Arts and entertainment | West Plains Daily Quill

Aaron Lewis returns to WP

Country rock star Aaron Lewis, renowned for his powerful vocals and deeply personal songwriting, will perform live Nov. 18 at the West Plains Civic Center, as part of his “American As It Gets … more

5/24/25

Sisco named 2025 Living Traditions Fellow

This week, the Missouri Folk Arts Program announced recipients of the 2025 Missouri Living Traditions Fellowship, an award to recognize the artistic excellence and exceptional lifetime achievement of … more

5/17/25

ARTS ALLIANCE Calendar of Events

Arts Alliance member events and activities: May 12 (6:30-8:30 p.m.) “The Two Man Tour” Boon & Kiel, live music, The Yellow House, 209 W. Trish Knight St. May 13 (6-7 p.m.) … more

5/10/25

Temple’s works on display at OzSBI

Through June, local artist Cindy Temple’s artwork is featured on the first floor of the Ozarks Small Business Incubator, 408 Washington Ave, thanks to a partnership between OzSBI and the West … more

5/10/25

WP Underground to offer ‘Tiny Desk’ moment with Dracula Johnson

This month, West Plains Underground will host an intimate show featuring a special musical guest: Dracula Johnson, a punk-rock singer-songwriter from Carbondale, Ill. Dracula Johnson, the … more

By Sam MacPherson, Quill Feature Contributor | 5/10/25

Zizzer music program earns accolades

The Zizzer Pride Varsity Band and Zizzer Concert and Chamber Choirs recently celebrated successful performances at Missouri High School Activities and Athletics Association District and State level … more

4/30/25

‘May the 4th be with You’ performance is Sunday evening

The Southern Ozarks Community Orchestra will present "May the Fourth be with You" for their first concert of the 2025 season at 6 p.m. Sunday, in the Historic Star Theater in Willow Springs. The … more

4/30/25

‘Your Journey; Your Story’ Mental Health Awareness Month art exhibit opens Thursday

The West Plains Council on the Arts and Ozarks Healthcare Behavioral Health Center have joined forces to bring a themed collection of submissions by area residents to the West Plains Civic … more

4/29/25

Country Nights, a new club featuring country music in regular rotation, will be holding its soft opening at 8 p.m. Friday with live music from local artist Brandy Lee. The club, located at 6380 … more

4/23/25

West Plains Playhouse's “Pride & Prejudice” opens Thursday and runs through May, with performances taking place in the Grand Ballroom above Dev's Steakhouse Piano Bar Lounge, 37 Court Square in West Plains. The show, directed by Arah Craig and Becky Maendel, will run nightly from 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, with a 3 p.m. matinee showing on Sunday. Additional performances will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday and May 1 through 3, and another 3 p.m. matinee on May 4. Tickets are available online at shorturl.at/u6xZh or inside the Dev's Steakhouse Piano Bar Lounge lobby before each performance. Production staff note the Grand Ballroom will not have wheelchair access for the showings. Call 417-293-3894 with questions. The cast, which was not present in full for this photo, includes Jon Guilbert, Jay Wright, Maendel, Micah Friend, Charlotte Ellsworth, Alice Lyons, Charlie Kay Greim, Anastasia Craig, Catherine Pendergrass, James Thayer, ZaiRyah Young, Levi Mucklestone, Grace Loukota, Finn Pendergrass, Boaz Mucklestone, Angela Bullard, Addy Mucklestone, Gideon Mucklestone, Kimberly Thompson, Shanda Engelhardt, Sage Roush, Laura Behling, Philex Thomas, Caleb Hullinger, Jairden Loukota, Craig, Tray Whitsell and Megan Loukota.

‘Pride & Prejudice’ play opens Thursday

4/23/25

De Serpentem show canceled

A West Plains Underground concert, De Serpentem, that was planned for April 26 at the Yellow House Community Arts Center has been canceled. Watch “West Plains-Underground” on … more

4/19/25

This week concluded a two-week showing of artworks by His Place Christian Academy students at the West Plains Daily Quill. The works were displayed in the front window, coinciding with the first Thursday Downtown Stroll on April 3 and kicking off a rotating showcase of young artists in the community. On display through the next two weeks is artwork from students at Glenwood School. His Place artists’ works front row, from left: “The Amazing Robot Fort,” Noah Holt, fourth grade; “Old Rugged Cross, Jaylee (no last name given), fifth grade; and “God’s Promise,” Ethan Martin, third grade. Second row: “Inside Out” self portrait, Dixie Verral, third grade; “Spring,” Kyan Hudson, sixth grade; “Itsuka Kendo,” Hadassah (no last name given), seventh grade; and “Warrior Cat Encouragement,” Adi Worley, seventh grade. Mounted on easels in the back row are “Familiar Mill” by Megan Stout, 11th grade, and “Universe,” by Jackson Coffel, fourth grade.

Quill young artist display features His Place works

4/19/25

Detectives investigate a murdered corpse as loved ones, legal professionals, and suspects look on in “Love, Law, & Murder,” penned and directed by local playwright Annabelle Buhler. The noir-inspired murder mystery is centered around the death of a mob boss’ son.

‘Love, Law, & Murder,’ novice playwright’s debut production, takes stage in May

Annabelle Buhler, 20, of West Plains has been involved in the world of theater since adolescence. She’d always dreamed of having a play professionally produced, which will soon become a … more

BY SAM MACPHERSON, QUILL FEATURE CONTRIBUTOR | 4/19/25

The West Plains High School Jazz Band recently took first place in its class at the Drury University Jazz Festival. The judges had great things to say about the students’ March 1 performance, school district officials said. “Our students have really worked hard to improve this school year and it is paying off!” said district Activities Director Dr. Ashley Cooley. “Way to go! We are proud of you.”

Zizzer Jazz Band takes top honors at festival

4/15/25

Arts Alliance Calendar of Events

Arts Alliance member events and activities: April 12 (4-9 p.m.) Balloon glow event featuring live music and fireworks. Fundraiser for Child Advocacy Center at Heart of the Ozarks Fairgrounds. … more

4/12/25

Jim Mahan, 85, West Plains, displays his “snake stick,” an intricate carving of a serpent wrapping around a wooden cane. He has been carving wood since he was 8 years old.

Wood as storyteller: West Plains resident Jim Mahan's enduring craft

Jim Mahan, 85, of West Plains, has been carving wood since his father introduced him to the craft at 8 years old. Although he received supplemental training via Boy Scouts, Mahan is primarily … more

By Sam MacPherson, Quill Feature Contributor | 4/12/25

BEST music show is April 19

The 10th annual spring music show hosted by Better Eminence Schools for Tomorrow (B.E.S.T.) will be held at 6:30 p.m. April 19 in the old Eminence High School gym. Admission to the … more

4/11/25

Harlin Museum to host senior art showcase in May

The Harlin Museum has announced it will host a Golden Years’ Senior Showcase, described as a special exhibition celebrating the artistic talents of local seniors ages 75 and older. … more

4/8/25

First-ever WP Tattoo Expo to be held in May

Mike and Tanai Devine have owned and operated Devine Designs Tattoo Collective in West Plains for nearly a decade. Since the studio’s opening in August 2015, the Devines have cemented … more

BY SAM MACPHERSON, QUILL FEATURE CONTRIBUTOR | 4/2/25

STARS to put on Celtic-themed variety show in WP, Houston

The STARS Foundation of Cabool will put on a Celtic Celebration at two area theaters Friday and Saturday. more

3/19/25

AP Entertainment SummaryBrief at 2:42 a.m. EDT

Appeals court temporarily blocks federal judge's ruling to return control of National Guard to California

Yankees scratch across late run to edge Royals 1-0 and complete season sweep

Things to know about the retrial of Karen Read in the killing of her police officer boyfriend

The stars and stripes fly, in photos, as Flag Day approaches

AP Business SummaryBrief at 12:05 a.m. EDT