The RiffRaff Arts Collective
Welcome


The RiffRaff Arts Collective, a cooperative and interdisciplinary group of performing, visual, literary and healing artists, is based in a multi-purpose creative zone in downtown Princeton, West Virginia. Three buildings house 2 live performance venues, a state of the art recording studio, 6 artist studios, a music school with nearly 200 students, and a fine art gallery, and major expansion is on the horizon. Several creative entities make up the collective: The Room Upstairs, a beautifully restored turn of the century ballroom, plays host to weekly music gatherings, experimental theatre, workshops, art shows, and more. LLyniuM entertainment produces annual events like Culturefest World Music & Arts Festival and All Together Arts Week to inspire unity and provide enriching experiences for the community. Stages Music School provides music instruction with an emphasis on fostering a love and appreciation for the arts. The "Studios on Two" area is home to five newly remodeled studio spaces and a spacious gathering area.  The Turnaround Concert and Gathering Hall hosts recitals, plays and special events and is available for rental. Core artists live and work in and around the downtown space and offer a wide range of services from graphic design and custom photography to multitrack recording and music instrument repair.  Located in downtown Princeton, West Virginia, The RiffRaff Arts Collective has pumped soul into neglected turn of the century structures, and is breathing life back into a once depressed downtown area. With new businesses sprouting up all over Mercer Street, there is hope for a bright and prosperous renaissance in this small West Virginia town.

A Look Inside The RiffRaff
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This is a documentary about The RiffRaff by OurMountainState.org. For the complete version of the story with captions, please link to this fantastic community development portal for the great state of West Virginia.

What's Up With The RiffRaff

Features The RiffRaff!

  
In the summer of 2010, Tina Antolini, the producer of a
revolutionary program on N.P.R. called State
of the Re:Union, contacted us here at The
RiffRaff and asked to come and check out our
work. It was a thrill to meet her and Al Letson,
the show's creator and host. Al says
remember, things do fall apart; it's up to us to
put them back together! You can listen to the
story on the show's website along with a
brilliant portrait of all kinds of positive and
inspired work in Appalachia. We will be hosting a
SOTRU Listening Party on Nov. 6, along with venues
across the nation. Click the link
below to hear the story and view more photos
of their visit to Princeton.

Our part of the story begins at 12:32 in
Segment C:

http://stateofthereunion.com/
home/season-2/appalachia







Option 22's new album Choose the Music is now available for purchase!
It was nominated for Homegrown Music Network's 2010 Album of the Year.
Visit
www.option22.net and order your copy today.
Option 22 is currently recording another album called "The Change."
Watch for its release in early 2012.








  This album was recorded, mixed and mastered in the brand spankin' new
Audible Art Studios
located in The Room Upstairs @ The RiffRaff.

www.audibleartstudios.com

Culturefest World Music & Arts Festival



  September 8-11 marked the eight annual  Culturefest World Music & Arts Festival  at The Appalachian South Folklife Center in Pipestem, WV.  We pour our hearts & souls into the event which features two stages full of music and dance performances, workshops, a children's village, healing arts, artisan vendors, drum circles, a parade, an after hours cabaret, camping and more. Presented by LLyniuM entertainment, the core of The RiffRaff Arts Collective, the event is a weekend long immersion in the creative arts and has been called "an inspired, forward thinking diversion from the norm." The goal of the festival is to celebrate diversity and promote unity. The event has become an annual convergence of creative minds from Southern WV and has been referred to as "a creative oasis."

Find more information and tons of photos, visit:
www.culturefestwv.com

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All Together Arts Week Paints the Town!
March 26-April 2 marked the third annual county wide celebration of the arts and community. The RiffRaff hosted the Kick-off Event and the Grand Finale Parade and Drum Circle. Stay tuned for details about this colorful and very special event which was created by The RiffRaff to unite creative people all around our area.
Marck your calendars for
ATAW 2012: May 5-12!

         

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In The Room Upstairs:

Every Monday from 7-11pm is Open Stage Night in The Room Upstairs. All ages and styles are welcome: Poetry, dance, and music of any genre. New and experimental material and mediums are encouraged. Expect to hear RiffRaff regulars like Option 22, the Captain Lazerblast Band, Miss Behavin', Kathleen Coffee and Melissa McKinney. The Room Upstairs turns into a wide open creative space, with markers and crayons for drawing and all kinds of opportunity for artistic and musical conversation and collaboration. A donation of $3 for non-performers and 2$ for those performing is asked to help defray operating costs. Drinks and Snacks are Free. **This is a family event, so please censor your material accordingly.**









Contemporary Dance Group


This is an open group which explores contemporary dance and creates original works for performance. Anyone wishing to explore dance is welcome. FREE. Call 425-6425 for days and times.

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Gallery of The RiffRaff Arts Collective

  The RiffRaff Arts Collective's retail gallery sits on the corner of 9th and Mercer Streets. It houses the works of resident artists and other regional
  artists. Currently the gallery features photography, paintings, mixed media works, pottery, blown glass and stained glass. *Call 304-425-6425 for info. and hours.

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A Special Thank You To Our Supporters!


             

865-869 Mercer Street, downtown Princeton, West Virginia / 304-425-6425