BECKLEY --  Beckley residents were welcomed by the West Virginia Dance Co. on Saturday. It was a rare opportunity for locals, despite the fact that the dance company calls Beckley its home.

The dance company performed at the Woodrow High School auditorium. It was one of the group’s only shows in the local area this year, as they generally tour schools outside of the area.

West Virginia Dance Co. is the only touring dance group in West Virginia. They often do shows in schools through a touring pilot program put on by the West Virginia Commission on the Arts.

On Saturday they held a public show. Another show will take place in Lewisburg on Nov. 13.

According to Donald Laney, a dancer and director with the company, the shows are a treasure to areas that normally don’t get to see this type of work.

“We want people to be entertained, but we also want them to think,” says Laney. “It’s like modern art. You can look at the picture, but what does it mean.”