Tag: festival

  • FestivALL River Cruises: Murder on the River Queen

    Sunday, May 31 | 7pm

    Solve this murder mystery on the open waters of the mighty Kanawha River!

    A sternwheeler becomes a crime scene in “Murder on the River Queen,” a 1920s-themed murder mystery theatre cruise! Dress in your best roaring ’20s attire, interact with the cast, and help uncover the culprit as the investigation unfolds on the water.

    Location: Haddad Riverfront Park, 600 Kanawha Blvd.
    Time: 7:00pm

    Tickets: General Admission $35

  • Art-for-ALL Kids Juried Art Exhibition

    Art-for-ALL Kids Juried Art Exhibition

    Art-for-ALL is a juried exhibition open to children in grades Pre-K through 6th in several WV counties. The exhibition is open during KCPL hours on the fourth floor of the Kanawha County Public Library’s downtown branch — May 22 and May 26–30.

    Support: Kanawha County Public Library

    Sponsored by The Elliot Family Foundation, Charles & Mary Fayne Glotfelty Foundation, The Daywood Foundation

    Location: Kanawha County Public Library Jacobson Tower Gallery (4th floor), 123 Capitol St.

    Kanawha County Public Library Hours:
    Mon.–Thur. 9am–8pm
    Fri. & Sat. 9am–5pm
    Sun. Closed
    Closed May 23–25 for Memorial Day

  • Design the Unexpected

    Design the Unexpected

    During the week of FestivALL, stop by Stray Dog Antiques for a one-of-a-kind showcase where art, fashion, and creativity collide. Five artists have transformed upcycled materials found throughout the beloved antique store into stunning wearable art and designs. Visit the display, celebrate sustainability and local talent, and vote for your favorite creation!

    Presented by Stray Dog Antiques

    Location: Stray Dog Antiques, 219 Hale St.

  • Literary Roundtable

    Literary Roundtable

    Sunday, May 24 | 3pm 

    Curated and hosted by WV Poet Laureate Marc Harshman, this year’s panel will feature the works of poets Sara Henning, Ace Boggess, and Kari Gunter-Seymour.

    Location: Taylor Books Annex Gallery, 226 Capitol St, Charleston, WV 25301

    Time: 3:00pm

     

    About the poets:

    Sara Henning
    Sara Henning is an award-winning teacher and poet. She is the author of the poetry collections Burn (Southern Illinois University Press, 2024), a Crab Orchard Series in Poetry Editor’s Selection;Terra Incognita (Ohio University Press, 2022), winner of the 2021 Hollis Summers Poetry Prize; and View from True North (Southern Illinois University Press, 2018), winner of the 2017 Crab Orchard Series in Poetry Open Competition Award and the 2019 High Plains Book Award. Her work has appeared or is forthcoming in journals such as Kenyon Review, Crab Orchard Review, Alaska Quarterly Review, Southern Humanities Review, Witness, Meridian, and the Cincinnati Review. She is an assistant professor of creative writing at Marshall University, where she coordinates the A.E. Stringer Visiting Writers Series.

    Ace Boggess
    Ace Boggess is author of eight books of poetry, most recently Tell Us How to Live (Fernwood Press, 2025) and My Pandemic / Gratitude List (Mōtus Audāx Press, 2025). His writing has appeared in Indiana Review, Michigan Quarterly Review, Hanging Loose, and other journals. An ex-con, he lives in Charleston, West Virginia, where he writes, watches Criterion films, and tries to stay out of trouble. His first short-story collection, Always One Mistake, is forthcoming from Running Wild Press.

    Kari Gunter-Seymour
    Kari Gunter-Seymour is the immediate past Poet Laureate of Ohio and author of three award-winning poetry collections, including Dirt Songs (EastOver Press, 2024) winner of the 2025 IPPY Bronze, NY Big Book, and Feathered Quill Awards. She is the executive director of the Women of Appalachia Project and editor of its anthology series, Women Speak. Gunter-Seymour holds writing workshops for all age groups as well as incarcerated adults and women in recovery, is a retired instructor in the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University and the founder, curator, and host of “Spoken & Heard,” a seasonal performance series featuring poets, writers, and musicians from across the country. She is the editor of I Thought I Heard A Cardinal Sing: Ohio’s Appalachian Voices, funded through the Academy of American Poets and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. She was selected to serve as a 2022 Dodge Poetry Festival Poet and is a Pillars of Prosperity Fellow for the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio. Her work has been featured in a variety of journals and publications including World Literature Today, American Book Review, Rattle, Poem-a-Day, and Katie Curic’s Wake Up Call.

     

     

  • Sunset Yoga and Sound

    Sunset Yoga and Sound

    Sunday, May 31 | 7pm

    Relax after 10 full days of activity. Join Nina Ratliff, Folded Leaf yoga instructor, for 60 minutes of basic yoga flow that ends with a restorative sound bath . All levels welcome. Mats and props will be provided if you do not have your own.

    Presented by Folded Leaf

    Location: Haddad Riverfront Park, 600 Kanawha Blvd E, Charleston, WV 25301
    Time: 7:00pm

  • Squaredancing with FOOTMAD

    Squaredancing with FOOTMAD

    Friday, May 29 | 7pm 

    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

  • “10-Alarm Fire: We Won’t Shut Up!!” film screening with Young@Heart director Bob Cilman

    “10-Alarm Fire: We Won’t Shut Up!!” film screening with Young@Heart director Bob Cilman

    Sunday, May 24 | 2pm 

    This concert film features protest music through the ages and around the world, performed by Young@Heart’s chorus of senior citizen singers as they explore free speech and democracy though the lens of aging. Chorus founder and director Bob Cilman will be on hand to talk about his music ensemble and introduce the film.

    Produced by FestivALL and The West Virginia Music Hall of Fame

    Location: West Virginia Music Hall of Fame, Charleston Town Center Mall, Second Floor, 3000 Charleston Town Center

    Time: 2:00pm

     

  • Downtown Open

    Downtown Open

    Golf your way through downtown Charleston, WV this summer!

    The sidewalks of downtown Charleston are transformed into a one-of-a-kind miniature golf course that allows people to explore our downtown, showcases regional
    companies and small businesses, and provides free entertainment to friends and families.

    • Putters and balls are available at these locations: Taylor Books, Adelphia Sports Bar & Grille, Art Emporium, and Tony the Tailor

    This event is presented by the Charleston Area Alliance & Chamber of Commerce

     

    • Sponsor: West Virginia International Yeager Airport
    • Location: Downtown Charleston
    • When: May 21 – June 11

  • Poems While You Wait

    Poems While You Wait

    Saturday, May 30 | 12pm – 1pm

    West Virginia Poet Laureate Marc Harshman and fellow poet Renée Nicholson will create original, one-of-a-kind poems designed just for you! Visit the poets in the Taylor Books Annex Gallery, select a topic, and they’ll begin writing. 

    Location: Taylor Books Annex Gallery, 226 Capitol St.

    Donations: $5 suggested donation to purchase a poem supporting FestivALL’s programming

  • FestiVIOLA!

    FestiVIOLA!

    Sunday, May 31 | 4pm

    A recital celebrating the viola in all its glory!

    The Valley Violists, including members of the West Virginia Symphony, will perform duets through large ensemble numbers. Special guest Rudolf Haken will stun with his own compositions. Enjoy a wide range of styles, from baroque through pop, with some surprises! Join us to hear as this lovely instrument is placed front and center.

    Produced by West Virginia Youth Symphony, Sandra Groce

    Location: Woman’s Club of Charleston, 1600 Virginia St. E

    Tickets: $10, available only at the door. Students free.

    Donations appreciated, all proceeds benefit the West Virginia Youth Symphony.

    Sponsors: ZMM Architects and Engineers