River City Festival of the Arts

Friday 26 - Saturday 27 - Sunday 28 May 2023

Schedule of Events

Friday 26 May 2023

11:00am - Szilagyi Center - FREE

SELF-GUIDED ARTS EDUCATION TOUR

FOR ALL EXHIBITS

12:00pm - Michael & Carolann Hooton Library - FREE

BRING YOUR OWN BOOK

"THEME AND DEVELOPMENT"

2:00pm - Auditorium - Donation at the door

Distinguished Actress

JOANN PETERSON  Presents a living history program  ABIGAIL ADAMS:  Remember the Ladies  Sponsored by the WV Humanities Council

4:30pm -Auditorium - Donation at the door

BACK PORCH MUSIC

WITH A COUNTRY TWIST

CLYDE SYPOLT AND BAND

MOTOWN STRUTTERS

7:00pm - Auditorium - Donation at the door

SENIOR TAP DANCE ENSEMBLE

 A variety of songs with a swift change of fabulous outfits!

Performance of Youth from the Morgantown Dance Studio 

The Motown Strutters  will be performing one some some military and other numbers.  It will be an entertaining hour long  evening of dance. Some of the numbers are:  Yankee Doodle, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, Military Salute to the Armed Forces, Sing Sing Sing and Show Business. 

The ladies in Motown Strutters are from Morgantown, Mt. Morris, and Kingwood. Choreographer is Debbie West. Dancers are Carrie Fox, Kathy  Lopez, Karen Zucarri, Cindy Walsh, Kim Reveal, Susan Peskow, Jill  Bowermaster, Cindy Taylor and Darinda Westbrook.

Saturday May 27, 2023

10:00 am - Preston County Sports Museum - FREE

RETURN OF THE BUCKWHEAT STARS

PRESTON COUNTY SPORTS HISTORY MUSEUM

"THEN AND NOW"

Presented by   

John Myer, Dominic Marrara, George Nassif, Paul Riggs,

and audience participation. 

Memorial Tribute to   Walter “Bud” Shaver (left) and Thomas "Thom" Loughry (right)

LUNCH AT THE RIVER CITY CAFE - by donation

SOME ENCHANTED EVENING

2:00PM - Auditorium- $15.00

CRISTINA NASSIF, Internationally Recognized Soprano

Praised for her "electric stage presence", internationally acclaimed soprano Cristina Nassif will be joined by her husband, baritone Jamie Kotmair, making a special guest appearance. Together they will take us down memory lane and experience an hour of beloved classics from musical theatre, the movies, opera, operetta and song.

  With  musical degrees from the Academy of Vocal Arts, the University of  Maryland and the New England Conservatory of Music and accompanied on  the piano by Ms. Nassif’s father, Rowlesburg native Dr. Thomas J. Nassif,  the artists will perform selections by Bernstein, Bizet, Mozart,  Poulenc, Romberg, Weill and more. 

Jamie Kotmair, Baritone Will be performing duets with his wife, Cristina Nassif 

Dr. THOMAS J. NASSIF, Pianist and Accompanist Dr. Nassif has accompanied his daughter for many years during the River City Festival 

5:00pm SPECIAL MEMORIAL DAY DINNER AT THE UCMC SOCIAL HALL

8:00 PM - Auditorium - $25/$15 - BYOB Dance evening with THE ALLIES BAND

A classic rock band from S.W. Pennsylvania 

 18 years or older only 

Dance arrangements and decorations by Judy & Lorenza Halterman and Kennetta & Tom Moreland

Harvey Piano Restoration by Tim Richards

Sunday 28 May 2023

LUNCH AT THE RIVER CITY CAFE - by donation

2:30pm - Auditorium - $15.00

Free for Elementary, Middle and High School Students

  Wheeling Symphony Orchestra

TRIO SIMONE

Anne Moskal, violin

Jeffrey T. Mangone, Sr., bass

Jennifer Gerhard-Mangone, viola

Gail Looney, Director& Librarian

  The ensemble "WSO Trio Simone" is named after a wonderful Wheeling symphony donor and lovely lady who passed many years ago.  The String Trio played at her Memorial Service and continues to use the title. 

Patriotic Dinner, Poetry & Silent Auction

5:00pm - VFW Social Hall - $12/$7

DINNER MENU TBD

 Catered by Sidetracked Restaurant

Donna & Allen Close

Shirley Hartley, Emcee

Invocation by Rev. Kevin Keplinger

MILITARY POETRY  READING

 by Rev. Kevin Keplinger

Visit the annual River City Festival of the Arts which takes place in the Szilagyi Center, known as the historic Rowlesburg High School, located in the beautiful

Cheat River Valley. 

We thank our Sustainers and Sponsors for making this festival possible.

Experience the Arts - Enjoy the Entertainment!

Art Exhibit - Emporium: Antiques & Collectibles - World War II Museum - Preston County Sports Museum - B&O Centennial Bridge Exhibit 

Visit Historic Downtown     Granted in 2005

Vendors Welcome    Refreshments also available at Sidetracked Restaurant and Neil & Bob’s Tavern