Cultural Art Happenings
 May 2014  
Don't miss the May 1 deadline to register for the Children's Art & Literacy Festival before prices go up! 
Thanks to our sponsors and community partners, we keep the prices low. Until May 1, festival passes are $7 for children and $10 for adults. After that date, they are $10 for children and $15 for adults. You don't want to miss three days of fun June 12-14 celebrating the creative world of William Joyce!  
Abilene has some great events in May. These include the Abilene Philharmonic's Disney concert, a wonderful art exhibit called "Home on the Range" that celebrates the Western Heritage Classic, and  Audrey Hepburn on the big screen at the Paramount Theatre.
Help us celebrate the 25th anniversary of The Center for Contemporary Arts by attending �Fiesta de Arte! on May 1. The money raised at this event will help the Center continue its commitment to explore, challenge and inspire us.

 

Artfully Yours,

Lynn Barnett

Executive Director

Abilene Cultural Affairs Council 

325.677.1161 

Q&A with Dolores Compere: Her voice won 1960 Miss West Texas
Dolores Compere started singing at church at age 7. Her voice developed early, and it wasn't long before Compere was singing solos. She later used her talent to win pageants, including Miss West Texas in 1960. Compere is married to John Compere, a retired U.S. Army brigadier general, and is the mother of four adults and the grandmother of four children. She still loves to sing and will perform at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 13 at the Paramount Theatre in the Celebration Singers' annual spring concert. Admission is free.
Q. What can the audience expect from this show?
A. "The Magic of Movie Music" is a family concert with the many kinds of movie music, including "Thanks for the Memories," "The Way We Were," "Over The Rainbow," "Tonight," "Old Man River," "Moon River," "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious," "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah," "Beauty and the Beast," "Colors of the Wind," "Flashdance," "Night Fever," "Footloose" and many more. It will have songs for all ages with lots of laughs also.
Q. How did you get involved in Celebration Singers?
A. Our distinguished director, Betty Ann Blackburn, is also the music director for the Dyess AFB Chapel. I was a Chapel Singer there and, after attending my first Celebration Singers concert at the historic Paramount Theatre, I asked her how I could join and participate. She said: "I was hoping you would ask - you're in!"
Q. How is this group different than other singing groups you have been involved in?
A. Betty Ann Blackburn is the most talented, creative, experienced and compassionate director I have ever had the privilege of working with. She always works tirelessly, listens to the singers and musicians, and makes necessary adjustments to enhance performances.
Q. How can someone join Celebration Singers?
A. Contact celebrationsingersabilene.com and apply for an audition.
Q. What are your favorite songs to sing?

A. "Faded Love" and "Tennessee Waltz" because they were my dad's favorites. I also like and have performed "Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend" (Marilyn Monroe), "Crazy" (Patsy Cline), "Fever" (Peggy Lee), "You Made Me Love You" (Judy Garland) and "Happy Trails" (Dale Evans).

Q. What are your hobbies or pursuits outside of singing?
A. Grandchildren, horses, travel and bridge.
Abilene Preservation League salutes Gary McCaleb for vision
On Thursday, May 1, the Abilene Preservation League will honor former Abilene Mayor Gary McCaleb at its seventh annual Heritage Stewardship Awards Luncheon. Hailed as a visionary and encourager, McCaleb is being honored for supporting historic preservation in Abilene and seeing it as one aspect of a complete package in attracting business to the community. Businesses and residential real estate kept in good condition will be honored at the luncheon. The Beautiful House Award winners will be recognized for their stewardship. The luncheon begins at 11:45 a.m. in the McCaleb Conference Center in the Hunter Welcome Center at Abilene Christian University, where McCaleb leads the Center for Building Community program. For tickets, call the Abilene Preservation League at 325-676-3775 or go to www.abilenepreservation.org.
Center celebrates 25th anniversary with Fiesta de Arte!
A festive benefit celebrating celebrating the25th anniversary of the Center for Contemporary Arts will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, May 1. Fiesta de Arte! includes a mariachi band, dancing in the street with the Zach Harmon Band, Mexican tapas, beer and margaritas, and a silent auction for art by local artists. Tickets are $50. Go to www.center-arts.com.
Abilene Philharmonic celebrates Disney music 20134
Experience the magic of Disney during the Abilene Philharmonic's "POPS III: Disney in Concert - A Tale as Old as Time" at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 3 at the Abilene Civic Center. The concert features music and visuals from some of the most popular Disney movies such as "Beauty and the Beast," "The Little Mermaid," "The Lion King," "Aladdin" and more.
The presentation is licensed by Disney Concert Library � Disney.

Tickets start at $10. To purchase tickets, visit the Philharmonic's website at www.abilenephilharmonic.org.  

ArtWalk joins Western Heritage Classic with "Cowboy Up" theme
Each ArtWalk in May, the Center for Contemporary Arts provides a rich, West Texas cultural experience downtown by partnering with the Western Heritage Classic, a four-day event at the Taylor County Expo Center. This year's ArtWalk on Thursday, May 8 has a "Cowboy Up" theme and includes the annual Western Heritage Parade at 6:30 p.m. followed by a street dance. Downtown galleries and museums and the Abilene Public Library will be open with activities for families. ArtWalk activities are 5-8 p.m.
ArtWalk is a monthly program of the Center for Contemporary Arts. For more info, call 325-677-8389.
The Grace Museum celebrates "Home on the Range"
Summer 2014 exhibitions and special events at The Grace Museum will celebrate the late 19th and early 20th century history of the Abilene area known as West Central Texas. Join us as we celebrate the heritage of our "Home on the Range" through images from artists, historic photos, artifacts from remote museums, truth and tall tales penned by writers of the era. The exhibit opens Thursday, May 8 just after the Western Heritage Classic Parade and runs through Aug. 9. Other items in the exhibit include historic maps, riding saddles, tack and firearms
Paramount Film Series: Audrey Hepburn in "Breakfast at Tiffany's"
The Paramount Film Series and J. Shea Jewelers present "Breakfast at Tiffany's" Friday and Saturday, May 9-10. The luminous Audrey Hepburn stars in this unique romantic comedy about an independent young woman who strives to be a high-climbing socialite and the writer she meets. The 1961 movie is in color and runs 115 minutes. It's rated G.
Paramount Film Series tickets are $6 for adults and $5 for students, seniors, military and children. To purchase tickets for the film online, go here. To see the complete 2014 Paramount Film Series schedule, click here. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Friday and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Come an hour early Friday and hear Paramount Film Director Robert Holladay discuss the history and making of "Breakfast at Tiffany's."
Art students are painting with passion in new exhibit

A new exhibit is opening this month at Cockerell Galleries and Studios, 1133 N. 2nd St., called "Paint with Passion." The Willow Art School 2014 student show opens May 7 and runs through May 30. The opening reception will take place during ArtWalk on May 8. The art school is led by art educator and instructor Nancy Capra near Buffalo Gap. Participating students include: Kristin Jones, Molly Jones, Allie Sharp, Sophie Sims, Jia Spangler, Cameron Snodgrass and Chelsea Johnson. The students worked with acrylics and watercolors. Summer intensives and registration for fall 2014 are now open. Go to www.willowartschool.com for more information.  

2014-15 Broadway in Abilene season announced 

The new Broadway season coming to the Abilene Civic Center this fall promises action packed musicals with timeless hit songs.

The first show is "Jekyll & Hyde" on Oct. 28. This dark and dangerous love story returns in a stunning new production. On Dec. 16, "Neil Berg's Broadway Holiday" will appear in Abilene direct from New York with five of Broadway's brightest stars. On Jan. 27, 2015, "Million Dollar Quartet" will rock 'n' roll audiences with a show inspired by a true story about a one-time jam session with Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins. The last show of the new season is "Camelot" on March 10, 2015, which will recount the legend of King Arthur, Guinevere, Lancelot and the Knights of the Round Table. Buy your 2014-15 season tickets now at www.celebrityattractions.com or call 800-869-1451.  

Season tickets on sale for CPAS 2014-15 shows
The Children's Performing Arts Series is now selling season tickets for the 2014-15 shows.
The shows next season are "Skippyjon Jones" at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5; "Popovich Comedy Pet Theater" at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28; and "Fancy Nancy, The Musical" at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 19. All of the performances are at the Paramount Theatre downtown.
Season tickets at the $27 Patron Level include reserved seats for all three shows. Season tickets at the $45 Patron Level include reserved seats for all three shows plus the after party with games and snacks following the "Skippyjon Jones" and "Fancy Nancy, The Musical" shows. For tickets, go to www.abilenecac.org.

BOOK BUZZ: William Joyce releases new children's tale
William Joyce's newest project, a hardcover book called "The Numberlys" with Christina Ellis, will be released Tuesday, May 27 by Antheneum Books for Young Readers, which also published his Guardians of Childhood series and 2012 bestseller "The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore." "The Numberlys" is a vertical picture book that explains how everything was dreary and drab until the numbers decided to create the alphabet, and words brought color to the world. Initially produced as an iPad app, it won a Webby Award and became a bestseller. Joyce's Moonbot Studios also released a short film based on the book. Joyce will be in Abilene for the Children's Art & Literacy Festival, which is June 12-14. His original artwork will be on display at the National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature and the Center for Contemporary Arts. You can purchase "The Numberlys" from the NCCIL, 102 Cedar St.


 

May 1 - Heritage Stewardship Awards Luncheon

11:45 a.m. Hunter Welcome Center at ACU

The Abilene Preservation League's annual luncheon celebrates the accomplishments of former Mayor Gary McCaleb and will recognize businesses and residents who are keeping their property to good standards and Beautiful House Award winners.

The Abilene Preservation League

1174 N. 1st St. 325.676.3775 www.abilenepreservation.org 

 

May 1 - Tot Spot

9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. 

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

 

May 1 - Ribbon Cutting and Celebration for Friends program

10:30 a.m.  

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

 

May 1 - Two of a Kind: Adult/Child Art Class

6 p.m.  

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

 

May 1 - Fiesta de Arte!

Street dance with a Mexican flair benefiting The Center for Contemporary Arts in celebration of its 25th anniversary with entertainment by the Zac Harmon Band.

The Center for Contemporary Arts

220 Cypress St. │ 325.677.8389 │ www.center-arts.com 

 

May 1 - Spring Choirs Concert

7:30 p.m. Cullen Auditorium

Abilene Christian University's Music Department   

ACU Drive │ 674.2199 │ www.acu.edu/academics/cas/music/ 

 

May 1-3 - Student Directed One-Act Plays

McMurry University Box Office

Sayles Blvd. & Hunt St. 325.793.3889 www.mcm.edu 

 

May 2 - Tot Spot

9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. 

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

 

May 2 - Brown Bag Concert

12 p.m. Cullen Auditorium 

Abilene Christian University's Music Department   

ACU Drive │ 674.2199 │ www.acu.edu/academics/cas/music/ 

 

May 3 - Last day for exhibits

Today is the last day to see "A Leo H" by Anthony Huff and "Fractured Figurations" by Kimberly J. Schaefer exhibits.

The Center for Contemporary Arts

220 Cypress St. │ 325.677.8389 │ www.center-arts.com 

 

May 3 - Abilene Philharmonic: Disney in Concert

7:30 p.m. Abilene Civic Center

POPS III: Disney in Concert - A Tale as Old As Time. Classical Chorus of Chorus Abilene performs.

Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra 

401 Cypress #520 │ 677.6710 │www.abilenephilharmonic.org 

 

May 5 - Cinco de Mayo celebration

The Abilene Zoo

2070 Zoo Lane 325.676.6085 www.abilenezoo.org 

 

May 6 - Los Aficionados Meeting

11:30 a.m.

Volunteer support group for the museum.

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

 

May 6 - Abilene Community Band's spring concert

7:30 p.m. Paramount Theatre. Free admission.

 

May 7 - New exhibit opens

Through May 30.

Artist instructor:  Nancy Capra of Willow Art School, Studio 215
Show's name:  "Paint with Passion"
Opening reception:  ArtWalk, May 8

Cockerell Galleries and Studios, 1133 N. 2nd St.

 

May 8 - ArtWalk

5-8 p.m.

Theme: Cowboy Up

Monthly downtown-wide celebration hosted by The Center for Contemporary Arts.

 

May 8 - Reception for new exhibit

6 p.m.
Opening Reception for "Home on the Range: Where the Prairie Meets the Plains in Central West Texas."

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

 

May 8 - Tri-Collegiate Honors Recital

7:30 p.m.

2013-14 Concert Series at the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest.

602 Meander │ 325.677.2091 │www.heavenlyrestabilene.org 

 

May 9 & 10 - Paramount Film Series: "Breakfast at Tiffany's"

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

6:30 p.m. Friday: Robert Holladay lecture on film

The luminous Audrey Hepburn stars as an independent young woman who strives to be a high-climbing socialite in this 1961 romantic movie.

Historic Paramount Theatre

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

 

May 10 - Chautauqua Learning Series

11-12 p.m.

Best of video presentation.

Buffalo Gap Historic Village

133 N. William St.│ 325.572.3365 │ www.buffalogap.com 

 

May 11 - Spring dance recital

Dance Discovery Studios

3347 S. 2nd │ 677.0022 │ Facebook:DanceDiscoveryStudios 

 

May 11 - Mother's Day celebration

The Abilene Zoo

2070 Zoo Lane 325.676.6085 www.abilenezoo.org 

 

May 12  - Historian Dan Utley, co-author of History Along the Way and History Ahead, will speak at noon at the Abilene Public Library. This was the program that had to be cancelled due to weather March 3.

 

May 13 - Home School Art Classes

10 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m.

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

 

May 13 - "The Magic of Movie Music" 

7:30 p.m. Paramount Theatre.

Celebration Singers spring concert. Free admission.

 www.celebrationsingersabilene.com  

 

May 15 - Gallery Teacher and Attendant Training

11:30 a.m.  

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

 

May 15 - Museum Matters: Western Dance Lessons

6 p.m. 

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

 

May 15 - Talk by Fort Chadbourne Foundation President Garland Richards

7 p.m. 

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

 

May 17 - Adult Art Class: Reaugh Plein Air Pastels

9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

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

 

May 17 - Zoolute to Dyess

9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Active and retired military and their families will enjoy a day at the Zoo with food and entertainment provided. Abilene Community Band will perform.

The Abilene Zoo

2070 Zoo Lane 325.676.6085 www.abilenezoo.org 

 

May 17 - APAC Spring Recital

Spring recital at the Abilene Civic Center.

Abilene Performing Arts Company, Inc.

1049 Industrial Blvd, Suite 200 │ 325.437.2486 │www.apacstars.com 

 

May 17 - Sharla Van Cleeve studio recital

5-10 p.m. Woodward-Dellis Recital Hall

Hardin-Simmons University.

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

 

May 18 - Military Appreciation Day

12-5 p.m.

All current and former military and their families receive free admission.

Buffalo Gap Historic Village

133 N. William St.│ 325.572.3365 │ www.buffalogap.com 

 

May 18 - Craft Sunday

2-4 p.m.

Craft: Egg cup flowers. Children ages 12 and under receive free admission.

Buffalo Gap Historic Village

133 N. William St.│ 325.572.3365 │ www.buffalogap.com 

 

May 21 - Mid-Month Movie Matinee

12-1 p.m.

"Art in the 21st Century: Balance"

The Center for Contemporary Arts

220 Cypress St. │ 325.677.8389 │ www.center-arts.com 

 

May 24 - Spring dance recital

Abilene Ballet Theatre

1265 N 2nd │ 325.675.0303 │ www.abileneballettheatre.org  

 

May 24 - Summer hours begin

10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 12-6 p.m. Sundays.

Buffalo Gap Historic Village

133 N. William St.│ 325.572.3365 │ www.buffalogap.com 

 

May 26 - The Grace Museum closed in observance of Memorial Day

 

May 27 - blur. Series of classes blurring the line between art and craft.

10 a.m. 

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

 

May 29 - Talk by historian Jay Moore

6 p.m.
Featuring Historic Regional Pioneers (Part 1).

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

 

May 30 - Last day for exhibit

Instructor: Nancy Capra of Willow Art School, Studio 215
Show's name:  "Paint with Passion"
Opening reception:  ArtWalk, May 8

Cockerell Galleries and Studios, 1133 N. 2nd St.

 

 

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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 [email protected] 

or Executive Director Lynn Barnett 325.677.1161 / [email protected]