Welcome to the
Rebecca J. Graves Center for the Performing Arts

Victor Haskins

June 7 – 7:30 PM

Victor Haskins is a boundary-pushing multi-instrumentalist and composer known for his innovative approach to both music and multimedia art. Growing up in a military family exposed him to diverse cultures, fostering a deep appreciation for global influences that permeate his creative endeavors.

All About Jazz refers to Haskins as a “visionary performer, composer, and…an incorrigible explorer.” This is evidenced by his projects, Victor Haskins & Skein and ImproviStory, which have been featured at such varied venues as the Festival of New Trumpet Music (NYC), Richmond Jazz Festival, Christopher Newport University Trumpet Festival, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Sweet Briar College.

Beer Run Comedy

June 28 – 7:30 PM

Beer Run Comedy is a dynamic comedy group that brings the laughter and good times wherever they go. Led by the hilarious duo of Ray Jubela and Steve Tracy, the comedians of Beer Run guarantee a night filled with laughter and unforgettable moments.

Dwight Martin

July 4 – 6:00 PM

FREE! Party on the Plaza

July 4th – A great place to view the fireworks

Dwight Martin is an entertainer, guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter from Harrisonburg, VA.

His performances are fun and full of audience favorites. You’ll hear hits from past to present including classic rock, pop, blues, and a few country tunes.

Dwight is a modern one-man-band playing radio hits from the 60’s to the 2000’s.

Dwight played last year for July 4 and we love having him perform again.

Sparky & Rhonda Rucker

July 19 – 7:30 PM

Sparky and Rhonda Rucker perform throughout the U.S. as well as overseas, singing songs and telling stories from the American folk tradition. Sparky Rucker has been performing over fifty years and is internationally recognized as a leading folklorist, musician, historian, storyteller, and author. He accompanies himself with fingerstyle picking and bottleneck blues guitar, banjo, and spoons. Rhonda Rucker is a musician, children’s author, storyteller, and songwriter. Her blues-style harmonica, piano, old-time banjo, and bones add musical versatility to their performances.

 They take their audience on an educational and emotional journey that ranges from poignant stories of slavery and war to an amusing rendition of a Brer Rabbit tale or their witty commentaries on current events. Their music includes a variety of old-time blues, slave songs, Appalachian music, spirituals, ballads, work songs, Civil War music, railroad song

Their recording, Treasures & Tears, was nominated for a W.C. Handy Award, and their music is also included on the Grammy-nominated anthology, Singing Through the Hard Times.

Carmen Lynch

August 2 – 7:30 PM

Enjoy a comedy night with Carmen Lynch.

Carmen Lynch has two comedy specials: one in English titled Queef Week and one in Spanish called Carmen Lynch en Español (both streaming on YouTube.)

Carmen also has a multitude of late night TV appearances including The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Late Show with David Letterman, Conan and The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.

Carmen has also appeared on Inside Amy Schumer, That Damn Michael Che, Life & Beth and the documentary Hysterical (produced by Jessica Kirson.)

Carmen can be found on all social media @carmencomedian.

Rodney Jones

August 9 – 7:30 PM

Rodney Jones, a revolutionary force in the realm of jazz guitar, redefines tradition with a fearless innovation that echoes the pioneering spirit of John Coltrane and McCoy Tyner. He is a 2024 Guggenheim Fellow for Music Composition.

Born into a world pulsating with the rhythms of New Haven, Connecticut, in 1956, Jones’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of music. Raised in a household where the echoes of the blues mingled with the intellectual pursuits of academia, he absorbed the rich tapestry of influences that would shape his singular style.

But perhaps Jones’s greatest contribution lies in his role as a torchbearer for future generations of jazz musicians. As a professor at esteemed institutions such as The Juilliard School and The Manhattan School of Music, he has dedicated himself to passing on the torch of innovation to the next generation.

PAL Gala 

September 27

6:00 PM

Hat Contest, Mint Juleps, and More!

Abbey Road

October 25 – 7:30 PM

Abbey Road…The Ultimate Rock and Roll Party Band!…
are lifelong musicians and have been perfecting Abbey Road’s stage magic over 20 years.

They have been fans of the Beatles since they first appeared on the Ed Sullivan show and while they are not a Beatles look-alike band, their attention to detail from a musical and performance standpoint will keep your guests rocking!

Abbey Road’s goal is to bring the music of the greatest band in history to life for your event and to make you the hero of the day!

From “I Wanna Hold Your Hand” to “Let It Be” you will hear all of the great hits from the beginning of the Beatles career to it’s finale and you’ll also discover a wide variety of crowd-pleasing classic Rock and Roll favorites that the Lads from Liverpool covered like, “Please Mister Postman”, “Twist and Shout”, “Roll Over Beethoven”, “You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me” and other early covers performed by the Beatles.

Gay Men’s Chorus
of Washington, D.C.
November 1 – 7:30 PM

Original blends of song, dance, and storytelling.

The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC (GMCW) sings to inspire equality and inclusion with musical performances and education promoting justice and dignity for all.

GMCW is the LGBTQ+ voice of equality in the nation’s capital. We are a renowned performance group. Since 1981, we’ve performed shows nationally, internationally, and at-home in Washington, DC.

To date, we have 250+ singing members. Four select ensembles. Five hundred donors. One dance company. One youth chorus. And an annual audience of 10,000+. Our mission is to use music to promote equality, achieve justice, and overcome our differences. That — and put on one hell of a show in the process.

Brent Gordon
November 8 – 7:30 PM

With Peter Fontanese
Saxaphonist / Vocalist and Guitarist

Brent graduated from Shepherd University with a music education degree and has embraced the stage the way he did the practice room when he was a student. He is an accomplished saxophonist and vocalist performing music in any genre. His fiery soulful vocals and powerful sax rich with improvisation are captivating and provide distinct energy to each and every performance.

Luray native Brent Gordon has performed with BB King, The Temptations, and The Commitments.

He will perform with Peter Fontanese, an established string and vocal artist based in Vail, CO.

This polished duo is primed to deliver pop, country, Americana, classic rock, jazz and R and B.

Glen Shelton
December 6 – 7:30 PM

Annual Christmas in the Valley

National Recording artist, Glen Shelton, has charted two Top 50 singles on the National Music Row Country Breakout Chart! Glen has shared the stage with more than 50 well known National Acts, performed at hundreds of events and venues, and has been endorsed by multiple National Acts.

Glen lives by a personal code of Faith in God, Focus on Family, and Commitment to Country. Recent releases Play for Mama, Before You, and I’m All In are examples of his mainstream country style and traditional American values.

Beyond his personal code, his ultimate passions are MUSIC and FOOTBALL. Glen has been feeding his passion for football his entire life, as a wide receiver in his high school and college days, and then coaching the next generation. His new release Play for Mama, a sentiment to that life.

Don’t miss out on new releases, live shows, and fun Glen antidotes.

Thank you to all of our PAL Sponsors

The Barbara & George Lawton Jazz Series