2009 Tri-State events calendar

It can't be all work and no play. Here's a calendar of fun events happening all around the Tri-State -- and some right on campus. For more up-to-date listings, pick up a copy of Entertainment Tri-State inside Thursday's Herald-Dispatch, or visit www.herald-dispatch.com.

AUGUST

Aug. 20 -- Greek Information Tables, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Student Center

Aug. 21 -- Welcome Weekend Family Picnic, 4-6 p.m., Center Campus Field (rain location is Student Center)

Aug. 26 -- Welcome Back Block Party, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Student Center

Aug. 27 -- Greek Luau, 7-9:30 p.m., Student Center Plaza

Aug. 28 -- Welcome Back Jam, 8:30 p.m., Student Center multi-purpose room

Aug. 18-22 -- Boyd County Fair at the fairgrounds in Cannonsburg, Ky. Features carnival, agricultural exhibits, home interior/crafts, livestock shows, youth exhibits and contests, youth market livestock auction, baby contests, demolition derby and more. Call 606-928-7190 or 606-928-4134 or visit www.boydcountyfair.com.

Aug. 25 -- Tri-State Multi-Cultural Festival at Ritter Park. The free event features displays, vendors, food and entertainment from a variety of countries. Visit www.tristatefestival.org.

Aug. 21-23 -- D.L. Hughley at the Funny Bone Comedy Club and Restaurant, 26 Pullman Square, Suite 207, Huntington. Hughley is best known for his hit TV show, "The Hughley's" on UPN. Showtimes are 7:30 and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 7 p.m. Sunday. Call 304-781-1000.

Aug. 21 -- Dream-Fest V "Jamaica Me Crazy," 7-10 p.m., Harris Riverfront Park, Huntington. The show will benefit the A. D. Lewis Center. Hosted by Harry-O Productions. This year's Dream-Fest features Rob Dread. Tickets are $8 at the door, but VIP tables that include dinners and beer also are available. Tickets, call 304-522-3257.

Aug. 22 -- BB's Car Club Cruz-In, 4-9 p.m., KYOVA Tri-State Mall & Lifestyle Center, 10699 U.S. 60, Ashland, Ky. The event features 50/50 drawing, doors prizes, music. Open to all cars, trucks and motorcycles with $5 registration. Sponsored by the Kyova Mall. Visit www.bbscarclub.com or call Chrissy Dillow, 606-928-3835.

Aug. 22 -- Devin Williams: "Pour It Out," 7 p.m., Paramount Arts Center, 1300 Winchester Ave., Ashland, Ky. Cost: $10. Call 606-324-3175 or visit www.paramountartscenter.com.

Aug. 28 -- Old Crow Medicine Show, 8 p.m. (gates open at 6:30 p.m.), Harris Riverfront Park, Huntington. Cost: $24 in advance; $28 day of show. Tickets www.ticketmaster.com or charge-by-phone, 800-745-3000.

SEPTEMBER

Early September -- Cornfield Maize in Milton, opens early September. Take Interstate 64 to Milton Exit, Route 60 W to Milton Middle School. Parking is behind school. Closed Mondays. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays by reservations only. Open Fridays, 5-10 p.m., Saturdays noon-10 p.m., Sundays 1-5 p.m. Call 304-743-0548, e-mail Kimybeee@suddenlink.net, or visit www.cornfieldmaze.com/sites.php?ID=&username=wvmilton.

Sept. 1 -- Celebrate Huntington Concert Series, 6 p.m., Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center, 925 4th Ave., Huntington. A free outdoor concert is held under the marquee. Food and beverage vendors as well as cruise-ins. All proceeds will benefit the nonprofit organizations in charge of preserving the Keith-Albee.

Sept. 3 -- Bill Engvall, 7:30 p.m., Charleston Municipal Auditorium, 200 Civic Center Drive, Charleston. Cost: $25-$55. Tickets, visit www.ticketmaster.com or any Ticketmaster locations.

Sept. 4 -- Main Street Music Series, 5-9 p.m., downtown Ashland, Ky. Free live music from the best performers from along the Country Music Highway. Part of the Ashland's First Friday Art Walk. Also a street festival feel with an antique car show and motorcycle show, chalk art out on the street and open house at all area art galleries. Visit www.firstfridaynews.com.

Sept. 4-5 -- First Friday and Second Look Saturday, 5-9 p.m. Friday and noon-4 p.m. Saturday, Pendleton Art Center, Ashland, Ky. Art Walk features local artists, musicians.

Sept. 7 -- Catlettsburg Labor Day Celebration in downtown Catlettsburg, Ky. Call the Boyd County Courthouse at 606-739-5184 or Mark Plummer at 606-739-5126.

Sept. 8-9 -- Student Organizations Fair, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Student Center.

Sept. 9-12 -- Swinefest 2009: "The Call for Community Unity," downtown Guyandotte, W.Va. The festival kicks off with a parade at 6 p.m. Thursday, featuring Marine Color Guards, Civil War groups, army vehicles, fire trucks and more. Live music on Friday and Saturday, clowns, vendors of arts and crafts, foods and more. Fresh pulled pork served Friday evening and Saturday at noon. For a more detailed list of events, visit www.swinefest2008.com.

Sept. 12 -- X-Fest at Harris Riverfront Park in Huntington. Hard rock station WMAX 106.3 FM celebrates with a full day of regional and national hard-core and heavy metal bands. Headliner is Shinedown. Featuring Chevelle, Tantric and Bobaflex. Call 304-696-5990 or go online at www.x1063.com.

Sept. 15 -- Study Abroad Information, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Student Center lobby.

Sept. 16 -- John Marshall Birthday Dinner, 6-10 p.m. PAC Francis Booth Exp. Theatre

Sept. 18-20 -- Poage Landing Days in downtown Ashland. Features arts, crafts, car show, bicycle race, motorcycle show and live music. Featuring the Ed Haley Fiddle Festival. Call the Ashland Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, 606-329-1007 or 800-377-6249 or go online at www.visitashlandky.com.

Sept. 19 -- Fall Open House, 7 a.m.-3 p.m., Student Center

Sept. 19 -- Sorghum Festival next to the new South Point High School, South Point, Ohio. Enjoy sorghum making, beans and cornbread, applebutter making, bluegrass music, wagon rides for kids. Free admission. Call Ivan Smith, 740-894-4294.

Sept. 19-20 -- Mothman Festival in Point Pleasant, W.Va. This is a celebration of the legend of Mothman. Features include Mothman Hayride tours to the TNT area, where the first sighting was reported. There will also be presentations by authors and paranormal experts, exhibits, displays, merchandise and guided tours. Call Mothman Lives at 740-286-4772 or go online at www.mothmanlives.com.

Sept. 19 -- Chilifest in downtown Huntington. Annual West Virginia State Chili Championship is sanctioned by the International Chili Society. Money raised goes to the Tri-State Ronald McDonald House. Visit www.chiliwilli.com or call Chili Willi's at 304-529-4857.

Sept. 18-19 -- Fall Fest in Barboursville. Features a parade, arts, crafts, carnival, vintage cars, wrestling, music and a beauty contest. Free admission. Call the Village of Barboursville at 304-736-8994 or visit http://barboursville.org/.

Sept. 22 -- Willie Nelson, 7:30 p.m., Paramount Arts Center, 1300 Winchester Ave., Ashland, Ky. Presented by WTCR. Tickets are $46-$69. Call 606-324-3175.

Sept. 24 -- Wide Open 2009: Jason Aldean, 7:30 p.m., Charleston Municipal Auditorium. Ticket prices are $24.75, $29.75 and $34.75. www.ticketmaster.com.

Sept. 25 -- Covered Bridge Car Club of Milton, 5 p.m.-dusk, Perry-Morris Square, U.S. 60, Milton. Door prizes and cash drawings. Call 304-743-5321 or 304-743-1969.

Sept. 25-26 -- Vesuvius Furnace Festival, Wayne National Forest, Ohio 93, Pedro, Ohio. Celebrate the history of the Iron Furnace with Civil War re-enactments, outdoor theater, nationally proclaimed brass band and live, local music. Free admission. Call the Ironton Ranger Station at 740-534-6500.

Sept. 25-27 -- 27th Annual Greek Festival, St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 701 11th Ave., Huntington. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Three days celebrating the rich heritage and tradition of the Orthodox Christian faith and Greek culture. Featuring Greek food and pastries, live Greek band, Greek dance performances, church tours, inflatables for kids and more. Admission and parking are free. Learn more at www.stgeorgehwv.org/festival.

Sept. 26 -- Great Bowls of Fire Chili Fest Cook Off, Paramount Arts Center, 1300 Winchester Ave., Ashland. The annual Chili Fest features new chili chef Tanya Meadows. Questions or to sign up, call 606-324-3175.

OCTOBER

Oct. 1 -- Open Mic Night, Left Bank Cafe at Pendleton Art Center, 1537-1539 Winchester Ave., Ashland, Ky. Thursday before the First Friday Art Walk. Featuring singers, storytellers, poets, comedians and others are invited to perform. Questions, call 606-325-3815.

Oct. 2 -- Main Street Music Series, 5-9 p.m., downtown Ashland, Ky. Free live music from the best performers from along the Country Music Highway. Part of the Ashland's First Friday Art Walk. Also a street festival feel with an antique car show and motorcycle show, chalk art out on the street and open house at all area art galleries. Visit www.firstfridaynews.com.

Oct. 2-3 -- First Friday and Second Look Saturday, 5-9 p.m. Friday and noon-4 p.m. Saturday, Pendleton Art Center, Ashland, Ky. Art Walk features local artists, musicians.

Oct. 8 -- Ricky Skaggs, 8 p.m., Paramount Arts Center, 1300 Winchester Ave., Ashland, Ky. Cost: $30-$40. Tickets, visit www.ticketmaster.com or any Ticketmaster location. Call 606-324-3175 for more information.

Oct. 9-11 -- Tsubasacon Anime Convention and Japanese Culture Festival, Big Sandy Superstore Arena, One Civic Center Plaza, Huntington. Guest list includes anime industry notables Leah Clark and Darrel Guilbeau, musical performer Lisa Furukawa and artists Jen Lee Quick and Gina Biggs. Visit www.tsubasacon.org. Call 304-696-5990.

Oct. 10 -- Hotel California: "A Salute to the Eagles," 7:30 p.m., Paramount Arts Center, 1300 Winchester Ave., Ashland. Cost: $25-$35. Tickets, visit www.ticketmaster.com or any Ticketmaster locations. Call 606-324-3175 for information.

Oct. 10 -- Ron White: Behaviorial Problems Tour 2009, 8 p.m., Big Sandy Superstore Arena, One Civic Center Plaza, Huntington. For Mature Audiences only. Tickets: $38.75. Tickets available at the arena box office, all Ticketmaster Locations, and online at www.ticketmaster.com. Charge-by-phone at 800-745-3000.

Oct. 14 -- David Copperfield: Grand Illusion, 5:30 and 8:30 p.m., Paramount Arts Center, 1300 Winchester Ave., Ashland, Ky. Cost: $42.50-$47.50. Call 606-324-3175.

Oct. 17 -- BB's Car Club 2009 Cruz-In "Halloween," K-Mart Plaza just off Highway 52, South Point, Ohio. $5 registration for show vehicles. Door prizes every 10 minutes.

Oct. 25 -- Jeremy Camp, 6 p.m., Charleston Municipal Auditorium, 200 Civic Center Drive, Charleston. Cost: $22-$30. Tickets, visit www.ticketmaster.com or any Ticketmaster locations.Tickets, visit www.ticketmaster.com or any Ticketmaster locations.

Oct. 27 -- Study Abroad Information, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Student Center

Oct. 29 -- Avett Brothers, 8 p.m., Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center, 925 4th Ave., Huntington. Cost: $25. Tickets, visit www.ticketmaster.com or any Ticketmaster locations.

Oct. 31 -- Tri-State Marching Band Festival, 8 a.m.-11 p.m., Joan C. Edwards Stadium

Oct. 31 -- Herald-Dispatch Health & Fitness Expo, Big Sandy Supertore Arena, Huntington.

NOVEMBER

Nov. 2 -- Virsky Ukrainian National Dance Company, 7 p.m., Paramount Arts Center, 1300 Winchester Ave., Ashland, Ky. Cost: $25-$28. Call 606-324-3175 or visit www.paramountartscenter.com.

Nov. 4 -- Study Abroad Orientation, 6:30-9:30 p.m., Student Center

Nov. 5 -- Styx & REO Speedwagon with special guest Night Ranger, Big Sandy Superstore Arena, Huntington. Get more details at www.bigsandyarena.com.

Nov. 5 -- Open Mic Night, Left Bank Cafe at Pendleton Art Center, 1537-1539 Winchester Ave., Ashland, Ky. Thursday before the First Friday Art Walk. Featuring singers, storytellers, poets, comedians and others are invited to perform. Questions, call 606-325-3815.

Nov. 6-7 -- First Friday and Second Look Saturday, 5-9 p.m. Friday and noon-4 p.m. Saturday, Pendleton Art Center, Ashland, Ky. Art Walk features local artists, musicians.

Nov. 7 -- Fall Open House, 7 a.m.-3 p.m., Student Center, and 8 a.m.-3 p.m., PAC Francis Booth Exp. Theatre, PAC Playhouse

Nov. 15 -- International Festival, 2-8 p.m., Student Center

Nov. 17 -- Fall Study Abroad Expo, Student Center

DECEMBER

Dec. 3 -- Open Mic Night, Left Bank Cafe at Pendleton Art Center, 1537-1539 Winchester Ave., Ashland, Ky. Thursday before the First Friday Art Walk. Featuring singers, storytellers, poets, comedians and others are invited to perform. Questions, call 606-325-3815.

Dec 4-5 -- First Friday and Second Look Saturday, 5-9 p.m. Friday and noon-4 p.m. Saturday, Pendleton Art Center, Ashland, Ky. Art Walk features local artists, musicians.

Dec. 4-6 -- Lions Club Arts & Crafts Festival, Big Sandy Superstore Arena, Huntington. Complete your holiday shopping with help from some of the best artisans in Appalachia, all while helping to raise money for the Lions Club's charitable programs.

Dec. 5-6 -- Christmas Open House, Greenbo Lake State Park, 965 Lodge Road, Greenup, Ky. Call 606-473-7324.

Dec. 6 -- 2009 ARTS Holiday Candlelight House Tour, 2-7:30 p.m., Downtown Huntington. Tour outstanding homes decorated in the holiday spirit in the Huntington area. Arts Resources for the Tri-State volunteers will be present at each home to sell tickets and direct tour guests for viewing. Call 304-733-ARTS.

Dec. 7 -- The Radio City Christmas Spectacular, starring the world-famous Rockettes, 7 p.m., Charleston Civic Center Coliseum, Charleston, W.Va. Tickets are $68.50 or $50 at www.ticketmaster.com/event/160042c5829c327d.

Dec. 10 -- Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker, 7:30 p.m., Charleston Municipal Auditorium, 200 Civic Center Drive, Charleston. Cost: $25.25-$65.50. Tickets, visit www.ticketmaster.com or any Ticketmaster location.

Dec. 11 -- Gaither Homecoming: The Christmas Tour 2009, 7 p.m., Big Sandy Superstore Arena, Huntington. Show to feature: The Gaither Vocal Band, Buddy Greene & Jeff Taylor, Isaacs, Gene McDonald, Gordon Mote, Lynda Randle, Charlotte Ritchie, Greg Ritchie, Reggie & Layde Love Smith, Russ Taff, and Kevin Williams. Tickets $44.50 and $31.50. Available at the arena box office, all Ticketmaster locations, and online at www.ticketmaster.com. Charge-by-phone at 1-888-745-3000.

Dec. 13 -- "Spirit of Christmas," 4 p.m., Paramount Arts Center, 1300 Winchester Ave., Ashland, Ky. Cost: $40-$48. Call 606-324-3175 or visit www.paramountartscenter.com.

Dec. 14 -- David Phelps, 7 p.m., Paramount Arts Center, 1300 Winchester Ave., Ashland, Ky. Cost: $20-$25. Tickets, visit www.ticketmaster.com or any Ticketmaster locations. Call 606-324-3175 for information.

Dec. 14-20 -- The Nutcracker, PAC Playhouse.