Film Competition deadline extended to April 7
The Waynesboro Cultural Commission announced the extension of its deadline for the second annual Waynesboro Short Film Competition. The new deadline is Saturday, April 7. Entries must be received or postmarked by that date.
The Waynesboro Short Film Competition is open to all Virginia residents. Films will be judged in two categories: Youth (Age 20 or under) and Adult (21+). Submission should be no longer than 16 minutes in length (including credits). All genres of short film are welcomed. Cash prizes will be given to the winners. Read more
The Waynesboro Cultural Commission presents: Introduction to romance writing with Elaine Grant
Whether you’re an experienced writer looking for something new, or an avid reader hoping to try your hand at some dramatic storytelling, you won’t want to miss the “Introduction to Romance Writing” class presented by veteran romance writer Elaine Grant.
Grant will introduce you to this enduring and popular genre, and share some experiences and principles to guide you in your successful tale of passion and drama. Read more
Waynesboro Cultural Commission announces writers’ workshops
Always wanted to write? Or perhaps you’re a veteran writer who would like to improve your writing, try a new genre, or meet other writers. The Cultural Commission workshops are designed to give you an understanding of three types of expression, each with an accomplished mentor. All workshops are free and open to the public. Sessions are from 7-8:30 in the Wayne Theatre Office, 533 West Main Street in Waynesboro. Read more
Elvis has entered the building for Radio Hour
Elvis has been sighted and will becoming back to The River City Radio Hour for the Friday, Sept. 16 performances at 6:30 and 8:00 p.m. Also featured will be the Boogie Kings, Marsha Howard, Llyn Walker, and Chapter Two of Night Hawk and Murder Down On the Farm by Bob Crawford.
Elvis has been absent from the Radio Hour since August 2010. Audiences have been clamoring for his return. Fortunately, the Radio Hour caught sight of the absent singer and asked him to do a guest appearance at the September Radio Hour. Since Elvis is a fan of the Night Hawk series, he agreed to give his talent to the performances
Also on the bill are the Boogie Kings under the direction of the multi-talented Richard Adams. William Hayes with his amazing keyboard skills and J. T. Fauber on percussion complete the trio.
Waynesboro’s First Lady of Laughter, Marsha Howard, said “I watched the last Gateway Comedy Night and think I might just go on the road too.” Catch her before she decides to take on her own national tour.
Completing the evening will be jazz vocalist, Llyn Walker. Llyn gives Richard Adams a run for his money in the multi-talented arena. She will also join the River City Players for the second chapter of Night Hawk and Murder Down on the Farm. In the last chapter, the Night Hawk was trapped in the bull ring with a charging beast. No help was in sight.
The guest of the month will be Carmel Clavin of the Fall Foliage Art Show.
Tickets for the Radio Hour are $10. Food and beverages will be available. Reservations are available online at
www.waynesborogateway.com. Patrons can also call toll free 877-840-0457.
Radio Hour ends season on a high note
The Friday, June 17 Radio Hour will present a trio of singers for its 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. shows at 329 W. Main St. in Downtown Waynesboro. Duffy, Llyn Walker, and Gwynne Wood will join with the Boogie Kings to provide a musical finale to the Radio Hour’s fourth season.
Gwynne Wood is a young talent who is blessed with a pure vocal tone and a grasp of musical styles well beyond her years. Her last local appearance was in the Waynesboro Players’ production of A Little Night Music.
Llyn Walker, a favorite Radio Hour performer, can effortlessly slip from jazz to pop to blues.. Llyn is also an actor in many of the Radio Hour serials. Completing the trio is folksinger and songwriter, Duffy. A frequent performer on the Radio Hour, Duffy’s unique perspective on the world gives his songs a special insight.
Richard Adams and The Boogie King complete the musical segments of the Radio Hour with William Hayes on keyboard and Sam Brown on percussion.
Marsha Howard, Waynesboro’s First Lady of Laughter, will celebrate the finale with a set of new jokes promised to bring laughter to the end of the season..
The River City Players will present The Adventures of Flushing Potter. The new comedy will introduce a new set of characters to the Radio Hour’s line up of local eccentrics. Potter will join the Hens of Renown and Olivia Raw Frock in the Radio Hour’s Pantheon.
Seating is limited. Reserved seats are available for the Radio Hour for $7.50. Call 540-943-9999 to make a reservation.
The River City Radio Hour is a production of the Wayne Theatre Alliance with support from Waynesboro Cultural Commission, the City of Waynesboro, and The Virginia Commission for the Arts.
Cultural Commission offers essay-writing class
Anyone with an opinion is invited to express it, and anyone with a story is invited to tell it, in a two-part workshop designed to help you find your own personal voice.
Martha Woodroof of WMRA, who definitely has opinions and stories, is a nationally-published essayist, the moderator of FaithUnboxed.org in collaboration with On Faith at The Washington Post, and editor of WMRA’s “Civic Soapbox.” She will teach the interactive class at the Wayne Theatre Office, 533 West Main Street in Waynesboro, on two Tuesdays, June 7 and June 14, 7 to 8:30 pm.
“Why mutter about events in your community and your life alone?” Woodroof asks. “Once you learn to write short, first-person essays, you can mutter for all to hear.” Woodroof hopes that some good radio essays will come from the classes, and invites writers and non-writers alike to join her in finding effective ways to communicate your life experiences or your ideas for community improvement.
The personal essay class is free and open to the public and is a service of the Waynesboro Cultural Commission. Registration is required. Call 540.943.9999.
Third annual Mad Hatter’s Easter Festival April 23
Waynesboro will once again welcome spring to the Valley with the annual Mad Hatter’s Easter Festival on Saturday, April 23.
The Mad Hatter and the Moms Club’s White Rabbit will open the gates to the Easter Festival in Waynesboro’s Constitution Park at 10:30 a.m. For the next three hours, the park will be the place for magic, puppets, music, juggling, stilt walking, free pony rides, obstacle courses and arts and crafts. The Mad Hatter will also be joined by other characters from Alice in Wonderland, including the White Rabbit, Alice, the Red Queen and a set of her Cards.
The annual event is a joint project of the Shenandoah Valley Art Center, The Wayne Theatre Alliance, The Waynesboro Cultural Commission, and the Waynesboro YMCA.
The Blue Ridge Magicians of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, Ring 320, will take over the Green Valley Book Fair Stage for two hours of magic. Appearing on the show will be Steve the Magic Guy, Tobini Magic and other area magicians.
The Waynesboro Kiwanis arts and crafts area will provide face painting and assorted arts and crafts projects with the help of the Shenandoah Valley Art Center.
Performing under the Parrott Orthodontics’ yellow canopy will be a variety of live entertainers. The Global Puppet Ministry of Galen and Alice Heatwole, will perform at 11 a.m. They will be followed by juggler David Stuart, at noon.
The YMCA will provide a family fun area with an obstacle course and team building games. The area is sponsored by Rockfish Gap Outfitters.
Free pony rides will be provided by Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative and the Rotary Club of Waynesboro/East Augusta Stilt Walker will entertain throughout the event.
At 1 p.m. the Mad Hatter will end the day with a hunt for the White Rabbit’s special eggs sponsored by the Waynesboro Cultural Commission. Treats will be provided by support from Sheetz, Hershey Chocolate of Virginia, Books-A-Million, Oriental Trading, and McKee Foods. Children will be divided into age appropriate groups for the hunt.
Thanks to support from local businesses and organizations, the Mad Hatter’s Easter Festival’s admissions fee is only $2 per person or $5 per family. Food and beverages are available at an additional charge.
In case of inclement weather, the Mad Hatter’s Easter Parade will be moved to the Waynesboro YMCA.
