Music, comedy and more on tap for 2009

Here are some of the entertainment events coming up in 2009:

JANUARY

The Tennessee Tramp, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday; 7:30 and 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31-Jan. 4. Janet Williams, a.k.a. The Tennessee Tramp, is a nationally touring comedian who plays "A" rooms throughout the United States and Canada. Tickets, call 304-781-1000 or visit www.wvfunnybone.com. Funny Bone Comedy Club and Restaurant, 26 Pullman Square, Suite 207, Huntington. $12-$14.

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

Miss Ring Girl Competition, begins Friday, Jan. 2; finals at 10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9. Club Babylon and WAMX Radio presents the Miss Ring Girl 2009 competition to select the Ring Girls for the 21st annual Tri-State Original Toughman Contest on Jan. 16-17. The competition consists of three elements. Total prize package valued over $2,000. No entry fee. Entry form available at www.wvtoughman.com or call 800-296-3897. Must be 18 or older. Club Babylon, 831 4th Ave., Huntington.

Ain't Misbehavin, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7. The comic and musical soul of 1930's Harlem is showcased in this rollicking revue that is one of Broadway's most well-crafted shows. Featuring Ruben Studdard and Frenchie Davis. Visit www.theclaycenter.org. Clay Center for the Arts & Science, One Clay Square, Charleston.

Comedian Troy Baxley, 7:30 p.m. Thursday; 7:30 and 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 8-11. Baxley is the comic that other comics, from open-mic'ers to top A-List comedians watch every chance they get. Tickets, call 304-781-1000 or visit www.wvfunnybone.com. Funny Bone Comedy Club and Restaurant, 26 Pullman Square, Suite 207, Huntington. $10-$12.

Monster Nationals Monster Truck Event, Jan. 9-10, Big Sandy Superstore Arena, downtown Huntington. Call 304-696-5990 or go online at www.bigsandyarena.com.

Rough and Rowdy Brawl, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9. Tickets, visit www.ticketmaster.com or any Ticketmaster location. Charleston Civic Center, 200 Civic Center Drive, Charleston. $13.50-$20.

"Red Hot" Show Choir's annual Dinner Theatre, 6:30 p.m. Friday; 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Saturday; and 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 9-11. Enjoy a home cooked meal of roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, salad, homemade rolls, dessert and a drink, all served by the six-time State Champion Show Choir members. Following the dinner, Red Hot will debut its complete 2009 competition show. Proceeds will fund the groups expenses for the upcoming competition season. Doors open one hour prior to dinner and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Advance registration required; call 304-562-4799. Hurricane High School, 3350 Teays Valley Road, Hurricane. $15; $10 children; Saturday matinee, $12 and $7 children.

Michael Winslow, 7:30 p.m. Thursday; 7:30 and 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15-18. Dogs barking. Feet squishing in soggy sneakers. All ordinary sounds when they come from the source. How extraordinary when the source is Winslow. Tickets, visit www.wvfunnybone.com. Funny Bone Comedy Club and Restaurant, 26 Pullman Square, Suite 207, Huntington. $14-$16.

21st annual Tri-State Original Toughman Contest, 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Jan. 16-17. Prize monies up to $8,000. No entry fee. Men and women's weight classes. To sign up to fight, call 800-296-3897. For more info, visit www.wvtoughman.com. Tickets, visit www.ticketmaster.com, any Ticketmaster location or charge by phone at 304-523-5757. Big Sandy Superstore Arena, One Civic Center Plaza, Huntington. $15-$30.

WWE Smackdown Live, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17. Tickets, visit www.ticketmaster.com or any Ticketmaster locations. Charleston Civic Center, 200 Civic Center Drive, Charleston. $15-$60.

2008 Bridal Extravaganza, 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 18. Enjoy a fashion show featuring area bridal shops, and thousands of dollars in door prizes given away including a $500 Huntington Mall Shopping Spree and a three-night cruise for two. Also, a "Groom Room" available with a big screen television to watch the NFL playoff games. Brides may register at the door visit www.wkee.com to register online when it comes available. Hosted by 100.5 WKEE. Big Sandy Superstore Arena, One Civic Center Plaza, Huntington. $5.

"Sweeney Todd," 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20. Tickets, visit www.ticketmaster.com or any Ticketmaster location. Vern Riffe Center for the Arts, Shawnee State University, 940 2nd St., Portsmouth. $44-$48.

Bob the Builder Live "Spud's Big Mess," 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22. Features all of your favorite characters in a fun-packed show set in the heart of Sunflower Valley. Tickets, call 606-324-3175 or any Ticketmaster location. Paramount Arts Center, 1300 Winchester Ave., Ashland. $10-$30.

WSAZ High School Wrestling Tournament, Jan. 23-24, Big Sandy Superstore Arena, downtown Huntington. Call 304-696-5990 or go online at www.bigsandyarena.com.

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial March, Jan. 19. Join hundreds of Tri-State residents as they march through downtown Huntington in memory of Martin Luther King Jr. and in the spirit of racial unity and social justice. The traditional march starts at First Baptist Church, 801 6th Ave., and ends at 16th Street Missionary Baptist Church, 1647 9th Ave. The annual memorial service follows. Call Marshall University Multicultural Affairs at 304-696-4677.

The Herald-Dispatch Musician Showcase, 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24. A rock show of no comparison. V Club, 741 6th Ave., Huntington.

Garrison Keillor, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27. Tickets, visit www.ticketmaster.com or any Ticketmaster location. Paramount Arts Center, 1300 Winchester Ave., Ashland. $10; $45; $50; $60.

2009 Huntington RV and Boat Show, 5-9 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29-Feb. 1. The show provides "Adventurer Spirits" an early look at the many exciting products and services available in anticipation of the upcoming 2009 recreation season. For exhibit information, call Jeff Scott, 304-757-5487, or Lynn Butler, 304-736-5287. Big Sandy Superstore Arena, One Civic Center Plaza, Huntington.

The Untamed Shrews, 7:30 p.m. Thursday; 7:30 and 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29-Feb. 1. Susan Smith and Marge Tackers are the nastiest girls with a brutal sense of humor. Tickets, call 304-781-1000 or visit www.wvfunnybone.com. Funny Bone Comedy Club and Restaurant, 26 Pullman Square, Suite 207, Huntington. $16-$18.

The Dixie Hummingbirds perform, 8 p.m. Jan. 30, Clay Center for the Arts and Science, One Clay Square, Charleston. Gospel artists perform inspirational songs with imaginative arrangements. Call 304-561-3570 or visit www.theclaycenter.org.

Crabb Reunion, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 31, Paramount Arts Center, 1300 Winchester Ave., Ashland, Ky. Featuring Crabb Revival, Jason Crabb, and Aaron and Amanda Crabb, a group of siblings from rural Kentucky who stormed the Christian music industry a little more than 10 years ago. Call 606-324-3175.

Brazilian/jazz music legend Sergio Mendes in concert, 8 p.m. Jan. 31, Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center, Huntington. Mendes' latest CD, Timeless, was a collaboration with Black Eyed Peas producer/songwriter will.i.am that merges the Brazil's urban music, samba and bossa nova, with American urban music. Part of the Marshall Artists Series. Call 304-696-6656 or visit www.marshallartistsseries.org.

Rascal Flatts "Bob That Head Tour," 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31. Special guest Jessica Simpson opens the show at 8 p.m. Tickets, visit www.ticketmaster.com or any Ticketmaster location, call 304-342-5757 or 304-523-5757 or the Civic Center box office. Charleston Civic Center, 200 Civic Center Drive, Charleston. $49.75-$67.

Dave Katz and John Mullins, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 31. The founding members of Ekoostik Hookah will do a rare acoustic show. The EndZone, 211 Adams St., Ironton.

FEBRUARY

"Sweeney Todd," 8 p.m. Feb. 5, Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center, Huntington. The infamous demon barber takes up with his crafty neighbor, Mrs. Lovett, and the two embark on a plot to slice their way through London's upper crust. Part of the Marshall Artists Series. Call 304-696-6656 or visit www.marshallartistsseries.org.

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

Action Sports Huntington Arenacross Championships, Feb. 6-7, Big Sandy Superstore Arena, downtown Huntington. Call Big Sandy Superstore Arena at 304-696-5990 or go online at www.bigsandyarena.com.

Bi-Okoto African Dance and Drumming, 9-11:30 a.m. Feb. 10, Paramount Arts Center, 1300 Winchester Ave., Ashland, Ky. Call 606-324-3175.

Capitol Steps, 8 p.m. Feb. 20, Clay Center for the Arts and Science, One Clay Square, Charleston. Featuring comedic sketches and satirizing songs poking fun at politicians. Call 304-561-3570 or visit www.theclaycenter.org.

The Spring International Film Festival, Feb. 20-26, Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center, Huntington. Featured films include: "Brick Lane" (UK), "Edge of Heaven" (Turkey/Germany), "Caramel" (Lebanon/France), "Elsa & Fred" (Argentina), "The Grocer's Son" (France), and "Trouble the Water" (USA). Part of the Marshall Artists Series. Call 304-696-6656 or visit www.marshallartistsseries.org.

"Member of the Club: A New Orleans Cinderella Story," 3 p.m. Feb. 22, Paramount Arts Center, 1300 Winchester Ave., Ashland, Ky. Call 606-324-3175.

Dublin Philharmonic Orchestra, 7 p.m. Feb. 24, Paramount Arts Center, 1300 Winchester Ave., Ashland, Ky. Call 606-324-3175.

West Virginia High School State Wrestling Championships, Feb. 26-28, Big Sandy Superstore Arena, downtown Huntington. Call 304-696-5990 or go online at www.bigsandyarena.com.

Ballet Hispanico, 8 p.m. Feb. 27, Clay Center for the Arts and Science, One Clay Square, Charleston. Ballet Hispanico fuses Latin dance with classic techniques to create a dynamic performance. Call 304-561-3570 or visit www.theclaycenter.org.

"The Drowsy Chaperone," 7 p.m. Feb. 28, Paramount Arts Center, 1300 Winchester Ave., Ashland, Ky. Call 606-324-3175.

MARCH

Cheer Power: Spring Break Open Championship, March 1, Big Sandy Superstore Arena, downtown Huntington. Call Big Sandy Superstore Arena at 304-696-5990 or go online at www.bigsandyarena.com or www.cheerpower.com.

"The Color of Justice," 9-11:30 a.m. March 2, Paramount Arts Center, 1300 Winchester Ave., Ashland, Ky. Call 606-324-3175.

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

World of Wheels, March 6-8 at Big Sandy Superstore Arena. West Virginia's largest indoor car show features more than 150 entries. Call Big Sandy Superstore Arena at 304-696-5990 or go online at www.bigsandyarena.com.

"Golda's Balcony," starring Tovah Feldshuh, 8 p.m. March 7, Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center, Huntington. The one-woman tour de force is a portrait of the indomitable Meir, who became Prime Minister of Israel in 1969. Part of the Marshall Artists Series. Call 304-696-6656 or visit www.marshallartistsseries.org.

Blues Journey, 7 p.m. March 9, Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center, Huntington.Journey through the history of the blues with Bluesman Willie Brown, as he spins stories for the family, both fact and fiction, while chronicling his travels and the pivotal encounters along his route. Part of the Marshall Artists Series. Call 304-696-6656 or visit www.marshallartistsseries.org.

"The Ant and The Elephant," 9-11:30 a.m., March 12, Paramount Arts Center, 1300 Winchester Ave., Ashland, Ky. Call 606-324-3175.

Blood, Sweat & Tears live in concert, 8 p.m. March 13, Clay Center for the Arts and Science, One Clay Square, Charleston. Billed as "one of the greatest horn bands in the history of rock music." Call 304-561-3570 or visit www.theclaycenter.org.

WSAZ Home and Garden Show, March 13-15 at Big Sandy Superstore Arena. Displays, seminars and children's activities. Call WSAZ at 304-697-4780 or Big Sandy Superstore Arena at 304-696-5990 or go online at www.bigsandyarena.com.

Celtic Crossroads, 7 p.m. March 24, Paramount Arts Center, 1300 Winchester Ave., Ashland, Ky. Call 606-324-3175.

APRIL

Montana Repertory Theatre in "To Kill a Mockingbird," 8 p.m. April 3, Clay Center for the Arts and Science, One Clay Square, Charleston. An American classic set in a southern town in the 1930s, the play based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning book portrays prejudice, justice and acceptance and the pain of growing up. Call 304-561-3570 or visit www.theclaycenter.org.

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

The 5 Browns, classical music's first family of piano virtuosos, 7:30 p.m. April 23, Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center, Huntington. Part of the Marshall Artists Series. Call 304-696-6656 or visit www.marshallartistsseries.org.

Dogwood Arts & Crafts Festival, April 24-26, Big Sandy Superstore Arena, downtown Huntington. See the best that Appalachian artists and artisans have to offer. Call Big Sandy Superstore Arena at 304-696-5990 or go online at www.bigsandyarena.com .

"Ain't Misbehavin'," with Ruben Studdard and Frenchie Davis, 7 p.m. April 28, Paramount Arts Center, 1300 Winchester Ave., Ashland, Ky. Call 606-324-3175.

"The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee," 8 p.m. April 28, Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center, Huntington. Six young people learn that winning isn't everything and that losing doesn't necessarily make you a loser. Part of the Marshall Artists Series. Call 304-696-6656 or visit www.marshallartistsseries.org.

Chris Harris/The Herald-Dispatch

Buyers and dreamers will again have an early look at the many products and services available in anticipation of the upcoming recreation season at the 2009 Huntington RV and Boat Show Jan. 29-Feb. 1