There is nothing like live theatre for entertainment, and although professional theatre is…read moreconsidered the ultimate in theatre experience, throughout my life I have enjoyed community theatres just as much or even greater. After having been selected as number 4 of Yelp's Top 50 most prolific Elites of 2025, a year when I also was awarded the Yelp Triad Squad Photographer of the Year Award at their Yelpies 2025 Award Ceremony, an event that honored the highest-performing Yelp Elites, and where last year I was awarded the Yelp Triad Squad Yelper of the Year Award, I decided that this year, as an All-Star Yelp Elite, I not only wanted to be the first to discover new restaurants and businesses, 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 Showtimers Community Theatre of Roanoke, Virginia, is a perfect example. This week, I happened to discover this non-profit, volunteer driven venue established in 1951, dedicated to fostering life-long appreciation of the performing arts through non-professional theatre productions. And today, I had the pleasure of visiting the theatre for the very first time and watch the production of "The Shark is Broken." Roanoke's oldest continuously running community theatre, originally performed at Roanoke College, and in 1961 they purchased a former church on McVitty Road, which now houses the intimate 138-seat venue, that produces five mainstage shows annually. I arrived early to be able to explore the theatre's lobby, and ask some questions at their ticket office. The beautiful building is located on top of a small hill with plenty of parking spaces. After parking my Lexus in a space near their entrance, I climbed up some stairs with eight steps and reached the building's nice size porch with a lovely light blue door entrance. I'm not sure if it has another easily accessible entrance but I think it might have because I saw some older guests inside that I'm sure couldn't have climbed all those stairs. I found the entrance front door unlocked and left a little bit opened, like if inviting guests to come in on this dark and cold showtime evening. Inside, the staff there were very friendly and welcoming. When I told them this was my first time there they allowed me to hang out in the lobby, looking at all the pictures and theatrical posters from previous shows. I also shared with them how when I lived in Boston I visited over 45 community theaters from cities and towns all around the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. One was even in a farm and the seats were squared pieces of hay. How the first professional Musical I saw had been a Broadway Show in New York City at the age of 14 and was called Pippin, staring John Rubinstein as Pippin and Ben Vereen as the leading player and directed by Bob Fosse. And how during my college years, I had the opportunity of watching Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Wang Center in Boston with the main character played by Donny Osmond. And how during my time living in Miami I was an active Board Member of two community theaters. At seven o'clock sharp they opened the doors to the theatre and a volunteer guided me to my seat in Row J, Seat 8. Which happened to be in the center of the front row. It's amazing how in a very short time the theatre got completely full of people coming to watch this show. The three main actors did an excellent job performing and I was able to meet them in person at the end of the show at the porch of the building to congratulate and thank them for a wonderful show. I feel the Performing Arts enrich our lives and for this reason I highly recommend you visit this gem of a community theatre. Go watch a show there. Make a donation of time or money by volunteering and giving them your support. Believe me, you will be getting back a lot more than what you put in.

This is a quaint local theater that you probably never really knew existed. It's right off of…read moreElectric Road across Keagey Village. To me, it looks like an old church. Established in 1959, they have featured several local plays and musicals per year. Many local singers and actors have performed here. I have enjoyed many performances here. I estimate that the seating is just about 150 people. For refreshments, they have candy, chips, cookies and soda/pop/Coke (whatever you call a carbonated drink from where you live) and they're reasonably priced, as are the shows. Considering it is only a half skip and a jump from where I live, I frequently come for an entertaining afternoon. It's a great small local theater with excellent performances. Because of the small venue, there really ain't a bad seat in the house. Parking ain't too bad none either. Check them out, sometime. You won't be disappointed.

This museum is attached to a small college in one of the more rural college towns I've ever…read morespotted. An outdoor farm museum which charges admission wasn't open. I was offered the chance to peruse some indoor exhibitions for free. The two on display were niche, but appropriate, one room chronicling abandoned rural schoolhouses and the other with various crafts attributes to the region. There aren't a lot of places to stop and refuel in the region, so why not get a little local flavor?

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.

Honestly, this is by far the coolest music venue around Roanoke if you want to hear great music up…read moreclose. No bad seats - actually most are sitting at thin tables made from a beautiful piece of leading edge local wood. Others sit in cofortable recliners and some prefer to stand. The 5 Points Sanctary sound system is top notch, staff/volunteers super friendly, the bar is stocked with some higher end offerings and not bottom shelf swill. Quality beer on tap and in cans. They have hi tech headphones which allow older people (like me) or youngsters to dial in their preferred decibel level. DId I mention 5 Points is run by a 501C3 which helps raise support and provide space for other important non-profits to help many in our city?

We love this place. It's such a great throwback to the good old days. My wife and I have gone to…read moremovies, concerts etc. The service is always great and a lot of fun. It beats the mega theaters. We attended the Rocky Horror Picture Show here also. It was a lot of fun. They had a theater group along with the movie. It's a cult classic. It's a can't miss if they have it this fall. The staff upbeat also. Very friendly.

This Historic and Non-profit theatre which opened its doors more than 90 years ago as a local icon…read morein Grandin Village, continues to be the center of attraction of this dynamic neighborhood in the City of Roanoke. Today I decided to go visit and experience first hand the magic behind this theatre that besides showing movies and holding special events, it has and will always be the heart of this community, and as I was able to see and experience for myself offers a unique movie going experience. When I first arrived, I was fascinated with the magnificent restoration of this Historic Art Deco Architectural building. Little did I know that I was about to experience one of the best movie going experiences of a lifetime. For I discovered that a local community movie theatre is more than just a place to go watch a movie and eat popcorn. It is a place to feel the pulse of fervent community in action. At the ticket booth I was greeted by a young lady and asked to go inside to purchase my ticket because her computer was not working as it should. So I proceeded to do so and walked over to the concession stand where a lady greeted me with a warm welcome and not only sold me the ticket but after I asked her about the theatre, she gave me a personal description of key points of its structure as well as other activities that took place here. Among other things she told me about the Art Gallery on the second floor, the different viewing rooms and the two owls located in the main one, and other events and activities that they have year round including the fundraisers. Also, tonight they were having the Rocky Horror Picture Show showcased by the Tolls of Madness Troupe from Virginia Tech. The cast will dress like the ionic characters and encourage audience participation through callback lilines aimed at the screen and throwing various props as called for by the film. Needless to say the two shows for tonight were sold out. What an exciting event here in this community movie theatre in the Star City of Roanoke! One could see the excitement and enthusiasm of all the theatre employees, from the ones behind the concession stand selling the popcorn to the ones finishing putting up some light up the stairs to the second floor as part of the Halloween decorations. Inside the main viewing room I was impressed with natural red brick walls and the two owls. The chairs even though they weren't as reclinable as some of the ones in new modern theatres, they made you feel at home, maybe because they reminded me of the many time I went to my hometown movie theatre before many of them have become extinct due to lack of creative management and competition from the big new modern ones. Last time I went to one of those the room temperature was so hot to the point of being uncomfortable. But here, in this cozy and warm not so little theatre, the air-condition worked just fine and contributed to the excellent movie watching experience. As I was leaving there was a crowd of people outside waiting to come in for the Rocky Horror Picture Show; and I thought to myself: Now I know and have experienced the magic behind the Grandin Theatre and wish everyone who reads my review can do the same.

The owner was very friendly and the sangrias were good but if you're looking for good wine this…read moreisn't the winery for you. We had the dry white flight and they definitely don't know how to make wine. There is a great patio to sit outside and enjoy the view of the vineyard. I would recommend a flight of sangrias, it's a nice way to spend a couple hours with friends.

Such a great atmosphere!!! The owners were so kind and helpful! We got a cheese plate and a sangria…read moreflight, the chocolate strawberry sangria was INCREDIBLE!

The fig and goat cheese pizza was amazing. The wine is excellent. Loved the roosters and the…read morecats. Love this place.

Super cute place! I'm not a huge wine person, so I can't really vouch for the quality of the wine…read more However, I did enjoy the wine and chocolate flight (mainly the chocolates LOL) and the wine slushee. The slushee was definitely more palatable for me and didn't taste too much like alcohol. The place had a very calm and fun environment. There was a foosball table, games, pool table, ample seating, and a reading nook type area. The view from the tables was really beautiful. The drive there was a bit wild (we took many wrong turns LOL) but still worth the drive! We didn't talk too much to the person at the counter but they seemed chill enough.

This very talented group uses the auditorium in the Walker Fine Arts Building at the Patrick Henry…read moreCommunity College. The seating is very good, as is the sound quality. I've seen Spelling Bee, Mary Poppins, Dream Girls, and Cats and each one has been fantastic. So far, I've only seen that they do musicals but, since I prefer musicals in live theatre, I'm not complaining. Each season has several different musicals offered so I actually can see more performances living here in Henry County than when I lived near Dallas. I am impressed.