Music, art, theatre, poetry, dance: Resolve to make Downtown Arlington your place for the arts!

Whether your list of New Year's resolutions is a mile-long or non-existent, we can all agree that 2023 is filled with possibilities! Here in Downtown Arlington, we find constant inspiration by frequenting places where creativity flows, especially our cultural arts destinations. Join us, and fill your year with art from the heart of our City.
   

Downtown Arlington Spring 2023 Arts + Culture Preview

     
Advancing the Dream: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebrations   

After a long COVID-hiatus, the City's annual four-day celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. returns to Arlington on January 13-16, 2023. Several activities take place in Downtown, including the MLK Advancing the Dream Gala and the MLK Poetry Meets Jazz event.
      

Music

The Arlington Music Hall already has a jam-packed concert schedule for 2023 featuring both legends and rising stars of country, rock, pop, comedy, and R&B. Just within the next few weeks, you can see Ronnie Milsap, Air Supply, Pure Prairie League, Sawyer Brown, The Gatlin Brothers, and a free screening of Monty Python and the Holy Grail (the movie night is presented by Coble Cravens in partnership with Downtown Arlington).

AMH is also home to the celebrated Symphony Arlington, whose stirring 2022-23 season of classical music is sure to inspire you. Their next performance is coming up on January 19 and features Iona Batchelder on cello with guest conductor Pascual Osa.
  

The UT Arlington Department of Music boasts its own ambitious semester of classical, jazz, choir, and contemporary music performances by its world-class faculty, guest musicians, and talented students. Our top pick: the annual UTA Jazz Concert coming up later this Spring.

Sometimes you can also catch UTA music professors gigging with the American Jazz Composers Orchestra at the Grease Monkey Burger Shop and Social Club. J. Gilligan’s, The Tipsy Oak, Growl, Division Brewing, and other Downtown establishments host musical acts and open mic nights throughout the year, too.

While the stage at the Levitt Pavilion, Downtown's favorite outdoor performance venue, is currently dark, be sure to follow them on social media for information about their upcoming music season and year-round special events. 
      

Theatre

Between the professional ensembles at Theatre Arlington and UTA’s outstanding Maverick Theatre Company, you’ll be humming your favorite tunes and reciting your favorite lines all year long! Theatre Arlington recently announced their 2023 season, and we're especially excited for their next three productions: Gypsy, Noises Off, and On Golden Pond. Up the street at the UTA Mainstage Theatre, you won't want to miss the Maverick Theatre Company's Spring 2023 productions of Romeo and Juliet and Sweeny Todd.   
   

Visual Arts

Now through February 12 at the Arlington Museum of Art is A Knight's Tale, an incredible exhibition of authentic European armor, arms, and art ranging from the 1400-1800s. Once the exhibition closes, it will return to its home at the Stibbert Museum in Florence, Italy. Following A Knight's Tale, the AMA will once again partner with AISD to present the popular Youth Art Month show.

Just down Main Street from the museum is Create Arlington, a coworking and very active gallery space for local artists. Be sure to check out their busy programming and exhibition schedule, including The Lone Star Sings: Portraits of Texas Musicians which opens January 14. Create Arlington is also currently accepting artist applications for its 7th annual West Main Arts Fest, which is scheduled for May 6.

And have you heard the news? Catalyst Creative Arts teaching studio and gallery is moving to Main Street on February 1, creating even more opportunities for artists to come together.

Visual arts abound at UT Arlington, including a world-class glass art program that hosts a large show and sale every Spring (exact date coming soon). In the meantime, at The Gallery at UTA, a new exhibition entitled Bridges III: Selections from Art Bridges Foundation will open on January 23.
   

Dance

Located in the heart of Downtown, Miss Persis Studio of Dance and Performing Arts has been providing a variety of dance classes and performance opportunities for all ages and experience levels since 1954. At UT Arlington, the Maverick Dance Company invites you to experience Dance in Flux on April 28.


Lectures

A Tier One research university, UT Arlington is a magnet for creative thinkers, inventors and change-makers. Throughout the academic year, the University presents a wide variety of thought-provoking lectures and public talks, including Maverick Speaker Series headliners. On March 21, the Series presents Indra Nooyi.

Visit the UTA calendar of events for more information about other public events.
   

Sports

Downtown Arlington isn't just home to visual and performing arts. You can also catch some serious action courtside at UT Arlington College Park Center where it’s nothing but net for our hometown UTA Mavericks and the WNBA’s Dallas Wings! Maverick basketball is already in full swing, so get your single-game tickets today.

One-stop entertainment guide

Don’t miss out on anything that our cultural partners have to offer! Subscribe to our e-newsletter for the latest in events, performances and entertainment in Downtown Arlington. Planning ahead? Visit our online calendar of events and follow us on all things social: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram.

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