Culpeper-area community briefs for July 25, 2024 (2024)

Shakespeare at the Ruins final weekend

Catch the final weekend of “The Comedy of Errors” at 7:30 p.m. tonight, Friday and Saturday at the Historic Barboursville Ruins in Orange County.

Gates open at 6 p.m. Advance tickets only are $25 online or through the Box Office. All seats are general admission.

The series returns with support from Barboursville Vineyards, Mary Lou and Charlie Seilheimer and Orange County Virginia Tourism. Performances will be at the vineyard at the historic ruins of Gov. James Barbour’s mansion, designed by Thomas Jefferson and destroyed by fire on Christmas Day 1884.

“Nestled in the beautiful boxwoods surrounding the Barboursville Ruins, audiences will be treated to a magical midsummer evening — complete with picnics, local food trucks, Barboursville wines and an unforgettable performance of one of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies.”

Summer Sale at the Culpeper fieldhouse

Culpeper County Parks & Recreation says “Shop till you drop,” at the Summer Sale, happening 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the fieldhouse, in the sports complex at 16388 Competition Dr.

With over 95 registered artisan and craft vendors, the Summer Sale is sure to be a shopper’s delight. Admission is free and open to the public.

This event will feature vendors selling a variety of homemade and handcrafted goods — from unique jewelry to tumblers and candles to lotions. See culpeperrecreation.com or contact Parks & Recreation at 540/727-3412.

Piedmont Dems Summer Rally on Saturday

The 8th Annual Piedmont Dems Summer Rally and Fundraiser for 7th District Congressional candidate Eugene Vindman will take place 3-5 p.m. Saturday in Orange County.

Guest speakers will be Rep. Abigail Spanberger; Trenton Fisher, Vice President of the Charlottesville Area Young Democrats; Emily Hamm, Democratic Party of Virginia Political Director; and Tonya James, Virginia Political Director for the Harris campaign.

Tickets start at $25 per person at actblue.com, Piedmont Dems Summer Rally. The address is provided after registration.

‘Modern Times,’ ‘Nutty Professor’ on Mount Pony

“Smiles on a Summer Night” continues a sizzling theme this weekend in the free July film series in the Packard Campus Theater on Mount Pony.

At 7:30 p.m. Friday, experience Charlie Chaplin’s “Modern Times” (United Artists, 1936). Chaplin writes, directs, produces and stars in his final performance as the Tramp, a character beloved for his mischievous antics and signature walk. With the help of an orphaned girl (Paulette Goddard), he faces the challenges of a changing, industrialized world. This iconic part-talkie was one of the first 25 titles selected for the National Film Registry. Film is black and white, running 87 minutes.

At 2 p.m. Saturday, it’s “The Nutty Professor” (Paramount, 1963), the Jerry Lewis version. Dr. Julius Kelp is a nerdy klutz who creates an elixir that turns him into the suave playboy, Buddy Love. Unfortunately, Buddy can’t control when he’ll change back into Julius and the personality split leads to hilarious side effects. The Library of Congress is the proud home of Jerry Lewis’s personal film collection, donated by the comedian himself. Film is in color, running 107 minutes.

Return at 7:30 p.m. Saturday to watch, “Hundreds of Beavers” (SRH, 2022). In this 19th century, supernatural winter epic, a drunken applejack salesman must go from zero to hero and become North America’s greatest fur trapper by defeating hundreds of beavers. Inspired by comedies from the 1920s and 1930s, including “Modern Times,” the film was hailed as “a marvel of slapstick invention that puts most big-screen comedies to shame.” Film is in color, running 108 minutes.

The Library of Congress Packard Campus of the National Audio-Visual Conservation Center is at 19053 Mount Pony Road in Culpeper. Access to the campus parking lot for the film series begins one hour before show time, entrance into the building begins 45 minutes before the show and the theater opens for seating 30 minutes before the curtain.

Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Seating is first-come, first-served. Patrons must go through a metal detector upon entering and no large parcels, purses, backpacks, pocket knives or other weapons are permitted. See loc.gov/avconservation/theater. Request ADA accommodations five business days in advance at 202/707-6362 or ADA@loc.gov.

Jazz concert at Possum’s Store in Criglersville

Possum’s Store in Criglersville, Madison County, continues the season’s concert series at 6:30 p.m. Saturday night with Dunlap and Mabe.

Both masters of their instruments, they play a mix of original tunes, classic bluegrass numbers, jazz favorites and covers anyone would recognize. With roots planted firmly in bluegrass, they stretch their sound in ways that all audiences will enjoy and leave the performance wanting more.

Dunlap and Robert Mabe have been touring the country together since 2019 and have performed and recorded with Larry Keel, Gina Furtado and Valerie Smith and Liberty Pike. They have also performed at the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall and Forbes Center for the Performing Arts in Harrisonburg.

A unique venue, Possum’s Store offers intimate concerts with outstanding musicians in an acoustically rich historic space. Many musicians are world-class artists who perform with internationally known artists and love to bring their talent to the beautiful Blue Ridge valley for a more personal musical experience, according to concert series publicity.