As usual a number of upcoming events will be taking place during May through July at the Strand Theatre in Moundsville.

Starting off at 7 p.m., on May 2 will be Seniors Palette to Pen Showcase which will be free and open to the public.

The Balloonatic & Safety Last silent films featuring world-renowned Theatre Organist Dennis James will take place at 2 p.m. on May 7. James is a regular performer at silent film festivals internationally. He has restored period-sourced scores from a number of films. The admission price is $10 with tickets available at the door or at strandtheatrewv.com/events.

Bluegrass and Pop will come to the Strand on May 19 with a special show to include Crandall Creek playing original music that respects the best traditions of bluegrass. Crandall Creek’s recent release, “Refrigerator Homemade Picture Show” debuted at No. 11 on the Bluegrass Today Top 20 Weekly Chart. In 2022 Crandall Creek’s single “Molly Burns” debuted at No. 7 on the Bluegrass Today Top 20 Weekly Chart. Eli and the Mojo Kings will top off the evening. The Mojo Kings band covers a variety of genres including rock and roll, R&B, and pop.

The Mojo Kings are led by Eli Lambie, music teacher at Washington Lands Elementary School. Lambie was awarded the 2023 West Virginia General Music Teacher of the Year by the West Virginia Society of General Music.

The Strand Theatre’s 9 to 5 Musical Auditions will take place July 28-30. Shelby Garrett will direct the show, Justin Jones will serve as music director, Anna Harsh will do choreography, and Meta Lasch will serve as technical director.

Those interested in being a part of this endeavor will be asked to prepare 16-31 bars of a song from either a musical or an upbeat pop song.

Rehearsals will begin the week of June 12, and run Monday-Thursday evenings for approximately two to three hours per rehearsal.

Contact Garrett at segarrett11@gmail.com with questions. For character descriptions and complete audition details visit strandtheatrewv.com/9ato5

The Strand Theatre Preservation Society is seeking sponsors for the 9 to 5 undertaking, the money is sought to pay for professional musicians, costumes, etc.

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The Missoula Children’s Theatre Company will be returning to the Strand on June 19-24 offering a free acting workshop for children.

New this year will be the intergenerational program King Arthur’s Quest, to include actors age 55 and up.

The Missoula Children’s Theatre touring productions are complete with costumes, scenery, props and makeup.

The MCT Tour Actor/Directors will conduct rehearsals through the week from 10 a.m. until 2:15 p.m. each day

There will be no cost to participate, but several additional enrichment workshops will be offered after daily rehearsals conclude.

Two public performances of King Arthur’s Quest will be presented on June 24 at the Strand.

The Missoula Children’s Theatre residency is made possible to the Strand with support from the Evan G. Roberts Fund and the Moundsville Woman’s Club. For additional information call 304-845-3009 or email progdirector@strandtheatrewv.com.

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Sherrard Middle School’s West Virginia History Bowl Team No. 1 went unbeaten this past week in Charleston to win state championship.

The four team members are Ella Finley, Alison McGraw, Sarah Naome and Zoe Zervos. Each student received a trophy and $500 to celebrate their achievement. McGraw was named the named the tournament’s MVP and earned an additional $300.

The team won two other Bowl titles prior to the state event — an event at the Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex in November, and the Region VI competition at Independence Hall in Wheeling. The coaches are Dan Gatts and Jeff Stephens.

This marked the sixth time that Gatts has coached a state champion team.

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Students at Cameron High, John Marshall High, Moundsville Middle and Sherrard Middle Schools will begin selling hanging baskets, vegetable plants, herbs and a variety of flowers grown in their school’s greenhouse on Monday.

The times for the sale are:

Cameron High–Weekday’s from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., and from 9 a.m. until noon on Saturdays.

John Marshall High–Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Moundsville Middle–From 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. during the first week, and beginning May 8 the hours will be 8 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Sherrard Middle–The sale will take place from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m.

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The Moundsville Opus Music Club’s Spring Musical, under the direction of David Scherrick, will be presented at 2 p.m. May 7 at the First Christian Church on Third Street.

Douglas McCall will be featured on piano, Sav Nelson on bass, and Nic Reidmiller on percussion, along with the John Marshall Monarch Choir.

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The Marshall County Board of Education approved the appointment of two principals at Tuesday Night’s meeting.

Catherine O. Folmar will become principal at Cameron Elementary School. Jason A. Marling will go from principal at Sherrard Middle to principal at John Marshall High School.

Both will assume their new duties on July 1.

In addition, three John Marshall coaching assignments were approved by the Board.

Timmy L. Snyder from Assistant Swim Coach to Head Swim Coach.

Matthew W. McCardle as Assistant Boys’ Basketball Coach.

Neil McCormick as Assistant Boys’ Basketball Coach.

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The annual planting of the Grave Check Museum’s Interpretive Garden will take place from noon until 4 p.m., on May 20 and June 3.

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The Marshall County Strings Program will present its annual Spring Concert at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the John Marshall High School Center for Performing Arts.

The concert will feature combined performances involving students from Cameron, Center McMechen, Central, Glen Dale, Hilltop, Sand Hill and Washington Lands elementary schools, as well as Cameron, Moundsville and Sherrard middle schools, and Cameron and John Marshall High School.

The concert is free, however, donations will be accepted.

The concert will feature an evening of classical and symphonic music.

Elementary selections will include folk songs and traditional childhood tunes.

Middle school students will share three selections including a groovy swing tune.

High school selections will include arrangement of the final movement from Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings.

The concert will culminate with a mass orchestra students in grades 4-12 performing Bill Withers’ “Lean on Me.”