The Chincoteague Island Arts Organization
CIAO - The Chincoteague Island Arts Organization
Our Organization
The Chincoteague Island Arts Organization (CIAO) is a 501(3)c nonprofit organization, incorporated in Virginia as a non-profit in December 2011. CIAO was created to save, utilize and maintain the vintage Island Theatre as a cultural arts center for Chincoteague, offering a unique downtown venue for events.
The Island Theatre
Now beautifully renovated, the Island Theatre (formerly the Island Roxy), offers first-run movies during the summer season and classic films in winter... as well as concerts, plays and all kinds of other entertaiment. The theater aims to please the local community and visitors alike with a diverse selection of exciting events!
The Theatre Annex
The Annex is a new small performance space adjacent to the theater, perfect for educational programs, lectures, classes, and community or business meetings. It also hosts CIAO's fun weekly events like Game Day Mondays. Give us a call or check out our event schedule below for dates, times and descriptions.
CIAO's Upcoming Events
Show Boat by the Lower Shore Performing Arts Company
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2019 AT 7:30PM
Show Boat is a musical in two acts, based on Edna Ferber's best-selling novel of the same name. The musical follows the lives of the performers, stagehands and dock workers on the Cotton Blossom, a Mississippi River show boat, over 40 years from 1887 to 1927. The musical contributed such classic songs as "Ol' Man River", "Make Believe", and "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man". Come see the Lower Shore Performing Arts Company take on this wonderful classic at the Island Theater on Saturday, February 23rd at 7:30pm. Tickets are $20 and include 2 drink tickets plus light hor d'oeuvres. For ticket purchases and information, please visit www.lowershorepac.org. Tickets also available for cash or check at Sundial Books, Main Street Chincoteague.
Pop Up Prom Dress Exchange at the Theatre Annex
SATURDAY, MARCH 9, 2019
Do you have a prom dress in great condition that you’d like to sell? Bring it to the Annex between 8:00am and 10:00am on the days listed. Tell our volunteers its size and your best price, and we’ll do our best to sell it! Are you looking for that perfect prom dress at a reasonable price? Come to the Annex between 11:00am and 2:00pm and check out what’s available. 10% of the purchase price will be split and donated to the Annex and to the high school prom after-party fund you choose. All sales are final. Cash, checks and major charges accepted. Unsold dresses must be picked up by 4:00pm the same day.
3 Sheets Saint Patrick's Concert at the Island Theatre
SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2019 AT 7:00P
After Search for the Shamrocks, join us for a Saint Patrick's concert featuring 3 Sheets with a program of Irish favorites and Celtic music - plus a few surprises and a lot of fun! Saturday, March 16th at 7:00pm at the Island Theatre...
3 Sheets is a trio of seasoned performers that presents Celtic, nautical and original music. Sought after for its energy, quality of musical performances, humor, originality and the ability to place music within an historical context, 3 Sheets is a busy regional ensemble located on the Eastern Shore of Virginia.
Tickets are just $15 and available now at Sundial Books (cash or check). Cash bar will be available. Learn more about 3 Sheets at https://3sheets.band. Don't forget to wear your green!
Stop in for Game Day Mondays at the Theatre Annex
Check out our free Monday Game Day
gatherings at the Annex from 1:00-4:00pm
What's your game? Canasta? Bridge? Checkers? Chess? Scrabble? Yahtze? Rummicube? We have them -- or bring your favorite game to play. Play with old friends or make new ones. If you'd like to learn how to play, we'll show you!
Want to just sit and socialize for a bit after the Manna Cafe's delicious Monday lunches? Come on by and visit for a while in our warm and comfortable surroundings. We'd love to see you!
Contract Bridge Classes at the Theatre Annex
FRIDAYS FROM 10:00AM TO NOON
JANUARY 18 - MARCH 8
The Chincoteague Island Arts Organization is pleased to announce a class aay the Theatre Annex for those interested in learning and playing contract bridge. This class is open to beginners, former players who need a refresher and experienced players who want a better knowledge of the game. Bridge classes started on January 18th and run every Friday until March 8th. Each class is held from 10am to noon. Registration is $40, payable at the first class, and includes printed materials. (Returning participants who already have materials will receive a discount.)
CIAO 's FRIDAY NIGHT FILM SERIES
CIAO's "Friday Nights at the Movies"
CIAO is pleased to announce that another great series of classic films will be offered each Friday night at 7:00pm at the Island Theatre through April 26th. Admission to see these terrific movies is just $5.00!
CIAO thanks the following sponsors who make this series possible:
Assateague Coast Trust
Bill and Judy Borges
Denise Bowden
Gary and Kathy Cottingham
Kim and Eric Dennis
Denny and Karen Fishell
Stephen Joe
Billy and Terry King
David and Lue Landsberger
John and Marty Lane
Tom and Maribeth Lane
Walter Lane
Margaret and Gary Nichols
Bill and Ruth Spann
Sundial Books
VA Space Flight Academy
Bob and Tina Zoller
Mary Terhune
Film Schedule:
February 22 Almost Famous
March 1 Over the Hedge
March 8 Born Yesterday
March 15 Cool Hand Luke
March 22 A League of Their Own
March 29 Apollo 13
April 5 Blazing Saddles
April 12 Chariots of Fire
April 19 Fly Away Home
April 26 Saturday Night Fever
CIAO requests that those attendees who are able to do so bring donations of canned goods and non-perishable food items to "Friday Night at the Movies" at the Island Theatre. Donations will be sent to the local food bank to bolster supplies helping individuals and families affected by the federal government shutdown. Thank you!
CIAO is also offering free admission to "Friday Night at the Movies" at the Island Theatre for members of the Coast Guard and furloughed federal employees and contractors until the government shutdown ends. They may bring an accompanying guest or immediate family members for free as well.