You don’t have to venture far to experience world class exhibits, unique presentations, special events and super summer camps. They are happening each and every week, right here, in our great city. I encourage you to spend some time exploring some of these events; they have something to offer everyone!
The ever popular ArtWalk is happening in historic downtown Abilene on Thursday from 5-8:30 p.m. and is themed, “Swingin’ Summer Blues.” Begin your evening at The Center for Contemporary Arts around 6 p.m. Asleep at the Wheel’s Ray Benson will be at The Center to draw two free tickets to the upcoming musical, “A Ride with Bob” featuring Ray, himself, along with Asleep at the Wheel! To enter your name in the drawing, e-mail Kaysha Arnold at the Cultural Affairs Council at kaysha@abilene.com or enter at the Center for Contemporary Arts before 6 p.m. on the day of ArtWalk. Winner must be present to win! Come meet Ray Benson and enjoy the opening reception for all four galleries at 6:30 p.m. Inside the Education Center on the Third Floor of The Grace, there will be a free and fun, “Make n’ Take It activity for children and their parents during ArtWalk. Stop by Cockerell Galleries & Studios “Upstairs” to view the Featured Artist of the month, A Moment in Time’s Jennifer Nieland’s exhibit, “The Art of Romance” from 5-8 p.m. The 12th Armored Division Memorial Museum will host a Living History Program at 7:30 p.m. on the “Main Battle Rifles of World War II.” For more information about ArtWalk or for a full list of participating vendors and events, visit www.center-arts.com.
The National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature (NCCIL) will open Golden Kite, Golden Dreams: the SCBWI Awards, a retrospective featuring Golden Kite Medal and Honor Winners from 1974 to 2010. This will be the first time a collection of illustrations by Golden Kite Award winners has been exhibited. Curated by award-winning illustrator David Diaz, this exhibit features 46 artists, many of whom are also Caldecott Award Winners, and more than 75 pieces of artwork in media ranging from ink, pencil and acrylic to gouache, watercolors and paper cutting. It highlights the variety, diversity and high standards the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) sets for Golden Kite Award recognition.
Join illustrators Kristen Balouch, Priscilla Burris, Pat Cummings, David Diaz, Barbara McClintok, Diane Stanley, Cecilia Yung, and Richard Jesse Watson, along with SCBWI founders Steve Mooser and Lin Oliver for the exhibition opening events at the NCCIL. “Cinderella” gallery talk with Barbara McClintok on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. (free); “Golden Moments” ticketed gala event on Friday at 6 p.m.; and “Let’s Fly a Kite” children’s event with David Diaz at the Abilene Public Library Mockingbird Branch at 10 a.m. on Saturday. For a complete list of artists participating in the exhibition and additional opening event details, visit www.nccil.org or call 325-673-4586.
Bring your favorite snacks, blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy a night of fun with family and friends. “Movie in the Park” at 9 p.m. Friday at the Rose Park Amphitheatre, 2601 S. 7th St. The featured movie is “The Blind Side.” (PG-13). Free. Info: 325-734-5301.
Speaking of movies, across town, the Paramount Film Series will present, “Giant” on Friday and Saturday at the Paramount Theatre. Director George Stevens‘ sprawling epic, Texas cattleman Bick Benedict (Rock Hudson) journeys to Virginia in the early 1920s, falls in love with aristocratic, independent-minded Leslie Lynnton (Elizabeth Taylor) and takes her back to his ranch — setting the stage for an intergenerational saga that spans decades. James Dean (in his last film appearance) co-stars as sulking, Jett Rink — the root of Bick’s worries. Friday at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Info: 325-676-6026.
Take a short drive out to Buffalo Gap on Saturday and take part in the Chautauqua Learning Series. This month’s lecture will feature a presentation about the “Birds of the Big Country: Attracting Birds to Backyard Feeders” by John English. The series consists of monthly lectures based on the Chautauqua movement which spread throughout the rural United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Village Gallery. Admission is $7, and includes lecture and admission to the Village. Free to members. Take some time to explore the Historic Village! Information: 325-572-3365.
This week Abilene welcomes the following sporting groups, conventions and meetings to our great city: Schavira Family Reunion, Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Regional Conference, Intercollegiate Tennis Association Summer Circuit, United States Tennis Association Pre-Sectional Qualifying Championships, United States Tennis Association Super Champs Major Zone, Progressive West Texas Baptist District Association, and the USA Track and Field Region 12 Junior Olympic Championship. Did you know? Tourism generates $403.8 million in Abilene.
Am I missing an event or activity in my column? To submit an event to our community events calendar, visit www.abilenevisitors.com/calendar. Would you like to see a specific topic discussed in the weekly events column? Tweet the topic to me @shannasmith or @AbileneCVB. I’d love to hear from you. To keep connected all week long, don’t forget to follow your Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau on Twitter @AbileneCVB or find us on Facebook (Abilene, Texas).
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