Ja Rule & Ashanti

Sep 24, 2023

Elmwood Park

Tickets: GA -$45.00, Day of - $50.00

Show time: 7:00pm


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Jeffrey Atkins better known by his stage name Ja Rule was born in Hollis Queens, NY. He debuted in 1999 with Venni Vetti Vecci and its lead single "Holla Holla". During the 2000s, Ja Rule was signed to Murder Inc., formerly known as The Inc. and led by Irv Gotti. From 1999 to 2005, Ja Rule had multiple hits that made the top 20 of the U.S. BillboardHot 100 chart, including "Between Me and You" (featuring Christina Milian), "I'm Real (Murder Remix)" and "Ain't It Funny" (both with Jennifer Lopez)—which both topped the Hot 100—the number 1 hit "Always on Time" (featuring Ashanti), "Mesmerize" (featuring Ashanti), and "Wonderful" (featuring R.Kelly and Ashanti).

Rule has been nominated for two American Music Awards and four Grammy Awards with respective collaborators Lil' Mo, Vita, Ashanti and Case. Following the release of his platinum-selling debut Venni Vetti Vecci (1999), he released his second and third albums Rule 3:36 (2000) and Pain Is Love (2001). Both albums topped the US Billboard 200 album chart, launching him into the mainstream, selling over a combined 15 million units to a wide audience, and attaining triple platinum status from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), becoming his best-selling albums to date. Rule followed up with his fourth, fifth and sixth albums The Last Temptation (2002), Blood in My Eye (2003), and R.U.L.E. (2004), with The Last Temptation attaining Platinum status and R.U.L.E. reaching Gold status. As of 2018, Rule has sold 14.4 million units in the USA and has sold over 30 million records worldwide.

Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter, actor and author Ashanti burst onto the music scene with her smash hit, self-titled debut album, Ashanti. It landed the #1 spot on both the Billboard Top 200 and R&B album charts, selling a whopping 504,593 units in its first week. This set a SoundScan record as the most albums sold by any debut female artist in the chart’s history and granted her a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records. Over the span of her 20-year career, Ashanti has released six studio albums and received a number of illustrious rewards including eight Billboard Awards, a Grammy, two American Music Awards, two Soul Train Awards and six ASCAP Awards. She has reigned at the top as one of Billboard’s “Top Females of the Decade from 2000-2010” and continues to break Billboard records having a Hot 100 entry every decade in the 2000’s, 2010’s and 2020’s.

In 2005, Ashanti made her telefilm debut starring as Dorothy in The Muppets’ Wizard of Oz, opposite Miss Piggy and Kermit. She also starred in Disney’s animated series The Proud Family and continued her journey in television landing roles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Army Wives, Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, as well as portraying Dionne Warwick on NBC’s American Dreams.

In her feature film debut she co-starred with Samuel L. Jackson in the #1 box office hit Coach Carter. Ashanti’s additional film credits include Resident Evil Extinction, John Tucker Must Die and Bollywood film Bride & Prejudice. Ashanti executive produced and starred in the musical drama and feature film STUCK, released April 2019. She donned her executive producer hat once again for the feature film Mothers and Daughters, starring Sharon Stone, Susan Sarandon and Mira Sorvino.

In partnership with Build-A-Bear Entertainment and Sony Pictures, Ashanti leads the cast of the family friendly Honey Girls and will soon begin filming The Plus One in March 2022. The Ashanti brand has continued to flourish with several major partnerships including her own fragrance, "Precious Jewel" with AMC Beauty. Endorsements with Candies Apparel and the groundbreaking Herbal Essence, where she is the first African American to land a national campaign inspired her to launch a clothing line in collaboration with Miss Circle and partner with

Pretty Little Thing to create her own swimsuit line “Ashanti.”

As an author, she has written her first book of poetry through Hyperion titled Foolish/Unfoolish: Reflections on Love and will release a book with Harper Collins in 2022.

As a philanthropist, Ashanti is the Ambassador for the Jumpstart Reading Program and became the “Youth of the Year” Ambassador for the Boys and Girls Club of America in 2009 and was inducted into their Hall of Fame. She became a member of their "BE GREAT" Campaign with Denzel Washington and was a part of the “Let’s Move” health campaign with Michelle Obama. To celebrate her contributions to music and recording, Ashanti will receive a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Spring 2022.

Policies and Procedures

Featured Events

Berglund Center

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Roanoke Fashion Week®: The 7 Experience is a celebration of fashion that celebrates inclusivity, creativity, and community. Marking the 7th year of this signature event, the Sunday Grand Finale brings together designers, boutiques, and creatives from all backgrounds for one unforgettable runway experience.

From emerging talent to seasoned designers, and models of all ages, sizes, and identities, The 7 Experience honors self-expression and representation while showcasing bold collections, dynamic runway presentations, and live energy. This finale is where fashion meets purpose—and where everyone belongs on the runway.

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Berglund Performing Arts Theatre

SHOWTIME: 7:30 PM

TICKET PRICES: $88, $68, $48

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A mansion. A murder. A mystery.

Murder and blackmail are on the menu when six mysterious guests assemble at Boddy Manor for a night they’ll never forget! Was it Mrs. Peacock in the study with the knife? Or was it Colonel Mustard in the library with the wrench? Based on the fan-favorite 1985 Paramount Pictures movie and inspired by the classic Hasbro board game, CLUE is the ultimate whodunit that will leave you dying of laughter and keep you guessing until the final twist.

​​​​​​​©2026 Hasbro. All rights reserved. 

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Berglund Center

Ticket Prices:

General Admission $10.35 - entry only, Children 12 & Under Free Admission / $12.40 – Day of Taco’Ritas

Live Music by The Chupacabras! & DJ Davis on the Flex Party Truck
Event Time: 1 PM – 6 PM

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About Taco'Ritas! Celebrate with us on Saturday, May 2nd, with live Music from The Chupacabras, Shopping Vendors, Live DJ on the Flex Party Truck from DJ Davis, Salsa Dancing, Margaritas & other great beverages, and of course….TACOS from your favorite local Roanoke restaurants and food trucks! This year, our Zona para Niños (Kids Zone) will return with activities centered on family fun + a new Kids stage with kid-centered music, activities and more! New this year *Dog Oasis Area - This festival is dog friendly!*

Get ready for the biggest celebration yet – NOW ON A SATURDAY! Taco‘Ritas Festival returns to Berglund Center for its fourth year, and everything’s bigger — including the fun! Taco‘Ritas has become a must-attend celebration in Roanoke, promising an even BIGGER celebration this year with the best selection of Taco and other vendors + added Entertainment! Get ready to savor the flavors, feel the fiesta, and join us in making Taco‘Ritas 2026 an unforgettable celebration ahead of Cinco de Mayo!

 

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO TIPS:

  • You can bring chairs (bringing chairs is encouraged) and umbrellas
  • The festival is dog friendly - Dogs must be leashed. (Dog Oasis Area)
  • You may bring an unopened water into the festival

 

KIDS ZONE (*FREE FACEPAINTING, GLITTER TATTOOS, INFLATABLES...AND MORE*)

Facepainting by April Rose Art - Face Painting

Glitter Tattoos by Kind Fairy Glitter Tattoos

Inflatables

Kids Stage with Music & Activities

*Children 12 and under are FREE entry to Taco'Ritas*

 

ENTERTAINMENT OFFERINGS (*All entertainment is included with your ticket!*)

LIVE MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT

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Pure Pro Wrestling

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Flex Party Truck with DJ Davis

Thank you Flex LLC for providing Entertainment for Taco'Ritas!

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LED 9 Hole Mini Golf

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Mechanical Bull Riding

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PhotoBooth with 4 x 6 Take Home Prints

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DUNK TANK FOR CHARITY

Dunk Our Guests while they raise money for their Charity of Choice!

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Event Schedule: *SCHEDULE MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE ON DAY OF THE FESTIVAL*

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CONTESTS:

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2026 VENDORS!

Food

Empanada Nirvana

Leo's Catering & Co.

Diablos Tacos & Tamales

Get Glazed

El Gordo's Kitchen

Queen's Vegan Cafe

Cabo Fish Taco Truck

Burritos Paso Del Norte

La Shunca LLC

Sweet Revenge Truck

Chariot Social

Shopping

Sweet Jesus Salsa

Peacock Perch Creations

Party On Your Head

Big Daddy's Munchies

Crooked Rook Cookery

Amzie Grace Bowtique

My Needful Things Today

Main Squeeze Lemonade

Entertainment / Kids Vendors

Kind Fairy Glitter Tattoos

April Rose Art - Face Painting

Flex LLC

Salsa Noke

Pure Pro Wrestling - Autograph & Meet the Wrestlers!

More Vendors

Renewal By Andersen

Leaf Guard

Angels of Assisi

Twin Valleys Roller Derby

Roanoke City Police Department

Girl Scouts

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