CLIFTON FORGE—The Virginia Opry has changed its venue from the Jackson River Sports Complex’s River Rock Amphitheatre on Sat., Oct. 1, to A-1 Dance Studio’s indoor facility at 214 S. Lexington Ave., in Covington.
The Virginia Opry, the Commonwealth of Virginia’s official Opry, working in conjunction with the City of Covington’s Department of Parks and Recreation had scheduled the “Keith Bryant Showcase” to take place at 6:00 p.m., but due to the forecast for rain all day Sat., Oct. 1, Allen Dressler, head of the Covington Parks and Recreation and acting city manager, agreed to co-sponsor the event at the indoor location.
Amanda Burns, the dance instructor and owner of the A-1 Dance Studio, had previously scheduled a fashion dance performance for 6:00 p.m. on Sat., Oct. 1, at her facility as a fundraiser for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, a charity conducting research to find a cure for breast cancer. Breast Cancer Awareness Month begins on Oct. 1.
Burns agreed to combine the two shows by permitting Keith Bryant and Glen Shelton, the two members of The Virginia Opry who were scheduled to perform at the River Rock Amphitheatre, to perform following the relatively short fashion show performance.
The Virginia Opry’s “Keith Bryant Showcase” will be emceed by Glen Shelton. Like Bryant, Shelton is a Nashville recording artist. Both will perform as vocalists.
There is free admission to the show, and donations received for The Virginia Opry’s performance will be donated to Tunnel To Towers Foundation. Donations for Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation will be received by A-1 Dance Studio.
A-1 Dance Studio will be in charge of concessions as well and gift item sales.
M. Ray Allen, director of The Virginia Opry, said, “I thank Amanda for graciously coming to the aid of our nonprofit organization that would have had to cancel The Virginia Opry’s show due to Hurricane Ian’s movement north that has all weather forecasters calling for rain all day Saturday.”
He added, “The biggest challenge we have right now is to inform the public about the change of venue that Hurricane Ian has brought about.”
Allen concluded, “As president of Appalfolks, I thank Amanda for working The Virginia Opry into her show plans and sharing her stage to conduct a dual benefit, one for Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and one for Tunnel To Towers Foundation.”
Burns is providing the facility free of charge to Appalfolks of America Association’s Virginia Opry and the City of Covington’s Department of Parks and Recreation.
The Virginia Opry’s Brian Buchanan Band from Staunton performed a “Virginia Opry Tribute to George Strait” on May 21, with Gentlemen South opening the show at the River Rock Amphitheatre to kick off the “City of Covington Parks and Recreation Concert Series.”
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