April 25th – Chef inspiration of traditional Italian favorites, including Pasta Norma, Broccoli and Garlic. Limited number of gluten-free available by prior notice. Please call or email for reservations. Times: 12:45 to 3:15. Cost is $8 per person. chianti@swva.net

Members of 16 Hands will be hosting their fall studio tour on two weekends this year. The tours will be November 22nd, 23rd, 28th, 29th, and 30th.

In addition to the artists members of the group, each studio will host visiting artists and apprentices at the studios.

Volunteers analyze a quilt for the statewide research project. Area quilt owners can bring quilts to the Jax Center on Oct. 18, from 10 am to 4 pm for a Quilt Documentation & Discovery Day.

Quilts tell us about our past. That is why quilt historians are looking for local quilts and stories about the makers to add to a statewide research project. On Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014 volunteers from the Floyd Quilt Guild and the Virginia Consortium of Quilters will be photographing and recording information about quilts from 10 am to 4 pm at the Jacksonville Center for the Arts.

Quilt owners are asked to bring their quilts and family history to add to the state’s database. Quilts will be measured, patterns identified, dated, and photographed. Owners can learn about their quilts, about care, and storage. No appointment is needed. Documentation is free and will be handled first come/first served. Owners are requested to bring a photograph of the quilt maker, if available, for copying. There is a limit of three quilts per person. (more…)

The 48th Annual Floyd County Fall Arts and Crafts Festival sponsored by the GFWC Floyd County Woman’s Club will be held on October 4th-5th, 2014 (Saturday 9AM-5PM and Sunday 12 Noon-5PM) at Floyd High School.

Over 180 crafts and food vendors. Free Parking. Free Admission.

Shuttle bus to and from Courthouse and Floyd Recreation Park. For more information, please visit us on the web at floydcountywomansclub.org/arts-crafts-festival.

Contact Carlotta Summers the Event Chairman for vendor questions at 540-789-7486 or by email at pofarm@swva.net.

Join Lesia Linkous for a traditional dance lesson before the Friday Night Jamboree on September 26th from 5:00pm to 6:00pm.

Flatfooting and clogging are the mainstays of the dance floor at The Friday Night Jamboree. These are traditional Appalachian dance styles handed down through the generations. There is a magic synchrony that happens when the band and the dancers are working together.

The cost is $15 at the door (students $10).

Kira will be performing with Americana guitarist/songwriter, Scott Barkan, on July 9th at 6pm at Oddfella’s Cantina & Tapas in Floyd. Kira has been writing and performing for audiences around the country since she was 17. At times solo, and others, accompanied by tasty, textural electric guitar.

For more information about Kira Velella and her music, visit kiravelella.com

photo credit: Roger Gupta

The festival, which takes place July 23rd – 27th, is offering attendees a fully loaded 5-day staycation with even more opportunities to enjoy music, healing arts, the outdoors, and more, all in a pristine and intimate setting in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

“From new festival activities, to improved logistics, to a re-vamped artist lineup, we’re continuing to re-invent and revolutionize the summer music festival,” says Kris Hodges, FloydFest’s CEO and Co-Founder. “We believe FloydFest fans will love and appreciate the refreshed approach we’ve taken to the festival this year, giving them an intimate, yet multi-faceted experience.” (more…)

Every Friday through October, local artists will be sharing their creations at the downtown Community Pavilion. The community is invited to enjoy shopping, art demonstrations, local food, and music.

The market is open every Friday evening from 5pm to 9pm. The Pavilion is located across the street from the Floyd Country Store. For more information 540-745-7333 or floydartisantrail.org

Blacksnake Meadery will be hosting a mead and music event on June 21st.

All are invited to relax on their Sippin’ Porch for an intimate musical experience. Enjoy mead and music by Ron Ireland.

Ron is a songwriter and performer based in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. His style successfully mixes traditional, country, folk, blues, and gospel.

For more information call 540-834-6172 or visit blacksnakemead.com

$5 tasting fee. Tasting hours: 11-5, music 1-4.

The tiny house tour is a fundraiser for Sustain Floyd, a local non-profit working to leverage and preserve traditional strengths in agriculture and craftsmanship to help build a resilient local economy.

TOUR: Saturday-May 17- 10 am-4 pm- The SustainFloyd Tiny House Tour will be a self-guided driving tour to 5-tiny houses and a yurt throughout beautiful Floyd County, VA. Tickets are limited! Tickets ($15) available at www.sustainfloyd.org or the Floyd Country Store.

FILM: Saturday-May 17- 6:30 p.m.- SustainFloyd will screen the documentary, “TINY: A Story About Living Small” at the Floyd Country Store. The film follows one couple’s attempt to build a “tiny house” from scratch, and profiles other families who have downsized their lives into homes smaller than the average parking space. 6:30 p.m. Tickets, $5 at door