lake Television and helping to spread lake news. Stop by and see the new screens for yourself.

Have you read the Definitive Guide to Smith Mountain Lake Real Estate by Paul T. Moore? Readers give wonderful reviews about it’s value to them as lake residents. You can also use the book as a moneymaking tool by recommending it to your customers and or friends!  Purchase the books wholesale for $4, and then sell them for $10.  Email Paul for more information – paul.moore@smithmountainhomes.com.

May 29, 30, & 31 is the time to visit Brooks Mill Winery for their Wine, Cheese, and Chocolate Open House.  (Memorial Day Weekend)  Award winning wines will be paired with various cheeses and chocolates for your tasting pleasure. You can read more about them at www.brooksmillwinery.com  or call 540-721-5215 for more information.

Saturday May 1st will be the last day of the Annual Festival in the Pines. Located at the Tripple Creek Campground in Rocky Mount, you can enjoy music and activities associated with Bluegrass music in a grand attempt to keep wonderful culture and musical traditions going strong. For more info. contact Sterling Belcher at (540) 483-9839.

Support the SML Retail Alliance Council by joining in the fun on May first for great food from the best restaurants of Smith Mountain Lake. From 12 to 4 pm. you pay only $30 per adult or $15 for children 6-11 for tasting tickets. Children 5 and under free. You can call (540) 297-4900 for ticket information.

May 9th – Mothers Day Cruise. Mothers get a $5.00 discount. Let mom know how special she is, bring her out for a 2 hour cruise and lunch.

Remember the Smith Mountain Lake Poker Run is May 22nd. Virginia Dare & Portside are a card stop. Come by and watch some of the most colorful boats on the lake.