Clay Center to reopen July 7

Staff reports

Kanawha Valley

Charleston to host Fourth of July celebration

Events

Fund for the Arts taking Wine & Jazz festival online

By Bill Lynch Staff writer

Coronavirus

Organizers reverse course, cancel State Fair of West Virginia

Staff reports

Kanawha Valley

As events get canceled, Charleston adapts to 'new normal' with drive-in movies

By Jena Cordle
and Caity Coyne Staff writers

Kanawha Valley

Juneteenth Rally and Unity March to be held Friday

Jun 16, 2020

The Christian Justice Coalition, a ministry of the Resurrection family of churches, is hosting a city-wide Juneteenth celebration from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday at Risen City Church, 1410 4th Ave., on Charleston’s West Side.

News

Autumn Colors Express blindsided by cancellation of Hinton Railroad Days, but plans to proceed with fall excursions

By Phil Kabler Staff writer
Jun 16, 2020

Organizers of the annual Railroad Days festival in Hinton voted Tuesday to cancel the event for 2020, blindsiding operators of the Autumn Colors Express, who are planning to proceed with four round-trip rail excursions in October, with or without the event.

Arts & Entertainment

Charleston’s annual arts fest moves from the streets to our screens

By Bill Lynch Staff writer
Jun 13, 2020

This year’s FestivALL in Charleston will look very different.

Books

WV Book Team: Spotlight on books from LGBTQ authors in Pride Month

By Joshua Beane, Bianca Prince, Ashley Brown
and Elizabeth Fraser For the Gazette-Mail
Jun 13, 2020

June was chosen as LGBTQ Pride Month in commemoration of the Stonewall Uprising that occurred in June 1969. Stonewall, largely led by black transgender women, is commonly seen as the beginning of the modern gay rights movement. A year later, thousands of gay and lesbian men and women across …

News

State Fair of West Virginia organizers moving forward with 2020 event

Staff reports
Jun 11, 2020

While many festivals and fairs across the state have shut down for 2020 because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the State Fair of West Virginia will go on as scheduled.

News

Appalachian String Band Festival canceled for 2020

By Bill Lynch Staff writer
Jun 11, 2020

There will be a little less mountain music this summer.

Coronavirus

Businesses, events that rely on visitors adapt to COVID-19 changes

By Seth Mitchell HD Media
Jun 7, 2020

HUNTINGTON — Shoppers, business owners and event hosts alike eagerly hope for better times as West Virginia slowly moves forward into summer.

Books

WV native, CBS host Knighton pens book about national parks

By Bill Lynch Staff writer
Jun 6, 2020

There could be worse timing than releasing a travel book in the middle of a global pandemic, but television host and 1999 George Washington High School graduate Conor Knighton shrugged it off with a laugh.

Kanawha Valley

Coronavirus closes book on this year's WV Book Festival

By Bill Lynch Staff writer
Jun 3, 2020

Concerns about the coronavirus pandemic have led organizers to cancel this year’s West Virginia Book Festival.

Coronavirus

WV's Clay Center begins steps to reopen

By Bill Lynch Staff writer
May 29, 2020

The Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences of West Virginia is still closed because of COVID-19, but the doors will be reopening soon.

Arts & Entertainment

Wheeling Symphony Orchestra returns with virtual concert

By Bill Lynch Staff writer
May 27, 2020

Big concerts with large crowds are still probably months away, but classical music fans may be able to get a taste of what they’re missing Thursday as the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra closes out its 90th season with a virtual concert.

Books

WV Book Team: Every snapshot tells a story

By James E. Casto WV Book Team
May 23, 2020

In recent years, Charleston native Eliot Parker has written four thriller novels, a couple of which were set in Charleston. His 2018 novel, “A Knife’s Edge,” opened with drug-fueled terrorists attacking the Clay Center. How’s that for a thrill?

Education

New KCPL director eager to bring library into the 21st century

By Bill Lynch Staff writer
May 22, 2020

The new director of the Kanawha County Public Library is a librarian for the 21st century. She loves a good story.

Kanawha Valley

Charleston's 1st free drive-in movie fills fast

By Bill Lynch Staff writer
May 22, 2020

Almost as fast as the show was announced Friday morning, the city of Charleston’s first free drive-in movie was fully booked.

Books

WV Book Team: Celebrate National Pet Month with these books about our furry friends

By Elizabeth Fraser
and Ashley Dover WV Book Team
May 15, 2020

Right now, our pets are either enjoying having us around all the time or wondering why we are cramping their style. The love of our pets makes such a difference in our lives. During this National Pet Month, we spotlight great memoirs about those bonds and insights into the animals that share…

Arts & Entertainment

Venues may be closed, but the shows go on

By Bill Lynch Staff writer
May 13, 2020

With social distancing in effect, area clubs and theaters have closed down, but that hasn’t stopped performers from sharing what they do online.

Kanawha Valley

Charleston to become virtual work of art as FestivALL goes online

By Bill Lynch Staff writer
May 12, 2020

Charleston’s annual arts and music celebration will have a different look this year as FestivALL goes VirtuALL.

Music

WV Symphony moving ahead with 2020-21 season

By Bill Lynch Staff writer
May 10, 2020

While concerts and festivals through most of the summer are canceled or postponed, the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra is still going forward with plans for its 2020-2021 season.

Coronavirus

Couch Concerts: Live, local and online

By Bill Lynch Staff writer
Apr 23, 2020

With social distancing in effect, area clubs and theaters have closed down, but that hasn’t stopped the music, dance or the theater.

Books

WV Book Team: Digital books that are real page-swipers

By Elizabeth Fraser
and Ashley Dover WV Book Team
Apr 18, 2020

We are all sitting at home and working on our To Be Read pile of books. This month, we thought we would spotlight some of the online book resources, just in case you’ve read through your pile. We are also going to recommend a couple of books you might want to download.

News

WV native, 3-time Grammy winner Bill Withers dead at 81

By Ashley B. Craig Staff writer
Apr 3, 2020

Bill Withers, known for writing and singing timeless classics like “Lean on Me” and “Ain’t No Sunshine,” died Monday at his home in Los Angeles, according to The Associated Press. He was 81.

Life

Drawn together: Local artists offer live, online classes to help community

By Maria Young Features editor
Mar 28, 2020

It’s not easy to fight an invisible enemy.

Books

WV Book Team: Women’s History Month and the 19th Amendment

By Elizabeth Fraser
and Ashley Dover WV Book Team
Mar 28, 2020

In the midst of all your social distancing, you might find time to celebrate Women’s History Month, which runs through March 31. Maybe you’ll be inspired by the tales of women who made history — and helped the world — in some of the most challenging times imaginable.

Coronavirus

Local movie theaters close in wake of coronavirus threat

By Maria Young Features Editor
Mar 24, 2020

Michael Tawney, the general manager of Park Place Stadium Cinemas, had a grim task on Monday: clearing the list of movies that would be playing right now — if the theater was open — from the two-story sign overlooking Washington Street in Charleston.