Letter L represents the thriving Arts Community
G clef in Heart
The G clef in the heart represents the vibrant arts scene in the Clifton Forge Community. Clifton Forge residents love their arts organizations.
Historic Masonic Theatre & Masonic Amphitheatre
Historic Masonic Theatre & Masonic Amphitheatre, 510 Main Street and 513 Church Street. The Historic Masonic Theatre opened 1905 as an opera house & Mason Hall. The Historic Masonic Theatre has served the Alleghany Highlands 100+ years as a performing arts and movie theatre. The four- storied Theatre has hosted well-known performers, cowboys, politicians, magicians—opera and opry. The Theatre, renovated in 2016 is an architectural treasure. The Masonic Amphitheatre opened in June 2012 and was designed and built by Virginia Tech third year architectural students. https://historicmasonictheatre.com/
Alleghany Highlands Arts & Craft Center
Alleghany Highlands Arts & Craft Center, 439 East Ridgeway is a nonprofit agency which has been in operation since 1984, to stimulate an interest in and appreciation of visual arts in the Alleghany Highlands. Classes are offered for all ages year round. New Exhibits of a wide range of style, technique, and media are featured in the Center's Gallery free of admission every 4 to 6 weeks. The Center Shop provides a location for regional juried artists and craftspeople to display and sell high-quality fine arts and crafts. https://highlandsartsandcraft.org/
The Clifton Forge School of the Arts
The Clifton Forge School of the Arts, 518 Church Street, is a private non-profit organization dedicated to teaching the fine and applied arts to children, teens, and adults living in the Alleghany Highlands and beyond. The School, located in the heart of downtown Clifton Forge, opened its doors in January 2011. The School is housed in two historic buildings on Church Street with a nearly two-acre specimen garden between them. https://www.cfsota.org/
Appalfolks of America
Appalfolks of America is an arts-education organization preserving Appalachian heritage and promoting drug-free living since 1985. Outreach programs include the Virginia Opry, a country music troupe and the STARS program. STARS is Special Theatrical Artists Revue & Showcase and serves to provide an opportunity for all special needs performers who wish to perform. No audition is required for a mentally or physically challenged individual to join the troupe. http://appalfolksofamerica.org/
Movie Reel Element
Movies became a staple for The Historic Masonic Theatre early in its history. Silent movies and “talkies” became popular from the 1920’s on. First run silent movies began in the Masonic Theatre when it reopened after the 1918 Spanish Flu. One of the drawing cards of the movies was “The Merry Makers”, a local orchestra which played each night before the feature. The first talkies were shown in the Theatre in 1929 and the Theatre was packed every night. Movies continued to be shown during the Theatre’s long history—newsreels of WWII provided the news of the war to Town residents. The Theatre was owned by Universal Films and later Warner Brothers. Both studios would send its “stars” to introduce the movies, and that is why several famous cowboy starts visited Clifton Forge.
The Theatre continues to show movies today—many of them are free and sponsored by the Town of Clifton Forge. The big screen and excellent sound system make watching a movie in the Historic Masonic, a very special experience.
Comedy/Drama Masks Element
From the year the Historic Masonic Opened in September 1906, drama and comedy were part of the Theatre’s programming. The first program shown in the Theatre was an off-Broadway opera and comedy followed quickly with stage shows and vaudeville. A variety of plays and entertainment shows have graced the Theatre’s stage including plays presented by local Theatre troupes.
Blacksmith Element
Blacksmithing is taught by master Blacksmith, Glen Bryant at Clifton Forge School of the Arts. Forges are set up in the “Mill” of the school and Blacksmith classes are continually offered.
The Theatre continues to show movies today—many of them are free and sponsored by the Town of Clifton Forge. The big screen and excellent sound system make watching a movie in the Historic Masonic, a very special experience.
Rock Band Element
Musical entertainment is greatly appreciated in the Alleghany Highlands. Many locals are members of various musical groups, from Bluegrass with regular Bluegrass Jams at Clifton Forge School of the Arts, to Alleghany Blues Society members who play often at many local venues. The Historic Masonic Theatre welcomes and showcases local musical groups on the Auditorium stage in addition to the Underground.
Music Concert Crowd Element
All arts venues in the Alleghany Highlands welcome and promote concert bands in the area. Music lovers travel from out-of-the-area as well to listen to the music that can be found at The Historic Masonic Theatre and other venues. The Music Crowd Element is a symbol of the appreciation that people in this area have for good music.
Photographer Element
Clifton Forge and the surrounding area are blessed with top-notch professional photographers. These photographers are talented in many ways and also share their knowledge in classes taught at Alleghany Highlands Arts & Crafts Center and Clifton Forge School of the Arts. Both venues present gallery exhibits several times each year with featured photographer’s works of art.
Young Couple at Table Element
The young couple are enjoying a meal prior to a concert, a reception or a play at Clifton Forge art venues. The Historic Masonic Theatre has statistics that show area restaurants receive up to 30% more revenue when a show is in town. Clifton Forge Restaurants are varied and offer diverse cuisine. 42 Deli (540-862-5505) has delicious deli sandwiches for lunch https://www.42deli.com/ ; Michael’s New York Style Pizza (540-862-2360) has an extensive pizza and Italian menu https://michaels-new-york-style-pizza-clifton.business.site/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=referral ; Jack Mason’s Tavern and Brewery (540-862-5624) offers American cuisine and a bar featuring home-brewed beer and seltzer https://www.jackmasonstavern.com/ ; Café Museo (540-968-3639), all kinds of coffees and tea and the only coffee-mill museum in the United States https://www.caffemuseova.com/ ; The Way Coffee Shop (540-862-4909), coffee drinks, breakfast and lunches https://www.facebook.com/The-Way-Coffee-Shop-100529694785722/ ; Dairy Queen (540-863-3791) offers delicious sandwiches and ice cream treats https://www.dairyqueen.com/en-us/locations/va/clifton-forge/309-w-ridgeway-st/5373/ ; Hardees (540-862-2621) offers special fast-food meals—open for breakfast, lunch and dinner https://www.facebook.com/HardeesCliftonForgeVA/ ; Bella Pizza, Pasta & Subs (540-862-4548) offers pizza and Italian delights https://bellapizzacliftonforge.com/ ; China Wok (540-862-7788) offers Chinese food https://www.chinawokcliftonforgeva.com/ ; The Cat & Owl Restaurant’s (540-862-5808) specialties are steak and seafood https://thecatandowl.com/ ; Family T Tree’s Café & Catering; (540-816-3819) American, Traditional, Southern breakfasts, lunches and dinners https://www.facebook.com/familytreetsrestaurant/ .
Jack Mason's Tavern
42 Deli
Caffe Museo
Ballroom Dancers Element
The dancers represent the many types of dancing that are taught in this area in addition to the recitals that are presented annually at The Historic Masonic Theatre. Ballets such as the “Nutcracker” are presented annually most years and ballet troupes such as Roanoke Ballet also appear on the stage of the Theatre. However, in addition to ballet, the area, including a local dance studio, Garlynda’s Fancy Feet, also promotes and teaches clogging, jazz, tap, and contemporary dances as well for all ages.
Young Artist Bookend Silhouette
The young people who live in this area are very fortunate to have two facilities to learn to paint, and pursue many artistic endeavors. The Alleghany Highlands Arts & Crafts Center and the Clifton Forge School of the Arts offer classes throughout the year for students including music classes at the School of the Arts. Summer camps are offered for students, and Alleghany Highlands Arts & Crafts studio presents programs for school students in addition to offering exhibits of student’s works in their gallery. Students from the area middle school, and students in both Arts facilities have contributed to Clifton Forge Corridor Curb Appeal programs for showcasing public art in Clifton Forge.
At the next Clifton Forge Community Gathering event, set for Thursday, April 18th from 6:30 to 8:00 pm at the Historic Masonic Theatre WestRock Room, the main program will feature Ellie Dudding-McFadden, from the Virginia Main Street Community Vitality Program, and round table discussions from attendees. Please plan to join us. Chuck Unroe will also present a State of the Town update.
DONATE TODAY!
You can donate two ways! Either mail a check to:
P.O. Box 631
Clifton Forge, VA 24422
Checks made payable to the Town of Clifton Forge and add 'LOVE SIGN' to memo line.
Or fill out the form below and donate online!
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