There were numerous venues where music and entertainment was presented.  The East Florence Opera House, The Florence Opera House, and The Academy of Music, which presented not only traveling shows, but productions by local citizens.  Traveling shows and entertainers brought the popular artists, actors, lectures, musicians and events to Florence. Selected references include:

East Florence Opera House:

In 1890, Florence Councilman Thomas Hollingsworth stated that among the many buildings that have marked the rapid growth of the valley of Sweetwater during the past eighteen months, the enterprise of the originators, and builders than the East Florence Opera House is an excellent example.

The Florence Opera House:

A Phonograph Concert at the Opera House, January 6, 1896, was the highlight of the season.  This marvelous wonder is not like the common talking machines, but can be heard distinctly by audiences of over 1200 people sitting as in an ordinary concert.  The Laing Bros. concerts have been given in over 1500 churches in the United States and Canada.  In short, wherever the concerts have been given, it has met with the warmest reception by the press and the public.

Other concerts and events included Clara Schuman Orchestra, Gen. John B. Gordon will deliver his lecture, ‘Last Days of the Confederacy’, and Martell’s mammoth production, ’The South Before the War’.