Piedmont Arts will kick off the holidays with community events, including the Art Garden Christmas Tree Lighting on Dec. 4, the Holiday Pops Spectacular on Dec. 7 and a food drive from Dec. 2-13.
Art Garden Christmas Tree Lighting
The Art Garden Christmas Tree Lighting will take place from 4-6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 4, in the Gravely-Lester Art Garden. Guests can enjoy holiday music, a visit from Santa, themed crafts and a snack of cookies and hot chocolate. This event is free and open to the public. It is sponsored by Brightspeed and Carter Bank.
Much like the sculptures in the Art Garden, the Christmas tree is a work of art. It is created each year by Ian Hogg using more than 3,000 lights. The tree will be lit at sunset on Dec. 4 and brighten the Art Garden through New Year’s Day. The tree is sponsored by Press Glass and Chip Wyatt of State Farm.
Holiday Pops Spectacular
Piedmont Arts will host its annual production of the Roanoke Symphony Holiday Pops Spectacular at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 7, at Martinsville High School Auditorium.
There’s no better way to lift your spirits than with the music of the season delivered in full sound and spectacle by the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. Maestro David Stewart Wiley conducts the Holiday Pops with all the magical elements guests have come to expect — high energy, familiar carols and lots of holiday warmth.
Guest soloist LaTetra Lewis will join the symphony for a heartwarming celebration of cherished holiday classics. Lewis is a mezzo-soprano hailed for her rich voice and magnetic stage presence. She studied opera at the renowned Governor’s School for the Arts in Norfolk. She has performed roles including Orfeo in Gluck’s “Orfeo ed Euridice,” Madame Flora in Menotti’s “The Medium” and the Third Lady in Mozart’s “Die Zauberflöte.” She has been a member of the Virginia Opera chorus since 2008 and has performed in the recent productions “La Traviata” and “Madama Butterfly.”
Randy Brooks, the writer of “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer,” will also join the symphony for a special performance of his hit song.
Tickets are $30 for reserved seating, $20 for general admission and $10 for students in grades K-12. Tickets can be purchased at Piedmont Arts and online at PiedmontArts.org.
This event is sponsored by Brightspeed. It is partially supported by funding from the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.
WIC Passport Program
Piedmont Arts is a proud participant in the WIC Passport Program, which offers free or discounted tickets, classes and other experiences to WIC recipients across Virginia. Passport holders receive free general admission tickets to the Roanoke Symphony Holiday Pops Spectacular. To redeem this discount, show your WIC card at the welcome desk when entering the museum or at the box office on the night of the event. For more information about the Passport Program, visit PiedmontArts.org.
Food Drive for Grace Network Food Pantry
In the spirit of the holiday season, Piedmont Arts is collecting donations of nonperishable food and hygiene products for the Grace Network food pantry.
Donations may be dropped off at Piedmont Arts from Dec. 2-13 during regular business hours. Piedmont Arts is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Altrusa International of Martinsville-Henry County will collect donations in the lobby of Martinsville High School Auditorium during the Holiday Pops Spectacular from 3-5 p.m. on Dec. 7.
For more information on exhibits and events, visit PiedmontArts.org.
