MARCH 16, 2020 - The Abilene Cultural Affairs Council has postponed the March 28 event “In the Heights of Hollywood with Nelson Coates.” We are working to determine a new date for this HeARTS for the ARTS fundraiser at the Paramount Theatre in the fall. Please check back for updates.
(Abilene, TX JAN. 24, 2020) Celebrity Attractions and the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council present FINDING NEVERLAND, the winner of the Broadway.com Audience Choice Award for Best Musical. FINDING NEVERLAND makes stop on its national tour in Abilene for one performance only on Thursday, January 30th at 7:30pm at the Abilene Convention Center Auditorium. Tickets on sale now online at CelebrityAttractions.com/Abilene and by phone at 800.869.1451, Monday – Friday, 9:30am – 4:30pm.
Welcomed in Abilene by H-E-B, this breathtaking smash “captures the kid-at-heart,” says TIME Magazine. Vogue cheers, “It’s a must-see you’ll remember for years to come!” Originally directed by visionary Tony®-winner Diane Paulus and based on the critically-acclaimed Academy Award® winning film, FINDING NEVERLAND tells the incredible story behind one of the world’s most beloved characters: Peter Pan. Playwright J.M. Barrie, inspired by four young brothers with their enchanting make-believe adventures and their beautiful widowed mother, sets out to write a play that will astound London theatergoers. With a little bit of pixie dust and a lot of faith, Barrie takes this monumental leap, leaving his old world behind for Neverland, where nothing is impossible and the wonder of childhood lasts forever. The magic of Barrie’s classic tale springs spectacularly to life in this heartwarming theatrical event. FINDING NEVERLAND is “far and away the best musical of the year!” (NPR).
FINDING NEVERLAND is part of the 2019-2020 Abilene Broadway Series also including BEAUTIFUL: The Carole King Musical and WAITRESS with thanks to season sponsors KTAB, KRBC and Residence Inn by Marriott. Tickets start at
For more information visit www.CelebrityAttractions.com/Abilene.
ABILENE, TX (Nov. 5, 2019) - How do dinosaurs say Merry Christmas? Find out at this year’s 2nd Annual Christmas in the Garden: A Dino-Mite Christmas Night! Put on your pajamas and celebrate the holidays in the Storybook Capital of America with Santa Claus, train rides, crafts, a snow machine and more.
“Christmas in the Garden” is 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 and is part of the week-long City Sidewalks celebration downtown. Last year’s event was sold out with 700 people attending. The cost is $10 per family and $1 for train rides. Buy tickets at www.abilenecac.org.
The fun evening takes place in the Adamson-Spalding Storybook Garden at the Abilene Convention Center. The garden’s storybook sculptures are decorated with twinkling Christmas lights and festive decorations. We will debut colorful tree canopy lighting at Christmas in the Garden. Be the first to see it!
Take a ride on the Storybook Capital Express for $1. Have your picture taken with costumed characters and make dinosaur-themed crafts. There’s also face painting and dino-bite snacks.
Children will have the opportunity to talk to Santa and share their Christmas wishes. Mrs. Claus will read “How Do Dinosaurs Say Merry Christmas?” written by Jane Yolen and illustrated by Mark Teague, whose original artwork has exhibited in Abilene at the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature. Have your photo taken in a special photo op area at the “Good Night Dinosaur” sculpture in the garden based on Teague’s artwork. The Abilene Community Band will play festive music and ACS New Song will perform. Bring a blanket and watch a short, animated holiday movie on the lawn.
This year’s lighting sponsors are Dr. William B. and Sadie L. Adamson Charities Inc., the Texas Commission on the Arts and Lowe’s Home Improvement.
POSTED SEPT 20, 2019
Join us for a special morning of theater and music on Saturday, Sept. 28!
“Storybook Saturday: Tale as Old as Time” is a family event hosted by the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council in partnership with the Abilene Philharmonic and Abilene Christian University Theatre.
The event will take place in the Adamson-Spalding Storybook Garden, which will open at 10:30 a.m. with art activities, characters, bubbles, face painting and light snacks. Come early and listen to the Philharmonic rehearse inside the Abilene Convention Center from 10 a.m. to noon. See how a piece of music is shaped and polished as they prepare for their Saturday night concert (tickets available at www.abilenephilharmonic.org). At 10:45 a.m. in the garden, ACU Theatre will perform selections from their homecoming musical, "Beauty and the Beast" (The show is Oct. 18-20. Tickets available at acu.edu/theatre).
At 11 a.m., touch and play real instruments at the Philharmonic Instrument Petting Zoo. Also, children can use a baton and pretend to lead an orchestra … “Be Our Guest” conductor!
At noon, Philharmonic featured performer Amit Peled, a world-renowned cellist, will perform and read his children's book, “A Cello Named Pablo.” Afterwards, Amit will sign books, which are available for $20.
Storybook Saturday is $10 per family. Families can register online at www.abilenecac.org. Families who pre-register will be entered into a drawing to win two tickets to the Oct. 5 “Broadway Princess Party” at the Abilene Philharmonic. The drawing will take place during Storybook Saturday.
The garden is located on the grounds of the Abilene Convention Center, 1100 N. 6th St.
The Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA) has approved funding of 43 Arts Respond Cultural District Project grants for fiscal year 2020, including a project for the Abilene Cultural District in the amount of $112,000. The matching grant will fund the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council’s “Lights, Camera, Action” project designed to enhance Minter Park and Adamson-Spalding Storybook Garden with colorful theatrical tree lighting, digital projection equipment, a limestone screen suitable for movies or performance backdrop, and security cameras.
Read MoreABILENE, TX – Award-winning author and illustrator William Joyce says it feels like Christmas this week.
That’s because the City of Abilene just installed the honorary street sign “Santa Calls Lane” at Cedar and North 1st named after his 1993 book, “Santa Calls.” READ MORE…
Read MoreAddress:
T&P Depot, 1101 North 1st Street
Abilene, Texas 79601
Our office is located on the corner of North 1st and Cypress Street, south of The Grace Museum.
Phone: (325) 677 – 1161
Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. weekdays
The Abilene Cultural Affairs Council is an affiliate of the Abilene Chamber of Commerce. Our mission is to promote, encourage and support the arts for Abilene; to marshal and adapt the community's resources to the needs of artists of the community; to work and advise with officials, organizations, schools, and committees in supporting activities; and it shall seek to encourage the establishment of new art forms, develop publicity and educational programs to encourage existing programs and organizations and promote tourism, and will carry out those other functions necessary to enhance the image of Abilene as a center for the arts.
