It’s About Fun Approaching 725 Market Street, we knew that we had reached our destination and I got my first inkling of what might be different about this art center. Above its front entrance is a scrolling digital sign, but it’s the support columns wrapped in large, bright colorful banners announcing current happenings that are the grabbers. Entering ...

Coal has been known as West Virginia’s “black gold,” but some of the finest, largely undiscovered gold still lies in these hills, in the voices and drums, guitars and horns of African-American musicians. The Metro Valley has the largest African-American population in the state, which leads to more black musicians ...

Tucked away on a hill, just outside of Milton, sits Eric Pardue's small log cabin. Inside is a myriad of objects ranging from model airplanes nestled into the rafters to a glass case full of old toys (which Pardue admits are his downfall). At first glance, this eclectic mix might ...

If you had been inside Huntington's Keith-Albee Theater on a recent Saturday morning, through the floating dust particles you could have seen back to the future. On September 16, over 100 volunteers began removing the partitions of two mini-theaters that were carved from the original auditorium's approximately 3,000 seats in ...

In each society there lies a spirit which makes it unique, an inherent nature that gives a community depth, meaning and character. We here in the Metro Valley are blessed with such attributes, the most remarkable of which are embodied in our women. Our women have a long heritage of ...

"Oswald! Get back over here!" blew in the breeze as a miniature dog nipped at my frayed khaki bottoms. I followed the gentle voice along a concrete walkway, and struggled to make my way to the door due to Oswald's ferocious leg lock he had cleverly maneuvered in a way ...

Kanawha Arts Review (KAR) magazine was readily embraced by Kanawha County readers. This success captured the attention of other statewide art groups, many of which lack a similar arts publication in their community. Metro Valley magazine seeks to fulfill the mission of KAR -generating greater awareness of the ...

A show like no other is about to hit Charleston, when The River Cities Youth Ballet, the Youth Symphony Orchestra, childSong and womanSong join forces to present the premiere of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz performed as a ballet. The idea came to Michelle Raider, artistic director of River Cities ...

Legendary British sculptor Henry Moore once remarked "To be an artist is to believe in life." There are many extraordinary artists across the Kanawha Valley, young and old, who breathe energy and soul into the community through their self-expression and talent. This issue of Kanawha Arts Review is dedicated to ...

Friends say Richard James "R.J." Lloyd left this world while doing what he loved the most-backstage theatre. R.J. loved theatre. It was his passion, his job, his life. He never said much, but he was always behind the scenes, working hard and playing hard. R.J. was hanging the lights for ...

Greg Harpold's mother says he was never the same after his kindergarten performance of the Farmer in the Dell . Thirty-some years later, Greg, who starred as the Farmer, still credits a woman, named Wanda Good, with helping him ignite his passion for the stage. "I was a natural ham. ...

The Charleston Community Music Association (CCMA), formed in 1933, has been working diligently for over 70 years to bring the finest in music and dance to West Virginia. Throughout these many years, the dedicated efforts of the board of directors and the many volunteers have remained constant. As a result, ...

The workshop hums with energy. "Get your costumes on if you're going to wear them tonight," Nina Denton Pasinetti, the director, calls from her seat in front of the stage. "It's almost 7:30." John Marshall, the musical director, runs performers through vocal warm-ups. Four days from tonight a crew of volunteers ...

B'nai Jacob Synagogue Nearly every Charleston citizen has driven past the B'nai Jacob Synagogue and noted the expansive set of windows set above its Virginia Street entrance. However, to truly appreciate their grandeur, they must be seen from inside on a clear day. Artist David Pushkin's work graces the entryway, ...

Who says all that glitters is gold? Why can't it be "all that glitters is gold and silver?" Jewelry designer and goldsmith, Amy Whittington of St. Albans, demonstrates just how gold and silver, as a combination or separate, surpass the old saying. More than 17 years ago, Amy discovered her ...

Charles "Jupiter" Hamilton used to be outraged by coloring books. The West Virginia artist thought the idea of teaching children to color within the lines was some sort of absurd right wing conspiracy. "I used to rant and rave about it," says Hamilton, grinning, "but with wood cuts I have ...

Most artists choose traditional mediums for their artwork, like canvas, oils or clay. Robbie "Bear" Parson's choice is steel. That's right, cold hard metal is his canvas, and while not a typical art form, his vision and talent transforms raw metal into a masterpiece of beauty and power. Bear's interest ...

As he approaches his 80th birthday on December 8, Charleston Light Opera Guild veteran Louis Husson is currently the only active founding member of the group. During his 55 years with the guild, no role on or off stage has been too large or too small for Husson. Husson has ...

Down a staircase lined with photographs of violins and through a cello filled room, you will find Harold Hayslett tucked away in his quaint workshop. Hayslett, of South Charleston, hand-makes violins, cellos and violas. "I suppose I was born with the inclination to make these. I have always wanted to ...

The Fantasticks, Sound of Music, The West Virginia Symphony, 1776, The Nutcracker, Mountain Stage, Noises Off, TinTypes, Regatta, Dance Festival, the State High School Band Contest, The Wheeling Symphony. If it's a live performance and it's in West Virginia, you can bet Thomas Pasinetti is somehow involved. In a word, ...