Arts & Entertainment
For those of us from big cities, Abilene often feels sleepy. As I write, I look off my balcony into the distance to find an uninspiring landscape blankly staring back towards me. God chose not to decorate the vistas of Abilene with neither majestic mountains nor stately hills. As yet, man has not chosen to erect a skyscraper in honor of his ambition either. Despite the absence of such unavoidable examples of inspiration, you will find Abilene has a thriving arts scene! Hardcore art-snobs beware: you’re about to experience a different flavor of art appreciation...
There are starkly few pretenses in the appreciation of the arts here. You don’t need to know Monet from Matisse, or Jasper Johns from Andy Warhol to get around and be accepted here. First timers to the art world will fit right in.
On my first trip to the opera, my date and I had seats in the balcony of the Paramount. A few seats to the left were two older women who had dressed themselves in furs and pearls for the event. A gaggle of high school kids wearing jeans and t-shirts were seated right in front of them. Looking around, I saw similar discrepancies everywhere. It seemed I was the only person who found it even noteworthy—to the locals, it was art as usual.
That is simply how Abilenians approach the arts: if you choose to dress up in your finest garb, great! If you show up wearing your jeans instead, great! Everyone is welcomed equally here. The come one, come all approach helps to give the appreciation of the arts here a slightly different (and more satisfying) flavor. I hope you allow yourself to be blessed by Abilene’s historical, cultural, and artistic venues while you are here. We do have some gifted artists and creative historians.
A great website to check out for artistic or cultural events anywhere in Texas, is www.artonart.com
ABSOLUTE BESTS
Art Walk Downtown
Art Walk is a monthly celebration of the arts. It occurs on the second Thursday of every month (5 pm - 8:30 pm), and is an absolute MUST! In downtown, it centers on Cypress St. Art galleries and museums stay open late offering free admission and fun activities. Restaurants stay open later as well, and have been known to hand out free samples. Street performances and special events help to make this event entertaining, educational, and edifying. The Paramount shows an art film as well (admission charged). DO NOT MISS ART WALK!
[P.S. Every girl I ever took to Art Walk on a date has granted me a second date, and asked to go back to Art Walk on a third. This is a gold mine!]
FrontierTexas! (437-2800) 625 N. 1st St. (@ Treadway)
Even if you’re not a history fan...I mean, not at all a history fan…you will appreciate this experience. Part museum and part Universal Studios, they employ multimedia presentations, hands on exhibits, and special effects to tell the story of the “Big Country” during the century preceding the establishment of Abilene (1780-1880). This is the coolest history museum I have ever been to!
They are open Mon. – Sat. 9 – 6 pm, Sun. 1 – 5 pm. There is no admission for kids under 3. Ages 3-12 are $4, students & teachers $5, military & adults over 60 are $6, everyone else is $8.
The Grace Museum (673-4587)
The building the Grace is housed was built in 1909 as the nicest hotel between Ft. Worth and El Paso. It has a long history, including having been a seedy bed of prostitution. It was narrowly saved from demolition, completely renovated, and turned into the 10th largest general museum in Texas. There are three sets of art exhibits, a history exhibit on the second floor, and a “children’s museum” on the top floor that is fun for everyone.
Hours: Tues-Sat. 10 am – 5 pm (Thurs till 8 pm, and free after 5 pm)
Admission: Students, Servicemen, & Seniors - $4; Adults - $5, Children 4 to 12 - $3 (Children under 4 are free)
The National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature (673-4586) 102 Cedar St.
This is a cool institute. The only one of its kind, this gallery pays tribute to the authors and illustrators whose make children’s books fun. Every exhibit lasts a few months, and is kicked off by the actual author or illustrator being highlighted. The artists come to Abilene, do demonstrations, sign books, and tell stories to Center members.
The artist’s books sit on pedestals around a large room for you to read and enjoy. On the wall above each book is original artwork from the book. From 1 pm – 4 pm there is an arts and crafts area where kids may create their own artwork when books inspire them to do so. (Hint: the arts and crafts area is officially for the kids. However, talk sweetly to the docents, and even you may qualify for some paper and a watercolor set.)
To sound local, call it “The NCCIL.” (Pronounced NICKEL)
Hours: Tues. – Sat. 10 am – 4 pm; 5:30 pm – 8 pm during Art Walk
The Paramount (676-9620) 352 Cypress St.
By far, this is my favorite place to watch a movie! An old-school movie palace from 1930, this was the first air conditioned building in Abilene. It is one of the most beautiful buildings in Abilene. Quaint from the outside, step through the front doors to be greeted by double staircases to the balconies, velvet curtains, hand-blown glass chandeliers, and painted ceilings, and more. With 1,200 seats this large venue is regularly packed for special shows and events. In 1986 this building was saved just one day before the wrecking ball was scheduled to demolish it. Go, and see what a blessing that is!
THEATER
Abilene Actor’s Guild (691-0404)
This group puts on half a dozen productions a year, including a series of one act plays performed by members under the age of 18. Their productions run the gambit between drama, comedy, and musical. Often they deal with topics and ideas taboo in Abilene’s conservative culture.
Abilene Christian University Theater 674-ARTS (2787)
http://www.acu.edu/academics/cas/theatre/productions/
Always a high-quality show, and there is never a bad seat in the house. As with any theater performance, I recommend sitting in the higher rows if you can. Doing so will allow you to see everything happening on stage. (When you sit closer to the stage, your focus is more directed, and you miss the peripheral action.)
Some shows are dinner theater where you have the option to purchase dinner along with your ticket. Dinner is held before the show on the north end of the Don Williams Performing Arts Center. If you wish to make other dinner arrangements, just be on time for the show!
Abilene Community Theater (673-6271)
Putting on about six or seven shows a year, our Community Theater troupe focuses on comedies and farces. If you need a good laugh, this is the place to get it.
Abilene Opera Company (67-OPERA, 698-1061)
This is a great introduction to opera, and a wonderful change of pace. I’m not an “opera fan,” but this is something I would definitely go back to. Performances are at the Paramount.
Hardin-Simmons University Theater (670-1404)
http://www.hsutx.edu/academics/theatre/index.html
HSU puts on four main-stage plays a year. They seek to attain a balance in the offerings between classics and premiers, as well as comedy and dramatic. Musicals are not annual events here, and are generally smaller productions than at the other playhouses. Admission is free to all HSU students and faculty, $5 for adults, and $3 for Senior Citizens, military, and non-HSU students.
McMurry University Theater (Box Office 793-3889; Theater Office 797-3889)
www.mcm.edu/academic/depts/theatredept/theatre.htm
McMurry’s theater program puts on two professor directed shows, a homecoming musical, and several student-directed One Act Plays (some student written) each year. Except for the musical, all shows are held in the intimate Ryan Little Theater. The musical is performed in Radford Auditorium. The price for most of the shows is in the $3/$7 (student/general admission) price range. The dinner theater shows are $17/$20, and the musical is $7/$14. Nearly every seat is a good seat at these shows.
MOVIES
Cullen Auditorium, Abilene Christian University
www.acu.edu/cgi-bin/webevent.cgi -- full listing of Campus Activities, including movie dates
Once a month, the Campus Activities Board at ACU shows a movie in Cullen Auditorium, on the northwest side of campus (next to the coliseum). The movie is usually a popular G or PG movie that has recently been taken off the roster at local theaters. This is a very informal college-student viewing audience, so expect some heckling of the characters. Also, all words with the potential to offend are edited out (meaning the person running the projector turns off the sound for a few words at a time). Go early because the seats are usually packed.
Admission is free for ACU students and $1 for non-students. Cheap candy bars are sold at a makeshift concession stand in the lobby. Show times are 6:30 pm and 9 pm.
Town & Country Drive-In Theater (677-9899) 2902 Vogel St.
Few communities still have operational drive in theaters, and this is the largest in Texas. Quintessentially Abilene, don’t expect to see car after car with foggy windows—this is a family affair. I suggest you try for at least one kiss if you’re on a date, but bear in mind that little kids are everywhere, so don’t forget you’re there to watch to movie! (By the way, the soundtrack comes through your FM stereo in digital DTS surround.)
This is a great place to tailgate if you have a pick-up. I’ve seen families throw a blanket on the roof of their conversion vans and make a late picnic of the show. The drive-in shows double features. Thursdays are “Discount night,” $12 per car load. Friday and Saturday: Adults - $6, Children $3; Sunday: Adults - $5, Children $2.50. Kids under 5 are always free. Movies start at around 8:30 and 10 pm. Each of the two screens shows its own double feature.
Westwood Twin Theater (672-1288) 3440 N. 1st
This is an older, two screen theater. It’s not especially comfortable or pleasant to watch a movie here—bit it is cheap! They have three show times a day, and it only costs $1.75 to watch a movie. (Take $2.00, and save the extra quarter for one of the old school video games in the lobby.) The building may look slightly dilapidated, but it is up to code. It takes a while for the movies to make their way here, but at least one of the screens is generally showing a movie still being showcased at the full price theaters across town. All Tuesday showings are just $1.00.
MUSIC, ART, & MUSEUMS
Abilene Christian University
http://www.acu.edu/academics/cas/art/facilities/gallery_vr.html
The Virginia Shore Art Gallery displays student works on a rotating basis. Visit the address above for a virtual tour. Be sure to sign the guest book if you visit the gallery.
Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra (677-6719, 800-460-0610)
The Philharmonic plays at the Civic Center. This is a great, regular excuse to A) ask someone on a date, and B) get dressed up. There are two types of performances, the classical and the pop. The classical is just what you would expect form an orchestra—classical music. The pop series is a jazzier, hipper collection of music meant to appeal to a younger crowd. They bring in special performers and may even play music you can sing along with.
Hardin-Simmons University
http://www.hsutx.edu/academics/art/GalleryPage/Gallery.html
With about 1,400 square feet of display area, the Ira M. Taylor Memorial Art Gallery hosts displays of student art on a rotating basis. Visit the web site to see what is showing now.
McMurry University Corner of Sayles & Hunt
http://cs1.mcm.edu/~boiler/artdept/galleries.html
McMurry has two art galleries, the Amy Graves Ryan and the Gypsy Ted. The former shows not only student art, but hosts local and national tours as well. Its hours are Mon – Fri, 8 am – 5 pm. The Gypsy Ted is mainly a student-work exhibition area, though local artists do occasionally do shows there as well. Many of the works displayed in this renovated home are for sale.
The Old Jail Art Center (762-2269) 201 South 2nd Street, Albany, Tx
From Chinese terra-cotta, to Renoir, to Toulouse-Lautrec, to modern outdoor sculptures by Texas artists—this museum has a surprising assortment of art. The building it is housed in once served as the town’s jail.
Tues. – Sat. 10 – 5 pm; Sun. 2 – 5 pm. Closed Mon and for major holidays.
OTHER ENTERTAINMENT
Abilene Zoo (676-6085) E.S. 11th and Loop 322
http://www.abilenetx.com/zoo/zoo.htm
The Abilene Zoo is more fun than you might think, especially the giraffes! Get some crackers at the front gate, and feed them to the giraffes as you walk over their heads on a concrete bridge. Drop a cracker on the edge of the bridge and you’ll see the giraffes stick out their long purple tongues to find it—it’s a good time! Oh, and be sure to save some crackers for the elephants too.
The Zoo is open from 9 am – 5 pm daily. (Hours extended till 9 pm Memorial Day through Labor Day.) The Zoo is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day. Adults 13–59 are $3; Kids 3–12 & Adults 60+ are $2; Kids under 3 get in free.
Buffalo Gap Historic Village (572-3365) 133 N. William St. in Buffalo Gap
www.mcwhiney.org/buffalogap.html
This is an interesting trip for history buffs and antique lovers. A walk around the village takes you on an architectural/lifestyle tour through time, from 1880 through 1950. Live performers interpret history in period style during the summers, but there is a live blacksmith year round on the weekends. This is an interesting trip/date idea. Go on the 3rd weekend of the month to include an entertaining trip to the huge flea market just down the road. You’ll also want to try to include either a lunch or dinner at Perini Ranch while you’re in Buffalo Gap.
To get to Buffalo Gap Historical Village, take S. 14th Street (HWY 89) south of town about fifteen miles to Buffalo Gap. Turn right on Elm. If you miss it, you can continue south and take a right on William St. Either way, you won’t miss the Village.
Hours: Mon. – Sat. 9 am – 6 pm and Sun. noon – 6 pm. (From October thru March, the hours are Mon – Sat. 10 – 5.) Most adults are $5 to get in, though military and seniors are $4 and students are $2. Kids under 5 are free.
High School Football Abilene High School; Cooper High School
Some of the biggest events in Abilene history were the Abilene High School football seasons of 1954-1957, when Abilene High won 49 straight games and 3 state championships. The Friday night fever has never let up. The town literally shuts down when Abilene and Cooper High play each other in the Big Country’s most heated rivalry. Regardless of who wins, the game is shown again and again on TV in the weeks that follow. High school football here is a BIG deal, go be a part of it!
Get a copy of the schedules on line at www.aisd.org, or in the Area Wide phone book.
Oplin Community Center Oplin, TX
To get to Oplin, take HWY 36 to the southwest for a dozen miles or so out of town, at the blinking traffic light turn left onto FM 604. Follow this down a long while until you come upon an old gymnasium on your left hand side. Welcome to Oplin, TX. Every Friday night the Community Center becomes the nucleus of town entertainment as a two-stepping shindig gets underway in an alcohol-free environment. Some weeks you’ll find a large crowd of Abilene college students, other nights it will be you and the locals. This is a fun, friendly place to go with a group of your friends. Additionally, if you’re an ACU student, this is the only ACU-approved venue for you to dance (due to the absence of alcohol). There is a nominal cover charge and homemade goodies in the kitchen. Ladies beware: some of the older men like to dance real close!
Spinner’z (677-3866) 1873 Maple St.
Spinner’z works very hard to bring Abilene some amusement. They have Go-Karts, older arcade games, paintball facilities/rentals, and a rock wall for climbing. I had a girl take me there on a date once. We drove the Go-Karts and had one of the attendants take a couple pictures of us with the black & white camera I’d brought along. The pictures turned out great, and the date wound up being a lot of fun. The paintball fields are good for casual players and beginners. If you own your own equipment it’s not expensive to play. Always take a group with you to split the cost of paint and because you’re unlikely to stumble across other players if you go alone.