The Opera House in Shepherdstown celebrates its 100th anniversary this weekend with free events, films and live musical performances.

The celebration begins today with a reception at 5:30 p.m. featuring musician Don Oesher. The event is free and open to the public and is followed by a free showing of “The Social Network,” followed by the music of The Lady Dies, a hip new band serving up hot banjo and percussive beats.

Saturday’s festivities get underway at 11 a.m. with “The Iron Giant” and a 1:30 p.m. showing of the 1971 “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.”

After screening of “The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest,” The Outpatients take the stage with their hard-driving acoustic sound and vocal harmonics.

On Sunday, after the films, it’s the The Woodshedders, featuring a distinctive, original take on Bluegrass and American roots music. Admission for each music event is $5.

Lawrence Cumbo, award-winngin filmmaker and television producer, and his wife, Julie, bought the Opera House in October from Rusty and Pam Berry, who owned the theater since 1992.

The Opera House is one of the oldest movie theaters in America. However, the original owner refused to integrate in the 1950s, and he shuttered the place rather than be forced to allow African American patrons to sit downstairs with white moviegoers.

Cumbo plans to go full bore with both live music and new releases of art-house films. They’ve installed a “sustainable growth” bamboo dance floor, added new leather sofas and expanded the beer and wine selection. They’ve also invested in a new sound system to enhance the music and film experience. Other plans include an Opera House Film Club that allows kids and adults to see unlimited Saturday matinees for $5 a month.

While the Cumbo’s are holding on to several of the Berry’s traditions, like the theater’s original recipe popcorn, they’re mixing up the menu with a nod to the contemporary.

“We’re committed to buying organic and local,” Lawrence said in a press release. “We now serve Hypno Coffee single-serve brews, Mellow Moods fruit salads and dips, and we’re getting our organic dairy and ‘green’ paper products from the Source.”

Lawrence Cumbo, award-winning filmmaker and television producer, and his wife, Julie, bought the Opera House in October from Rusty and Pam Berry, who owned the theater since 1992.

The Opera House is one of the oldest movie theaters in America.

Cumbo plans to go full bore with both live music and new releases of art-house films. They’ve installed a “sustainable growth” bamboo dance floor, added new leather sofas and expanded the beer and wine selection.

They’ve also invested in a new sound system to enhance the music and film experience. Other plans include an Opera House Film Club that allows kids and adults to see unlimited Saturday matinees for $5 a month.

Group to celebrate release of new CD

The Rolling Coyotes, a local music group, will celebrate the release of “Train of Life” with concert at First Friday Coffeehouse, Dec. 3 at 8 p.m.

The performance, which will benefit Operation Christmas Teen, will be at the Trinity United Methodist Church Orchard House on Route 45, four miles from the four-way stop in Shepherdstown. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.

The Rolling Coyotes offer up an eclectic blend of folk, country, pop and swing music spiced with unique instrumentation, tight harmonies and good humor.

Band members include award-winning songwriter Steve Warner, Nancy Lynn, Andy Mosholder and Elliot Simon. They will be joined by musicians who appear on the new 17-song record that has already been nominated by Indie Music Digest as CD of the Year.

“Train of Life” is the fourth CD for Warner, whose songs have been recorded by other artists and played worldwide. The title cut of the new record, is featured on an upcoming compilation CD called “Ride the Trains,” which will be released in the United States, Europe and several other countries by NBT Records.

“Train of Life” is available locally at Ellsworth Music and Four Seasons Books in Shepherdstown and K & B Music in Martinsburg.

More about the band, including music and videos, can be found at www.myspace.com/therollingcoyotes.

‘The Odd Couple’ to be performed

HAGERSTOWN – The St. Maria Goretti High School Drama Players will present Neil Simon’s “The Odd Couple” at the Academy Theatre, 58 E. Washington St., Hagerstown, today through Sunday, Dec. 5.

The play starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 and are available at the door.

Shepherdstown resident, Jay Holliman, will play the role of Oscar.

For more information call 301-797-4600.