If you are jonesing for some good, authentic songwriting and great locally-crafted tunes? Well, you are in luck, as the songwriters are singing like a robin let loose in the heart of spring.Here's a couple must-see songwriter concerts this weekend ...
Humming House and Tyler Too:
Step out of your seat and onto the stage as The Clay Center in Charleston hosts its intimate and on-stage Sound Checks! concert series that reels in the hot Nashville quintet Humming House for a concert at 8 p.m. Friday, March 24. Also on the bill is Kentucky ginger song ninja, Tyler Childers, who just got signed to Paradigm's booking out of Nashville, and who tours the country with his Huntington-based band The Food Stamps, as well as solo. Grab your tickets now for this amazing musical experience. Advance tickets are only $15, prices raise to $20 day of show. www.tickets.theclaycenter.org
Songwriters In the Round:
A who's who and a wide range of regional Americana-carved songwriters share the stage from Friday, March 24 for a special songwriters in the round night at the V Club, 741 6th Ave., Huntington. Doors open at 7 p.m., with the show at 9 p.m. Cover is $8 for those 18 and up. Sharing stories and songs on stage will be an early set with Senora May, Josh Nolan, Tim Lancaster, Andrew Hankins from 9 to 11 p.m., and then a late set, 11:15 p.m. on with Sasha Colette, Jeremy Short, Tim Browning and Sean Whiting. If you'd like to keep that river of songs flowing, head over to the cozy Black Sheep Burrito & Brews 1555 3rd Ave, Huntington, for brunch from noon to 2 p.m. when Senora May will be singing.
Head Upstairs and Take Cover - It's a Huntington Culture Storm:
Huntington Culture Storm, the fun and funky series of one-night music-infused art shows put together by Zac White and friends, is set for its second installment of this year.Head upstairs at the Black Sheep Burrito and Brews, 1555 Third Ave., from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, March 26 when you can enjoy music by DJ Charlie Blac, while you can stroll a full room of regional art vendors of all mediums.Come early for dinner, then check out the upstairs art market. Once the Culture Storm slows down, you can pop back downstairs for Black Sheeps weekly open mic night.
Celebrating 'Steel Magnolias' 30th Anniversary:
As Shelby said, "I would rather have thirty minutes of wonderful than a lifetime of nothing special." And you can have a couple hours of wonderful as ARTS presents their take on the iconic 1980s chick-play and film, "Steel Magnolias," with their own all-star local cast.
Directed by Army Carlson, "Steel Magnolias," is set to run 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 24-25, as well as 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, March 29-April 1.
The local version of this 30th anniversary of "Steel Magnolias," stars Mary Williams as M'Lynn, Mary Elizabeth Olson as Clairee, JinnieKnight as Truvy, Linda Reynolds as Ouiser, Nora Ankrom as Shelby, and in her last turn on the ARTS stage, for the foreseeable future, Joanna Murdock as Annelle.
Tickets are $15 for show only, except for the Girls Night Out performance at 8 p.m. Thursday, March 30 when tickets are 2 for $20. A Southern dinner (complete with Coca-Cola-glazed ham, sweet potato casserole and Bleedin' Armadillo Grooms Cake, is also available.
Dinner and show tickets $30. Note that Friday, March 31 dinner is already sold out. Call 304-634-5015 now or visit www.artstristate.org for online tickets. Dinner tickets must be reserved over the phone. Show only tickets may be purchased online.
Do the Time Warp Again in Gallipolis:
Head up to Gallipolis, Ohio for an evening of absolute pleasure as the Colony Club, 418 Second Ave., Gallipolis, host a screening of the raucous, audience interaction cult favorite rock musical, "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" complete with a live shadow cast from the Colony Crew.
Show time is 9 p.m. Saturday, March 25 to see the campy 1975 musical comedy horror film that serves as a satirical tribute to the science fiction and horror B movies of the 1930s through early 1970s. Audience participation is strongly encouraged. You can shout, throw things, and just have fun (within reason, of course)!
Tickets are $5 and include a free Audience Survival Kit. Tickets can be purchased at the door the night of the show or contact Colony Club to reserve tables.Any questions about the show can be directed to: david.m.driskell@gmail.com.
My Roadtrip Pick:
My Dave Trippin' pick this weekend is to South Charleston for one of the first beer fests of the season.
While we wait for summer brew festivals, you can spring into action tasting some new West Virginia beers at a new fest Rhythm and Brews Fest.
Armed with a new release and with a couple dozen dates all over the Eastern U.S. under his belt, William Matheny and the Strange Constellations roll back to WV to join Porch 40, and the horn-blown funk of John Inghram's Slugfest during the Rhythm & Brews Festival that takes place from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, March 25 at the South Charleston Community Center, 601 Jefferson Rd, South Charleston.
Go online at fundfortheartswv.ticketspice.com for tickets to the fest which features music, regional brews and local food.
Dave Lavender is the author of "Dave Trippin: A Daytripper's Guide to the Appalachian Galaxy of Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia" and his new travel book, "Mo' Dave Trippin" now for sale on Amazon.com and through CreateSpace. Check out the new book at the Red Caboose, Empire Books and News, and now at Camden Park. Lavender covers regional travel. Follow The Herald-Dispatch reporter on Facebook and Twitter @DaveLavenderHD.