The Ashland Theatre's 75th Anniversary Gala

The Ashland Theatre is thrilled to announce its upcoming 75th Anniversary Gala, a milestone event celebrating three-quarters of a century serving the Ashland community. The gala will be a night of elegance, fun, and community as we reflect on the building’s history and look forward to the next 75 years!

Event Details:

• Saturday October 14, 2023

• 6PM to 10PM

• Ashland Theatre, 205 England Street, Ashland VA, 23005

• Caravati’s, 201 England Street, Ashland, VA 23005

The Gala:

The Ashland Theatre’s 75th Anniversary Gala will be a night to remember, bringing together artists, patrons, and supporters of the arts from all over Virginia. The evening will feature food, drinks, and the music of Steve Bassett, a renowned Virginia musician known for “Sweet Virginia Breeze.” 

Tickets and Sponsorship Opportunities:

Tickets for the Ashland Theatre’s 75th Anniversary Gala are available for purchase online linked here.

For information on sponsorship opportunities, please contact info@ashlandtheatre.org.

A Legacy of Resilience:

For 75 years, the Ashland Theatre has been an iconic part of the town of Ashland.  After falling into disrepair and nearly closing forever, the Theatre was restored through the support of our entire community.  Today, the Ashland Theatre provides a space that fosters creativity, cultural enrichment, and community engagement through the arts.

As we celebrate this milestone, the Theatre remains committed to its mission of reinventing the classic theatre experience through film, live performances, and community engagement. The 75th Anniversary Gala represents not only a reflection on it’s history, but also a commitment to a future where the arts continue to inspire, unite, and transform lives.

Join Us:

The Ashland Theatre invites all supporters of the theatre and champions of the community to join them in celebrating 75 years. Together, we will ensure that the neon lights of the Ashland Theatre continue to brighten the Ashland skyline for many years to come!

For more information about the gala and the Ashland Theatre’s mission, please visit www.ashlandtheatre.org.

Illuminating the Way to Light Up the Tracks

The holidays are going to be LIT! With your help, Light Up the Tracks will be merry and bright all season long. As it snow happens, we have a few volunteer positions to choose from! Pick your favorite position and sign up to sleigh the season.

🕯️Illuminate Luminaria

Ready, set, and glow the way to Ashland’s tree-mendous Light Up the Tracks Celebration on Saturday, November 18. Set up a whole watt of luminaries on Town Hall lawn to create a sparkle we’ll never fir-get.

🎭Shine on Stage

Jingle all the way! Help usher musical, dance, and performing artists on and off the boards during the Light Up the Tracks celebration on Saturday, November 18.

🎁 Make the Christmas Market Merry

Have your elf a merry little market, when you volunteer to greet shoppers during Ashland Christmas Market on Saturday, December 2.

Light Up the Tracks volunteers will meet once in September, August, and before events. There, we’ll snow you the drill so you’ll feel pine to come, thaw, and conquer. If volunteering sounds ice to you, tap the button below and start chillin’ with your snowmies in Ashland!

3 Fab-boo-lous Benefits of Volunteering for Ashland Halloween

Wake up and smell the pumpkin spice. Spooky season is just around the corner and we’ve got plans to make it boo-tiful – but we can’t do it without you! Get these fab-boo-lous benefits when you volunteer for Ashland’s Halloween.

Trick or Treat Team

Give ‘em pumpkin to talk about when you invite neighbors to be Halloween Hosts. They’ll get the treat of being added to our Halloween map, while you celebrate tricking out Ashland Halloween.

Scavenger Hunt Helpers

What is sweeter than candy? Prizes! When Trick or Treaters collect three stamps in the Ashland Halloween Scavenger Hunt, they are given a glowing gift. Wouldn’t it feel gourd to hand out prizes?

Meeting Members

Hanging out with your best witches is eerie-sistible. Meet your #SquadGhouls once each month in August, September, and at the Ashland Halloween event. There, you’ll get all the fab-boo-lous event details and make a few new fang-tastic friends.

Ready to be the ghostess with the mostest? Sign up to volunteer for Ashland Halloween in the button below.

Free Summer Concerts

Katie Carter performing in April Saturday Soundtracks

Summer is sweeter with free outdoor concerts. Local musicians are scheduled to play live on the tracks every Saturday 4-7 PM within earshot of Origin Beer Lab, Caboose Market & Café, Trackside Kitchen & Wine, the Iron Horse’ patio areas or from lawn chairs in the pedestrian area. Scroll to hear more about the summer series of Ashland Saturday Soundtracks slated to rock the railroad.

July 15
James River Junction
The garage band turned opener for Lynyrd Skynyrd brings their riff-heavy combination of rock, country, and blues to Railroad Avenue.

July 22
ThePhipps
Singer and songwriter Christian Phipps plays positive tunes with messages of peace, love, and happiness for listeners.

July 29
The Boss of Us
Listen to classic covers and fan favorites from the comfort of downtown Ashland restaurant patios or in the pedestrian area.

August 5
Steven Snider
The popular Virginia musician brings stripped-down versions of favorite tunes and encourages requests.

August 26
The Richards
The three-piece band plays a blend of not-so-average covers and originals.

September 2
Chris Grigg
With over 200 songs on his current request list, you never know what will be played during Chris Grigg’s solo acoustic act.

September 9
The Crump Tunes
The father and daughter duo plays covers together with the help of friends and their special mix of talent.

September 16
Life Support
The Richmond-based duo that combines sweet tones of the ukulele and guitar with funky percussion grooves and soulful vocals.

September 23
Dowdy & White
Celebrate the final day of summer with the high energy duo of long-time friends Peyton Dowdy and Chris White. Hailing from Richmond, the dynamic duo will have you jamming to favorite rock, pop, and country songs from the 70s, 80s, 90s, and 2000s.

The Ashland Theatre announces another family-friendly spooky October!

October is always a busy month at the Ashland Theatre, and this year is no different.  The Theatre is offering a mix of Halloween classics and live events.  Family events include the October Toddler Takeover, our monthly free event for children ages 0 to 6 and their families on Saturday, October 7 at 10AM. Later in the month, spooky film favorites Monster House and Hocus Pocus will be playing at 10AM on October 21 and 28 respectively.

Adults will enjoy Stephen King’s classic Carrie on Wednesday, October 25, and John Carpenter’s original 1978 Halloween is showing on Monday, October 30th.  Both films play at 7PM, and tickets are on sale now.

After a sold-out showing last year, The Rocky Horror Picture Show is returning for two showtimes this year, both with shadow-casts from Richmond’s own, Orgasmic Rush of Lush, RockyHorrorRVA.  Tickets for both showings are on sale now.

Halloween Movies and Events:

Saturday, October 7th, 10AM:             The Toddler Takeover, costumes encouraged

Saturday, October 21st, 10AM:           Monster House

Saturday, October 21st, 8PM:              The Rocky Horror Picture Show with Shadow-cast

Wednesday, October 25th, 7PM:         Carrie

Saturday, October 28th, 10AM:           Hocus Pocus

Saturday, October 28th , 9PM: The Rocky Horror Picture Show with Shadow-cast

Monday, October 30th, 7PM:              Halloween

October events also include:

Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour is playing at the Ashland Theatre from October 13 to November 5, with a special 1989 (Taylor’s Version) listening party on Saturday, October 28.  Tickets for all showings are on sale now; costumes and friendship bracelets are highly encouraged!

Macbeth (1948) – All Tickets 75¢! The Ashland Theatre’s year-long series of classic films from 1948 continues Monday, October 16th at 7PM with Shakespeare’s Macbeth, directed by and starring Orson Welles.  Tickets are on sale now.

Jack and the Beanstalk – A live musical from the Barter Theatre Players!  Live theatre returns to the Ashland Theatre with the Barter Theatre Players’ production of Jack and the Beanstalk on Saturday, October 28th at 2PM. Six quick-changing actors present the classic tale on stage.

The Ashland Theatre is committed to offering a range of programming that appeals to all community members.  The Theatre welcomed over 12,000 patrons throughout 2022, for a variety of programming.  Today, Ashland Theatre offers movies and concerts as well as recurring programs that are intended to continue to build, entertain, and inspire its audiences for the next 75 years and beyond.  Special events include the annual Ashland Book Festival, the Holly Jolly Holiday Party, a monthly Toddler Takeover, E-Sports tournaments, open mic nights, and private rentals, each uniquely serving as notable examples of the many ways in which Ashland Theatre continues to be a staple in the town of Ashland and the greater Richmond metro area.