Symphonies, Theater, and Art: Enjoy the Arts and Culture in Mesquite

Although Mesquite is the Official Rodeo Capital of Texas, the Dallas suburb also offers a variety of cultural opportunities. While we can certainly see the artistic merit in cowboy hats, bull riding, and blue jeans, sometimes you want a Texas experience that offers something a little different.

And you’ll find it here in Mesquite, from a top-notch symphony to a thriving theater scene and a healthy artistic community. Whether you’re looking for a night out, a day at the museum, or a walk through an art gallery, you can find it in Mesquite. Here are just some of the cultural offerings to check out.

Mesquite Arts Center

The center of the cultural scene in Mesquite is without a doubt the Mesquite Arts Center. Located in an impressive, modern building, the Mesquite Arts Center is managed by The Arts Council, a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the community. Here, you’ll find the Black Box Theatre for plays, a concert hall that seats 500, two art galleries and ample space for rehearsals, recitals and art-related banquets.

At the Mesquite Arts Center, you can see Shakespearean plays performed in an intimate venue, dance to the musical stylings of folk, R&B and classic rock, and view artwork from local, national and global artists. Whether you’re looking for a painting tutorial for your kids or a holiday concert for the whole family, the Mesquite Arts Center is the place to go.

Mesquite Symphony Orchestra

For more than 30 years, the Mesquite Symphony Orchestra has provided the city with an impressive classical music program. The all-volunteer orchestra performs six times each season, focusing on a different theme in each performance. The Holiday Show, presented twice in December, is a celebration of the season with classic carols as well as selections from How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Home Alone, among other films. It also includes youth choirs from surrounding school districts. Shows in the 2018/2019 season included Into the Wild, which has a wildlife theme and features music from Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake,” Strauss’ “Die Fledermaus” and Elgar’s “The Wand of the Youth Suite No. 2,” in addition to offerings from the films King Kong and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

The Carnivale! Show will celebrate the Latin America festival with Leroy Anderson’s “Blue Tango” and Gershwin’s “Cuban” Overture, among other performances. There will also be selections from the Pirates of the Caribbean soundtrack. Show tickets are remarkably affordable (most tickets start at just $12), and the orchestra is a fun way to introduce young people to live classical music.

Mesquite Community Theatre

Do you dream of taking the stage or would you prefer to sit in the audience and watch a great play? Either way, you’ll want to keep an eye on the Mesquite Arts Theatre. This local group of community-based players has been around since 1983. Since then, they’ve put on classic performances such as A Streetcar Named Desire, Fiddler on the Roof and The Importance of Being Earnest along with contemporary plays. You can catch a play at the Black Box Theatre at the Mesquite Arts Center. The 2019 season includes Savannah Sipping Society, 100 Years of Broadway, Oscar Wilde’s An Ideal Husband, The Elephant Man and Fruitcakes. For those who wish to get involved, auditions are open to the public.

Corner Theatre

The trendy Corner Theatre is part love letter to Mesquite, part community gathering space and part cultural destination. The historic venue, located in Downtown Mesquite, is the site of monthly independent short films, concerts, art exhibitions and church gatherings. Many events are free.

Painting with a Twist

Take a class at Painting with a Twist. Andrian Valeanu

Fancy yourself an artist? Your canvas is waiting for you at Painting with a Twist. Bring your friends to this laid-back studio where you’ll receive step-by-step instructions on how to create your own masterpiece painting. As an added bonus, classes are BYOB, so be sure to remember a bottle of wine to get the inspiration flowing.

Florence Ranch Homestead

History buffs will relish the chance to explore Florence Ranch Homestead. This historic Texas home was built in 1871 before Mesquite was established. The picturesque farmhouse, which is a Texas Historical Landmark, offers visitors a look back in time. Tour the Florence Ranch Homestead and see an authentic 19th-century rural Texas farm in a charming prairie setting. Visitors can see the Florence family’s living room — which still has the original fireplace — plus bedrooms, a dining room, and the grounds. Tickets are $4 for adults and $2 for children.

The DOWNTOWN MESQUITE FARMERS MARKET

Looking for a shopping destination that’s out of the ordinary? Head to Downtown Mesquite Farmers Market for a local experience. From April through November, you can find the Farmers Market on Front Street every Saturday from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Here, you can pick up some fresh produce from local farms, see culinary demonstrations and purchase unique gifts from artisans and craftsmen. It’s a wonderful way to find that special, artistic touch for your home that you won’t find anywhere else all while getting to know Mesquite on a community level.