Looking for something to do in southern West Virginia this coming week? Here are some ideas.
August 1: Theatre West Virginia presents Landua Live at Grandview
On Sunday, August 1, Theatre West Virginia will conclude its 2021 season with a musical grand finale. The event will feature West Virginia native and season six winner of NBC TV’s “America’s Got Talent” Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. and his special guests Voices of Classic Soul, featuring the former lead singers of The Temptations, The Platters, The Drifters and The Four Tops.
Join Landau and these musical legends for a once-in-a-lifetime evening of musical memories and Motown Magic as Landau celebrates the 10th anniversary of his America’s Got Talent win back home in his home state of West Virginia alongside his musical heroes. Audiences will be captivated by a night full of number one hits from all four legendary groups and the Great American Songbook that form the soundtrack of our lives.
Tickets are available for all performances online at www.theatrewestvirginia.org, by calling 304-256-6800 or by visiting the Cliffside Amphitheatre Box Office beginning one hour before each show.
For group rates or more information, contact Theatre West Virginia at 304-256-6800.
The performance will begin at 7:30 p.m. at Grandview’s Cliffside Amphitheater located at 4700 Grandview Road in Beaver.
Read more about the 2021 Theatre West Virginia season here.
August 2, August 4, August 6: Beckley Farmers Market
The Uptown Farmer’s Market will be open at the Beckley Intermodal Gateway Plaza on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
The market will be open from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Market vendors will accept senior coupons.
August 2: The Monday Market
From 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, August 2, the Gaines Estate will introduce The Monday Market, an event that will feature Fayetteville’s finest food trucks, produce vendors, artisans and more on the first Monday of the month. The market will be made complete with live music from local artists.
The market will be located in the Walnut Grove in the back yard of the Gaines Estate, a 1920’s era mansion located at 225 West Maple Ave in downtown Fayetteville.
The City of Fayetteville invites everyone to enjoy a Monday at the market.
Click here to learn more about the Gaines Estate and here to learn more about The Monday Market.
August 5: Ivy Terrace Concert with Deni Bonet
Deni Bonet, a New York City-based pop and rock singer/songwriter and classically trained violinist, will perform at Lewisburg’s Carnegie Hall from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 5, 2021.
For years, Bonet has been honoring her craft as a violinist, singer, songwriter and performer. Her style ranges from pop to roots-rock to new folk.
During her career, Bent has recorded with Cyndi Lauper, R.E.M., Sarah McLachlan, and many other artists. Previous appearances include several concerts of her own music at New York’s Carnegie Hall, The Great Wall of China, the United Nations, and the White House for President Obama. For the last few years, she has been touring the United States and Europe, headlining festivals, performing at art centers, clubs, colleges and concert halls, soloing with symphonies. Her music has been featured on HBO, NBC, American Airlines and several films. She was recently honored to be awarded a grant through the Arts Envoy Program of the United States Government to spend a month on a residency in Africa teaching violin, songwriting, and rock ’n roll at a music college in Zanzibar. Deni Bonet has released several CDs of her own original music, including last year’s critically-acclaimed “Bright Shiny Objects” on Zip Records/Sony-RED.
Attendees can watch the concert from the lawn in front of the New River Community and Technical College. Concert-goers are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket and pack a picnic to enjoy the live, outdoor concert.
All Ivy-Terrance concerts are free and open to the public. No alcohol is allowed at the event.
August 6: Try This West Virginia
Recharge and reconnect in a beautiful setting during a one-day conference from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, August 6.
Try This was created to network West Virginians who want to make it easier for the people in their communities to get healthy food and be active.
Three themes will be highlighted on Friday:
- Getting youth involved with healthy activities
- Prevention of depression and substance misuse
- Growing local healthy-community leadership
All sessions will take place in the outdoor pavilions of Fayette County Park.
Learn more about the conference here.
August 6: Fridays in the Park
Fridays in the Park has returned to Beckley, meaning live music and food trucks will decorate Word Park in Uptown Beckley from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, August 6, 2021.
The event’s organizers invite those far and wide to finish their workweek with lunch as they support the community, relax, and listen to local entertainment.
Social distancing guidelines will be followed.
August 6 and August 7: Meadow Bridge Home Coming
On Friday, August 6, and Saturday, August 7, Meadow Bridge will celebrate 100 years at the 33rd Annual Meadow Bridge Homecoming Festival.
The event will feature a parade, live music, arts and craft vendors, t-shirt sales, contests and competitions and more.
Learn more about the event here and view the event schedule here.
August 7 and August 8: Captain Thurmond’s Challenge
Two triathlons are set for this weekend in the New River Gorge.
The Captain Thurmond’s Challenge (extreme), set for Saturday, is a multi-sport, off-road race that consists of 28.5 miles of the most challenging mountain biking, whitewater and trail running the New River Gorge has to offer.
The Thurmond Triathlon on Sunday will be for families out for a wholesome beginner adventure where they can make memories while they bike, paddle and run.
Learn more about the event here and register here.
August 7-August 8: Totally Awesome 80’s Weekend
Join River Expeditions on August 7 and August 8 for the Totally Awesome 80’s party. Enjoy the unique era that is the 1980’s in a venue filled with loud colors, extreme fashion, sky-high hair and defining music.
Dance the night away to your favorite 80’s music at The Red Dog River Saloon & Grill.
Prizes will be awarded for best costume, best dancer and classic 80’s trivia.
River Expedition expects the weekend to be its biggest event of the summer. The event package includes Saturday rafting, a BBQ cookout, two nights of camping, lite breakfast daily and all access to the party. The weekend package is $160 per person.
Call 800-463-9873 for more information.
August 7: First Ever Cherry River Festival Bike Show
On Saturday, August 7, the City of Richwood will hold the first-ever Cherry River Festival Bike Show. The bike show, which is being hosted by The W.V. Hellbender will last from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Following the show and its judging, attendants will be asked to join the city for a cruise through the Cherry River Festival Parade starting on Main Street. The parade will feature “really nice” and “extremely loud” bikes, according to event organizers.
Join Richwood and help make the festival’s first year a success. Call 304-846-6790 for more information.
August 7: The Appalachian Hope Festival
On August 7, The Appalachian Hope Project, a youth organization that organizes youth support groups for at-risk teens and youth in West Virginia’s foster care system, will host its summer youth festival: The Appalachian Hope Festival.
The event, which will take place at Burning Rock Off-Road Park, will be held from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The festival is free to the community and will feature West Virginia crafters, business owners, food vendors, artists, musicians, youth groups, teen leaders and other organizations that are trying to make a positive impact on the West Virginia foster care system.
Games, activities, workshops and showcases will be made available for teens and their families to participate in.
The Appalachian Hope Project will also be raffling off one day of riding for four people and one night of camping at Burning Rock Off-Road Park to fundraise for program expansion. The group is working with the West Virginia DHHR to establish a group in all of West Virginia’s 55 counties.
While tickets are free, they do need to be reserved as organizers are working to monitor COVID cases and regulations leading up to the event. Tickets can be reserved here.
Learn more about The Appalachian Hope Project here or on Facebook.
August 7 through August 8: Haunted Campout
Spooky Season is starting early this year. The Nightmare in the Gorge at ACE Adventure Resort will host a horrific campout in August.
Participants will spend the night in a real haunted ghost town while competing in a scavenger hunt for cash prizes. Throughout the night, they will be apprehended, abducted and terrified by monsters, creatures, cannibals, clowns and other grotesque beasts.
Get ready for a night of thrills, chills, challenges, smores by the campfire, real ghost stories, dinner, breakfast and more.
Overnight accommodations include a tent in a real haunted ghost town.
Learn more about the event here or by calling 800-787-3982.