Arts News August 21, 2026

By Jimmy Rea

Published August 21, 2026 at 11:00 AM CDT

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Southwest Missouri native Gina Keltner talks about her tenure at the Grand Ole Opry, we speak with the founder of the High Lonesome Music Festival and one of the performers, hear music from Justin Larkin and Baang, and hear poetry from Jessica Allen.

August 21 - 22 - Brian Bates at Springfield Comedy Club

August 22 - The Queen City Beatles Revue at Tie & Timber Beer Co.

August 22 - Tattoo Flash at Black Pigment Tattoo

August 22 - Storytelling Day at George Washington Carver National Monument in Diamond

August 22 - 23 - The Great Cakes of Europe: A two-day baking class

August 24 - Mondo Moxie: "Popcorn" (1991) at Moxie Cinema downtown Springfield

August 26 - Books and Brews at Hold Fast Brewery

Arts News

Jimmy Rea

Jimmy Rea is a proud Ozarkian with deep ties to the music community. With 2 decades of creative entrepreneurship underfoot, Jimmy has toured coast to coast and around the world with acoustic acts The HillBenders and Keller Williams. Spearheading numerous musical groups, recording projects, and live music events, Rea’s work in the Springfield music scene is a passion and lifestyle. Happily married to wife Melissa and father to Archie, they enjoy life together with 2 dogs and a cat. In his downtime you can find Jimmy fishing for bass in the crisp rivers, creeks, and streams of the Ozarks.<br/>

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