Arcadia Project

06/13/2026

Institute Street bringing some country tunes on a gorgeous evening!

06/13/2026

06/12/2026

Bringing some long overdue attention to one of Staunton’s own! Thanks, Washington Blade for the highlight!!

Staunton honors Billy Haines—reviving a theater for a star who stayed true! 🎬🏳️‍🌈🌟🎭 👉 https://bit.ly/4xiCm5D

06/11/2026

Grateful for our partnership with the Honey The Honey Dewdrops and for the news story from WMRA Public Radio!

A group of artists, local leaders and community members is working to revive a historic theater in downtown Staunton as a multipurpose performing arts venue and community center. WMRA’s Calvin Pynn checked in with The Arcadia Project and filed this report.

06/11/2026

Come on down to 125 E Beverley Street this Saturday, June 13 at 6PM and enjoy a *FREE* concert! We’ll enjoy the relaxing sounds of Institute Street, a favorite local duo. Some chairs a provided, but you’re welcome to bring your own.

Building tours offered at 5:30.

Any changes due to weather will be shared around 4PM day-of.

06/10/2026

Who was Billy Haines, you ask? And why is he deserving of a movie theater named in his honor? Here are just a few highlights of his life that we think support the cause!

* Native of Staunton, he likely watched construction of the original New Theater (our building’s predecessor before the devastating fire of the 1930’s).
* A winding path led him to Hollywood, where he became MGM’s leading box office star in the 1920’s.
* Refused to hide his relationship with long-time partner Jimmie Shields, choosing integrity over stardom
* Founded William Haines Design, which is still in operation today. His modern, bright aesthetic helped shape mid-century American interiors
* There is NO public acknowledgement of his contributions to LGBTQ history, design history, and Hollywood history, in his hometown!

Join the Billy Haines Legacy Circle today, and help commemorate and celebrate this icon of the LGBTQ community. Click the link icon in our bio to find the level that’s right for you!

06/04/2026

Big thanks to Board Member Cassondra Baber and Volunteer Extraordinaire Martha Lappin for representing us at the community grant award ceremony! We are so grateful to be among the organizations supported by our local community foundation - we firmly believe that rising tides raise all ships and we’re excited to see the amazing things coming to our community thanks to the efforts of these incredible grantees.

📸 credit: Georgie Tomisato
Photo: Arts and culture awardees for 2026 😎

06/04/2026

We are pleased to be included in this weekend round up of fun things happening in our small but might city!
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18fHkNyMGJ/?mibextid=wwXIfr

05/30/2026

Baby’s first radio spot!

Our Girl Friday, Kate, hopped on the airwaves at .3 to announce the second installment of ARCADIA Presents! our Saturday evening summer concert series! Hosted right outside our building at 125 E Beverley Street beginning at 6PM, enjoy a variety of musical genres, performed by musicians from around the region.

This year, we’re partnering with for a special benefit concert on Saturday June 27, at 7PM, hosted at . Tickets ($25 advance, $30 at the door) are available on our websites, with proceeds going towards building renovations at 125 E Beverley St. Kagey Parrish, frontman for the group, joined Kate in the booth to chat about the concert and our hopes for how can be a gathering place for people to connect through culture.

Big thanks to for welcoming us into his show and sharing air time with us!

05/28/2026

🎬 A Legacy Worth Honoring 🎭

To complete our vision and fully restore the historic New Theater, we need to raise around $250,000! By joining our crowdfunding campaign today, you help us make a major step forward meeting that goal, allowing us to complete the movie theater portion of the renovations (part of Phase 2).

The Billy Haines Legacy Circle Crowdfunding Campaign honors Billy’s story of creative reinvention and true authenticity, right in his hometown of Staunton, Virginia.

Can you help us go viral? Share this post with 5 folks who you think might resonate with Billy’s story, and would want to help support celebrating the legacy of an LGBTQ+ icon! Visit the link in our bio to learn more!

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