BUCKHANNON — The Rotary Club of Buckhannon-Upshur and the Colonial Arts Center have joined forces to bring some new entertainment to downtown Main Street this spring and summer. With a contribution from the Rotary Club in the amount of $2,000, the CAC has been granted the ability to bring two professional touring companies from around the state of WV to Buckhannon.

In April of 2023, days before their touring season came to an end, the WV Dance Company, the state’s only professional touring dance company, came to the Colonial to perform Macker’d, an original piece created by Buckhannon native Jax McAtee. The show was free to the public, and over 80 folks came out in support.

The Rotary Club is always looking for groups to support in different ways to improve quality of life for the Buckhannon community and enhance our local arts, culture and history. When the Colonial presented the club with a funding request in early 2023, they were eager to collaborate and responded positively to the programming ideas.

“This collaboration is one that I believe will be a wonderful starting point for the Colonial to establish programs that can be brought back on a yearly basis,” said Anne Wilson, Manager of the CAC. “While we are waiting for our permanent seating installation in late September before a grand opening, I still want to offer entertainment for our community with the temporary seating. The Rotary funding also provided us the opportunity to provide free student seats for The Rustic Mechanicals in July.”

That’s right! The funding from the Rotary Club has also provided the CAC the ability to bring WV’s very own professional touring Shakespeare group, The Rustic Mechanicals, into the Colonial on Friday, July 7 at 8 pm, where they will perform Comedy of Errors. Tickets are $15; however, up to 46 students will be able to attend for free with the Rotary funds.

“I think it’s great for Rotary to support unique and enriching artistic experiences for students and others in our community,” said Keith Buchanan, CAC Board Director and active Rotary Club member. Since we invited Rotarians to the Colonial Arts Center for a tour several months ago, they were able to see the potential of this arts hub for our community now and in the future.”