Keeping communities connected through the performing arts
JUNE 10, 2020

As Roanoke businesses, institutions, and organizations make plans to reopen they are doing so thoughtfully. There's no 'business as usual.' Everything is, in some way, new. As they adjust processes, change service delivery, and reconfigure artistic and cultural experiences, they're also doing some serious thinking about equity in the community and what they can do to make a difference through the arts and humanities. Expect to hear more about that in coming months as actions are identified and taken.

Meanwhile the communities that form around the performing arts are connecting in new ways. Here are a few.

Mill Mountain Theatre has launched MMTV, providing free digital content from industry professionals, guest instructors, and MMT staff. This educational content is from working theatre professionals all over the country and is suitable for all ages, with a handy search feature to sort content by age range.  Check out the video archives here. 

Theater is a necessarily hands-on activity. "Backstage is a tight area," says Mill Mountain Producing Artistic Director Ginger Poole. "Everyone is touching props in close proximity." So this year, Mill Mountain's summer camps, including High School Musical Junior, will be conducted virtually this year. Camps are offered for ages K through high school.

Some summer camps, now that small, distanced gatherings are allowed are going to take place. They are being planned with small groups and big precautions. Roanoke Children's Theatre-soon to be Virginia Children's Theatre-"is fortunate to have access to an outdoor space, well suited for providing a camp under these new constraints," says Brett Roden, producing artistic director. 

RCT staff has provided daily content to students and families since the stay-at-home period began. Check out the rich archive on their facebook page.

Additionally, in July and August, RCT will offer a street theatre tour performance of Jack and the Wonder Beans, coming to a church parking lot or neighborhood space near you. Visit their website to download the COVID-19 Protocol document and learn more about the camps and other offerings.

Roanoke Valley Children's Choir is offering a free singing class via Zoom on June 18 for students in 2nd through 8th grade. Virtual auditions for the choir will take place on the same day.

Bryan "Harvest Blaque" Hancock has continued to foster a supportive online environment echoing the vibe at Soul Sessions, a bi-monthly spoken word and performance evening at Morning Brew Coffee. Providing "an open space for one to let their soul be free and their voice be heard" is now happening on Facebook with like and love emojis instead of fingersnaps and cheers. Watch soon for a bi-weekly vlogcast, "Morning View from Morning Brew."

Alma Ensemble is building content on YouTube. Check out how they've gone online to continue their mission of "fostering human connection through great music written by women. Offerings include the summer interview series and musical presentations.

While virtual instruction continues for the area's music, dance and theatre organizations, they also have an eye on when we can get back into spaces together. Try-outs have been announced as continuing this summer for both Roanoke Children's Choir and Southwest Virginia Ballet (see opportunities, below). 

We all look forward to that and, even better, though it may be far away, we can't wait to be sitting in a theatre seat nodding appreciatively toward the stage and gently nudging the person next to us.

The arts continue to connect us in important ways. Send your updates to [email protected].

WE ARE ART: Artists, share your work

Hey artists and performers: We want to see your work. We want to see you at work. We're sharing images via Facebook and Instagram, and you might just see them pop up in some other places as well, as the Roanoke Arts Commission shares the message that WE ARE ART. 

Here's what you need to do: Email [email protected] with high resolution images of your work. Include a sentence or two describing the work or your process, and give us the media you are working in. We might follow up for more information or an interview, or you might just see it making the rounds on social media, our website, and more.

Remember:

• Include your name
• Send a high-resolution image: Think MBs! 2 MBs is a good minimum.
• Include a sentence or two describing the work. What inspired you? 
• Give the media you are working in.

Like us on Facebook and Instagram @artinroanoke.  #artinroanoke #weareart.

NOMINATE AN ARTS LEADER FOR A KENDIG AWARD 

Since 1985, these honors have showcased the quality and diversity of arts and culture in the greater Roanoke region. Nominate an artist or arts supporter today.

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2020 Perry F. Kendig Arts and Culture Awards, which recognize individuals, businesses, and organizations in Virginia’s Blue Ridge region that provide exemplary leadership in or support for the arts.

The deadline for nominations is Wednesday, July 1, at 4 p.m. The nomination form and other information can be found at https://kendigawards.com/

Roanoke College and Hollins University have co-sponsored the awards since 2013. The 2020 Kendig Awards will be presented at Hollins University with the date/location to be announced.

Three Kendig Awards will be presented this year, one in each of the following categories:

• Individual Artist (selected from all disciplines, including dance, literature, music, media arts, visual arts, and theatre)
• Arts and/or Cultural Organization
• Individual or Business Arts Supporter

Individuals, businesses, and organizations from Virginia’s Blue Ridge region (which includes the counties of Botetourt, Franklin, and Roanoke, the cities of Roanoke and Salem) are eligible, as are past Kendig Award recipients from 1985 – 2012.

TAKE THE STAY SAFE PLEDGE

We believe safety should be part of the experience for visitors, businesses, and local residents in Virginia's Blue Ridge. As we continue to work together to get through the COVID-19 pandemic, we encourage you to join the Virginia's Blue Ridge Stay Safe Pledge as a commitment to keep each other safe and healthy.

The pledge follows recommended guidelines from the CDC and public health officials, and helps us create an environment of safety while we enjoy the businesses and experiences that make Virginia's Blue Ridge a special place.

Download your Stay Safe Pledge and Resources here.

STAR CITY STRONG RECOVERY TASK FORCE
Apply by 5 PM THURSDAY, June 11

The City seeks volunteers to serve on the COVID-19 recovery task force. The Task Force will assemble on June 19, and it is anticipated their recommendations to City Council will be delivered at the July 20 Council meeting.

The Task Force will be co-chaired by Mayor Sherman Lea and Vice-Mayor Joe Cobb; City Manager Bob Cowell will serve as an ex-officio member. The Task Force will be composed of a diverse group of stakeholders representing the following sectors: Citizens, health care/bio-medical research, hospitality/entertainment, small businesses, manufacturing, outdoor recreation, vulnerable population/non-profits, arts and culture, and education interests.

Get more information and the application here.

A Message from the Roanoke Arts Commission

#ShopArt this November: ARTISTS SUNDAY

Join us on Sunday, November 20 for Artists Sunday. Consider shopping with local artists and galleries for your unique gifts this year. Artists and arts organizations, signup online as a supporter and receive your toolkit this September.

ARTS & CULTURE ONLINE

Educational Content

• Taubman Museum classes and tours
• STEM Homeschool Resources at the Science Museum of Western Virginia
• The Making Foundation DIY videos
• Roanoke Children's Theatre 
• The Music Lab at Jefferson Center (The History of Distortion!)
• Olin Hall Galleries at Roanoke College
• Visits with the museum manager at the Historical Society of Western Virginia
• Harrison Museum of African American Culture is posting some good educational content for home classes
• PDF catalogues of recent exhibits at Hollins' Eleanor D. Wilson Museum
• Get Schooled at Home Virtual Field Trips to Center in the Square, Mondays at 2 PM
• Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge Trivia Game
• Alma Ensemble on YouTube.

• Berglund Center
• Mill Mountain Conservatory Students with "You'll Never Walk Alone"

• Virtual Open Studios (check out the action from April)
• Opera Roanoke Music Trivia Night on Facebook, May 4 & 11 at 8 PM 
• Virtual Screenings at the Grandin Theatre
• Shop historic gifts online at the Historical Society of Western Virginia

COVID-19 RESOURCES

• City of Roanoke Economic Development resource notice
• City of Roanoke updates
• Roanoke Region Responds 
• Roanoke Regional Small Business Development Center response page
• Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge COVID-19 Page
• National Endowment for the Arts aggregation of listings for artists and arts organizations
• The Small Business Guide to the CARES Act
• Americans for the Arts resource page
• Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation resource page

LOCAL ARTS & CULTURE IN THE NEWS

• "The Little Arts Center that Could" by Mike Allen in the Roanoke Times (June 4)
• "An Out There Art Experience" by Mike Allen in the Roanoke Times (Jun 6)
• "Mike Allen on the release of Mythic Delirium's A Sinister Quartet" in BOOK CITY ? Roanoke (June 9)
• "Mill Mountain Theatre summer camps go virtual this year" by Gene Marrano on WFIRNews.

OPPORTUNITIES

• Get listed on the Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge Artist Directory. Free for local artists. Sign up here.
• Apply to serve on one of the City's appointed boards and commissions.

VISUAL ARTISTS

• Free online trainings during COVID-19 from Streamline Publishing
• Have you considered joining the League of Roanoke Artists? 
• Register for Artists Sunday #ShopArt (November 29, 2020)
• Watch for survey coming in the next newsletter.
• Share your art through our WE ARE ART campaign. (See above)
  

WRITERS

• Get listed on the writers inventory.

PERFORMING ARTISTS

• Students who wish to audition for Southwest Virginia Ballet's 2020-2021 Season, (their 30th Anniversary Season!) email [email protected]. Get the company audition and registration form here. SVB’s annual production of The Nutcracker will be held December 11th, 12th, and 13th, 2020 at the Berglund Center, Roanoke.  Auditions for extra roles will be held on the following dates and times:

1. August 29th, 3-5pm at Star City School of Ballet, Roanoke for dancers 12 and up.

2. August 30th, 2-5pm at Tanglewood Mall, Roanoke for dancers ages 7-12.

• Roanoke Children's Theatre Talent Search: Date TBD.
• Roanoke Valley Children's Choir Virtual Auditions: June 18

ARTS LEADERS

• NEA grant opportunities
• Economic data on arts and culture in Roanoke from Americans for the Arts and the Roanoke Cultural Endowment.
• Apply for to serve on one of the City's appointed boards and commissions
• Register for Artists Sunday #ShopArt (November 29, 2020)

Be home. Be safe. Be creative.

Roanoke Arts & Culture News is a service of the City of Roanoke's Office of Arts and Culture. Click here for more information. Submit potential content to Arts and Culture Coordinator Douglas Jackson.