Live Theater
The Barn Theater is showing an original family-friendly comedy, “Writer’s Block,” about a Pulitzer Prize-winning writer trying to overcome his writer’s block. Runs Jan. 23-Feb. 7 at 42 S. Plano, Porterville. 559 310-7046 or www.portervillebarntheater.com
The Icehouse Theatre presents “The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey” Jan. 30-Feb. 8. JJ Pestano plays nine characters in a one-man show about a detective investigating the sudden disappearance of a flamboyant 14-year-old in the Jersey Shore. 410 E. Race. 559 734-3900 or Facebook: Visalia Players at the Icehouse
Encore Theatre presents “Rent,” a powerful rock musical that follows struggling artists in NYC against the backdrop of the AIDS crisis, Feb. 7-21. 324 South N St., Tulare. 559 686-1300 or www.encoretulare.org
Art shows
Arts Visalia is showing stone, wood and drawings by Mark Robinson over his long career in January. Open Wednesdays-Saturdays, 12-5:30 p.m. 214 E. Oak, 559 739-0905 or www.artsvisalia.org
Arts Consortium is showing ceramics by Antonio Cuellar painted by professional tattoo artists for one-of-a-kind art. 340 E. Oak, Visalia. Open Tuesdays-Fridays 10-3. www.artsconsortium.org
Brandon-Mitchell Gallery is showing line drawings featuring Japanese and African figures all created on the iPhone by Rene Luna during First Friday Art Walks in Downtown Visalia in January and February, after service at 11:30 a.m. on Sundays and by appointment. 117 S. Locust, Visalia, 559 625-2441 or www.brandonmitchellgallery.org
College of the Sequoias Gallery hosts “Changing Conditions,” art by COS alumni Marty Azevedo and David Hicks through March 6. Open Tuesdays-Thursdays 10-4 and Fridays by appointment. Kaweah Building, Room 214 (downstairs) at the corner of Meadow Lane and Mooney. Free 20-minute parking in the circle drive. Facebook: College of the Sequoias Art Gallery
College of the Sequoias Resource Center is showing “Instability,” works by Eric Zeigler an Aaron Ellison through Feb. 20. Open Mondays-Thursdays 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Fridays 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturdays 10-2. LRC Gallery, Lodgepole Building. Facebook: College of the Sequoias Art Gallery
The Oval Gallery is featuring Diego Ortega, who is showcasing some of his favorite portraits taken on a Polaroid Big Shot. 808 N. Court. Open Thursdays and Fridays from 5-8 p.m. and by appointment if requested through Instagram, www.instagram.com/theovalgallery
Tulare City Historical Museum hosts its “Varied Impressions” art show in January Open Thursdays-Saturdays 10-4. 444 W. Tulare in Tulare. 559 686-2074 or www.tularehistoricalmuseum.org
Tulare City Historical Museum has on display “Vintage Vogue: Retrospective of Women’s Fashion” from the late 1800s, January through March 28. 559 686-2074 or www.tularehistoricalmuseum.org
CACHE (Center for Art, Culture & History Exeter) is showing “Beneath the Surface,” a group exhibit featuring Visalia abstract artist Kristine Vogt, from Jan. 24-March 29. 125 South B. 559 592-5900 or www.cach-exeter.org
Lindsay Museum & Gallery shows “The Great Circle Dance: The Visionary Paintings of Bonnie Brisbee” using symbolic imagery and a dream-driven process from Jan. 10-Feb. 6. Open Fridays 12-4 p.m. 165 N. Gale Hill Ave. www.lindsayarts.com
New gallery in Springville. The Pierpoint Bar & Grill & Gallery is showing “Heaven in the Sierras” by local photographer Trish Logan through Jan. 31. Open 10-6 daily. 801 Highway 190, Springville. 559 483-9110 or liz.pierpointgallery@gmail.com
Events by date
Jan. 30-Feb. 1
- Visalia Home and Patio Springfest features over 300 exhibits plus kids’ activities at the Visalia Convention Center, 303 E. Acequia. visaliahomeshows.com
Saturday, Jan. 31
- The State Street Ballet joins the Sequoia Symphony to perform Act 1 of the “Romeo and Juliet” ballet by Tchaikovsky at 7:30 p.m. at the Visalia Fox Theatre, 300 W. Main. 559 732-8600 or sequoiasymphonyorchestra.com
- Visalia Toy-Anime-Comic Con from 11-4 at the Veterans Memorial Building, 609 W. Center. Costume contest. Collectibles and cards. Facebook: Visalia Toy-Anime
Thursday, Feb. 5
- Artists’ talk by Marty Azevedo and David Hicks, who are showing “Changing Conditions” at the College of the Sequoias Gallery, at 11:15 a.m., followed by a reception from 12-2. Kaweah Building, Room 214 (downstairs) at the corner of Meadow Lane and Mooney. Free 20-minute parking in the circle drive. Facebook: College of the Sequoias Art Gallery
Friday, Feb. 6
- Downtown Visalia First Friday Art Walk from 5-8 p.m. Pick up a map at the Arts Consortium, 340 E. Oak, Arts Visalia, 214 E. Oak, or the Brandon-Mitchell Gallery, 117 S. Locust, and visit venues with art, music and snacks. artsconsortium.org
- Galentine’s Day Brunch for gals 50 and better at 9:30 a.m. at the Visalia Senior Center, 310 N. Locust. visitvisalia.org/calendar
Saturday, Feb. 7
- 1st Saturday in Three Rivers features open studios, food and art shows from 11-5. Pick up a map and schedule at Kaweah Arts, 41841 Sierra Dr. (Highway 198) or the Three Rivers Historical Museum, 42268 Sierra Dr. 559 799-1473 or 1stSaturdaytr.com
- Meet the artist and book signing from 2-4 p.m. with Merry Miller-Gass, children’s book illustrator, whose art is on display at Arts Visalia, 214 E. Oak. 559 739-0905 or artsvisalia.org
- Moonlight Revelry Ball from 4-11 p.m. features fantasy vendor market, live portrait painting, book signing, make ‘n take and sit-down dinner. Visalia Convention Center, 303 E. Acequia. visitvisalia.org/calendar
- “Pretty Woman” (1990) starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere is shown at 7 p.m. at the Hanford Fox Theatre, 326 N. Irwin. 559 584-7823 or foxhanford.com
Sunday, Feb. 8
- Galentine’s Day Brunch at 11 a.m. at the Hyde, 3200 Mineral King, Visalia, with mimosas and a complimentary glass to paint as a memento. Eventbrite: Galentine’s Brunch
Tuesday, Feb. 10
- Dessert Walk in Downtown Visalia from 5-8 p.m. Get sweet treats from participating restaurants and shops. Then enjoy a free movie at the Fox Theatre. Tickets: downtownvisalia.com
Feb. 10-12
- World Ag Expo, the largest annual agriculture show in the world with over 1,200 exhibitors of cutting-edge technology and equipment. 4500 S. Laspina, Tulare. worldagexpo.com
Friday, Feb. 13
- Valentine’s Day Market at the Farmer’s Market from 8-11:30 a.m. Kids’ corner, photo ops, fresh flowers. Behind the courthouse at 2231 W. Main, Visalia. Facebook: Valentine’s Market
- “Valentine’s Day” (2010) movie about residents experiencing the highs and lows of living during a single day, will be shown at 7 p.m. at the Hanford Fox Theatre, 326 N. Irwin. 559 584-7823 or foxhanford.com
- Mariachi Festival at 7 p.m. at the Visalia Fox Theatre featuring Leyendas del Mariachi with members of famous mariachi groups and Ballet Folklorico. 300 W. Main. 559 625-1369 or foxvisalia.org
Saturday, Feb. 14
- Make Valentine cards with Merry Miller-Gass, children’s book illustrator and featured artist at Arts Visalia, at 1 p.m. Free for all ages. Arts Visalia, 214 E. Oak, 559 739-0905 or artsvisalia.org
Monday, Feb. 16
- CACHE Chats: Tales of Exeter and Beyond this quarter features “The Merrymans of Marinette: the men who bankrolled Exeter’s citrus boom” at 7 p.m. Center for Arts, Culture & History, 125 South B, Exeter. cach-exeter.org/events
- Free entry into Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in honor of Presidents’ Day. visitvisalia.org/calendar