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Downtown Sumter's landmark is the historic
Sumter Opera House, with
Another exciting area attraction is the Poinsett Bombing Range, the only USAF range that is open to the public. Many of our cultural venues offer fantastic volunteer oppportunities for talented newcomers. From regional favorites with a local flavor to avantgarde "happenings" that draw visitors from across the nation, if it's happening in the arts, it's happening in Sumter! |
Whatever
your taste in live entertainment, Sumter abounds in opportunities
to delight your eyes and ears! Splendid venues, a wealth of dance
and theatre talent, lively community music groups and an exploding
visual arts scene make Sumter the place to explore the arts "in
the middle of everything." From the beautifully restored century-old
Sumter Opera House (listed in the National Register of Historic
Places) to the cutting-edge modern Sumter Gallery of Art, opened
in 2003, our cultural venues encompass a range of places to entertain,
educate and enlighten patrons of the arts. Sumter boasts an incredibly
diverse range in the visual and performing arts!
The Sumter@Six summer outdoor concert series
features beach and variety music in a family-friendly atmosphere,
and the Outdoor Family Film Series is another opportunity to
pull up a chair and enjoy outdoor fun.
For
the serious music lover, elegant Patriot Hall, the crown jewel
of the historic district, hosts performances by the acclaimed Sumter
Community Concert Band and the Sumter Civic Chorale. The Sumter-Shaw
Community Concert Association brings the finest in big-band, orchestral
and show music. Patriot Hall is also home to annual recitals by
Sumter's local dance companies and others, and includes an ever
more exciting lineup of events featuring contemporary dance, world
music and more.
Adjoining Patriot Hall in the Sumter County Cultural
Center is the Sumter Gallery of Art, with changing exhibits of
locally, nationally and internationally renowned artists. Also
located at the Gallery are a gift shop with unique artworks for
sale, and classrooms where budding artists of all ages explore
self-expression through a variety of media.
The
Sumter Little Theatre is an exceptionally vibrant community theatre
group dedicated to providing "quality entertainment in a friendly
atmosphere." The annual season features favorites from the classics
to side-splitting comedy to powerful drama.
its
breathtaking Art Deco interior and a beautifully restored Richardson-Romanesque
facade dating from 1894. The Opera House offers a superb venue
for concerts and stage performances that embrace all genres of
stage shows, from bluegrass jams to poetry "slams," with modern
dance, comedy, opera and chamber music along the way. The Opera
House is also the center of the annual Accessibility Project,
a major event showcasing the work of installation artists from
across the state and around the world.
Blending
the best of old and new is the Sumter County Museum, an early 20th-century
mansion that is home to permanent and revolving exhibits and the
Carolina Backcountry, a re-created 18th-century homestead that
hearkens back to the earliest days of Sumter County. The Heritage
Education Center and Historical and Genealogical Research Center
round out the museum's many facilities. The annual Scottish Country
Fair celebrates the area's Scots-Irish roots.| Information Updates – webmaster |