Upcoming Events
The Winter Concert Series – THIS SPRING!
The Winter Concert Series is BACK! Due to the rather extreme Winter Weather this year, we’ve had to start a little later!
First up at the Historic 1908 Courthouse is the return of WILD MOUNTAIN MAGIC with the incomparable vocals of Sue Revels and the virtuoso piano stylings of Lee Bartley on Sunday, April 19th at 3pm at the Historic 1908 Courthouse in Independence. . Join us for a cornucopia of music genres – Jazz, Broadway, Pop, and beyond! Please note, this is an extended performance, approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Our second Winter Concert will feature the Classic Piano with our very own Cynthia Flanagan on Sunday, May 3rd at 3pm at the Historic 1908 Courthouse in Independence.
Cynthia Flanagan is a pianist and independent piano teacher in Hillsville, Virginia where she maintains a private piano studio, teaching students of all ages in group and individual lessons and is serving as the pianist for the Highland Camerata. She holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in music and nursing and is certified in injury-preventive keyboard technique.
As always, all concerts are free of charge with donations gratefully accepted. There will be a reception after each performance for the audience to meet the artists!
Hometown Artistry with Patrick Butler & David Beach
HOMETOWN ARTISTRY ON STAGE at THE REX
HOMETOWN ARTISTRY is an evening of one act plays written by our very own Patrick Butler and David Beach. First up is “Precipice” written and performed by Patrick Butler and directed by David Beach. In “Precipice”, love, memory, and grief have come to the edge of — everything. As the story of Melvin and his longtime marriage unfolds, told with wry humor, tenderness, and vulnerability, we see a man navigating the vast territory of love, aging, loss, and what it means to stand on the brink of the unknown — still reaching for the sun. Act two features David Beach’s new one-man play, “Lost & Found in Pulaski” which is a memoir of sorts (the names have been changed to protect the innocent and the guilty!). “Lost & Found in Pulaski” is a wise and charming tale of transformation in rural Virginia wherein the main character “lost the city and what he found wasn’t what he lost. After leaving the city behind, Russell finds himself in rural Pulaski, Virginia, trying to put down roots with his straight best friend, two eccentric Mormon neighbors, and a porch view offering strange comfort. Through memory, wit, and quiet revelation, ‘Lost and Found in Pulaski” explores queer belonging in unexpected places. The plays will be performed at the Rex Theatre in Galax, Saturday, May 23 at 7pm & Sunday, May 24 at 2pm.
Tickets will go on sale on our Box Office page starting on May 1st!
LOST AND FOUND IN PULASKI by David Beach
LOST AND FOUND IN PULASKI by David Beach
February 28th and March 1st
The Arts Council of the Twin Counties is thrilled to announce two performances of the new play written and performed by Radford University’s professor, David Beach. This exciting, one-man play, “Lost and Found in Pulaski” will be performed on Saturday, February 28th at 7pm at the Galax Public Library Conference Room and Sunday, March 1st at 2pm at the Historic 1908 Courthouse in Independence. Admission to all performances is by donation. In “Lost and Found in Pulaski,” Russell finds he lost the city. What he found wasn’t what he lost. After leaving the city behind, Russell finds himself in rural Pulaski, Virginia, trying to put down roots with his straight best friend, two eccentric Mormon neighbors, and a porch view offering strange comfort. Through memory, wit, and quiet revelation, “Lost and Found in Pulaski” explores queer belonging in unexpected places. “Lost and Found in Pulaski” has been chosen by the Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC) for inclusion in their Fringe Festival 2026 which highlights original works by regional playwrights. David Beach’s play “Mothers & Terrorist” was featured in SETC’s 2023 Fringe Festival. Previously with the Arts Council, David appeared in “Our Town” and has directed “Red,” “Andy Warhol’s Tomato,” and “Art” throughout the Twin Counties.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL – The Radio Play
Everything you love about the classic tale by Charles Dickens only set as a RADIO PLAY! This amazing adaptation by Anthony Palermo features all of Dickens’ beloved characters condensed into a 60-minute production. Actors play multiple roles and sound effects are performed live and in front of the audience.
Auditions are Monday, October 27th at 6pm, at the Arts Council offices in Galax (608 West Stuart Drive) and Tuesday, October 28th at 6pm at the Historic 1908 Courthouse in Independence.
UPDATE – Performances will be December 6th at 3pm at the Rex Theatre in Galax, December 13th at 2pm at the Hillsville CHRISTIAN CHURCH FELLOWSHIP HALL (120 Edgewood Drive across from the Carroll County Middle School on Main Street), and December 14th at 2pm at the Historic 1908 Courthouse in Independence. Admission to all performances will be by donation.
For more information, please contact the Arts Council at 276-238-1217 or email us at info@artsculturalcounil.org.
CRIMES OF THE HEART by Beth Henley
CRIMES OF THE HEART, a Pulitzer Prize-winning play is coming to the Twin Counties! Written by Beth Henley, the play will be directed by Patrick Butler and performed at the Historic 1908 Courthouse in Independence on October 17-19 and 24-26. Friday & Saturday performances are at 7pm & Sunday performances are at 2pm. Performance tickets are $15 for Adults and $12 for Seniors and Students. There is a Special Pre-Show Reception & Performance Package with Pulitzer Prize-Winning Playwright, Beth Henley on Friday, October 17 from 5pm – 6:15pm at the 1908 Courthouse – $25/person. Visit our Box Office page to purchase your tickets online.
CRIMES OF THE HEART tells the story of three sisters who have gathered in their small Mississippi hometown awaiting news of their grandfather who is dying in a local hospital: Lenny, unmarried, Meg, a failed singer and Babe, on bail having shot her husband. Their troubles, which are grave yet somehow hilarious, are highlighted by their cousin Chick, Doc Porter and Babe’s lawyer who is trying to keep her out of jail while waging a personal vendetta against her husband. But the play ends on a joyful note with the three sisters re-united celebrating Lenny’s birthday. It would be a CRIME if you missed this show!
A GARDEN PARTY WITH A TWIST
A GARDEN PARTY WITH A TWIST – August 17, 2025
The spectacular “Garden Party With A Twist” returns to Dream Rock Silo & Suites in Independence on Sunday, August 17th (2pm – 4pm). You are invited to an informal, country-chic garden party featuring live music, delicious appetizers, and sweet treats. Guests will be able to tour the Dream Rock gardens throughout the afternoon and have the opportunity to take their chances on several fun raffles! The afternoon is hosted by Arts Council Board Members with the gracious support of Karen and Bill Simpson. Karen and Bill are the owners Dream Rock Silo & Suites, an idyllic get-away located in the heart of Grayson County. Tickets for the Arts Council’s “Garden Party with a Twist” are $25/person – gentlemen and ladies are both welcome! To RSVP, please call The Arts Council at 276-238-1217. Cash, Checks and Credit Cards will be accepted at the door.
STORIES OF THE STITCH 2025
STORIES OF THE STITCH 2025
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6th from 11am to 3pm
This year’s festivities will showcase a wide variety of disciplines within the world of traditional fiber arts. Live demonstrations include quilting, weaving, spinning, and felting along with celebrating the Matthews LHFM Heritage Day! Admission to the day’s activities is free, though donations are gratefully accepted. In addition to the celebrated judged Quilt Show, we’ll have local musicians, arts & craft vendors, food & drinks, and entertainment for the whole family.
Admission to the day’s activities is free, though donations are gratefully accepted. In addition to the celebrated judged Quilt Show, we’ll have local musicians, arts & craft vendors, food & drinks, and entertainment for the whole family.
Quilters are welcome to enter their creations the day of the event in the following categories: Hand-Pieced & Hand-Quilted, Half & Half (Hand & Machine Worked), Machine-Pieced & Machine-Quilted, Appliquéd (Hand or Machine), Foundation Paper Piecing, Other (art, clothing, pillows, etc.), Classic Quilts (created before 1940), Youth (for quilters under 20), Best Story or ‘Quilt Tale’, People’s Choice. Quilts may be offered for sale. Quilts should not be mass-produced, manufactured or store-bought. We do ask that winning quilts from previous Stories of the Stitch shows not be entered.
Each quilt may be accompanied by a story or “quilt tale” (optional). The story should be pinned to the quilt front, but not reveal your name and should be typed if possible. Stories may be about the history of the quilt, the pattern, the personal significance of the quilt, the quilt-maker, or a tall tale. A ribbon will be awarded for the best story.
There is no limit on how many quilts a family may pre-enter, as long as there is a person to hang each quilt before 11:00am. Quilts must remain hanging until 3:00pm, weather permitting. Bring enough clothes pins to secure the quilt to the line and remember to pin your name to the back of each quilt. Quilters are reminded that this is an outdoor event. The Arts Council & Matthews Farm are not responsible for damage by mother nature or her creatures. If rain is imminent the judging will conclude in the pavilion.
Directions to Stories of the Stitch/Matthews Farm from Galax: take US 58 West toward Independence. Turn left onto Meadow Creek Road (1/2 mile after the blinking light at W. Stuart Drive). Continue on Meadow Creek Road 1.5 miles & turn right onto White Pine Road. The Farm is .3 miles on your right.
The Arts & Cultural Council of the Twin Counties is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the arts throughout the Twin Counties. The Arts Council is funded in part by area individuals and businesses, local municipalities, The Twin County Community Foundation, the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. For more information call the office at 276-238-1217.
2025 SOTS Entry Forms – Download your quilt entry forms here! 2025 SOTS Entry Forms