ACADEMY CENTER OF THE ARTS

Thousands of dollars are headed to Jefferson Forest High School’s theatre program thanks to “A Knight with Kendall.”

‘A Knight with Kendall,’ originally promoted as a ‘drag extravaganza,’ took centerstage at Lynchburg’s Academy Center of the Arts on Thursday after it was moved from Jefferson Forest High School due to residents’ concerns.

During the performance, the center said that umbrellas will fly, fabrics will soar over the audience, balloons will swallow people, and snow will swirl and fill the stage – Air Play performances bring life to the air, transforming ordinary objects into uncommon beauty.

The festival, originally slated for August 26 & 27 at Riverfront Park, isn’t going to happen this year, and the Academy Center of the Arts said the lack of outdoor amenities is to blame.

As the country recognizes Juneteenth as a national holiday, a celebration in the Hill City aims to help people understand the history.

Events happening this weekend.

The Academy Center of the Arts announced its return to live music with a concert in May, June and July.

During the month of October, the Academy Center of the Arts is hosting an art supply drive to collect enough to create kits for 1,200 students. With parents and students focused on so many things, the art center doesn’t want the value of art to get lost. There is a specific list of art supplies to fit the designated project, fall Q-tip trees. Items collected during Academy Center of the Arts' art supply drive will go into kits for 1,200 Lynchburg City Public Schools students. Once the supply drive is over, the Academy will create kits that feature supplies as well as a step-by-step guide.

ROANOKE, Va. The first industry to shut down in March due to COVID-19 will likely be the last to open back up. Thats why many venues, from the Berglund Center in Roanoke to the Academy Center of the Arts in Lynchburg, were lit up red Wednesday night. Multiple spots in downtown Bristol also joined the Red Alert Movement to raise awareness about the impact the pandemic has had on the entertainment industry. Just in our area, theres been millions of dollars lost just in our industry. Industry leaders are pushing for Congress to pass the Re-Start Act, which would offer relief to struggling businesses like live event venues.

The Harrington Gallery is filled with posters, photography, paintings, portraits and more; all created by black artists.

LYNCHBURG, Va. Some businesses will fully reopen under Phase Two of Virginias reopening guidelines, but for places like the Academy Center of the Arts in Lynchburg, reopening is going to be slow. The theater is still closed but under Phase Two, the center can open its art gallery and education rooms again. I know parents are wanting to get kids out of the house and engaged and also engaged with their peers, which is really important. With that though were taking a high level of safety measures and taking CDC recommendations really, really seriously, said executive director Geoff Kershner. The academy will continue some programs online, and some involve an actress from NBCs Blacklist show.