WTJU

This radio station practices acceptance and respect for all people. As part of the University of Virginia, WTJU promotes an inclusive and welcoming environment that embraces the full spectrum of human attributes. WTJU envisions a community of understanding, tolerance, and respect. Thank you for being one of our listeners and thank you for being a part of this community.

Service Dogs of Virginia, a Charlottesville non-profit, is holding a Training Demonstration and Open House Saturday, August 3rd, at 1 p.m., at their location in Albemarle Square. You are invited to come meet and support the service dogs in training and enjoy some light refreshments following the demonstration. Questions? Send e-mail to info@servicedogsva.org or call 434-295-9503.

Tacos on Tuesday is a quarterly pop-up fundraising event hosted by Sarisand Tile and Rockpile Construction Company, benefiting different local non-profits in the Charlottesville community. The beneficiary of the quarter is The Chris Long Foundation Initiative “Waterboys;” every dollar raised goes to local activist Chris Long’s cause. The Waterboys mission is to provide clean water for communities in East Africa. This is a family-friendly event! Pop-ups are by donation only from 5-7pm at Sarisand Tile, 1226 Harris St in Charlottesville. For more information, visit Facebook.com/TacosOnTuesday.

Leander McCormick Observatory is open on the FIRST and THIRD Friday nights of every month except holidays year round. Visitors can view celestial objects through the historic 26-inch McCormick Refractor and other smaller telescopes weather permitting; tour the Observatory, hear a presentation by an astronomer, and see the exhibits. Call 434-243-1885 for more information. Educational groups with advance reservations are welcome on the second and fourth Friday nights of the month. To schedule a visit, call 434-924-7494.

For many kids, summer is the hungriest time of year. When schools close for the summer, school meals disappear as well, but nutritious free meals are available for children and teens 18 and younger at many locations throughout the state during the summer months.  The organization No Kid Hungry Virginia encourages families to text FOOD or COMIDA to 877-877 and enter a zip code to find summer meal sites near them. Locations are also available at fns.usda.gov/summerfoodrocks.

The Adult Homicide Survivor Support Group for Albemarle, Charlottesville and surrounding county residents meets on the second Tuesday of each month from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Friend's Meeting House, 1104 Forest Avenue, Charlottesville. If you have lost a loved one through the criminal actions of another, you are invited to join in the monthly discussion and activities in support of each other. Call Dave Lewis at 434-264-7711 to register or for more information.

Following a difficult Fourth of July week for blood and platelet donations and ongoing challenges finding new blood donors, the American Red Cross now faces a blood shortage and has issued an emergency call for eligible individuals of all blood types to give now and prevent delays in medical care. You can donate at Red Cross centers in Charlottesville and Crozet. For information, go online to RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-733-2767.

Cat Action Team -- or CAT -- is a local non-profit organization whose goal is to improve the life for cats in Charlottesville and central Virginia. Through its trap/neuter/return program, educational series, and programs for fostering, adoption, and pet-retention, CAT is making the area a safe haven for our feline friends while also controlling the population of strays. For more information or to volunteer, visit the website,catactionteam.org, or call 434-738-2228.

The Charlottesville Municipal Band will perform the second program of their 97th Season Summer Concert Series at The Paramount Theater on Tuesday, July 16 at 7:30PM. This concert series is free to attend. As this popular event is always well-attended, patrons are encouraged to arrive early.  The July 16th performance will include solos by trumpeter Don Brubaker, and vocalist Bob McDonald. Before each concert from 7:00PM- 7:25PM there will be a musical instrument petting zoo for children where they can explore the instruments of the band at the foot of the stage. For more information on the Charlottesville Municipal Band's 97th Season Summer Concert Series and the most up-to-date program information, visit theparamount.net, or cvilleband.org. 

Charlottesville Opera presents Lerner and Loewe’s classic musical, “Camelot”, at the historic Paramount Theater with performances on the 17th and 19th, and closing on July 21st with a matinee. For tickets, call the Paramount Box Office at 434-979-1333, or visit their website at theparamount.net. For opera information, go to charlottesvilleopera.org.

The Charlottesville Jazz Society invites jazz musicians of all ages and abilities to come jam at The Front Porch, 221 East Water St, on Thursday, July 18th, from 7 to 9 pm. You are welcome to either participate or just watch and enjoy. Jams are free, and held at the Front Porch on the third Thursday of every month. A house band will be there to support horn players, singers, and other instrumentalists. Please contact David Weiss with any questions at Davidweisspiano@gmail.com.

Blue Ridge Irish Music School, in partnership with WTJU, presents Grammy winning guitarist and singer John Doyle in concert on July 27th at Cville Coffee.  John will be performing with violinist Jeremy Kittel and mandolinist Josh Pinkham. C'Ville Coffee is located at 1301 Harris Street in Charlottesville.  For additional information, including how to get tickets, visit BrimsTunes DOT org,or call 434-409-9631.

The Heifetz International Music Institute has begun its 23rd season, the eighth in Staunton, with a record number of students, staff and faculty from around the world. 168 exceptional young musicians are attending the exclusive six-week program for classical string players. The festival is presenting a concert in Charlottesville on Sunday, July 28th, at Saint Anne's Belfield School, at 3 p.m. For more information, go online to heifetzinstitute.org.

The Blue Ridge Irish Music School (BRIMS) is hosting a summer day camp for kids age 5-13 on August 5th-9th in Charlottesville.   BRIMS camp activities include Irish dance, music, song, drama, crafts and more!   All skill levels (including beginners) are welcome, no previous experience needed. For more info and to register, visit brimstunes.org, or call 434-409-9631