FestivALL 2010

Brief History

FestivALL Charleston began because many citizens of the Kanawha Valley have long wanted a comprehensive arts and entertainment festival.

In the winter of 2004, several of these citizens- including Vic Grigoraci, Mary Angel and Joe Wollenberger- met with Charleston mayor Danny Jones to discuss the idea. After that meeting, Mayor Jones invited Mountain Stage producer/host Larry Groce to talk over the possibilities. Groce suggested that it might be a combination of originally produced events and productions already being mounted by local arts groups with Fund for the Arts’ successful Wine & All That Jazz event as the anchor. This was the basic form eventually adopted by those who organized and produced the first FestivALL, June 24, 25 and 26, 2005.

Many uniquely qualified citizens were invited to come together in spring of 2004 for an open Steering Committee meeting where everyone contributed ideas and suggestions. From this meeting an ongoing FestivALL Steering Committee was formed. The Steering Committee has met once a month since spring of 2004 and, although there is a core group of subcommittee chairs and others who are most involved, anyone is still welcome to attend, observe and contribute. It generally takes place in the Mayor’s Conference Room of City Hall at 4 PM on the first Thursday of each month.

Mayor Jones took on the responsibility and leadership of raising funds for the event and continues to be the principal leader of fundraising efforts (now assisted by a director of sponsorships). His leadership and support have been essential to the establishment and growth of the event.

All Arts Included - Production Style

From the beginning, it was the consensus of the Steering Committee that FestivALL should include visual arts, music, theater, dance and film- as well as other events that might be of cultural interest, mixing fine arts and popular arts in venues and locations all over Charleston and including a wide variety of styles and genres.

Many groups and individuals became involved in the pursuit of these goals. Sub-committees were formed with each art genre represented. These sub-committees included representatives from most of the producing and presenting arts organizations in the Kanawha Valley. There was unprecedented cooperation and interaction between these organizations in the planning and producing FestivALL 2005. It created a powerful force larger than the sum of its parts.

Each sub-committee decided what from its genre to present and how to present it. They then produced and/or presented the concerts, performances, exhibits, workshops and talks. Mr. Groce oversaw the all productions and coordinated the overall effort. FestivALL continues this executive director/committee style of operation.

FestivALL directly produces some events, co-produces some and presents some events that are produced by other individuals and organizations.

FestivALL Charleston 2005-2009

The result of the work of these committees, organizations and individuals was the initial three-day FestivALL in 2005. Over 120 events and performances were presented. In 2006 there were just as many events and performances but more attendees and, in 2007, the number of days, events and attendees again increased. In 2008 FestivALL became ten days with attendance of over 41,000 at 83 different events featuring 169 performances, exhibitions and presentations by 378 companies, troupes and individual artists. In 2009 over 50,000 people enjoyed FestivALL events. 

"It’s a place and event where you can stroll and be happy, where you can look at art, hear music, watch street performers, and just mingle with people. You never quite know what treat will be up the street, what sight will bring delight."
- Wonderful West Virginia magazine