MMM … CHOCOLATE
Do you like freshly baked, cooked, grilled and melted chocolate? How about chocolate beer? If so, then you will LOVE the 29th annual Chocolate Extravaganza, 1-3:30 p.m. Sunday, May 6, at Temple Shalom, 23 Bethany Pike, Wheeling. For 29 years, Temple Shalom has hosted a myriad of local and national chocolatiers who bring some of the most unique and yummy chocolate treats you can imagine. Upon entry, you will make your way through each station where you will be given a sample from each vendor. Some of the returning chocolatiers include: Valley Cheese, Ye Olde Alpha, Mmm … Popcorn, the Cheese Melt, all of Wheeling; and Sarris Candy of Canonsburg, Pa. Making their Extravaganza debut and Brew Keepers and Dairy Queen, both of Wheeling. $12.
CHEF’S AUCTION
Enjoy great food, great chefs and great auction items while supporting a great cause — Wheeling Health Right — at Wheeling Health Right Chef’s Auction, 6 p.m. Friday, May 4, at WesBanco Arena, Wheeling. 304-233-1135
TIN, TIN, TIN
Featuring 12 artists from nine states, Tin is the New Black opens on Thursday, May 3, with a festive opening reception at 6:30 p.m. at Oglebay Institute’s Stifel Fine Arts Center. The unique and colorful exhibition of artwork uses repurposed printed lithographed metal from product containers, advertising, signage and more. The exhibit is guest curated by award-winning Wheeling artist Robert Villamagna, who is also exhibiting. The Stifel Fine Arts Center is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The exhibit is on display through June 22. Admission is free. The Stifel Center is located at 1330 National Road, Wheeling. 304-242-7700; www.oionline.com
CINCO de BUY-O
How about a trip for two on a Piper Cherokee airplane or artwork from Robert Villamagna or a jewelry-making lesson from Joan Stamp? The Wheeling Symphony Board Auction Cinco de Buy-O offers bidders a chance to win artwork, experiences, furniture, parties, food, drink and more. The event begins at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 5, at Wheeling Country Day. Live bidding starts at 7 p.m. $12 in advance; $15 at the door. Food plus paddle included with your ticket; 304-232-6191
IN CONCERT
Casting Crowns is in concert 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 4, at The Capitol Theatre. Having served as a full-time youth pastor for over 25 years, Casting Crowns’ frontman, Mark Hall, continues to draw inspiration from the well of real life. The local church has been the base for Casting Crowns’ music since their label debut release in 2003. With more than 10 million records sold and the title of Billboard’s top-selling act in Christian music since 2007, it’s still where the music is created. The Very Next Thing, Casting Crowns’ latest offering, is a collection of intimate songs as well as upbeat, fresh-sounding tracks. www.capitoltheatrewheeling.com
The Pennyroyal Opera House will present Circa Blue Friday, May 4. Opening act will be Sugar Creek. The doors open at 5 p.m. The show starts at 7 p.m. www.pennyroyalbluegrass.com
Mountain Moon Coffeehouse concludes its 2017-18 series of bluegrass music with a performance by Bill Gorby and the Musical Mercenaries Saturday, May 5, at the Stifel Fine Arts Center. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.; music begins at 8 p.m. A trio of Ohio Valley musicians and singers, Bill Gorby and the Musical Mercenaries (Buck Allemond & Jim Simpson) play an eclectic array of Americana music with roots in folk, bluegrass and old-time country music. The band is noted for three-part harmonies, performing traditional songs as well as classic and modern tunes.Tickets are $15 ($12.50 OI members). 304-242-7700; www.oionline.com
“SCARED SCRIPTLESS”
An entire evening of improv with Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood is in store for the audience at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 5, at The Capitol Theatre, Wheeling. The entire show is driven by audience participation, and the whole show is made up as they go along! www.capitoltheatrewheeling.com
FIRST FRIDAY
Tasting & Tapas at Good Mansion Wines, 6 p.m. Friday, May 4, with innovative taps and an assortment of festive whites, reds and roses to usher in spring. $15. goodmansionwines.com
Walk About Wine Tasting at Casa di Vino – House of Wine, 6-8 p.m. Friday, May 4. Stop in and try the six featured wines. Cheese and meat trays will be provided. $10.
Celebrate First Fridays at SMART Centre Market with live music, snacks and activities and a StarWatch at dusk, Friday, May 4. smartcentremarket.com
Join ArtWorks for its monthly Gallery Hop, part of the First Fridays event at Centre Market. Two of Artworks Around Town’s most versatile and talented artists will be exhibiting in the Studio Gallery during the month of May. Betsy Cox and Susan Dorsch will open their show with a festive, free reception at 5:30 p.m. Friday, May 4. Cox is a well-known ceramic artist from Glen Dale where she also maintains her studio. Dorsch is a multi-media artist with, in her words, “an abiding love of all things wood.” Both artists’ work may be found at Artworks Around Town and The Tamarack Cultural Center in Beckley, W.Va. Artworks is located at 2200 Market St. in the historic Centre Market House. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday. artworksaroundtown.com
ON STAGE
West Liberty University theater students try their hand at directing during the Night of One Acts taking place this week in Kelly Theatre. The final assignment of the theater directing class, the one-act plays are free and open to the public, though seating is limited due to the staging of the plays. At 7:30 p.m., May 3, four one-acts will be performed: “3 a.m. Wake up Call,” by E. R. Schultz and “The Still Alarm” by George S. Kaufman, directed by Amanda Tamplen; “Trifles” by Susan Glaspell, directed by Ingrid Young and “Interior Panic” by Tennessee Williams, directed by Chris Rees. At 7:30 p.m., May 4, “Interviews with Loneliness” by Ann Wuehler, directed by Callie Carroll; “Long Ago and Far Away” by David Ives, directed by Alex Burdick and “27 Wagons Full of Cotton” by Tennessee Williams, directed by Sarah Lemley. For more information, call 304-336-8103.
The Park Players of Wheeling Park High School present the spring musical, On the Town, Friday, May 4, through Sunday, May 6, at the J.B. Chambers Performing Arts Center. The curtain goes up at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets can be reserved by calling the theater at 304-243-0417, the high school’s main office at 304-243-0400 or can also be purchased online at wphswv.booktix.com.
“Sister Act: The Musical” brings the 1992 movie to life on Thursday, May 3, and Friday, May 4, at St. Clairsville High School. Curtain is 7 p.m. Tickets are available at the door.
“A SUCKER BORN …”
The Moundsville-Marshall County Public Library will present a “Think Outside the Book” film at 4 p.m. Thursday, May 3. The feature will be The Greatest Showman, a musical and historical bio-drama inspired by the story of P.T. Barnum’s creation of the Barnum & Bailey Circus and the lives of its star attractions. The movie stars Hugh Jackman, Michelle Williams and Zac Efron. This 2017 release is rated PG and runs 105 minutes. This film showing is free and open to the public. Attendees are invited to bring their own snacks and seat cushions if desired. The Moundsville Library is located at the corner of Tomlinson and Fifth Street in Moundsville; 304-845-6911
DINNER and DANCING
The Family Service Upper Ohio Valley Spring Dinner Dance will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 3, at the White Palace Ballroom at Wheeling Park. Dinner is at 6 p.m., and dancing begins at 7 p.m. with music by Light Touch. Doors open at 5 p.m. Must be 21 years of age to attend. Tickets ($25) are available at 2200 Main Street, Wheeling; 304-233-2350 ext 104
Join the Wheeling Young Preservationists as they host the second annual Adult Prom, from 7-11 p.m. Saturday, May 5, at River City. This year’s theme, A Roaring Good Time, will take you back in time to the Friendly City during the prohibition era. Get your commemorative prom photo taken compliments of JC Photography. There will be a cash vote for prom king and queen and a variety of prize raffles. DJ PB is back again this year to keep the party going. The Adult Prom raises money for preservation projects and activities. River City is located at 1400 Main St, Wheeling. wheelingyoungpreservationists.com
