by Kate Evans
Summertime is ramping up local music, art and community events. Here are some to watch for this week, and through the rest of the summer.
Paw Paw Fun Day
Starting Points is partnering with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Paw Paw PTO to sponsor a Family Sports Fun Day on Saturday, July 9 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. by the Paw Paw municipal walking trail and Potomac River boating access area. Games will include volleyball, whiffle ball and kickball. Refreshments are hot dogs, chips and water.
Around 6:30 p.m. or 7 p.m. after the games, everyone will move to the school gym for a movie sponsored by the PTO. Bring a chair to the walking trail and a blanket to the movie to protect the gym floor.
Concerts in the Park
The annual Morgan Arts Council Summer Concerts in the Park series features regional and national performers. Concerts take place at Berkeley Springs State Park on Saturdays from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. The rain location is the Ice House on the corner of Independence and Mercer Streets in Berkeley Springs.
This summer’s concerts start on July 9 with King Soul Band – an 8-piece Southern Soul band doing original songs with powerhouse vocals.
On July 16, Dunlap & Mabe – a band from Winchester – will play a mix of originals, bluegrass, jazz and covers.
On July 23, The End of America – a folk/rock/Americana trio known for their tight harmonies and original tunes -will play in the park.
House of Hamill, a Celtic group with three-part harmonies performing original instrumentals and traditional folk ballads will play on July 30.
The Nighthawks – the legendary masters of blues, soul, rhythm and blues and roots rock – will play on August 6.
Blair Crimmins and the Hookers – a Dixieland jazz, ragtime band that plays blues from the 1920s – will play August 13.
Singer-songwriter Heather Maloney performs on August 20, with a variety of 50s-90s folk, Indie rock and Americana with a dash of pop, jazz and rock and roll. Rain location is the Ice House.
On September 3, local band The Flashbacks will perform a mix of top hits from the 50s-80s as a benefit for the Berkeley Springs State Park Foundation. The rain location is the Berkeley Springs High School auditorium.
Morgan County Expo
The Morgan County Expo will take place this year on Saturday, July 23 at Berkeley Springs State Park.
The Expo runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 23 and will feature music, contests, 4-H exhibits at local businesses, activities, games, refreshments and the 4-H cake auction. Photo contest entries and other exhibits will be on display at the Country Inn’s large meeting room.
The Expo’s Youth Art in the Park event is also Saturday, July 23 at Berkeley Springs State Park from 10 p.m. to 4 p.m. Call 304-258-8400 for more information.
State Park Homecoming
The annual Cacapon State Park Homecoming will be Sunday, September 4. The event features all-day entertainment by local musicians and bands starting at 12:30 p.m., along with boating and swimming, refreshments, a 50/50 raffle, door prizes and the silent auction park fundraiser. 304-258-1022.
BlackCat Music Shop
BlackCat Music Shop and Studio features a live music open mic night the first Friday of every month from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. and occasional free Saturday concerts. It’s located at 155 Independence St. in Berkeley Springs.
The BlackCat School of Rock, adult BlackCat choir and some BlackCat music students perform an end of summer concert the last Saturday of August.
Check The Morgan Messenger for concert information or call 304-258-4440. They’re still accepting youth vocal club members ages 10-16.
The free Tri-State Ukeclectics Orchestra also meets at BlackCat Music Shop the first Friday of each month from 5 – 6:30 p.m. Beginner uke players attend from 5 – 5:30 p.m. Intermediate and advanced players meet from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Bring or borrow a ukulele and learn to play with host Mike Kligerman. All levels of players are welcome.
Black Cat Music Shop is also offering a two-week summer music camp-SingBig!2022-with instructor Joel Newman for ages 10-17 on August 1-5 and August 8-12 at the Ice House. There will be a final day performance. 304-258-4440.
New Earth Granary
The New Earth Granary offers an open mic night every month, usually on the second Friday of the month. If you want to perform, get in touch with Johnny Robinson. Other happenings include concerts and occasional songwriters’ shows. Check their website for upcoming concerts, event times and more information. The Granary is located at 143 N. Mercer Street.
Morgan Arts Council
The Morgan Arts Council offers gallery art shows and exhibits at the Ice House, which is located at 138 Independence St. The gallery is open Thursday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Ice House Main Gallery offers “Prisms in the Springs” curated by Berkeley Springs Pride until July 24. The Hall of Dreams and the Carr-Kelly Gallery has Donna Godlove’s “Open Ended” art show.
The Ice House also has summer classes and workshops for adults and youth.
MACreate South adult art classes set for Cacapon State Park are Plants, Pigments and Paints with Lee Ann Brannon on July 23, Forest Bathing and Nature Haiku with Edy Rubin on August 6 and Indigo Dyeing with Jane Frenke on August 27. Call 304-258-2300 for more information.
