GRACE STUDIO: ABSTRACT HOLIDAY*

Thursday, December 5

6-8 pm

Grace Studio classes are for lifelong learners and lifelong artists. Bring a friend or come make a new one! Feel free to bring your own snacks and drinks to enjoy while you work.

Thursday, Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m. in Radford Auditorium

Dance Show
Directed by Josey Pickett

December 5 | 7:30 p.m.
$40 (Open seating; includes reception)
Fulks Theatre
Recommended for all ages

Details coming soon!

Don’t miss this Fun FREE event by helping us all get in the right spirit for the upcoming Holiday Season!

FREE BOOKS for the First 150 children!!!!

Activities include: Letter writing, a Fine Art Project and an opportunity to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus

10 am-12 pm

Become a NCCIL member today and get access to this special morning at 9 am with breakfast!

Hosted by Studio 13 & 1117 Studios

Dec. 7

6:00-9:00 pm 

The Van Ellis stage will be turned into an elegant dinner theatre featuring unique show-themed table decorations, a superb meal, and exceptional entertainment as vocal performance and musical theatre majors present STARLIGHT EXTRAVAGNAZA. All proceeds from Starlight Extravaganza will benefit our HSU Theatre Travel Fund, which supports our students as they alternately travel to New York City and Edinburgh Scotland every other year.

Tables of 6 – $350; Tables of 4 – $220; Individual tickets – $65.

Tickets may be purchased online or by calling the HSU Theatre Box Office: 325-670-1405. Reservations must be made by Dec. 2 at 5 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m.; Dinner served at 6:30 p.m.

Abilene Philharmonic

Celebrate the Christmas season, Abilene Style, with A Country Christmas, starring Nashville luminaries Rachel Potter (The X Factor) and Patrick Thomas (The Voice).

Lights Up! Fundraiser
ACU Theatre 

On Broadway Cabaret 

ACU Theatre is thrilled to present this joint fundraising cabaret. Over 100

Abilene Performing Arts Center students auditioned with the hope of

being selected for this evening on stage with ACU Musical Theatre

majors. Proceeds from Lights Up ticket sales and any donations received

will benefit ACU Theatre and the Abilene Performing Arts Center.

The ACU Lights Up initiative was created over ten years ago by three former

theatre students as a fundraising vehicle for special ACU departmental theatre

needs. Funding in the past has supported student workshops, guest directors,

choreographers, designers, student headshots, NYC Senior Showcase, student

travel needs, scholarships and more.

Dec. 7, 2024

7:30 p.m.

Tickets $90-$120 (includes Curtain Call Reception)

Musical direction by Dr. Chris Hollingsworth

APAC Artistic Director: Lanie Westman

With special thanks to John and Rhonda Wright

Recommended for all ages

Free, all materials provided, no experience required.

●  Join us every Monday at the Center for Contemporary Arts for Dirty Drawers: our weekly figure drawing sessions, going 40+ years strong! All materials are provided and no experience is required. Donations are appreciated. Instructor: Sergio Hernandez.

Free, all materials provided, no experience required.

Featured material: regular charcoal/graphite.

Aimed at the homeschooling community in the Abilene area, Art Smarts is a great program designed for tweens and teens with an interest in the arts at your Main Library. For this month, we’ll be learning all about Vincent van Gogh, a Dutch painter most known for his post-impressionist art that made him among the most famous and influential figures in the history of Western art. Through his techniques, we’ll make our own still life paintings with poinsettias as our subject. We’ll supply all the materials and instruction you’ll need, just come out ready to get artsy with this unique STEAM activity celebrating the arts!

●       Join the CCA artists, board, staff and members in celebrating the holiday season!  Join us for a festive evening of art and Christmas fun.

Come and join your friends and neighbors at the Abilene Community Band's
"CHRISTMAS CONCERT". The band will play favorite Christmas songs and carols
that you have come to know and love. Dr. David Stockton will guest conduct
Leroy Anderson's "Christmas Festival" and the band will perform seven new, terrific
arrangements of well known Christmas music. Come spend the evening at the
Historic Paramount Theatre Dec. 10th at 7:30 and bring a friend!

HOLIDAY SHELL-EBRATION FAMILY FESTIVAL

Thursday, December 12

5-8 pm FREE EVENT

Our annual holiday festival is back with a very beach-y twist! Enjoy a trip to the beach while creating themed projects throughout the museum at our Holiday Shell-ebration!

Art + Community | Welcome to ArtWalk - our monthly celebration of art in our downtown community! On the second Thursday of every month, we invite you to experience live art demonstrations, handcrafted art vendors, local food & drink, and more! This month’s schedule will be posted on the ArtWalk Instagram (@artwalkabilene ) and on the Center for Contemporary Art’s social media accounts, so stay tuned! For more information, contact Casey Chavez at casey@center-arts.com or 325.677.8389.To register to be an ArtWalk vendor please do so on our website: www.artwalkabi.com

Join us for a FREE Public event celebrating beloved author and illustrator William Joyce’s new book: Rocket Puppies! Enjoy meeting William Joyce, buying a copy of his new book in our newly renovated bookstore and get your book signed by William Joyce himself. You do not want to miss this fun event!

In the Art Gallery: 10AM Public Artist Talk and Book Signing to follow

In the Art Studio: 10AM-noon will be a FREE fine art project and Pop-up Pet Adoption in partnership with All-Kind Animal Initiative (The PARC)

Free, all materials provided, no experience required.

●  Join us every Monday at the Center for Contemporary Arts for Dirty Drawers: our weekly figure drawing sessions, going 40+ years strong! All materials are provided and no experience is required. Donations are appreciated. Instructor: Sergio Hernandez.

Free, all materials provided, no experience required.

Featured material: Finger painting.

Abilene Convention Center and Nederlander National Markets are thrilled to present the inaugural 2024-2025 Broadway in the Big Country season!

TINA - Tina Turner Musical is a deep dive into the triumphant and troubling life of Tina Turner, right from her humble beginnings in Nutbush, Tennessee, to her tumultuous relationship with Ike Turner and her iconic comeback in her 40s. The musical follows Tina’s journey to becoming a superstar coupled with her experience with marital abuse and eventual divorce from her long-time partner and husband Ike Turner. The musical beautifully showcases her knack for overcoming obstacles, a talent that came in handy to help her become a solo rock 'n’ roll star.

Show run time:  2 hours & 40 minutes, including a 15 min intermission

For Current and Prospective Artist Members

Join us for this NEW monthly opportunity to socialize and building community with fellow artists! Held on the Third Thursday of each month - we will make art, fellowship with food and drink, and build relationships.

Christmas Social + Peer Art Critique
Sign up to bring a crockpot of soup or stew or a plate of Christmas cookies

Bring a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots!

Santa will be on site to receive the Toys and members will get a photo with Santa

Bring an artwork for a peer critique

If you’re attending Toddler Time at your Main Library at 11:00AM, stick around afterwards for Terrific Tots. This is a program that will offer seasonal fun activities for young kids to engage in, and at this session, we will supply you with all the materials you’ll need to make your own special cloud dough. Then, we’ll have a fun sensory play time with it. It’s a great program designed for kids up to age four so come be a part of the fun.

FREE EVENT

This family-friendly game night will be fun for all ages with different board games for everyone. A custom T&P version of the classic game Ticket to Ride will be available to celebrate Abilene's railroad history.

Preschool Programming rooted in literacy, art, and development 

FREE EVENT

Visiting speaker, Caleb Bell from the Tyler Museum of Art, will speak about the work and life of featured artist, Coreen Mary Spellman.

Abilene Philharmonic

Take in the sounds of Moscow with a concert featuring timeless classics by Prokofiev and Dvorák and, alongside a modern masterpiece by the acclaimed Brazilian-American composer, Clarice Assad.

Aimed at the homeschooling community in the Abilene area, Art Smarts is a great program designed for tweens and teens with an interest in the arts at your Main Library. For this month, we’ll be studying the artistic styles of Leonardo da Vinci, the Italian painter who was also a skilled mathematician, engineer, scientist, theorist, sculptor, and architect. Join us as we draw upon his techniques and outline our own bodies on large paper, exploring how geometry and art combine to create harmony. We’ll supply all the materials and instruction you’ll need, just come out ready to get artsy with this unique STEAM activity celebrating the arts!

Join us for a magical science and art experience where kids will explore how light affects what we see! Through fun, hands-on experiments, participants will design paper snowflakes and watch them seemingly disappear in water using light refraction. They’ll also use prisms to observe how different shapes bend light, changing their perception of objects. To add a creative twist to the learning fun, kids will also cut coffee filters into snowflakes. With multiple activity stations, they can rotate through each, discovering the wonders of light and science while unleashing their creativity.

$30 | Museum Members get $5 off!

Attendees will decorate a glass flower vase by using the acrylic pour technique. Acrylic pours are a great way to paint without the pressure of painting experience, while still receiving step-by-step instruction and taking home your own work of art.

*Adult Class – Register online at thegracemuseum.org/events

Get ready to experience the magic of the Bee Gees like never before! BEE GEES GOLD is more than just a tribute band—it's a celebration of the iconic music and harmonies that defined a generation. This electrifying show captures the essence of the Bee Gees, featuring stunning vocals, intricate harmonies, and a high-energy performance that will have you dancing in the aisles.

BEE GEES GOLD meticulously recreates the signature Bee Gees sound, delivering pitch-perfect vocals and harmonies that transport you back in time. The show features all the Bee Gees classics you know and love, from "Stayin' Alive" and "Night Fever" to "How Deep Is Your Love" and "Jive Talkin'."

BEE GEES GOLD delivers a captivating stage presence, engaging the audience with their energy and passion for the music. Relive the golden era of disco and pop with this unforgettable tribute to one of the greatest bands of all time.

Whether you're a die-hard Bee Gees fan or simply appreciate great music, BEE GEES GOLD is a show you won't want to miss. Get your tickets now and prepare to be amazed!

Like so many successful performers, native Kentuckian Emily Portman cut her musical teeth singing in church and learning to read music as a member of her high school band. Inspired by her parents’ music, her influences were an amalgamation of classic country and classic rock, with a little ‘80s music mixed in and included Merle Haggard, Jim Croce, and Creedence Clearwater Revival. In college, she joined a choral group, learned the guitar, and began performing professionally at the Corydon Jamboree just across the border in neighboring Indiana. However, when she covered the music of Loretta Lynn, people took notice.

At an early age, perhaps due to her Kentucky roots and natural inflection, Emily was told that she, “sounded a lot like” country music legend, Loretta Lynn, so she became a student of her artistry. Emily pored over the singer’s entire catalogue of music and began working to emulate Loretta’s vocal style and her onstage mannerisms. In the summer of 2004, Emily entered a “Sing Like” contest at the Kentucky Opry and won $1,000 for her portrayal of Loretta. 

Aimed at the homeschooling community in the Abilene area, Art Smarts is a great program designed for tweens and teens with an interest in the arts. Attend this second session of the month at your Mockingbird Branch location where we’ll be learning about noted artist Pablo Picasso. The Spanish painter was one of the most influential artists of the 20th century, known for co-founding the Cubist movement, the invention of constructed sculpture, the co-invention of collage, and much more. Learn a bit about his style and technique and then use it to make your own pieced together project in this style. All materials will be supplied, you just come out ready to create some art in this fun STEAM activity.

Sons of the Pioneers are synonymous with the ultimate in Cowboy music. For decades, the premier western singing group has musically painted unforgettable images and stories of horses, cattle, cowboys, “night herds”, tall timber, cool water, canyons and prairies. Their original songs like “Tumbling Tumbleweeds”, “Cool Water” and “Ghost Riders in the Sky” are classics forever entwined into the lore and mystique of the American West. Both “Tumbleweeds” and “CoolWater” have been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

 The current group’s configuration, Tommy Nallie, Ken Lattimore, Dusty Rogers, John Fullerton, Paul Elliott and Chuck Ervin, are part of a continuous and uninterrupted 85 year existence in which they have accumulated more coveted honors and awards than anyone in Western music. The group has been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Western Music Association Hall of Fame and the National Cowboy Hall of Fame among others. The Smithsonian Institute named them as “National Treasures”.

FREE EVENT

Dr. Cole Bennett and Dr. Todd Womble from ACU’s Language & Literature Department will set the context for The Grace Museum’s current art exhibitions by discussing literature from and about the same time period.

Tom’s Elton Tribute

JANUARY 30TH @ 7:00 PM

The world’s number one Elton John tribute band is coming for one night only and is bringing the spectacular show, TOM’S ELTON TRIBUTE. They will play all the hits by Elton John including "Bennie and the Jets," "Tiny Dancer," "Rocket Man," "Candle In The Wind," "Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me," "I’m Still Standing," "Crocodile Rock," and "Your Song." They will also be playing classic album tracks like "Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding" from Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, the multi-platinum double LP released in 1973.

 Tom Cridland, playing the part of Elton John on lead vocals and piano, is close friends with Elton John's drummer, Nigel Olsson, and has recorded songs and episodes of his Greatest Music of All Time podcast with Elton John's guitarist, Davey Johnstone. He has even met Sir Elton himself, the man who Tom credits with helping him recover from alcoholism.

The level of attention to detail in recreating the music and fabulous costumes of Elton John and his band is simply unparalleled.

PLEASE NOTE: Tom's Elton Tribute has been rescheduled. Join us January 30th, 2025, at 7:00pm. Have questions? Check out the FAQ below!

Whatever you do, don't let the Pigeon star in his own musical production! With a script written by Mo Willems, the creator of the #1 New York Times best-selling, Caldecott Honor award-winning "Pigeon" picture books, and featuring music by Deborah Wicks La Puma (Elephant & Piggie's We Are in a Play!), TheaterWorksUSA‘s Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! is even more fun than staying up late and having a hot dog party! 

It's not easy being the Pigeon-you never get to do ANYTHING! But when the Bus Driver has a crisis that threatens to make her passengers (gasp!) late, maybe that wily bird CAN do something. Featuring an innovative mix of songs, and feathers, Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! is sure to get everyone's wings flapping.

Thursday, February 6

Thursday, February 13

5-8 pm FREE EVENT

Visitors will get to design a jersey inspired by the NBA's cultural celebrations, while learning about the league's history of Black athletes' activism. All pop-ups include a handout including more ways to celebrate or learn more.

JMT MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTS

SATISFACTION: THE INTERNATIONAL ROLLING STONES TRIBUTE SHOW

FEBRUARY 6TH @ 7:00 PM

“Satisfaction: The International Rolling Stones Show" is the international touring tribute show to the World's Greatest Rock & Roll Band. This Billboard & Pollstar highly rated show are entering their 25th year in production with over 4000 performances listed to their credit. Their client list include the nation’s top casinos, performing arts centers, music halls and corporate clients. Performing up to 150 shows a year, this highly acclaimed production showcases the most authentic cast & costuming of its kind. 

The likes of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and cast bring a colorful performance to over 50 years of classic hits. They have been featured in Rolling Stone magazine, Showbiz Magazine, Las Vegas Today, CBS Sunday Morning news and hundreds of national newspapers, magazines, television & radio as the world’s greatest show honoring the Rolling Stones and their legacy.

Abilene Philharmonic

Celebrate love and romance with a Valentine’s Day salute to Broadway’s greatest love songs.

Abilene Convention Center and Nederlander National Markets are thrilled to present the inaugural 2024-2025 Broadway in the Big Country season!

MEAN GIRLS
Tuesday, February 11, 2025, 7:30 PM
Show and dates are subject to change.

Price Level 1 $69.00
Price Level 2 $54.00
Price Level 3 $29.00

College Students $25.00 Upper Balcony Only

** Some fees may not be refundable
    Ticket policies are at the discretion of the theatre and may be changed at any time.**

Mean Girls The Musical  is a faithful adaptation of Tina Fey’s beloved 2004 film. The story of a young girl navigating the treacherous world of high school, Mean Girls is a hilarious and heartwarming tale of friendship, self-acceptance, and the importance of staying true to oneself. With its stellar cast, incredible choreography, and infectious music, this is a show you won't want to miss.

When Cady Heron moves from the wilds of Africa to a suburban high school in Illinois, she quickly discovers that the jungle isn't the only place where survival of the fittest applies. Caught between the popular girls, known as "the Plastics", and the social outcasts, Cady must navigate the cruel and unusual world of high school hierarchy. In Mean Girls The Musical, expect laughter, tears, and a lot of pink!

Show run time:  2 hours & 45 minutes, including a 15 min intermission

Thursday, February 6

Thursday, February 13

5-8 pm FREE EVENT

Visitors will get to design a jersey inspired by the NBA's cultural celebrations, while learning about the league's history of Black athletes' activism. All pop-ups include a handout including more ways to celebrate or learn more.

$30 | Museum Members get $5 off!

Attendees are invited to attend in pairs and bring a favorite bottle of wine to enjoy while creating two collaborative and complementary paintings. Class includes all supplies and step-by-step instruction from a Grace Art Educator.

*Adult Class – Register online at thegracemuseum.org/events

Thursday, February 20

4-8 pm (come and go) FREE EVENT

Explore the 2nd floor art galleries and enjoy a special opening reception as we celebrate this year’s Youth Art Month exhibition on display. Students, families, friends, schools, and the public are all invited to attend.

BRICKS IN THE WALL: PINK FLOYD TRIBUTE

FEBRUARY 22ND AT 7:30 PM

Bricks In The Wall - Pink Floyd Tribute is Coming to Abilene!

Get ready to rock out as the nation's longest-running Pink Floyd tribute band, Bricks In The Wall, hits the stage at the historic Paramount Theatre in Abilene on February 22, 2025! These guys from Dallas know how to put on a show, faithfully recreating the iconic sound and feel of a live Pink Floyd concert. 

Expect mind-blowing light shows, awesome videos, and a laser display that'll leave you speechless. And the Paramount? It's the perfect spot to soak in all the Pink Floyd vibes. 

With 23 years of experience and thousands of fans entertained, Bricks In The Wall is a must-see for any Pink Floyd fan. Don't miss out on this epic night of music! 

Grab your tickets now before they're gone!

FREE EVENT

Visitors will participate in a S.T.E.A.M. rocket propulsion activity connected to Dr. Mae Jemison, engineer and NASA astronaut. Jemison became the first African American woman to travel into space.

Celebrate the newly expanded Frontier Texas! museum and a new ranching and agriculture exhibition

The World Ballet Company is bringing their new production The Great Gatsby to the Abilene Auditorium on March 9, 2025! See the glitz, glamor, and tragic romance of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s timeless novel LIVE on stage, featuring a multinational cast of 40 professional ballet dancers, all-star creative team, lustrous hand-crafted costumes and lavish groundbreaking sets. The original score evokes the energy and atmosphere of the 1920s.

World Ballet Company’s “The Great Gatsby’ is a must-see feast for the eyes. Get your tickets today and be among the first to experience this lavish new production! Go to abileneconventioncenter.com today!

After mesmerizing audiences across Europe and the UK, The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight is set to electrify the USA once again. Prepare for a spellbinding 90-minute spectacle that infuses iconic Rock & Metal anthems with a hauntingly beautiful energy.

In ethereal candlelit settings, this band of 14 classical musicians unleash effortlessly enchanting melodies alongside powerful walls of distortion. Witness the unexpected union of Classical music and Metal.

Performing the music of iconic bands including:

Metallica, AC/DC, Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, My Chemical Romance, Linkin' Park, SOAD, Guns N Roses, Evanescence, Papa Roach, The Cranberries & MORE!

Age 16 and up suggested

Military Discount available - contact Box Office for information (325) 676-6444 or gsmith@asmabilene.com

Abilene Convention Center and Nederlander National Markets are thrilled to present the inaugural 2024-2025 Broadway in the Big Country season!

PRETTY WOMAN: The Musical
Thursday, March 13, 2025, 7:30 PM
Show and dates are subject to change.

Price Level 1 $69.00
Price Level 2 $54.00
Price Level 3 $29.00

College Students $25.00 Upper Balcony Only

** Some fees may not be refundable
    Ticket policies are at the discretion of the theatre and may be changed at any time.**

PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL, based on one of Hollywood’s most beloved romantic stories of all time, springs to life with a powerhouse creative team led by two-time Tony Award®-winning director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell, an original score by Grammy® winner Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance, and a book by the movie’s legendary director Garry Marshall and screenwriter J. F. Lawton. PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL will lift your spirits and light up your heart. Are you ready to fall in love all over again?

Show run time:  2 hours & 30 minutes, including a 20 min intermission

Smithsonian in the Gap

March 14th - April 27th, 2025 exhibit

Hosted at the Buffalo Gap Historic Village

As we approach Buffalo Gap’s 150th anniversary in 2025, we’re excited to announce that our town has been chosen as one of the select Texas locations to host the Smithsonian Institute’s Crossroads: Change in Rural America exhibit. Buffalo Gap experienced explosive growth in its early days, followed by quieter periods, yet through it all, our community has preserved what makes this town so special. Today, we proudly maintain our rural way of life while still promoting our small local economy. This event offers a unique opportunity to celebrate our rich history, culture, and contributions to the region. Over six weeks, we’ll explore engaging themes that highlight the essence of our town and the enduring spirit of rural communities.

Time period covered is 1875-1950s

Abilene Philharmonic

Prepare to hear two cultures collide during an enthralling performance by internationally renowned violin virtuoso, Eunice Keem.

Symposium with speakers and documentary film exploring ranching and agriculture heritage tied to a new exhibition at the museum.

Based on Arnold Lobel's beloved children’s books and featuring a jazzy, upbeat score by Robert and Willie Reale that bubbles with melody and wit, the show is an inventive, exuberant, and enchanting experience for the whole family. 

This whimsical musical follows two great friends -- the cheerful, popular Frog and the curmudgeonly Toad -- through four, fun-filled seasons, meeting new friends like Man Bird and Lady Bird; Father, Mother and Young Frog; Turtle; Squirrel and many more along the way. Waking from hibernation in the Spring, Frog and Toad plant gardens, swim, rake leaves, go sledding, and learn life lessons along the way. The two best friends celebrate and rejoice in their differences that make them unique and special. Part vaudeville, part make believe, all charm, A Year with Frog And Toad tells the story of a friendship that endures, weathering all seasons.

Abilene Philharmonic

Join American Idol Finalist LaKisha Jones in a celebration of the great ladies of soul: Diana Ross, Donna Summer, Tina Turner, the legendary Aretha Franklin and the one and only Whitney Houston.

Abilene Convention Center and Nederlander National Markets are thrilled to present the inaugural 2024-2025 Broadway in the Big Country season!

ANNIE
Thursday, May 1, 2025, 7:30 PM
Show and dates are subject to change.

Price Level 1 $69.00
Price Level 2 $54.00
Price Level 3 $29.00

College Students $25.00 Upper Balcony Only

** Some fees may not be refundable
    Ticket policies are at the discretion of the theatre and may be changed at any time.**

Holding onto hope when times are tough can take an awful lot of determination, and sometimes, an awful lot of determination comes in a surprisingly small package. Little Orphan Annie has reminded generations of theatergoers that sunshine is always right around the corner, and now the best-loved musical of all time is set to return in a new production–just as you remember it and just when we need it most.

Show run time:  2 hours & 35 minutes, including one intermission

Abilene Philharmonic

Enjoy a relaxing evening of live music in the beautiful ambiance of the Abilene Zoo. Backed by Maestro Itkin at the piano, this family-friendly concert will feature the vocal stylings of 2024 The Voice contestant Grace Zeller.