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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

Toy Story 4 Coming to the Island Theatre on June 21st

FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2019

"Woody (voice of Tom Hanks) has always been confident about his place in the world, and that his priority is taking care of his kid, whether that’s Andy or Bonnie. So when Bonnie’s beloved new craft-project-turned-toy, Forky (voice of Tony Hale), declares himself as “trash” and not a toy, Woody takes it upon himself to show Forky why he should embrace being a toy. But when Bonnie takes the whole gang on her family’s road trip excursion, Woody ends up on an unexpected detour that includes a reunion with his long-lost friend Bo Peep (voice of Annie Potts). After years of being on her own, Bo’s adventurous spirit and life on the road belie her delicate porcelain exterior. As Woody and Bo realize they’re worlds apart when it comes to life as a toy, they soon come to find that’s the least of their worries." Rated: G
Release Date: June 21, 2019

Monday Nights at Main and Mumford July 1 - August 26 at the Annex

CIAO's new summer series of varied programs on Mondays at 7:00pm... at the Island Theatre Annex right next to the theater, on the corner of Main and Mumford Streets of course!
July 1 - "The Wild Ponies of Chincoteague", an award-winning film by Kurt Kolaja about a girl who acquires her dream pony with the help of the Feather Fund. (Plus a short film about the commercial fisherman of Chincoteague.)
July 8 - Renowned Eastern Shore musicians Tom McHugh and Tome Anthony, with original songs, great stories and verse about watermen and life on the water.
July 15 - "Rufus and the Red Nosed Astro Pup" by the BlueSky Puppeteers, with a puppet show about space travel and tolerance of those different from you.
July 27 - Local favorites Owen Hooks and Tom Nolan perform old and new songs, share pony lore, and engage in humorous banter.
July 29 - TO BE ANNOUNCED
August 5 - Break out the tie dyes and your peace sign jewelry for "Woodstock: 50 Years of Peace & Music", a program marking the 50th anniversary of Woodstock with a lecture by Amalie Rothschild, who was there. Buy signed copies of her new book and enjoy an exhibit of her Woodstock photos.
August 12 - Troubador Greg Shupe performs with an eclectic repertoire of folk, blues, country, and traditional music.
August 19 - TO BE ANNOUNCED
August 26 - Bill Troxler presents a talk on the origins of Celtic music and play Celtic classics on a variety of instruments.

NEW! LSPAC Summer Theatre Academy at the Annex in August

"Broadway at the Beach" Lower Shore Performing Arts Company Summer Theater Academy for 2019... The Lower Shore Performing Arts Company and Chincoteague Island Arts Organization have teamed up to bring Broadway to the beach this summer, August 12-16, for kids aged 8-14!

The one-week theater academy will end with a performance comprised of skits, a selection of songs from South Pacific, Pirates of Penzance, Peter Pan and others. The academy instruction includes character development, voice, stage movement, play structure and improvisation. LSPAC directors and actors will instruct.

Held at the Island Theatre Annex
4076 Main St, Chincoteague, VA 23336
Session is 9:00am to 4:00pm Mon – Fri.
Drop off 8:30am. Pick up at 4:00pm.
Cost $125.00 a student. Bring a bag lunch.
Registration and more information at www.lowershorepac.org

Stop in for Game Day Mondays at the Theatre Annex downtown

CHECK OUT OUR FREE GAME DAY MONDAY

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 right next to the Island Theatre downtown. We'd love to see you!

Find out more

Shakespeare in the Park - MEASURE FOR MEASURE at Robert Reed downtown in September

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2019 AT 7:30PM

Robert Reed Downtown Waterfront Park

(Christ United Methodist Church Hall in case of rain)
Co-sponsored by CIAO and CCA and performed by the Brown Box Theatre Project.

Free outdoor Shakespeare returns with the political tragicomedy Measure for Measure. What happens when corruption reaches the highest level of court? Explore the price of principle, and witness what happens when the law is bent by those who serve to uphold it. A duke in disguise leaves the fate of his people in the hands of a ruthless judge. A loyal sister is faced with an important decision: save the life of her brother, or uphold her honor? Join us for Shakespeare’s timeless tale of deception, virtue, and honor.

Thanks to our 2018 business sponsors: Chincoteague Resort Vacations • Poseidon’s Pantry • The Art Garage • H&H Pharmacy • Harbour Rentals • Refuge Inn • Sundial Books • Taylor Bank