Capitol Theatre: Culture and entertainment in the valley

Two blocks from Memorial Square, Capitol Theatre Center at 159 S. Main St. is a regional destination featuring local and national talent.

The center houses the 88-year-old Capitol Theatre, originally a movie house and performing arts theater, and is home to Chambersburg Community Theatre, Council for the Arts and Chambersburg Ballet Theatre School.

The 809-seat theater has been a regional entertainment hub for decades now, featuring early vaudeville acts and silver screen sensations. Today the historic landmark shines with such performers as Randy Travis, Tony Orlando, Appalachian Jubilee and Glenn Campbell, along with orchestras, dramatic troupes and ballets.

The popular Blues, Brews & Barbecue annual fundraiser, which takes place the first Saturday in May, kicks off the start of summer with an indoor-outdoor celebration featuring food, drink and live music.

The mission of Capitol Theatre Center is to provide cultural enrichment by meeting the interests of a broad range of patrons. The center serves as a venue for community artistic events and national touring live shows.

In residence

• Chambersburg Community Theatre

CCT's 2014-15 season begins in September. Sally Herritt is executive director.

Phone 263-3900; email info@cctonline.org; or website www.cctonline.org.

• Council for the Arts

Miniature art from across the nation, the most popular exhibit among the ever-changing gallery shows, is on view from November through mid-January each yea.

Phone: 264-6883; website: www.councilforthearts.net; or email smellott@councilforthearts.net or Anne Finucane at ahf53@comcast.net.

• Chambersburg Ballet Theatre

Artistic director Lavinia Reid has performed blacklight ballet performances, a musical "Christmas Carol" for which she composed the score and invites guest artists to teach and perform with students.

Phone 709-1800; email cbts@innernet.net; or website www.innernet.net/cbts