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Saturday, April 6

“Natural Virginia” art exhibit and sale – call for entries: This juried show will be on display in The Arts Center @ 319 (319 Main St., downtown Smithfield) from May 1 through June 30. It is open to original artwork in all mediums depicting the flora and fauna of the natural places in Virginia. Submit your entry form, fee and images of artwork no later than Tuesday, April 16. The form and details are available at www.smithfieldarts.com/artist-alerts.html, or call 357-7707 for more information.

BBQ Pork Butt: This will be sold beginning at 10 a.m. until all is gone in the True Value parking lot, South Church Street, Smithfield A whole BBQ Pork Butt only $25 will feed the whole family with plenty of leftovers. Fish and fries with a soft drink or water only $8; just fish or fries for $4. The fundraiser is for the Smithfield Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8545. All funds will be dedicated to sustaining their efforts in supporting the local community.

Lecture at Historic St. Luke’s: Outreach coordinator and museum interpreter John Ericson will speak on the topic, “From Religious Wars to Religious Freedom” today from 1 to 2 p.m. Site is at 14477 Benns Church Blvd., Smithfield. Cost is $15 per person, advance ticket purchase encouraged, light refreshments provided. Ericson will present on the devastating carnage of the religious wars of the late 16th and early 17th centuries and how these events impacted the Enlightenment and the movement towards religious freedom. Call 357-3367 or visit www.historicstlukes.org.

 

Monday, April 8

College board meeting: The next meeting of the Paul D. Camp Community College Local College Board is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. in the Regional Workforce Development Center, 100 N. College Dr., Franklin.

 

Wednesday, April 10

Youth art classes: Artist Diane Greenhalgh teaches fundamental drawing principles, painting and color theory for young artists ages 6 to 12 in The Arts Center @ 319 (319 Main St., downtown Smithfield) on Wednesdays from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Classes will be on April 10 and 24. Each month, new projects will be offered to advance students’ skill and knowledge. Registration is required five days prior to the first session. The fee is $40 for Isle of Wight Arts League members and $50 for non-members. For more information or to register, call 357-7707 or email info@smithfieldarts.org.

Oyster roast: The Chuckatuck Ruritan Club will have its 43rd annual Oyster Roast from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Rose Farm on Everets Road. Tickets are $35 in advance ($40 at the gate) and are available at Pretlow & Pretlow, P.C., 100 Bank St., Suffolk, Saunders Supply Company in Chuckatuck and the office of Dr. J. Dwight Bradshaw and Dr. Brian Briesemeister, Suffolk.

 

Thursday, April 11

Tell Me A Story: Starting at 10 a.m., this program, geared for children ages 3 to 5, introduces youngsters to the symbols of Isle of Wight County and features books, songs and games. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Theme: Bunnies. This will be in the Isle of Wight County Museum, 103 Main St., Smithfield. Call 356-1223 or visit www.historicisleofwight.com,

 

Friday, April 12

Bethlehem Ruritan Jam: Randy Grigg and The Flatland Bluegrass Band will perform from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the clubhouse, 140 Manning Road, Suffolk. The band will play for tips only, so please donate generously. Refreshments will be available to buy. Call George Fowler at 617-5955 for details.

 

Saturday, April 13

Dance at VFW 4411: The Wild Country Band from Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, will perform from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. in the smoke-free Charles Butler Hall of the Sgt. Jayton D. Patterson VFW Post 4411, 3385 Beaver Dam Road, Franklin. Admission is free, but donations for the band will be accepted. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.

 

Thursday, April 18

Craft and Chat: This takes place from 9 a.m. to noon on the third Thursday of each month. If you like scrapbooking, quilting, knitting, crocheting or making any other crafts, come to the Smithfield Library, 255 James St. Call 357-2264 for details.

 

Friday, April 26

Bethlehem Ruritan Jam: Luke Willette and the Shoe Me Band will perform country, oldies and gospel from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the clubhouse, 140 Manning Road, Suffolk. The band will play for tips only, so please donate generously. Refreshments will be available to buy. Call George Fowler at 617-5955 for details.

 

Saturday, April 27

Ghosts and Saints of Olde Towne Smithfield: The Olde Towne Smithfield Group — a coalition of the 1750 Courthouse, Isle of Wight County Museum and Christ Episcopal Church — will present this event from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. It will begin with a lecture on Hampton Roads Murder & Mayhem by Nancy E. Sheppard in the Isle of Wight County Museum. From 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., a BBQ lunch will be offered at CEC (adults $12, children $8) with children’s plant and art activities and wildlife photography. At 1, 1:30 and 2 p.m., Val Johnson will present the shadow theater presentation “A Patriot in Petticoats” at the 1750 Courthouse. At 4 p.m., Steve Edwards, director, will present Pasture #3 in concert at CEC, with tours of the church from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Contributions to CEC for its Preservation Fund will be accepted. Finally, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., ghost walks will begin at the 1750 Courthouse. Purchase tickets for the ghost walks in advance from the Visitor’s Center: adults $8, children ages 6-12 $5. Ghost walks will be every 15 minutes.

 

Sunday, April 28

Sundays at Four: Christ Episcopal Church, 111 S. Church St., downtown Smithfield, will present the Virginia Wesleyan Choirs as its Sundays at Four concert, held at 4 p.m. Tickets will be sold at the door: adults $20 and students $5. For more information, call 675-5777.

 

Thursday, May 2

Jewelry workshop – basic wire work: This class will be held in The Arts Center @ 319 (319 Main St., downtown Smithfield) from 1 to 4 p.m., and will include creating wire loops to hang pendants, charms and earrings. Students will make two paris of earrings. The cost is $20 for Isle of Wight Arts League members and $30 for non-members. To register, call 357-7707 no later than Thursday, April 25, to reserve your space.

 

Saturday, May 4

Artisan Market in Capron: This free event will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Gallery 1606, 18001 Southampton Parkway, which is at the corner of Main Street and 58. Spring shopping with artisans and crafters featuring soil and watercolor paintings, local authors and books, folk art, herbal soaps, stained glass creations, silver jewelry, Drewryville Woman’s Club bake sale, handcrafted and repurposed furniture, forged metal art, hand crafted pens, quilts, handwoven wearable art, knit and crochet home goods, folk art, pottery, carved and turned wood, hand-crafted knives, handmade brooms, metal art and Native American crafts. Free parking avaiable; reservations required for free vendor space. For more information, email gallery1606@gmail.com or call 434-658-4454.