Destination Bedford

10th Annual Edna Curry/John Bower Exhibition
2024-03-08 11:00 - 15:00, 2024-03-07 11:00 - 15:00, 2024-03-06 11:00 - 15:00, 2024-03-05 11:00 - 15:00, 2024-03-02 11:00 - 15:00, 2024-03-01 11:00 - 15:00, 2024-02-29 11:00 - 15:00, 2024-02-28 11:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) and 11 more dates | Bower Center for the Arts, 309 North Bridge Street, Bedford, VA, United States
Named to honor the Center’s primary benefactors, whose generous contributions have made the Bower Center possible, this exhibit annually brings in diverse collections of 150+ artworks by 50+ artists including paintings, mixed media, photography, sculpture, and more. Much of the artwork is for sale and awaiting its new home in yours.
Dr. Bower’s love for the Bedford community and desire for an inclusive art center inspired this unique judged exhibit, accepting all artist entries and offering a platform for all who wish to participate. This exhibit proves each year to be varied and exciting for all ages.
Exhibit entry is free. Gallery admission is free.

Still Life Series at Claytor Nature Center
2024-03-07 14:30 - 16:30 | Claytor Nature Center, 1844 Woods Road, Bedford, VA, 24523, United States
This is a 4-part series of weekly art classes that will take place each Thursday in March starting from March 7 through March 28 and will be held from 2:30pm-4:30pm.
A one time registration fee of $50 covers the entire series of classes.
Your purchase supports our mission and allows us to steward the land and provide meaningful, educational programs to people of all ages.
Click Here to Register. Registration fees are non-refundable.
Class Information:
Materials: Materials will not be provided but all you need are basic materials: a sketch pad at least 9×12” (plain white paper is fine) and a pencil. Optional materials include: 18×24 Newsprint pad, pencils ranging from B to 6B, kneaded eraser, sharpener, white eraser. (Amazon has kits that contain all.) A drawing board large enough to accommodate the pad, clips or a large rubber band for holding the sketch pad.

Course details: Each class will begin with warm up exercises, such as blind contour drawings, quick sketches, or gesture drawings. In drawing from direct observation, you’ll use a variety of techniques including contour lines, positive and negative space, perspective, sighting of angles and measurements. The instructor will demonstrate each activity and discuss the concepts as you practice them. Class critiques will create a community and allow students to verbalize skills learned.
Experience: Experience not necessary! This is for beginners as well as more experienced artists. Ages 18 and up.

SML State Park Winter Lecture Series
2024-03-03 15:00 - 16:00 | Smith Mountain Lake State Park, 1235 State Park Road, Huddleston, VA, United States
Join the Friends of Smith Mountain Lake State Park for the 15th Annual Winter Lecture Series at the Smith Mountain Lake State Park Discovery Center.
Winter Lecture Series
Sundays: 3:00pm – 4:00pm

January 7: Virginia Flying Squirrels
Presented By: Dr. Todd Fredericksen, Ferrum College
February 4: Virginia Ruffner & B.T. Washington
Presented By: Sheridan Brown, Booker T. Washington National Monument
March 3: The Changing Climate
Presented By: Dr. Michael Bentley, University of Tennessee, Knoxville (retired)
April 7: The Amazing Life of Bees
Presented By: Ann Zudekoff, Piedmont Beekeepers Association
Ticket Prices
Single – $10.00
Season Ticket – $30
FSMLSP Members – $8
Prices include Parking Fee – All tickets paid at door
For more information call: Smith Mountain Lake State Park 540.297.6066

Noah Spencer at Beacon Pub
2024-03-03 14:00 - 16:00 | Beacon Seafood Pub at The Virginia Dare Marina, 3619 Airport Rd., Moneta, VA, 24121, United States
Come listen to great live music by Noah Spencer while eating delicious food!
Noah Spencer, from Richlands, Virginia, is known for his ability to cover country, rock, and pop. He was recently a contestant on The Voice!

Bedford Humane Society Adoption Event
2024-03-03 13:00 - 16:00 | Bedford Humane Thrift Store, 1100 Celebration Avenue, Suite 103, Bedford, Virginia, 24121
Adoption Event and Pop Up Thrift Store opening!
Adoption: Please pre-apply at bhsva.org so your adoption application can be reviewed and approved prior to the event.

Nanny Prims Open House
2024-03-03 10:00 - 15:00 | Nannys Prims & Decor, 1072 corporate park drive, Foresy, VA, 24551, United States
Come to Nanny Prim’s & Décor for this Spring Open House! 30+ wonderful vendors, food vendors, 50/50 raffles, bounce house and more!

Barefoot Modern In Concert at Bower Center for the Arts
2024-03-02 18:00 - 20:00 | Bower Center for the Arts, 309 North Bridge Street, Bedford, VA, United States
North Carolina Based, Barefoot Modern captures and combines a variety of influences, all grounded in pop-rock classicism.
But this is no backward-looking tribute band; rather, Barefoot Modern’s original works showcase a sound undeniable their own.
Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door.
Student Discounts:
18 and Under use code STUDENT1
19+ use code STUDENT2
Click here for tickets and more information.

Viking Day At The Meadery
2024-03-02 12:00 - 17:00 | The Meadery at Graham Ordinary, 8578 Peaks Rd, Bedford, Virginia, 24523
Join the Viking LARP Group, “The Companions” for a day of thrilling demos, immersive Viking culture/games, unforgettable experiences, and photo ops!

Local Blacksmith and crafter, Peter Buchannan will also be on-site!
**Embrace your inner HERO and come be a part of the epic ADVENTURE!**

Pet Photos with the Easter Bunny
2024-03-02 10:00 - 13:00 | Woods Goods & Mercantile, 2770 W Lynchburg Salem Tpke, Bedford, VA, 24523, United States
Pet photos with the Easter Bunny $15 each. Children are also welcome 🙂
You will leave with a 5×7 photo in a framed Easter Card and our photographer will email you an enhanced photo that you can print more copies of and share with your friends and family on social media.
The Emmadale Takeout food truck and Goel Coffee food truck will be set up for this event. Bring your family and friends, get your photo taken, enjoy hanging out shopping from local crafters and have lunch and coffee/smoothie together.

Murder Mystery
2024-02-17 18:00 - 21:00 | Bower Center for the Arts, 309 North Bridge Street, Bedford, VA, United States
Join the Bower Center for the Arts on February 17, 2024 from 6:00-9:00 PM for A Murder at the Gin Joint! This is an interactive murder mystery event where you will play a character, solve clues, and interrogate all of the suspects. You will laugh, talk, eat, and drink. In the end you will decide who committed the crime using your detective skills.
Immerse yourself into the Roaring 20’s while solving the mystery. Costumes are not required but encouraged. All participants will complete a short survey so their character can be developed specifically for them. There are all levels of involvement. Maybe you’ll be the murderer!
Tickets are $45 per person/ $80 per couple and include the game, light food, non alcoholic beverages and one drink ticket per person. Cash bar including wine, beer & a signature cocktail will be available. Raffle tickets will also be sold to enter to win several themed prizes!
Everyone will get their character role at the event. Tickets are non-refundable. This is an adults only event. Please arrive by 5:45 PM to get checked in.
Get your tickets here, as this is always a sold out event!

Seminar at Poplar Forest
2024-02-17 11:00 - 15:30 | Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest, 687 Poplar Forest Dr., Forest, VA, 24551, United States
Come to Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest for these two seminars: Historic Hearth Cooking Seminar on February 3rd and Historic Photography Seminar on February 17.
Admission is $30 and includes admission to the property and self-guided exhibits; reservations are encouraged as spots are limited.
Click here for more information and to register.

Opera on the James at the Bower Center
2024-02-10 18:30 - 20:00 | Bower Center for the Arts, 309 North Bridge Street, Bedford, VA, United States
Talented young performers bring an evening of melodies and vocal fireworks to music lovers at the Bower Center for the Arts!
Opera on the James has selected four Tyler Young Artists for your enjoyment. They are the cream of the crop in the vocal world: up-and-coming stars of the future in residence right here in our community. They bring world-wise sophistication and down-home charm to enrich our cultural and social environment.
With some of the greatest and most beloved tunes from stage, screen and opera, this program is sure to please everyone from opera aficionados to those who just love a good toe-tapping song! Advance registration recommended.
Ticket sales from this event are considered a donation and go to support youth performing arts programs at Bower Center for The Arts.
Complimentary Tickets: If you wish to attend and not make a donation, please use the Promo Code COMP at checkout.
Click here for tickets.
