Mark your calendar: Upcoming events in the Lynchburg area (2024)

Because this section is free of charge, community events are subject to run based on available space. Email events to calendar@newsadvance.com.

Through June 28

High Seas Adventure Art Camp, 7:30 a.m. to noon. at Second Stage — Amherst, 194 Second St., Amherst. Take a break from the heat and get creative with this camp in our Community Room. This weeklong camp aims to offer enriching experiences for children, engaging them with crafts inspired by their voyage of imagination. We will dive into the world of pirates and treasures, creating masterpieces inspired by the mysteries of the deep, including shell painting, pirate ship building and more. Space is limited and the cost is $150 per camper. For ages 7 to 12. Students attending Art Camp may pack lunch and stay at Second Stage until Theater Basics Camp starts if attending both camps. For more information, go to www.secondstageamherst.org.

Theater Camp: Basics & Improv Camp, 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Second Stage — Amherst, 194 Second St., Amherst. Take a break from the heat and get creative with this fun camp in our Community Room. This weeklong camp aims to offer enriching experiences for children, engaging them with unique, encouraging and fun theater experiences. We will learn the basics of acting, explore possibilities of improv, learn how to be comfortable on stage, discover ways to use creativity in theater, develop positive self-confidence and more. This camp will conclude with a series of skits performed on the stage for a parent audience. Space is limited and the cost is $150 per camper. For ages 7 to 12. Students attending Theater Basics Camp may pack lunch and stay at Second Stage until Theater Camp starts if attending both camps. For more information, go to www.secondstageamherst.org.

Through June 29

Textile art exhibit, during regular library hours in the MOarts Gallery at Moneta/Smith Mountain Lake Library, 13641 Moneta Road, Moneta. Arlene Blackburn’s 2024 exhibit “Through the Threads of Time” is inspired by her time at the Ghost Ranch in New Mexico. For more information, including directions and hours, call (540) 425-7004.

June 25

Crafternoon, Fossils and Crystals Edition, 2 to 4 p.m. at Montvale Library. Crafternoons are back this summer. Each crafternoon event will feature a different project or theme. Our second theme is crystals and fossils. We’ll go on a fossil/geode hunt and make crystals in eggshells.

June 27 to 29

1776 the Musical, 7:30 to 10 p.m. each day (Rain date: June 30) at Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest. Celebrate the courage of the American revolutionaries and Founding Fathers at a performance of the Tony Award-winning musical comedy by Sherman Edwards and Peter Stone that brings the events leading up to the drafting and signing of the Declaration of Independence to life. And get to know the men responsible for the text: Ben (Franklin), Richard Henry (Lee), John (Adams) and Tom (Jefferson). Tickets are $17.76 for adults (18 and older), $13 for college students (with ID) and youth (6 to 17), and $4 for children younger than 6.

June 27

Nature Walk, 10:30 a.m. to noon at Big Island Library. Join us on a nature walk around the Big Island Library to see what you can see. We’ll stop along the way and identify different plants — maybe we’ll even spot some wildlife. Participants are also invited to bring a bagged lunch and join us for a picnic at the end. Some snacks (and picnic blankets) will be provided.

Teen Movie Night presents “Wonka,” 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Bedford Library. Join us for a special summer movie screening for teens. This month we’ll watch “Wonka,” starring Timothee Chalamet, Olivia Colman, Hugh Grant, Sally Hawkins, Jim Carter and others. This fantasy musical film follows the story of Willy Wonka, the famous but eccentric chocolatier based on the character from Roald Dahl’s beloved novel. In particular, it emphasizes his rise to the top. The narrative traces his beginnings as a young adult who started as an employee selling chocolate in a store until he became driven to enter the chocolate industry eventually. This film acts as a prequel to the 1971 film adaptation of Dahl’s novel. Snacks and drinks will be served.

Fiber Club: Knitting, Crocheting, and More, 3 to 5 p.m. at Moneta/Smith Mountain Lake Library. Would you like to learn to knit, crochet, weave, or share your talents with others? You’re invited to join our new Fiber Club. This will be our introductory meeting, and meetings will be held on the last Thursday of each month going forward. Whether you’re an expert or a beginner, all are welcome. Supplies will be provided, or you can bring your own. We’ll have yarn for small projects, but if you have some extra yarn, you can donate it to someone else to use. Bring your projects you’re already working on, or start a new one. Come chat and make new fiber friends. We’ll also have small projects for kids to make at the beginner’s sessions. Kids younger than 12 must be supervised by an adult. All ages are welcome.

Robert E. Lee Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Directors regular meeting, 6 p.m. at the Spring House Restaurant, 9789 Richmond Highway, Lynchburg. The meeting is accessible to persons with disabilities and open to the public. Call (434) 352-2819 to confirm meeting information or email www.releeconservation.com.

June 28

Friday Breakfast Book Club, 10 to 11 a.m. at Bedford Library. The Friday Breakfast Book Club meets on the last Friday of every month to discuss a different book. This month’s selection is “The Barbizon: The Hotel that Set Women Free,” by Paulina Bren.

Bubble Blast Party, 11 a.m. to noon at Moneta/Smith Mountain Lake Library. Have a blast with bubbles of all types at our bubble party. Blow big bubbles and small ones, try to catch some bubbles and even be surrounded by a bubble. Also, create some bubble art and do bubble experiments. Wear clothes that can get dirty and be prepared to be outside for this event. Registration is requested. The rain date will be 4 p.m., July 1.

Alzheimer’s and other dementia presentation, 2 p.m. at Heritage Green Assisted Living and Memory Care, 2 p.m. at 201 Lillian Lane, Lynchburg. Join the discussion on “Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias,” presented by Dr. Peter Betz, a board-certified geriatric psychiatrist with the CMG Piedmont Psychiatric Center in Lynchburg, where he has practiced since 2001. His areas of particular interest include memory disorders, mood disorders and other psychiatric illnesses throughout the lifespan. Light hors d’oeuvres will be provided. Limited seating is available. RSVP by June 21 by calling (434) 385-5102.

June 29

Saturday Matinee presents: “National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets,” 2:30 to 4:45 p.m. at Moneta/Smith Mountain Lake Library. Join us for a monthly Saturday afternoon screening of a movie for adults and teens. This month we’ll watch “National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets,” starring Nicolas Cage, Jon Voight, Harvey Keitel, Edarris, Diane Kruger and others. In this adventure-filled sequel to the 2004 blockbuster “National Treasure,” Nicolas Cage reprises his role as artifact hunter and archaeologist extraordinaire, Ben Franklin Gates. In this outing, Gates learns of his own family’s implication in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln by John Wilkes Booth. Gates must then locate an elusive diary, not only to clear his family’s name, but to unearth and connect several secrets, buried within the book, that point to a massive, global conspiracy.

June 30

Chris Funk magic show, 4 to 6 p.m. at the Academy Center of the Arts’ Historic Theatre. TV magician and musical illusionist Chris Funk will be performing his “Redefining Wonder” show. Funk’s unique approach to magic has garnered him performances at Las Vegas’ Planet Hollywood, Venetian, Mandalay Bay, Rio and Tropicana casinos as well as residencies at Disney. In addition to his own touring, Funk has starred in the major touring magic production “Masters of Illusion Live.” Tickets range from $15 to $53. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact the ticket office at (434) 846-8499 or visit academycenter.org.

Historic Cemetery Tour, 2 p.m. at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 1695 Perrowville Road, Forest. The tour will focus on a number of the noteworthy families and individuals who worshipped at St. Stephen’s during the past 200 years and who made significant professional and community contributions to Bedford County, the Commonwealth of Virginia and the nation. It is being led by members of the church’s congregation and divided into three areas: the Radford family plot; the historic section of the 19th- and early-20th centuries; and the post-1950 modern section. The historic sanctuary will also be open to visitors. For more information, contact the St. Stephen’s Parish Office by email at ststephensforest@mail.com or by phone at (434) 525-5511.

Free Concert by the Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra String Quartet, 4 p.m. at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 1695 Perrowville Road, Forest. The program includes works in existence at and in the years immediately following the founding of St. Stephen’s and possibly familiar to early parishioners, featuring compositions by masters including Vivaldi, Handel, Mozart, Schubert, Mendelssohn and Beethoven. A reception will follow the concert in the church’s Parish Hall. This concert is open to the public, and free-will offerings will be gratefully accepted. For more information, contact the St. Stephen’s Parish Office by email at ststephensforest@mail.com or by phone at (434) 525-5511.

Arts On The Avenue with the Callisto Quartet featuring violist Bethany Hargreaves, 3 p.m., Oakwood Country Club, Lynchburg. The American/Canadian quartet has garnered top prizes in nearly every major international chamber music competition and has been hailed by audiences across the globe. They are grand prize winners of the 2018 Fischoff National Chamber Music competition and second prize winners of the 2019 Banff International String Quartet Competition. They are currently the Fellowship Quartet in Residence at Yale University. Tickets, $35 (students free). The concert is presented by Forte Chamber Music and Oakwood Country Club. To purchase tickets and for more information, go to lynchburgtickets.com/callisto-hargreaves. Tickets also available at the door.

Arts On The Avenue with the Callisto Quartet featuring violist Bethany Hargreaves, 3 p.m. at Oakwood Country Club, 3409 Rivermont Ave., Lynchburg. The American/Canadian quartet has garnered top prizes in nearly every major international chamber music competition and has been hailed by audiences across the globe. They are Grand Prize winners of the 2018 Fischoff National Chamber Music competition and second prize winners of the 2019 Banff International String Quartet Competition. They are currently the Fellowship Quartet in Residence at Yale University. Tickets: $35 (students free) To purchase tickets and for more information, go to lynchburgtickets.com/callisto-hargreaves. Tickets also available at the door. Presented by the Forte Chamber Music together with Oakwood Country Club.

July 1 to 5

Theater Camp: Basics & Improv Camp, 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Second Stage — Amherst, 194 Second St., Amherst (No camp on July 4). Take a break from the heat and get creative with this fun camp in our Community Room. This weeklong camp aims to offer enriching experiences for children, engaging them with unique, encouraging and fun theater experiences. We will learn the basics of acting, explore possibilities of improv, learn how to be comfortable on stage, discover ways to use creativity in theater, develop positive self-confidence and more. This camp will conclude with a series of skits performed on the stage for a parent audience. Space is limited and the cost is $150 per camper. For ages 7 to 12. Students attending Theater Basics Camp may pack lunch and stay at Second Stage until Young Einsteins Camp starts if attending both camps. For more information, go to www.secondstageamherst.org.

Young Einsteins Stem Camp, 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Second Stage — Amherst, 194 Second St., Amherst. (No camp on July 4) Take a break from the heat and get creative with this fun camp in our Community Room. This weeklong camp aims to offer enriching experiences for children, engaging them with unique, encouraging and fun experiences. We will explore education through challenges and projects, such as egg drop challenges, soda straw bridge building, making balloon rockets, holding an aluminum foil boat race and more. Space is limited and the cost is $150 per camper. For ages 7 to 12. Students attending Theater Camp may pack lunch and stay at Second Stage until Young Einsteins Camp starts if attending both camps. For more information, go to www.secondstageamherst.org.

July 4

Independence Day Celebration, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Thomas Jefferson’s Polar Forest. Celebrate the 248th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in historic style at Thomas Jefferson’s Bedford County retreat. Bring your family and friends out to Poplar Forest for an afternoon filled with colonial-style entertainment, demonstrations by colonial artisans and craftspeople, archaeological displays, old-fashioned children’s activities, a reading of the Declaration of Independence and more. Grounds admission is $12 for adults (ages 16 and older); children 15 and younger are free. Also, take a tour of the octagonal villa during the Fourth of July festivities. House tour tickets are $10 (ages 18 and older), $6 (ages 6 to 17) and free for children younger than age 6.

July 5

Tween-Teen Night, 5 to 7 p.m. at Montvale Library. Two hours of Kinect gaming, board games, snacks, pizza and socializing. For ages 10 to 17.

July 5 to 28

Lynchburg art club exhibit, 5 to 7:30 p.m. on First Friday; 1 to 5 p.m. Thursday through Friday and 1:30 to 4 p.m. Saturday through Sunday at Lynchburg Art Club, 1011 Rivermont Ave., Lynchburg. New member showcase features Emily Goodyear, Sharon Lester, Kate McClure, Ron Nussbaum and Raymond Vagg.

July 6

Blue Ridge Fiber Gathering, 10 a.m. to noon at Stewartsville Library. Blue Ridge Fiber Gathering meets on the first Saturday of every month. This event is for teens and adults. A morning for knitters, crocheters, spinners, weavers from beginners to pros. Come learn a new skill or come share your skills and talents with others, and have a good time. Bring the projects you’re currently working on and enjoy the companionship and knowledge of other fiber enthusiasts. You can also drop off hats, sweaters and scarves for the Adele’s Legacy program at our meetings or at any of our six library locations. Every year, Adele’s Legacy works with the school superintendent’s office in Franklin and Bedford counties to choose elementary schools eligible for Giveaway Day.

Saturday Matinee presents “The Wizard of Oz,” 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Bedford Library. Join us for a monthly Saturday afternoon screening of a movie for adults and teens. Summer begins with a wonderful adventure to the magical land of Oz! Come watch “The Wizard of Oz,” starring Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr, Jack Haley and others. A young farm girl and her little dog are magically transported into the enchanted land of Oz through a Kansas tornado. As they travel down Oz’s Yellow Brick Road to find the Wizard and ask him to send them home, they encounter a wonderful, funny, terrifying, and, ultimately, enlightening group of characters, human and otherwise. This 1939 award-winning film classic celebrates its 85th anniversary this year. Freshen your memory of the original story before catching the “Wicked” adaptation hitting the big screen later this year.

July 8

Friends of the Forest Library Book Club, 1 to 2 p.m. at Forest Library. The Friends of the Forest Library Book Club meets every second Monday of the month. Join us to read and discuss our selection of fictional books each month! This month we’ll discuss “Fast Girls,” a novel of the 1936 women’s Olympic team by Elise Hooper.

Literary Lakers Book Club, 3 to 4 p.m. at Moneta/Smith Mountain Lake Library. Join the new adult book club which meets in the community room on the second Monday of each month. We’ll read either the same genre and/or the same author and share our thoughts. For July, read a book that takes place in a vacation destination of your choice.