Community Calendar

Submit calendar listings to freepress2@ntelos.net.

Thursday, July 29

Genealogy Tour of the Augusta County Courthouse. Meet at the Augusta County Courthouse in Downtown Staunton, 1 E. Johnson St., 6 p.m.

Joint Augusta/Rockingham Chamber Business After Hours, Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport, 77 Aviation Circle, Weyers Cave, 5:30 p.m. RSVP to Chamber Office- 540-949-8203.

Waynesboro Generals baseball, Mathers Park at Kate Collins Field, 1625 Ivy St., Waynesboro, 7 p.m. The Generals host the Covington Lumberjacks. Online: www.waynesborogenerals.com.

Friday, July 30

Nomadic Roots Festival – music, arts, environmental festival at Crimora Park, 1648 New Hope Road, Crimora, Friday, July 30, and Saturday, July 31. On the web: www.nomadicrootsfestival.com.

Friday and Saturday, July 30-31, Traveling Players Ensemble returns to Lime Kiln in Lexington with Shakespeare’s Love’s Labours Lost. Written in the 1590s, the play tells the story of how the King of Navarre　and three noble companions take an oath to devote themselves to three years of study, promising not to “give in” to the company of women. However, a princess and her three ladies come to the kingdom, and the King and his men comically fall in love in spite of their oath. Named a “Summer School in the Arts” by the National Endowment for the Arts, TPE is youth theatre summer training camp near Washington, DC, where the students learn about acting classics in outdoor settings. The advanced students then tour Virginia and West Virginia in July and August and perform in outdoor theatre settings. For more information about performance times and tickets online, go to www.theateratlimekiln.com. Tickets are also on sale at the Lexington Visitors Center at 106 East Washington Street or by calling the Lime Kiln Office at 540.463.7088.

Dr. Muhammad A. Legenhausen of Qom, Iran, will present an Abraham’s Tent forum in Martin Chapel of the seminary building at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg at 3 p.m. His remarks will focus on “Understanding Peace in Iran.” Dr. Legenhausen, originally from New York, holds a PhD in philosophy from Rice University. He has been studying Islam and teaching philosophy of religion and ethics in Iran for 20 years, currently at the Imam Khomeini Education and Research Institute in Qom. An advocate of religious pluralism and interfaith dialogue, he wrote a book, “Islam and Religious Pluralism,” and serves on the advisory board of the Society for Religious Studies in Qom as well as on the Abraham’s Tent Advisory Council. Admission to the program is free.

Scruffy Murphy at Stone Soup Books, Waynesboro, 6 p.m. No cover charge, donations graciously received. Space limited. Call for reservation. Stone Soup Books and Café, 908 W. Main St., Waynesboro 540.943.0084.

Fun Fest, Waynesboro Public Library, 600 S. Wayne Ave., Waynesboro, 6 p.m. Face painting, Lambeth Petting Zoo, Fiesta Surprise Moon Bounce, karaoke and music provided by Phat and Sassy, and much more. Some stations sponsored by our area BB&T.

Saturday, July 31

The Staunton Public Library, 1 Churchville Ave., Staunton, will present “Breaking Down those African American Genealogical Brick Walls” at 1:30 p.m. in the second floor meeting room. Professional genealogist, independent historian and author Char McCargo Bah will address finding relatives in the neighborhood, locating the surnames of former enslaved women, finding former slave owners, and finding families in untraditional documents. For more information call 540.332.3902 or visit www.StauntonLibrary.org

In the Cabaret, Hamner Theater, Rockfish Valley Community Center, Nellysford, 6:30 p.m. Featuring Barbara Martin & Mac Walter.

Sunday, August 1

Waynesboro Generals baseball, Mathers Park at Kate Collins Field, 1625 Ivy St., Waynesboro, 7 p.m. The Generals host the Staunton Braves. Online: www.waynesborogenerals.com.

Wednesday, August 4

Information Sources in Depth, Part 2. Instructor: Nancy Sorrells. A continuation of the July 25 session, including church records, land records, microfilm and Internet resources. Offered at the Staunton Public Library, 1 Churchville Ave., 6 p.m. For more information, please call 540.332.3902.

Making Money With Your Voice Voice Coaches is holding an Introduction to Voice Over Acting class called “Getting Paid to Talk – Making Money With Your Voice.” Event held at the Augusta County Parks and Recreation at the Augusta County Government Center, Verona, 6:30 p.m. For more information or to register, call 540.245.5727. Class fee is $25.

The Playhouse presents Thornton Wilder’s Our Town. This Pulitzer Prize winning play takes place in Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire at the start of the 20th century. Wilder’s portrait of the mysteries of life, love, and death has become an enduring American treasure and a favorite of audience of all ages. At Court Square Theater, 61 Graham St., Downtown Harrisonburg, Wednesday-Saturday: 8 p.m., Sunday: 3 p.m. Tickets: $12 ($10 for a group of 10 or more). Online: www.CourtSquareTheater.com.

Thursday, August 5

Downtown Blood Drive at Sunspots Studios, Downtown Staunton, 2-6 p.m. People who want to donate can call Sunspots (540.885.0678), email sunspots@sunspots.com, 0r make an appointment online at www.vadonor.com, Sponsor Code: Sunspots Studios. Donors will receive a $10 Sunspots’ gift certificate, and a special edition “What’s Your Type?” T-Shirt from VA Blood Services.

Grand Opening/Ribbon Cutting at Christopher Collins Inc. / Party Room, 125 S. Augusta St. (next to Staunton Train Station), 5-7 p.m.

Friday, August 6

Mother’s Shillelagh performs at Stone Soup Books and Cafe, Downtown Waynesboro, 6 p.m. The message of this traditional Irish walking stick (or Fighting Stick, depending on the occasion) is Magic is Everywhere. Spend a magical evening at Stone Soup with Mother’s Shillelagh, an Irish trio (with a little Old-Time thrown in), featuring Fiddler Michael Giordano (of Hound Dog Hill Fame), Steven Kasden on banjo and vocals, and Ray Lynn on piano. No cover charge, donations graciously received. Space limited. Call for reservation. Stone Soup Books and Café, 908 W. Main St., Waynesboro, 540.943.0084, www.stonesoupbooks.net.

Saturday, August 7

Wine: Maps, Silver, and Glass exhibit in the R. R. Smith Center for History and Art, 20 S. New St., Downtown Stanuton, opens with an event set for 5:30-9 p.m. James Gabler, author of Passions: The Wines and Travels of Thomas Jefferson, will be the featured guest. The exhibit will feature original maps – artworks in themselves – many of which detail Thomas Jefferson’s tour of the wine country in France. The exhibit will also include displays of hand-wrought silver and hand-blown glass, important components to the wine experience of Jefferson’s period. The exhibit is a collaboration of the Staunton Augusta Art Center, Historic Staunton Foundation, and Augusta County Historical Society. Tickets to the reception are $50 per person and may be purchased online at www.rrsmithcenter.org or by calling 540.885.7676. The exhibit will be available to the general public at no charge August 8-September 26, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat., and 1-4 p.m. Sun. For more information, call 540.885.7676 or visit www.rrsmithcenter.org

Staunton folk musician Nathan Moore performs with Paul Curreri at Curreri’s Hometown CD Release Party for Curreri’s new CD, “California,” at the Jefferson Theater, 110 E. Main St., Charlottesville, 8 p.m. Tickets: $10 in advance/$12 at the door. Info: 434.245.4980.

Monday, August 9

The Staunton Augusta Art Center is offering an all-day workshop, The World of Louis Comfort Tiffany, for teachers and others on Monday, August 9, 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m., at the R.R. Smith Center located at 20 S. New St., across from the visitor center and parking garage in historic Downtown Staunton. There is no cost for the workshop, which includes lunch, but registration is required by calling the Staunton Augusta Art Center at 540.885.2028 no later than July 30.

Wednesday, August 11

Valley Women’s Connection of Greater Staunton Area will hold its “Awesome Accessories” Luncheon at Brent Hisey’s catering place, “Now You’re Cooking,” 812 Spring Hill Road, Staunton, just a slight distance up Spring Hill Road from Gypsy Hill Park, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The luncheon offers good food, friendship, an enriching program and an ideal venue for sharing your business promotional material. The special feature will be “Unique and Exciting Jewelry!” Mary and Bob McIntire’s business, Treasure Tree Jewelry, is turning fascinating stones from the earth into beautiful jewelry. They’ll talk about the process involved in the creation of their unique jewelry and display samples of their work. Guest speaker will be Diana Grounds from Barboursville, W.Va., who discovered the precious “jewel” of laughter in her life. Come find out how and why. Cost of lunch and program is $15 inclusive. Reservations are required by Friday, August 6. Call 540.885.7353 or 540.248.3059. Free child care is provided.

Thursday, August 12

Greater Augusta Regional Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours, Residence Inn Waynesboro, 44 Windigrove Drive, Waynesboro, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Friday, August 13

Alex Caton performs at Stone Soup Books and Cafe, Downtown Waynesboro, 6 p.m. She’s got the grace and unaffected charm of a British Isle lass, the sass of a gypsy siren, the vocabulary and talent of a cursing and grunting old mountain fiddler. And the music made by that exquisite fairy sprite on stage (trust us, there’s a magic about her) will make tunes sound fresher and more real than the moment they were first played. No cover charge, donations graciously received. Space limited. Call for reservation. Stone Soup Books and Café, 908 W. Main St., Waynesboro, 540.943.0084, www.stonesoupbooks.net.

Friday Night at the Movies, Waynesboro Public Library, 600 S. Wayne Ave., Waynesboro, 7 p.m. New releases with free popcorn and sodaCall the library for the featured film.

Saturday, August 14

Music Jam at Stone Soup Books and Cafe, Downtown Waynesboro. Debut of the Second Saturdays music series. Music from 3-5 p.m. Stone Soup Books and Café, 908 W. Main St., Waynesboro, 540.943.0084, www.stonesoupbooks.net.

Monday, August 16

Racing Dreams – Clocking speeds up to 70 mph, these kids chase the National Championship title and take one step closer toward their dream of someday racing in the big show… NASCAR. This is a feature documentary following three young racers as they compete in the World Karting Association’s National Pavement Series. At Court Square Theater, 61 Graham St., Downtown Harrisonburg, August 16-25, Time: 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Tickets: $6 at the door. Online: www.courtsquaretheater.com.

Tuesday, August 17

The Sierra Club Shenandoah Group holds its August Program Meeting featuring a screening of the movie “Crude Awakening,” at the Clementine Cafe, Downtown Harrisonburg. “Crude Awakening” (original title “Oil Crash”), produced and directed by award-winning European journalists and filmmakers Basil Gelpke and Ray McCormack, tells the story of how our civilization’s addiction to oil puts it on a collision course with geology. Compelling, intelligent, and highly entertaining, the film visits with the world’s top oil experts and comes to a startling, but logical conclusion. Supported by a powerful mix of archival footage, NASA shots of burning oil fields, and, often unintentionally hilarious, historical film excerpts, the film guides us on an exotic, visual journey from Houston to Caracas, the Lake of Maracaibo, the Orinoco delta, Central Asia’s secretive republic of Azerbaijan with its ancient capital Baku and the Caspian Sea, via London & Zürich. The meeting is free and open to the public. Food and beverage service is available during the meeting. For more information, contact: shenandoah.group@gmail.com.

Summer Classics Book Discussion of “For Whom the Bell Tolls” by Ernest Hemingway, Stone Soup Books and Cafe, Downtown Waynesboro, 7 p.m. Join us for a fun, informative book discussion. Free, drop in book discussion. Books available at Stone Soup Books. Our kitchen stays open late for light dinner fare, beverages or desserts prior to book discussion. Stone Soup Books and Café, 908 W. Main St., Waynesboro, 540.943.0084, www.stonesoupbooks.net.

Wednesday, August 18

Wednesday Night Book Club, Waynesboro Public Library, 600 S. Wayne Ave., Waynesboro, 7 p.m. Read thought-provoking books and participate in fascinating and far-ranging discussion with other book lovers.

Friday, August 20

Cutch Tuttle & The Hound Dog Hill Boys perform at Stone Soup Books and Cafe, Downtown Waynesboro, 6 p.m. Cutch Tuttle, these boys make music the old time way, using all acoustic instruments and drawing influence from the Valley’s rich musical heritage. Everywhere they travel in their 1985 converted church bus they are met with praise from the people who love the ancient tones and old time music most. The Hound Dog Hill Boys always, ALWAYS puts on a great show.No cover charge, donations graciously received. Space limited. Call for reservation. Stone Soup Books and Café, 908 W. Main St., Waynesboro, 540.943.0084, www.stonesoupbooks.net.

The Staunton Music Festival presents Wine, Women & Song, Trinity Episcopal Church, 214 W. Beverley St., Staunton. Pre-concert talk at 6:30 p.m. Concert at 7:30 p.m. Tickets available at Celebrate!, 644 Greenville Ave., Staunton, Bookworks, 101 W. Beverley St., Staunton, and at the door. Info: 540.569.0267, email@stauntonmusicfestival.com, www.stauntonmusicfestival.com.

Saturday, August 21

189th annual Jousting Tournament, Natural Chimneys Park, Mount Solon, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Cost: $2 per person or $6 per carload.

The Staunton Music Festival presents a free performance of Medieval Vocal Music, Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 300 W. Frederick St., Staunton, noon. Info: 540.569.0267, email@stauntonmusicfestival.com, www.stauntonmusicfestival.com.

The Staunton Music Festival Gala Dinner & Concert, President’s House, Mary Baldwin College, Staunton. Advance ticket purchase required. Tickets available at Celebrate!, 644 Greenville Ave., Staunton, Bookworks, 101 W. Beverley St., Staunton, and at the door. Info: 540.569.0267, email@stauntonmusicfestival.com, www.stauntonmusicfestival.com.

Sunday, August 22

The Staunton Music Festival presents Temperamental Music: Lecture/Demonstration featuring Lou Dolive and David Schrader. Event is at 2 p.m. at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 300 W. Frederick St., Staunton. Info: 540.569.0267, email@stauntonmusicfestival.com, www.stauntonmusicfestival.com.

The Staunton Music Festival presents Night Fantasies, Central United Methodist Church, 14 N. Lewis St., Staunton. Pre-concert talk at 6:30 p.m. Concert at 7:30 p.m. Tickets available at Celebrate!, 644 Greenville Ave., Staunton, Bookworks, 101 W. Beverley St., Staunton, and at the door. Info: 540.569.0267, email@stauntonmusicfestival.com, www.stauntonmusicfestival.com.

Monday, August 23

The Staunton Music Festival presents a free organ recital by David Schrader, Christ Lutheran Church, 2807 N. Augusta St., Staunton, noon. Info: 540.569.0267, email@stauntonmusicfestival.com, www.stauntonmusicfestival.com.

The Staunton Music Festival presents Zimmerman’s Kaffeehaus, Central United Methodist Church, 14 N. Lewis St., Staunton. Pre-concert talk at 6:30 p.m. Concert at 7:30 p.m. Tickets available at Celebrate!, 644 Greenville Ave., Staunton, Bookworks, 101 W. Beverley St., Staunton, and at the door. Info: 540.569.0267, email@stauntonmusicfestival.com, www.stauntonmusicfestival.com.

Tuesday, August 24

The Staunton Music Festival presents a free performance of Celestial Sounds, Central United Methodist Church, 14 N. Lewis St., Staunton, noon. Info: 540.569.0267, email@stauntonmusicfestival.com, www.stauntonmusicfestival.com.

The Staunton Music Festival presents a free performance of Happy New Ear!, an interactive event with composers John Hilliard, Alan Blank, Vladimir Mendelssohn, Chiayu, and John Yanelli, Mary Baldwin College, Francis Auditorium, at the corner of Frederick and North Coalter, Staunton. Event is at 7:30 p.m. Info: 540.569.0267, email@stauntonmusicfestival.com, www.stauntonmusicfestival.com.

Wednesday, August 25

The Staunton Music Festival presents a free performance of Senza Basso, St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 118 N. New Street, Staunton, noon. Info: 540.569.0267, email@stauntonmusicfestival.com, www.stauntonmusicfestival.com.

The Staunton Music Festival presents a free performance of Masterclasses, Central United Methodist Church, 14 N. Lewis St., Staunton, 2 p.m. Info: 540.569.0267, email@stauntonmusicfestival.com, www.stauntonmusicfestival.com.

The Staunton Music Festival presents Heaven & Earth, Trinity Episcopal Church, 214 W. Beverley St., Staunton. Pre-concert talk at 6:30 p.m. Concert at 7:30 p.m. Tickets available at Celebrate!, 644 Greenville Ave., Staunton, Bookworks, 101 W. Beverley St., Staunton, and at the door. Info: 540.569.0267, email@stauntonmusicfestival.com, www.stauntonmusicfestival.com.

Rise of the Creative Class Book Discussion Series, Stone Soup Books and Cafe, Downtown Waynesboro. Four-part book discussion series on the book The Rise of the Creative Class by Richard Florida, hosted by Stone Soup Books and Augusta Free Press Publishing. Meets the fourth Wednesday. The Rise of the Creative Class looks at what local communities can do to build a “creative class” of entrepreneurs in the arts, writing, music and design. For more information on the series, contact Chris Graham at AFP Publishing at 540.949.6574 or freepress2@ntelos.net. Stone Soup Books and Café, 908 W. Main St., Waynesboro, 540.943.0084, www.stonesoupbooks.net.

Thursday, August 26

The Staunton Music Festival presents a free performance of Intimate Letters, Central United Methodist Church, 14 N. Lewis St., Staunton, noon. Info: 540.569.0267, email@stauntonmusicfestival.com, www.stauntonmusicfestival.com.

The Staunton Music Festival presents Odes & Farewell, Trinity Episcopal Church, 214 W. Beverley, Staunton. Pre-concert talk at 6:30 p.m. Concert at 7:30 p.m. Tickets available at Celebrate!, 644 Greenville Ave., Staunton, Bookworks, 101 W. Beverley St., Staunton, and at the door. Info: 540.569.0267, email@stauntonmusicfestival.com, www.stauntonmusicfestival.com.

Danny Knicely CD Release Concert. Knicely’s songs reflect a connection between Himalayan and Appalachian music. He recently returned from his third Asian trip where he not only performed his own music but also studied Indian, Tibetan, and Nepalese instruments with local masters. At Court Square Theater, 61 Graham St., Downtown Harrisonburg, 8 p.m. Online: www.myspace.com/dannyknicely.

Friday, August 27

The Staunton Music Festival presents a free performance of Emerging Composers, Central United Methodist Church, 14 N. Lewis St., Staunton, noon. Info: 540.569.0267, email@stauntonmusicfestival.com, www.stauntonmusicfestival.com.

Sunnyside performs at Stone Soup Books and Cafe, Downtown Waynesboro, 6 p.m. Fun-living, country-singing Sunny Side performs tunes recorded between 1927 and 1941 by The Original Carter Family from southwestern Virginia, old country tunes recorded before 1955, and original tunes written and sung by band member Jim Lilly from Elkton. Featuring Carol Phillips on autoharp, Jim Lilly on guitar and Afton Amblers’ own Betty Calvert on stand-up bass. No cover charge, donations graciously received. Space limited. Call for reservation. Stone Soup Books and Café, 908 W. Main St., Waynesboro, 540.943.0084, www.stonesoupbooks.net.

The Staunton Music Festival presents Baroque Inside/Out, Trinity Episcopal Church, 214 W. Beverley, Staunton. Pre-concert talk at 6:30 p.m. Concert at 7:30 p.m. Tickets available at Celebrate!, 644 Greenville Ave., Staunton, Bookworks, 101 W. Beverley St., Staunton, and at the door. Info: 540.569.0267, email@stauntonmusicfestival.com, www.stauntonmusicfestival.com.

Friday Night at the Movies, Waynesboro Public Library, 600 S. Wayne Ave., Waynesboro, 7 p.m. New releases with free popcorn and sodaCall the library for the featured film.

Saturday, August 28

The Staunton Music Festival presents a free performance of Music-Story Project, Central United Methodist Church, 14 N. Lewis St., Staunton, noon. Info: 540.569.0267, email@stauntonmusicfestival.com, www.stauntonmusicfestival.com.

The Staunton Music Festival presents A Handel Extravaganza: From Italy to London, Blackfriars Playhouse, 10 South Market St., Staunton. Pre-concert talk at 6 p.m. Concert at 7:30 p.m. Tickets available at Celebrate!, 644 Greenville Ave., Staunton, Bookworks, 101 W. Beverley St., Staunton, and at the door. Info: 540.569.0267, email@stauntonmusicfestival.com, www.stauntonmusicfestival.com.

Friday, September 10

Ride With Pride, therapeutic horseback riding program, will be hosting a benefit concert at the Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton. Music will be performed by Faithful Men Gospel Group and Lisa Meadows and the Virginia Dreams Band. Tim Flick will be providing a catered BBQ meal. This will be pre-sale tickets only. Ticket price is $15. Kline’s ice cream will be available. Gates will open at 6 p.m., and the concert will begin at 7 p.m. Bring a lawn chair and come early for a good spot. Info: www.ridewithprideva.org.