From public venues staging full-blown theatrical productions to private galleries and intimate club settings, the Greater Morgantown Area’s arts community’s reputation for presenting the liveliest performing and visual arts is well earned.

West Virginia Public Theatre launches its 22nd season at West Virginia University’s Creative Arts Center this year as construction of its own performing arts center in Morgantown’s developing Wharf District continues. Known for bringing the best of Broadway to North Central West Virginia, WVPT stages classics like Beauty and the Beast, Thoroughly Modern Millie and Hello Dolly during its 2006 summer season, June 27 – August 8. A special production of the pop-culture phenomenon Cats will run August 8 through August 13.

Billed as “West Virginia's most beautiful playhouse” when it opened July 24, 1924, the landmark Metropolitan Theatre in downtown Morgantown hosted performances by Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and Helen Hayes in its earlier years – and more recently, WVU theatrical productions, local dance recitals and graduation ceremonies. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984, the Met has undergone a nearly $3 million restoration during the past decade. Under the management of the City of Morgantown’s Board of Parks and Recreation Commission, the historic structure is reclaiming its status as a popular venue for live theatrical productions, musical and dance performances, classic film presentations and community events.

Community theater has a strong tradition in the Greater Morgantown Area as well, with the Morgantown Theater Company, the MT Pockets Theatre Company and the Monongalia Arts Center (MAC) showcasing talented local performers in more intimate venues.

With over 500 musical and theatrical performances produced annually in its newly renovated Clay Concert Theatre and Davis Studio Theatre, WVU’s Creative Arts Center on the University’s Evansdale Campus also hosts exciting faculty and student exhibits in its Mesaros Galleries.

As the Greater Morgantown Area’s newest entertainment venue, Hazel Ruby McQuain Amphitheater at Riverfront Park on the Caperton Trail in downtown Morgantown hosts the city’s summer Concerts in the Park series, annual festivals and civic observances – and last year welcomed performers as diverse as the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra and Patty Loveless.

Even the downtown Morgantown Public Library and Monongalia County’s Courthouse Square serve as arts venues – with storytelling sessions for kids, special exhibits and periodic used book sales at the library and a free noontime concert series every Tuesday and Thursday, June through October at Courthouse Square.

The area’s visual artists display their creations year ‘round at a variety of local display spaces including the MAC’s Benedum Gallery and at private galleries around town. Visit ZENCLAY in Evansdale; the Garo-Tomlinson Collection, Appalachian Gallery, Tonique’s Trilogy and Contemporary Graphics in downtown Morgantown; and The Gallery at Seneca Center to view (and purchase) their works.

From blues to bluegrass and rock-a-billy to roots, the Greater Morgantown Areasupports a lively and diverse club, pub and cafe scene, too.

Check out performance schedules at the West Virginia Brewing Company, the Blue Moose Cafe, Vice Versa, 123 Pleasant Street, Gibbie’s Pub & Eatery, McClafferty’s Pub and the Black Bear Cafe downtown and Archie’s Pub on WV 7 just east of Morgantown. The Laurel Mountain Coffeehouse at Monroe’s Restaurant on WV 7 in Kingwood also hosts a once-a-month live performance series.

If you’re sufficiently fortunate to visit the Greater Morgantown Area in early fall, you’ll find September is “unofficial festival month” in North Central West Virginia – and that Monongalia and Preston Counties host some of the best.

Head east on WV 7 for old fashioned cakes-n-sausage at the Preston County Buckwheat Festival in Kingwood the last weekend in September. Toe tapping is mandatory at the John Henry Memorial Authentic Blues & Gospel Jubilee at Sabraton’s Marilla Park, as is grooving and sampling native vintages at the West Virginia Wine & Jazz Festival at Camp Muffly, both annual September events. Pick up some local history at the Florence Merow Mason-Dixon Festival (yet another September event) at downtown Morgantown’s Riverfront Park on the Caperton Trail.

November visitors enjoy traditional foods, entertainment and the opportunity to purchase some of the state’s best artisan-produced crafts during West Virginia University’s annual Mountaineer Week Craft Fair & Quilt Show held on WVU’s Downtown Campus.

Regional arts and culture are in full bloom in the Greater Morgantown Area in the spring and summer, too, with the Arts on the River celebration the last week-end in July and Arts Monongahela’s annual Art Tour of galleries and studios slated for June.

Check the sources below for in-depth information on the state of the arts in the Greater Morgantown Area.

Greater Morgantown Arts & Culture Information:

Arts Monongahela: 1-304-291-6720 – www.artsmon.org

Metropolitan Theatre/ BoPARC: 1-304-296-8356 – www.boparc.org

Morgantown Theatre Company – 1-304-291-6826

MT Pockets Theatre Company: 1-304-284-0049 – www.mtpocketstheatre.com

West Virginia Public Theatre: 1-304-598-0144 or 1-877-999-9878 – www.wvpublictheatre.org

Monongalia Arts Center: 1-304-292-3325 – www.mon arts center@citynet.net

West Virginia University Creative Arts Center: 1-304-293-SHOW

Morgantown Public Library: 1-304 291-7425 – www.clark.lib.wv.us/morg/morg.html