Highland Arts Unlimited will kick off its 47th season with a free concert by Pan Jammin’ Steel Drum Bands at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 22 in the Church-McKee Arts Center at Potomac State College.
Persons seeking membership in Highland Arts Unlimited (HAU) will receive a $5 discount in their selected category up to and including the night of the performance on Aug. 22.
“Highland Arts is an all-volunteer organization that depends on individual memberships as well as corporate and business memberships. Our mission is to being quality music, drama, dance and visual arts programs to the community, as well as providing free arts programs to Mineral County schools. All citizens of the area are encouraged to join and help meet our financial obligations for the coming season,” says President Dr. Charles Whitehill.
The second program in the series takes place at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 28, and features the music of a California group known as Folk Legends, which brings to life music of the most famous folk groups of our time.
The members, George Grove, Rick Dougherty, and Jerry Siggins, have been involved with music from the great Folk Era since the actual days of the Great Folk era.
Next in the lineup is one of the most famous vocal groups in the world, the Vienna Choir Boys at 7:30 p.m., Oct. 29.
“This is the most expensive group in our season and we hope to fill all the seats in order to meet our budget. Purchasing a season membership in Highland Arts is the most economic way to enjoy this world-renowned group along with the other great performances,” Whitehill said.
At 3 p.m., on Sunday Nov. 10, Highland Arts will present one of the most distinguished brass quintets in the region, Bayfield Brass, performing at the Keyser Presbyterian Church.
This group of talented military brass players based in Annapolis, MD, plays a variety of patriotic, swing and Renaissance music, and will present a veteran’s tribute, which is sure to please a wide range of musical tastes.
To round out the fall season and to get into the holiday spirit, HAU presents the Cumberland Choral Society on at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14. The group of some 50 singers accompanied by an orchestra of strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion, will present both classical and seasonal holiday music.
On Thursday, Feb. 20, Highland Arts will host the Virginia Repertory Theatre in a program presented at Keyser High School billed as “I Have a Dream,” for high school students only.
To end the season, Highland Arts is pleased to have back by popular demand, one of the most famous bluegrass bands in the nation, Seldom Scene, at 7:30 p.m., on Saturday, April 25 at Church –McKee.
This is a five-piece bluegrass band featuring banjo, fiddle, mandolin, guitar, Dobro, bass, and vocals.
“We hope that all citizens of the area take this opportunity to hear first-class bluegrass music played by first-class performers,” adds Whitehill. “Highland Arts looks forward to seeing all our former members and many new members as we launch into our 47th season.”
Brochures and letters to corporations and businesses will be mailed in July or early August. For more information about HAU call 304-788-3066 or 304-788-9465.