Lubbock, the live music capital of Texas, has long been known for its thriving music scene. Legends like Joe Ely, Natalie Maines, Mac Davis, and the one and only Buddy Holly have all called Lubbock home. They’ve played from its stages, entertained in its streets, picked guitars and belted out tunes for giant crowds and intimate gatherings here. And now the highly anticipated The Buddy Holly Hall of Performing Arts and Sciences—The Buddy Holly Hall for short—will soon open its doors, becoming the crown jewel of entertainment on the South Plains. The 220,000-square-foot campus will have multiple theaters with dynamic acoustics and will host some of the best entertainers in the world.
Part of the downtown revitalization plan, The Buddy Holly Hall will be the new home of Ballet Lubbock, Lubbock Symphony Orchestra, and Lubbock ISD Visual and Performing Arts. The architects, designers, and project managers have thought of every detail to create connected spaces with a wide range of capabilities. A giant light sculpture will illuminate the West Texas horizon and lead you to the breathtaking building, set to open in August 2020. A sculptural staircase will be the focal point inside the immaculate space.
Events will take place here all year long. You can expect everything from symphony and ballet concerts to educational summits and conferences, to rock concerts by international performing artists and musical theater. For decades, the long vistas, vibrant sunsets, and oversized skies of this region have inspired lyrics, the perfect setting for the Buddy Holly Songwriters Retreat, which will take place here each fall. This is your opportunity to hear up-and-coming and established songwriters play their ballads. There will also be a Broadway at The Buddy Holly Hall series, beginning with “Les Misérables,” so be on the lookout for the season’s full schedule announcement.
The Buddy Holly Hall is built with an emphasis on education, helping to inspire the next generation of entertainers, songwriters, musicians, and artists. The Hall will host Lubbock ISD fine arts programs and student UIL competitions, theater performances, and concerts. Buddy Holly was a member of Lubbock High School’s choir and graduated from LISD in 1955, so the groundwork has been laid. The Lubbock Entertainment / Performing Arts Association (LEPAA) and The Buddy Holly Educational Foundation are developing an exchange program to expand sustainable performing arts careers across the U.S., U.K., Germany, and Australia.
If you’re looking to reserve an event venue in Lubbock, The Buddy Holly Hall has a plethora of options. The world-class facility includes two theaters: the Helen DeVitt Jones Main Theater (with 2,200 seats within four levels, two VIP lounges, and an acoustic rating of NC 15), and The Crickets Studio Theater (with 425 seats, concessions, a lounge, private entrance and lobby, and an acoustic rating of NC 15). With clear sightlines, there’s not a bad seat in either of these two state-of-the-art venues.
The Multipurpose Event Room is 6,000 square feet of sub-dividable space perfect for conferences, lectures, banquets, and receptions. The Ballet Lubbock Pre-Professional Academy is a 22,000-square-foot dance center, and the Christine DeVitt Main Lobby is a prime location for weddings, galas, and banquets for up to 300 seated—plus, it features that stunning spiral staircase, a true ambiance setter. There will be plenty of accommodating loading docks, dressing rooms, performers’ lounges, offices, and storage space for sets and costumes throughout the backstage portion of the facility.
And it’s not just the facility that will take your breath away. The cuisine at The Buddy Holly Hall is not your average conference chicken. The United Family’s Market Street, led by Executive Chef Chris Wilson, will serve up a menu of freshly prepared dishes at on-site events. The Bistro will serve lunch and dinner indoors and on the outdoor terrace seven days a week, so be sure to swing by when you’re in town for a chance to enjoy local plates with an amazing backdrop.
While a performance or conference at The Buddy Holly Hall of Performing Arts and Sciences may be the initial reason you visit Lubbock, there’s lots to do within close proximity. The brand-new boutique, Cotton Court Hotel, will open downtown—a swanky place to hang your hat, for sure. The Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts (LHUCA) is close by, surrounded by numerous art galleries and studios that host the ultra-popular First Friday Art Trail. Picnic at Buffalo Springs Lake, play at Joyland Amusement Park, and learn at the American Windmill Museum. Walk the bricks of the Depot Entertainment District and be sure to stop by The Buddy Holly Center for a deeper dive into the legend’s life in Lubbock—and the chance to take a photo with the iconic giant Buddy glasses!
Buddy Holly has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the music industry and throughout the “Hub City.” His legacy is spread through the community, and you can learn the stories about his life—where he played music, where The Crickets recorded their records, and where he wrote his songs—then visit those locations. Though Buddy died tragically at the young age of 22, his music won’t fade away.
Today, 61 years after his death, fans travel from all over the globe to Lubbock to celebrate his life. The Buddy Holly Hall is new, gorgeous, and just the place to experience the excitement and energy of Lubbock's legendary performing arts scene.