Destination Bedford

6th Annual Edna Curry John Bower Exhibition
2020-02-19 11:00 - 16:00, 2020-02-20 11:00 - 16:00, 2020-02-21 11:00 - 16:00, 2020-02-22 11:00 - 16:00, 2020-02-25 11:00 - 16:00, 2020-02-26 11:00 - 16:00, 2020-02-27 11:00 - 16:00, 2020-02-28 11:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) and 6 more dates | Bower Center for the Arts, 309 North Bridge Street, Bedford, VA, United States
Gallery admission is always free! Open Tues-Sat, 11am-4pm.
Featuring a diverse collection of artwork by many local and regional artists, the Curry Bower exhibit honors the Center’s largest benefactors, Edna Curry and John Bower, whose generous contributions have made the Bower Center possible.
The exhibit’s unique open call for art brings in numerous artistic media, including, but not limited to painting, collage, photography, sculpture, fiber art, mixed media, mosaic, stained or fused glass, and more.
Enjoy the rich art talents in our region, on exhibit through March 14, 2020.
Awards:
Best in Show $750 & solo exhibit
2nd $400
3rd $200
Minimum of 3 Awards of Merit: $75 each
Awards reception: Feb 14, 5-8pm during 2nd Friday in Bedford
Presentations/comments by judge at 6pm
Refreshments served, free and open to the public.

February Lunchbox Lecture
2020-02-20 12:00 - 13:00 | Bedford Area Welcome Center, 816 Burks Hill Road, Bedford, VA, 24523, United States
Join the National D-Day Memorial on Thursday, February 20, 2020 at noon for the second installment of 2020’s Lunchbox Lecture series commemorating Black History Month with April Cheek-Messier, the President and CEO of the National D-Day Memorial Foundation.
All lectures are free to the public, livestreamed on Facebook, and held at the Bedford Area Welcome Center’s Community Room located at 816 Burks Hill Road, Bedford, VA. Guests are welcome to bring a lunch to enjoy during the programs.
Lecture Description:
During the course of World War II, over 600,000 African American women joined the American labor force to defeat tyranny abroad. Yet these women were mostly overlooked in the war time industry. Images of “Rosie the Riveter” have framed historical perceptions that distort the contributions of black women on the homefront by failing to acknowledge their service. In an effort to do their part for the war effort, African American women encountered racist policies, low pay, and often the most undesirable occupations. Some industries refused to hire them at all. In spite of this, African American women gained invaluable lessons and strength that would reveal itself in acts of resistance against segregation in the years to follow. During the war, African American women found a collective spirit that enabled them to challenge the future and create better life for themselves and those who would follow.
Learn more about upcoming lectures at www.dday.org/lunchbox-lecture-series.

Live Music: The Irish Round
2020-02-21 19:00 - 22:00 | Clam Diggers Pub and Eatery, 109 South Bridge Street, Bedford, VA, 24523, United States
Come see the Irish Round! Irish and folk musicians will be gathering from all over to play authentic Irish music just for YOU!

Forest Farmers Market
2020-02-22 08:00 - 12:00, 2020-02-29 08:00 - 12:00, 2020-03-07 08:00 - 12:00 | Forest Farmers Market, 15583 Forest Road, Forest, VA, 24523, United States
Virginia Grown Produce, meats, honey, flowers along with breads for locals to enjoy. The market is open the last week in April until the last week in Oct. Please come and enjoy the local food from our area.

Claytor Nature Center Family Hike
2020-02-22 10:00 - 11:00 | VA
Led by a Central Virginia Master Naturalist, the group will depart at 10 am to enjoy all that the trails at University of Lynchburg’s Claytor Nature Center has to offer!

Winter Weekends at Poplar Forest
2020-02-22 10:00 - 16:00, 2020-02-23 10:00 - 16:00, 2020-02-29 10:00 - 16:00, 2020-03-01 10:00 - 16:00, 2020-03-07 10:00 - 16:00 | Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest, 687 Poplar Forest Dr., Forest, VA, 24551, United States
Spend time as Jefferson did—in the home designed as his personal retreat. Read and relax in a historic setting, enjoy complimentary coffee and tea, explore our grounds or engage with special exhibits and vignettes at your own pace. And on Saturdays, join us for parlor talks led by experts on subjects related to Jefferson’s time.
PARLOR TALKS SCHEDULE
GROWING UP AT POPLAR FOREST
Saturday, March 7 at 1:00 p.m.
Discover what it was like to live at Poplar Forest. Stephen Watts, whose family was the last to own and live at Poplar Forest, shares his memories of growing up in Thomas Jefferson’s octagonal retreat.
OPENING WEEKEND TRAIL HIKE
Saturday, March 14 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Explore the natural landscape that captivated Thomas Jefferson. Join Dr. Eric Protesting, the Director of Archaeology and Landscapes at Poplar Forest, for an afternoon trek through the woodlands and meadows, and around the creeks on the plantation grounds.
HEARTH COOKING
Sunday, March 15 at 1:30 p.m.
Learn about the art of Hearth Cooking and ten Jefferson family recipes in the Founding Father’s own hand that survive today. Presented by Mary Kesler, Coordinator of Historical References and Themed Tours, and Vince Fastabend, Facilities Manager.
Winter Weekends are Saturdays and Sundays only from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.—last admittance at 3 p.m.

Live Music: Ricky Ellis and the Banjo Mites
2020-02-29 20:00 - 23:00 | Clam Diggers Pub and Eatery, 109 South Bridge Street, Bedford, VA, 24523, United States
Ricky Ellis and the Banjo Mites make their debut at The Clam! Featuring an all star 5 piece line up, killer vocal harmonies and excellent musicianship, the Banjomites are sure to entertain with their eclectic mix of music.

Paint n Play Found Objects at the Bower Center
2020-03-03 10:00 - 23:00 | Bower Center for the Arts, 309 North Bridge Street, Bedford, VA, United States
Paint ‘n Play Found Objects, Preschool Age + Up
Pine cones, shells, leaves, pipe cleaners, bottle caps and more, oh my! Little ones will learn to how to stamp, create patterns and make interesting marks with washable finger paints during this guided creative play session. Grown-ups welcome. Come, grab an apron, have fun and make beautiful pictures together.
An adult guardian must be present at all times. Adults must directly supervise all children 4 and under, and assist children with clean-up. Younger children may participate with finger painting. Wear washable clothing.
Instructor Shirl Sazynski has taught arts, writing and creativity classes to adults, teenagers and children through the University of Mexico, Albuquerque Public Libraries, Shelburne Craft School in Vermont and Louisville Visual Art. Her award-winning creative work and nonfiction has been published throughout multiple venues, including National Public Radio. Ms.Sazynski holds a B.A. in Narrative Through the Arts from Hollins University and studied Sequential Art (illustration and comics) at the Savannah College of Art and Design. •

Friends of Bedford Library Concert Series
2020-03-06 19:30 - 22:30 | Bedford Central Library, 321 North Bridge Street, Bedford, VA, United States
Celebrating its 10-Year Anniversary as a band, Celtic-American Roots music “super group”, RUNA continues to push the boundaries of Irish folk music. This concert will be held at the Bedford Public Library. Tickets are $15/person.

Kilroy's Kids at D-Day Memorial
2020-03-07 09:00 - 10:00 | National D-Day Memorial, 3 Overlord Circle, Bedford, VA, United States
The National D-Day Memorial is pleased to offer a free opportunity to make the site more comfortable for kids and adults with a variety of sensory differences. During Kilroy’s Kids, enjoy an early opening with limited crowds, no water/sound effects, self-guided tours of the Memorial, and activities in the Education Quonset Hut. Pre-registration is required and tickets are limited. For more information and to register, click here.

Saturday Story Time
2020-03-07 11:00 - 12:00 | Bedford Public Library, 305 North Bridge Street, Bedford, VA, 24523, United States
Saturday Story Time @ Bedford Central Library
Join us on the 1st Saturday of every month at 11:00 AM (unless the library is closed) for a new program filled with fun stories, songs, crafts and more! For children ages 0-5.
