Roberts recalls last round of concerts at Spur’s Palace; Local singer returns with Tumbleweed Smith show at May 14

It’s been a few years since Nashville recording artist— and Dickens Couty resident— DeAnne Roberts graced the stage at Spur’s Palace Theater.

There isn’t much of a stage remaining, now that the big movie screen fills the proscenium opening—but the names of performers like Roberts, and the late Don Edwards, testify to those shows back in the mid-2000’s.

Thanks to a grant from Humanities Texas—and the efforts of dedicated volunteers who have rescued and restored the 1929 movie theater in recent years—live performances are back.

“Sound of Texas” radio host Tumbleweed Smith will headline the season kickoff event May 14, 2022, at 7 p.m., with vocalist DeAnne Roberts of Dickens and pianist Lucy Dean Record of Lockney opening with a selection of musical numbers.

Tumbleweed Smith’s program “Outrageous Texas Women of Character” features segments from his decades of radio interviews with interesting personalities— with plenty of laughs and admiration to go around. He’ll also interview Roberts and Record as part of the live show.

The $20 ticket for two includes a free wine tasting next door at The Texas Spur building for those 21 and over, starting at 6 p.m., with a sampling presented by the new Winehouse at 127 of Post, Texas. A coffeeselection will also be available.

The Palace Theater, whose distinctive two-story Spanish Colonial Revival brick façade was restored with assistance from numerous preservation and downtown revitalization groups, is managed by the Dickens County Historical Commission. Its brightly colored, lighted blade sign is the hallmark of Spur’s main street, Burlington Avenue. It returned to showing moviesin 2018 with digital projection capability but was closed for much of 2020 and 2021 due to Covid-19 concerns followed by damage during Winter Storm Uri.

Tickets are $20 for two admissions: the Palace encourages guests to bring an extraordinary Texas woman — wife, mother, daughter, neighbor, sister, friend — and pin up a photo and card on our lobby board in her honor.

This event is presented by the Dickens County Historical Commission and supported by a generous grant from Humanities Texas.

Ronnie Huffman’s Jigsaw’s Food Trailer will be on hand Saturday afternoon in Rickels Park with dinner selections available to visitors. Winehouse at 127, from Post, will also be at The Texas Spur to pour taste-sized servings of Texas wines to Palace ticket holders 21 and over.

SURPRISE EMCEE The master of ceremonies for Saturday night’s show at the Palace is a local business leader known to many . . . as someone who never “ducks” an opportunity to serve his community!