Artslinkwv's Blog

2009-10 Concert Series Comes to a Close

The final installment of ArtsLink’s 2009-10 Concert Series is a FREE performance by Resonance Percussion from Pittsburgh. This FREE concert is made possible by our friends at the Stealey Community Fund.

This FREE event will be held at Tyler Consolidated High School, in the auditorium, at 2:00 on Sunday, March 28. The group is a world fusion ensemble made up of five musicians – three percussionists, guitar and bass, who use the distinctive sound of the steel drums to draw audiences into a mix of Caribbean jazz and global fusion music. As usual, there will also be a festive nosh provided, under the direction of Gail Haught. I’m gonna be first in line! There is no charge for the refreshments, but our fish will be pretty hungry for donations. Please feed the fish!

When Barb Thomaselli and I were in Harrisburg in 2008 for the Pennsylvania Presenters Conference, we had breakfast with Phil Webster, a leader of this group. He was so personable at 8:00 in the morning that we just had to give his group a listen when we got home. I think you all will really enjoy the blend of tropical and world music.

Financial support for this event is provided by West Virginia Northern Community College, Chesapeake Energy, W E T Z / W Y M J Radio, the Plaza Inn, and Ohio Valley Online.  We couldn’t have the wide variety of productions without their continued support. And, have I mentioned yet that the concert’s FREE?!??!!

See you all on Sunday!

Mega March events!

First,  I want to thank everyone who came to see the Robert Thomas concert last Sunday in honor of Ruth Wells. I think we all had a wonderful afternoon – I know Mrs. Wells enjoyed it! And, I’d like to thank our sponsors, Witschey’s Supermarket and Mr. and Mrs. Warren Dean. Fran Caldwell organized the very tasty intermission refreshments.

Second, you’ll not want to miss the concert we have coming up this coming Sunday at Magnolia (in the comfy seats in the auditorium!). It’s Elaine and Susan Hoffman Watts and the Fabulous Shpielkehs, a klezmer group from Philadelphia. What, you may ask, is klezmer? Well, it’s a type of Jewish folk music. Barb Thomaselli and I saw them perform at the PA Presenters Conference in Harrisburg a couple of years ago and they were just a hoot! We determined that their musical style is a combination of Jewish, Italian, Greek and, well, Philadelphia. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen this kind of music presented around here, so it will truly be a unique experience.

Tickets are available at the door – for ArtsLink members: $10 for individuals and $20 for a family (2 adults and kids under 18); and for non-members, $15 and $25 respectively. Student tickets are available for $5. ArtsLink memberships are always available! Local sponsor for this event is Wetzel County Hospital.

I’d also like to take a moment to thank the local businesses who are supporting this ArtsLink activity: West Virginia Northern Community College, Chesapeake Energy, W E T Z/ W Y M J Radio, the Plaza Inn, and Ohio Valley Online. And, we’d not be able to present this group without grant funding from the West Virginia Division of Culture and History and the National Endowment for the Arts, with approval from the WV Commission on the Arts. Additional support received from Pennsylvania Performing Arts on Tour, a program developed and funded by The Heinz Endowments; the William Penn Foundation; the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency; and the Pew Charitable Trusts; and administered by Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation.   

ArtsLink is committed to providing universal accessibility wherever possible. Persons with special needs may contact us at 304-455-2278 to request assistance.

I’ll have more next time on the last event in ArtsLink’s 2009-10 Concert Series, the FREE event at Tyler Consolidated High School on March 28 – Resonance Percussion.

Don’t hesitate to give me buzz if you have any questions about ArtsLink and our activities!

Robert Thomas concert to honor Ruth Wells

We’ve got popular New Martinsville native son Robert Thomas, a renown  pianist, coming on Sunday, March 7 to the First Christian Church in a concert performance to honor artist and retired teacher Ruth Wells. Mrs. Wells, age 97, is planning to be at the  concert.  If any of you were students of Mrs. Wells, please come and visit with her! The concert starts at 2:00 and there will be light refreshments at intermission.  I’m sure Fran will have something tasty! I’d like to thank our sponsors, Witschey’s Supermarket and Mr & Mrs Warren Dean. And, as always, our valued supporters: West Virginia Northern Community College, Chesapeake Energy, WETZ/WYMJ Radio and Ohio Valley Online.

Rob is a Professor of Piano at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and has performed in all the great halls of the United States and Europe. And another treat at this concert – some of the artwork of Mrs. Wells will be on display.

Tickets are $10 for ArtsLink members and $15 for non-members and are only available at the door the afternoon of the performance. Please come early to guarantee a good seat! For you who are not members of ArtsLink, we’d love it if you’d join us! There’s membership information available here on the website. Also, this event is not a part of the 2009-10 Concert Series, so season tickets will not be honored. The First Christian Church is located on Maple Avenue, next to Magnolia High School.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please call me, Donna,  at the ArtsLink office at 304-455-2278. If I’m not in, please leave a message.

I hope to see all of you on Sunday!