past events
The
Wiz • Les Miserables
• At The
Gallery March 2010 •
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
• The Steeldrivers • Dracula • Junior Brown • Joseph & the
Amazing
Technicholor Dream
Coat • Musicals
by year
"The Wiz" - July 23 - 25, 2010
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The summers musical was a modern Version of "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" by L. Frank Baum. Dorothy's adventures in the Land of Oz have been set to music in a dazzling, lively mixture of rock, gospel and soul music. Everybody knows the story, but now it's a new fantasy for today-- mysterious, opulent and fanciful.
"Les
Miserables" - May 21-23rd, 2010 (A
Franklin-Simpson High School Play)
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This epic story recounts the struggle against adversity in 19th century France. Imprisoned for stealing a loaf of bread, petty thief Jean Valjean is released from his 19-year term and not only becomes an honest man, but the mayor of a prosperous town and a loving adoptive father - violating his parole in the process. The relentless Inspector Javert, who makes a decent life for Valjean impossible, consequently pursues him. Only years later, after Valjean proves his mettle during a bloody student uprising and saves the life of a young man hopelessly in love with Valjean’s adopted daughter, does the ex-convict finally feel fully redeemed.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo - February 25, 2010
Presented in conjunction with the African American Heritage Center
Leaping on to the world stage on Paul Simon's ground breaking album "Graceland", Ladysmith Black Mambazo have married the intricate rhythms and harmonies of their native South African musical traditions to the sounds and sentiments of Christian gospel music for more than thirty years. Ladysmith Black Mambazo has performed for South African President Nelson Mandela, for the Queen of England and the Royal
Family at Royal Albert Hall. The group have performed at two Nobel
Peace Prize Ceremonies, a concert for Pope John Paul II in Rome, the
South African Presidential inaugurations, the 1996 Summer Olympics and
in the summer of 2002, Black Mambazo was again asked to represent their
nation in London at a celebration for Queen Elizabeth’s 50th
Anniversary as Monarch. In addition to their work with Paul Simon, Ladysmith Black Mambazo has recorded with numerous artists from around the world, including Stevie Wonder, Dolly Parton, The Wynans, Julia Fordham, George Clinton, The Corrs and Ben Harper. Their film work includes a featured appearance in Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker video and Spike Lee’s Do It A Cappella. Black Mambazo provided soundtrack material for Disney’s The Lion King, Part II as well as Eddie Murphy’s Coming To America, Marlon Brando’s A Dry White Season, Sean Connery’s The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, and James Earl Jones’ Cry The Beloved Country. A recent film documentary titled On Tip Toe: Gentle Steps to Freedom, the story of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, was nominated for an Academy Award. The group is well known for its Life Savers candy commercials. Their performance with Paul Simon on Sesame Street is legendary and is one of the top three requested Sesame Street segments in history.
The newest offering by Ladysmith Black Mambazo is a tribute to Shaka Zulu, the iconic South African warrior who united numerous regional tribes in the late 1800s and became the first king of the Zulu nation. Ilembe: Honoring Shaka Zulu was released worldwide in January 2008.
The Steeldrivers - January 21, 2010
With special guests, Green On The Vyne
The hottest "new" group on the Bluegrass scene is actually made up of some of Nashville's best studio musicians and writers. The Steeldrivers 1st album blasted on the scene in 2008 and quickly garnered Grammy, Country and Americana nominations and awards. Come see what all the fuss is about, the group Vince Gill calls "an incredible combination." Special guests opening the show "Green On The Vyne."
