Call it defrost February.
Berkeley Springs and Hancock in February.
First up — next weekend, Sunday February 9 from 2 pm to 5 pm at the Best Western will be the annual Community Barn Dance and Benefit for Wind Dance Farm featuring John Devine and Robbie Mann. There will be a silent auction, door prizes and refreshments. All are welcome, $3 for children and student, $6 for adults.
Valentine’s weekend is packed.
Friday night February 14 at the Hancock Performing Arts Center celebrate Valentine’s Day with the oldies and classics from The Flashbacks featuring Gordon MacLeod and Bob Wurster on guitar, Dan Zarcone on bass, Mike Marzullo on drums and Angela Petry on piano. “We’re a great big slice of dance friendly, toe-tapping fun,” said MacLeod.
On Saturday February 15 from 11 am to 1 pm at Rankin Fitness Center in Berkeley Springs, get into shape with “Shakin It for Rene” featuring Rene Kesecker. Keep warm with a “variety of dance styles and rhthyms guaranteed to get you up and shakin.” ($5 donation at the door ).
Then on Saturday night February 15 at 7:30, mosey on over to the Ice House for a blockbuster show with the Billy Thompson band (Eric Selby on drums, Wes Lanich on keys, Michelle Lucas on bass) featuring Ron Holloway on sax, with background vocalists Mary Hott and Angela Petry. (Tickets $25, $20 for Morgan Arts Council members). (To buy your tickets, call the Ice House at 304.258.2300.)
Surely things won’t let up in March.
Mark this date — March 28 at 7 pm at the Ice House. Broadway actor Michael Milligan brings his gripping one-man play, “Mercy Killers,” to Berkeley Springs.
The play presents the heartbreaking dilemma of a young couple when faced with a life-threatening illness.
The play opens just after Joe has been hauled into the police station. He is being questioned about the death of his wife. In emotional statements to the officer, he reveals their deep love, their affection for the wild places of West Virginia, the anguish of her illness, and their inability to afford treatment. We empathize as we see how Joe’s beliefs in self-reliance and the American dream are shaken.
“Over 60% of all bankruptcies in the U.S. are the result of medical debt — and in a majority of these, the person actually had insurance” says Milligan. “I wrote ‘Mercy Killers’ to put a human face on those statistics.”
The performance will be followed by an opportunity to ask questions of the actor/playwright and by a moderated discussion of the issues for those who wish to stay. (Admission free.)