In light of COVID-19, please confirm any events listed below are still occurring with the respective organization before attending.
This content is prepared by Connect2Culture and will be available online on 6/1/20 at connect2culture.org/june2020
Saturdays in June: Empire Market Curbside, 10:30 am–12:30 pm at Joplin Empire Market (931 E 4th St). The Joplin Empire Market is the place to find the best in locally grown produce, gourmet foodstuffs, and handmade artisan goods. Housed in a historic brick building adjacent to downtown, this indoor/outdoor public market is Joplin’s newest gathering spot. Though we can’t gather there at this time, you can still order online for curbside pickup (order deadline is Thursdays at 8:00pm) at localline.ca/joplin-empire-market. Order pickup is held Saturdays from 10:30–12:30pm. More information: Ivy Hagedorn, ivy@joplinempiremarket.com, 417.986.3914.
All Month: Coloring JOMO: Women Who Made Their Mark on Post Art Library’s website. Learn about and color twelve important women whose influence has had a lasting impact on Joplin. Download the full book now from postartlibrary.org/coloring-jomo/ and start coloring! Free and open to the public. More information: Jill Sullivan, jhsullivan@postartlibrary.org, 417.623.7953 X1041.
February 1 – June 13: Joplin Arts Fest Application Process. With everything that is taking place right now, many artists are wondering what the future will be like. The Joplin Arts Fest planning committee has made some changes to assist artists through these uncertain times. Please visit joplinartsfest.com for more information. Artists are the most important part of Joplin Arts Fest and without the quality of artists that the festival has had over the years, it would not exist. More information: Steve Doerr, joplinartsfest@gmail.com, 417.529.3730.
April 15 – June 12: Neosho Arts Council: Spring Art Challenge (Ages 6+) on Neosho Arts Council’s website. The Neosho Arts Council wants to encourage and challenge our community’s creativity with their Spring Art Challenge! The Spring Art Challenge is an online arts contest that offers a chance for creative expression and diversion during this difficult time. Each week will feature a new challenge. There are seven challenges, including sidewalk chalk art, photography, comic book covers, authors and playwrights, dance choreography, costume/cosplay design and construction, and culinary arts. There are three age divisions and all entries are free. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top winner in each division of each category. Deadlines for each category occur in weekly succession. For more information, visit neoshoarts.net/spring-art-challenge.html or facebook.com/NeoshoArts/. Free and open to the public. More information: Sarah Serio, neoshoartscouncil@gmail.com, 417.592.1673.
May 26 – July 25: Joplin Public Library Summer Reading Program. Joplin Public Library’s Summer Reading Program is back! The Summer Reading Program encourages kids, teens, and adults to participate and win prizes by completing reading requirements for their age group. Activities offered through the program will follow this year’s theme, Imagine Your Story, which will explore fables, fairy tales, mythology, and more! This year’s program is entirely online through Beanstack, which includes book and activity logging, badges, and registration for all members of your family under one account. Register at beanstack.com. Free and open to the public. More information: Christina Matekel-Gibson, cmatekel@joplinpubliclibrary.org, 417.623.2184.
May 26 – July 31: Post Art Library: Summer Reading Art Challenge. Push the boundaries of your creativity and explore a variety of arts by participating in the third annual Summer Reading Art Challenge! Each year, participants are encouraged to create artwork based on Missouri’s state-wide theme for summer reading. This year’s competition will be virtual and has been expanded to include not only visual art but performing, literary, and more. The 2020 theme is fairy tales, fantasy, and mythology! Create an original painting, poem, animation, song, dance, etc. based on the theme and share it using #PALart2020. Then, stay tuned to @PostArtLibrary on Facebook through June and July as they spotlight their favorite submissions. Participation is all-ages, open to the public, and a library card is not necessary. Free and open to the public. More information: Jill Sullivan, jhsullivan@postartlibrary.org, 417.623.7953 ex. 1041.
June 2: Downtown Joplin Clean Team, 5:30–6:30 pm at Downtown Joplin Alliance (931 E 4th St). Take some time to pitch in and help make our downtown look great! Downtown Joplin Alliance will provide supplies, though you’re more than welcome to bring extra brooms, rakes, or gloves. The Clean Team will meet at the parking lot at 5th and Joplin. Free and open to the public. More information: Lori Haun, info@downtownjoplin.com, 417.501.9649.
June 4: Virtual First Thursday ArtWalk, 5:30–8:30 pm in Downtown Joplin. 5:30–8:30 pm via Facebook. Enjoy all aspects you love about First Thursday ArtWalk from the comfort of your own home! Watch dozens of artists demonstrating their artistic process and prerecorded sessions from talented, local musicians. For more details, visit the First Thursday ArtWalk Facebook page. Free and open to the public. More information: Linda Teeter, lteeter00@gmail.com, 417.501.9649.
June 4: Spiva Trivia Night Live, 6:00 pm on Facebook. Missing Spiva Trivia Night? There’s no need! Spiva Center for the Arts is holding a three-round trivia night on Facebook! Put your knowledge of random things to the test as you answer questions in the comments from the comfort of your own home. Free and open to the public. More information: Jade Henning, jhenning@spivaarts.org, 417.623.0183.
June 5: C2C Biweekly Check-Ins, 2:00 pm via Zoom. These casual, online meetings hosted by Connect2Culture encourage Joplin area arts and cultural organizations to share brief updates, news, and ideas with one another during this time. You and your organization are invited to join the conversation! Let’s keep the arts and cultural community connected. Meetings will be conducted via Zoom and occur every other Friday at 2:00 pm starting May 22, 2020. REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Register for all check-ins or just specific dates at https://bit.ly/C2C-Biweekly-Check-Ins (case sensitive). Instructions will be sent upon registration. More information: Emily Frankoski, emily@connect2culture.org, 417.501.5550.
June 5: First Friday WineShare, 6:00–8:00 pm at different venues throughout Downtown Joplin each month. WineShare is a national event that takes place on the First Friday of each month. It’s a great opportunity to meet new friends or catch up with old ones. It’s also a fantastic way to kick off date night! Feel free to bring friends or colleagues, as well. Bring a bottle of wine or a craft beer. The Downtown Joplin Alliance will take care of the rest. As always, there is no charge to attend WineShare and everyone 21 years of age and older is welcome. More information: Lori Haun, info@downtownjoplin.com, 417.501.9649.
June 5: Vintage Swing Movement Joplin: June First Friday, 7:00–9:00 pm via Zoom. Kick off your weekend with the classic art of swing dance! Join VSM Joplin online for a virtual dance lesson at 7:00pm. Choose between a Beginner Swing lesson (with partner) or a Shim-Sham lesson (without partner). Regardless of the lesson you choose, you can try out your new moves with a social dance to DJed jazz music afterwards! For directions on how to sign up, visit their Facebook page. There is a suggested donation for this event with 50% of all proceeds going to support Joplin Avenue Coffee Company. If you have been financially affected by COVID-19, take this event as a gift from VSM Joplin! Suggested donation: individual $5, couple $8. More information: Ashley King, vsmjoplin@gmail.com, 316.243.8175.
June 6: 80’s Decades Dance (Ages 18+), 8:00–11:00 pm at Studio 124 (124 S Main St). Are you ready for a totally tubular decades dance? Grab your leg warmers and head to Studio 124 for a celebration of the 80’s! Dance your heart out, enter costume and dance contests, and celebrate one of the gnarliest decades. Cost: $5. More information: Becki Arnall, dtstudio124@gmail.com, 417.553.1933.
June 7: Joplin Comedy: Open Mic Comedy Night, 9:00 pm (Sign-Up 8:30 pm) at Blackthorn Pizza & Pub (510 S Joplin Ave). Try out your latest stand-up routine or take in the acts of local comedians, all while enjoying tasty pizza from Blackthorn Pizza & Pub. Age restrictions: 18+ until 10:00 pm. 21+ from 10:00 pm until close. Free and open to the public. More information: Dakoda Potter, potterdakoda1982@gmail.com, 417.540.9186.
June 11: Wonder Woman Program, 6:00 pm on Joplin Public Library’s website. The hit comic book series, Wonder Woman, has always incorporated mythological elements. Join Danya Walker as she discusses the history of the series and its mythological aspects. This program will be pre-recorded and uploaded on a certain day and remain available to come and go as you please. Submit questions or topics you would like to see covered to emartin@joplinpubliclibrary.org before May 25. All Adult Summer Reading programming will be offered virtually this year. Links to programs will be on the library’s website, and the library’s Facebook page. Free and open to the public. More information: Evan Martin, emartin@joplinpubliclibrary.org, 417.623.7953.
June 11: Joplin Writers’ Guild, 6:00 pm on Facebook. The Joplin Writers’ Guild, a chapter of the Missouri Writers’ Guild, includes a wide variety of writers – from hobbyists to professional, published writers. Members have published novels (romance, mystery, historical, middle grade, YA, etc.), nonfiction books (regional history and the Arcadia Images of America series), and articles (travel, education, law topics, etc.). The group focuses on supporting each other and sharing information about the publishing and writing industries. This group is open to the public. Dues are $10 for the year, but anyone interested can attend their first meeting free. In the wake of COVID-19, meetings are being held through their Facebook page. More information: S.V. Farnsworth, s.v.farnsworth@gmail.com, 417.691.0480.
June 13: National Get Outdoors Day, 10:00 am–1:00 pm at George Washington Carver National Monument (5646 Carver Rd, Diamond, MO). Why sit in front of a TV or tablet screen when there’s a world of entertainment outside? Celebrate the outdoors and all it has to offer at the 240-acre Carver farm! Participate in yoga classes at 10:00 am, take a guided wildflower walk at 11:00 am, and join Connect2Culture and Downtown Poetry for poetry by the pond at noon. Free and open to the public. More information: Sarah Martin, GWCA_Interpretation@nps.gov, 417.325.4151.
June 14: Nace Brothers House Concert (Ages 10+), 4:00pm (doors 3:00pm) at The Coda Concert House (2120 E 24th St). Since 1918, the Nace Brothers have been building a sizeable grassroots following, enthralling audiences with their crisp, expressive blues and captivating lyrics. In their 37th year as a touring group the Nace Brothers are poised to take the blues world by storm. Brilliant songwriting, expressive vocals, soaring guitar, and a rock-solid rhythm section combine for entertainment at its best. There is a suggested, minimum donation of $25. More information and reservations: Jeff Morrow, info@codaconcerthouse.com. In response to reservations, a confirmation email with the address, directions, parking etc. will be sent in return. All proceeds benefit the artist performing.
June 14: Joplin Comedy: Open Mic Comedy Night, 9:00 pm (Sign-Up 8:30 pm) at Blackthorn Pizza & Pub (510 S Joplin Ave). Try out your latest stand-up routine or take in the acts of local comedians, all while enjoying tasty pizza from Blackthorn Pizza & Pub. Age restrictions: 18+ until 10:00 pm. 21+ from 10:00 pm until close. Free and open to the public. More information: Dakoda Potter, potterdakoda1982@gmail.com, 417.540.9186.
June 15 – July 10: Creative Arts Academy Summer Challenge (Grades 9-12), online and on Instagram. In the stead of its traditional Creative Arts Academy, Ozark Christian College is hosting a Creative Arts Academy Summer Challenge! Beginning Monday, June 15, put your creativity to the test through a variety of challenges focusing on different media. More details to come. Keep an eye on their Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and website. More information: Carolyn Hardison, hardison.carolyn@occ.edu, 417.626.1234 ex. 2400.
June 16: Joplin Area Town and Country Quilters Show and Tell, 10:00 am at Schifferdecker Park (W 4th St). A chance to show off quilting accomplishments! Although there will be no lecture, potluck lunch, or guest speaker, members of the Joplin Area Town and Country Quilters are encouraged to show their latest quilting projects accomplished during this time of quarantine. Members who attend are to bring lawn chairs, wear masks, and maintain social distancing practices. If interested in joining, dues are $20 a year and membership is open to quilters of all ages and abilities. Due to limits on group gatherings, the Joplin Area Town and Country Quilters ask that only members of the group attend this event. More information: Kathy Knapp, knappka@gmail.com, 417-825-7078.
June 19: C2C Biweekly Check-Ins, 2:00 pm via Zoom. These casual, online meetings hosted by Connect2Culture encourage Joplin area arts and cultural organizations to share brief updates, news, and ideas with one another during this time. You and your organization are invited to join the conversation! Let’s keep the arts and cultural community connected. Meetings will be conducted via Zoom and occur every other Friday at 2:00 pm starting May 22, 2020. REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Register for all check-ins or just specific dates at https://bit.ly/C2C-Biweekly-Check-Ins (case sensitive). Instructions will be sent upon registration. More information: Emily Frankoski, emily@connect2culture.org, 417.501.5550.
June 19: Downtown Joplin Clean Team, 5:30–6:30 pm at Downtown Joplin Alliance (931 E 4th St). Take some time to pitch in and help make our downtown look great! Downtown Joplin Alliance will provide supplies, though you’re more than welcome to bring extra brooms, rakes, or gloves. The Clean Team will meet at the parking lot at 5th and Joplin. Free and open to the public. More information: Lori Haun,info@downtownjoplin.com, 417.501.9649.
June 19: Hoe Down, 8:00–11:00 pm at Studio 124 (124 S Main St). A good ol’ fashioned hoe down, complete with dance and costume contests! What more could anyone ask for? More information: Becki Arnall, dtstudio124@gmail.com, 417.553.1933.
June 21: Juneteenth Celebration, 1:00 pm at George Washington Carver National Monument (5646 Carver Rd, Diamond, MO). In June of 1865, more than two years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, the United States saw the end of the Civil War and slavery. Now, 155 years later, we gather together to celebrate and learn about this historical day. Free and open to the public. More information: Sarah Martin, GWCA_Interpretation@nps.gov, 417.325.4151.
June 21: Joplin Comedy: Open Mic Comedy Night, 9:00 pm (Sign-Up 8:30 pm) at Blackthorn Pizza & Pub (510 S Joplin Ave). Try out your latest stand-up routine or take in the acts of local comedians, all while enjoying tasty pizza from Blackthorn Pizza & Pub. Age restrictions: 18+ until 10:00 pm. 21+ from 10:00 pm until close. Free and open to the public. More information: Dakoda Potter, potterdakoda1982@gmail.com, 417.540.9186.
June 24: JPL Summer Reading Program: Jay & Leslie Five Minutes of Fun (Ages 3-6), 10:00 am on Joplin Public Library’s website. In each of these short videos, Jay and Leslie start by demonstrating a piece of juggling equipment, like bean bags, hats, or spinning plates. Next, they invite kids to help solve a pattern mystery involving shapes, colors, letters, and other elements. Videos will be posted June 24, July 1, July 8, July 15, July 22 at 10:00 am. Videos will be available to watch one week after posting. More information: Christina Matekel-Gibson, cmatekel@joplinpubliclibrary.org, 417.623.2184.
June 27: JRAC Coffee Hour, 10:00 am at Beckett’s Cafe (705 Illinois Ave). Joplin Regional Artists Coalition (JRAC) Coffee Hours offer JRAC members the opportunity to network, socialize, announce personal art-related news, discuss a pre-determined general art topic, or participate in a professional development workshop. JRAC Coffee Hours are held on the fourth Saturday of each month. Guests and members are welcome to attend. Membership dues for JRAC are $35 annually. JRAC is a not-for-profit established to empower visual artists in the area by helping them network with other artists and the community-at-large. More information: Marta Churchwell, joplinrac@gmail.com.
June 28: Agricultural Schools on Wheels, 1:00 pm at George Washington Carver National Monument (5646 Carver Rd, Diamond, MO). Join the knowledgeable George Washington Carver National Monument rangers and learn about the Jesup Wagon, or the Agricultural School on Wheels. Developed by George Washington Carver, these wagons were used to deliver supplies and Carver’s educational bulletins to rural farmers. Free and open to the public. More information: Sarah Martin, GWCA_Interpretation@nps.gov, 417.325.4151.
June 28: Joplin Comedy: Open Mic Comedy Night, 9:00 pm (Sign-Up 8:30 pm) at Blackthorn Pizza & Pub (510 S Joplin Ave). Try out your latest stand-up routine or take in the acts of local comedians, all while enjoying tasty pizza from Blackthorn Pizza & Pub. Age restrictions: 18+ until 10:00 pm. 21+ from 10:00 pm until close. Free and open to the public. More information: Dakoda Potter, potterdakoda1982@gmail.com, 417.540.9186.
To learn more about Joplin’s arts and cultural events, visit connect2culture.org.
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