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roanoke virginia

Buzzing in California! 900 416 Michael Hemphill

Buzzing in California!

BUZZ is now on in California!

Carol Jessee, former executive director of Southwest Virginia Ballet, which we featured in our first episode in 2020, texted us: “Just got a note from a friend who lives in LA saying he turned his TV on and there I was! The ballet Buzz4good was on!!! WOW! Congrats!”

Turns out KVCR Public Media in San Bernardino picked up our show off of the NETA (National Educational Telecommunications Association) platform and is airing it Sundays at 4:30 pm Pacific.

Thank you Blue Ridge PBS for offering BUZZ to public television across the U.S. Now audiences everywhere can see firsthand what a caring and beautiful region is our beloved Virginia’s Blue Ridge.

We’re buzzing in Cali!

Free BUZZ Concert features Addie Levy + Domino 900 506 Michael Hemphill

Free BUZZ Concert features Addie Levy + Domino

Dear friends:

In addition to BUZZ, I also work for the nonprofit Friends of the Blue Ridge, which recently introduced me to the multi-talented Addie Levy.

The 21-year-old Radford native – who now splits her time between Nashville and Dollywood – headlined Friends’ ON THE RISE concerts in Roanoke and Asheville featuring phenomenal up-and-coming Bluegrass sensations.

Addie recently shared with me that she’s formed a Nashville-based trio called Domino, and hoped to find a place to perform in Roanoke on April 14. (Click here to take a listen.)

Well, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to provide some buzz. So I reached out to my friends at the Taubman Museum of Art, which graciously agreed to host a free concert on Sunday, April 14, 2 p.m. I hope you’ll join me!

Below is an RSVP along with a blurb about Domino and a YouTube recording of a recent performance. They’re incredible and I’m honored to be a buzz4good for them.

Always buzzing,
Michael Hemphill, Creator of Buzz4Good

BUZZ Concert – Addie Levy + Domino

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In the heart of Nashville, the trio of Cole Ritter, Luca Chiappara, and Addie Levy weaves a stellar blend of Bluegrass, Jazz, and Swing. Their music, polished through years of exploration, brings a magic to the stage. All 3 members are nationally touring musicians, working for multiple artists and touring under their own names. Joining together in the fall of 2023, the three created a powerhouse trio that shows off each of their strengths and true love for music.  Join them for smooth melodies and cosmic rhythms that make for an unforgettable experience.

BUZZ wins Judge’s Choice at Western Virginia Advertising Awards 900 675 Michael Hemphill

BUZZ wins Judge’s Choice at Western Virginia Advertising Awards

Buzz4Good won a Judge’s Choice Award and Silver Addy at the 2024 Western Virginia Advertising Awards Gala for our “It’s Here” video highlighting Roanoke, Virginia’s arts scene. The music video was produced as part of our “Arts and Economic Development” episode that aired in June 2023.

Filmed by BUZZ cinematographer Dan Mirolli, the video featured an original song composed and performed by Bryan “Harvest Blaque” Hancock and J.P. Powell, with guest appearances by Roanoke Symphony maestro David Stewart Wiley, Opera Roanoke’s Brooke Tolley, Roanoke Cultural Endowment’s Shaleen Powell, and the Roanoke Valley Children’s Choir.

BUZZ Watch Party stars Salem Area Ecumenical Ministries 900 506 Michael Hemphill

BUZZ Watch Party stars Salem Area Ecumenical Ministries

Join us Thursday, March 14, at 6:00 pm at the historic Grandin Theatre for a free “sneak peek” of our newest BUZZ starring Salem Area Ecumenical Ministries.

BUZZ Watch Party - Salem Area Ecumenical Ministries

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Organized in 1997, Salem Area Ecumenical Ministries (SAEM) is a gathering of lay people and pastors from Salem, western Roanoke County and local service agencies working together to serve people in need: a summer “feed and read” program for children; student-led food pantries in area schools; and its signature “Mrs. Dorsey’s Clothes Closet” which provides free, gently used clothing and household items.

But the all-volunteer organization is in need of some sophisticated marketing to attract more donors and volunteers to its cause. Thankfully, Wheeler Digital is back for its third BUZZ to help. Many thanks also to the Louise R. Lester Foundation for granting us the funds to underwrite our production costs for this episode … our 46th BUZZ!

BUZZ Watch Party stars Roanoke City’s “Arts Connect Neighbors” 900 506 Michael Hemphill

BUZZ Watch Party stars Roanoke City’s “Arts Connect Neighbors”

All are invited to our free Watch Party on January 24, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. at Grandin Theatre premiering our newest BUZZ starring Roanoke City’s “Arts Connect Neighbors!”

BUZZ Watch Party - Arts Connect Neighbors

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Two years ago we embarked on ambitious project with the city of Roanoke and Roanoke Cultural Endowment to produce six episodes of BUZZ starring arts and culture. 

Over the first five episodes we featured the nonprofits that produce the annual Roanoke Arts Pop, and highlighted the intersection between the arts, health and wellness, public schools, even economic development. 

Here in this final episode, we work with our friends at Roanoke Valley Television as we look beyond the usual arts suspects to the streets, parks, and even homes close to where we live … all as we explore that classic Mr. Rogers’ question that Roanoke artists will be asking throughout 2024: won’t you be my neighbor?

Funding for this episode comes from the Roanoke Cultural Endowment and the City of Roanoke through the American Rescue Plan Act. Watch Party is sponsored by the Roanoke Cultural Endowment.