The Roanoker - May/June 2021 - 96

Q&A with the Best of Roanoke

Q&A
Q&A with
with the
the Best
Best of
of Roanoke
Roanoke

Southwest Virginia Ballet

SafeSide Tactical

BEST OF 2021

Platinum Winner, Best Local Shop for Sporting
Goods and Outdoor Gear
Q: Please share a brief history of your company.
A: SafeSide Tactical started as a " family meeting " in 2012. It struck us that
introducing a clean, modern sporting goods store to the Valley could be
just as inviting to someone " new " to sport shooting or self-defense. We
also wanted a store where our wives would feel comfortable, and over
the last eight years we've helped thousands of women learn to shoot,
get their concealed handgun permits and buy their first (or 10th) firearm.
With two locations, our staff of about 65 serves a wide range of customers
from almost all demographics. Our belief is that everyone has the right to
defend themselves and their families, and our hope is that we can help
people on this part of their journey. We also have a lot of fun doing this!
Q: Favorite part of your job?
A: Personally, I'm a geek at heart with a degree in Entertainment
Business, along with a love for sport shooting, so I've been fortunate to
be able to blend all of those into my role at SafeSide.
Q: What does it mean to be recognized as a " Best of 2021 " award winner?
A: Being recognized as a " Best of 2021 " award winner is an honor
because all of the hard work our staff puts into making every customer
experience fantastic is noticed and appreciated by those coming in. For
everyone that took the time to participate in the contest and voted for
us, thank you for allowing us to be a part of your firearms journey!
-Mitchell Tyler, Owner & Vice President

1201 Shenandoah Avenue, Roanoke
(540) 682-8881
2309 Mayflower Drive, Lynchburg
(434) 849-8812
Safesidetactical.com

Platinum Winner, Best Arts Performance in 2020
Gold Winner, Best Local Dance Company/School
and Best Annual Holiday Event ( " The Nutcracker " )

Q: Tell us about your business.
A: Southwest Virginia Ballet is a pre-professional ballet company located in
the heart of Virginia's Blue Ridge. SVB brings excellence in dance instruction
and performance opportunities to company dancers aged 9-18 - all for
FREE. Annually, SVB provides free performance tickets to at-risk children
and adults in our region. Often, this is their first experience with live arts. In
a typical year SVB serves over 15,000 people through performances and
collaborations. This is SVB's 30th Anniversary season!
Q: What events does Southwest Virginia Ballet have coming up?
A: We are excited to announce that SVB will perform LIVE at Elmwood Park's
amphitheater May 22 at 2pm and 7pm. Artistic Director, Pedro Szalay has
choreographed Coppelia, is a full-length comedy ballet that is perfect for the
entire family! This FREE performance requires preregistration. Go to www.
svballet.org for ticket information. All CDC recommendations regarding
attendance, masking and social distancing will be followed. Dancers will
perform in masks.
Q: What does it mean to be recognized as a " Best of 2021 " award winner?
A: This is the 3rd year in a row that SVB has received recognition. We are
honored that our hard work is noticed and appreciated. 2020 was a tough
year. SVB's The Nutcracker at The Berglund Center is a Roanoke holiday
tradition, and we knew, somehow, the show must go on! We quickly pivoted
and partnered with Blue Ridge PBS to produce a virtual Nutcracker, filmed
at The Berglund Performing Arts Theatre, and also at recognizable Roanoke
landmarks. This holiday magic was shown in area hospital rooms, cancer center,
thousands of homes, senior living communities and to over 24,000 students!
The two Act ballet is still available on YouTube. -Carol Jessee, Executive Director

1005 Industry Ave SE
Roanoke, Virginia 24013
(540) 387-3978
svballet.org
SPONSORED CONTENT

96 Special Advertising Section: Q&A with the Best Of Roanoke

BEST OF 2021
BEST OF 2021

SPONSORED CONTENT

TheRoanoker.com
http://www.svballet.org http://www.Safesidetactical.com http://www.svballet.org http://www.TheRoanoker.com
The Roanoker - May/June 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Roanoker - May/June 2021
