Don’t forget us when you are out for the Mt. Sterling Merchants Christmas Open House! Our Artpalachia Gift Shop will feature 75% off select items—perfect for everyone on your list! Plus, 25% off all t-shirts! Don't miss out on these incredible deals to make your holiday shopping a breeze!

Join us in celebrating Día de los Muertos with a community ofrenda, a traditional Mexican altar to honor and remember loved ones who have passed. (Ofrendas are altars decorated with photos, candles, and offerings to celebrate and remember deceased loved ones in Mexican culture). Light a candle, enjoy traditional music, and embrace this beautiful celebration of life!

Come view and admire the hard work of the students from The Morehead State University art department.

FREE!

CASH BAR!

COMPLIMENTARY HORS-D’OEUVRES!

Join us in celebrating the hard work of the Gate City Arts Guild in The Kezele Cafe Gallery. The Gate City Arts Guild is a local organization that supports and promotes fine arts, enhances members' skills, fosters collaboration among artists, and encourages the appreciation of the arts in our community.

FREE!

CASH BAR!

COMPLIMENTARY HORS-D’OEUVRES!

Join us for the grand unveiling of Gateway Regional Art Center's AARP Sculpture Garden! Revel in spooky vibes, capture memorable photos, paint your own planter pot, and enjoy trick-or-treating fun with the whole family!
*COSTUMES ENCOURAGED!*

12-5pm: Become a part of something special by volunteering to help plant Gateway Regional Art Center's AARP Native Plant & Sculpture Garden! To prepare for the unveiling on Halloween night, we're seeking passionate individuals who share our love for nature, sustainability, and collaboration. Join us in cultivating a beautiful space for our native plants to thrive. Together, we can create a lasting legacy for our community.

To volunteer contact: kasey@grackentucky.org

Beetlejuice! Beetlejuice! Beetlejuice! For the 21+ crowd, dress up in your best costume and join us for a night of spooky drinks, dancing, and ghoulish fun! With decorations inspired by everyone’s favorite poltergeist, there will be themed beverages, karaoke, games, a cash bar, and a costume contest! See you there…if you dare!

Bring your blankets and cozy up for a viewing of The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown on the big screen. Refreshments and popcorn will be available for purchase!

Enter if you dare… Find yourself trapped inside the scariest horror films of the last century. Our Horror Films Haunted House returns, transforming our building into a terrifying walk-through filled with your favorite slasher characters! Dare to step inside and see if you can handle the eerie thrills and chills. Ages 13+ only. 

A perfect night out for families! Kids can enjoy arts & crafts, dancing, treats, and a little trickery. Featuring a meet & greet with your favorite villains! We’re also proud to offer sensory-friendly areas for those who prefer a low-stimulation environment.

Join us for a magical Princess Meet & Greet at the Gateway Regional Arts Center, just a short walk from the October Court Day Festival! Meet Elsa from Frozen, Cinderella, and Snow White, and enjoy fun games, royal art activities, and captivating Princess Story Time. It's the perfect way to give the kids something fun to do while you take a break from the festival madness and rest your feet. Plus, enjoy our sparkling clean restrooms and refreshments while you're here! Come dressed in your royal best and make magical memories!

**Please note: All attendees over the age of 2 must purchase a ticket. This allows for unlimited use of our building downtown, clean restrooms, and event activities from 11am to 2pm on Saturday.

Experience an unforgettable evening with the soulful Leyla McCalla at the Gateway Regional Arts Center. Recently praised by NPR for her "spellbinding blend of Haitian folk and Americana," McCalla has also been lauded by Rolling Stone for her "vibrant and socially conscious music." In this intimate concert setting, McCalla, celebrated for her evocative voice and virtuosic cello performances, will mesmerize with her rich, genre-defying sound. The intimate and elegant atmosphere of the Lewis Apperson White Performance Hall promises a unique and personal connection with McCalla’s music, as she takes you on a journey through her poignant melodies and powerful lyrics. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to witness a truly captivating artist in a setting designed to enhance every note and nuance.

GRAMMY® and DOVE Award-winning artist Guy Penrod comes to Mount Sterling, Kentucky for one night only! Join this Gospel Music Hall of Fame vocalist for a spirit-filled evening of worship, gospel, and country music. This event is a wonderful outing for church groups, friends, family, and anyone who loves gospel music. Group rates are available for parties of 15+ by emailing director@grackentucky.org.

The first-ever Affrilachia Summit on Black Arts & Culture in Central Appalachia! This national convening seeks to celebrate, codify, and uplift the under-represented voices of rural Black artists from Central Appalachia.

Frank X Walker is one of Kentucky's most revered literary figures, the first Black Kentucky Poet Laureate, and the trailblazing poet who coined the term "Affrilachia." His work has redefined the cultural narrative of Appalachia, highlighting the rich African American experiences within the region and challenging stereotypes that have long gone unaddressed.

This evening offers a unique opportunity to hear directly from Walker as he shares the stories and insights that have shaped his influential career. His poetry and prose are a testament to the power of the written word in capturing the complexities of identity, history, and place.

This is more than just an event; it's a celebration of Kentucky's cultural heritage and the voices that continue to shape it. Don't miss this chance to engage with a literary giant whose work has made an indelible impact on both the region and American literature as a whole.

Tickets for the 7pm public event are $20, but for those looking to make the evening even more memorable, we are offering a VIP Reception at 6pm, where you can enjoy an open bar, appetizers, and the chance to meet Frank X Walker in an intimate setting. VIP tickets are $40.

The first-ever Affrilachia Summit on Black Arts & Culture in Central Appalachia! This national convening seeks to celebrate, codify, and uplift the under-represented voices of rural Black artists from Central Appalachia.

The Eastern Kentucky Visual & Performing Arts College and Career Fair opens doors for students and individuals interested in furthering their creative education or career in creative industries.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR SEPTEMBER 20TH!

Tick Town Hoedown is a FREE fun and energetic event for people of all ages and skill levels. The dance will be led by a professional caller, who will teach you the basic steps and help you get involved.

•Learn the basic steps of line dancing, square dancing, and clogging

•Mingle with other dancers and make new friends

•Have a night of fun and laughter

Be a part of Mt. Sterling's arts event of the decade: GRAC's 15th Anniversary Celebration! On September 19, 2009, the doors to the Big Yellow Building opened... and we haven't slowed down since!

You don't want to miss this stellar night of entertainment, food & drink, a look back at 15 years of arts excellence for the Gateway Region, and much more! We also have a VERY exciting announcement that you have to attend to hear.

Tickets are limited to 175 people and there will NOT be tickets available at the door. Admission is $50 per person and includes all food, beverages, and entertainment. Reserve your seats now - this event will certainly be a "were you there when..." moment!

Join us for the 9th Annual Farm to Table! Sponsored by Peoples Bank of Kentucky, and the Mt. Sterling-Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, this community tradition will be a night to remember!

In addition to celebrating our local farm culture, all ticket proceeds go to arts outreach programming in the community.

This year, we will have guest chefs Judy Gurnee, Wes and Rachel Harris, John and Nila Crouch, Dayna Seelig, and others.

We’re also introducing a signature cocktail, the Blackberry Basil Breeze, with Sweet Potato Moonshine from Regeneration Distilling Co. and Blackberry Ale-8 from Ale-8-One.

John Looney and Anna Kline will bring the sweet sounds of Swift Silver as our entertainment for the evening.

Tickets are limited to 100 people. If this is your first time or your ninth, Farm to Table is always a magical evening. Come dine with us and be KENTUCKY PROUD!

Come kick off the school year at GRAC with our Back 2 School Bash featuring a Silent Disco Party!

Get ready to groove to the beat of your own drum and experience the magic of a Silent Disco! With wireless headphones, you can switch between three music channels: Disney, kid-friendly pop, and adult/child friendly rock/rap, provided by Silent Disco Experience

There will be food trucks, hair tinsel, face painting, balloon animals and FREE PACKS OF SCHOOL SUPPLIES!*

This is a sensory friendly event, music will only be played through the headphones, lighting will be dim and not flashing, and we will have a designated quiet area.

*While Supplies Last*

*Student MUST be present at the event to receive a free pack*

*LIMIT 1 PACK PER STUDENT, WHILE SUPPLIES LAST*

GRAC will be providing some supplies, and we are reaching out to businesses, but we need YOU to donate school supplies for our local students!

• 8 Pack of #2 Pencils

• Pocket Folders

• Small Pencil Pouches

• 1 Inch 3 Ring Binders

• 4 Packs of Highlighters

• Scientific Calculators

(supplies can be dropped off at GRAC during our open hours, deadline is August 16th)

The world’s number one Elton John tribute band is coming to Mt. Sterling, Kentucky for one night only to play all the hits by Elton John!

This spectacular show includes Bennie and the Jets, Tiny Dancer, Rocket Man, Candle In The Wind, Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me, I’m Still Standing, Crocodile Rock and Your Song. They will also be performing classic album tracks like Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding from Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, the multi-platinum double LP released in 1973.

ELTON JOHN THEMED COSTUMES ENCOURAGED!

London's Tom Cridland, playing the part of Elton John on lead vocals and piano, is close friends with Elton John drummer, Nigel Olsson, has recorded songs and episodes of his Greatest Music of All Time Podcast with Elton John guitarist, Davey Johnstone… and has even met Sir Elton himself, the man who Tom credits with helping him recover from alcoholism.

The level of attention to detail in recreating the music and fabulous costumes of Elton John & His Band is simply unparalleled.

VIP ELTON EXPERIENCE: Don't miss the chance to upgrade your tickets to enjoy our pre-show VIP Elton Experience! GET VIP ADD-ON TICKETS HERE! In addition to the show, you'll enjoy:

• Exclusive access to the Elton John-themed backstage VIP-only area

• Complimentary appetizers, a beer/wine selection, and soda

• A pair of iconc Elton John sunglasses to take home

• Unique Elton-themed photo opportunities

VIP Tickets are a separate add-on and require the purchase of a seat in the Performance Hall.

Come join us at GRAC for our Annual Board Meeting where we will give a presentation on all we have been up to for the past year and what we are planning for the future! And help us celebrate our achievements and welcome our new Board Members with a potluck!

This is completely free and we encourage everyone to attend. Dishes will be provided by our Board of Directors, but if you wish to bring a drink or dessert, you are welcome to. See you on the 6th!

SOLD OUT

Based on Disney and Pixar’s film Finding Nemo, this exciting stage show invites you to discover the familiar tale of Nemo and friends from a whole new point of view, as well as fan favorite songs such as “In the Big Blue World” and “Go with the Flow.”

With local area performers, colorful sets, innovative lighting, sound and special effects to create Nemo’s undersea environment, this show takes you to the extraordinary underwater world of the family classic film. You certainly don't want to miss it!

Based on Disney and Pixar’s film Finding Nemo, this exciting stage show invites you to discover the familiar tale of Nemo and friends from a whole new point of view, as well as fan favorite songs such as “In the Big Blue World” and “Go with the Flow.”

With local area performers, colorful sets, innovative lighting, sound and special effects to create Nemo’s undersea environment, this show takes you to the extraordinary underwater world of the family classic film. You certainly don't want to miss it!

Menifee Community Theatre Group presents Charlotte's Web! A story of friendship, courage, and self-sacrifice, Wilbur is a pig who lives on a farm with a ragtag team of animals, when one day he finds out that he is destined for slaughter. His friend, a spider named Charlotte who lives in the doorway of his pigpen, determined to save him; uses her spinning skills to make the world fall in love with Wilbur.