Artists, musicians heat up at festival, and more coming up in Abilene

Staff report
·7 min read

"The Summer Burn" art and music festival, presented by Very Good Artists, will begin at 8 p.m. Saturday at Abilene Field of Dreams, 2250 E.N. 10th St., with events continuing through 9 a.m. Sunday.

Music sets will kick off at 8 p.m. with DJ Justin T. Walker, followed by LoveSaraEllie at midnight, Deb and the Downers at 2 a.m. and DJ Christian at 6 a.m.

Tickets are available via eventbrite.com.

'Angels in the Big Country'

In advance of the upcoming Abilene Community Theatre production of the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama "Angels in America: Millennium Approaches," set during the AIDS crisis in the 1980s, "Angels in the Big Country" will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the theater, 809 Barrow St.

Representatives from Big Country AIDS Resources Center, Abilene Recovery Council, Abilene Pride Alliance and other organizations will speak, with no charge for admission.

Tickets for "Angels in America: Millennium Approaches," which will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Aug. 13, are $18 for adults and $15 for seniors, students and military. For tickets, go to abilenecommunitytheatre.org.

'Shrek'

Big Country Performing Arts will present a production of "Shrek: The Musical" at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, at the Paramount Theatre, 352 Cypress St.

Tickets start at $15, and are available at paramountabilene.com.

'The Sound of Music'

Mrs. Z's Performing Arts Studio will present a production of "The Sound of Music" at 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at Wylie Performing Arts Center, 4502 Antilley Road.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students, and are available at showtix4u.com/event-details/65800.

Bull riding

The 15th annual Youth Bull Riders World Finals will continue at 9 a.m. Friday at the Taylor County Expo Center, a final short round at noon Saturday followed by awards presentations.

Friday gate prices are $20 for adults and $15 for children ages 4-12. For information, go to ybr-now.com.

Back-to-school

  • A back-to-school bash will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Express ER, 4157 Buffalo Gap Road. Vendors, snow cones, a bounce house and games will be available. Admission is free.

  • Free backpacks will be available for children in pre-K through high school from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Drug Emporium, 2550 Barrow St. Free hot dogs and snow cones will be served.

  • "Back-to-School" ArtWalk, presented by the Center for Contemporary Arts, will be 5:30-8 p.m. Thursday in downtown Abilene. A "Fill the Bus" school supply drive will be at Minter Park, as well as art activities and live music. For information, go to center-arts.com.

  • Abilene ISD Homeless Ministry and 2INgage will conduct a school resource fair and family fun day from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 13 at the Abilene Convention Center, 1100 N. Sixth St. Information will be presented on resources available to support families, and backpacks and school supplies will be given away.

  • A back-to-school giveaway will be open for all children from 2-5 p.m. Aug. 14 at Tequilas Night Club, 133 Eplens Court. Free school supplies and hair cuts will be provided, and hot dogs will be served. For information, call 325-721-1208.

'The Great Escape'

As part of the Paramount Film Series, showing of "The Great Escape" will begin at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 12-13 at the Paramount Theatre, 352 Cypress St.

Tickets are $7 for adults and $6 for students, seniors, military and children. For tickets, go to paramountabilene.com.

Rock and Roar

The Rock and Roar concert series will continue Aug. 13 with music by Sister Hazel at the Abilene Zoo, with Deep Blue Something opening at 7 p.m.

Doors will open at 6 p.m., with a barbecue dinner, beer, wine and liquor available for purchase. Tickets are $36 for adults and $15 for children ages 3-12, and include zoo admission and a giraffe feeding. For tickets or information, go to abilenezoo.org.

And more ...

  • A "First Friday" festival will be open from 6-10 p.m. Friday at The Peoples Plaza, 1290 S. Willis St., with art, vendors and live music.

  • Big Country Master Naturalists will conduct a five-mile hike around Lake Abilene at 9 a.m. Saturday at Abilene State Park. Hikers will meet at the parking lot at the lake entrance. Park entrance permits will be required. Participants are encouraged to bring water and wear comfortable shoes.

  • RANGER − A celebration of the Ranger Vietnam Memorial's 15th anniversary will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday at 520 E. Loop 254, with exhibitions, speakers and formal recognition of veterans and active military attending. The Abilene Vet Center will provide outreach and counseling services, and a lunch will be served.

  • A concert featuring Texas Hill Country Gospel Jubilee will be 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday at Key City Church, 2826 Barrow St. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted.

  • A free showing of "Top Gun" will begin at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at the Abilene Public Library, 202 Cedar St.

  • SWEETWATER − A barbecue fundraiser benefiting the Nolan Volunteer Fire Department will be 5:30-8 p.m. Saturday at the Nolan/Divide Community Center. Plates are $15 for adults and $7 for children age 10 and younger.

  • OLD GLORY − A country music dance will begin at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Old Glory Community Center. A live band will perform, and refreshments will be served. For information, call 940-989-2816.

  • Isabel Trujillo will present a program of stories and music in both English and Spanish at 10:15 a.m. Wednesday and Aug. 17 at the Mockingbird Branch of the Abilene Public Library, 1326 N. Mockingbird Lane.

  • A free showing of "Turning Red" will begin at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Mockingbird Lane branch of the Abilene Public Library, 1326 N. Mockingbird Lane.

  • A concert featuring the Dove Award-winning gospel group The Erwins will begin at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church, 701 S. Pioneer Drive. Doors will open at 5 p.m. Admission is free, but an offering will be taken.

  • A line dancing class for beginners will begin at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Mockingbird Lane branch of the Abilene Public Library, 1326 N. Mockingbird Lane.

  • A free clinic to help people with low income acquire essential legal documents will be open from 4-7 p.m. Thursday at the Mockingbird Lane branch of the Abilene Public Library, 1326 N. Mockingbird Lane. To register, call 325-399-9015.

  • In coordination with ArtWalk, a showing of the drama "There Will be Blood" will begin at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Paramount Theatre, 352 Cypress St. Tickets are $7 for adults and $6 for students, seniors, military and children.

  • Big Country Master Gardeners will present a free seminar on tree care at 10 a.m. Aug. 12 at the Abilene Public Library, 202 Cedar St.

  • A free showing of "The Mitchells vs The Machines" will begin at 11 a.m. Aug. 13 at the south branch of the Abilene Public Library, in the Mall of Abilene. "Fantastic Beasts - The Secrets of Dumbledore" will follow at 2:30 p.m.

  • A free showing of "The Lost City" will begin at 6 p.m. Aug. 16 at the Mockingbird Lane branch of the Abilene Public Library, 1326 N. Mockingbird Lane.

  • Cara Barer, whose art is on display at The Grace Museum, will speak about her inspirations and processes starting at 6 p.m. Aug. 18 at the museum at 102 Cypress St. A gallery preview will open at 5 p.m.

This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Artists, musicians heat up at festival, and more coming up in Abilene