The Varsity Center
Description
A historic venue for performing and visual arts, music, entertainment and community events in downtown Carbondale, Illinois. The Varsity Center stands in the center of downtown Carbondale, midway between the Carbondale City Hall and the campus of Southern Illinois University at 418 S. Illinois Ave. The building is Art Modern design and was built in 1940..
The multi-purpose venue has undergone partial renovation. It currently provides a 150-seat live performance theater; complete with scene shop and dressing rooms; a gallery/bar/kitchenette and space for meetings, gatherings and receptions; a beautifully restored lobby; additional corridor exhibit space. Renovation on the Balcony Theater is almost complete. This space will seat 142 people and offer an intimate, live performance atmosphere with state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems. The gallery/bar area is also being updated.
The Varsity Center for the Arts was created in 2008, after the building was donated to the community by the Kerasotes movie theater company. Early in 2008, through the efforts of Carbondale Mayor Brad Cole, the title to the property was transferred to The Stage Company from Kerasotes. In 2009, it was transferred from The Stage Company to the independently incorporated Board of Directors of The Varsity Center for the Arts and received its federal tax status as a not-for-profit organization. The current Board of Directors consists of 15 members: five representing The Stage Company and 10 from the community.
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RECENT FACEBOOK POSTS
facebook.comTune your radio to WDBX Community Radio for Southern Illinois 91.1fm to hear an interview with Jennifer at 9 pm tonight on Under the Skirt Radio Show. You can still grab advance tickets for Friday's show at thevarsitycenter.eventbrite.com!
Three days and counting until Jennifer takes the Balcony Stage. We've got a ticket prize package to give away, visit our Facebook page to see how to win!
Contest time! Who wants to win 2 tickets to Jennifer Hall at The Varsity Center this Friday at 7:30 pm + a digital record? Like, share, or comment on this post and be entered to win! Each action is another entry! One winner will be randomly selected at 4:30 pm on Thursday, Aug 3. Can't wait for tickets? Get them now at thevarsitycenter.eventbrite.com.
Peter Gregory and Dennis Piercy took advantage of the cooler temps today to grout the stone facade outside the building. With lots of shows on our schedule and the Eclipse Weekend approaching we've got our work cut out for us!
Join us at 7:30 pm on Friday, August 4 for this unique and engaging performance on the Balcony Stage. Tickets on sale at the door or in advance at jenniferhall.eventbrite.com.
Tomorrow night! Showtime at 7:30 pm, doors and bar open at 6:45.
Join Fiddle Rick Johnson and the Bourbon Boys for a night of zydeco and cajun on the Balcony Stage. Tickets are $7, available online at thevarsitycenter.eventbrite.com and at the door. Showtime is at 7:30 PM, doors and bar open at 6:45. Beer, wine, and select cocktails available.
Where's Kevin!? Can you tell where in Southern Illinois Kevin Lucas is today? **Drop your guess in the comments and enter to win a Kevin Lucas CD + two tickets to An Evening of Film and Music this Saturday on the Balcony Stage!** Kevin is hanging out with Grant Malloy Smith, who is currently #2 of the Billboard Americana charts! 😯 What a great picture! Be sure to check out the show, this Saturday at 7:30 pm.
Attending the Eclipse festivities downtown? Be sure to stop by The Varsity Center! The bar will be open and the AC will be blastin'; that's why we're calling it our "Cool Eclipse Weekend." Attend a show or event or just pop in and see the exhibits! We'll be open 11 am - midnight all weekend long. #CarbondaleEclipse
Join filmmaker Dan Johnson and musician Kevin Lucas for An Evening of Film and Music this Saturday. This unique show combines Johnson's impressive film style with Lucas's unique percussive sound. Tickets are $10, available online and at the door. Showtime is at 7:30, doors and bar open at 6:45.
Join us for the "Lunacy at the Varsity" late night comedy show, Saturday, August 19 at 10 pm. Part of our "Cool Eclipse Weekend" of events. Featuring comedians: Elaine Phillips (http://www.satiristfaction.com/) Tom Garland (https://www.tomgarlandcomedy.com/) Brian McDowell (http://brianmcdowellcomedy.com/bio/) Tickets are $10/adv $15/dos. Day of show ticket sales open at 9:30 pm, The Varsity Center and Gallery bar will be open every day of the Eclipse weekend, 11 am - midnight. Beer, wine, and select cocktails will be available for purchase. Learn more about the "Cool Eclipse Weekend" at The Varsity Center at: https://thevarsitycenter.org/cool-eclipse-weekend
This Saturday on the Balcony Stage; join musician Kevin Lucas and filmmaker Dan Johnson for An Evening of Film and Music. Show starts at 7:30, doors and bar open at 6:45 pm. Tickets on sale at the door or online at thevarsitycenter.eventbrite.com.
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