null
Cultural Art Happenings December 2013 
Celebrate the holidays in Abilene with Christmas concerts, classic movies, an opera about the Magi and more!
December is full of festive events and opportunities to enjoy the arts.
One event in particular is Dec. 6, when Abilene Christian University Opera presents "Amahl and the Night Visitors," a story set in Bethlehem just after the birth of Christ about a disabled boy and his mother who are visited by three strangers. The music is lyrical, and the story is magical when a selfless act results in a Christmas miracle.
While you are shopping during the holidays, don't forget wonderfully crafted items made by our local artists and gifts for sale at our local cultural organizations. The artist members at The Center for Contemporary Arts have marvelous one-of-a-kind ornaments for sale that will add sparkle to any tree! I hope you have a safe and happy holiday! 
 

Artfully Yours,

Lynn Barnett

Executive Director

Abilene Cultural Affairs Council 

325.677.1161 

Q&A with DJ Solomon: Singer, guitar player, gamer
DJ Solomon, 17, is an ATEMS High School senior who has sung with Chorus Abilene since he was in the first grade. This year marks his 12th season with the choral music group, which is made up of about 130 singers ranging in age from first-graders to adults divided into four ensembles. The group will perform "A Chorus Abilene Christmas!" at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14 at Abilene Christian University's Cullen Auditorium. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for seniors/students/military. Go to www.chorusabilene.net.
Q. What does Chorus Abilene have planned for the Christmas concert?
A. The chorale will perform a medley of Christmas carols in multiple languages with amazing harmonies that make me feel warm and happy, just like Christmas. In addition to that, we will be singing an older hymn that's simple, but sounds amazing. 
Q. What can the audience expect from this show?
A. The audience can expect a concert that will bring out the true Christmas spirit of happiness and giving. This concert is our gift to the community. We want to bring joy to people and feel that this music does just that.
Q. What are your other hobbies and interests?
A. When I'm not at choir I'm usually at home playing video games or guitar. Guitar has been a big part of my life ever since I started playing it, and I couldn't really imagine life without it. If I have a sore throat or for some reason I can't sing, I can always play guitar.
Q. What are your plans after graduation?
A. I plan to attend a local university for business. I would like to own my own video game store that gives back to people and has more than just a conventional store of the same type. If I can't do that, I would like to go into marketing for Activision (a video game publisher). Another thing that's always in the back of my mind is getting a record label and going on tour playing my guitar with some of my best friends. Even if it didn't last, the experience would be awesome.
City Sidewalks ushers in holidays to downtown

If you love an old-fashioned Christmas, you will enjoy celebrating the 25th Annual City Sidewalks!

Downtown Abilene shops, museums, banks and restaurants open their doors for an evening of holiday cheer starting at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3. Some businesses hand out free goodies ranging from hot chocolate and apples to candy canes and oranges. Be sure to stop by the ever-popular United Way popcorn machine.

City Sidewalks is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year with the theme "A Silver Celebration." This annual event is hosted by the Abilene Downtown Association.  

Musical entertainment, provided by the Abilene Independent School District, is scheduled before and after the parade.Groups will be performing in downtown parks, on the steps of the Abilene Civic Center, and in various lobbies, ballrooms and meeting spaces.

The KTXS Parade of Lights begins at 6:30 p.m. This year, KTXS is expecting more than 100 entries. The parade starts on Pine Street and circles over to Cypress Street and back to Pine.  

Mayor Norm Archibald presides over the Community Tree Lighting at 7:30 p.m. at the civic center. For information, call 325-676-2556 or go to www.abilenedowntown.com. (Photo courtesy of Steve Butman) 

Special guest tackles Holiday Pops performance
Audiences at the Abilene Philharmonic's Holiday Pops concert are in for a real treat when special guest artist Ben Utecht takes the microphone. 

Ben is a former tight end for the Indianapolis Colts.

Rare is the man who exemplifies faith, strength and heart-felt authenticity. Growing up, Ben not only had a natural talent for sports - leading his high school to three state appearances and being a four-year starter for the University of Minnesota - he was also blessed with a commanding voice. 

 As a professional athlete, Ben signed with the Indianapolis Colts in April 2004, going on to help the Colts win Super Bowl XLI in 2006. In 2008, Ben became a restricted free agent and signed with the Cincinnati Bengals. Then tragedy struck. Ben suffered a concussion during practice, ending his football career but freeing him to pursue another childhood dream: song.

Ben will be the featured Holiday Pops guest artist with the Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra on Saturday, Dec. 7 with two performances: 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Abilene Civic Center. Tickets are $10 to $35 and are available for purchase by phone at 325-677-6710; in person at 401 Cypress St., Suite 520; or on the Philharmonic's website, www.abilenephilharmonic.org. 

Need an excuse to wear an ugly Christmas sweater? ArtWalk! 

This month's theme for ArtWalk is "Karaoke Christmas," and the party starts at 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12 at The Center for Contemporary Arts. 

The Party Doc will be inside the Center from 5 to 8 p.m. encouraging folks to sing Karaoke Christmas and seasonal songs. Everyone is encouraged to wear their "Ugly Christmas Sweaters" for this ArtWalk!

The Texas Department of Transportation snowplow painted by Bonham Elementary schoolchildren known as SAM (Snow Attacking Machine) will be parked on Cypress Street in front of the Center for all to admire. The children painted winter scenes led by Center Artist Member Patty Rae Wellborn.  

A fun surprise is in store during ArtWalk! And as always, shops, restaurants and galleries will be open late for the festivities. ArtWalk is a free monthly downtown celebration hosted by The Center for Contemporary Arts.  

 

Chautauqua lecture: Artifacts in your backyard
Ken Walker with the Buffalo Gap Historic Village will discuss Native American stone tools and their uses. Many of these kinds of items, including arrowheads, might be unearthed in your own backyard. Walker's talk begins at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14 in the Village Gallery and is part of the Chautauqua Learning Series. The ongoing Chautauqua Learning Series is based on the Chautauqua movement, which began in 1875 in Chautauqua, New York, and spread throughout the rural United States in the following years. It provided educational lectures and entertainment for average Americans before the advent of mass media like radio and television. For more information about the Buffalo Gap Historic Village lecture series, call 325-572-3365 or go online to tfhcc.com.

 

null "A Texas Christmas Carol" set in 1930s
Paramount Productions presents the return of "A Texas Christmas Carol," an original adaptation of the classic Charles Dickens story by Paramount Artistic Director Barry Smoot.  Set during the 1930s Great Depression, this Texas-themed take on the traditional story is billed as "a Christmas tale of greed, ghosts and really spicy chili!" It features an ensemble cast of actors each playing multiple roles, assisted by an alt/folk/bluegrass band that adds traditional and original music.  This is certainly a heartwarming, uplifting, and highly theatrical holiday event for the entire family. The show is directed by Smoot.

A Texas Christmas Carol performs Friday and Saturday, Dec. 20-21, at 7:30 p.m. The Sunday matinee is at 2 p.m. Dec. 22. For more information, visit the Paramount website at
10 Arts Ways to Celebrate the Holidays
1. Watch the movie "White Christmas" at Paramount Theatre. 
2. Give a child a book from the NCCIL.
3. Take a child to Breakfast with Santa at the zoo.
4. Try your voice out at ArtWalk's "Karaoke Christmas."  
5. Put an Abilene Preservation League replica under the tree! 
6. Take visiting relatives to a museum.
7. See "A Texas Christmas Carol" at Paramount Theatre.  
8. Listen to "A Chorus Abilene Christmas!"
9. Enjoy the Abilene Community Band's Christmas concert. 
10. Cook a recipe from the "Notable" Abilene Philharmonic cookbook with H.C. Zachry cover.   
Enjoy special holiday, winter issues of Abilene Scene magazine
 
Two issues of Abilene Scene magazine are on newsstands!
Be sure to check out both the Oct-Nov-Dec issue of the magazine and the special holiday issue with feature stories, photos of the city's most festive homes and a complete list of holiday events happening in Abilene.
Abilene Scene is a free magazine published by Zachry Publications by Abilenians for Abilenians. Starting in 2014, the magazine will be printed six times a year. The magazine partners with the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council to include stories about arts groups and happenings. You can read the magazine online at http://abilenescene.zacpubs.com or pick up a copy. A distribution list is on the website. You can have the magazine mailed to your home for $15 for six issues or $24 for 12 issues.

December 1 - Jazz concert

7:30 p.m. at Van Ellis Theatre. Free.

Hardin-Simmons University.

2200 Hickory St. ￨ 325.670.1000 ￨ www.hsutx.edu 

 

December 2 - Tween Time @ your Library

6:30-7:30 p.m.

Crafts, songs, games and refreshments for kids 8-15.

Abilene Public Library

202 Cedar St. ￨ 325.676.6025 ￨www.abilenetx.com   

 

December 2 - Orchestra concert

7:30 p.m. at Behrens Auditorium. Free.

Hardin-Simmons University.

2200 Hickory St. ￨ 325.670.1000 ￨ www.hsutx.edu  

 

December 3 - Los Aficionados meeting

11:30 a.m.

The Grace Museum's volunteer support group and "fan club."

102 Cypress St. ￨ 325.673.4587 ￨ www.thegracemuseum.org  

 

December 3 - 25th Annual City Sidewalks

5-8 p.m.  

Downtown merchants, museums and galleries open their doors for an evening of holiday cheer that includes the KTXS TV Christmas Lights Parade at 6:30 p.m. and Community Tree Lighting.

Abilene Downtown Association

325.676.2556 ￨ www.abilenedowntown.com  

 

December 5 - Tot Spot

9:30 and 11 a.m.
The Grace Museum
102 Cypress St. ￨ 325.673.4587 ￨ www.thegracemuseum.org

 

December 5 - "The Color of Light"

6 p.m.

Artist talk by photographer Arthur Meyerson.

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

    

December 6 - Tot Spot

9:30 and 11 a.m.
The Grace Museum
102 Cypress St. ￨ 325.673.4587 ￨ www.thegracemuseum.org

 

December 6 - Arts Adventure 

10:30 a.m.

Preschoolers learn about visual and verbal literacy. 
National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature
102 Cedar St. ￨ 325.673.4586 ￨  www.nccil.org   

 

December 6 - Big Nate makes a SPLASH!

6 p.m.

Meet Lincoln Peirce, the cartoonist/writer and creator of the comic strip "Big Nate," which appears in more than 200 newspapers and online daily at comics.com. The strip is about Nate Wright, a rebellious and energetic sixth-grader.

National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature
102 Cedar St. ￨ 325.673.4586 ￨  www.nccil.org   

 

December 6-7 - Core Hip Hop Co. presents "OPUS"

7:30 p.m.

With a special appearance by Chameleon Performing Arts Co. Tickets are now available from Core members and in the office. Prices are $5 for students and $7 for adults. Partial proceeds from ticket sales will go to help a struggling local family this holiday season. 

Dance Discovery Studios  

3347 S 2nd St. No. 3 ￨ 325.677.0022 ￨ www.facebook.com/DanceDiscoveryStudios  

 

December 6 - "Amahl and the Night Visitors"

7:30 p.m. at Paramount Theatre

The opera story by Gian Carlo Menotti of a boy named Amahl who is visited by the Magi.

 Abilene Christian University's Music Department

ACU Drive ￨ 325.674.2199 ￨ www.acu.edu/academics/cas/music/

 

December 7 - Big Country Christmas concert

7 p.m. at Paramount Theatre

Wayne Watson performs benefiting Disability Resources Inc. Bell Peppers Handbell Choir also performing. Advance tickets are $10. 

325.677.6815 ￨  www.driabilene.org  

 

December 7 - Holiday Pops with Ben Utecht

7:30 p.m., Abilene Civic Center

Celebrate the holidays with Ben Utecht (vocalist and former tight end for the Indianapolis Colts) and the Abilene High School show choir Pure Gold.

The Abilene Philharmonic

401 Cypress St. #520 ￨ 325.677.6710 ￨www.abilenephilharmonic.org  

 

December 8 - Christmas Vespers

7:30-9 p.m. at First Baptist Church

Abilene Christian University's Music Department

ACU Drive ￨ 325.674.2199 ￨ www.acu.edu/academics/cas/music/

 

December 9 - Make 'N' Take crafts

6:30-7:30 p.m.

Children can make a craft project and take it home.

Abilene Public Library

202 Cedar St. ￨ 325.676.6025 ￨www.abilenetx.com  

 

December 9 - "Riders in the Sky"
7 p.m. Cooper High School Auditorium
America's favorite cowboys present "Riders in the Sky" with Abilene ISD's orchestras and Revolution. Tickets are $15 for all ages, $10 for students or $20 at the door day of show. Tickets available at www.startickets.com and at Coopher and Abilene high school main offices. For more information, call 325-691-1000 Ext. 2284 or Ext. 8186. Website: www.ridersinthesky.com.  

 

December 10 - Make 'N'Take crafts

4-5 p.m.

Children can make a craft project and take it home.

Abilene Public Library, South Branch

1401 S. Danville Dr. ￨ 325.698.7565 ￨ www.abilenetx.com 

 

December 10 - Christmas concert

7:30 p.m., Paramount Theatre

Abilene Community Band

325.695.2422 ￨ www.abilenecommunityband.org 

 

December 12 - Tween Time

4 p.m.

For kids ages 8-15. Arts, crafts and games.

Abilene Public Library, Mockingbird Branch
1214 N. Mockingbird ￨ 325.437.7323 ￨ www.abilenetx.com

 

December 12 - ArtWalk
5 - 8 p.m.

The theme for this month is "Karaoke Christmas." ArtWalk is a free monthly celebration of the arts in downtown Abilene with exhibits, street performances and live entertainment.

 

December 13: Master of Manga - Mark Crilley

6 p.m.

Meet Mark Crilley, an American comic book creator and children's book author/illustrator. He is the creator of "Miki Falls," "Akiko" and "Brody's Ghost."

National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature
102 Cedar St. ￨ 325.673.4586 ￨  www.nccil.org  

 

December 13-14 - Paramount Film Series "White Christmas"

Friday: 7:30 p.m.; Saturday: 2 & 7:30 p.m.

Two war buddies turned entertainers fall for two sisters.

Paramount Theatre

352 Cypress ￨ 325.676.9620 ￨ www.paramount-abilene.org 

 

December 14 - Breakfast with Santa

9 and 10:30 a.m.

 Enjoy breakfast at the zoo, meet an animal or two and get a special picture with Santa.

Abilene Zoo

2070 Zoo Lane ￨ 325.676.6-85 ￨ www.abilenezoo.org 

 

December 14: Mastering Manga with Mark Crilley

10 a.m. at the Abilene Public Library downtown
Mark Crilley is an American comic book creator and children's book author/illustrator. He is the creator of "Miki Falls," "Akiko" and "Brody's Ghost."

National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature
102 Cedar St. ￨ 325.673.4586 ￨ www.nccil.org  

 

December 14 - Chautauqua Learning Series

11 a.m.-noon

Ken Walker discusses Native American "projectile points," the archeological term for an object crafted into an arrowhead, spear or dart. He will tell how to find these in your backyard.

Buffalo Gap Historic Village
133 N. William St.￨ 325.572.3365 ￨ www.tfhcc.com 

 

December 14 - Family Fun Time @ your Library

2-2:45 p.m.

Songs, crafts and books for the whole family.

Abilene Public Library
202 Cedar St. ￨ 325.677.2474 ￨ www.abilenetx.com

 

December 14 - A Chorus Abilene Christmas!

7:30 p.m.

Adult and youth choruses.

Chorus Abilene

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

 

December 16 - Tween Time @ your Library

6:30-7:30 p.m.

Crafts, songs, games and refreshments for kids 8-15.

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

 

December 17 - Super Storytime

10:45-11:45 a.m.

Crafts, songs and fun for all ages.

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

 

December 18 - Family Fun @ your Library

4-5 p.m.

Books, crafts, songs and games.

Abilene Public Library, Mockingbird Branch

1214 N. Mockingbird ￨ 325.437.7323 ￨  www.abilenetx.com  

 

December 19 - Museum Matters

6 p.m.

Engaging Art. "Starting Your Own Art Collection"

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

 

December 20-22 - "A Texas Christmas Carol"

Friday & Saturday: 7:30 p.m.; Sunday: 2 p.m.

Paramount Productions presents Barry Smoot's adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic.

Paramount Theatre

352 Cypress ￨ 325.676.9620 ￨  www.paramount-abilene.org  

 

December 23 - 29 - Closed for the holidays 

Historic Paramount Theatre.

 

December 23-27 - Closed for the holidays

The Grace Museum   

 

December 25 - Christmas

Abilene Public Library locations are closed.

 

December 26 - Tween Time

4 p.m.

Arts, crafts and games for kids ages 8-15.

Abilene Public Library, Mockingbird Branch

1214 N. Mockingbird ￨ 325.437.7323 ￨ www.abilenetx.com 

 

December 26 - Teen Time

6:30-8 p.m.

Fun craft ideas for ages 13-19.

Abilene Public Library
202 Cedar St. ￨ 325.677.2474 ￨ www.abilenetx.com

 

December 31 - Closed for New Year's holiday

The Grace Museum 

 

December 31 - Paramount Film Series: "No Time for Sergeants"

7:30 p.m.

Andy Griffith comedy about a country boy who drives his sergeant crazy.

Paramount Theatre

352 Cypress ￨ 325.676.9620 ￨  www.paramount-abilene.org   

 

December 31 - Closed for New Year's Eve

The Grace Museum

 

 Arts Calendar

 


Hearts for the Arts  


Be "in the know" on all that is artfullyabilene  with our monthly E-Newsletter!
Click the link below to register!
   
Quick Links:
Find us on Facebook 
 
Who says there is nothing to do in Abilene?  Not us!

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