Joplin performances, events, and exhibits in August
The hustle and bustle of Joplin never stops! Connect 2 Culture released their list of events, performances, and exhibits that are being hosted throughout August.
Performances:
August 11–13 & August 18–20: Arsenic & Old Lace, 6:30pm (Sunday 1:00pm) at Stone’s Throw Dinner Theatre. In this classic farce, drama critic Mortimer Brewster’s engagement announcement is upended when he discovers a corpse in his elderly aunts’ window seat. Mortimer rushes to tell his aunts, only to learn that the two old women aren’t just aware of the dead man in their parlor, they killed him! Reservations required; call (417) 358-9665 or email stdinnertheatre@gmail.com. Tickets: Adults $29, Seniors (55+) $26, Students $24, Youth $23, Children (6-12) $12, Children (0-5) free.
August 19: Concerts in the Park feat. Blister Soul with Splitfinger Rufus, 7:00pm at Carthage Central Park. Carthage Council on the Arts is proud to once again present their summer concert series, Concerts in the Park! This series of concerts features locally based talent. On Saturday, August 19th, enjoy a rock show featuring Joplin/Carthage locals Blister Soul and Oklahoma band Splitfinger Rufus. This is a BYOC (bring your own chair) event. Free and open to the public.
August 26: Back to School Bash 2023, 6:30–10:00pm at the Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex. Students, teachers, and parents, school is back in session and the stress is on—all the more reason to kick back and relax with live music, local art, raffles, vendors, and more! Join The Non-Permitted Project for the 3rd annual Back to School Bash featuring performances from local bands, including The Odyssey, TownHouseFire, The Ragetones, Speciosa, and Riverside Current. Proceeds from this year’s event will go to The Non-Permitted Project’s community partners, FosterAdopt Connect and The ROCC. All ages welcome. Tickets: In Advance $7, At the Door $10.
Events:
August 3: First Thursday ArtWalk, 5:30–8:30pm in Downtown Joplin. See fine art and art at its finest during First Thursday ArtWalk! A sophisticated, yet festive event, First Thursday ArtWalk is for area artists as well as patrons of the arts… past, present, and future! Dozens of artists will be showing or demonstrating their artistic process and all art will be for sale. Participating artists will be located inside various venues along with live, acoustic music from local musicians. Patrons are encouraged to “walk the art” through historic Downtown Joplin! This event is held on the first Thursday of the month. Map of participating locations is available online.
August 4: First Friday WineShare (Ages 21+), 6:00–8:00pm at Chaos Brewing. WineShare is a national event that takes place on the First Friday of each month. It’s a great opportunity to meet new friends or catch up with old ones. Bring friends or colleagues and join Downtown Joplin Alliance at Chaos Brewing Company! Open to ages 21 and up. Free and open to the public.
August 5: JoMoCon, 10:00am–7:00pm at the Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex. Join the JoMoCon Committee for JoMoCon, a local convention that brings the cultures of anime, gaming, science fiction, fantasy, and all other parts of the “nerdverse” to the Joplin area! With entertaining panels, vendors selling original art and fandom merchandise, cosplay and gaming competitions, and more, this event is a fun way to celebrate pop culture while raising money for a good cause. A portion of the convention’s proceeds will be donated to the Children’s Center of Joplin, a children’s advocacy group. Register and pay in advance at jomocon.org. Cost: In Advance $12, At the Door $15.
August 19 & 20: George Washington Carver: A Man of Great Faith, 1:00pm at George Washington Carver National Monument. Learn how George Washington Carver learned to listen to “the Great Creator” when studying nature and science in the stillness of his early morning walks. Free and open to the public.
August 27: Open Mic Comedy Night, 9:00pm (Sign-Up 8:30pm) at Blackthorn Pizza & Pub. Join Joplin Comedy and try out your latest stand-up routine or take in the acts of local comedians, all while enjoying tasty pizza from Blackthorn Pizza & Pub. Age restrictions: 18+ until 10:00pm. 21+ from 10:00pm until close. Free and open to the public.
Exhibits:
August 8–31: Sean Fitzgibbon Exhibit at Joplin Public Library. A collection of original artworks by author/artist Sean Fitzgibbon from his nonfiction graphic novel What Follows is True: Crescent Hotel, which explores the mythologies surrounding the Crescent Hotel’s two years as a Depression-era cancer hospital in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Art in the library is curated by the Post Art Library. Free and open to the public.
August 11–September 16: Choreographing Color by Eric Beezley at artCentral Carthage. Colorful, abstract paintings from artist and teacher Eric Beezley! Free and open to the public; donations appreciated.
August 1–September 29: Beautiful Places – Paintings by Dannette Belote in The Bramlage and Willcoxon Foundation Gallery inside the Joplin Public Library. Post Art Library presents Beautiful Places, paintings by Danette Belote. This series of paintings includes watercolor, acrylic, and oil, and was inspired by the beauty Danette saw during walks on the trails of Joplin and in her home state of California. An award-winning artist, Danette studied at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, has taught painting and drawing to adults and children, and has had artwork featured in galleries in California and locally as well as in books and magazine publications. Free and open to the public.
Classes
August 9: Nature Explorers: Trees in Wildcat Glades (Ages 7-14), 10:00–11:30am at Wildcat Glades Education Cottage (301 Riviera Dr). Trees are one of the most important plants in a forest. They provide shelter, food, and shade for all animals in an ecosystem. Join the Wildcat Glades Nature Group to learn about the identification of trees, how they grow, and why they are important. Then, go out on the trails to identify trees! Registration required which can be done online or emailing maddie@wildcatglades.org. Free and open to the public.
August 12: Beach Glass & Seashell Wind Chime with April Davis-Brunner, Noon–2:00pm at April’s Art House. Create a set of beautiful wind chimes using beach glass and seashells! Registration required; register by calling or texting April at (417) 358-6329. All materials included. Cost: $30.
August 19: Marvelous Mandala Making with Ann Leach (Age 13+), 11:00am–12:30pm at the
Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex, Spiva Center for the Arts. Explore creative methods for creating mandalas as your personal expression of peace and calm! Participants will weave, draw, and paint together. Please look at their supply list. Registration required which can be done online. Cost: $15.
August 21: Briley Performing Arts Fall Classes (Ages 3+) at Briley Performing Arts Company. Begin or continue your lifelong love of performing arts with Briley Performing Arts fall classes! With dance, acting, voice and piano lessons, and a competitive dance team, Briley Performing Arts offers exceptional education that provides students of all ages with skills to express themselves artistically and establish a positive self-image. Visit their Facebook page for details about classes. Registration required for classes; email infoatbpac@gmail.com or call (417) 553-7954 to register. Enrollment Fee: $35.