Dixon’s Violin Live
The world’s premier visionary violinist, Dixon’s life mission is to inspire people – and he has done so at over 1,000 concerts across North America, including giving five TED talks/performances, over ten years at Burning Man and Electric Forest, plus radio, TV, and film appearances. A former technology leader and symphony violinist, Dixon walked away […]
ALL NASHVILLE ROADSHOW: SIMPSONVILLE, SC
Join us on Saturday , February 21, as the All-Nashville Roadshow brings the best of Music City to Simpsonville, South Carolina, for an unforgettable afternoon at Gracely Park—A spacious community park with open green lawns, shaded walking paths, and plenty of room to spread out and relax, Gracely Park offers the perfect setting for live […]
“The Nutcracker” Returns
Cornerstone Ballet brings timeless classic back to Arts Center stage for a third run
Cornerstone Ballet dance studio will perform for the third year in a row the timeless classic “The Nutcracker” in December on the Simpsonville Arts Center stage. With shows scheduled on Dec. 12 at 6:30 p.m. and Dec. 13 at 11 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., tickets for “The Nutcracker” will go on sale Oct. 18. Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for children ages 3 and up and free for children ages 2 and under sitting on laps.
Cornerstone Ballet first performed “The Nutcracker” at the Arts Center in December 2023, succeeded by a sophomore production in December 2024. Just a few tickets shy of completely sold out for all three shows last year, “The Nutcracker” is quickly becoming a staple of the holidays in the Simpsonville community.
Tickets can be purchased starting Oct. 18 at the following link:
tickets
. For more information about Cornerstone Ballet, visit
www.cornerstoneballetsc.com
.
Cornerstone Ballet brought “The Nutcracker” back to the Simpsonville Arts Center stage for a sophomore production in 2024 after an impressive and overwhelmingly positive debut in 2023. Tickets for the three showings of “The Nutcracker” in December will go on sale Oct. 18th.
New Studio Tenant, Lindsay of Camp Craft
Camp Craft is ‘a nature-inspired creative studio where artists of every age are encouraged to explore their creativity, build confidence, and connect with their community’
Welcome our newest Arts Center studio tenant, Lindsay, Upstate crafter and founder of Camp Craft, a nature-inspired creative studio where artists of every age are encouraged to explore their creativity, build confidence, and connect with their community. Located a short walk from beautiful Gracely Park in downtown Simpsonville, Camp Craft offers classes ranging from sensory-friendly experiences and kindergarten readiness crafts to seasonal projects and nature-themed classes. Every session is designed to be hands-on, welcoming, and fun.
Camp Craft was founded by Lindsay, an Upstate local and lifelong crafter with a passion for helping others express themselves. With a background in customer service and event planning, as well as training in neurodivergence, Lindsay brings both professional skills and years of artistic experience to create an approach that’s inclusive and intentional. Come get your hands messy and let your imagination run wild.
Arts Center wins award
Simpsonville Arts Center wins A-List Award for Event Venues & Services
We are proud to celebrate the Simpsonville Arts Center for being honored with the
2025 A-List Award
! This recognition is a testament to the dedication and passion that continues to drive our community’s cultural and artistic excellence.
Pictured left to right:
Chad Foster – Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation
Sherry Roche – Council Member
Lisa Everidge – Cultural Arts & Events Director
Kaci Magyar – Simpsonville Chamber
Justin Campbell – Community Relations Specialist
Tee Coker – City Administrator
Color | The Smiles of Nature
Art exhibit “Color | The Smiles of Nature” runs Sept. 16 – Nov. 10
An exhibition of fine art by Cameron Keriazakos will be held Sept. 16 – Nov. 10 in the Arts Center Lobby Art Gallery at 110 Academy St. The title of the show is “Color | The Smile of Nature.”
Harmony at Five Forks Memory Care
“Such a sweet group from Harmony at Five Forks Memory Care came by to visit and see the Art Exhibit today! I had the best time with them!” -Lisa Everidge, Cultural Arts & Events Director
Clark Nesbitt receives Founders Award from SC Children’s Theatre
Congratulations to Clark Nesbitt of
Clark Nesbitt’s No Dreams Deferred
for the significant honor of receiving the Founders Award at the South Carolina Children’s Theatre gala on June 7. The Founders Award is the most prestigious honor the South Carolina Theatre Association can bestow, and it recognizes the individual or organization that has demonstrated a sustained investment with long-standing service to and promotion of theatre in South Carolina.
The Simpsonville Arts Center is proud to host Clark Nesbitt and
Clark Nesbitt’s No Dreams Deferred
on our stage!
“Observations of Nature” Art Exhibit Closing Reception
Lu Wixon’s art exhibit runs through May 31, closing reception May 22
Artist Lu Wixon’s art exhibition “Observations of Nature” will have a closing reception in the Lobby Art Gallery at the Simpsonville Arts Center May 22 at 5:30-8 p.m. Members of the public can meet the artist, enjoy light refreshments and take in the 28 pieces of art on display. Wixon’s exhibit runs through May 29. For more information about Wixon, visit
luwixon.com
.
The Color Purple: The Musical
Clark Nesbitt’s No Dreams Deferred brings Tony Award-winning musical adaptation of Alice Walker’s classic to Simpsonville
(As featured in the
City of Simpsonville E-newsletter: Spring 2025 edition
)
Simpsonville, S.C. —
Two years after the movie adaptation of The Color Purple: The Musical starring Simpsonville native Danielle Brooks hit theaters, the musical itself is coming to the Simpsonville Arts Center by way of Clark Nesbitt’s No Dreams Deferred Productions.
On June 13 and June 14 at 7 p.m. and June 15 at 4 p.m., No Dreams Deferred will perform on the Arts Center stage The Color Purple: The Musical, which won a Tony Award for Best Musical Revival in 2016 and a Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album in 2017. Based on Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel and the Academy Award-nominated motion picture, The Color Purple: The Musical is a powerful story of resilience and self-discovery, following Celie as she overcomes abuse and hardship in the early 1900s American South. With a soaring score of gospel, jazz and blues, the musical celebrates hope, healing and the strength of the human spirit.
Nesbitt, the director, said the story of The Color Purple is about love.
“More importantly, it’s about the love that countless Black women have shared and given throughout their lives; Black women who have survived against all odds and did it with grace and determination.”
As a native of the South, Nesbitt grew up knowing women (and men) whom he saw every day in church, school, the community and his home and who have stories very similar to those of the characters in The Color Purple. The themes that emerge from the musical are themes that Nesbitt saw in actual people: tradition, culture, strength and resiliency.
“My parents and my grandparents were of this era,” Nesbitt explained. “So, I guess my approach is to tell the story of the people I knew and know, my people. Through their eyes, I’ve lived this story vicariously. Having this knowledge allows me to share firsthand experiences and other stories that must be told. Telling the stories of my people is a passion for me.”
Nesbitt has led No Dreams Deferred in several productions since making the Arts Center their main stage in 2023, including God’s Trombones, Crowns: The Musical and A Raisin in the Sun. This upcoming production of The Color Purple: The Musical in June continues the trend of telling the stories of Black Americans, stories with both themes that are specific to the experiences of people of color and themes that are universal.
“Having No Dreams Deferred as a part of Simpsonville means that the community has access to quality affordable theater and a thriving arts scene,” Nesbitt said. “What better production or story illustrates that than The Color Purple, a staple of American literature but also the American and human experience.”
For members of the public who have never seen A No Dreams Deferred Production or are even unfamiliar with The Color Purple: The Musical, they can expect to see “some of the best talent in the Upstate,” Nesbitt proudly said. Represented towns and cities are Anderson, Belton, Greenville, Greer, Spartanburg and of course Simpsonville.
“You’ll cry, you’ll sing, but best of all, you’ll leave feeling uplifted and filled with love!” Nesbitt said. “Afterall, it’s The Color Purple.”
Indeed it is, Mr. Nesbitt. Visit
nodreamsdeferred.ludus.com
for tickets and more information about Nesbitt’s theater group.