From the New River/Central Appalachian music styles of Doug and Shelley Harper to “Lady D’s” first-person performance of legendary Bessie Smith, Hawks Nest State Park has scheduled six Saturdays of evening entertainment and dinner for early 2013.
Hawks Nest State Park is located in Ansted and features a 31-room lodge, restaurant, meeting space, gift shop, and views of the New River Gorge area. To learn more about this tourist destination, visit www.hawksnestsp.com.
Hawks Nest Dinner Theater packages include one night’s lodging for two in any available room or suite, a full-course dinner and express breakfast for two, evening program and 20 percent coupon for the Lodge Gift Shop, taxes and service gratuities. The full package is $165.02. A dinner and show only price is available. For reservations call 304-658-5212.
Mick Souter, “Celebrate WV” – January 5, 2013
Traveling musician and storyteller Mick Souter teaches the history of West Virginia through song with his evening entertainment, “Celebrate West Virginia.” His touring one-man musical theatre productions demonstrate his versatility as an actor, musician, storyteller and educator. Souter engages audiences with songs like “The Roads and Rails” and music of American folk icon Woody Guthrie like “This Land is Your Land.”
Doug and Shelley Harper – January 12, 2013
Doug and Shelley Harper are performing songwriters from Beckley, W.Va. They have performed throughout central Appalachia, including NPR’s Mountain Stage, Tamarack, Theatre West Virginia’s Music in the Mountains in Grandview National Park, and The Clay Center in Charleston, W.Va. Their music reflects New River/Central Appalachian culture and is relaxed and inspiring.
Life and Adventures of Sam Pringle – January 19, 2013
Gene Thorn is a storyteller from French Creek, W.Va. This evening, visitors will learn about the hair-raising tale of Samuel Pringle’s hand-to-paw fight with a huge black bear.
The setting for the story starts in 1761, at the tail end of the French and Indian War, when John and Samuel Pringle deserted from the English army at Fort Pitt. The two brothers made their way to a remote region of western Virginia along what is now the Buckhannon River where they lived in a hollow sycamore tree for three years. This story of the first two pioneers of the region and their struggle with the wilderness and terrors is open to the public without charge and the dinner reservation is optional. Thorn will be in period correct attire.
Comedy Magician Dewayne Hill – January 26, 2013
Dewayne Hill is a master of comedy magic and brings a Las Vegas-quality act to G-rated venues across the country. Hill started his magic career in his teens and is an established performer. In March of 2002, Dewayne became a classroom Autistic Mentor. During this time he saw the troubles of bullying and started developing a new show for school systems called “Magic with a Message.” This show combined comedy, magic and audience interaction with a series of points illustrating the dangers of bullying and drug use. Hill presents this program to thousands of students across the United States every year.
In 2007, Hill set a world record for performing the most card tricks (71) in a single hour. His shows appeal to the “Four C’s” – Colleges, Country Clubs, Corporate Events and Churches, all over the United States. This evening promises to be a family-friendly Hawks Nest event.
Hollywood Gossip Queen Louella Parsons – February 16
Karen Vuranch has new character portrayal for dinner theater audiences: Louella Parsons. Parsons dug up the ‘dirt’ on the most opulent movie stars of the 1940s, ‘50s, and beyond. Full of humor and surprise, this performance gives the scoop on stars such as Marilyn Monroe, Clark Cable, and the controversial woman behind the headlines. At 3 p.m. prior to the evening dinner theater, Karen will meet visitors at Hawks Nest Lobby for an informative slideshow presenting the history of the Academy Awards.
Bessie Smith: Empress of the Blues – February 23, 2013
The astonishing voice of Lady D takes you back in time to the life of 1920s-1930s blues legend Bessie Smith. Bessie Smith was one of the most powerful female vocalists who brought blues music and vaudeville to the forefront during the Roaring Twenties–and likewise prohibition and the Jim Crow era. In the spirit of blues music, this first-person, living history performance incorporates elements of emotion, survival, and humor!
