Compiled by Stacy Keith/ Interview conducted by Chuck Luck and Abi Avitia Cary Banks remembers Joe Ely as a rare kind of artist: charismatic onstage, quiet offstage, and always full of a kind of energy that seemed to spark the room the moment he walked in. Cary knew him through the tight knit West Texas […]
Lubbock lost a favorite son on December 15, 2025. Singer, songwriter, guitarist, and performer extraordinaire Joe Ely passed away. Ely is one of those musicians who grew up and began performing in Lubbock. As his career took off, he performed with the likes of ZZ Top, The Clash, Bruce Springsteen, Bobby Keys, Jesse “Guitar” Taylor,
From Lubbock to the World: Joe Ely’s Place in a Musical Legacy Read More »
By Abi Avitia-Lopez Music is a moment captured, recorded, and replayed. Drop the needle, spin a tune, and stories surface again and again. Lubbock has a rich musical presence that has influenced far beyond West Texas. From live venues and recording studios to school programs and DIY scenes, sound has long been part of the
Spinning and Forever Living: Lubbock Vinyl Shops Read More »
In a city known for its strong sense of community, entrepreneurial spirit, and deep cultural roots, creativity continues to find new places to grow. One of those places is ArtWork— a creative studio designed to help people of all ages explore art, imagination, and the joy of making something with their own hands. Located in
Space to be Creative: ArtWork Read More »
By: Stacy Keith Time to dust off those writing and research skills for 2026 and prepare ahead to tackle grants if you are a non-profit organization – those Spring deadlines come in a hurry. I’ve written a few grants in my years of work in the non-profit sector and thought it might be fun to
Recharge Your Grant Writing Skills for the New Year Read More »
The Lubbock arts community is special and one of the ways it has earned this reputation is the ability of the creative sector to embrace new residents. One such artist is working to establish herself in the 806 and create Lubbock’s first Kalakshetra-style dance academy. Meet Samyuktha Punthambekar. She’s an Indo-Canadian Indian Classical Bharatanatyam artist,
The Woman Behind Lubbock’s First Indian Classical Bharatanatyam Dance Academy Read More »
By: Stacy Keith, Director There are people in the world who leave a legacy and make an impact. Lubbock has held many of those people and one of them was Doug Smith. Smith was a composer and pianist, and his song “West Texas” has charmed audiences for many years at the Omni Theater in the
“A Legacy in Every Note: The Lubbock Civic Orchestra Remembers Doug Smith” Read More »
By Stacy Keith, Director When the Lubbock Cultural Arts Foundation was established in 2020, conversations began immediately about the challenge of healthcare plans for independent artists, performers and entrepreneurs. The issue of being independent (working for yourself) after leaving home and the safety of a nest with a family healthcare plan is daunting for many.
You Can Be Independent and Insured Read More »
By Jonny Verbeten The Lubbock Cultural Arts Foundation (LCAF) is celebrating its fifth anniversary on Saturday, September 6, with a “Hi 5 Celebration” that is free and open to the public. Taking place at the Hollingsworth Cultural Center at 42nd and Boston from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., the day’s schedule will highlight the many
Jay Sueños: Getting the Gig Alumni Spotlight Read More »
By: Dr. Jonny Verbeten The Lubbock Cultural Arts Foundation (LCAF) is marking its five-year anniversary with a “Hi 5 Celebration” on September 6th at the Hollingsworth Cultural Center, located at 42nd and Boston. Running from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., this free event will feature art booths, musical performances, food trucks, games, theater and dance
Getting the Gig Alumni Spotlight: Ashleigh Stone Read More »
