Arts & Events

Arts and Culture

Savoir faire in our own fair city! Residents of Lawrenceburg and the surrounding community don't have to travel to large cities to enjoy cultural events; these can be found right here at home!

Many community organizations in Lawrenceburg are working to bring residents and tourists cultural events to enjoy - all family-friendly - and to encourage development of Arts & Culture in the community. Lawrenceburg's Creative Arts Center is located next to the historic Crockett Theatre, just off the square in downtown Lawrenceburg.

Lawrenceburg's art deco Crockett Theatre was built in 1950, complete with a custom-laid terrazzo lobby floor, and is one of the few theatres from this era still operating in the United States. It is listed on the National Historic Registry and has been lovingly refurbished by the Crockett Theatre Board.

Groups such as The Singing Carter Family with Mother Maybelle and the Carter girls have graced its stage. Reel-to-reel features such as Gone with the Wind, Smokey and the Bandit, and Elvis movies have entertained full houses. Many a child growing up in Lawrenceburg fondly remembers being on stage at the Theatre for dance recitals, band competitions, and other community events. Today, the stage is named to honor the work of Emmy Award-winning actor Michael Jeter, a native of Lawrenceburg, TN. It is actively used by for performances and conferences.

Come to historic downtown Lawrenceburg to enjoy your choice of arts and events, then browse the Square for antique shops, stores, and restaurants that you won't find anywhere else!
Note: Both the Crockett Theatre and the Creative Arts Center may be reserved for special events and receptions*.

Special Events

Community Theatre - Lawrenceburg has an active and talented Community Theatre Board that produces plays throughout the year, including a Christmas play.

Liberty Festival - Each year, the community salutes a different state from the Southeast during its Liberty Festival, leading up to the Fourth of July. This festival offers many activities for children and families - games, stage performances, teas, a parade, and much more. The big finale is a fireworks event at Lawrence County High School's football field. The City of Lawrenceburg is pleased to co-sponsor this exciting annual community event.

An Art Affair - MainStreet sponsors an annual arts event on the Lawrenceburg Square. Features include sculpture, painting, pottery, hands-on children's projects, plus musicians, dancers, puppeteers, mimes, and other attractions. The museums are open for public tours on that day, also. This is fun for family members of all ages.

James D. Vaughan Southern Gospel Festival - Lawrenceburg is the birthplace of Southern Gospel music and home of the famous James D. Vaughan School of Music. The Southern Gospel Festival, sponsored by Lawrenceburg's MainStreet organization, is held annually in the Crockett Theatre and attracts visitors from across the South. The Festival features Lawrenceburg's own ambassadors of Southern Gospel music, The Kellys!

The Heritage Festival - MainStreet features a Heritage Festival each year on and around the Square to celebrate the rich heritage of this southern community. Children dress up in David Crockett-era costumes for a parade, and there are food booths and special events galore.

Christmas Pops - Singers and musicians from across the community present a free Christmas Pops concert each December to a full house in the Theatre. Often accompanied by a special instrumental group, this event is an inspiring way to start your holiday celebration. This event is co-sponsored by SunTrust Bank and Parkes Lumber Company.

Trees of Christmas - Each December, the Beautification Board transforms the Creative Arts Center into a Winter Wonderland for the holiday season! You might see a Sugar Plum tree, a Santa Baby tree, or even a Cowboy's Christmas tree on display. As you stroll amongst the snow and lights, you'll have a chance to bid on the tree of your choice, with proceeds going to community beautification projects.
 

Current Schedule

Monday, March 16 - Thursday, April 10 - The Bell Art Exhibit will be presented at the Crockett Arts Center. Hours are 9:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. (closed during lunch hour).

Saturday, April 5, and Saturday, June 7 - TVJ Country Music Shows at the Crockett Theatre. Evenings of good music and fun!

Saturday evening, April 12 - The second annual Rockabilly Legends Show, featuring Carl Mann, Rayburn Anthony, and Ronnie Allen, will be presented at the Historic Crockett Theatre at 7:00 P.M. Call 256/335-6495 for ticket information.

Friday-Saturday, April 18-19 - Community-wide Yard Sale Weekend at Bobby Brewer Park. To reserve a space, call 931/762-7617 or email abmorrow@bellsouth.net.

Saturday, April 19 - "Do Dah Days" Spring Flea Market on the Square. To reserve a space, call 931/762-7617 or email abmorrow@bellsouth.net. Leonard Lemay (LCHS class of 1955) and Jon Evans (LCHS Class of 1987) will have booths at the Flea Market to raise funds for the LCHS Centennial; the current LCHS Big Kahuna will also have a Dunking Booth on the Square that day, featuring Mayor Durham!

Also in April - Second Annual Doggy Beauty Pageant and Doggy Parade. Call 931/762-7617 for more information.

Saturday, April 19 - Dinner/Dance at the WLX Country Café sponsored by Ben Luna, representing LCHS Class of 2004. The dance will be held from 6:00 - 10:00 P.M. Tickets are $12.50 single, $25.00 per couple. The great WLX Country Café Band will perform. Funds are being raised for the LCHS Centennial.

Sunday, April 20 - The Annual Marguerite Rose Burton Art Show will begin with an afternoon reception at the Crockett Arts Center, with an artist meet and greet. The show will be open to the public from Monday, April 21 - Friday, May 2, 9:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. (closed during lunch hour). For details, call Emily Land at 762-2512.

Saturday, April 26th - "Swing Into Spring" Annual Band Concert at 7:00 P.M. at the Crockett Theatre. For ticket information, please call 931/762-7617.

Coming in May - "Bagels and Barbeque" - the Jewish Experience in Tennessee - will be featured at the Arts Center. The exhibit is on loan from the Tennessee State Museum.

Saturday, May 3 - The classic movie "The Great Gatsby" will be presented as part of the community-wide "The Big Read" program, at 2:00 P.M. at the Historic Crockett Theatre. For more information, please call the Lawrence County Public Library at 762-4627.
Later that evening, WLX Radio will host "The Chuck Wagon Gang" at the Theatre. The box office will open at 5:00 P.M.; the show will begin at 7:00 P.M. Tickets: $10.00 general admission, $15.00 reserved seats, may be purchased in advance at the Christian Book Store on the Square or WLX Radio Station on Highway 43 in Lawrenceburg. For more information, please call Harold Timmins at 615/885-8000.

Saturday, May 17 - The Art of Dance annual dance recital at the Crockett Theatre. Please call 931/309-0159 for times and ticket information.

Early June - "Big Kahuna Duck Race" is planned by Jerry Jaco (LCHS Class of 1965) as a fund-raiser for the LCHS Centennial. Larry Gobble (Class of 1972) will hold a raffle and a roadblock to raise funds for his candidacy for Big Kahuna of the Century.

June 2 - 5 - The Southeast Law Enforcement Training Seminar at the Crockett Theatre, featuring world-renowned criminal investigator Dr. Henry Lee.

Saturday, June 21 - The Garland-Wideman Memorial Scholarship will present a Free Gospel Concert at the Crockett Theatre at 6:00 P.M. The concert will feature the remaining members of the Speer Family, including Ben Speer, Mary Tom Speer, Rosa Nell Speer, and Faye Speer. Doors will open at 5:15 P.M. Admission is free, but a love offering will be accepted. All profits will be used to give college scholarships to Lawrence County students. Applications will be available the night of the concert. For more information, please call 762-7617.

June 29 - July 6 - Lawrence County High School Centennial Celebration - celebrating 100 years of excellence in education. For ticket information, please call 762-7617 or email abmorrow@bellsouth.net.  Tickets are now on sale.

Sunday, June 29 - Miss Annie Mary's Tea Party at Coleman Church at 2:00 P.M.

Thursday, July 3 - Alumni Reception at LCHS, time to be announced. A Promenade will be held at 7:00 P.M. At 8:00 P.M., an all-school "Second Chance" Prom & Debutante Ball will be held at the LCHS gymnasium.

Friday, July 4 - LCHS Centennial on the Square, with music, food, and other vendors throughout the day. The Lawrenceburg Lions Club will have a fish fry at the Lawrenceburg City Administration Building Auditorium, beginning at 11:00 A.M., with profits funding local Lions' eyesight projects. An LCHS Pep Rally & Tailgate on the Square will be held from 3:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M. The LCHS Alumni Centennial Parade will be held at 5:00 P.M. At 6:00 P.M., Llibertyfest's Salute to LCHS will be held at the LCHS Football Stadium. Activities will include Old-Timers vs. LCHS All-Star Baseball Game, music, food vendors, special guests, presentation of the LCHS Time Capsule, and the fireworks display at 9:00 P.M.

Saturday, July 5 - Libertyfest on the Square begins at 9:00 A.M. Music, food, and other vendors will be featured throughout the day. "Mrs. Mary Willis' Home Ec Class" Cooking Contest will be held at 12:00 Noon at the Crockett Arts Center. At 7:00 P.M., the Alumni Banquet/Big Kahuna Luau will be held at 7:00 P.M. in the LCHS Cafeteria. At 8:30 P.M., the Band Concert & Street Dance will be held on the Square.

Sunday, July 6 - The LCHS Centennial Church Service will be held at 6:00 P.M. The location is yet to be announced.

Saturday-Sunday, July 5-6; Friday-Saturday, July 11,12,18,19 – “Bye Bye Birdie” performances at the Crockett Theatre. July 5-6 matinee performances are at 2:00 P.M. All other performances are at 7:30P.M. Tickets are $10. See www.lawrenceburgcommunitytheatre.org for more information.

Friday and Saturday, July 25 -26 - The annual James D. Vaughan Concert, featuring several renowned southern gospel music artists, will be held at the Crockett Theatre. The Lawrenceburg Community Theatre will present "Bye Bye Birdie" as a 2:00 P.M. matinee at the Crockett Theatre.

For a community-wide calendar of events, please visit the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce web site.

Directions

Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, is located south of Nashville and Columbia, TN, and north of Florence, AL. Take Highway 43 or Highway 64 to Lawrenceburg. The Square is located two blocks west of the intersection of Highway 43 (N. Locust Avenue) and Highway 64 (W. Gaines Street). Turn right onto North Military.  The Crockett Theatre and the Creative Arts Center will be on your left, in the first block.

Contact Information

City Hall - 931/762-4459
Chamber of Commerce - 931/762-4911
Crockett Theatre Board - Wanda Maib - 931/762-6816 MainStreet - Jayne Shaw - 931/629-1216

*The Crockett Theatre may be reserved for events and performances. The cost is $500 per day ($300 for non-profit organizations)Please contact Anne Morrow for more information.
 

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