Looking for something to do in southern West Virginia this coming week? Here are some ideas.
September 20: Open Studio Time
The Beckley Art Lab will be open to the community for creative use from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, September 20.
“We welcome our arts community to use our Art Lab space in the downstairs area of our Dan & Cynthia Bickey Art Gallery,” said those at the Beckley Art Center. “We ask that you come to create, think, explore and relax in our studio space. We realize how important it is to have a creative space to utilize when creating artwork, and we want to have a part in sustaining our arts community with this initiative.”
The open studio is for ages 13 and older. If guests would like to have access to basic art supplies, they can pay a $10 fee to use the art center’s supplies for the evening.
Questions should be directed to saja@beckleyartcenter.com
September 22: Pub n’ Play
Join those at the Gaines Estate on Wednesday, September 22, for Pub n’ Play- a night filled with fun, laughter and delicious drinks. The house bar will be open to the public from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.
According to event organizers, there will be yard games, live music and food trucks.
The Gaines Estate is located at 225 W. Maple Street in Fayetteville.
Click here for more information on the event.
September 23: Human Library Event
Word Park will be the location of a Human Library event on Thursday, September 23. The Human Library Event is part of BEX 2021 and is created and organized by Christina Baisden.
According to event organizers, the Human Library concept is of a library that lends people rather than books. The ‘Books’ are people who have experienced prejudice, social exclusion, or stigma, and they are ‘borrowed’ by ‘Readers’ who can ask any question they like, to both learn about the other person and also challenge their own prejudices. The idea is simple and intuitive and is based on the notion that one-to-one conversations will allow a personal experience of sharing, questioning, and reflection that can radically shift perceptions. People who have taken part in these events elsewhere have reported that they can be profound experiences for all concerned.
As participants enter the library, they will see a list of human ‘books’ that are available. After discussing the process with the librarians, they will arrange to borrow someone and will be introduced to their ‘book’ and the guidelines readout. Then, they will be left to have a conversation. When the session ends, participants can choose to borrow another ‘book’ if they wish.
The objectives of the human library are as follows:
- Build understanding for diversity
- Facilitate a greater acceptance, tolerance, and social cohesion in the community
- Create a real connection between people
- Innovating the approach to challenge stigma, stereotypes, and prejudices
- Give a voice to stigmatized groups of the community
- Create support platforms for a greater understanding of diversity and social cohesion
We ask that you show the utmost respect and integrity during this event
The event will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
September 23: Ivy Terrace Concert featuring Jack Grace Band
Jack Grace, a singer, songwriter and guitarist who has been touring and recording for the last 25 years, will perform at Lewisburg’s Carnegie Hall on Thursday, September 23. The evening will begin at 7 p.m.
Carnegie Hall is located at 611 Church Street in Lewisburg.
Learn more about Jack Grace Band here.
September 23: Beckley Concert Association
Farewell Angelina will perform at the Woodrow Wilson High School Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 23.
Farewell Angelina, an all-female country group with three powerhouse vocalists, dynamic songwriters, and accomplished multi-instrumentalists, is named after a haunting Bob Dylan song.
The band’s blend of harmonies over blazing double violins and guitars has earned soaring praise across the board. A band of longtime friends, Nicole Witt, Andrea Young, and Ashley Gearing all met pursuing their dreams in Nashville, Tennessee.
Together, the band has sung the National Anthem for Thursday night football and performed at the Unbridled Eve Gala for the Kentucky Derby, the ACM All-Star Jam, and festivals in Switzerland, Norway, Spain, France, Indonesia, and Malaysia. They have opened for the likes of Kenny Chesney, Old Dominion, Frankie Ballard, Jake Owen, Billy Currington, Maroon 5, and Trace Adkins among others.
Learn more about Farewell Angelina here.
September 24 through September 26: Gauley Bridge Town Celebration
This weekend, Gauley Bridge will celebrate the town.
The event, which kicks off at noon on Friday, September 24, will feature a baking contest, movies, a chili cook-off, car and motorcycle shows, live music, fireworks and more.
Learn more about the schedule’s events on Facebook.
September 25: Gauley Bridge Day Motorcycle Ride
The Gauley Bridge Day Motorcycle Ride will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 25.
The ride will go along The Talon or The Trail of Dragons while celebrating the town of Gauley Bridge.
Aside from the ride, those celebrating can enjoy food, music, cruise-in and fireworks.
September 25: Tamarack Marketplace 25th Anniversary
Tamarack Marketplace is turning 25! The celebration- an all-day, indoor-outdoor event featuring live music, artistic demonstrations, food trucks, a beer festival and more- will take place on Saturday, September 25, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The event’s concert lineup is as follows:
Stage One
11 a.m.: Long Point String Band
12 p.m.: The Carpenter Ants
1 p.m.: 18 Strings
2 p.m.: Parachute Brigade
3 p.m.: The Wild Rumpus
4 p.m.: Matt Mullins and The Bringdowns
5 p.m.: Hillbilly Gypsies
6 p.m.: The Kind Thieves
Stage Two
12 p.m.: Untrained Professionals
1 p.m.: Shawn Benfield
2 p.m.: Randy Gilkey & Nick Durm
3 p.m.: Long Point String Band
4 p.m.: Jonah Carden
5 p.m.: Poor Taters
6 p.m.: The Lords of Lester
Visit tamarackwv.com for more information.
September 25: Oktoberfest in the Park 2021
Mercer County’s Oktoberfest in the Park 2021 event will take place from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Lotito Park on Saturday, September 25.
The celebration will feature live music, food trucks, wine and some of the best craft beer in the region.
Advanced tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite for $25 or at the door for $30.
Lotito Park is located at 1780 Stadium Drive in Bluefield, Virginia.
September 25: Oddities & Curiosities Fair
An Oddities & Curiosities Fair, a BEX event, will be held at Word Park at 5 p.m. on Saturday, September 25.
The evening will be filled with all things bizarre and eclectic and will include an open-air marketplace, wandering performers, mystics, readers, tellers, the world’s largest ghost hunt, performances and tents full of who-knows-what-else.
Call 304-923-5820 for more information about the event.
September 25: Chad Nickel & The Loose Change live at the Lost Paddle
Chad Nickel & The Loose Change will perform live at ACE Adventure Resort’s Lost Paddle Lounge starting at 8 p.m. on Saturday, September 25.
Since 2015, Nashville recording artists, Chad Nickell & the Loose Change have been performing across the two Virginia’s, captivating listeners with their live performances of original music. Their extensive self-written catalog beautifully meshes everything from folk, honky-tonk, and feel-good indie anthems, to heartfelt Americana ballads and pop-rock sing-a-longs.
The show is free for all to attend. Learn more about Chad Nickell & The Loose Change here.
September 25: Fright Nights WV
West Virginia’s premier haunted attraction is back again on September 25 and each weekend in October with two new themes, including Camp Kilamee and Hexed!
This year’s haunt features five total terrifying themes to make your way through, creating one incredible haunted experience!
Fright Nights is located at The Resort at Glade Springs in Daniels.
Timed tickets are available now at frightnightswv.com. More information can also be found on Facebook.