edited by Shannon Rogers
The Carroll County Arts Council is bringing a new lineup of live performances, films, exhibitions, classes and community events to the Carroll Arts Center this fall, including a new series highlighting musicians who live and work in Carroll County.
The Fall 2026 season begins in September and features several new and returning programs designed to give Carroll County residents opportunities to experience and participate in the arts.
Free community music programming will continue with the 1st Wednesday Community Jams, presented in partnership with Common Ground on the Hill. The gatherings will take place Sept. 2, Oct. 7 and Nov. 4 from 7 to 9 p.m. Musicians, singers and listeners of all ages and skill levels can participate in bluegrass and old-time, blues and Celtic music. No registration is required.
Film Lovers in Carroll County will screen Reign Over Me on Sept. 11 at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The film stars Adam Sandler and Don Cheadle and follows two former college friends who reconnect as one struggles with profound loss following the Sept. 11 attacks. Tickets are $10.
Among the new offerings is the Hometown Headliner Series, which will put local talent center stage. The series opens Sept. 12 at 7:30 p.m. with June Star, the longtime hometown favorite formed by singer-songwriter Andrew Grimm. June Star will be joined by opener Mike Holden.
Visual arts will be featured through the Carroll County Arts Council’s 24th Annual Members Show, Our Collective Canvas: A Community of Makers, running Sept. 17 through Nov. 7. The free exhibition will feature work by Arts Council members in mediums including painting, photography, sculpture, fiber arts and mixed media.
The Arts Council will also offer a variety of classes and workshops for youth and adults throughout the fall. Youth programs include four-week Take the Stage drama classes for elementary and middle school students beginning Oct. 1, along with Make It & Take It, which gives young artists opportunities to explore different creative mediums.
On Oct. 3 at 7:30 p.m., David Anthony’s Magic & Comedy Hypnosis Show will combine magic, comedy and audience participation. The second half of the show will feature volunteers participating in comedy hypnosis. Tickets range from $10 for youth to $30 and up for adults, with a limited $40 VIP experience also available.
On Oct. 23 at 7:30 p.m., Carroll County-based Ebb & Nova will celebrate its 10th anniversary with a special concert featuring favorite songs, special guests and surprises. The group blends indie rock with pop and folk influences and has performed throughout the region alongside nationally recognized acts including Good Charlotte, Gin Blossoms and Smash Mouth.
The Arts Council’s annual Halloween programming returns Oct. 27-30 with Scary-Tale Evenings Week. The four-night series will feature the 1925 silent classic The Phantom of the Opera on Oct. 27, followed by Ex Machina on Oct. 28.
Dave Thomen will return Oct. 29 for Tricks & Treats with D’s Magic, a family-friendly evening of comedy, illusions and audience participation. The series concludes Oct. 30 with the annual screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, featuring a pre-show costume contest, live performances, trivia and audience participation hosted by Maya Pinion.
Other offerings include Landscape Painting from Photos, Create Your Own Unique Dream Catcher, Portfolio Development, Reflections of Autumn in Mosaics, Fall Landscape in Pastels and The Art of Zentangle. Scholarship assistance is available for youth and adult learners.
The Arts Council is also introducing a new tiered ticket pricing model for its live performances. Adult tickets will be offered at three levels: Access for $20, Support for $25 and Sustain, which allows patrons to pay what they will beginning at $30. Most Arts Council-produced performances will also offer $10 tickets for youth ages 18 and younger.
The Arts Council said the new pricing structure gives patrons flexibility in choosing how they support its programming, with proceeds helping fund youth access to the arts, artist sustainability, community gathering and cultural infrastructure.
The Carroll Arts Center is located at 91 West Main Street in downtown Westminster and includes a 263-seat theater, galleries, classrooms, a gift shop and Arts Council offices.
Additional information about upcoming events, tickets and class registration is available from the Carroll County Arts Council at 410-848-7272.
