Grand Home Furnishings will be furnishing 12 small bare wood chairs for 12 different artists to paint in their own unique style. The artistically painted chairs will then be auctioned off on March 6, 2010 at The Grand Winter Gala and all profits will be donated to the above listed charities.

The Grand Winter Gala will be held at the Waters Edge Ball Room on March 6th from 7pm. to 11pm. You can purchase tickets in person from Grand Home Furnishings Westlake, Lynchburg, Valley View and Tanglewood, or fill out an online order form to receive your tickets in the mail. Individuals are $60 and couples are $100.

On Wednesday, November 18th from 5 to 7:30 at Westlake you can bring your female friends for the Ladies Night Out. Then on Nov. 28 from 1 – 4pm. take the kids to meet Santa at Bridgewater Plaza.

And last but not least is their Christmas Open House on Dec. 5th and 6th. That Sunday afternoon (the 6th) there will be a reception from 1 – 3 to meet the artists on display at the Little Gallery. There will also special holiday discounts and free wrapping available.

If you have never tried Greek food, then you may be in for a treat. The Greeks don’t go in for drab foods, they love rich flavors and tastes. The culture as a whole is full of loving, intense, laughing, hard working folks. I can’t say I have experienced another culture that I liked better. When I was a kid, we had good friends who were very Greek and my sister and I adored visiting them. They played hard, loved the Lord and were rich in compassion, honesty and ever enjoyed good food. I was exposed to some great new ideas and taste experiences during those visits.

If you love all things Greek or enjoy new things, go check out the Greek Festival at http://www.roanokegreekfestival.com. Besides the great food there will be live music, traditional costumes and dancing, pottery, jewelry, painting, contests, and children’s events. A fantastic time to be had by all!

You can have some unique fun with this concert by pretending it is already spring and bringing a picnic! Pack your own picnic basket filled with your favorite food and non-alcoholic drinks, bring the family or a favorite friend, relax and enjoy the songs of this popular artist . (Vaden will be accompanied by guitarist Don Larson in several song selections.)

 The concert admission for the concert is FREE, but donations are welcome. So join in the fun for a good cause and come to the “Imagine It’s Spring”  concert on Sunday March 8th at the Resurrection Catholic Church in Moneta, Va. Doors open at 5:30pm.

Reservations are required due to limited seating – Call 540-297-7262 or 540-297-4243.

The Elderhostel Program Itinerary will consist of ‘Trails Across America’, ‘Comedy in Film’, ‘Kings and Queens of England’. Prepare to be amazed, entertained and educated when it comes to any Elderhostel production.

‘Trails Across America’ covers the wide variety of scenic and historic trails in our country and allows you to learn how and why they were created.

‘Comedy in Film’ will be a wonderfully funny and lively time with some of the best film comedy of all time. Remembering Laurel and Hardy, Charlie Chaplin, Bob Hope, Martin and Lewis and many more.

‘Kings and Queens of England’ is a fascinating study. Learn how English rulers such as King Henry and Queen Elizabeth I built their empires. Also covers current royalty.

These 5 grand days are produced in association with the Smith Mountain Lake 4-H Center. All lodging and meals with full amenities, along with programming will be provided at the center at a package price of $572.

See the Elderhostel website for further information.

The musical element is usually very good with a mix of professional and amateur voices, and in the process of this feast for the eyes and ears, you may even learn little known facts and history about our neck of the woods!

The Blue Ridge Dinner Theatre is an outgrowth of the Dramatic and Theatre Arts department at Ferrum College and the Jack Tale Players. Our patrons, area businesses, civic organizations, and Ferrum College provide the many kinds of support necessary to make the BRDT a viable enterprise. Founded in 1978, the BRDT has produced four to five major plays per season as well as a number of other productions. Every year the BRDT also premieres, at least, one original drama.

The BRDT began as an effort to share with Franklin County its past and grew to the present enterprise that celebrates a whole variety of theatrical endeavors. From the beginning, three important principles have guided our work. For the audiences, the Blue Ridge Dinner Theatre promises wholesome family entertainment that blends the educational purpose of theatre with the powerful force of drama. For all, the BRDT reminds us that drama began as a religious ceremony and continues best when it keeps the spirit of fellowship and the joys of celebration. Contact them for more info. at (540) 365-4335.

The Little Gallery is located on the lower level of Bridgewater Plaza just south of Halesford Bridge. In addition to a wide collection of fine art, they sell all kinds of handmade art such as pottery, stained glass, jewelry, and prints of various sizes and prices. From impressionist artists to wildlife paintings, and watercolor to oil, there is something that just about everyone would like at this art gallery.

To find out more about The Little Gallery you can visit them at 16430 B.T. Washington Highway, Moneta, Va. 24121 or give them a call to find out hours and events at (540)721-1596. Their email is info@thelittlegallerysml.com.

Are you looking for a weekend filled with good music, beautiful scenery, and fine Virginia wines? Then mark September 23^rd and 24^th on your calendars, because that’s the date of the 18^th Annual Smith Mountain Lake Wine Festival held at Bernard’s Landing Conference Center. With two full days of live music and local vineries this is a festival you don’t want to miss. This year over 65 food and craft vendors will be set up, including winemakers from all over the state to answer questions and help you with your wine-tasting experience. Music Saturday will be provided by the band Domino, while The Tams will be on stage for Sunday. Tickets are $8 for a non-taster and $15 for a taster if they are purchased in advance through the festival website here. Gate prices are $10 for a non-taster and $20 for a taster. For more information, visit the festival’s website here or call 1-800-676-8203.

Most of us at Smith Mountain Lake have some sort of artistic streak, whether it be an occasional penchant for coaxing music out of a guitar or a weekend painting passion. Or perhaps you would prefer enjoying watching or listening to someone else’s artistic talent, and would like to know about upcoming cultural events at the Lake. If you fall anywhere in the spectrum above, you’ll probably appreciate the Smith Mountain Arts Council, a non-profit organization that serves Smith Mountain Lake as well as Franklin, Bedford, and Pittsylvania counties. To quote their website:

Smith Mountain Arts Council provides opportunities for cultural enrichment and pleasure in the visual, performing and literary arts while securing resources and community support for community events.

The Smith Mountain Arts Council sponsors such events as the John Faber Memorial Photography Contest, an annual Art Show, coffee house type performances, photography seminars, and even symphony concerts. Their website is a treasure trove of information about what’s happening in the art world at the Lake. So take an evening or two this weekend to enjoy some of the great performances sponsored by the Smith Mountain Arts Council!

Smith Mountain Lake has a number of attractions to offer its residents, from spectacular mountain vistas to fabulous water sports and everything in between. One of the Lake’s lesser known characteristics, however, may be its skilled local artisans. A number of gifted artists call the Lake their home, and now thanks to the Rucker House Mercantile, their work can be seen together at one location. The Rucker House, located at 4969 Rucker Road in Moneta is now featuring Artisans on the Lawn, a showcase of local talent held at the Mercantile the first Saturday of every month from April through December.

The Rucker House Mercantile is itself a recent addition to the Lake and has been in operation as a gift shop since December 2005. Karen Dillon of the Roanoke Times has written an excellent article on the Mercantile, published on April 28^th, 2006. Readers interested in learning more about the history of the historic Rucker House building should definitely peruse her article. The Mercantile can be reached at 540-297-4122 for more information. And don’t forget to come down to the Mercantile every first Saturday to support our local artists!