Because of COVID-19, a planned Charleston Ballet performance in HMA’s Grace Rardin Doherty Auditorium had to be canceled.  

“We began preparing our part of the Bauhaus project about 18 months before the exhibit opening date. First asking Matt Jackfert to create an original score, then beginning the discussion and experimentation part of the costume design,” said Artistic Director Kim Pauley. “Part of the choreography was created over Zoom while we faced about 7 weeks away from the studio late spring. Everyone involved agreed this project was unlike any other project they had participated in. It was gratifying to see every part of the project come together.” 

Costumes created and executed by Patti Boley, Tammy Madden, Kim Pauley, Elaine Baldwin, Mary Anna Ball, Melinda Miesner and Brigette Madden for the performance are on display in The Wide Reach of the Bauhaus exhibition. Assembly of the costumes took place over a couple of months in two locations. The costumes and The Charleston Ballet performance on DVD have been well received. “One of the goals for this project was to show the effect of the Bauhaus on art forms such as modern dance and music in addition to visual art,” said HMA Senior Curator Chris Hatten. “The result of this partnership with The Charleston Ballet has been incredibly successful and The Charleston Ballet deserves a great deal of credit for all their hard work and dedication.”  

The Wide Reach of the Bauhaus exhibit at HMA celebrates the influence of the Bauhaus School founded by Walter Gropius, who along with his partners at The Architects Collaborative, designed the addition to the Huntington Museum of Art that opened 50 years ago.  

This exhibition is supported, in part, by a gift from the Saint John’s Trust, in Memory of Anna Virginia Morgan.  

This project is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. To find out more about how National Endowment for the Arts grants impact individuals and communities, visit www.arts.gov.  

This program is presented with financial assistance from the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History, and the National Endowment for the Arts, with approval from the West Virginia Commission on the Arts.  

For more information on The Charleston Ballet, visit thecharlestonballet.com or call (304) 342-6541.  

For more information on the Huntington Museum of Art, visit hmoa.org or call (304) 529-2701. HMA is fully accessible.  

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Music Hall of Fame’s (WVMHoF) 2020 induction ceremony will be broadcast statewide on West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s main channel 7-9 p.m. on Saturday.

“We always look forward to the time of year when we get to broadcast the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame’s annual induction ceremony,” said Chuck Roberts, WVPB Executive Director. “But this year, it’s even more special to us because one of our own is being honored, and we couldn’t be prouder. Larry Groce, our esteemed host and creator of Mountain Stage, continues to shine a positive light on music and the Mountain State, and certainly deserves this distinction.”

The two-hour special will also be streamed on wvpublic.org, Facebook, YouTube and PBS Passport.

YouTube: Direct Link – https://youtu.be/pAmk-glmMDI

Facebook: Facebook event with Live Video –https://www.facebook.com/events/385090855870863/

The stream will also be available on wvpublic.org and on WVPB Passport using the PBS App on your TV and other devices.

The ceremony was filmed at the Culture Center Theater Sept. 20-21 and will also include presentations and musical segments taped in Nashville, Los Angeles and Bakersfield, CA.

 “It’s an honor for us as an organization to be able to showcase the talents of these artists,” said WVMHoF Director Michael Lipton. “And we feel it’s important for West Virginians to know and take pride in these musicians who have contributed so much to the rich quilt of American music. 

“Due to restrictions imposed by COVID-19, we had to be creative in putting together this year’s ceremony,” Lipton added. “As a result we have a number of performances, presentations and remarks that were filmed in other parts of the country. While there’s no substitute for a live audience and live TV, I think we’ve put together a great show – and one that showcases the considerable talents of these West Virginia musicians.

As the ceremony was filmed without an audience, the WVMHoF, a non-profit organization, was not able to sell tickets to offset production costs. However, during the show, viewers will be advised of a way to contribute by mail or electronically. 

The 2020 WVMHoF inductees include:

· Mercer County’s Ethel Caffie-Austin (Presenter: Ollie Watts Davis) 

· Kanawha County’s Honey and Sonny Davis (Presenter: Tim O’Brien)

·Kanawha County’s Larry Groce (Presenters: Andy Ridenour and Francis Fisher)

·Harrison County’s Mayf Nutter (Presenter: Pat Boone).

·From Webster, Pocahontas and Randolph counties, The Hammons Family (Presenter: Eric Waggoner)

The WVMHoF’s eighth induction ceremony brings the total number of inductees to 58, representing all parts of the state and musical genres ranging from traditional, country and bluegrass to rock, opera, soul, R&B and gospel.

There will be musical performances by Ethel Caffie-Austin, Pat Boone, Larry Groce, Trevor Hammons and Jesse Milnes, Vince Herman and Annie Neeley, Charlie McCoy, Mayf Nutter, Emily Miller, Tim O’Brien and Jan Fabricius, and Billy Edd Wheeler.

The house band will be led by 2008 WVMHoF inductee Charlie McCoy. 

The show will be hosted by Leftover Salmon founder Vince Herman and Emily Miller, Artistic Director of Augusta Heritage Center. Short messages will be offered from past Hall of Fame inductees Peter Marshall (of “Hollywood Squares” fame) and Ann Magnuson.

The show will air from 7-9 p.m. Nov. 14, on WVPB stations across West Virginia and will also be streamed on Passport. It will also be streamed on the WVPB Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/WVPublic/

The event is sponsored by the following: West Virginia Lottery, Bailey & Glasser LLP, WV Humanities Council, ConServ Contractors Services Inc. of West Virginia, Pocahontas County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Mister Bee Potato Chips, Hendrickson & Long PLLC, Mountain of Hope Organization, Highmark West Virginia, Snowshoe Mountain Resort, West Virginia University Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center,
West Virginia University – West Virginia & Regional History Center,
City of Charleston, West Virginia, and Suddenlink.

“We are so excited to be able to bring classical music to our WVSO patrons throughout the state,” said Music Director Larry Loh. “During these uncertain times, we must rely on technology to help us to continue to share the gift of music, and we are thankful for our friends at WV Public Broadcasting for helping to make this a reality.”

President of the WVSO, Joe Tackett had this to say; “After hours of discussions with our musicians, we are proud to make a commitment to bring back music in a new, safe way. While the pandemic has caused massive upheaval, we will be doing all that we can to financially support our musicians and stagehands so we can keep the music playing. We have made a promise to our community to innovate, and not hibernate”.

The WVSO will stream live from the WV Culture Center on Sunday, November 15 at 3:00 p.m. Current WVSO subscribers will receive complimentary access to the stream as a thank you for their loyal support.

Tickets for access to the stream are available for $15 for single tickets and $25 for family tickets and can be purchased through wvsymphony.org. As a thank you for your loyal support, all subscribers to the 20-21 season will receive complimentary access to the live stream. This access is available to subscribers regardless if they have received a refund or made a donation for the cancelled concerts in 20-21. For more information or questions regarding access, please contact Amanda McDonald, amcdonald@wvsymphony.org or 304-957-9880.

Thanks to a partnership with WV Public Broadcasting, the November 15 stream will be broadcast on WV Public Television on Friday, November 27 at 8:30 p.m.

The all-strings orchestra will kick off the November concert with a performance of Elgar’s Serenade. Following, Music Director Lawrence Loh will lead the Symphony in performing George Walker’s Lyric for Strings. Walker wrote Lyric for Strings when he was only 24 years old. Walker, who passed at the age of 96 in 2018, was the first Black composer to win the Pulitzer Prize for music. The show will conclude with an arrangement of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4, featuring return soloist Orion Weiss on the piano.

The concert is made possible through the generous support of the Elliot Foundation, Encova Insurance, and Suttle and Stalnaker. The WVSO thanks its loyal patrons for their continued support and engagement during this time.

The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra is West Virginia’s premier performing arts organization, presenting classical, pops, and chamber-music concerts annually throughout the Mountain State. Currently entering its 82nd season, the WVSO is a proud member of the community and enriches the region by providing affordable, high-quality concerts, collaborations with West Virginia arts organizations and a nationally award-winning education program.

Humanities Council minigrants support projects that request $1,500 or less, including small projects, single events, lectures, small museum exhibits, brochures, consultation needs, and planning for more complex projects. The Humanities Council offers minigrants four times per year to support educational programming in the humanities.

For more information about the West Virginia Humanities Council grants program contact grants administrator Erin Riebe at (304) 346-8500 or via email at riebe@wvhumanities.org. Grant guidelines and applications are available on the Humanities Council website, www.wvhumanities.org.

The West Virginia Humanities Council, an independent nonpartisan nonprofit, is the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

The 58th edition of the arts and crafts show, considered the granddaddy of shows in West Virginia, is held over the July 4 holidays. The show will be held July 1-4, 2021 at Cedar Lakes Conference Center near Ripley.

Postponement of this year’s fair was deemed necessary due to concerns about the coronavirus involving large gatherings, according to board President Jean Smith. The decision was made with the safety of participants and guests in mind, Smith said.

“Our Board sincerely believes postponing until 2021 is the right decision for the safety of everyone involved,” Smith said. “We’ve already started discussions about the 2021 Fair.”

More than 20 volunteers serving on the Fair’s Board of Directors came to that conclusion after reaching out to more than 50 participating artisans and exhibitors, Smith said.

CHARLESTON, WV. (Jan. 6, 2020) – Fifty West Virginia destinations, businesses, people and events have been recognized as the “Best of the Blue Ridge” in Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine’s 2020 “Best of the Blue Ridge” readers’ choice awards.

“These awards affirm that travelers really do see West Virginia as Almost Heaven,” Tourism Commissioner Chelsea Ruby said. “These folks love West Virginia and it shows through the work they do each and every day. Congratulations to all of our West Virginia recipients.”

Several West Virginia attractions placed in outdoor categories, including best paddling river, best biking trail, best waterfall and best running trail.

Many West Virginia restaurants and breweries also placed, with West Virginia businesses winning titles for best ice cream, best food truck, best BBQ, best brewery and best distillery.

“Whether travelers come to West Virginia for outdoor escapes or incredible events, they will find so much more,” Ruby said. “With wonderful recreation opportunities complemented by great people, there is no doubt that West Virginia is quickly becoming a top tourism destination.”

More than 30 thousand readers voted in the poll, which placed 50 West Virginia attractions at the top of their lists in the Blue Ridge Mountains, a region that includes nine states and the D.C. area.

In addition to the 50 winners, many West Virginia attractions placed as second or third runners-up. West Virginia winners include:

• Best Paddling River- New River
• Best Biking Trail– Arrowhead Trails
• Best Pet-Friendly Adventure– Arrowhead Bike Farm
• Best Place for Outdoor Singles– Fayetteville
• Best Ice Cream- The Stache
• Best Food Truck- Riverchick Farms, Fayetteville
• Best Pizza-Pies and Pints
• Best BBQ- Firecreek BBQ & Steaks
• Best Farmers Market-Fayette County Farmers Market
• Best Beer- Devil Anse IPA from Greenbrier Valley Brewing
• Best Non-Alcoholic Bev- Zoey Crush from Wood Iron Eatery
• Best Brewery- Bridge Brew Works
• Best Paddling Event- Captain Thurmond’s Challenge
• Best Triathlon- Captain Thurmond’s Challenge
• Best Climbing Event- New River Craggin’ Classic
• Best Retreat- Wanderlust at Snowshoe Resort
• Best Brewer- Nathan Herrold, Bridge Brew Works
• Best Food Personality- Lewis Rhinehart, Secret Sandwich Society
• Best Camp- Camp Drift-a-Bit
• Best Yoga Studio- New River Yoga
• Best Outdoors Shop- Waterstone
• Best Climbing Guide Company- New River Mountain Guides
• Best Raft Company- Adventures on the Gorge
• Best Zip Line- Adventures on the Gorge
• Best Flatwater- Summersville Lake
• Best Mud Run- Gritty Chix Mud Run, ACE
• Best Kid Friendly Adventure-ACE
• Best Fishing Spot- New River
• Best Educational Outdoor Rec Program- WVU Tech Adventure Recreation Management
• Best Swimming Hole- Glade Creek, New River Gorge
• Best Vegetarian Restaurant- The Wild Bean
• Best Spirit- Big Level from Smooth Ambler Spirits
• Best Distillery- Smooth Ambler Spirits
• Best Running Trail- Greenbrier River Trail
• Best Burrito– Burrito Bar, Lansing WV
• Best Waterfall– Blackwater Falls
• Best Climbing Crag– Seneca Rocks
• Best Ski Resort– Snowshoe Resort
• Best Snowboarding Park– Snowshoe Resort
• Best Ski Run– Cupp Run, Snowshoe Resort
• Best Mind Body Studio– Gaia Den
• Best Spa– Berkeley Springs Spa
• Best Running Event (Over 13.1 Miles)– Freedom’s Run, Harpers Ferry
• Best Running Event (Under 13.1 Miles)– Sticks & Stones 15K Trail Race, Babcock
• Weirdest Event– WV Roadkill Cook-Off
• Rowdiest Festival– Gauley Fest
• Best Budget Friendly Lodging– Buffalo Trails Cabins
• Best Raft Guide– Nick “Nugget” Parsons, ACE Adventure Resort
• Adventurer of the Year– Will Horton, Princeton
• Best Musician/Band– The Kind Thieves

To review a complete list of winners, click here.

For more information about West Virginia and to plan your trip, visit www.WVtourism.com.