The Shadow
CLIFTON FORGE, Va. (VR) -Appalfolks of America Association (AAA) has announced that its annual The Giving Tree Fund Drive achieved the goal of
raising $3,000 in support of The Virginia Opry, STARS, and the Appalfolks of America Cloggers.
M. Ray Allen, president and founder of AAA, said, “The generosity of our donor base has expanded from Virginia to include donors from 17 other states.”
Allen founded AAA in Clifton Forge in 1985, to promote the literary and performing arts while advocating for drug-free creativity. On Dec. 20, 1991, Irwin R. Cohen, owner of the Historic Stonewall Theatre (circa 1905), donated the theatre to AAA.
The theatre had been appraised for $125,000 for its historic value and $75,000 for its commercial value.
AAA owned and operated the theatre for 12 years, and spent more than $200,000 restoring the theatre from a twin-cinema to a performing arts facility that featured a dance studio on the top floor and auditorium that seated 520 on the street level of the four story building.
During the 12 years of ownership, AAA developed many programs to fill the seats, including The Virginia Opry in 1992, and Special Theatrical Artists Revue & Showcase (STARS) in 1996.
“Thanks to a $130,000 matching grant funded by The Alleghany Foundation that required AAA to raise $39,000, our nonprofit organization was able to complete many restoration aspects to the theatre based on a Virginia Tech Community Design Assistance Center study that cost $2,000 to examine the structure and formulate a plan that would protect the historical aspects of the facility,” Allen recalled.
In 2020, Senator R. Creigh Deeds filed “Senate Bill 283” that passed the Virginia Senate 40-0 and the Virginia House of Delegates by a 93-6 vote. Governor Ralph S. Northam signed the bill into law on March 31, designating The Virginia Opry as the official Opry of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Virginia Opry that made its debut on October 17, 1992, on stage at The Historic Stonewall Theatre that has been renamed The Historic Masonic Theatre first received statewide recognition when the Virginia General Assembly passed “Resolution No. 397” to honor The Virginia Opry for completing 25 consecutive years of producing country music shows.
STARS has received national attention by being featured in “Moose,” the official magazine of the Loyal Order of the Moose, and a 2006 documentary film titled “STARS,” won a Bronze Telly. The troupe of 10 that made its debut in 1996, has grown to 36 performers.
The Virginia Opry has increased its number of members from the original ten who comprised one band to 72 members who make up 10 bands, and former Governor Glen Youngkin was on stage with The Virginia Opry at the Virginia State Fair in 2024. AAA donated the theatre to the Town of Clifton Forge in 2003, and the Town owns the theatre that it renamed The Historic Masonic Theatre.
“Appalfolks has scheduled -The Virginia Opry to perform four shows at the Historic Masonic Theatre in 2026, and STARS will perform three variety shows in the theatre as well,” Allen revealed. He added, “The Virginia Opry has been scheduled to perform two shows at Hull’s Drive-In Theatre in Lexington as well.” Allen concluded, “I wish to thank all of the donors who helped AAA reach its goal of raising $3,000.”
To follow The Virginia Opry, country music fans may wish to visit: https://www.thevirginiaopry.com
