Busy building at EMU

Jim Bishop

A quiet campus at Eastern Mennonite University? Not at all, especially this summer, with outside groups and auxiliary programs stretching the facilities non-stop from early May through mid-August and several major capital improvement projects happening simultaneously. The biggest project: what is being called “Phase II” of the University Commons, a $2.4 million funded project that…

Sweet Dreams made in Draft

Chris Graham

This year marks the seventh annual Sweet Dreams Festival in Stuarts Draft. Saturday, July 24, thousands of people will show up to buy from local businesses, artisans and crafters and enjoy the stage with musical entertainment by S.A.L.T and Steve Losh. The Festival begins at 9 a.m. and goes until 5 p.m. Venders lined up…

Tickets on sale for Hairspray

AFP

ShenanArts will be hosting the Virginia premiere of the recent Broadway hit musical Hairspray beginning Aug. 12. The local production, based on the film written and directed by John Waters, is being directed by one-time “American Idol” contestant Colon Berry, who also co-stars as Link Larkin, the resident hunk of “The Corny Collins Show.” The…

Shenandoah Pizza owners branch out into concert promotion

AFP

Edited by Chris Graham [email protected]   When Shenandoah Pizza owners Cheryl and John Huggins started following one of their favorite bands the Allman Brothers around from concert-to-concert years ago, they never imagined that a few years hence they would be hosting musicians associated with the band in their very own concert series. “We just loved…

ShenanArts announces auditions for Hairspray

AFP

Edited by Chris Graham [email protected]   ShenanArts will hold auditions this weekend for the first production in its new performance venue at Gypsy Hill Place in Staunton coming up in August. ShenanArts at Ntelos Theatre will open with the Virginia premiere of the recent Broadway hit musical Hairspray, directed by Colton Berry with choreography by…

Jim Bishop: It still looks pretty good from the road

Jim Bishop

Column by Jim Bishop Submit guest columns: [email protected]   I hardly recognized the place. But then, it was Laurelville Camp with a Rt. 2, Mt. Pleasant, Pa., address when I had my main associations as acamper, staff member for two summers and a counselor. Today, it’s Laurelville Mennonite Church Center to reflect the broader range…

Jim Bishop: Dave Fisher rows his boat ashore

Jim Bishop

Column by Jim Bishop Submit guest columns: [email protected]   “The river’s deep and the river is wide Hallelujah Milk and honey on the other side Hallelujah.” – “Michael,” The Highwaymen (1961) A voice from my past is silenced, but the melody lives on. Dave Fisher. The name may not strike a responsive chord – unless…

Jim Bishop: Gonna take a sentimental journey

Jim Bishop

Column by Jim Bishop Submit guest columns: [email protected]   There must be better places than a long slab of cement to celebrate one’s birthday. But the more I reflect on it, this setting is probably fitting, given the countless hours of my lifetime spent traveling this long stretch of crumbling pavement, the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

Music and comedy at the May River City Radio Hour

Chris Graham

Edited by Chris Graham [email protected]   The River City Radio Hour performances on Friday will be an eclectic mix of musical and comedy talents. The Boogie Kings, led by Richard Adams with William Hayes on keyboard and J.T. Fauber on percussion, will head the musical entertainment. Joining the popular Radio Hour band will be Bill…