Editing Carbondale, Illinois (section)

==Arts and culture==
[[File:SIU Altgeld Hall.jpg|thumb|[[Altgeld Hall (SIUC)|Altgeld Hall]] at [[Southern Illinois University Carbondale]]]]
In addition to [[Southern Illinois University Carbondale|Southern Illinois University]], which presents regular concerts and theatrical productions, as well as art and history exhibits, the city has a variety of unique cultural institutions.

SIU has a teaching museum on campus, the University Museum, which has 60,000 artifacts in its collection and hosts traveling shows from known artists. In addition to the University Museum, there is the African American Museum and The Science Center. Theater-goers can see both professional and student-produced plays and performances at the university's McLeod and Kleinau Theaters. SIUC is also home to the largest auditorium in Southern Illinois, Shryock Auditorium. Shryock Auditorium has brought in many performing artists, such as [[B. B. King]], [[The Supremes]], [[Ray Charles]], and [[Judy Collins]], along with orchestras and other musical productions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://shryock.siuc.edu/about |title=Shryock Auditorium &#124; Shryock Auditorium |access-date=2010-09-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110124031906/http://shryock.siuc.edu/about |archive-date=January 24, 2011 }}</ref> Carbondale is also home to Lost Cross, the longest running [[Do it yourself |DIY punk venue]] in the country, which has hosted local and national acts.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.nprillinois.org/post/scene-lost-cross-house-30-years-diy-punk-carbondale#stream/0|title=The Scene: Lost Cross House & 30 Years Of DIY Punk In Carbondale|last1=Faingold|first1=Scott|date=2016|work=NPR Illinois|last2=Otwell|first2=Rachel}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://dailyegyptian.com/58173/pulse/carbondale-punk-rock-house-celebrating-30-years-music-2/|title=Carbondale punk rock house celebrating 30 years of music|last=Allen|first=Shannon|date=September 1, 2016|work=Daily Egyptian}}</ref>

Theater-goers can also attend off-campus productions by The Jackson County Stage Company (Stage Company). In 2007, the Stage Company and Carbondale Community Arts (CCA) partnered to purchase and renovate the Varsity Theater, which had been vacant since 2003, into the Varsity Center for the Arts (VCA). The VCA is now the performing home of the Stage Company and also supports a variety of other fine arts and performances through the CCA.

[[File:Saluki Stadium Area.jpg|thumb|[[Saluki Stadium]]]]
Civic action is encouraged by groups such as Carbondale Conversations for Community Action, the local implementation of [[study circle]]s. There are several lodges and clubs, such as the [[Fraternal Order of Eagles]], [[Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks|Elks]], [[Rotary International]], and the A.F.A.M ([[Freemasonry]]).{{Citation needed|date=April 2019}}

The Women's Center, in continuous service since its founding in 1972, was one of the first domestic violence shelters in the United States.{{Citation needed|date=December 2010}}

Spirituality finds expression in Carbondale in churches of a variety of Christian denominations, a Unitarian Universalist fellowship, two mosques, a Jewish congregation, a Sufi community, and two Buddhist organizations&nbsp;— the Shawnee Dharma Group and the Sunyata Center. The first Hindu temple in Southern Illinois held its grand opening in Carbondale in June 2013. The Gaia House Interfaith Center provides space for intercultural exchange and personal growth. It is also an education center to help the community become more ecologically conscious, understand how to incorporate better practices into daily life, and set goals for the future.

Notable poets that reside in or near Carbondale include [[Rodney Jones (poet)|Rodney Jones]], [[Judy Jordan]], [[Allison Joseph]], and the Transpoetic Playground collective.

Carbondale also has a growing stand-up comedy scene, notably including [[Hannibal Buress]], who began his comedy career in the city.

===Events===
Carbondale is known for a number of yearly festivals, including the Lights Fantastic parade in December,<ref>[http://www.carbondalemainstreet.com/local/components/docmgr/default.php?sectiondetailid=3468&sc_id=1177124599&PHPSESSID=e406e8ef325d1bd3e8a264a476c3f9d3 Carbondale Main Street – Lights Fantastic<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071019115551/http://www.carbondalemainstreet.com/local/components/docmgr/default.php?sectiondetailid=3468&sc_id=1177124599&PHPSESSID=e406e8ef325d1bd3e8a264a476c3f9d3 |date=October 19, 2007 }}</ref> the Big Muddy Film Festival (February/March), the Southern Illinois Irish Festival (April), the [[India]]n ([[Hindu]], [[Sikhs|Sikh]] and [[Jainism|Jain]]) celebration of [[Diwali]] (October/November), the Great Cardboard Boat Regatta (April), the Sunset Concerts (a summer series of free outdoor concerts on the Southern Illinois University campus and in city parks), and Brown Bag Concerts (a spring and fall series of free outdoor concerts in the Town Square Pavilion).