Piedmont Arts announces their new performing arts season for 2024-2025

The season kicks off, as always, with the beloved Franks + Dranks event in the Gravely-Lester Art Garden. On Friday, July 19 at 6 p.m., join Piedmont Arts for live music and a cookout. Tickets are $20 is advance and $25 at the door. Music provided by Jake Earles and dinner provided by celebrity chefs Shane Pinkston and Will Gravely with refreshments from Food Lion of Greensboro Rd.

The Make Some Noise: Open Mic series returns this year. This seasonal offering provides the audience the chance to share their voices through spoken word, music, poetry, or comedy. Events will take place on Thursdays, Aug. 15, Oct. 10, Jan, 9, and and April 10 at 7 p.m. in the galleries. Our rotating panel of hosts this year include Natalie Hodge, Jake Earles, Taye the Truth, and Anna Wheeler.

Test your luck and join Piedmont Arts for Savory September: Fortune & Flavor. On Friday, Sept. 13 at 6:30 p.m., gather for small bites and signature drinks by local chefs. This event will feature, in addition to creative cuisine, a 50/37/13 raffle, games, and tarot readings. Admission for this event is $50.

On Oct. 17 at 6:30 p.m., put on your dancing shoes and come to the Swing Dance Party hosted by the Bob Peckman Jazz Band out of Roanoke, Virginia. This event will host a cash bar and dance floor get your toes tapping. With guest appearances by the Dancing for the Arts coaches and participants, this star-studded event will be a great time for all. Admission is $20.

A humorist on serious topics, Dr. Elliot Engel is back for the 2024-2025 season with his “da Vinci: Before the Code,” program. On Thursday, Nov. 14, the evening will kick off with a optional dinner by Third Bay at 6 p.m. The lecture will begin at 7 p.m. Admission for dinner and the lecture is $45 and admission for the lecture only is $20.

As always, Piedmont Arts is your holiday headquarters for Martinsville and Henry County. On Thursday, Dec. 5 from 4-6 p.m., they will host their annual Christmas Tree Lighting in the Gravely-Lester Art Garden. With crafts, holiday treats, live music, and a visit from Santa Claus, Ian Hogg’s spectacular tree will be lit and remain lit until the start of the new year. The Tree Lighting and Art Garden are always free and open to the public.

On Sunday, December 8, the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra’s Holiday Pops Spectacular will be performed at Martinsville High School at 3 p.m. This concert is one of the highly anticipated events of the year. Admission is $30 for reserved seating, $20 for general admission, and $10 for K-12 students.

Poet extraordinaire TJ Anderson III will present an art talk and poetry reading on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025. He will share his artistic journey and award-winning poetry. Steeped in jazz and history, his work is renowned for his experimentation with form and story. A reception will take place at 6:30 p.m. and his talk will start at 7 p.m. Admission for this event is free.

Piedmont Arts will also host their annual African American Read-In and Family Day on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025 at 10 a.m. This event will feature the read-in, arts and crafts, snacks, and entertainment from Fred Motley and Taye the Truth. Family Days are free to the public.

Piedmont Art’s Spring Fundraiser, Under the Big Top, will take place on Friday, March 7, 2025 at 7 p.m. Admission for this event will be $75. More details will be announced soon.

On Saturday, April 12, 2025, Piedmont Arts will host their second Art Festival in the Gravely-Lester Art Garden. This event will feature a giant puppet parade from the world-renowned troupe Paperhand Puppet Intervention in addition to showcasing the work of local artists, artisans, and crafters of all kinds. This event is free and open to the public.

Mid-Atlantic Touring and Piedmont Arts are proud to present, “Becoming Othello: A Black Girl’s Journey,” on Thursday, May 8, 2025. There will be a reception at 6:30 p.m. and the performance will begin at 7 p.m. This one-woman show created and performed by Debra Ann Byrd has toured all over the world with this tour-de-force living memoir. Tickets are $20 for general admission and $10 for students.

On Thursday, June 12, 2025, Piedmont Arts and Starling Cards and Comics will host the VMFA’s Christopher Irving for his lecture on the origin of American comic books, “Leaping Tall Buildings.” A reception will begin at 6:30 p.m. and the lecture will start at 7 p.m. This event was made possible by the VFMA’s statewide partnership program and is free to the public.

In addition to these amazing in-gallery events, Piedmont Arts will also be hosting two bus trips to area arts destinations. On Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 a bus will depart Piedmont Arts to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond, Virginia for their Fine Arts and Flowers exhibit. This all-day excursion will feature a group tour and other activities.

Another bus will be leaving Piedmont Arts on Sunday, May 4, 2025 to drive to the Durham Performing Arts Center for their touring Broadway production of “Kimberly Akimbo.” This production swept the 2023 Tony’s and is a beautiful tale of optimism and adventure. If you are interested in participating in either bus trip, please call the museum at 276-632-3221 for details.

Reservations and ticket sales are open now. Please call the museum at 276-632-3221 for information and details or check out the events pages on PiedmontArts.org.