418 South Illinois Avenue, Carbondale, Illinois 62901, United States
A historic arts & entertainment venue in downtown Carbondale Illinois
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O Brother, Where Art thou? (2000)
Cinema at The Varsity
Directed by Joel Cohen
The Coen brothers (writer-director Joel and writer Ethan) score again with this comic homage to "The Odyssey" set in Depression-era Mississippi. George Clooney, John Turturro, and Tim Blake Nelson star as escapees from a chain gang who embark on a quest for a hidden treasure. John Goodman, Holly Hunter.
Runtime: 106 minutes
Rated PG-13
Doors and Varsity Bar & Concessions open at 6 -- for a 7 PM showtime.
Tickets available at the door or advance below:
Tickets - $8
Students with ID - $6
Jr. Varsity under 10 - $3
Indie Folk Live! with Justin Grant, Isaac Hallal, and Jonah McGuire
Justin Grant and the band are coming back to Carbondale for Indie Folk Live -- his first home show, and he's bringing rising stars Jonah McGuire and Isaac Hallal to round out the night.
Catch this special show on Saturday, April 11 -- in The Big Room. Doors and the Varsity Bar open at 6 PM; the show starts at 7.
Tickets are on an advance pre-sale for $10. Tickets will be available at the door for $12.
Stand-up Comedy Mic Fight -- hosted by Tom Kremer
A fast-paced stand-up comedy competition show: 4 Comics, 3 Rounds, 2 Guest Comics & 1 Winner decided by you, the Audience!
Catch this special show on Saturday, April 11 -- in The Varsity Bar. Doors and the Varsity Bar open at 7PM; the battle starts at 8!
Tickets are on an advance pre-sale for $5. Tickets will be available at the door for $10
Union County Sal brings a “Mood Indigo” to the Varsity
Union County Sal with The SquadFathers & Special Guests
She has become a Varsity favorite among Southern Illinoisans, and she’s returning to the
Balcony Stage with some of the region’s best musicians.
Union County Sal will bring a “Mood Indigo” along with the Squadfathers and special guests
Mike Arthur, Chris Thornton, and Joe Stafford. The annual spring concert will feature classics
from the Great American Songbook as well as jazz offerings.
Catch this special show on Saturday, April 18. Doors and the Varsity Bar open at 6 PM; the show
starts at 7.
Tickets are $15 and can be purchased in advance at Eventbrite (see link). Any remnant tickets will be available at the door on the night of the show.
Advance tickets recommended.
The Stage Co. Presents : Season 44
make believe
By: Bess Wohl
Directed By: Shay Miller
Four young siblings recreate their everyday lives in a game of make-believe in their attic, while the world beneath them bodes a more sinister reality. Defying all narrative expectations, Make Believe is a gut-wrenching meditation on the imprint of childhood trauma on adults.
April 17-19 & 23-26, 2026
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R. Buckminster Fuller: THE HISTORY (and Mystery) OF THE UNIV
In co-operation with the Fuller Futures Festival 2026
“R. Buckminster Fuller: THE HISTORY (and Mystery) OF THE UNIVERSE” -- a play by D.W. JACOBS from the life, work, and writings of R. B. Fuller, directed by Kira Rutter, and performed by Jon-Michael Rutter.
This one-man show is coming to Carbondale for these special performances in The Varsity Balcony Theater -- at the corner of South Illinois Avenue and Cherry Street, just a couple of blocks east of the Fuller Dome Home! These performances are brought to you in partnership with the Fuller Futures Festival 2026 here at SIU.
The play takes the audience on an inspiring journey through the life of one of the 20th century's greatest visionaries and an immensely impactful change agent who helped forge the modern SIU and reshape the world we live in today.
Doors and hospitality open one hour prior to each performance.
Friday April 24 - 6:30 PM showtime
Saturday April 25 - 6:30 PM showtime
Sunday April 26 - 1:00 PM showtime
Tickets available at the door or advance below
FILMS
LIVE EVENTS, THEATER, ART
LIVE EVENTS, THEATER, ART
LIVE EVENTS, THEATER, ART
LIVE EVENTS, THEATER, ART
LIVE EVENTS, THEATER, ART