Around Clarke County in December
December
17 Drum Circle
A free musical jam session at CraftWorks where the focus is on fun, recreation and community. It’s improvised and incorporates all ages and all levels of skill. 7-9pm. Sign up at wvcraftworks.org.
18 Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation
Blandy Experimental Farm, Boyce. 6:30-8:30pm. $15. Led by Shell Fischer. Mindfulness meditation can be helpful in dealing with stress, pain, and illness. Learn techniques of mindfulness meditation through discussion, guided meditation, and other exercises. This workshop will also provide information on an 8-week workshop beginning in January. Participants should wear comfortable clothing and layers for temperature, and bring pillows for comfort; chairs provided. For those 16 and older. Reservations required, space limited. For more information or reservations call Mindful Shenandoah Valley at 540-542-6139 or visit online at www.mindfulvalley.com.
21 Historic Long Branch Christmas Open House
December 21 & 22. Historic Long Branch, 830 Long Branch Lane, Millwood. 11am-5pm. Area Garden Clubs decorate the historic house following the theme of “An 1850s Christmas.” Go to www.visitlongbranch.org or call 540-837-1856 for more info.
22 Christmas at Old Bethel
Old Bethel Church, Swift Shoals Road, Millwood. 5pm. Free. Enjoy a truly old-fashioned candlelight service with music, friends, and joy. Dress warmly. For more info, call Ian Williams at 540-667-1266.
22 Holiday Cheer at Historic Long Branch
Following the holiday service at Old Bethel Church near Millwood, Historic Long Branch invites guests for light fare and warm drinks. Guests will also be asked to participate in the first-ever “Historic Long Branch Viewer’s Choice Art Competition.” Go to www.visitlongbranch.org or call 540-837-1856 for more info.
28 Drawing/Painting Group
Join Rebecca Jones at CraftWorks for this monthly workshop which includes a demo, individual instruction and critique. All levels welcome. 2-5pm. Register at wvcraftworks.org.
29 Polymer Clay/Mixed Media Group Holiday Luncheon
Bring your favorite project and a dish to share to CraftWorks to celebrate the season. Free. 11am-4pm. Sign up at wvcraftworks.org.
Through December
Visit the Barns of Rose Hill in Berryville for tons of holiday cheer! The Toy Shoppe has many handmade toys, ornaments, and ceramics for sale. Students from Opus Oaks, Powhatan School, FFA, and area 4-H clubs have contributed festive decorations of all kinds. The Town and Country Garden Club has wrapped the place in greenery and Nalls Farm Market donated nine window wreaths. Regular hours of the Barns are Tuesday – Sunday from noon to 3pm. www.barnsofrosehill.org
January
4 Andrew McKnight and Chatham Street
Barns of Rose Hill, Berryville. 7:30pm. $15 advance, $20 at door. Award winning folk and Americana musician McKnight reflects the genre and style of Guthrie and Dylan and is joined by Chatham Street, who calls their sound “New Americana,” with influences from gospel, bluegrass, rootsy folk, and contemporary rock and pop. Purchase tickets at www.barnsofrosehill.org. or call 540-955-2004.
11 Young Naturalist Program
Five Saturdays through March 8. Blandy Experimental Farm, Boyce. Students grade 1 to 6. $22/session with discounts for multiple class enrollment and FOSA members. Topics include EcoArt, Cold-weather Carnivores, Frozen Feathers, Blandy Winter Olympics, and Signs of Spring. Pre-registration is required. Register online at http://blandy.virginia.edu/our-foundation/online_payments, call 540-837-1758 Ext. 224, or download a registration form at www.blandy.virginia.edu.
12 Awesome Art Girls Club
A monthly gathering for girls ages 9-10 at CraftWorks. Participation is free, material fess may apply. Sign up at wvcraftworks.org.
14 Bill Whiting, Artist of the Shenandoah Valley, Art Retrospective
Through March 9, 2014. Barns of Rose Hill, Berryville. A retrospective including 60 paintings by this well-loved artist who captured the beauty of the Shenandoah Valley. A signed, framed print of his painting, Along the Shenandoah, will be raffled off on the last day of the exhibit. Raffle tickets sold at the Barns. For more information, visit www.barnsofrosehill.org or call 540-955-2004.
15 Artscape Submission Due
Submissions due for Artscape Old Town Banner program. Artists of all ages are invited to submit artwork that may be selected to appear on Old Town Winchester’s banners that grace the downtown light polls for eight months in 2014. Sponsors for the banners are also being sought. For more information, see the application at www.shenarts.org or call Tracy Marlatt at the Shenandoah Arts Council at 540-667-5166 or email tmarlatt@shenarts.org
17 The Woodshedders with opening act Tabasco Bustelo
Barns of Rose Hill, Berryville. 7:30pm. $15 advance, $20 at door. Bringing together diverse influences of country, R&B, old-time, bluegrass, and gypsy jazz, this band of five brings high energy and excellent musicianship to their audiences and keeps the crowd on their feet. Shepherdstown-based rock band Tabasco Bustelo opens the show for a fantastic night of music. Purchase tickets at www.barnsofrosehill.org. or call 540-955-2004.
19 Cahalen Morrison & Eli West
Barns of Rose Hill, Berryville. 3pm. $10 advance, $15 at door. Hailing from Seattle, Morrison and West put a modern, edgy spin on their original songs with an old country and bluegrass influence and have received national acclaim from top roots musicians. Stopping in Berryville as part of their east coast tour. Purchase tickets at www.barnsofrosehill.org. or call 540-955-2004.
20 Created Equal Film Screening: Freedom Riders
Historic Long Branch, 830 Long Branch Lane, Millwood. 5pm. Free. Long Branch Plantation honors Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with a film screening of Freedom Riders. This film screening is part of the National Endowment for the Humanities Program – Created Equal: America’s Civil Rights Struggle. Freedom Riders tells the terrifying, moving, and suspenseful story of a time when white and black volunteers riding a bus into the Deep South risked being jailed, beaten, or killed, as white local and state authorities ignored or encouraged violent attacks. Go to www.visitlongbranch.org or call 540-837-1856 for more info.
Parks & Rec
A wide variety of classes and activities are offered through Clarke County Parks and Recreation. See complete schedule at www.clarkecounty.gov/parks.
Opus Oaks
Opus Oaks offers several upcoming classes and workshops for all ages in painting, drawing, stained glass, jewelry design, photography, and sculpture. See complete schedule at www.opusoaks.org.
