West Side Story at Stuarts Draft: ‘Aren’t you guys crazy?’

AFP

We have all heard the story of Romeo and Juliet, either through the original story or through the hundreds of adaptations. We know the characters, the star-crossed lovers, the polarized families, the hate, the passion, the tragedy. The fact that we already know this, and expect what was originally unexpected, makes it seemingly hard to…

Marvelous Murphy Sisters, Shenandoah Moon highlight Radio Hour

Chris Graham

The Marvelous Murphy Sisters will return to The River City Radio Hour for tonight’s performances. The Radio Hour audiences were delighted with the Sisters’ first appearance at the November Radio Hour and asked that they do a reprise as soon as possible. Sally and Molly Murphy are members of the popular Judy Chops, known for…

Jim Bishop: Radio daze-Once more, with frequency

Jim Bishop

I’ve recognized it a long time, but this latest experience confirms that I’m not good at letting go, moving on. On Friday evening, Feb. 7, I unlocked the old radio studio, threw the microphone switch and the golden voice of the airwaves intone, “Good evening, I’m Jim Bishop, welcoming you to the final – that’s…

Jim Bishop: Daylight Reflections on the Night Before Christmas

Jim Bishop

The words from Ecclesiastes 3-1-2 , “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens, a time to be born and a time to die” came to mind while sitting in the sanctuary the Sunday before Christmas and hearing an amazing string ensemble play a carol that immediately turned…

Jim Bishop: Ho-Ho-No! I’m Getting Santa-Mental Over You . . .

Jim Bishop

Do you hear what I hear . . .? * “Feliz Navidad,” “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire),” “White Christmas,” “Have a Holly Jolly Christmas” and umpteen different artists butchering “Oh Holy Night” on the 24/7 all-Christmas music radio stations over and over again; * No sooner settling into the comfy recliner…

Our Community Place in Harrisonburg releases Christmas CD

AFP

Our Community Place in Harrisonburg has released its second fund-raising Christmas CD, just in time for the holidays. Officially debuted at the OCP Christmas concert, with record artists performing live, this latest fund-raising album, “Our Christmas Present: Volume II,” features some of the finest musical talent in the area—as well as nationally-known acts. Artists returning…

Jim Bishop: I’m dreaming of an electronic Christmas, ’50s style

Jim Bishop

“Mom, Dad, all I want for Christmas is . . .” I didn’t need to finish the sentence. My parents knew what was coming next because they’d already heard it one too many times. And the exasperating answer is: a Remco transistor radio and broadcasting system. I don’t recall where I first saw this “electronic…

Luray makes cable channel’s wedding locales list

AFP

Destination weddings are so trendy that TLC, the cable channel that airs several popular shows for brides, has published a list of ‘Ten Beautiful Destination Wedding Locales.’ Luray, Virginia, is number two, just behind Jackson Hole, Wyoming. According to the TLC website, “a lot of the places on this list were chosen for their scenic…

Radio Hour lineup set for November show

Chris Graham

The November River City Radio Hour is guaranteed to chase November’s shadows away. The Marvelous Murphy Sisters, the Dreaded Blues Lady and Dr. Levine, and the Boogie Kings will pack the Nov. 19 Radio Hour with a jumpin’ menu of music and Marsha Howard will add a scoop of laughter. The Marvelous Murphy Sisters are…