Wednesday May 27 | 4:30PM – 6PM
100 Capitol St., Suite302, Charleston, WV
Celebrate the 10th anniversary of Charleston’s Salsa Club with a night of rhythm on the river!
Start the evening at Haddad Riverfront Park with a beginner-friendly salsa lesson, then board the River Queen at 7 PM and dance the night away to live music by Cariño as you cruise down the Kanawha River with FestivALL.
Sponsored by The Roq / Quarrier Diner
Location: Aboard the River Queen, docked at Haddad River Front Park, 600 Kanawha Blvd E
Time: 7:00pm
*TICKETS ARE SOLD OUT*
Enjoy the arts outside during FestivALL. Experience the charm of the Sunrise Carriage Trail as you walk along the .65-mile trail, taking in the sights and sounds of live music, art, dance, and more. Enjoy artful dance performances produced by Carli Mareneck, live music, other performing artists, and more.
Participating artisits included Brett Mahon, Carli Merenick and Friends, Xino’s, Matt Malinoski, Minor Swing, Mell’s, and Vandalia Musicians.
Location: 746 Myrtle Rd, Charleston, WV 25314
Time: 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Carriage Trail Walk is made possible by Charles & Mary Fayne Glotfelty Foundation and West Virginia Department of Tourism
Join us at Haddad Riverfront Park for a FREE salsa lesson.
Learn the steps, move to the rhythm, and enjoy a fun, welcoming atmosphere along the riverfront. Whether you’re a beginner or just looking to brush up on your moves, come dance and have a great time!
In partnership with The Roq/Quarrier Diner
Location: Hadaad Riverfront Park, 600 Kanawha Blvd. E
Time: 6:00pm-7:00pm
Put your newly learned moves in action and join us for FestivALL River Cruise: Salsa on the River Queen! This event is immediately after Salsa Lesson on the Riverfront. Visit festivallcharleston/tickets to purchase tickets.
Swing your partner ’round and ’round at this old-time square dance featuring expert caller Steve Ballman and live music from the Kessinger Brothers — national flatpicking champion Robin Kessinger and his brother Dan. Admission is free but donations are welcome.
Produced by FestivALL and FOOTMAD
Location: Kanawha United Presbyterian Church,1009 Virginia St. E
Time: 7:00pm
This headlining event for FestivALL features performances by special guest artists from Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Grace Rookstool and David O’Matz, joined by dancers from the Charleston Ballet under the direction of Kim Pauley, River City Youth Ballet Ensemble under the direction of Michelle Raider- Simon and JADCO Contemporary Dance Company under the direction of January Johnson. Enjoy the diverse choreography and vibrant performances offered by these enchanting artists.
Grace Rookstool was born and raised on Whidbey Island in Washington. At just 3 years old, she began dance lessons at Island Dance. She started to focus more on classical ballet and joined Pacific Northwest Ballet School when she was 8 years old. She completed her training at PNB, including the Professional Division program. In 2019, upon graduation from the PD program, she was hired with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. She was promoted to Soloist in 2023, and Principal in 2025. In her time with PBT, she has had the opportunity to perform such roles as Juliet in Jean Christophe Maillot’s Romeo et Juliette, Aurora and Lilac Fairy in the Sleeping Beauty, Three Preludes by Ben Stevenson, and many Balanchine ballets including Stars and Stripes, Emeralds, and Allegro Brillante. She’s also been featured in contemporary works including First Flash by Jorma Elo and Meet Me at Midnight by Garrett Smith. Grace was named “25 to Watch” by Dance Magazine in 2023, and “Reader’s Choice” Best Performances of 2025.
David O’Matz’s progression at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre came fast and furious. Each role the 25-year-old has danced since joining the company in 2022 has raised his profile, but something more seemed to click into place in the last year. As the Cavalier in Terrence S. Orr’s The Nutcracker, his enviable facility, clean technical skills, and leading-man stage presence were captivating. He was equally riveting as Tybalt in Jean-Christophe Maillot’s Roméo et Juliette, portraying an antagonist who was as likely to menace as seduce. His onstage promotion to soloist following his Tybalt debut last February came as no surprise.
A Pittsburgh native, O’Matz trained at the Ballet Academy of Pittsburgh before attending San Francisco Ballet School. He danced with The Joffrey Ballet’s Studio Company in 2020 and Orlando Ballet in 2021 before joining PBT. “David exhibits keen artistic sensibilities, and his technical abilities are exceptional,” says PBT artistic director Adam W. McKinney. “He is a demonstrative performer who uses every opportunity to grow personally and professionally.”
Now, O’Matz is focused on becoming a more intuitive partner (“Being able to sense your partner’s needs and wants at any time is a hallmark of many of the best,” he says) and challenging himself to dive fully into his roles. —Steve Sucato
Location: West Virginia Culture Center, 1900 Kanawha Blvd E Building 9, Charleston, WV 25305
Time: 7:30pm
Tickets: $20 adults, $10 children & students
DANCE FestivALL is made possible by Horace & Sally Emery, Caldwell Insurance, and an Anonymous Donor.
Enjoy vignettes by JADCO, live music by Hannah & Her Empty Orchestra, Hot Jazz of Charleston, Minor Swing, String Chiefs and Jon Mounts, interactive art with Brianna Taft, spoken word by Xinos, and more!
NOTE: The trail is a wide gravel path approximately one-half mile long with a moderately steep incline. Dogs on leashes are welcome.
Date: October 12th
Time: 1-4pm
Location: Sunrise Carriage Trail
Experience art like never before! Attack Theatre returns with a dynamic, interactive performance alongside a striking installation by the Office of Public Art—live on the library plaza.
A vibrant event for all ages!
Stop by to see a larger-than-life temporary public art piece by FestivALL and the Office of Public Art. Attack Theatre will interact with the audience and this new public art for a 45-minute performance you don’t want to miss.
Location: Kanawha County Public Library, 123 Capitol St.
In partnership with: Charleston Office of Public Art, Kanawha County Public Library
Sponsors: Charles & Mary Fayne Glotfelty Foundation, Truist WV Foundation
*FREE EVENT*
Join the professional dancers from Attack Theatre to learn phrases from their repertoire and most recent performance.
This 90-minute class will begin with a warm-up, move across the space, and conclude with phrase material from Attack Theatre’s recent show Some Place Not Here. Participants will learn about the inspirations for Attack Theatre’s work, both embodied and conceptual, as well as their approach to dance making that highlights the artistic possibilities in everyday life.
This class is open to all movers and dancers.
Registration: (Limited to 30 spaces) $5 for students, $10 for adults
Location: Capital High School | 1500 Greenbrier St., Charleston, WV
Sponsors: Charles & Mary Fayne Glotfelty Foundation, Truist WV Foundation