During this wonderful time of the year, I enjoy going to uplifting places that put you in the mood…read moreto celebrate the Holiday Season. So this Wednesday, that is precisely what I did. After being awarded the Yelp Triad Squad Yelper of the Year 2024 Award at the Yelpies Award Ceremony last year, an event that honored the highest-performing Yelp Elites, celebrating their contributions and accomplishments throughout the year, I decided that this year, as an All-Star Yelp Elite, I not only wanted to be the first to discover new restaurants, businesses, and entertainment venues, and bring them to the attention of the public, but also to uncover those found in hidden paths that for one reason or another have not reached the public in its totality. And Mill Mountain Theatre, in Roanoke, Virginia, is a perfect example. Located in the Center In The Square building, in the heart of Downtown Roanoke, Mill Mountain Theatre is a professional regional theater presenting musicals and plays year-round. It is the gem of the performing arts of the Star City of Roanoke. Ever since I was a kid and watched a Broadway Musical for the very first time at the young age of 12, in New York City, I was inspired by the acting, by the plot, and by the meaningfulness of the words of the songs. The musical was Pippin, with Pippin played by John Rubinstein, and featuring Ben Vereen as the leading player. Then while living in Boston and Cambridge, Massachusetts, I had the privilege of enjoying one of my favorite musicals, "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," with the main character Joseph, played by Donny Osmond, with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice. But even if this all sounds like a great experience, what is even greater is that I had the opportunity of visiting over 50 community theaters in New England while I was living there. From small theaters in farms where the seats were haystacks, to theaters in small towns in which the seats escalated upwards to be able to accommodate enough people to watch the show, to dinner theater where you were able to enjoy a meal in a cozy room with a stage, where the play was performed. Today, after having dinner at the Six and Sky Rooftop Grille, located in the same building as the Mill Mountain Theatre, I came down to the first floor to watch "A Christmas Story." As I arrived to the entrance of the theater, a very friendly and welcoming lady volunteer, scanned my front row, center ticket, and showed me to the entrance hall that led into the theater. Once there, another gentleman volunteer, took a look at my ticket and showed me the way to the front row seat. The stage was not the largest, but a perfect size to put on a great number of good plays. They did an excellent job building the set scenery with a nice collection of props. The actors did an almost flawless performance in which you were even able to see their character's personalities transformed into their own. It was a very impactful production. It effectively used humor to engage the audience while tackling the serious and important subject of bullying. This blend often helps make the serious messages more relatable and memorable. The intermission served as a time to relax and maybe visit the beautifully designed consecion stand for some refreshments. After the show, it was nice to find that a door led directly to the parking building where I had parked my Lexus. In conclusion, the Star City of Roanoke and its community is enriched by having this very unique little performing arts center. By bringing people together for shared learning and cultural experiences, this theater fosters social connections, community pride, and a greater sense of belonging.

We went to see the production Annie last night and it was an absolutely amazing performance. They…read morereally have a well-produced performance and the facility was great. My only complaint was the spacing between the rows of seating in which had there would have been anyone sitting in front of me they would have had my knees pushing against the back of their chair, making both of us uncomfortable. However, the performance and venue itself were 5 star all the way. It's an amazing theater organization offering acting classes and really have a great presence in the area. Last year they did a production at the Bent Mountain Center of James and the Giant Peach and it was a phenomenal production as well. Some of these actors and actresses were in Annie as well and it is great to see their growth since the last performance we saw them in. The acting and choreography was excellent and exceeded my expectations - the talent and ability of our hometown theatrical group here is amazing! We loved it! You have to check them out. They have a nice list of productions for 2025 which we plan on being regulars to support them. Such an enjoyable time! Please check them out!

We moved here from New Jersey a dozen years ago. Up there, entertainment required a trip to heavy…read moretraffic areas, with equally heavy parking tolls and usually run-down, tacky facilities. We have been totally impressed with the Jefferson Center. Free parking on a tree-lined street, immaculate facility, friendly and welcoming staff, and invariably terrific performers. Jefferson Center is one of the biggest reasons why we are glad we moved to Virginia.

Nice local high school converted to a performing arts center. There is a unique selection of…read moremusical artists in a unique facility. The parking is a challenge at best, perhaps carpool if going with friends. The gravel lot leaves something to be desired with a few divots. There is one local restaurant in walking distance, making it a challenge to arrive early for dinner and a show.

Many of us are aware of the Southwest Virginia Ballet (SVB) through their yearly production of the…read moreNutcracker, presented in the Berglund Center for the Performing Arts. But few are aware that it is a premier non-profit, pre-professional youth dance company, based in Roanoke, Virginia, and currently celebrating 35 years in the Roanoke Valley. Established in 1990 by Tess (Terri) Post, SVB is a significant part of the Roanoke Valley's artistic landscape and has achieved recognition locally and beyond. Its mission focuses on making pre-professional dance training accessible, enriching the community through dance, and providing performing arts experiences for all ages. They provide free training to young dancers in the region and offer outreach programs for underserved individuals across Southwest Virginia.  For the Southwest Virginia Ballet's 2025 Nutcracker, they are featuring a live orchestra, the Viena Light Orchestra, composed of professional and pre-professional musicians, from different countries, and conducted by Dr.Wayne Gallops. The Ballet also has a new Artistic Director, Laurence Blake, making it a performance one can't miss. What better way of understanding what the Southwest Virginia Ballet is all about, than going in person to watch this performance of the Nutcracker. And that is precisely what I did. Having obtained a front row center seat, I was able to watch an amazing performance, from the main roles to the most insignificant ones. And as I watched the performance, I thought to myself how learning ballet and performing significantly boosts youth self-esteem by fostering confidence through skill mastery, providing an outlet for self-expression, building resilience against challenges, promoting a positive body image, and creating a supportive community, leading to increased self-worth and a stronger sense of self-assurance both on and off the stage.

Southwest Virginia Ballet is an award-winning organization whose mission is to provide the highest…read morequality dance experience to as diverse a group of young people as possible -- all for free! Every year dancers at Southwest Virginia Ballet perform "The Nutcracker," filling the Performing Arts Theatre at the Berglund Center for four performances over three days in December. These same dancers step on stage for free demonstrations at Elmwood Park and the Taubman Museum of Art in Roanoke, as well as ticketed performances in Roanoke and across Southwest Virginia. SVB is the only organization in our area to create performances of such high caliber with student dancers alone. It's a group that draws ballet dancers from Blacksburg, Henry County, Botetourt County, Galax and beyond. They come together to a newly renovated studio in the Roanoke Industrial Center every Saturday from August through May.

He Said: 5 Points is the perfect venue. Incredible staff, an amazing selection of music (especially…read morethe dank jam bands), great sound, a bouncy dance floor, and an all around amazing vibe. She Said: He forgot to add that they also have good quality drinks available at reasonable prices. Plus the bar minders are kind and patient and awesome. We go to a LOT of music venues, and the beauty of this aspect of 5 Points cannot be overstated. Potty Points: 4/5 potty points. Do I wish there were more? Yes. Do I have to stand in line sometimes? Also yes. Do I meet some really interesting people in line and appreciate that as well as the cleanliness of the bathrooms once I finally get to use one? Absolutely yes.

Really cool place to see a band play. Gets crowded. Their drink service area could really be better…read moreorganized such as using a line organizer/velvet ropes - no one knows where the line is and you're constantly in someone's way or randomly standing in the middle of the bar line if you're in the back. That part was annoying. Also plan to be squished like sardines when watching a show if you haven't paid for seating. Of course some clutz/drunk guy spilled his drink on my shoes while standing towards the back watching the show. Definitely buy a seat upstairs if you want your personal space and don't want to constantly be in other people's way. General admission style on the ground floor. It also got super hot with crowded capacity of people they allow in. Downstairs bathroom and basement area was nice and cool. Outside the front area for smokers and fresh air. There was also a food truck parked outside the front of you get hungry. The building itself was really cool, old but maintained and remodeled to keep the antique architecture preserved.

Clean, congenial clientele, user friendly gaming, bright ambisince, customer service efficient,…read moretasty menu, a good package, adequately staffed! No pickle ball or ping pong tables is the only serious omission!

There's a reason they built a parking garage in Vinton…read more.. Live music. Best burger in Roanoke. Fun and clean. Hoping the Town of Vinton will allow table games and sports betting soon.

The Berglund Center is one of those gems that make the City of Roanoke a Star City. It's a…read moremulti-purpose venue that feeds the soul of our community. And the Berglund Performing Arts Theatre in the Center, with 2,150 seats, is one of my favorite places to go for entertainment in this City. Some might call it old, and some might call it small, but to me it's just perfect, since like wine, I feel its gotten better with time, and the community has gotten to know and appreciate it, as well as love it, because the performances played their have enriched their lives. This Holiday Season, as soon as the tickets to the Nutcracker went on sale, I made sure to purchase one ticket, for a front row center seat, to better appreciate the performance, since this year it's the 35th Anniversary of the Nutcracker being performed at the Berglund Center by the Southwest Virginia Ballet. This year it was being presented with a live orchestra, the Virginia's Blue Ridge Orchestra conducted by Dr. Wayne Gallops. And would have new choreography from the new Artistic Director, Laurence Blake. Sometimes when we talk about the Berglund Center, we don't realize that it is more than just the building structure, and we don't give enough credit to the employees and volunteer who play a great role in all of the performances there. They are one of the most welcoming, friendliest, and helpful group of individuals you can think of. This year I also got a VIP tour of the Center and since the day of this performance they were also having the parade downtown, I ended up receiving a personal tour and had the privilege of chatting on the stage with the founder of the Southwest Virginia Ballet as well as with the new Artistic Director of the Ballet. The Arts, in whatever form, is the soul of the people in the community. I highly recommend that you attend the performances here and give the Center and all those groups that perform here throughout the year, your total support. Because they enrich and bring joy to our lives, and by doing so, it gives meaning and a sense of satisfaction to theirs.

Poorly organized, chaotic, inefficient, and expensive. Poor, limited parking. This place sucks so…read moremuch. Will avoid coming here again. No staff giving directions anywhere, no clue which line to get in or why. To add insult to injury, while you're waiting for hours to get in (for no apparent reason), people are cutting in line and there are beer cans and trash everywhere since there are no trash cans.

"The true work of art is but a shadow of the divine perfection." Michelangelo…read more I've always appreciated art and the importance that it plays in people's lives. The Sidewalk Art Show takes place annually on the streets surrounding the Taubman Museum of Art in the heart of downtown Roanoke, Virginia. It is hosted by the Taubman museum itself, whose mission is to bring people and art together for discovery, learning, and enjoyment. The Sidewalk Art Show is one of Virginia's most oldest and anticipated outdoor art shows. It is held annually usually on a Saturday and Sunday around the end of the month of May. This year 2025 was the 67th year it takes place. It was held on Saturday and Sunday, May 31st and June 1st from 10am - 5pm. The exhibition from mostly regional artists included original paintings, prints, jewelry, watercolors, etchings, mixed media, fine art photographs, fine crafts, and sculpture. It is always free and open to the public, and a premier destination for art aficionados and ideal for fine art shopping. Over a period of two days it is estimated that the show will have 10,000 attendees. It is also an annual fundraiser to help raise funds for the Taubman Museum of Art programing to the community. The Roanoke Sidewalk Art Show also offers a variety of awards to participating artists, including cash prizes and merit awards, to recognize the best artwork. The show also features awards specifically recognizing the achievements of artists in particular media and through memorial awards. The most coveted award being The Best in Show Award with a cash prize of $1,200 plus the use of the image for the following year. After some years now of living in Roanoke, Virginia and being fascinated by driving by the art show, and seeing all the white tents lined up along Salem Ave, and crowds of people walking by, enthusiastically viewing and enjoying, and some evening purchasing some of their most valued, precious artworks from the show, I finally decided to schedule some time out of my busy schedule to attend the show and experience for myself one of the Star City's most prestigious and beloved yearly events. Being my first time attending this event, I would describe it in one sentence as: The experience of a lifetime! I invite the readers of this review to view my photographs and video clip from the event and see for yourselves first-hand what's it all about. Oftentimes when we visit art galleries or museums we get to see beautiful original artworks by famous and up-and-coming artists, but rarely do we get to meet the artists themselves and interact with them, asking them questions about their early beginnings, their creative process, the figment of their imagination. Here I was able to do so and discover very interesting personalities behind the artworks themselves. And I was fascinated with what I found. Very loving individuals who bring out their souls through the expression in their artworks. Creativity gives all a meaning in life. And for many artists the process of creativity is the process of living, of discovering themselves and the best that they can create and thus be. I highly recommend all those reading this review to attend one of the future Sidewalk Art Shows in Roanoke, Virginia, and to visit the Taubman Museum of Art while you're here. I can assure you you'll have the experience of a lifetime.