Upstate South Carolina is passionate about the arts, as evidenced by the abundance of artists, groups and facilities that add immeasurably to citizens’ quality of life.

The result is that whether you are an avid theater goer, a concert lover, an aficionado of ballet or a patron of the visual arts, the Upstate has something for you. This list includes performing arts groups, performance venues, and special presentations. For details on museums and galleries, check our “Places to Go” list.

Metropolitan Arts Council
As an umbrella organization for more than 80 groups, the MAC has helped foster artists and public appreciation of the arts for more than 20 years. 864-467-3132. www.greenvillearts.com.

Arts Partnership of Greater Spartanburg
This organization strives to expose the community to the highest quality arts activities possible. 864-542-ARTS. www.spartanarts.org.

Pickens County Cultural Commission
This group encourages participation and appreciation of fine and performing arts and preserves the natural history of the county. 864-898-5963. www.co.pickens.sc.us/culturalcommission.

Bi-Lo Center
Year-round entertainment abounds at this 16,000-seat arena, which hosts concerts, and sports and family events. 650 N. Academy St., Greenville. 864-241-3800. www.bilocenter.com.

Ballet Spartanburg
Ballet Spartanburg and The Dance Center offer a full season of professional performances and classes for all ages in ballet, tap, jazz and Irish Step. 864-583-0339. www.spartanarts.org/balletspartanburg.

Carolina Ballet Theater
This Greenville dance organization promotes community interest in ballet and gives talented local dancers stage experience with professionals. 864-242-2323. www.carolinaballet.org.

Centre Stage
Centre Stage-South Carolina presents current award-winning plays and has gained a reputation for consistent, high-quality productions. 864-233-6733. www.centrestage.org.

Downtown Alive
You can catch cool music – jazz, blues, acoustic and reggae – and delicious refreshments every Thursday night from April through September at the Piazza Bergamo in Greenville. 864-467-5780.

Furman Lakeside Concerts
The Furman/Greenville Civic Band performs throughout the summer. 864-294-2086. www.furman.edu.

Greenville Ballet Association
This dance organization offers performance opportunities for local dancers at the Peace Center for the Performing Arts in Greenville. 864-297-1635. www.peacecenter.org.

Greenville Chorale
This choral group provides the region with the finest in choral and choral/orchestral music. 864-235-1101. www.greenvillechorale.com.

Greenville Little Theatre
As the oldest and largest cultural institution in the Upstate, the Greenville Little Theatre has staged musicals and plays in Greenville since 1926. The theater produces a number of mainstream plays and musicals each year. 444 College St., Greenville. 864-233-6238. www.greenvillelittletheatre.com.

Greenville Symphony Orchestra
Led by conductor Edvard Tchivzhel, the Greenville Symphony Orchestra performs traditional symphonic repertoire, chamber music, pops and concerts for children. Concerts are held at The Peace Center for the Performing Arts. 864-232-0344. www.greenvillesymphony.org.

Main Street Jazz
The extraordinary sounds of local, regional and national jazz musicians are enjoyed every Friday evening in Greenville from April to October along with special wine-tasting events and other activities. 864-467-5791.

Music Foundation of Spartanburg
This group presents annual concert series by the Greater Spartanburg Philharmonic and other regional as well as international artists. The foundation also produces jazz, blues and choral shows and conducts community outreach through free lunchtime concerts and in-school performances. 864-948-9020. www.sparklenet.com/musicfoundation.

Music on Main
Held every Thursday at Advantica Plaza in Spartanburg during April, May, August and September, Music on Main is an after-work social hour featuring live bands and refreshments. 864-594-5080. www.musiconmain.com.

The Peace Center for the Performing Arts
Located in Greenville, the Peace Center brings the finest touring artists, theater, and other attractions to the Upstate. Performances range from the Greenville Symphony Orchestra to stand-up comedy. 300 S. Main St., Greenville. 800-888-7768. www.peacecenter.org.

Reedy River Nighttime Concert Series
This free outdoor family event running from June through August is perfect for starry summer nights. A variety of musical concerts – from country and patriotic to rock ‘n’ roll and reggae – is performed Wednesdays 7 to 9 p.m. at the Peace Center Amphitheater. 864-467-6667.

Robert Howell Brooks Center for the Performing Arts
The Brooks Center at Clemson University offers a concert series, chamber music series, university band series and other performances. 864-656-7787. www.clemson.edu/Brooks.

Shoestring Players
The Shoestring Players are in residence at the University of South Carolina-Upstate. 864-503-5695.
www.uscupstate.edu.

South Carolina Children’s Theater
Performing at Greenville’s Peace Center, the South Carolina Children’s Theater offers five plays or musicals annually for and with children. All performances are at Greenville’s Peace Center. The SCCT also educates youngsters through the Conservatory, a year-round program in the dramatic arts, and through outreach programs to at-risk and disadvantaged children. 864-235-2885. www.scchildrenstheatre.org.

Spartanburg Little Theatre
This theater company stages four productions per year and is the sponsor of the Spartanburg Youth Theatre. 864-585-8278. www.spartanarts.org/littletheatre.

Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium
This venue presents a full schedule of pop, rock, jazz and country music, and theater and dance performances featuring major national artists. 385 N. Church St., Spartanburg. 864-582-8107. www.crowdpleaser.com.

Spartanburg Repertory Company
The Spartanburg Repertory Company offers classic opera and popular musicals. 864-582-0039. www.spartanarts.org/repertory.

Summer concerts at Barnet Park
Held in downtown Spartanburg, these concerts are the perfect backdrop for a family picnic dinner. 248 E. St. John St., Spartanburg. 864-596-3105.

Warehouse Theatre
The Upstate’s only professional Equity Company, the Warehouse Theatre is known for its creative interpretations of the classics and performances of works by beginning playwrights. 37 Augusta St., Greenville. 864-235-6948. www.warehousetheatre.com.

Wofford Theatre Workshop
This workshop presents plays, and the college’s department of music offers performances by numerous groups and ensembles at Wofford College in Spartanburg. 864-597-4080. www.wofford.edu/theatre.


PHOTO COURTESY OF THE PEACE CENTER