Posts Tagged ‘west virginia arts’

Raising the Curtain on Theatre Season

Friday, May 6th, 2011

If we had to give you a top 10 list of things to do while visiting Southern WV – taking in a show at one of our theatres would be up there. Here we’re fortunate to

Honey In The Rock - Performed Annually by Theatre WV

have three theatre companies that put on some 20-30 different plays throughout the year.

And in summer, they take their seasons to a whole new level with a complete repertory calendar full of great work. Award winning plays like “Ring of Fire”, “Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming” and “All Shook Up” are all in rehearsal now for this summer while new original works are also hitting the stage, including a musical version of West Virginia’s own “Rocket Boys.”

Here in Southern WV, our stages have been set for live theatre for nearly 75 years.   In 1938, a “modern playhouse” opened in Fayetteville – now the Historic Fayette Theatre.  Seventeen years later Theatre West Virginia was founded and a short 10 years later, Greenbrier Valley Theatre was born on the banks of the Greenbrier River. Today the venues offer tremendous talent and set the stage with professional facilities.

If you’re visiting the Mountain State this summer – be sure and take in one of their many shows.  Some feature professional-equity actors while others use great community thespians.  Either way, these are shows you won’t want to miss.

Start Filling Out That New Calendar

Tuesday, January 25th, 2011

January marks the chance to sport a new calendar on the wall and start filling in some fun weekend events among all your other work and family commitments.

As you turn the page into January, February, and March, why not add in some fun

Tamarack Artisan Center

events alongside noting Grandma’s Birthday and your next work trip?  While you might not naturally associate arts and culture with southern West Virginia, maybe you should.  The artisans and creative class working among our mountains have plenty of inspiration all around them and are bringing some great events to you right here in Southern West Virginia.

In Raleigh County, the first few months of 2011 bring a chance to experience the life of prized writer Emily Dickinson or combine dinner and theatre at Tamarack, the state’s iconic arts and cultural center.

Over in Greenbrier County, you can celebrate your folk roots with the most awarded band in the history of bluegrass coming up on February 11.

In Fayette County, take in a showing of  “The Pied Piper” at Historic Fayette Theatre, March 4, 5, 11, 12, 18-20th.

In Summers and Mercer, social life  just got a little more interesting with the opportunity to  spend some quality time with your sweetheart at Pipestem Resort State Park.  Anytime is a good time to get away with the one you love but special sweetheart events are planned for Feb 11-13 including entertainment by  ‘Time Peace’ from Craigsville, WV during the Sweetheart Dance on Saturday night.

This is just a few of the events happening in 2011.  So what are you waiting for check out the 2011 Southern West Virginia Events Calendar and start saving the date(s)!

Last Minute West Virginia Gifts

Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009

We know that a lot of you have waited until the last minute to grab those stocking stuffers and little gifts for Christmas this year.

Southern WV Gift Certificate Tree for the United Way

Southern WV Gift Certificate Tree for the United Way

Here’s a list of 20 great last minute ideas…

-Beautiful, inspired pottery from Guided Clay in the Oak Hill area.  Potter Andy Pense is a true master.

-Tickets for a show at the incredible, must-be-seen-to-be-believed Chuck Mathena Center in Princeton. All kinds of national touring musicians and plays come to the center, and it’s a great way to get out and enjoy some WV culture.

-Unique, delicious “coal cookies” from the salsa masters at Blue Smoke Salsa in Ansted (not to mention all the other great tasting stuff there, as well as arts and crafts)

-Handmade jewelry and hard to find fashion, as well as gourmet coffee and great whole deserts to go at Cathedral Café in Fayetteville.

-Local wine from local vineyards at Daniel Vineyards, right in Crab Orchard. A couple bottles from Daniel is enough to make any holiday party just a little more festive.

-Christmas plants, flowers and gifts from Bessie’s Floral Designs in Oak Hill. The flowers here are the real draw, with some amazing Christmas arrangements.

-Holiday books, art, and coffee from Taylor Books in Charleston. We’re going to go ahead and say that it’s southern WV because it’s such a cool place.

-Spirits for the spirit of Christmas at the Isaiah Morgan Distillery just outside of Summersville. This is WV’s first mini distillery, and is home to some unique and fiery gifts

-Tickets for a show at the amazing Carnegie Hall in Lewisburg. The hall is a great way to spend an evening in one of the best mountain towns in West Virginia.

-Amazing handmade pottery north of the New River Gorge Bridge at Gauley River Pottery. Artist Mary Bethune has a signature style that’s attractive and fun.

-A relaxing stay in one of southern WV’s cozy, luxurious cabins. Being Christmas, it’s hard to go wrong with a little break from the outside world.

-Award winning wines, right off the vines outside of Lewisburg from Watt’s Roost Vineyard. If there’s a perfect gift for the holidays, a bottle of wine from Watt’s Roost might just be it

-And of course, the best of West Virginia is all at The Tamarack. Everyone knows about the arts and crafts there, but there are great foodie gifts there, too. Some of those jams and preserves are not to be missed, especially during the holidays.

Top 10 Things To Do At Beckley’s Appalachian Festival

Monday, August 17th, 2009

As big admirers of all things Appalachian, the Southern West Virginia CVB offers you up this list.  Come to the Appalachian Festival, and get your last

Quilts - Appalachian Arts & Crafts Fest

Quilts - Appalachian Arts & Crafts Fest

summer fun in the southern WV way!

•    Hillbilly Breakfast – Biscuits-n-gravy, and… well that’s all you need to  say    really (plenty of other stuff, too).
•    Arts and Crafts Fair – This is the 45th annual event, where you can find knicks, knacks, and pretty much every combination thereof.
•    Coal Mine Tour -  The tour goes on all the time, but there’s a deep discount (by showing your Appalachian Arts & Crafts Fair ticket stub) during the Festival!  It’s always worth going underground for this one.
•    Strolling Musicians -  It’s like a bluegrass mariachi band; just eat lunch in the park and enjoy the show.
•    Ghost Tours – Find out what the dead are up to in Uptown Beckley as you tour some beautiful homes with some frightful history right in town.
•   Live Music at Grandview – There’s nothing better on the last nights of summer that showing up at the outdoor amphitheater at Grandview for an outdoor show.
•    Flea Market - Everything from apples to stuffed zebras is on sale, and then some.  If you’re a bargain hunter, this is for you.
•    Kids Crafts – Traditional artisans show up to teach kids how to make something special with the soul of the mountains in it.
•    Taste Of Appalachia -  Everything worth eating in a 50 mile radius will be on hand to try out.  This is the perfect event for the appetite that wants everything.
•    Classic Car Show -  How did so many great cars wind up in southern West Virginia?  You’ll have to go to the car show to find out.  Worth every second.

Do you have other favorites?  Tell us…

6 Places to Find Great Art in Southern West Virginia

Friday, May 22nd, 2009

Everyone likes to do a little shopping on vacation.  Here are some places that you will definitely be able to find great art on your visit to southern West Virginia:

Lewisburg
Your list of cool places to stop needs to include Greenbrier CountyLewisburg’s historic downtown is a fun place to walk around, and there are shops everywhere.  Harmony Ridge Gallery is just one of the great places to stop, shop and  grab a cup of coffee to invigorate you for,  you guessed it, more shopping.  The artisan community is shockingly vibrant in Lewisburg, especially the performing arts.  Head to Lewisburg for live music, plays, and festivals (as well as the shops).


Bluefield

Right along our southern border (Mercer County) is a house, full of art, conceived by Gary Bowling.  That’s why it’s called Gary Bowling’s House Of Art.  It’s a space that has to be seen to be believed, with what seems like room after room after curious room of art, fine and folk, local and yokel.  If you’re planning a trip on the Coal Heritage Trail, start at the House Of Art.

Princeton
Just up the road from Bluefield is the town of Princeton.  The art culture there is all over, including a unique space created by the Riff Raff Arts Collective.  In a beautifully restored downtown building, Riff Raff has a gallery, a school, and a performance space, all stacked up on top of one another.  And, hopefully, you’ll get to check out something at the brand new Chuck Mathena Center for the Performing Arts while you’re there.  If you’re in Princeton, spend some time, explore, and celebrate the arts.

Beckley
Right in the center of our little map is Beckley (Raleigh County), which is where you’ll find Tamarack.  This amazing circular building holds great works from West Virginia artists.  Since the building is round, you can make a trip around it and just go ahead and make another one; it’s worth it.  Tamarack’s tagline is “The Best of West Virginia”- they live up to it.  Pottery, instruments, stained glass, woodworking, blacksmithing… and that’s just what they make on site.  Don’t miss it.

Fayetteville
Throughout Fayetteville (Fayette County), you’re going to find little stuff here and there to pick up in the historic downtown area.  Be sure to go in Studio B Gallery and check out what folks from around the area have done with their inspiration.  Other spots to hit would be Trillium Crafts, Wisteria’s, and Upstairs At The Cathedral.  If you’re lucky enough to be in town for a production at the Historic Fayette Theatre, make a point to go- you won’t be disappointed.

Everywhere Else
You’ll find great art all over southern WV- we promise.  Just drive around and stick your head into places like Gauley River Pottery or  Quilts and More.  There’s not much more satisfying than finding that one, hidden, perfect thing that you knew you wanted but never knew existed.  That stuff?  It’s all over the place down here.