Art & Culture Happenings!

Cultural Art Happenings

August 2013

The dog days of summer are upon us, and what better way to celebrate than to take your pooch to downtown Abilene for DogWalk this month!

DogWalk is a special edition of ArtWalk, which not only showcases artists and downtown businesses, but also brings together all walks of life - even those walking on all fours!

Many of Abilene's cultural institutions are busy in August conducting summer camps for children that instill a love for the arts in the next generation. They also are busy installing new exhibits, hosting speakers and putting on special events that draw people together and keep Abilene's economic engine revving.

Thanks to the hard work on behalf of the Texas Cultural Trust, Texans for the Arts and art supporters throughout the state, the 83rd Legislative session ended with a 71 percent increase in the budget for the Texas Commission on the Arts, and our Abilene art organizations are poised to benefit from this increase. More investment in the state's creative capital is bound to stimulate additional economic development. We've come a long way over the years, but I feel the best is yet to come!

Artfully Yours,

Lynn Barnett

Executive Director,

Abilene Cultural Affairs Council

325.677.1161

ArtWalk goes to the dogs

Dress up your four-legged pal for a doggy costume contest at this month's ArtWalk on Aug. 8 from 5 to 8 p.m. Once a year, ArtWalk goes to the dogs and is celebrated as DogWalk.
Other activities include a parade, grooming demonstrations and free samples and information. The K-9 Corps from Dyess Air Force Base will be perform in Everman Park.
ArtWalk is a free celebration presented by The Center for Contemporary Arts on the second Thursday of each month in downtown Abilene involving the cultural and business community. The event includes exhibits, street performances and live entertainment. DogWalk is sponsored by Abilene Veterinary Clinic.

Museums in unexpected places

Albany's old jail isn't the only West Texas building that's found new life as an art museum.

The old post office in Graham has been transformed into a small, but well-endowed museum featuring area historical artifacts and nationally recognized fine art exhibits.
Marlene Edwards, the museum's director, will talk about why a visit to the Old Post Office Museum and Art Center is well worth your time during the Aug. 10 Chautauqua Learning Series at the Buffalo Gap Historic Village. Marlene will speak from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the R. Lee and Ann Rode Gallery. The event is free.

Swing over to the zoo

The sound of country music will mingle with the rumble of the jungle at the Abilene Zoo's third and final summer concert series on Aug. 15. The fun starts at 7 p.m. and lasts until 8:30 p.m. The musical guest is the local band Muddy Creek, which plays Texas and country swing music. Antique trucks will also be on display.
Zoo members get in free. Nonmembers will pay the regular zoo admission price, which is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors 60 and older and $2.50 for children 3-12 years old.

Time is running out

Don't miss out on The Grace Museum's summer exhibits!
The last day for the exhibits is Aug. 15.
"Suitable Subjects, Contemporary Still Lifes" is a group exhibit featuring still lifes by 35 contemporary artists designed to examine a wide variety of contemporary responses to the subject.
"Trees, Drawings by Anne C. Weary" presents meticulous on-site drawings celebrating trees as enduring symbols for her nature conservancy advocacy.
"The Dutiful Daughter: Still Life Photography" by Laura Pickett Calfee is a tribute to the keeper of family memories, the considerable photographic skills of the artist and the timelessness of significant objects. For "West Texas Triangle 2013," Danville Chadbourne presents the internal world of the artist in the form in ceramic, wood and stone.
"Works on Paper from the Permanent Collection" of The Grace Museum refers to drawings, fine art prints and other types of art created on paper such as drawings, watercolors or pastels.

I got chills, they're multiplyin'!

But don't lose control! The Paramount Theatre has an electrifying fix for "Grease" fans. For the first time ever, the Paramount is presenting a sing-a-long musical movie, and they have chosen the 1978 hit movie starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. This specially re-mastered version of the film with on-screen lyrics is presented as a fundraiser for the Paramount. Tickets include a goody bag full of audience participation props, a costume contest, a dance contest and more! Tickets are general admission at $15. Special reserved seat patron seating is also available for $30. Call 325-676-9620 for more information or go online to http://paramount-abilene.org/

Tot Spot

10 a.m. Aug. 1; 9:30 and 11 a.m. Aug. 2

This popular program, for ages 3 to 5 and parents, features hands-on activities and games.

$5 fee for non-members. Free for members.

The Grace Museum, 102 Cypress St. ￨ 325.673.4587 ￨ www.thegracemuseum.org

Family Fun @ your Library: Pigeon

6:30 p.m. Aug. 1

Mo Willem's Pigeon is our special guest at this month's Family Fun event. We'll enjoy many of the Pigeon books, with songs, games and crafts. Free.
Abilene Public Library, South Branch, 1401 S. Danville Dr. ￨ 325.698.7565 ￨ www.abilenetx.com

August 5 - 7, 12 - 14, 19 - 21- Ballet for Senior I and II

6 - 7:30 p.m.

For ages 12 and up.

Abilene Ballet Theatre, 1265 N 2nd St. ￨ 325.675.0303 ￨www.abileneballettheatre.org

August 5 - 9 - Summer Music Camp "Lemonade!"

9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

For children finishing first through fourth grades. Join in a musical fairytale frenzy.

Chorus Abilene, 1174 North 1st St. ￨ 325.673.SING ￨ www.chorusabilene.net

August 5 - 9 - Summer Music Camp "Stagesong"

2 - 5 p.m. Chorus Abilene

Musical theater revue camp for graduated fifth- through eighth-graders.

1174 North 1st St. ￨ 325.673.SING ￨www.chorusabilene.net

August 5 - 9 Camps for Pre-K to third grade

9 a.m. - Noon: Entering Preschool Camp. "No Place Like Home." Learn about the places animals call home.

9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.: Entering 2nd & 3rd Grade Camp. "Chomp." Learn about the foods animals eat and the unique ways they catch their food.
The Abilene Zoo, 2070 Zoo Lane ￨ 325.676.6085 ￨ www.abilenezoo.org

August 8 - ArtWalk presents DogWalk

5 - 8 p.m.

Doggy costume contest, parade and demonstrations about during this free monthly celebration of the arts in downtown Abilene.

August 9 - Holladay on Film

6:30 p.m.
Longtime Paramount film director and historian Robert Holladay presents this lecture series devoted to the films on the 2013 Paramount Film Series. This lecture explores "Yankee Doodle Dandy."
The Paramount Theatre, 352 Cypress St. ￨ 325.676.9620 ￨www.paramount-abilene.org

August 9 & 10 - Yankee Doodle Dandy

Friday: 7:30 p.m.; Saturday: 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
The vibrant and patriotic musical biopic of legendary entertainer George M. Cohan starring James Cagney. 1942, 128 minutes, black & white
The Paramount Theatre, 352 Cypress St. ￨ 325.676.9620 ￨www.paramount-abilene.org

August 10 - Chautauqua Learning Series

11 am - noon. Free.

Speaker: Marlene Edwards talks about The Old Post Office Museum and Art Center
Buffalo Gap Historic Village, 133 N. William St.￨ 325.572.3365 ￨www.tfhcc.com

August 12 -16 - Camps for grades kindergarten to fifth

9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. .
Entering Kindergarten & First Grade Camp: "Into the Woods." Learn about animals that call the forest home.
Entering 4th & 5th Grade Camp: "Zoo School." Learn how zoos operate and create your own zoo!
Abilene Zoo, 2070 Zoo Lane ￨ 325.676.6085 ￨www.abilenezoo.org

August 14 - Lunchtime movie

Noon
Bring your lunch and enjoy the movie "Art in the 21st Century: Compassion" in the main gallery while you eat. If you can't come for the whole movie, feel free to come and go as your time permits. Free.
The Center for Contemporary Arts, 220 Cypress St. ￨ 325.677.8389 ￨www.center-arts.com

August 15 - Summer concert at the zoo

7-8:30 p.m.

Muddy Creek band and antique truck show.
The Abilene Zoo, 2070 Zoo Lane ￨ 325.676.6085 ￨www.abilenezoo.org

August 15 - Last day for current art exhibitions

The Grace Museum, 102 Cypress St. ￨ 325.673.4587 ￨ www.thegracemuseum.org

August 15 - Museum Matters

6 - 7:30 p.m.

The Grace Museum, 102 Cypress St. ￨ 325.673.4587 ￨ www.thegracemuseum.org

August 19 - Tween Time @ your Library: Grilling up the Sweets

6:30 p.m. South Branch
You'll love these exciting "grilled" looking desserts. We'll supply all the materials, just come with a little bit of your creativity. Ages 8-15. Free.

Abilene Public Library, 1401 S. Danville Dr. ￨ 325.698.7565 ￨ www.abilenetx.com

August 31 - Special Paramount event - Sing-A-Long "Grease"

7 p.m.
A special fundraiser featuring a sing-a-long version of the hit film musical "Grease." Costume contests, dance contests, participation "goody bags," and much more will accompany this lively film presentation. Roll down your bobby socks, slick back your hair and sing along!
The Paramount Theatre, 352 Cypress St. ￨ 325.676.9620 ￨www.paramount-abilene.org

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Tell Us What You Think

We want to hear from you! Please let us know what you would like to see included in this newsletter as well as any other ideas you have to strengthen Abilene's cultural arts community. Send your emails to Sidney Levesque at sidney@abilenecac.org

or Executive Director Lynn Barnett 325.677.1161 / lynn@abilenecac.org