Good morning, Roanoke.

Children’s Trust planted more than 3,000 pinwheels at the Community Arboretum at Virginia Western Community College on Thursday morning to raise awareness about child abuse and neglect in the region.

The display will remain on view for the entire month of April.

Roanoke families will bowl free, shred documents and get fraud tips at Strike Out Scams hosted by AARP Virginia on April 17 at AMF Hilltop Lanes—registration is required to choose a time slot from 3 to 5 p.m. or 5 to 7 p.m.

At about 7:15 p.m. Wednesday, Roanoke County Fire and Rescue responded to a kitchen fire at Ridgeview Apartments on the 5300 block of Hawthorne Road that caused $40,000 in damages, water damage in several units, and displaced two residents — sprinklers contained the blaze and officials determined it was caused by discarded smoking materials.

On April 2, Roanoke County Fire and Rescue responded to a fire at Ridgeview Apartments on Hawthorne Road that caused $40,000 in damage, water damage to several apartments, and displaced two residents as investigators said discarded smoking materials sparked the fire—no injuries were reported.

Trenton Frye, accused of killing ex-girlfriend Katlyn Montgomery in 2022, faced his fourth day at trial after a Bedford County judge ruled that the defense’s cellphone data expert may only testify about his work on this case.

Roanoke will host Reclaiming Our Roots: America’s Native Food Trail in Virginia, Amplifying Indigenous Women’s Voices on April 12th from 2 PM to 5 PM at the Historic Fishburn Mansion (714 13th St SW), where indigenous leaders Victoria Persinger Ferguson and René Locklear White will share insights on food sovereignty and traditional dietary practices. The free event is part of a spring series hosted by the Roanoke Foodshed Network and supported by City Arts and Cultural funding.

April is Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month as the American Parkinson Disease Association teaches about symptoms, treatment and support for those with the disease.

The APDA Virginia Chapter helps with programs such as the Good-Start Program and PRESS Program—while registration is open for the Virginia Parkinson’s Conference on September 6 at the Salem Civic Center.

This week LewisGale celebrated five years of its hospital-based midwifery services that deliver about 30 babies a month and care for women from adolescence to menopause, serving Roanoke, Salem and the New River Valley.

The practice started on April 1st and now has seven midwives who plan to expand their team in the coming years — a move aimed at meeting local demand.

Carmina Burana: O Fortuna

8 p.m. — Berglund Center — Ticket prices vary — Experience the powerful choral music of Carmina Burana under the direction of renowned conductor David Stewart Wiley.

Joanne Shaw Taylor Live

8:00 – 9:30 PM — Jefferson Center — $6 box office fee — Experience an electrifying night of pop, soul, and blues-rock with Joanne Shaw Taylor and her stellar band.

Reflections on Water: Art, Music & Science Evening

7-9 p.m. — Taubman Museum of Art — Free entry — Dive into an interdisciplinary evening blending local art, music, and community reflections on water.

Ripe Concert in Roanoke

6:30-11:00 p.m. — 5 Points Music Sanctuary — Ticket information available — Experience indie pop grooves and anthems for better days ahead with Ripe's live performance.

Of Good Nature Concert in Roanoke

6:30-11 p.m. — 5 Points Music Sanctuary — Check venue for cost — Experience vibrant tunes and heartfelt grooves from Of Good Nature and opener Cam Clark.

Views and Brews E-Bike Tour

2-5 p.m. — Roanoke Mountain Adventures — Cost info not provided — Enjoy a scenic 11-mile e-bike tour through Roanoke’s beautiful Blue Ridge vistas and local brews.

The Magnetic Fields - 69 Love Songs Performance

Apr 14-15 — Jefferson Center — Ticket prices vary — Celebrate the 25th anniversary of '69 Love Songs' with a full performance by The Magnetic Fields over two nights.

The Magnetic Fields Live Concert

3:30-4:30 p.m. — Jefferson Center — Ticket pricing available — Celebrate the 25th anniversary of 69 Love Songs with an unforgettable live performance.

SunSquabi Concert

8:00 – 9:30 PM — 5 Points Music Sanctuary — $40 — Experience an electrifying evening with SunSquabi in Roanoke's intimate venue.

Ashes & Arrows Concert

7 PM – 1 AM — The Grandin Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Experience captivating vocals and thoughtful lyrics from this talented musical group.