After a summer of traditional music, the Pocahontas County Opera House stage will serve up an eclectic mix of artists from Americana roots to the high mountains of South America, with a ghostly mystery dinner thrown in for good measure.
October 7 at 7:30 p.m.
Hearts Gone South
Hearts Gone South plays true, solid original country and honky tonk. Born out of an unfortunate tale of love gone wrong, it ended in a stack of classic country-style hits. Hailing out of Asheville, North Carolina, Hearts Gone South shoots straight from the hip and hits their target dead on. Led by Tricia Tripp, with a cast and crew of all-star country player – Joel Jackson, Mick Glasgow, Derrick Spivey and John James Tourvil – Hearts Gone South cranks out tear-soaked ballads, heartfelt dance tunes and straight up solid country gold.
October 21 at 7:30 p.m.
Dana Louise and the Glorious Birds
The daughter of Ezra Idlet of the Grammy-nominated Trout Fishing in America, Dana Louise is a new songstress, astonishing audiences with her vibrant, melodic vocals, adept finger-picking and cool sound. Now touring her debut album, she is joined by the Glorious Bird – Adams Collins (vibraphone and five-string banjo), Ezra Idlet and Keith Grimwood (Trout Fishing in America/guitar, percussion and bass). Drawing from jazz and bluegrass, carrying a contemporary beat, the sound is roots-rooted flung-into-the-future folk. Dana Louise and the Glorious Birds work to leave their audiences glowing with the magic music can bring – genuine human connection.
October 27 and 29
The Ghost of the Opera House
The Pocahontas County Opera House will host the premier of The Ghost of the Opera House, a murder mystery dinner theater event to be held Friday, October 27, and Sunday, October 29, from 6 to 9 p.m. both evenings. A special fundraiser for the Pocahontas County Opera House Foundation, tickets are $35, which includes the play, dinner and beverages.
The Ghost of the Opera House, written by board president and playwright Arla Ralston, centers on the fictional story of Lily Lacey, a local girl who becomes a famous singer and returns to perform at the Opera House in 1917. During the course of the evening, the audience will watch her story unfold and be able to ask questions of the characters before casting their votes as to “who dun it.”
November 4 at 7:30 p.m.
Velvet Caravan
Rooted in the Gypsy Jazz/Gypsy Swing and Latin Swing styles, this high-energy, acoustic-based quintet of guitar, violin, standup bass, percussion and keyboards (including accordion) has emerged as one of the shining lights of Savannah’s burgeoning music scene.
This band plays upbeat tunes from all over the world with thunderous virtuosity and a relentless sense of humor. Bringing together the eclectic sounds are a motley crew of super talented musicians from Venezuela, Serbia, Austin Texas, Iowa, Boston and Southern Georgia.
November 18 at 7:30 p.m.
Andes Manta
Although its beginnings have been lost to the mists of time, Andean music has been played in South America for thousands of years. It is one of the few prehistoric art forms to survive 500 years of European occupation. Unlike gold and jewels, it could neither be melted nor stolen. Many indigenous South Americans believe that it is the music that preserves the heart and soul of the ancient ones. This beautiful and powerful music continues to be played from Colombia to Tierra del Fuego, and none play it better than the four Lopez brother – Fernando, Luis, Bolivar and Jorge – as Andes Manta.
Natives of the Ecuadorian Andes, the brothers are classically trained musicians who learned their traditional folk music as it has been learned for thousands of years, passed from father to son, and brother to brother. From the lyrical sound of the quena (Andean Flute) to the haunting tones of the six-foot long pan-pipes, Andes Manta performs in the purest and most authentic way using more than 35 traditional instruments. Far from being melancholy, the music of Andes Manta is a joyous celebration of daily life.
This engagement of Andes Manta is made possible through the Special Presenters Initiative program of Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation with support from the National Endowment for the Arts and the West Virginia Division of Culture and History.
Unless otherwise indicated, tickets are $10 for adults. Youth 17 and younger are admitted free of charge. Advance tickets are available at pocahontasoperahouse.org and the 4th Avenue Gallery in Marlinton.
The Opera House Performance Series is presented with financial assistance through a grant from the West Virginia Division of Culture and History and the National Endowment for the Arts, with approval from the West Virginia Commission on the Arts. Support is also provided by Pocahontas County Dramas, Fairs and Festivals and the Pocahontas County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The Pocahontas County Opera House is located at 818 Third Avenue in Marlinton. Performances at the Opera House are informal, family-friendly and open to all. The entrance and main seating are accessible to persons with disabilities. Persons with disabilities are encouraged to attend; special accommodations can be arranged upon request by calling 304-799-6645.
