*See website for specific dates and showtimes*

Ella cannot say no. As a baby, she received a magical ‘gift’ from her fairy godmother that forces her to obey everyone – all the time. This gift, which Ella keeps secret from those around her, ultimately becomes a dangerous vulnerability.

As she grows, Ella tires of the inability to follow her own will and sets out on a quest to rid herself of this ‘gift’. Along the way, her bravery, intelligence and selflessness helps her realize that she alone has the power to set herself free.

This story of strength and perseverance in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles is a fun, warm and empowering journey that will encourage children of all ages to find – and use – their voice.

Please Note: This Peace Passport Field Trip performance is only available for student groups. It may be an abbreviated version and/or contain slightly different content than the similarly titled evening performance.

Few events in the last decade of space exploration have captured the world’s imagination like NASA’s Mars Exploration Program. The successful deployment of the Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit and Opportunity in 2004 launched a new era of scientific investigation of our nearest planetary neighbor, and marked a personal triumph for Kobie Boykins: he helped design and build the solar arrays that enabled the rovers to keep going long after their planned 90-day life.

As supervisor of the mobility and remote sensing teams for the Mars rover Curiosity, Boykins monitored the headline-making studies of the rover, including evidence that conditions on Mars could once have supported life. In 2013, Boykins received a NASA Exceptional Service Medal, one of the highest honors given to NASA employees and contractors.

Boykins will give students an inside look at what Curiosity and other Mars rovers have discovered on the red planet, as well as what’s ahead for the future of Mars exploration. His boundless enthusiasm for unraveling the mysteries of outer space, and Mars in particular, is infectious.

Tom Segura has become one of the top comedy acts in the country. He is best known for his three Netflix specials, Disgraceful (2018), Mostly Stories (2016), and Completely Normal (2014). His hit podcast Your Mom’s House, which he co-hosts with his wife, comedian Christina Pazsitzky, was a finalist for Best Comedy Podcast at the Stitcher Awards and profiled by VICE. Paste Magazine described Segura as, “...having a natural and capable storytelling ability, one that lifts his narratives out of average anecdote fare and plants them firmly in hilarious ground.”

Segura can be seen in the Paramount feature Instant Family, opposite Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne. His television credits include The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Conan, Workaholics, Happy Endings, The Late Late Show, Comedy Central Presents: Tom Segura, Mash Up, and How To Be A Grown Up.

Segura also continues to perform at the top comedy festivals in the world, including Montreal’s Just For Laughs Comedy Festival, The Melbourne International Comedy Festival, The Comedy Festival - Las Vegas, The South Beach Comedy Festival, and The Hong Kong Comedy Festival.

Grammy^®-winning duo Amy Ray and Emily Saliers are Indigo Girls.

The power of unity has been an Indigo Girls calling card ever since they burst into the spotlight with their 1989 self-titled breakout album. Since then, the band has recorded 14 studio albums, racked up a slew of gold and platinum certifications, and spent decades touring. Their catalog contains contemporary classic songs like “Galileo,” “Closer To Fine,” “Get out the Map,” and “Least Complicated.” They are the only duo with Top 40 titles on the Billboard 200 in the 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s.

NPR’s Mountain Stage called the group “one of the finest folk duos of all time.” Rolling Stone said they are “ideal duet partners. Their voices soar and swoop as one, alternately raucous and soothing. When they sing together, they radiate a sense of shared purpose that adds muscle to their lanky, deeply-felt folk-tinged pop songs.” The New York Timesraved that “gleeful profanities, righteous protest anthems, and impeccable folk songwriting have carried this duo for thirty years.”

The band’s stunning new album, Indigo Girls Live with The University of Colorado Symphony Orchestra, features richly cinematic, larger-than-life arrangements of their songs, performed by a 64-piece orchestra.

Few events in the last decade of space exploration have captured the world’s imagination like NASA’s Mars Exploration Program. The successful deployment of the Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit and Opportunity in 2004 launched a new era of scientific investigation of our nearest planetary neighbor, and marked a personal triumph for Kobie Boykins: he helped design and build the solar arrays that enabled the rovers to keep going long after their planned 90-day life.

As supervisor of the mobility and remote sensing teams for the Mars rover Curiosity, Boykins monitored the headline-making studies of the rover, including evidence that conditions on Mars could once have supported life. In 2013, Boykins received a NASA Exceptional Service Medal, one of the highest honors given to NASA employees and contractors.

Boykins will give students an inside look at what Curiosity and other Mars rovers have discovered on the red planet, as well as what’s ahead for the future of Mars exploration. His boundless enthusiasm for unraveling the mysteries of outer space, and Mars in particular, is infectious.

Over the past two decades, Keb' Mo' has cultivated a reputation as a modern master of American roots music.

It all took off for Keb' Mo' in 1994 with his self-titled release, and over the years, he has proven that he is a musical force that defies typical genre labels. Album after album, 14 in total, garnered him four Grammy^® Awards and 11 nominations. Mo' has also been awarded 11 Blues Foundation Awards and six BMI Awards for his work in TV and film. He created "Martha's Theme" for the TV show Martha Stewart Living, wrote and performed the theme song for the hit sitcom Mike & Molly, and was the music composer for TNT's Memphis Beat.

In 2017, Keb' Mo' released TajMo, a collaborative album with the legendary Taj Mahal, which earned a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album. His list of artist collaborations comprises a who's who in the music industry and includes Bonnie Raitt, Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Jackson Browne, Natalie Cole, Lyle Lovett, India Arie, James Cotton, Bobby Rush, Timothy B. Schmit, Marcus Miller, and many more. His songs have been recorded by B.B. King, Buddy Guy, the Dixie Chicks, Joe Cocker, Robert Palmer, Tom Jones, Melissa Manchester, Solomon Burke, and the Zac Brown Band, to name a few. His guitar playing has even inspired leading instrument maker Gibson Brands to issue the Keb' Mo' Signature Bluesmaster and Bluesmaster Royale acoustic guitars and Martin Guitars to issue the HD-28KM Keb' Mo' Limited Edition Signature model.

Opening Act: Jontavious Willis 

Every generation or so, a young bluesman bursts onto the scene and sends a jolt through the blues community; Jontavious Willis has that effect on people. The 22-year-old rising multi-instrumentalist will release Spectacular Class in April. The album features dynamic vocals and all types of blues: Delta, Piedmont, Texas, and Gospel. His stand-out fingerpicking, flat-picking, and slide prowess will also be on display. Living legend Taj Mahal has described him as the “Wonderboy” and “the Wunderkind.” In 2015, Mahal asked Willis to play on stage with him, and he opened select shows along the TajMo tour.

"Thanking our veterans for more than a decade"

Freedom Blast was founded in 2009 by the City of Greer as a one-day festival to celebrate our freedom and the men and women who make it possible. From great live music to fantastic fireworks, it's become a tradition for many families.

With a kids zone, military tribute, music acts, sky diving, a rib eating contest, lots and lots of funnel cake, AND one of the biggest fireworks displays in the Upstate, you won't want to miss it!

GCT's 2nd Annual Cabaret Fundraiser & 2020 Season Reveal. Join us as we celebrate with you and announce our 2020 Season! Your ticket includes desserts from Inn on the Square, wine and beer, entertainment, and a champagne toast at the conclusion. Come out July 27th for an fantastic evening! Doors open for mingling and desserts at 7:00, showtime starts at 8:00.

Based on the real-life Newsboy Strike of 1899 in New York City, this Disney musical tells the story of Jack Kelly, a rebellious newsboy who dreams of life as an artist away from the big city. After publishing giant Joseph Pulitzer raises newspaper prices at the newsboys' expense, Kelly and his fellow newsies take action. The wonderful score is by Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast, Little Shop of Horrors) and Jack Feldman with book by Harvey Fierstein.

William Gillette, an actor best known for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes, is wounded during an attempt on his life and invites a few friends over for a Christmas Eve celebration at his mansion while he recovers. When a murder occurs that evening, Gillette puts his Sherlock Holmes skills to the test in an attempt to solve the crime before something else goes awry. This witty, fast-paced "whodunit" is full of suspense and laughter.

Since 2013, Hughes Investments has provided $80,000 in funds to 24 local communities as part of the ELEVATE UPSTATE Community Vibrancy Grant program. The purpose of the ELEVATE UPSTATE Grants is to identify and provide initial funding support for community-based programs that promote community and economic vibrancy in local areas across the Upstate.

Last year’s winners were Ninety Six Movie Night at the Park and the First Annual Charles Townes Art & Technology Experiment. Past winners include public art projects, interactive outdoor education, downtown music, a food truck plaza, and more. The key element is that the proposed initiative will increase community vibrancy and sense of place and benefit the community as a whole.

The 2019 grant period opened on June 1st with an initial interest form due by August 1st and the completed applications due by September 16th. This workshop will guide applicants through the process, with panelists to include past winners.

You’ll hear from Mary Anne Goodman from the Ninety Six Mill Village Association, who successfully applied for a grant to fund a community movie night. You’ll also hear from Coie Switzer and Curtiss Hunter from the Union Environmental Art and Music Festival, who were runners up and received a matching grant—and how they got the support they needed to launch their event a year ahead of schedule.

Thanks to Hughes Investments for their generous support of these community vibrancy initiatives throughout the Upstate!

Come join us Saturday June 29th at 2pm as we celebrate the talents of our local youth. SpotLight Dance Company presents their annual dance Production, “SpotLight SchoolHouse ROCKS!” Performers ages 2 through adult will strut their stuff on the PCPAC stage as they show off the hard work and skills they’ve obtained through their work at SpotLight Dance Co. over the past year. You are sure to experience an afternoon show of delight as you enjoy a variety of great music, colorful costumes, and various genres of dance. The SLDC students and staff will be honored to have you as their guest!

The Pickens County Performing Arts Center and the South Carolina Entertainment Hall of Fame proudly present Bean and Bailey! You may recognize them from America’s Got Talent, Disney Cruises, or Satellite XM Radio!

This show will kickoff our first ever comedy series at the PC PAC! Every first Saturday of the month from August through February we will bring in comedians from throughout the Upstate that will leave you wanting more!

The Bean and Bailey show includes everything from stand-up comedy to musical songs and parodies, all wrapped up in a quirky friendship between Bean (an organized conservative personality) and Bailey (a random free spirit). They discuss all the important things of life, such as Wal-Mart Greeters, American History, Love, Dating, Marriage, Kids, Doughnuts, Michael Jackson, Elvis, and The Bible, just to name a few.

Bean & Bailey believe that Humor is a gift from God that brings people together. Laughter tightens bonds, helps rebuild relationships, and it breaks down barriers so that we can listen.

Showtimes are Friday, July 12 and Saturday, July 13 at 7 PM! Doors open at 6 PM!

The PC PAC  is excited to bring you the Bowling Family and Bowling Sisters on Sunday, September 15 at 4 PM! For all the folks that grieved the loss of the Crabb Family. Give the Bowlings a listen. You won’t be disappointed.

The Bowling Family combines talent, sincerity and experience to create a memorable concert experience.  Their goal for the evening is to usher in the presence of God and celebrate the Christian message.  They feel privileged and honored to enjoy the freedom to honor Christ with any and all of their abilities.

This group has taken radio and Christian music by storm.  They are quickly positioning themselves as the group to watch.  As we grow to love this wonderful meld of Crabb/Bowling music our sense of their purpose is obvious.  These people love great songs, know how to deliver them, and obviously love God and ministry!

Ten at the Top is celebrating 10 years of connecting the Upstate in 2019. As part of the 10th anniversary, TATT is holding community workshops in each of the 10 Upstate counties with each one focused on an issue of interest within that county. The program will include communities, businesses or organizations that are successfully working on that issue in other parts of the Upstate sharing insights and ideas with those interested in that specific issue within the focus county.

The Union County Workshop will take place on July 23rd with the focus being on Cultivating Community Through Entrepreneurship and Messaging. The Union County Workshop is free and open to the public, but advance registration is requested. Dinner will be served from 5:30-6 pm with the program starting at 6:00 p.m..

The “FAME” Radio Show (From 94.5 – The Answer) brings the  South Carolina Country Concert to the Pickens County Performing Arts Center featuring Ashland Craft (“as seen on” NBC’s The Voice), Luke Smith (a hometown favorite), and Parker Ford (23 year old up-and-comer)!

A percentage of all proceeds go to benefit the upstate’s Make-A-Wish Foundation!

Anna Kasprzycka is a Polish carillonist and sound engineer. She is noted for performing world premieres of music by contemporary Polish composers, and is also active in attracting new audiences with mobile carillon performances ranging from tango to kid-friendly events with the circus and puppet theater. She has concertized throughout Poland, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Ireland, Great Britain, France, the United States, Israel, Spain, Ukraine, and Russia, and has recorded for television and CDs. In 2017, Kasprzycka was a Carillon Fellow at Bok Tower Gardens, Florida, pursuing research on the first Polish compositions for carillon, written by Jerzy Bojanowski. She won second prize in the 2014 carillon competition in Saint-Amand-les-Eaux (France), and third prize at the 2013 International Duet Carillon Contest in Zwolle (the Netherlands). She is the recipient of the Erasmus/Socrates Scholarship and cultural scholarships from the Mayor of Gdańsk and the Adam Mickiewicz Institute. She studied carillon in Poland with Gert Oldenbeuving in Gdańsk, and with Carl van Eyndhoven, Geert D'hollander, and Eddy Mariën in Belgium, with additional study in Leuven, Amersfoort, and Middelburg. In 2014, she was the first Polish carillonist to graduate summa cum laude from the Royal Carillon School ‘Jef Denyn’ in Mechelen, Belgium. She has served as editor-in-chief of Carillon News, the journal of the Polish Carillon Society, since 2013.

Come join us November 10 as we say thank you to the men and women who served to protect our freedoms and our home!

The parade will begin from the PC PAC at 3 p.m. on Sunday, November 10. The parade will start from the PC PAC on S Commerce St and continue to S Peachtree Street, turning left onto W Front St, wrap back around on S Commerce St, and conclude back on W Main St at the PC PAC. Following the parade will be A Salute to Veterans show at the PC PAC.

We are asking that all Veterans register for the parade with the VA office by October 31! 

Veterans can reach the Pickens County VA office at (864) 898-5926

Please arrive early and be a part of celebrating our veterans!

This parade and veterans show is free to the public; however, it is not possible without sponsors and donations. Please help us continue this Pickens County tradition in saying thank you to our Veterans! Click the link below to make a donation now!

For information on sponsorships, please contact Roy Costner IV at (864) 898-5027 or by email at rbc@co.pickens.sc.us

Sponsored by Bill Dowler When the Earls of Leicester formed in 2013, their mission was ambitious but exact: to preserve and promote the legacy of bluegrass legends Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs. The Nashville-based six-piece group has won a Grammy and earned six International Bluegrass Music Association Awards. Twisted Pine will serve as the opening performer. Pre-season tickets available to our Donors. Tickets go on sale to general public August 14th @ 1pm

Displaying a rare and delicate mixture of sophisticated composition, harmony and improvisation, fusion-influenced, genre-bending Snarky Puppy makes exploratory jazz, funk and rock. Join this award-winning jam band as it brings its special blend of feel-good tunes to the Brooks Center.

Bring a picnic, enjoy fresh air, and unwind as University Carillonneur Linda Dzuris performs on our 48-bell instrument. You are invited to tour the playing cabin following the performance.

Dress in your festive red, white and blue attire, bring your lawn chairs, your coolers filled with your favorite non-alcoholic beverages and come out and enjoy FREE hot dogs, bottled water, snow cones, face painter, and balloon twister.

Community-wide attendance has increased each year.  We anticipate even more people to join us this year. We have increased the number of items the community can enjoy for free including more than twice as many free hot dogs!  Those attending will be able to enjoy:

• FREE  Fireworks, hot dog, bottled water & snow cones
• FREE  Bouncy houses & water inflatable
• FREE  Face painter, balloon twister and lots of kids activities
• FREE  Live music from Split Shot
• Cornhole tournament (fundraiser for Liberty Rec) & Emma KAPPS Bike Parade
• Plus much more!

A virtuoso trumpeter and composer, Brandon Ridenour's brilliance and self-assurance on the concert stage led to his victory at the 2018 Concert Artists Guild Competition and a thriving career worldwide. Recognized as "...the trumpet of the future" (Chicago Sun Times) and for "demonstrating the trumpet's huge potential for lyricism" (Cleveland Plain Dealer), Ridenour has combined his wide-ranging activities as a soloist and chamber musician with his passion for composing and arranging. His latest project, "Come Together," features his arrangements of Beatles' songs in celebration of the 50th anniversary of this Lennon and McCartney classic.

On their first U.S. tour, the Four Italian Tenors perform the greatest tenor arias and songs of all time in unique arrangements created for American audiences. Hear this new generation of world-class tenors present classic works with panache, verve, and vivacity, all in their own inimitable style. Pre-season tickets available to our Donors. Tickets go on sale to general public August 14th @ 1pm

The Greenville Zoo will host Kelly Thorvalson, a native of Georgetown, SC and the Conservation Programs Manager at the South Carolina Aquarium. Thorvalson will discuss how the South Carolina Aquarium is not only triaging sick and injured sea turtles in the Sea Turtle Care Center but working to mitigate environmental risk factors and help advance sea turtle conservation initiatives in relation to plastic pollution, sea level rise, climate change and sustainable seafood.

*See website for showtimes*

Shasta, a servant boy in the land of Calormen to the south of Narnia, is thrown into the adventure of a life-time when he runs away from his cruel master with the most unlikely companion - a talking horse named Bree! Together, they must brave the burning desert, escape the attacks of lions, and uncover a terrible plot by the evil prince Rabadash to enslave all of Narnia! You will not want to miss this unbelievable production with life-size puppets, beautiful sets, and a captivating story that will keep you breathless as you watch Shasta and Bree journey to Narnia - and the North!

A four-course meal paired with French wines.

Night of Wonders 2019 is a summer spectacle of comedic entertainment by Sparkle City Improv, a curated pop-up shop featuring some of Spartanburg’s best-known female artists and artisans, a costume contest, ice cream bar, and specialty cocktail!

Don your frocks, collars, and ruffles on July 26 2019 to celebrate the weird, wild, wacky, and creative side of Spartanburg! This is a 21 and older event.

Start your countdown to euphoria weekend with the wildly  popular Tapas & Tinis event. Toss on your favorite party attire, grab your dance shoes, and join us July 12th for a night of small plates, courtesy of Chef Tony Schmidt of Performance Food Service, and tasty ‘tinis, complements of Tito’s Handmade Vodka and Larceny Bourbon.

If you pick up a newspaper or tune in to a news channel, a lot of the conversation revolves on who belongs in America. What is our immigration policy? Should we build a wall? Who is allowed to cross our borders? Who is allowed to access services depending on the country you or your parents were born in? In essence, who deserves to be an American?

Join us for our July salon as we discuss these issues.

What happens when you blend traditional honky tonk Country music with old school Rock and Roll? You get a rockabilly show that will blow the roof off the house! This original Centre Stage production will feature the music of Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Patsy Cline, and Johnny Cash & June Carter Cash. Come join in the knee slappin’, toe tappin’ party of the Summer!

Free films are scheduled for Thursday evenings through August 1 at dusk. Free pre-show fun such as inflatables, crafts, games with prizes and dancing begins at 6 p.m.

Seating in the amphitheater is on a first-come, first-served basis for all films.

For the safety of all attending the movies, children 16 and under must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Pets are not permitted