Studio Virginia

Studio Virginia airs Thursdays at 7:30 pm

DECEMBER

12.27.07 - A new CD of Celtic music from a Roanoke trio; an authorized sequel to "Gone with the Wind" from a Highland County sheep farmer; a Dan Smith essay on the pain of family relocation and the Library of Virginia's 2007 Fiction Award.

Celtic band releases new CD - 12.27.07

Beggars Circus musician Tim Summers appeared on Studio Virginia recently and spoke with Gene Marrano about the Celtic trio's new CD, Stolen Heart. Listen.

12.20.07 - A writer's conference in Roanoke features some of the region's most well-known authors including Sharyn McCrumb; a Radford University professor puts here memoirs about growing up in a new book of poetry; plus a former child beauty queen in Roanoke winds up at the Museum of Modern Art in New York; and a preview of the new concert season at The Paramount Theater in Charlottesville.

12.13. 07 - The Roanoke College Children's Choir presents its annual Christmas concert; a suggested list of books that might make great gifts from essayist Dan Smith; southern writer Lee Smith fights a book ban; plus the mountain music of Wayne Henderson and Jeff Little comes to Floyd.

Choir showcases youth talent - 12.13.07

For over 20 years Kimberly Davidson has been director of the Roanoke College Children’s Choir, which practices at the college and is part of its preparatory division. The choir draws young singers up to 18-years-old from all over the Roanoke Valley and even beyond. Davidson appeared on Studio Virginia recently. She says more than 250 children are now part of the choir. Listen.

12.6.07 - A group of young musicians called the Magic Twig Society is part of an effort to make the library in Roanoke a hipper place; a benefit concert for a special private school in Floyd; American roots music in Blacksburg; an online Christmas song contest yields some interesting results and The Kandinsky Trio gets set for a 20th anniversary concert at Roanoke College.

NOVEMBER

11.29.07 - A play at Radford University explores the story of Pocahontas and John Smith; a Virginia Tech English instructor who writes scary stories for teens; a new venue for live theater in Roanoke; and an award-winning journalist releases a book filled with stories of real-life events he's covered over the past 20 years.

Floyd resident displays talent on new CD - 11.22.07

Emily Brass has lived in Floyd for about 10 years. She plays saxophone and fronts a band that played at the Pine Tavern in Floyd recently. With her old group Foundations of Stone, she also played at Floyd Fest several times. Brass’s new CD “Open Door" displays her wide range of talent and influences. Brass appeared recently on WVTF's Studio Virginia. Listen.

11.22.07 - It's another local music showcase with complete songs from artists that have been guests on the show; plus a Charlottesville area woman finishes a music project in tribute to her late husband - a CD with guest appearances from the likes of Dave Matthews.

11.8.07 - A Randolph College English professor tries her hand at novel writing; a film festival in Lynchburg ; Latin Ballet for a good cause; and the debut of an author turned photographer in Roanoke.

11.1.07 - An exhibition at Roanoke College features a painter who thinks art should be accessible - and cheap. Ferrum-based "Lost and Found" brings their brand of bluegrass to the Floyd Country Store; a new group in Roanoke plays the type of pop music you might have heard 30 years ago; and 10 Radford artists team up for an open studios tour this weekend.

Book explores history of coal mining - 10.18.07

The Music of Coal is a Grammy-nominated two-CD set and book that looks at the history of coal mining through 48 songs dating back to 1908. Studio Virginia's Cara Modisett recently spoke with musician Ron Short about the project he was involved with.  The Ralph Stanley Museum, the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities and the Crooked Road Trail were also partners. Listen.

Music festival in Crozet - 10.11.07

A community park hidden away in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains will be the site of a day-long music festival this fall.  Studio Virginia’s Luke Church reports on the inaugural Crozet Music Festival scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 20 featuring over 25 local and regional acts. Listen.

Website: www.crozetmusicfestival.org/

OCTOBER

10.25.07 - A young playwright talks about "Paper Cup Ocean" which was part of the recent Roanoke Arts Festival; the history of hip-hop music at the Roanoke Public Library of all places; and part two of our interview with Virginia Tech journalism instructor Roland Lazenby on his book "April 16th: Virginia Tech Remembers."

10.18.07 - The art of the coal fields; a Ferrum College professor records the history of 26 people that live or work in two collection called the "Music of Coal" speak volumes.

10.11.07 - 469 miles, 27 artists - a special exhibit celebrating the Blue Ridge Parkway, plus "African Electronica" comes to Charlottesville and a one-day music festival in Crozet.

10.4.07 - The mayor of Roanoke and Mill Mountain Theatre's artistic director weigh in on this weekend's first-ever arts festival; Latin jazz trumpeter Arturo Sandoval comes to the New River Valley; and a Charlottesville artist observes the "oldest living things on Earth."

Artist displays work at Paramount Theater - 10.4.07

Charlottesville’s monthly art event, “First Friday,” is the time local museums and galleries unveil new exhibits. Studio Virginia’s Luke Church spoke with an artist whose work will be on display at The Paramount Theater on Charlottesville’s downtown mall.  Deborah Uhl’s exhibit will feature paintings from her “Bristlecone Pine Series.” Listen.

Kid Pan Alley debuts in Lynchburg - 9.27.07

The program is called “Kid Pan Alley.” Songwriters go into elementary schools and write new tunes with children. Then they are scored by professional musicians. Some Lynchburg area students will get their big day in the sun on Saturday, as WVTF’s Gene Marrano explains. Listen.

Charlottesville singer enters competition - 9.11.07

A local Charlottesville musician is heading for New York City as a finalist in the Mountain Stage New Song Contest. Sarah White will join 11 other songwriters from the U.S. and Canada at the River to River Festival on Friday, Sept. 22 to vie for a chance to appear on West Virginia Public Radio's Mountain Stage radio program and other prizes. WVTF's Luke Church spoke with Sarah about the contest and her music. Listen.

SEPTEMBER

9.27.07 - More on the upcoming Roanoke Arts Festival with the Hollins University Theatre department director and the festival's manager; the "Kid Pan Alley" songwriting program means youngsters will have their songs played by the Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra; and a Virginia Tech professor talks about his brush with acting in the movies.

9.13.07 - Finding spiritual strength in times of tragedy is the subject of a new book on Virginia Tech; a founder of the Blue Ridge Music Center in Galax is honored; and Charlottesville singer-songwriter Sarah White heads to the "Big Apple," looking for the break that might put her on national radio.

9.6.07 - Public art in the City of Roanoke takes a step forward; a Virginia Tech professor is helping to reconnect arts organizations and the community in New Orleans; a journalist's battle with alcoholism is detailed in a book; a new film about the Hokie Nation; and the search for local Native Americans who also compose classical music.

Arts coordinator discusses her new role - 9.6.07

For more than a decade, Susan Jennings was executive director of the Arts Council of the Blue Ridge. She recently took on a new role as public arts coordinator for the City of Roanoke, which is now recruiting artists for several projects. WVTF's Gene Marrano has this report. Listen.

AUGUST

8.30.07 - On the next Studio Virginia, Thursday evening at 7-30 on WVTF:   Roanoke-based "The Wading Girl" talks about their new CD and life on the road; the Big Lick Blues Festival debuts; and details on a "Green" Theatre in Blacksburg.

8.23.07 - Four women artists share an exhibit in Roanoke aptly named "4 X 4;" plans for an eco-friendly "Green Theatre" are being finalized in Blacksburg; plus new books on lost communities around the state and the devastating effects of Hurricane Camille in 1969.

8.16.07 - The Staunton Music Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary with a wide range of classical music performances; and a sneak preview of the new season at Jefferson Center in Roanoke.

8.9.07 - Sisters of the Circle, a group of young refugees and immigrants now living in Roanoke, performs in Bedford on this week's Studio Virginia - Cara Modisett interviews Virginia Tech professor Ann Kilkelly, a coordinator for the program. Also, a FloydFest interview with blues musician Scott Perry and an 2004 interview with jazz singer Rene Marie -- both Virginia singer/songwriters are releasing new CDs.

Sisters of the Circle - www.jeffcenter.org/sisters.htm

Scott Perry - www.ohpapa.com

Rene Marie - www.renemarie.com

FloydFest - www.floydfest.com

8.2.07 - A first look at the lineup for Roanoke's inaugural Arts Festival this October; "I Do, I Do" tells the story of a 50-year marriage in song at Mill Mountain Theatre; plus architect Randall Stout visits his controversial project, Art Museum of Western Virginia; and Roanoke's emerging artist series showcases hip-hop music this month.

Roanoke Arts Festival update - 8.2.07

Rick Salzberg talks with Studio Virginia's Gene Marrano about the upcoming Roanoke Arts Festival which features four days of music, live theatre, museum exhibitions and more. Listen.

JULY

7.26.07 - A freelance writer in Roanoke is a horror movie fan; in a new book he compares 1950s B-movies and Cold War fears to the terrorism alerts and political climate after Sept. 11. Filddlefest returns for a fifth year; and a look back at the WVTF Juried Art Show.

Fiction vs. reality

Melvin Matthews, a freelance writer in Roanoke is a horror movie fan. In a new book, he compares 1950s B-movies and Cold War fears to the terrorism alerts and political climate after Sept. 11. Listen.

7.19.07 - A Ferrum College professor talks about the final Harry Potter book - due in bookstores this weekend - and offers her take on what made the series so popular; plus Floyd Fest is in the mix for its sixth year.

Here comes Harry - 7.17.07

The fifth movie in the series is released, and the seventh and final book is due out this weekend. It's a great time to be a Harry Potter fan, WVTF's Gene Marrano reports on one college professor who takes the boy wizard very seriously. Listen.

7.12.07 - A Roanoker's annual quest to help the school children of Belize includes music this year; and a Shenandoah Valley author writes a book based on recollections of growing up on the family farm.

Sandra Rushing pens memoir

Author and Presbyterian minister Sandra M. Rushing has written "Dancing with a Kitchen Chair" is a memoir about growing up in Virginia. Gene Marrano interviewed Rushing for Studio Virginia. Listen.

7.5.07 - A Sweet Briar College music professor and pianist performs the works of 20th century classical composer John Powell; "Wine Down the Music Trail" returns to Floyd; and an award-winning poet races time and her failing health.

Professor performs John Powell - 7.6.07

Sweet Briar College music professor and pianist Nicholas Ross performs the works of 20th century classical composer John Powell on his new CD released by Centaur Records. Listen.

JUNE

6.28.07 - A new collection of essays describes the small-town charm and supportive community of Blacksburg; plus "The Summer of Love" revisited in Charlottesville; a Salem-based choral group heads to London for a performance and the Virginia Film Office helps moviemakers explore the Commonwealth's history.

Essays detail life in small town Blacksburg - 6.28.07

Krisha Chachra has published "Homecoming Journals - Dreaming Big in a Small Town." She spoke with WVTF's Gene Marrano for Studio Virginia. Listen.

6.21.07 - The Floyd Country Store holds a grand re-opening with music this weekend; "Evan Almighty" premiers in Charlottesville near where part of it was filmed; and a Roanoke moviemaker lives the dream by making a picture in his hometown.

6.14.07 - Charlottesville blues man Eli Cook is a mere 22 years-old, but you wouldn't know it from his music; a new book about Thomas Jefferson explores the many facets of our third president; plus a quest to read in prison and a benefit concert for a group called Pastors for Peace.

6.7.07 - On the next Studio Virginia, John Lennon's piano makes its way to Blacksburg; Abingdon's Barter Theatre is the subject of a new book; an outdoor writer's conference in Roanoke; and suggestions for summer reading from essayist Dan Smith.

MAY

5.31.07 - "Big River" at Mill Mountain Theatre is Mark Twain's story of Huck and Jim - set to music; three neighbors in Bedford County form a Celtic band; plus "Festival of the Photograph" in Charlottesville and a tribute to the late jazz musician Bob LeFever from our own Charlie Perkinson.

5.24.07 - "Turf War" is an art exhibit that deals with the degradation of the natural landscape by developers in the Roanoke Valley; Festival in the Park is back with a full weekend of music and activities; plus intrepid reporter Luke Church with his bird's eye account of a brand new roller coaster at Busch Gardens.

5.17.07 - A tribute to the fallen at Virginia Tech in poetry from fellow college students; Local Colors celebrates diversity with music and dance; and essayist Dan Smith with his take on what makes the City of Salem unique.

5.3.07 - The Blue Ridge Pens is a growing writer's group in the Roanoke Valley; and more from the performance artist behind "The Neon Man and Me," which will soon become a public television special.

APRIL

4.26.07 - The Norfolk Southern Festival of New Works brings two very different plays to the stage; the former Prism Coffeeehouse in Charlottesville returns as a community arts center; and a book about the "Cradle of America - Four Centuries of Virginia History" as explained by a Virginia Tech professor.

4.19.07 - UPDATED 4/17/07 - A song written the night of the Virginia Tech tragedy by a New Yorker focuses on sorrow and hope for the future; the producer of "An Inconvenient Truth" in Charlottesville with her climate change tour; and Grammy-winning jazz vocalist Dianne Reeves at the Jefferson Center. The Denver native also talks about Columbine and the healing process that went on after that school shooting.

4.12.07 - The Third Street Coffee House celebrates 20 years of live music in Roanoke; professional potter Carter Holliday talks ceramics at the Jacksonville Center in Floyd; and more from the new home of the Virginia Museum of Natural History.

4.5.07 - A community college professor in Roanoke pursues his passion for baseball by writing a book with a former major league ball player; the famed Alvin Ailey Dance Troupe comes to Charlottesville for the first time and "The Pavilion" in that same city gets ready for a new season of outdoor music; plus architect Randall Stout watches his concept for the Art Museum of Western Virginia become reality in downtown Roanoke.

MARCH

3.15.07 - A Roanoke College professor releases her new book of edgy, vivid poetry; and Roanoke's St. Patrick's Day attracts Celtic music lovers and the would-be Irish from a wide region.

3.8.07 - It's not quite American Idol, but a Roanoke County woman is training amateur vocalists for a competition in Hollywood; plus Yale students bring their acappella Jewish music to Southwest Virginia for the first time; a literary festival at Hollins University; and the art of writing obituaries.

3.1.07 - A Sweet Briar College professor writes a book about America's religious fringe; and more on a new local music series at Jefferson Center in Roanoke.

FEBRUARY

2.22.07 - A new play is up at Mill Mountain Theatre about a kid having a very, very bad day; Irish musicians Liz Carroll and John Doyle; plus a visit to the arts and crafts mecca known as Berea, Ky. This week's show is hosted by Cara Modisett.

2.15.07 - The very talented reigning Miss Virginia, Adriana Sgarlata, talks to WVTF news director Rick Mattioni in a special conversation. Sgarlata, a recent Miss America candidate, is a soprano and can sing opera in seven different languages.

2.8.07 - Lynchburg singer-songwriter Paddy Dougherty; the unique folk-blues artist Eric Bibb comes to Garth Newell Music Center; how some people are using blogs to connect themselves to the world community; and interesting tidbits about Roanoke's 125 years from a history museum director.

2.1.07 - Broadway Rocks! features non-stop musical numbers and talented high school students at Jefferson Center; plus the creative arts as a healing force in Blacksburg; songwriter Rodney Crowell in Roanoke; "The Pillow Man" in Charlottesville; and a new series of local live music.

JANUARY

1.25.07 - Southwest Virginia native and pop song phenom Ross Copperman looks for his big music break in London; essayist Dan Smith waxes eloquent about a recent low-speed motorcycle accident; and a striking anti-war image from the Vietnam era was recorded by a Shenandoah County resident.

1.18.07 - Roanoke's Festival of the Arts debuts this fall and we'll meet the new director; the Star City playhouse hopes to become a training ground for stage actors; plus Big Stone Gap - The Movie could mean big bucks for far southwest Virginia; and a college student uncovers a new poem by Sylvia Plath.

1.11.07 - The sounds of Latin music and jazz come together in Los Gatos; a group getting ready for a CD release party at the Jefferson Center; and 20 years after graduating from a local high school, Trey Ellett returns to Roanoke and Mill Mountain Theatre in the one-person play "Fully Committed."

1.4.07 - On the next Studio Virginia, retired pro-wrestler Jimmy Valiant talks about his autobiography "Woo Mercy Daddy;" and a Hollins University student turns her obsession into an essay on the merits of vacuum cleaners.