Cultural Events Aplenty in February at Chapman Cultural Center

Chapman Cultural Center and its partner organizations will present dozens of cultural events and classes in dance, history, music, science, and the visual arts during February 2016.

For general information about any event, call (864) 542-ARTS or visit ChapmanCulturalCenter.org.

Textiles: A History in Innovation and Community exhibition
Spartanburg Regional History Museum presents an exhibition that explores the textile industry in South Carolina from the 1700s through the 21st century, Jan. 30-April 16, in its rotating gallery space at Chapman Cultural Center. Gallery hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, 1-5 p.m. Free. For more information, please call (864) 596-3501.

Student Galleries exhibit: Districts 1, 2, 3 exhibition
Chapman Cultural Center will display student artwork from Spartanburg School Districts 1, 2, and 3 in its Student Galleries through Feb. 21. Gallery hours are Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, 1-5 p.m. Free. For more information, please call (864) 542-ARTS.

Adult Ballroom Dance Class
Ballet Spartanburg offers ongoing ballroom dance classes for adults every Monday in the Dance Center at Chapman Cultural Center, starting at 7:30 p.m. Swing lessons will be offered through Feb. 15. Afterward, the waltz will be taught through March 28. For pricing and more information, please call (864) 583-0339.

Artists’ Guild Members Exhibit
Artists’ Guild of Spartanburg will exhibit artwork from various members in its gallery at Chapman Cultural Center through Feb. 26. Gallery hours are Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, 1-5 p.m. Free. For more information, please call (864) 764-9568.

10th Annual Laugh for a Child
Healthy Smiles of Spartanburg returns to Chapman Cultural Center’s theater for a night of comedy, smiles, and charity on Tuesday, Feb. 2. Laugh for a Child is an annual fundraiser that provides a night of comedy for a lifetime of smiles, featuring a headlining comedian. This year, local restaurant Café and Then Some’s own Susan Smith and Maureen Abdalla will perform as a comedy duo. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets cost $75 per person, and proceeds benefit children’s dental care in Spartanburg. For tickets or more info, please call (864) 592-4696.

Cognitive Dissonance exhibition
Spartanburg Art Museum will exhibit Cognitive Dissonance, a collection of artwork by nine artists who examine human imperfection and “hold a contrary view,” through March 25 at Chapman Cultural Center. Museum hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, 1-5 p.m. Free. For more information, please call (864) 582-7616.

Voices in American Art
The Johnson Collection presents the third installment of Voices in American Art, an educational series that engages audiences on the subject of fine art in America, on Thursday, Feb. 4, at Chapman Cultural Center. Featuring keynote speakers Jane Panetta, Associate Curator of The Whitney Museum of American Art, and Jan Postma, Chief Financial Officer of The Museum of Modern Art, this program will start at 7 p.m. Free. For more information, please call (864) 594-5834.

Sundays Unplugged
Chapman Cultural Center is open every Sunday afternoon, 1-5 p.m.. to give the public a stress-free environment to enjoy local art and culture. Spartanburg Art Museum, Spartanburg Regional History Museum, Artists’ Guild of Spartanburg Gallery, and the Student Galleries are all open with free admission, and Spartanburg Science Center is open for $4 per adult and $2.50 per student. A local singer-songwriter performs each Sunday, 2-4 p.m., showcasing the breadth of musical genres and talent in the Upstate. For more information, please call (864) 542-ARTS.

Music Sandwiched In: Strings of Choice
Spartanburg Philharmonic Orchestra will feature Strings of Choice during Music Sandwiched In, a free lunchtime concert series, at the Spartanburg County Public Library Headquarters on Wednesday, Feb. 10, starting at 12:15 p.m. The public is welcome bring their lunch or to buy one there. For more information, please call (864) 948-9020.

The Spoken Word Experience
Spoken Word Spartanburg presents poetry workshops on the second Thursday of each month at Chapman Cultural Center. These workshops, held 7-9 p.m. in the Callie and John Rainey Conference Room, bring in professional poets for writing prompts, peer reviews, and readings. Participation is free, but donations are welcomed. For more info, please call (864) 542-ARTS.

Studio Series: Love Inspired
Ballet Spartanburg will celebrate Valentine’s Day with special dance performances in its Dance Center studios at Chapman Cultural Center on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 12 and 13, at 6 and 8 p.m. This intimate series challenges the dancers to push their artistry and athleticism to new boundaries, while guests enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Tickets are $25 per adult, $20 per senior, and $15 per student, available only through Ballet Spartanburg. Seating is limited. For more information, please call (864) 583-0339.

Junie B. Jones: The Musical
Spartanburg Youth Theatre will present Junie B. Jones: The Musical on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 12 and 13, for both afternoon and evening showings at Chapman Cultural Center. This is a funny and heartwarming musical adaptation of Barbara Park’s best-selling book series about Junie B. Jones who is starting first grade when everything is changing – from Junie’s best friend to her eyesight. Showtimes are 4 and 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 12, and 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 13. Tickets are $12 per adult and $9 per youth. For more information, please call (864) 585-8278.

Parkinson’s Patients Dance Class
Ballet Spartanburg offers ongoing dance classes for people with Parkinson’s Disease on first and third Friday of each month, 11 a.m.-noon, in the Dance Center at Chapman Cultural Center. The movements serve as therapy for the social, emotional, cognitive, and physical problems associated with the disease. The class is free for patients, and the first class of the month is followed by the monthly meeting of the Spartanburg Parkinson’s Association. For more information, please call (864) 583-0339.

Symphony Sweethearts ‘n’ Jazz concert
Spartanburg Philharmonic Orchestra and the Spartanburg Jazz Ensemble will perform Symphony Sweethearts ‘n’ Jazz on Saturday, Feb. 13, at 8 p.m., in Twichell Auditorium at Converse College, featuring Jens Lindemann on trumpet and soprano Tish Oney. Tickets range from $21 to $41 per person, available through Converse College’s Box Office. For more information, please call (864) 948-9020.

Audition Workshop for Stuart Little
Spartanburg Youth Theatre will offer an audition workshop to help students get rid of jitters and be better prepared to audition for the play Stuart Little. The workshop will be Saturday, Feb. 13, 9 a.m.-noon, at Chapman Cultural Center. The cost is $25, and the workshop is for students in grades 3 through 12. For more information, please call (864) 585-8278.

Auditions for Stuart Little
Spartanburg Youth Theatre will hold auditions for its production of Stuart Little on Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 15 and 16, starting at 5:30 p.m. at Chapman Cultural Center. Students in grades 3 through 12 should arrive at least 15 minutes early to complete paperwork. Auditioners must be dressed in appropriate attire and be prepared to give a one-minute monologue. For more information, please call (864) 585-8278.

ArtWalk
Chapman Cultural Center is one of several locations in Spartanburg’s downtown that will be open late on Thursday, Feb. 18, for the city’s monthly ArtWalk, the self-guided tour of downtown’s arts community. Citizens are invited to see what’s new on the arts scene, 5-9 p.m., with gallery talks, wine-and-cheese-style refreshments, and special programs. At Chapman Cultural Center, Spartanburg Art Museum, Artists’ Guild of Spartanburg Gallery, and the Student Galleries are open for public enjoyment. For more information, please call (864) 542-ARTS.

Spartanburg Jazz Ensemble
Spartanburg Jazz Ensemble will be featured in the last performance in Chapman Cultural Center’s 2016 Winter Jazz Series on Friday, Feb. 19, at 7:30 p.m. The 17-piece orchestra will be joined by two jazz vocalists. Tickets are $10 per adult and $5 per student. The Winter Jazz Series is sponsored by J M Smith Corporation. For more information, please call (864) 542-ARTS.

Engineering Day
Spartanburg Science Center will celebrate Engineering Day on Saturday, Feb. 20, 12:30-2 p.m., at Chapman Cultural Center with several engineers who will demonstrate how engineering is part of everyone’s daily life. The Science Center’s Engineering Day program is part of its Third Saturday Science series, offering hands-on learning in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) subjects. Free. For more information, please call (864) 583-2777.

Dollywood Auditions
Dollywood will hold auditions for new performers at Chapman Cultural Center on Saturday, Feb. 20. Registration starts at 10 a.m., and auditions will be 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Dollywood is seeking singers who move well and actors who both sing and move. Auditioners must prepare three songs in the style(s) that suit them best, with preference for ballads and uptempo songs. Auditioners must bring sheet music in their key or CD accompaniment only; accompaniment tracks on iPods, iPads, or any other digital music player will not be accepted. A piano accompanist and CD player will be provided. Participants must bring a recent photo and resume and be at least 18 years old. For more information, please call (864) 542-ARTS.

Auditions for Memphis
The Spartanburg Little Theatre will hold auditions for its production of the musical Memphis on Sunday and Monday, Feb. 21 and 22, starting at 7 p.m. at Chapman Cultural Center. Multiple roles are available for a large cast of talented singers/dancers. Because of the subject matter of the show, Memphis requires a large African-American cast of singers and dancers of all ages. For more information, please call (864) 585-8278.

Music Sandwiched In: Gladius
Spartanburg Philharmonic Orchestra will feature the Gladius, a band playing flamenco guitar, as part of Music Sandwiched In, a free lunchtime concert series, at the Spartanburg County Public Library Headquarters on Wednesday, Feb. 24, starting at 12:15 p.m. The public is welcome bring their lunch or to buy one there. For more information, please call (864) 948-9020.

Bluegrass Series: The Travelin’ McCourys
Chapman Cultural Center kicks off its two-part Bluegrass Series 2016 with world-class bluegrass band The Travelin’ McCourys on Friday, Feb. 26, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person, and proceeds will benefit Chapman Cultural Center. For more information, please call (864) 542-ARTS.

United in Music: Uncovering the Legacy of Paul Robeson
United In Music will present Uncovering the Legacy of Paul Robeson, a musical about the life of Paul Robeson, an African-American singer and actor who became involved with the Civil Rights Movement, on Saturday, Feb. 27, at 7:30 p.m. in Chapman Cultural Center’s theater. Robeson (1898-1976) was an accomplished athlete, lawyer, singer, and actor who became politically active, speaking out about racism. However, he was silenced by the government for his sympathetic stance on communism. Actor/singer Jason McKinney will portray Robeson in this musical. Tickets range from $20 to $30 per person. For more information, please call (864) 542-ARTS.

James Gregory: Funniest Man in America
James Gregory, the “funniest man in America,” returns to Chapman Cultural Center on Sunday, Feb. 28, 3 p.m., for an afternoon of non-stop laughter presented with a wry sense of the absurd, a southern accent, and universal storytelling. Tickets are $28 for balcony seating and $35 for main floor seating. For more information, please call (864) 542-ARTS.

Lunch & Learn
Spartanburg County Historical Association (SCHA) will host its monthly Lunch & Learn, a lunchtime lecture series focusing on a topic of local historical significance, on Friday, Feb. 29, 12:30-1:30 p.m., in the Callie and John Rainey Conference Room at Chapman Cultural Center. Tickets are $5 per person or $15 with lunch included by Palmetto Palate, and SCHA members are admitted free of charge. For more information, please call (864) 596-3501.

Student Galleries: Youth Art Month
Chapman Cultural Center’s annual celebration of Youth Art Month – March – will start Monday, Feb. 29, when hundreds of pictures and sculptures will fill the Student Galleries. The artwork will be by students of all ages and from nearly every school in Spartanburg County. Gallery hours are Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, 1-5 p.m. Free. For more information, please call (864) 278-9693.