FestivALL Charleston 2015 celebrates 11 years June 19-28 by continuing to emphasize its slogan — A City Becomes a Work of Art.
While it is bookended by two weekends, FestivAll offers events each of its 10 days, including mid-week special events.
FestivAll co-chair Brittany Javins noted, “Charleston’s FestivALL melds a strong weekend lineup, including the Moses Automotive Live on the Levee concerts, Smoke on the Water Chili Cook-Off, Taste-of-ALL, the Mayor’s Concert, Blues, Brews & BBQ, Wine & All That Jazz, Mountain Stage and the Capitol Street Art Fair, along with numerous midweek events including the Dance Gala, River Queen Cruises, West Virginia International Film Festival screenings and more.”
Amid more than 125 events each year, FestivAll continues to include new ideas. FestivALL 2015 will introduce an appearance by American author, actor and humorist John Hodgman — known for, among other things, his work as a correspondent on “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart”; performances by Joseph Cashore’s enchanting Cashore Marionettes; and a new public art feature, Community Keys, that will feature upright pianos painted and designed by area artists.
FestivALL is committed to offering variety that includes many family-friendly and free events in the heart of the West Virginia state capital and along its beautiful riverfront.
Popular main events continue to anchor FestivAll, and the schedule is filled with variety, such as:
* The Mayor’s Concert at the Clay Center, this year featuring New Orleans band Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, scheduled for June 25.
* Charleston Light Opera Guild’s presentation of Harvey Fierstein’s Tony Award-winning musical, “La Cage Aux Folles,” June 19-21 and June 26-28.
* Smoke on the Water Chili Cookoff June 20 on Kanawha Boulevard at Haddad Riverfront Park.
* The second year of the alternative music FestivALT, this time featuring a free concert at the city’s Haddad Riverfront Park June 20 featuring Virginia Appalachian roots quartet the Steel Wheels preceded by Oklahoma native Parker Millsap, a 2014 nominee for the Americana Music Association’s Emerging Artist of the Year.
* Blues, Brews & BBQ June 26 at the University of Charleston featuring Detroit-born electric blueswoman Janiva Magness and Mississippi singer-songwriter Jarekus Singleton.
* Wine & All That Jazz June 27 at the University of Charleston featuring Austin-based Grammy Award-winning Latin funk band Grupo Fantasma.
* Taste-of-All Charleston, a small portions feast offered by area restaurants, caterers and food purveyors at the Charleston Civic Center June 21.
* West Virginia Public Radio’s Mountain Stage show, hosted by FestivALL co-chairman Larry Groce, featuring a live show June 28 with Chris Stapleton.
*Moses Automotive Live on the Levee, the city’s free summer concert series at Haddad Riverfront Park, with two Friday night concerts during FestivALL — June 19 with Zach Deputy and June 25 with Red Wanting Blue.
* The popular and family-friendly Capitol Street Art Fair, Children’s Art Fair and Kanawha County Public Library Street Fair June 27 and 28.
* The FestivALL Dance Gala, a midweek highlight June 24, with special guests from the Chicago Tap Theater, Charleston Ballet and River City Youth Ballet Ensemble.
“Our committees and board work hard the entire year to make sure FestivALL’s schedule continues to adhere to its mission and remain open to new arts ideas,” said Groce, the festival co-chair.
This year, FestivALL includes several new events, including Weird, Wild & Wonderful: Ann Magnuson presents “An Evening of SurRURALism,” an eclectic show by the Charleston native, an actress, singer and performance artist.
“She will bring her latest show, which celebrates her West Virginia roots as only Ann can do, to the Clay Clay Center’s Walker Theater on Tuesday, June 23,” Groce said.
FestivAL also has added “What is Dance?” a presentation blending songs and dance from around the world scheduled for June 22.
For more information on FestivALL, events and tickets, visit the website, www.festivallcharleston.com.
