Bahir Al Badry’s art studio sits perched on the 2nd floor of Oasis Fine Art & Craft with a bird’s eye view of the gallery and shop below. Like any nest, it is a place of comfort and creation. Music drifted upwards as I climbed the stairs to meet Bahir, and on entering his space I found myself surrounded by color, meaning, and intensity. more
By Kyle Kirby / Photos courtesy of Rocktown Kitchen: Since opening on May 17th, 2017, Rocktown Kitchen has quickly become a downtown Harrisonburg staple. Owners Kristo and Mira Papa have paid meticulous care in ensuring that their guests feel right at home. more
By Katie Mitchell / Photos by Philip Meador: If you ask a small child what they want to be when they grow up, they often have very creative answers, like “ice cream taste tester” or “ninja mermaid.” I once had a dream of being a backup singer for Pat Benatar. Usually, however, we don’t wind up doing what we dreamed of as a child. If we’re lucky, we can earn a decent living and once in a while, taste a new ice cream or find a karaoke joint. Sara Christensen, the fantastic human behind The Lady Jane on S. Main Street, dreamed as a child of owning a shop, even though she knew she’d be a school teacher. more
In a flurry of dancing and singing, students from ages 8-12 perform on their final day of Up with People Jr. camp at the Explore More Discovery Museum on July 12. The program allows the students to learn about themselves as individuals in the community through service and performing arts. It also raises cultural awareness as students discuss how they can welcome those who decide to settle in Harrisonburg from all around the world. more
Have you been missing the convenience of picking up some java on Court Square? Do you mourn the day Jeremiah Young served his last cup at Court Square Coffee at 2 N Main Street? If so, you are in luck — because this week marked a new beginning for Just Love Coffee and Tea in that much-loved space. more
You’ve probably noticed Pink Ambition Dance & Fitness on East Market Street — with its bright pink sign, blacked-out windows decorated with colorful class schedules, and door sign boasting “Women Only,” it’s hard to miss. But what you can’t see from the street is the heart and soul inside — a community full of women from all kinds of backgrounds, coming together to support, uplift, and love each other as they embark on their dance journey together. I recently sat down with Pink Ambition owner Karen McIntyre and instructor Anna Williford to talk pole fitness, overcoming fear and preconceived notions, what to expect from classes, and the power of the pole community. more
By Kyle Kirby — Chris Howdyshell unlocked the door to the Agora Downtown Market with a smile and a fresh beverage from Broad Porch Coffee. Though Agora is closed on Mondays, the inside was still bustling with entrepreneurs; prepping and cleaning their shops for tomorrow’s customers. more
Evolution is an essential part of every business’ daily life, and Glen’s Fair Price owners (and siblings), Gary Stiteler and Melinda Bare, are no strangers to this. Often referred to as “Harrisonburg’s Most Unusual Store” and “The Halloween Store,” this extraordinary shop offers the nostalgia many of us travel hundreds of miles to experience and relive. more
