418 South Illinois Avenue, Carbondale, Illinois 62901, United States
THEATER, ART, SPECIAL EVENTS
Closing Reception and Pop-Up Fundraiser
Acrylic Florals by Shannon Green
Closing Reception and Pop-Up Fundraiser
6-8 p.m. Tuesday, April 22
Live Music: Jeff Bradley and Mike Alderfer
Join us for a night of art, music, conversation and fundraising! Learn more about the Little Resource Center and Rainbow Cafe LGBTQ+ Center and how they show up for our community every day. Representatives from both organizations will be there to share their great work with us.
Shannon will be donating a portion of her sales to both groups, but you can donate directly to each group at the event. Diapers are always appreciated by the Little Resource Center, as well. Whether you can donate or not, we hope you can join us for a fun evening.
Shannon works in a variety of styles and media, including acrylics, fiber, collage, ink and watercolor, and sometimes even puppetry. The exhibit features more than 20 acrylic paintings, each bursting with color and vibrant energy. Shannon's style is bright and fun, but thoughtful and contemplative, giving the viewer a chance to slow down and notice little details about the world they might otherwise miss.
Shannon’s exhibit may be viewed during Varsity events.
Discussion, Forum
Hollabaugh Exhibit, Reception
“Through My Eyes”
Opening Reception: 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 25
A fascinating watercolor exhibit features the work of 90-year-old Carolyn Hollabaugh. Featured in the exhibit are abstract works influenced by her Macular Degeneration, a medical condition that results in blurred or no vision in the center of the visual field. Other works are considered older legacy pieces.
The exhibit, “Through My Eyes,” opens Friday, April 25 with a reception from 5 to 7 p.m.
Hollabaugh earned her R.N. degree in 1955 at Springfield City Hospital School of Nursing before settling in Dallas, Texas. While raising three young children, she rekindled her teenage love of art by studying with watercolorist Naomi Brotherton.
Throughout her nursing career and later into retirement, Carolyn continued to create and study under master artists with the Southwestern Watercolor Society.
She has exhibited her artwork since the 1970s, and this is her eighth local exhibit since moving to Southern Illinois in 2012. Carolyn invites you to experience her evolving artistic vision “Through My Eyes.”
2025 Illinois Bearded Queen Pageant
2025 Illinois Bearded Queen Pageant
Saturday, April 26
8 Bar & Doors
9 Pageant
$10 / $5 students
Get ready for a night of glamour, creativity and fierce competition as the Illinois Bearded Queen Pageant crowns its next superstar! This dazzling event celebrates the artistry, charisma and uniqueness of bearded performers in a one-of-a-kind showcase.
Hosted by Lumber Jill, Illinois Bearded Queen 2024, along with Sarah Tonin Katz, reigning America’s Bearded Queen 2024, this pageant is the official gateway to the national America’s Bearded Queen competition.
Expect high-energy performances, stunning looks and unforgettable moments. Competition categories include Interview, Presentation "Birds of a Feather," Creative Fashion and Talent.
The pageant takes place on Saturday, April 26. The Varsity Bar and doors open at 8; pageant begins at 9.
Tickets are $10 for general admission or $5 for students with I.D. and can be purchased in advance at Eventbrite.com. Tickets will be available at the door on the night of the pageant when doors open.
After Credits Comedy
2025 Illinois Bearded Queen Pageant
Taylor Swift Dance Party
9:30 p.m. Friday, May 9
8:30 Doors and Varsity Bar
$10 in advance / $15 night of show
After the screening of Labyrinth at the Varsity on May 9, Dan Alten headlines another round of After Credits Comedy. Joining him will be drag sensation Lumber Jill and the queen mother of Southern Illinois comedy Ashley Twogood!
Dan Alten is a sprightly comedian with a perfectly blended style of intelligence and goofiness. A DIY performer from Louisville, Kentucky. Alten has been traveling the country for more than a decade, bringing charm and nonsense to theaters, punk basements, art galleries, beloved comedy clubs and anywhere they will let him touch a microphone.
Performing more than 200 shows a year throughout the United States, Alten brings with him a tight night of surreal fun for audiences to enjoy – as if The Ramones were one guy with a mustache, a brightly colored shirt and good jokes.
His style is a match for top-notch and well-known acts he's opened for like Kyle Kinane, Bobcat Goldthwait, Sam Tallent, Rory Scovel, SNL's Sarah Sherman, Johnny Pemberton, Hari Kondabolu, Open Mike Eagle, DJ Doug Pound, and David Leibe Hart from Tim & Eric. He has also opened for various punk bands with silly names, and a guy who once tried to throw his father’s ashes into the crowd at an open mic.
Dan has so much material that he's recorded two albums, written a zine and filmed a pilot for an Amazon Prime stand up show that was lost to history.
He’s funny. You will enjoy him. If not, he'll let you mud wrestle him after the show.
Tickets are $10 online at TheVarsityCenter.EventBrite.com (see link) or $15 at the door on the night of the show.
Taylor Swift Dance Party
2025 Illinois Bearded Queen Pageant
Taylor Swift Dance Party
Saturday, May 24
6 p.m. Doors and Kickoff Party
$10 advance / $15 day of show
Swifties unite!
Join us in the big room at the Varsity for an unofficial Taylor Swift Dance Party. Dance and sing along to all the hits from every “Era.” Plus, Taylor Swift tribute artist Charity Dean (of “Lover: An Eras Tour Experience) will be performing live.
All ages are welcome.
Tickets are $10 in advance at Eventbrite (see link). They also will be available for $15 at the doors on the evening of the show.
This event is not affiliated with Taylor Swift / T.A.S. Rights Management.