Welcome to The Virginia— or, if you’ re of a certain era, welcome back.
The City of Somerset’ s own downtown event venue has become a local cultural landmark in a short period of time. Opened in 2022, The Virginia Theater is instantly recognizable to anyone passing through downtown, its brightly-lit marquee a beacon of both promise and progress along historic East Mt. Vernon Street, just off the Fountain Square.
Having a place to go and be entertained in that spot is nothing new, however. The Virginia was introduced to Somerset in 1922, as T. E. Jasper was the first person to build a structure locally purposed as a movie theater. It provided a much-needed source of distraction during the difficulties of the Great Depression, and showed many popular films over the years on its single screen— sometimes the audience was so vast that people had to be turned away.
Despite a 1970 facelift that turned the Virginia into a true“ cinema,” the clock was ticking on its viability.
Sundy Best- February 7, 2025
The arrival of the multiplex-style theater— which was found at the outset of the 1980s in the Somerset Mall— pulled audiences away from more humble movie houses like the Virginia, which finally closed in 1994.
The building sat unused in downtown Somerset for years, becoming dilapidated, an eyesore on the city’ s landscape. Numerous efforts were made over the years to renovate the space, but none ever got off the ground until Alan Keck was elected Somerset Mayor in 2019. Shortly thereafter, the city purchased the building and decided to do the work themselves, fixing up the space and reopening it in 2022 for its 100th anniversary— not solely as a movie theater but as a versatile event venue, capable of hosting concerts, plays, wedding receptions, and much more( and yes, there are still movies shown there as well!).
“ It’ s difficult to put into words what makes The Virginia so special, but when a new visitor walks into the space, they feel it, said Daisha Lile, executive director of The Virginia.“ There’ s a palpable sense of history
Meredith Frye Photography and excitement. Though its walls have seen change since 1922, the heart of the venue remains unchanged. It is a place where community is built. The Virginia’ s charm lies not only in its historic architecture but in the shared experiences of its guests and performers.”
The Virginia enjoyed a successful first year, and has only grown in its reputation ever since, shining brighter than ever this year. Since January 2025, The Virginia has welcomed roughly 4,000 visitors through ticketed events alone, with guests traveling from 24 states, Canada, and even Germany. Of those, more than 1,200 attendees have been from right here in Somerset.
“ With each new event, community support continues to grow, bringing new faces and increased local awareness,” said Lile.“ Yet, there’ s still room to expand— many first-time guests are surprised to discover such a dynamic venue in downtown Somerset, often saying,‘ We didn’ t know this was happening downtown! We’ ll be back!’”
The Virginia kicked off 2025 with three sold-out shows in a row— Sundy Best, Shake the Stage: Cruizin Keys Dueling Pianos, and Boys in the Band: The Alabama Tribute. Each month typically includes two to three ticketed events, with crowd sizes ranging from 180 to over 500, depending on the show and setup, noted Lile.
Highlights already this summer tourism season include hosting Kentucky Sports Radio Live and the band Alice Blue Gown on June 6— the largest KSR crowd ever in Somerset. Also, in May, a special benefit concert raised $ 10,500 for tornado relief efforts in Pulaski and Laurel Counties, partnering with Master Musicians Festival to provide what Lile called“ community support and a space for healing.”
“ Beyond concerts and films, The Virginia is a flexible, elegant space
8 Stay & Play Lake Cumberland Region- Summer 2025