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his weekend marks the 20th anniversary of Charcon, the Kanawha Valley's annual gaming convention. Activities will take place through Sunday at the Clay Center, where the event is to be held. Charcon is just one a several local happenings taking place around the region. Here's a look at what's happening through July 13.

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Friday, July 11

Music

• TIMMY COURTS & FRIENDS: 5-8 p.m. No cover. The Empty Glass, 410 Elizabeth St. in Charleston. More info on Facebook.
• MESSENGER VESSEL / NEARDETH / GHOST IN ME: 8 p.m. $8 cover. Also featuring 2Face and Concussed on Concrete. Live at The Shop, 1233 Ohio Ave., Dunbar. More info on Facebook.
• MATTHEW MALINOSKI: 7 p.m. No cover. Coal River Coffee Company, 66 Olde Main Plaza, St Albans. More info on Facebook.
• STEVE HIMES: 7:30 p.m. Free. Taylor Books, 226 Capitol St., Charleston. More info on Facebook.
• PIANO BAR FRIDAY: 8 p.m. Tickers & Timbers, 210 Capitol St., Charleston. More info on Facebook.
• AMOS STEEL: 9 p.m. Mardi Gras Casino & Resort, 1 Greyhound Dr., Charleston. More info on Facebook.
• JOHN RICHARDS: 9 p.m. to midnight. No cover. Paddlers Bar & Grill, 12 Maywood Ave. West, Clendenin. More info on Facebook.

Dance

• SILENT DISCO: 8 p.m. $10 per person. Dance, drink and vibe out in your own world while surrounded by a crowd doing the same. Headsets provided. Ages 21+ only. The ROQ, 1022 Quarrier St., Charleston. More info and link to tickets on Facebook.

Stage/Theater

• DUNE: 7 p.m. Tickets $10+. Special viewing on the planetarium screen as part of Charcon. Clay Center, 1 Clay Square, Charleston. More info on Facebook.
• THE LIFE OF CHUCK: 7:30 p.m. $12 adults, $7 students. Floralee Hark Cohen Cinema, 230 Capitol St, Charleston. More info online.

Etc.

• ELK CITY ART & WALKING HISTORY TOUR: 9 a.m. $20 per person. Discover how the micro-district of Elk City is honoring its past while embracing the future. Mea Cuppa, 715 Bigley Ave., Charleston. More info and link to tickets online.
• LITTLE LISTENERS: 10 a.m. Free. Story time, singing and a simple craft. Perfect for toddlers and preschoolers. Coffee With a Twist, 101 Main Ave., Nitro. More info on Facebook.
• HEALTH SCREENINGS, TESTING & NARCAN TRAINING: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free. Services offered through WV Health Right's Mobile Medical Clinic. Across from Town Hall, 1100 East Dupont Ave., Belle. More info on Facebook.
• CHARCON: Noon-Midnight. Tickets $10 to $50. Costume contests, parties, vendors, board games, RPGs, children's activities and more. Clay Center, 1 Clay Square, Charleston. More info and link to registration online.
• HOW TO DRAW THE MINECRAFT CREW: 2 p.m. Free. Coffee With a Twist, 101 Main Ave., Nitro. More info on Facebook.
• EMPLOYMENT WORKSHOP: 3-5 p.m. Free. For ages 18-24. Get support with finding job opportunities, career training resources, resume writing assistance and more. Sponsored by the HOPE Community Development Corporation. Grace Bible Church, 600 Kanawha Blvd. West, Charleston. More info on Facebook.
• WORSHIP NIGHT: 6 p.m. Free. Coffee With a Twist, 101 Main Ave., Nitro. More info on Facebook.
• MUSIC ON MAIN: 6:30-9 p.m. Free. Featuring Chad Jones Music. Clendenin Brewing Co., 2 Main St., Clendenin. More info on Facebook.
• DRUM CIRCLE: 7 p.m. No cover. Wandering Wind Meadery, 422 Washington St. West, Charleston. More info on Facebook.
• CODENAMES LIVE: 8 p.m. Tickets $10+. Featuring professional comedian Grant Lyon. Part of Charcon. Clay Center, 1 Clay Square, Charleston. More info and link to registration on Facebook.
• MOUNTAIN STATE MUSIC: 8 p.m. Donations accepted. Featuring Tucker Riggleman & The Cheap Dates and singer/songwriter duo Mockingjean. Folklore Music Exchange, 191 Summers St., Charleston. More info on Facebook.  

Saturday, July 12

Music

• CHRIS RUCKER MUSIC: 6:30-9:30 p.m. No cover. Clendenin Brewing Co., 2 Main Street, Clendenin. More info on Facebook.
• BRONCO JUNCTION & WOODBINE: 7 p.m. Free, donations accepted. Pumzi’s, 813 Hunt Ave., Charleston. More info on Facebook.
• BUG: 7:30 p.m. Free. Taylor Books, 226 Capitol St., Charleston. More info on Facebook.
• WOLF THE BAND: 10 p.m. $13 cover. Live at The Shop, 1233 Ohio Ave., Dunbar. More info on Facebook.

Dance

• BALLROOM DANCE: 7 p.m. $10 members, $15 nonmembers. Sponsored by USA Dance Chapter 6014. Hansford Center, 500 Washington St., St. Albans. More info on Facebook.

Stage/Theater

• FRIENDSHIP: 2:30 p.m. $12 adults, $7 students. Floralee Hark Cohen Cinema, 230 Capitol St, Charleston. More info online.
• THE LIFE OF CHUCK: 5 p.m. $12 adults, $7 students. Floralee Hark Cohen Cinema, 230 Capitol St, Charleston. More info online.
• CLASSIC FILMS – GREASE: 7 p.m. $1 popcorn and drinks. Alban Arts Center, 65 Olde Main Plaza, St. Albans. More info online.
• SISTER MIDNIGHT: 7:30 p.m. $12 adults, $7 students. Floralee Hark Cohen Cinema, 230 Capitol St, Charleston. More info online.

Etc.

• CHARLESTON PARKRUN: 8 a.m. Free timed 5K run or walk. Magic Island, 181 Kanawha Blvd. West, Charleston. More info on Facebook.
• VCS YARD SALE: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free entrance. Gently-used items, baked goods, refreshments and more. Vandalia Community School, 4008 MacCorkle Ave. South West, South Charleston. More info on Facebook.
• DOWNTOWN ART & ARCHITECTURE WALKING TOUR: 9 a.m. $20 per person. Discover how the micro-district of Elk City is honoring its past while embracing the future. WesBanco, 901 Lee St. East, Charleston. More info and link to tickets online.
• SUMMER YOGA: 9 a.m. Free. Weekly event open to all ages/stages. Little League Ballfields, 533 Maywood Ave. East, Clendenin. More info on Facebook.
• QUICK AREA COMMUNITY CENTER VENDOR EVENT: 9 a.m. Free entrance. Vendors, hot dog sale and more. Quick Area Community Center, 23 Lucy Lane, Clendenin. More info on Facebook.
• SILENT BOOK GROUP: 9-11 a.m. Free. Daily Dose Cafe, 5206 1/2 MacCorkle Avenue South East, Charleston. More info on Facebook.
• CHARCON: 9 a.m.-Midnight. Tickets $10 to $50. Costume contests, parties, vendors, board games, RPGs, children's activities and more. Clay Center, 1 Clay Square, Charleston. More info and link to registration online.
• CLENDENIN RUNNING GROUP: 9:45 a.m. Free. Run begins promptly at 10 a.m. Fox Coffee, 14 Main St., Clendenin. More info on Facebook.
• CODENAMES LIVE: 10 a.m. $10+ per person. Featuring  Man Vs. Meeple Power Couple David & Elisha. Part of Charcon. Clay Center, 1 Clay Square, Charleston. More info on Facebook.
• FOOD PRESERVATION 101 – JAMS & JELLIES: 10 a.m. The third in Capitol Conservation District’s Food Preservation Series. West Sattes Community Center, 234 Lee Ave., Valentine Circle, Nitro. More info on Facebook.
• KIN SHIP GOODS RUMMAGE SALE: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free entrance. Clothing, housewares, knick-knacks, kids stuff, holiday decor, books, music gear, and tons of random things for cheap. The Snack Institute, 617 Tennessee Ave., Charleston. More info on Facebook.
• SUMMER BACKPACK BASH: Noon to 3 p.m. Free. Carnival games, food, prizes, backpack giveaway and more. Dunbar Mountain Mission Church, 605 Dunbar Ave., Dunbar. More info on Facebook.
• BEGINNING WATERCOLOR CLASS: 2-4 p.m. $25 per person. Beginner class taught by artist Bernice Deakins. Create a beach scene painting with a loose wet-on-wet style. Gallery on 4th, 414 Fourth Ave., Montgomery. More info on Facebook.
• PEPPERONI ROLL CONTEST: 5-8 p.m. Sample tickets $1 each or $5 for 10. GoMart Ballpark, 601 Morris St., Charleston. More info on Facebook.
• CONCERTS ON THE RIVER: 6 p.m. Free. Featuring Rob McNurlin and the Beatnik Cowboys. Port of Roadside Park, MacCorkle Ave., St. Albans. More info on Facebook.
• SUNDOWN SHOWDOWN 5K: 6 p.m. $40 per person. Race begins at the press box near the baseball fields. Shawnee Sports Complex, 1 Salango Way, Dunbar. More info and link to registration on Facebook.
• BOARD GAME COMEDY HOUR: 7 p.m. Tickets $10+. Featuring professional comedian Grant Lyon. Part of Charcon. Clay Center, 1 Clay Square, Charleston. More info on Facebook.
• LATE NIGHT SWIM: 8 p.m. Pool open until 10 p.m. Windemere Pool, 2308 Windham Road, South Charleston. More info on Facebook.
• SATURDAY KARAOKE: 9 p.m. No cover. The Volstead Room, Hale Street Center, 209 Dickinson St., Charleston. More info on Facebook.
• HEATWAVE BURLESQUE SHOW & DANCE PARTY: 10 p.m. $7 cover. The Empty Glass, 410 Elizabeth St., Charleston. More info on Facebook.

Sunday, July 13

Stage/Theater

• SISTER MIDNIGHT: 2:30 p.m. $12 adults, $7 students. Floralee Hark Cohen Cinema, 230 Capitol St, Charleston. More info online.

Etc.

• CHARCON: 9 a.m.-7 p.m.. Tickets $10 to $50. Costume contests, parties, vendors, board games, RPGs, children's activities and more. Clay Center, 1 Clay Square, Charleston. More info and link to registration online.
• BEER YOGA: 10 a.m. $25 per person. Bring your own yoga mat. Fife Street Brewing, 180 Summers St., Charleston. More info and link to registration online.
• BLUEGRASS GOSPEL JAM: 11:30 a.m. Free. St. John’s Episcopal Church, 1105 Quarrier St., Charleston. More info on Facebook.
• SUNDAY FAMILY FUN DAY: 2-5 p.m. Ages 12 and under free. GoMart Ballpark, 601 Morris St., Charleston. More info and link to purchase tickets on Facebook.
• TEA & BLOOMS: 3 p.m. $95 per person. A garden-inspired experience where classic afternoon tea meets hands-on floral arranging. J.Q. Dickinson Salt Works, 4797 Midland Dr., Charleston. More info and link to tickets online.
• GLOW FUNDRAISER: 7 p.m. $5 per person. Live DJ, music and more. Proceeds benefit the Wizard swim team. Windermere Pool, 2308 Windham Road, South Charleston. More info on Facebook.

Events are subject to change. If you have questions, please reach out to organizers. Know of a public event happening in Kanawha County that you’d like to share with readers? Send event info and contact details to ramsburgreports@gmail.com to be featured in a future calendar.

Header Image: Courtesy of Charcon