“SUMMER AT HOGWARTS”
Harry Potter fans take note! There will be a free two-hour interactive program for teens and older children from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, July 21, at the Moundsville-Marshall County Public. Pre-registration is required and space is limited. Carol Weakland will lead this “Summer at Hogwarts” program as Professor McGonagall, a character from the Harry Potter movies and beloved book series by J. K. Rowling. Participants will be attending “wizarding classes” as Prof. McGonagall relates the story of Voldemort stealing Hogwarts, with clues to be found at different locations in the library. Students will be customizing their own wands and getting tested in Divination, Transfiguration and Potions and take a Dark Arts challenge as part of this imaginary immersion into the world of Harry Potter. To register or for more information, call Kayla at 304-845-6911. The Moundsville Public Library is located at 700 Fifth St., Moundsville.
THIRD FRIDAY
Artworks and the Bridge + Tunnel Collective will present Rock Bass and Concrete Teepee on Third Friday, July 20. Doors will open at 7 p.m. for an hour of open mic. The bands will start playing at 8 p.m. Weather permitting, the band will set up outside under the porch at the north end of the Centre Market. Rock Bass is from Morgantown and is composed of four musicians who have labeled themselves engineers and computer nerds with “an odd sense of humor.” A pop rock band blending all of the best elements of classic and modern rock and roll, they have been promoting their new album, “Like the Fish.” Concrete Teepee is a member of the Bridge + Tunnel Collective. Descriptions of their style range from alternative country, fried psych rock, folk and indie rock. July’s Studio Gallery will feature work by watercolorist Jes Reger while artwork from the Children’s Home of Wheeling will be displayed at the North End Gallery. Snacks and light refreshments will be available for purchase.
CABARET NIGHT
The cast of “Little Shop of Horrors” and past musical cast members will perform at Cabaret Night at The Strand Theatre, Friday, July 20. Tickets at the door. Doors open at 7:30 p.m., Cabaret at 8 p.m. “Little Shop of Horrors” will be presented Aug. 3-5 at The Strand Theatre.
SUMMER MUSIC SERIES
- Rusty Wright Band (blues), Oglebay Summer Concert Series, 7-9 p.m., Sunday, July 22, Oglebay’s Anne Kuchinka Amphitheater, Wheeling.
- Eli Lambie and the Mojo Kings (popular rock and roll with horns), Toe Tappin’ Tuesdays, 7-9 p.m., Tuesday, July 24, Warwood Garden Park, Wheeling. 304-234-6432
- Shades of Time (variety/rock), St. Clairsville Summer Concert Series, 7-9 p.m., Tuesday, July 24, Central Park Complex, St. Clairsville. 740-695-2037.
- Polka Night with Lil’ John and the ATM Band, Wheeling Waterfront Wednesdays, 7-9 p.m., Wednesday, July 25, Heritage Port, Wheeling.
ON THE BIG SCREENS
- Float with a flick at the Wheeling Park pool for the Summer Dive-In Movie Saturday, July 21, “Home Alone.” Admission for is kids (ages 4-12), $6.25; and for adults, $7.25, however, the movie is free with cost of pool admission. The movie also can be enjoyed free of charge from the upper level of the Stone building. 304-243-4085.
- Riverfront Movie Night features “Coco,” (PG-13), 9:30 p.m. Friday, July 20, at Wheeling Heritage Port.
- Undpendent Films presents “The Five Dollar 15 Minute Film Festival” on Saturday, July 21. Experience the wonder of independent films at Towngate Theater, watching short films, from 7-9:30 p.m. Guests can enjoy a dinner catered by Ye Olde Alpha prior to the screening at 6 p.m. in the Gallery at Towngate. $10 for the film festival; $25 for festival and dinner. Towngate is located at 2118 Market St., Wheeling. 304-242-7700; www.oionline.com.
• The Moundsville-Marshall County Public Library will present a “Think Outside the Book” film at 6 p.m. Monday, July 23. The feature will be “Winchester,” a bio-drama horror/fantasy inspired by true events. Ensconced in her sprawling California mansion, eccentric firearm heiress Sarah Winchester believes she is haunted by people killed by the Winchester repeating rifle. “Winchester” stars Helen Mirren, Jason Clarke and Sarah Snook. It is rated PG-13, runs 99 minutes and is a 2017 release. 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 streets in Moundsville. 304-845-6911.
GRECIAN FEST
The 18th annual Grecian Fest begins at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 25, at St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church, 2215 Chapline St., Wheeling. More than 15 items of Greek specialties on the indoor menu, with more on the outdoor gyro taverna. There will be live music and dance, church tours, youth choir performances, a cooking class, shopping and more. The festival continues 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. through Saturday, July 28. 304-232-4976; www.GrecianFest.com
AT THE LIBRARY
Wheeling historians Margaret Brennan and Rebekah Karelis will share the extraordinary life and legacy of pioneering realist Rebecca Harding Davis and examine her role as the leading member of the Davis family, a unique and nationally recognized family of writers that shaped the changing culture of later 19th century literature and journalism, at noon Tuesday, July 24, at Lunch With Books at the Ohio County Public Library. Davis is best known for her gritty short story “Life in the Iron-Mills,” set in her native Wheeling. Far less is known of her later career among elite social circles in Philadelphia, New York and Europe, or her relationships with American presidents and leading international figures in the worlds of literature and the stage. A new publication and the first book-length biography of Davis, “Rebecca Harding Davis: A Life Among Writers,” promises to be the authoritative treatment of this important figure in the literary history of West Virginia and the wider world. Lunch With Books programs are free and open to the public. Attendees are welcome to bring a bag lunch, and complimentary beverages are provided. 304-232-0244; www.ohiocountylibrary.org
Dr. Joe Laker will speak about “V-E and V-J: Victory, the End of War and the Aftermath” at the People’s University, 7 p.m., Tuesday, July 24, at the Ohio County Public Library. Laker is emeritus professor of history at Wheeling Jesuit University and a member of the West Virginia Independence Hall Foundation. 304-232-0244; www.ohiocountylibrary.org
BABY GRAPES
Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec — these are the grapes that have in the past and some up to the present are used in tiny amounts in Bordeaux red blends for their various qualities. At the weekly wine tasting at 6 p.m. Friday, July 20, Good Mansion Wines will explore single grape wines of these three to try to understand what makes a pinch of these grapes so critical in Bordeaux red wines. Served with cheeses and baguettes. Presented by the staff of Good Mansion Wines. $15. Occupancy limited to 40. www.goodmansionwines.com
THE SEA THE SEA
Skyflight Productions presents an evening with The Sea The Sea on Monday, July 23, at the Albert S. George Youth Center at Barnesville Memorial Park. The Sea The Sea is an Upstate New York-based indie folk-pop duo-band featuring what Huffington Post calls, “two of the loveliest male-female voices you might ever hear this or any other year.” Mountain Stage host Larry Groce calls them “ready to take their place among the best young male/female duos now performing.” Doors will open at 7:30 p.m., and the show will begin at 8 p.m. $10. Call 423-276-2653 or find Skyflight Productions on Facebook.
