Live Music: Michael Iafrate and Joshua Lee Album Release Party
Join Wheeling indie folk-rock musicians Michael Iafrate and Joshua Lee for a special double-album release party 8pm Saturday, June 10 at Towngate Theatre. M Iafrate & The Priesthood will perform material from their newly-released “Christian Burial,” while Joshua Lee performs singles from his debut EP “Promise Land.” Andrew Iafrate will open, and an after party will take place at the Gallery at Towngate. Beer, wine, soda, water and popcorn will be available to purchase. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online, at the door, or by calling 304-242-7700. More about Michael Iafrate: For over two decades, West Virginia songwriter Michael John Iafrate has performed alongside some of West Virginia’s most creative independent music acts such as The Minus Tide, COBRA and Killed At Camp. Recently, Iafrate has developed his unique voice with his band M Iafrate & The Priesthood. His soft-spoken contemplative song-explorations are often enriched by his training as a theologian—asking more questions than providing answers, co-mingling the worlds of flesh and spirit, and holding received images and traditions up to the light in respect, playfulness, and negation. Whether solo or with his band, each of Iafrate’s records presents an introspective “theo-folk” through thoughtful and dignified arrangements. More about Joshua Lee: After 14 years in Nashville, cutting his teeth on Rock, Pop, Country, and everything in between, Joshua Lee decided to hit reset in West Virginia. He brought along a love for a good hook, and a taste for ambience, noise, and fits of fury. Joshua’s songwriting falls somewhere between brooding melancholy of bands like The National, the no-nonsense song-crafting of Ryan Adams, and a healthy overdose of childhood religion.
Textural Contemporary Ballet
Professional Ballet in Wheeling! Enjoy a captivating performance by the Pittsburgh-based Texture Ballet Company. You don’t have to drive to the big city for quality, cultural experiences. See professional ballet in Wheeling! Oglebay Institute is proud to host this amazing performance. Texture presents authentic and dynamic movement based in classical ballet. Performances are both unique and inviting. These passionate dancers break through preconceived notions of ballet. Watch their graceful and powerful movements. You’ll admire their gravity-defying leaps and spins, too. As you watch the performance, the music and the stories come to life onstage right before your eyes. Most importantly, the dancers express emotion with their bodies in ways that words cannot. You’ll be amazed. $15 per person. Purchase tickets online or call 304-242-7700. Teaching the Art of Dance… Oglebay Institute recognizes the importance of creative expression through movement and music. Dance, in all forms, has been a vibrant part of Institute’s programming for more than eight decades. Oglebay Institute’s School of Dance not only presents dance as an art form and a means of self-expression but also as social interaction for all ages. From novice dancers to returning professionals, our students immerse themselves in the art of dance at Oglebay Institute.
Comedy in Wheeling: Improv with the Crazy 8s
Comedy in Wheeling: Improv with the Crazy 8s Time and date: 8 p.m. Saturday, May 6, 2017 Cost: $5 Purchase tickets online, at the door or by calling 304-242-7700. Treat yourself to a night of comedy in Wheeling. Join the Crazy 8s for a night of improvisational comedy in Wheeling. These brave performers hit the Towngate Theatre stage without a script, props or a safety net. Armed only with adrenaline and their imaginations, they make-up stories on the spot that entertain and amuse. Audience members offer suggestions for scenes, conflicts, characters and theatrical styles and contribute directly to the action on stage. Made up of high school and college students, the Crazy 8s are brave, talented and oh, so funny! Each performance is filled with creative comedy and laughs galore. Support these young performers! In addition to a full season of community theater and children’s theater, Towngate hosts a variety of performing arts programs. Two very talented improvisation groups call Towngate Theatre home. The Left of Centre Players, an adult improv troupe, and the Crazy 8s, which comprises high school and college-aged thespians, perform throughout the year. Towngate also presents spoken word performances, live music, poetry readings, independent films and more.
Larry Tackett’s “Colors from the Sea” Opening Reception
Join us 6:30-8:3 p.m. Thursday, March 2 at the Stifel Fine Arts Center for the opening of Colors from the Sea – a photography exhibit featuring the work of Larry Tackett. Opening reception is free and open to the public. Exhibit is on display through April 14. Sponsored by United Bank. Additional program support provided by West Virginia Northern Community College. About the artist: Photographer Larry Tackett spent 32 years diving and photographing the world’s seas along with late wife, Denise. Their more than 6,500 dives included some of the most pristine and remote reef systems on the planet. Tackett’s trips were ones of both vocation and avocation. As a photographer, the oceans provided him limitless subjects in all sizes and colors. Tackett photographs only a portion of the marine animals he finds hiding in reefs. His subject matter then becomes abstract photographic art of vibrant colors and varied textures. As a naturalist, Tackett’s photos of coral reef life have been widely published in books and magazines worldwide. His first book — co-authored by wife Denise — “Reef Life, Natural History and Behaviors of Marine Fishes and Invertebrates” was published in 2002. The Tackett’s newest book, Underwater Photography, A Guide to Creative Techniques and Essential Equipment, was published in 2005.
Beer Tasting at OI: Art and Ale
Beer Tasting at OI: Art and Ale 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 5, 2017 $30/$25.50 OI Members. Register online or call 304-242-7700. Oglebay Institute’s beer tasting events are must-attend social gatherings for craft beer enthusiasts in the Wheeling area. Discover new breweries. Try a variety of beer styles. Enjoy a buffet of foods that complements the featured beverages. Learn about the increasingly popular – and creative– craft beer industry. Events take place at the Stifel Fine Arts Center, a grand 100-year-old mansion that was once home to one of Wheeling’s most prominent families. More than just a beer tasting. . . During the events, you can also view the art exhibit on display in the gallery and explore the elegant mansion. You can purchase your favorite brews to take home, too. Most of all, unwind and have fun. Although events begin at 6:30 p.m., you can arrive early to meet the friendly staff. At some events, guided tours of the art exhibit are offered at 6 p.m. Explore one of Wheeling’s grand, historic properties and view interesting and thought-provoking art at OI’s popular beer tasting events.
Beer Tasting at OI: Irish Beer & Live Celtic Music
Beer Tasting at OI: Irish Beer & Live Celtic Music beginning at 6:30 p.m. $35/$30 OI members. Register online or call 304-242-7700. Find your “Kiss Me I’m Irish” t-shirt. Then, come celebrate with the Irish and Irish-at-heart. If you’re tired of celebrating St. Patrick’s Day by standing around a crowded bar drinking light beers with green food coloring, grab your friends and join us at our annual Irish beer tasting event. Hang out in one of the coolest old mansion’s in Wheeling. Ample supplies of Irish ales, IPAs and stouts are served along with Irish foods. And, live Celtic music knocks the moss off your Blarney Stone! More than just a beer tasting. . . Oglebay Institute’s beer tasting events are must-attend social gatherings for craft beer enthusiasts in the Wheeling area. During the events, you can also view the art exhibit on display in the gallery and explore the elegant mansion. During warm weather, stroll through the sculpture gardens. You can purchase your favorite brews to take home, too. Most of all, unwind and have fun. Although events begin at 6:30 p.m., you can arrive early to meet the friendly staff. And, at some events, guided tours of the art exhibit are offered at 6 p.m. Discover new beers. Socialize with friends. Explore one of Wheeling’s grand, historic properties and view interesting and thought-provoking art at OI’s popular beer tasting events.
The Art of Wine at the Stifel Fine Arts Center
Wine Events at OI: Art of Wine: 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 7, 2017. $33/$28 OI members. Register online or call 304-242-7700. Oglebay Institute hosts some of Wheeling’s most popular wine events. The Art of Wine series features wine and food pairings in the elegant, yet intimate, splendor of one of Wheeling’s grand properties. The 100-year-old Edemar Mansion (now known as the Stifel Fine Arts Center) is the former home of one of Wheeling’s most prominent families and is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. More than the just wine… During wine events, you will enjoy four to six wines and heavy hors d’ oeuvres. And learn tips on selecting and serving wines. You can also view the art on display in the gallery. As you explore the historic mansion, you will marvel at the stained glass windows, grand central staircase, marble floors and the majestic fireplace in the formal living room. During warm weather, stroll through the gardens. You can purchase your favorite vintages, too. Most of all, unwind and have fun. Although events begin at 6:30 p.m., you can arrive early to meet the friendly staff. And, at some events, guided tours of the art exhibit are offered at 6 p.m. Oglebay Institute wine events are great places to discover new wines and meet other wine lovers, too. These popular events are also perfect for date nights and evenings out with friends.
Wheeling Film Society presents “The Graduate” at Towngate Theatre
Wheeling Film Society presents The Graduate: Free Screening at 7 p.m. Friday, April 7, 2017. (Conversation about the film takes place at noon April 11 at the Ohio County Public Library.) When Mike Nichols agreed to direct The Graduate, he thought, “That’s me.” When Dustin Hoffman first read the script, he felt the same way. Millions of others agreed. Title character Benjamin and his girlfriend Elaine Robinson became representatives of a generation of people discontented by materialist values and empty relationships. We can discuss this film from so many angles! Anne Bancroft is the intimidating Mrs. Robinson. There’s the life-advice Benjamin receives, too. Let’s not forget the revolutionary use of Simon and Garfunkel’s folk-rock anthems on the soundtrack. And, in Hollywood blockbuster history, few endings are more ambiguous and thought provoking than this one. Come experience “The Sounds of Silence.” Then, we’ll talk.
Towngate Theater presents “George Washington Slept Here”.
Towngate Theater presents George Washington Slept Here by Moss Hart and George S. Kauffman. Directed by John Reilly. March 31 - April 1, 2017 at 8 p.m. Admission: $12.50/$11 OI members. Purchase tickets online or call 304-242-7700. A businessman gets tired of living in the city. So, he buys a dilapidated old shack in the country despite his wife’s objections. Troubles ensue including disputes with the neighbor and the usual invasion of weekend guests. And, of course, there is a “rich” uncle who turns out to be bankrupt. A hilarious rotating cast of characters brings this classic comedy to life.
Towngate Theater presents “George Washington Slept Here”.
Towngate Theater presents George Washington Slept Here by Moss Hart and George S. Kauffman. Directed by John Reilly. March 24 - 25, 2017 at 8 p.m. March 26 at 3:00 p.m. Admission: $12.50/$11 OI members. Purchase tickets online or call 304-242-7700. A businessman gets tired of living in the city. So, he buys a dilapidated old shack in the country despite his wife’s objections. Troubles ensue including disputes with the neighbor and the usual invasion of weekend guests. And, of course, there is a “rich” uncle who turns out to be bankrupt. A hilarious rotating cast of characters brings this classic comedy to life.
Mountain Moon Coffeehouse presents Two Bridges
Experience a toe-tappin’ good time! Some of the region’s best bluegrass, Americana and roots music artists perform in Wheeling as part of the popular Mountain Moon Coffeehouse series. Crowd-pleasing performers, expert pickers, talented vocalists and captivating storytellers entertain crowds with foot-stomping tunes and expressive ballads. Shows take place in the historic 100-year-old Stifel Fine Arts Center. Doors open at 7 p.m. Then, the music begins at 7:30 p.m. Purchase tickets online or call 304-242-7700. Purchase early, many shows sell out!
Jazz at the Stifel presents Don Aliquo Quartet
Some of the region’s top jazz artists perform at the Stifel Fine Arts Center on select Saturdays throughout the year. Crowd-pleasing performers, expert showman and award-winning song stylists entertain crowds in the elegant, yet intimate, splendor of one of Wheeling’s grand properties. The 100-year-old Edemar Mansion (now known as the Stifel Fine Arts Center) is the former home of one of Wheeling’s most prominent families and is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. While enjoying a selection of desserts and wines that are available for purchase at all shows, marvel at the stained glass windows, grand central staircase, marble floors and the majestic fireplace in the formal living room. During warm weather, stroll through the gardens. You can also view the art on display in the gallery. Purchase tickets online or call 304-242-7700.