‘Magician’s Elephant’ offers message of hope

March 25, 2023

One of my favorite movie monologues is given by Morgan Freeman at the end of “Shawshank Redemption.” It is a manifesto about hope and it never fails to stir a bit of the same in my cynical heart. I love stories about the promise of hope precisely because it can be difficult for me to muster it up on my own. One of the best sources for hopeful movies can be found in media for kids, so this week I turned to Wendy Rogers’ “The Magician’s Elephant,” currently streaming on Netflix. Peter (Noah Jupe) is an orphan who lives with Vilna Lutz (Mandy Patinkin), a disabled veteran ...

Morgantown Dance brings fairy tale classic to the Met

March 16, 2023

Don’t be late for this very important date. Morgantown Dance will present its 2023 spring production of “Alice in Wonderland” March 31 and April 1 at the Metropolitan Theatre on High Street. Tickets are available for Alice in Wonderland at morgantowndance.org on the events ...

Tickets on sale for ‘Frozen’ at UHS: School among just 51 in the country granted exclusive rights to stage the Disney musical

March 13, 2023

University High School is hosting the hottest ticket in town next week. That’s when the UHS theater troupe stages “Frozen,” the live musical version of the Disney animated movie of the same name — and it’s an exclusive. Anna, Elsa, Olaf, Kristoff, Hans, Sven and other denizens from the above will appear on the UHS auditorium stage for performances March 24-31, then April 1-2. Tickets are $12. Visit www.uhstheater.com to order, and for showtimes and cast notes. Richard Kyer, the University High faculty member who is directing the show, says it’s one of the more ...

MAA seeks entries for annual ‘Exhibit 60’

March 7, 2023

Local artists are encouraged to enter their artwork in the annual fine art “Exhibit 60,” sponsored by Morgantown Art Association. This is a juried show and will be judged by the internationally famous water colorist, Graham Berry. To enter “Exhibit 60,” artists must be at least 18 years of age and living within a 60-mile radius of Morgantown. About $1,000 worth of prizes will be awarded, including the Joy Bachman Best of Show Award. The prospectus explaining the regulations and details for this show may be found on the MAA website ...

Gardner Winter Music Festival returns after 2-year hiatus

February 23, 2023

After a two-year hiatus, the Gardner Winter Music Festival will be held in person this year, starting Friday evening and all-day Saturday at South Middle School in Morgantown. This annual festival has brought traditional Appalachian music, song and dance to the region since 1979 and features music in the auditorium, workshops, informal jam sessions, a swing dance Friday, a square dance Saturday night and food — homemade pepperoni rolls, cookies, snacks, drinks and a food truck (Jack Clutter Farms). Workshops include lap and hammered dulcimer, fiddle, guitar, tin whistle, ...

Erik Huey’s solo album a ‘love letter’ to the region

February 11, 2023

BY ALISE CHAFFINS As a child coming from four generations of coal miners, Erik Huey grew up assuming that was his lot in life as well. However, he found his way into music and on Jan. 20, released his first solo album titled, “Appalachian Gothic,” which is a deep dive into his love ...