Daily
Roanoke
Friday, May 1st, 2026
Good morning, Roanoke. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 1st of May.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Roanoke Area Ministries’ RAM House (a 50-year-old provider) will open a new One Stop to Home facility this summer on Elm Avenue. The headquarters will offer hot showers, meals, addiction treatment, and recovery groups, featuring a medical clinic, case management, and support from Roanoke City’s Homeless Assistance Team. WDBJ7
- ➤ Community School's 46th annual Strawberry Festival begins today at Elmwood Park. Organizers spent Thursday cleaning and slicing thousands of pounds of strawberries (for homemade desserts) to raise funds that support tuition assistance and hands-on learning. WDBJ7
- ➤ A local organization is hosting a fundraiser to provide free legal services for qualified residents — officials say the event will help fund legal advice and court representation for those in need. WDBJ7
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Rockbridge Historical Society will host a series on free Black Virginians—examining local historical achievements—at its historic site, with sessions starting soon to help residents learn about important contributions from the past. WDBJ7
- ➤ The film A Great Awakening shows the bond between preacher George Whitefield and Benjamin Franklin — a journey through early American history. It is playing at Valley View Theater through May 5. The Roanoke Star
- ➤ Carroll County musician Darien Dabbs, known as Foglord, blends dungeon synth with Appalachian folk music. His album Celestial is due in June and he will perform at Art Rat Studios in Roanoke on June 11 and at Appalachian Dungeon Fest in Whitesburg on June 13 — 14. WVTF
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Local gas prices increased on Thursday, Apr. 30 — consumers saw higher costs at nearby stations as refiners passed on rising supply expenses. Experts expect the trend to continue in the coming days. WDBJ7
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Roanoke City Public Schools will host two town hall meetings next week to discuss proposed attendance zone changes for four north-side elementary schools (Preston Park, Monterey, Round Hill and Westside). The plan aims to ease overcrowding and balance capacity as student populations shift since 2009. Cardinal News
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Roanoke City officials have launched a recyclable art contest to boost local recycling efforts & inspire innovative artwork from reused materials, with contest guidelines and deadlines available on the city website. WDBJ7
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ A new Pediatric ABA Program for children with autism will launch later this year in Roanoke, offering clinic-based intervention services modeled after the successful initiative in Charlottesville and continuing VIA Centers for Neurodevelopment's work after taking over the former BRAAC center. WFIR News
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Explore & Pour Festival
11 AM – 4 PM — Explore Park — $25 for wine tastings — Enjoy a full day of wine, live music from Latin Heat, and local artisan shopping in a scenic setting.
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Coppélia Performance
3-6 p.m. — Jefferson Center — Ticket prices vary — Experience the whimsical ballet where toys come to life in a magical toyshop.
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The Shoobies Live
5:30-8:30 p.m. — Parkway Brewing Company — Free entry — Experience live music in a vibrant brewery setting with rotating food trucks.
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The Darkside Experience - Pink Floyd Tribute
6:00 – 9:30 PM — 5 Points Music Sanctuary — Cost info not provided — Experience an authentic tribute to classic Pink Floyd that feels just like being there.
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Black Label Society Concert
7-10:30 p.m. — Salem Civic Center — Tickets from $33.75 — Experience the electrifying heavy metal sounds of Black Label Society alongside Zakk Sabbath and Dark Chapel.
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Hands-On Process Improvement Workshop for Spanish Speakers
8 AM – 12 PM — Virginia Western Community College — $275 — Engage in a hands-on workshop to learn effective process improvement techniques through interactive simulations.
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Leonard Blush and the Camelcals Live
5:30-9:30 p.m. — Parkway Brewing Company — Check event page for pricing — Enjoy an energetic blend of rock and roll and country with Leonard Blush and the Camelcals.
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Gary Allan Concert
8-9:30 p.m. — Salem Civic Center — Tickets starting at $31 — Experience the Southern rock sounds of Gary Allan live in concert.
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Dark Star Orchestra Concert
6-9 p.m. — Elmwood Park — Ticket prices vary — Experience the live sounds of Dark Star Orchestra under the stars in Roanoke's favorite park.
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Gasoline Alley Festival
8:30-11:30 p.m. — Elmwood Park — Free entry — Enjoy an outdoor celebration of music, arts, crafts, and family fun.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Think of giving not as a duty but as a privilege.
~ Andrew Carnegie
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