Did You Know…
..there’s more to the PAC than you may realize!
We constantly get asked about our programs. It seems that a lot of people STILL don’t know what all we do.. then again, that’s understandable! We are ever-changing, evolving to meet the wishes of what people would like to see and do in the area.
So, let’s start at the beginning, with the why.. as that is the central focus of what we do, we believe that’s the most important thing.Simply put, we are about community.
Our mission is simple:
Explore, Educate, Entertain
We are here to empower others to be more, through exploring the world around them, through educating people where we can, and by providing uplifting, community driven entertainment.
While the PAC is where you see us the most, we are very active all throughout the region. During spring and summer, you may see us out working on civic projects, like picking up trash or planting flowers. We meet individually with people to help them find resources to empower themselves to become more. We work with different area organizations that are geared towards the greater good, and share resources in order to have a positive impact on the Mountain Gateway region.The PAC provides a fun and exciting place to learn new things and to let loose, but it also serves as the financial backbone of our other projects. After expenses, everything that is brought in to the PAC goes back out to help make our area a better place.
Ok, I got it.. now what is the PAC??
The PAC is the place for artistic expression. We try to encompass all forms of art, from musical expression to visual expression and beyond. More than that, we try to make it fun!
Get Inspired.. or get crazy; it’s up to you!
Every week, we offer family friendly karaoke for all ages on Saturdays, open jam night for musicians on Thursdays, and although it is a non-PAC hosted event, a great group of Dungeon and Dragons players meet at the facility every Sunday. Beginning in May, we will bring back our weekly mid-week themed karaoke nights on Wednesdays.
Once a month, we host Music with a Mission, Comedy Improv, Stand Up Comedy, Drum Circles, and Folk Jams. Each month, we select someone in need from the community to benefit from our Music with a Mission series. Any band or singer that wants to come out and support this is always welcome. You’ll also catch our house band, Roads Less Traveled, performing during those Fridays. Our Comedy Improv series is a lot of fun, and it gives people the opportunity to learn the basics of Improv Acting. Stand Up Comedy is always a hit, and provides a venue for those interested in stand up comedy or storytelling. Test your brain power during our Trivia Nights and our Game Show Nights! We host regular trivia nights in the style of Jeopardy!, and immediately following the trivia games we host other game shows such as Deal or No Deal. Our Drum Circles grow bigger every week. The drum circles lets us delve into our more primitive side as we relax to the groups groove. The Folk Jam program is new, and it is very unique for our area. The program focuses on different types of folk music, from Americana to Irish folk songs.
It’s The PAC, Man..
We want to be different; normal is so…boring. We want to offer things that are unique, challenging, and fun! One of our favorite areas include the escape rooms.
Currently, the Steampunk Escape Room is open during events and by reservation. In the escape room, you have one hour to neutralize a bomb before it blows up – and it won’t be easy! You have to solve riddles, find hidden objects, and work as a team to get through this one!
We are also working on a purely teen and up escape room, but this one isn’t for the faint of heart! The Horror Escape Room will give you chills, thrills, and there may be a small chance that you’ll escape alive! The first room is a scene straight from a horror movie, with rotted walls and…things..coming out of the dark. If you can escape that room, you’ll enter in to the asylum, where you can either reclaim your sanity or be lost forever!
Opening soon is our Kid’s Themed Escape Room, but don’t worry, it’s not JUST for kids. The puzzles are hard enough to keep any adult pleasantly frustrated for quite some time. When not in use for a game, these rooms double as a Kid’s Maker Space and Play Room. The first room is themed as a small classroom and contains various things for kids to play with, from Legos to Lincoln logs. The second room is themed like a classic side-scroller video game and contains a tumble mat and toys for younger kids.
Speaking of maker spaces, the PAC has the Main Maker Space geared for teens and adults. This room is set up as a larger classroom and is stocked full of arts and craft supplies. When not in use as a maker space, this room doubles as a Video Game Room, small Movie Theater, and Educational Space. Now that the projectors are installed, visitors can hook up their laptop or video game console to the projector and hang out.
This is all centered around the Gallery Halls. These dual hallways are set to showcase local art from local artists!
It’s my Party and I’ll Sing if I want to!
Sure, we host a lot of events, but did you know that the PAC is open to anyone? We focus on the community, and that means you!
Each month, we host a number of Birthday Parties. Each birthday party is unique, and we will do all we can to make your special! From Karaoke and Dance Parties to Escape Rooms and Laser Tag, we have something for everyone. Coming in Spring, we will begin hosting regular Laser Tag sessions outside our building or out at Twyman Park. We will sit down with you to help determine how we can make your party huge!
Speaking of… Looking for fundraisers? Why not try Laser Tag or one of the other programs we offer. We’ll host the event for you and help you bring in revenue for your cause!
Besides birthday parties, we also have a variety of social party events, such as our Murder-Mystery games, and the escape rooms are always a hit! With our Murder-Mystery games, the goal is to try to find the killer, as well as to meet your own objectives through the game. Beware though, they can get pretty intense!
You can Rent the PAC for a variety of purposes! We have had musicians rent the building to practice, photographers have used it for photo shoots, schools have used it for field trips, and artists have rented it for private lessons. There’s no limit to what it can be used for!
We have a number of rooms that can be rented, including the Piano Lounge, the Entertainment Hall, the Maker Space, and the Escape Rooms.
Speaking of intense…
Throughout the year, the PAC hosts several major events! The first of these was the 2020 New Year’s Eve Ball Drop! This was the first ball drop of it’s kind ever to be held in LeFlore County! Not only are these a lot of great fun, but they also help bring the community together to celebrate!
And celebrations we have! The PAC has hosted several Theatrical Performances, Live Music Performances, and a number of other special events.
We are working towards building a monthly History Round-Table Discussion that will help benefit the River Valley Genealogical Society, all in 3D! A three-dimensional real-time walkthrough of downtown Poteau from the 1890s has been created which will allow people to really experience what life was like back then.
There’s always Something going on at the PAC!
Want more?
We’re always working on new stuff! In the works is a real-time Green Screen experience! Although development is moving forward, it may be some time before this is available to the public. There are also plans in the works for Interactive Science Exhibits! There is so much more coming to the PAC!!
You can check us out at www.Poteau.Life to keep up with the latest!