February 2020
Since 2020 is a “leap year”, we are blessed with an extra day in February. Thank you, Julius Caesar! Baby, it may be cold outside, but there are plenty of opportunities to get warm and spread the love in Charleston this month. The Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center (the CC&CC) is the venue for all kinds of events, from the high-octane motorsports experience “Monster Jam”, to a Jason Aldean concert, and the contemporary Christian music “Winter Jam”.
The NPR radio show distributed world-wide, “Mountain Stage”, has three performances in February. Each concert is a wonderful diverse musical experience and the evening always continues at “The Empty Glass” for a post-jam eclectic performance by the musicians and special guests. Charleston has some amazing local talent who perform weekly at “Bluegrass Kitchen” and “The Bridge Road Bistro”. Our West Virginia Symphony Orchestra offers us a variety of Oscar winning songs and composers with its “And the Winner IS!” concert on the 8th. And now, at Charleston Town Center Mall, there are free concerts at 2pm every 3rd Sunday. There is always some live music being played somewhere!
“Carnaval X”, the Embassy Suite’s “Valentine Dinner & Dance”, and the “FeastivALL Fundraiser” are philanthropic occasions to help support worthy community events and have an amazing dinner.
Wintertime means the “Downtown ArtWalk” takes a break until March. But there are a couple of art exhibits still happening in town. The WV Culture Center has on display the works of more than 100 West Virginia artists in the West Virginia Juried Exhibition. At the Clay Center, the Juliet Art Museum has acquired a significant collection of paintings from the Anne and Harvey Shreve Estate.
For $11 you can download the “Let’s Roam Charleston Scavenger Hunt” app on your phone and explore the city on your own time. Snap photos, race against the clock, and put your navigation skills to the test as you wander at your own pace. The “Charleston Parkrun, West Virginia” continues to meet each Saturday morning at Magic Island at 9am. This free and weekly year-round 5K event is a great way to get healthier at your own pace and meet lots of like-minded people. The “Charleston Winter Series 10K run/ 5Kwalk” starts at the University of Charleston Pharmacy School” parking lot at 2pm on the 9th.
February clearly has lots of reasons to get out the house, brave the chill, and have unique and memorable experiences. “Cabin Fever” is a thing of the past!
Happy February, everyone! Spread the love!
