The Foundation Celebrates its 10th Anniversary of Programming with an All American Season

The 2009-2010 Season marks the 10^th Anniversary of programming at The Foundation.  Russell Wicker, Director of the Foundation stated, “Despite mandatory cutbacks required by the state of North Carolina, we are able to bring an exciting season to Rutherford County because of the continued support of the Stonecutter Foundation.  Although as a county and a country we are struggling with many issues, we believe it is a time to celebrate the great variety of art forms that have grown out of the talent and imagination of American artists.  So for our 10^th Anniversary Season we have decided to present an “All American Season.” “

The “Cultural Society Series” contains seven shows covering more than a century of creative works, from the time of silent films, past the big band era, through the 1970’s and into today.  In addition, the Spindale Opry Series has always focused on the best of bluegrass, country and other traditional American art forms, and will include two great artists.

The season will open on September 19^th with “American Big Band” is a theatrical ‘Sentimental Journey’ through the Big Band Era in America.  In this new theatrically staged, costumed and choreographed production, 20 singers, dancers, and musicians bring the Big Band story to life featuring the music of Goodman, Herman, Dorsey, Shaw, Ellington, James, and of course Glenn Miller.

On November 7^th we feature Doc Watson “Hills of Home” with David Holt. For more than three decades, Doc Watson has been America’s most renowned and influential folk guitar stylist – a living legend in acoustic music. Four-time Grammy Award winner David Hold is a musician, storyteller, historian, television host, and entertainer. This performance will also be the finale of the Snuffy Jenkins Music Festival Reunion, being produced by the Rutherford County Arts Council.

On December 9^th, the North Carolina Symphony Holiday Pops showcases one of American’s greatest state orchestras, under the direction of William Henry Curry, returning to The Foundation for the first time since the Gala Opening of November 5, 1999, and performing a mixed program of classical and pop selections with the holiday season in mind.

January 29, the Paragon Ragtime Orchestra “The Clown Princes” features three silent films by Chaplin, Keaton and Lloyd. The original musical score to each film is performed by the Paragon Ragtime Orchestra, the world’s only year-round, professional ensemble re-creating “America’s Original Music.”

February 12^th it’s “Route 66” by Springer Theatricals is a new musical and comedy revue, which begins in Chicago and travels across the U.S., along the famed ‘Main Street of America,’  and features songs from the late ‘50s and early ‘60s including Dead Man’s Curve, Six Days on the Road, GTO, and of course, Route 66.

On April 16 it’s “The Piano Men- Starring Jim Witter,”  a musical journey through the ‘70s, featuring the songs of Billy Joel and Elton John.  Utilizing rear-screen projection, Jim Witter and his band make possible an emotional return visit to specific landmarks in a pop culture timeline, with some of the best music ever written.

May 29, Memorial Day weekend will close out the Cultural Society Series with The Lettermen.  Tony Butala, Donovan Tea, and Mark Preston are The Lettermen who together have been part of America’s music scene for over forty-five years.  You may have fallen in love to “Put Your Head On My Shoulder” and “When I Fall In Love,” or perhaps you watched them on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand performing “Going Out of My Head/ Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” or “Hurt So Bad”. These songs, and others, established The Lettermen as the most romantic singing group of the ‘60s.

The SPINDALE OPRY Series begins December 12 with Riders In the Sky. “Christmas The Cowboy Way” is a great big western ho-ho-ho from "America’s Favorite Cowboys!”  Those wacky, four-part harmonizing cowboys have spruced up the Spindale House, donned their sequined yuletide outfits, and loosed their vivid imaginations to create a holiday musical fantasy for Saddle Pals of all ages. Christmas The Cowboy Way will include original songs and a sing along of some traditional holiday classics, augmented with the classic, western favorites Riders have been singing for 30 years.

The second Opry show features Ronnie Milsap, who ranks as the pre-eminent country soul singer of his generation.   A native North Carolinian, born in Robbinsville, Ronnie Milsap has 40 #1 hits, over 25 million records sold, seven Grammy Awards, four Academy of Country Music Awards, and eight Country Music Association Awards.  His hits include “Smokey Mountain Rain,” “Lost in the 50’s Tonight,” “There’s No Getting Over Me,” “Stranger in My House” and “Any Day Now.”  His performance here will be an intimate evening with the artist.

On July 7, a season ticket membership will go on sale for the Cultural Society Series, all seven shows for only $120, plus you can add the two Spindale Opry Series shows for just $40 more.  Purchase your reserved seating for all nine shows at only $160, and get a combined savings of $52 over the single-ticket price.  Season tickets sales will end July 31, and single ticket sales will begin August 4^th.

The Foundation Box office will be open Tuesday through Friday from 11:00 am until 5:00 pm beginning July 7th.  You can purchase in person, by phone at 828-286-9990, or you can purchase on line at The Foundation website, www.FoundationShows.org .