The latest Back Gallery exhibit at the Virginia Discovery Museum is not what people expect from a children’s museum. In fact, the folks at the Smithsonian Institution, who created New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music as part of their Traveling Exhibition Service, wouldn’t even consider (...)
Folks are invited to cut their own Christmas trees from Ash Lawn-Highland’s fields of Virginia pine and cedar. This is not a tree farm, so choppers may do some hiking, and the trees are growing naturally, not shaped. Check in at the Gift Shop for directions to the cutting fields. Bring a saw and a (...)
The Virginia Discovery Museum hosts the Smithsonian Institution exhibition: New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music. New Harmonies tells the American musical story through photographs, instruments, lyrics, and artist profiles. The exhibition, which runs from October 24-December 4, not only (...)
Celebrate 25 years of giant screen movies at the Science Museum of Virginia with five favorite films showing for the month of October. Films include: Ring of Fire—Experience the immense natural force of the great circle of volcanoes and seismic activity that rings the Pacific Ocean and the varied (...)
Young poets ages 12-18 can celebrate Teen Read Week with a poem of their own submitted to the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library’s Teen Poetry Contest. Prizes are awarded in three age divisions, and poems will be submitted to another teen poetry contest sponsored by the Voice of Youth Advocates (...)
Visitors to Natural Bridge can step back in time and see what life would have been in a typical Monacan Village 300 years ago in a living history exhibit hosted by the Monacan Indian Nation of Virginia. Learn about and assist modern Monacans with canoe building, construction, fishing, gardening, and (...)
The Virginia Discovery Museum hosts the Smithsonian Institution exhibition: New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music. New Harmonies tells the American musical story through photographs, instruments, lyrics, and artist profiles. The exhibition not only describes the work of well-know artists like Ma Rainey, BB King, Jimmie Rodgers, the Carter Family, Mahalia Jackson, Woody Guthrie, and Joan Baez that have inspired generations of musicians. It also captures the spirit of musical styles that are at the heart of our local heritage: Tejano, zydeco, polka, Cajun, conjunto, and klezmer. Kids can get into the music at a 1920’s radio/recording studio, hang out on the porch with instruments, strum a giant guitar, and more. Adults will like this one, too. East end of the Downtown Mall. 977-1025.
Local adventurers can take a trip around the world without leaving the state. Meet lemurs in Madagascar, visit with nomads in Tibet, canoe along the Amazon, explore the Namib Desert with migrating dunes that are one thousand feet tall, take a spin with dog sledders in Greenland, and discover what life is like for lions, hippos, elephants, giraffes and cape buffalo in the Okavango Delta in Botswana. You can take your popcorn along as you sit back in your theater seat to watch The Greatest Places in IMAX at the Science Museum of Virginia. 2500 W. Broad St., Richmond. 800-659-1727.
The Staunton August Art Center presents “Come as You Art” casual art classes for children ages 6-8 (negotiable). No pre-registration necessary–just show up ready to make art! Second floor of the R.R. Smith Center for History and Art, 20 S. New St. (across from the Staunton Visitor Center). 540-885-2028.
Kids ages 5-18 can go off to see the wizard in a Jefferson Youth Theater production performed December 13-14. Registration for parts in The Wizard of Oz take place at the Burley Middle School cafeteria on Rose Hill Drive. Rehearsals are November 18 - December 12, Monday-Thursdays (except the week of Thanksgiving). All children are cast. A production fee of $85 per child is charged, with a $10 discount for siblings. Partial scholarships are available. 249-2803.
More than two dozen local artisans sell handcrafted goods made locally at the Artisan’s Bazaar at UVA. Newcomb Ballroom is transformed into a market for crafts of all kinds including ceramics/pottery, fiber, glass, herbals, jewelry, metal, photography, and wood. Newcomb Hall, 3rd floor. 924-3286.
Think you have what it takes to be a secret agent? Sleuths in first grade and up who think they do can accept their mission and come to spy training academy at Northside Library where they will learn the ins and outs of being a master spy. Registration for this mission is required. Albemarle Square. 973-7893.
Modern folks can give thanks as people did in Jefferson’s day at the fifteenth annual Jeffersonian Thanksgiving Festival. The festival involves battle reenactments, period music, games and craft demonstrations, carriage rides, dancing, concerts, lectures, and more. Downtown Charlottesville, Market or Water Streets. 249-4032.
Young musicians can drop in at the Virginia Discovery Museum on Fridays and learn to make music together. While you’re there, be sure to check out New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music, the latest exhibit from the Smithsonian Institution in the Museum’s Back Gallery. East end of the Downtown Mall. 977-1025.
In conjunction with its new Back Gallery exhibit New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music, the Virginia Discovery Museum hosts a Roots Music Kids’ Concert Series at Cityspace, located across from the Museum on the Downtown Mall. Today’s concert features Bluegrass with the Wednesday Night Regulars. While you’re in the area, be sure to check out the exhibit. East end of the Downtown Mall. 977-1025.
Santa arrives in Charlottesville in style riding in a horse drawn carriage down the mall. He’ll set up shop at the Ice Park, where he will be available to listen to the wishes of children of all ages, then the carriage will be available for free rides on a first come, first serve basis. Charlottesville Downtown Mall. 961-5846.
The Jeffersonland Chorus and others make holiday music in Central Place as Mayor Dave Norris flips the switch, lighting up the entire Downtown Mall with brilliant holiday lights for the Charlottesville Tradition Grand Illumination. Jefferson, Lewis and Clark, and other historic characters gather on the Mall with musicians, performers, and carolers. The Central Place at the Downtown Mall. 249-4032.
The view is out of this world at Public Night at McCormick Observatory (weather permitting). UVA’s research telescopes on O-Hill will be pointed heavenward, and Astronomy Department staff and students will be on hand with a slide show and answers to starry questions. McCormick Rd. 924-7494.
An old-fashioned Revolutionary pipe and drum band parades along the Downtown Mall celebrating Mr. Jefferson’s Thanksgiving. Historic costumed characters take part in a procession that starts at the Ice Park and ends in the Pavilion. It includes musical performances, dances and musket firings, and brief greetings from historic and modern public officials. 249-4032.
The Old Michie Theatre presents The Three Billy Goats Gruff, a hand puppet play, followed by The Three Little Pigs as a marionette puppet play. These two classic children’s fairy tales will delight young and old audiences alike with music, audience participation, colorful scenery and a hands-on puppet experience after the show. 221 East Water St. 977-3690.
Thomas and Martha Jefferson invite you to the Three President’s Ball, an authentic period ball with music and dancing performed and taught by the Cuckoo Assembly Dancers. The entrance fee covers a full meal and special children’s activities in an adjacent area. Part of the Jeffersonian Thanksgiving Festival. Omni Hotel, Downtown. 249-4032.
Wee ones ages 3-5 can nestle in for the fall season at a special story time each Monday night in November at Crozet Library. Wear your pajamas, bring a special blanket or stuffed animal and get ready to snuggle in and listen to some great stories before bedtime. Registration is not required. Drop-ins are welcome. In the old train station on Three Notch’d Rd. 823-4050.
Teens who crochet, knit, do needlecraft, weave—or those who want to learn how—can join Susy at Scottsville Library for crafting, kibitzing, and fun on Monday nights throughout the fall. Bring your current project and hang out with others who enjoy the same pastime. 330 Bird St. 286-3541.
An inter-generational handcraft group for stitchers ages 8-108 meets at Crozet Library. Bring any handwork you’re working on and join a fun group of fellow crafters. As you work on your own project, we’ll highlight a variety of craft techniques, allowing you to explore and expand your interests and creativity. Registration is requested and is ongoing. In the old train station on Three Notch’d Rd. 823-4050.
Volunteer guide Rachel Bush reads to kids ages 3-5 about the great outdoors then leads a walk along the trails at Ivy Creek Natural Area. Meet in the Education Building. Earlysville Rd. 973-7772.
Santa arrives with over sixty of his friends, including local civic organizations, marching bands, antique cars, horse-drawn carriages, and Charlottesville/Albemarle area princesses in the Barracks Road Shopping Center’s annual Holiday Parade. Parade route begins in front of Harris Teeter.
Visitors to the Science Museum of Virginia can get on board and explore miniature cities, towns, villages, and rural areas and journey to a rural New England vacation spot, a classic traveling circus, and Hawaii at the 31st Annual RF&P Model Railroad Show. Have a model train problem? Bring the piece in question for a free repair. 2500 W. Broad St., Richmond. 800-659-1727.
Part comedy, part quick-change artistry, part tightrope act, holiday hijinks definitely ensue when two actors make over a hundred head-to-toe costume changes to portray some twenty-odd residents of Texas’ third-smallest city, Tuna. Slow-talking radio jocks Thurston Wheelis and Arles Struvie report on all the yuletide activities — including the annual yard-display contest (plagued by a vandal known only as the Christmas Phantom) and the Tuna Little Theatre production of A Christmas Carol, threatened by unpaid electric bills and a Ghost of Christmas Past who won’t give up his spit cup. Enjoy a festival of laughs with this hilarious holiday show at The Paramount Theater. Downtown Mall. 979-1333.
