A ‘BELLA’ MASTERWORKS
The Wheeling Symphony Orchestra opens its Masterworks season at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19, conducted by music director finalist Timothy Hankewich and featuring guest artist Bella Hristova, at The Capitol Theatre in Wheeling. A pre-concert dinner ($25) begins at 5:30 p.m. followed by a free Concert Talk at 6:30 p.m., both in the theater’s ballroom. After the performance, attendees are invited to a free post-show reception with Maestro Hankewich and other members of the symphony orchestra. Concert tickets start at $18.50. Purchase online at wheelingsymphony.com, by phone at 304-232-6191, via email at boxoffice@wheelingsymphony.com, or in person at the box office, located at 1025 Main St., Suite 811, Wheeling.
OH, THE HORROR OF IT ALL!
Get into the Halloween spirit at a late-night showing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Saturday, Oct. 20, at The Strand Theatre in Moundsville. In this cult classic, sweethearts Brad (Barry Bostwick) and Janet (Susan Sarandon), stuck with a flat tire during a storm, discover the eerie mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry), a transvestite scientist. Brad and Janet meet a houseful of wild characters, including a rocking biker (Meat Loaf) and a creepy butler (Richard O’Brien). Sing along to songs like “Time Warp,” “Hot Patootie” and “Science Fiction-Double Feature.” Don’t be surprised if things get a little weird — audience participation is strongly encouraged! This event is not suitable for children. Doors at 10:30 p.m.; film at 11 p.m. $15; props bag can be purchased for additional $5.
If 11 p.m. is too late for you, check out The Strand Theatre’s Vintage Horror Movie Marathon, starting at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 20. With movies ranging from the 1930s to the 1960s, this lineup features a list of Halloween essentials, such as zombies, plagues, creepy old houses and killer bats. Showtimes: White Zombie (1932), 11a.m.; The Devil Bat (1940); 12:20 p.m.; House on Haunted Hill (1959), 2 p.m.; The Last Man on Earth (1964), 3:30 p.m.; Night of the Living Dead (1968), 5:15 p.m. $5 per movie; $13 for an all-day pass; one free popcorn per movie included in ticket price. The Strand Theatre is located at 811 Fifth St., Moundsville. Tickets are available here.
IN THE SHADOWS
The third annual Shadows Ball brings a night of thrills, chills, sideshow, costumes and live music, from 7-11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, at Oglebay Institute’s Stifel Fine Arts Center. The Stolen Stitches Musical Sideshow will entertain guests with a variety of sideshow acts. This troupe of musical performers blends classic sideshow with a devilish punk rock and comedic twist, bringing new takes to traditional acts, fire-eating piano solos, banjo stylings on a rolling bed of nails, machete-bed serenades and death-defying sword swallowing. Don’t miss the eerie puppet show, “The Circus Macabre,” created by local actor, artist and playwright Zachary Michael. The six-member band Hit Play, featuring Ezra Hamilton, will provide dance music. In addition to entertainment, guests at the Shadows Ball will enjoy food, drink, the Convergence: Art in the Digital Age exhibit on display in the gallery and a judged costume competition with prizes. Look for some spooky-themed food provided by Ye Olde Alpha. $35. Costumes required. 304-242-7700; www.oionline.com
EVERYBODY’S ‘RAVEN’ ABOUT ‘THE POE SHOW’
If you haven’t seen Wheeling Heritage’s The Poe Show, don’t miss it! The exhibit, which runs through Oct. 31, features works inspired by Edgar Allan Poe from more than 30 artists in a variety of mediums, including graphite on paper, quilts, clay and found objects. The gallery on the third floor of the Wheeling Artisan Center, 1400 Main St., Wheeling, is open to the public Monday through Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit Wheeling Heritage’s Facebook page for a preview!
CALLING ALL GHOULS & BOOS!
Family fun continues at Boo at the Zoo, the annual Halloween event at the Oglebay Good Zoo in Wheeling, Oct. 19-21 and Oct. 26-28. It is held from 6- 8:30 p.m. on Friday nights and 4-8:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday nights. Children are encouraged to dress in costume as they experience trick-or-treat stations, a spooky train ride, zoo animals and other family-friendly entertainment. Admission also includes access to an eight-minute, scare-free LASER show at the zoo’s Benedum Theater every night of Boo at the Zoo. This must-see show features the music of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” Bobby Pickett’s “Monster Mash” and Oingo Boingo’s “Dead Man’s Party.” This year, a NEW Haunted Hayride attraction will take guests on a spooky journey through the Good Zoo’s haunted scarecrow patch! Limited seats are available for this new experience and Haunted Hayride tickets are exclusively sold online. Boo at the Zoo admission and train ride tickets can be purchased online.
DUNGEON OF HORRORS
Visit one of the scariest places behind bars! Get lost in maze and experience the terror of an eerie walk through the Dungeon of Horrors at the West Virginia Penitentiary in Moundsville. Dungeons of Horrors, North Walk and Kids’ Night. 304-845-6200; wvpentours.com/events/halloween-specials/dungeon-of-horrors.
WHO DONE IT?
• Soap Operas Parodied in Mystery Theatre Show
Murder, mystery and music lurk behind the scenes of a popular daytime drama in One Life to Lose, an original comedy dinner-theater production by the Mystery Theatre Unlimited, to be presented Thursday, Oct. 18, at River City Restaurant in Wheeling. The show is set behind the scenes and in front of the camera of one of network television’s most popular and long-running daytime dramas. But recently, cost-cutting measures have mandated that one of the “above-the-line” actors will be cut from the show, causing lots of drama! The intrigue is further complicated when the cast is unexpectedly compelled to perform the show on live TV. Before it is all over, someone is murdered. For reservations, call 304-233-4555. For more information, visit www.MysteryTheatreUnlimited.com
• ‘The Trial of Elsie Russell’
A re-enactment of the trial of Elsie Russell, who was accused of murdering Gladys Lias, the wife of the infamous “Big Bill” Lias, will be hosted by Judi Hendrickson and Jeanne Finstein at Centre Cup Coffee, 2201 Market St., Thursday, Oct. 18. For reservations, call 304-233-0085. Seating is limited. Centre Cup Coffee is located at 2201 Market St., Wheeling.
MONSTER JAM ROARS INTO WHEELING
Feld Entertainment will drive Monster Jam into WesBanco Arena, Friday, Oct. 19, through Sunday, Oct. 21. The new season will bring motorsport fans to the edge of their seats with adrenaline-charged, high-flying, four-wheel excitement for the entire family. Unexpected, unscripted and unforgettable, Monster Jam takes center stage in WesBanco Arena, sporting meticulously manicured dirt tracks created with the sole purpose of pushing these perfectly engineered, larger-than-life trucks to the limit. Monster Jam is one of the only sports where male and female world-class drivers, some generational rivals, are equals competing for the same championship on the same track. Tickets start at $15. www.monsterjam.com
THE BELLE OF THE BALLET
There is just one weekend left to get caught up in the love story and lessons of Beauty and the Beast. Oglebay Institute’s Youth Ballet Company dances the story of Belle, a caring, intelligent, beautiful, young woman who attempts to rescue her father and is captured by the Beast, a grisly and fearsome monster, who was long ago trapped in his gruesome form by an enchantress. Performances at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20; and 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21 at Towngate Theatre. Children can also enjoy a tea party with the cast of “Beauty and the Beast” prior to the matinee show on Oct. 21. 304-242-7700; OIonline.com
MUSIC AROUND THE VALLEY
• Third Friday
Sean Decker of the Bridge and Tunnel Collective announces the return of Joshua Lee, now of Marietta Ohio, and formerly of Wheeling, for the Oct. 19 Third Friday event at Artworks Around Town. According to Decker, Lee’s music is “thoughtful, earnest and beautiful, romantic, anxious, haunting and hesitantly hopeful.” Opening for Lee is Dayne Harris. Doors open at 7 p.m. with a one-hour open mic. Decker urges all to bring their guitars and ukes and join the fun. Harris will go on at 8 p.m. with Lee to follow. Surrounding the musicians will be artwork generated during the Paint Historic Wheeling weekend in September as well as works from the Marian Center in Wheeling. There is no admission fee but a collection, solely benefiting the performers, will be accepted. Snacks will be provided for sale. Artworks Around Town is located at 2200 Market St., Wheeling.
• Skyflight Presents
Skyflight Productions presents an evening with Letitia VanSant with her band on Friday, Oct. 19, at the Albert S. George Youth Center at Barnesville Memorial Park, Barnesville. VanSant’s lyrics are both personally and politically relevant. Hailed as one of Baltimore’s strongest songwriters, her distinct voice is fortified by sparse indie folk and Americana arrangements. In her music as in her life, VanSant has always sought to wrestle with worthy questions. She earned a Human Rights Humanitarian Issues concentration from Macalester College in St. Paul, Minn., traveled to Detroit to work with the Obama campaign and then signed on with AmeriCorps for a year developing gardens at public schools. Upon weighing the power of music to move people, she ultimately left her 9-to-5. Doors will open at 7:30 p.m., and the show will begin at 8 p.m. $10. 423-276-2653 or find Skyflight Productions on Facebook.
• At the Pennyroyal
The Pennyroyal Opera House will feature Remington Ryde, Friday, Oct. 19, with Almost Famous opening the show at 7 p.m. The kitchen opens at 5 p.m. $15 (children under 12 are admitted for free). Pennyroyal is located at 131 Fair Ave., Quaker City, at exit 198 just off I-70.
WINES WILL BRING YOU TO YOUR ‘PYRENEES’
At this Friday’s Good Mansion Wines geographical-based tasting, guests will taste all around the Pyrenees for some of the best red and sparkling wines for the price from both Spain and France. Oct. 19 stops include Rioja, Navarres, Penedes (Cava), Priorat, Pic St Loup, Corbieres, Minervois and Limoux. The wines, served with French and Italian cheeses and baguettes, will be presented by the staff at Good Mansion Wines. $15 at the door, no reservations needed. 6 p.m. www.goodmansionwines.com
HARVEST FESTIVAL
What’s more fun than picking your very own organic pumpkin straight from the vine? Grow Ohio Valley and Sandscrest will host Harvest Festival for folks of all ages to enjoy the harvest season, from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, and Sunday, Oct. 21, at Sandscrest Conference & Retreat Center. Activities include kids activities, pony rides, music and food.
LUNCH WITH BOOKS
In 1897 a small landholder named Robert Eastham shot and killed timber magnate Frank Thompson in Tucker County, W.Va., leading to a sensational trial that highlighted a clash between local traditions and modernizing forces. Ronald L. Lewis’ book from WVU Press uses this largely forgotten episode as a window into contests over political, environmental and legal change in turn-of-the-century Appalachia. Hear about The Industrialist and the Mountaineer at noon, Tuesday, Oct. 23, at Lunch With Books at the Ohio County Public Library. 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
