Welcome To
McGREGOR HaLL Performing Arts Learning Center
Your place for art, culture education.
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cGregor Hall is your place for art, culture and education in the Kerr Lake region. Each year, the center hosts over 20 performances as well as a wide variety of civic events, learning opportunities and celebrations of educational achievements. The performing arts theater and adjacent library, both part of Henderson’s Embassy Square, are your prime destination for social, cultural and educational events. The arts help us express our values, build bridges between cultures, and bring us together regardless of ethnicity, religion or age. The arts inspire, activate our minds, spark creativity and have been shown to improve the academic performance of students. These are the goals of McGregor Hall Performing Arts and Learing Center. So we invite you, your family, friends and neighbors to enjoy one of the many upcoming performances and educational events here at our newly opened center. n
HENDERSON, NORTH CAROLINA
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From The Executive Director
As the Executive Director of the Embassy Cultural Center Foundation, I would like to welcome you to McGregor Hall Performing Arts and Learning Center. The Embassy Cultural Center Foundation (ECCF) was born from a desire to make a more vibrant community in and around Henderson, North Carolina. The ECCF was founded upon the belief that educational and cultural opportunities are a powerful engine for economic and social revitalization. This intention has taken shape as a 30,000-square-foot learning center, comprised of McGregor Hall Performing Arts and Learning Center and the Perry Memorial Library. This remarkable gathering place, in the center of downtown, is designed to be the foundation for change in Henderson and Vance County. Opening McGregor Hall has engendered a sense of hope in this community, as a mark of what can be done when everyone works together. It is already at work as an economic catalyst in the region, being a frequent highlight of local industrial and business recruiting efforts. The initial performances the Hall has presented have created an opportunity for the community to gather and celebrate one another. I look forward to having you visit our community. See you at the show!
Our Mission Statement
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he Embassy Cultural Center Foundation is a cultural and economic engine located in historic downtown Henderson, North Carolina, creating dynamic artistic and educational experiences for the enrichment of our region. We honor the diversity of community through a wide variety of performances and learning opportunities, centered in Special and around McGregor Hall.
Tommy Deadwwyler
Executive Director tommydeadwyler@mcgregorhall.org
ind us on acebook
Like McGregor Hall on Facebook, Twi�er and YouTube, and sign up for the monthly eNewsle�ers in order to be one of the first to know about upcoming performances and educa�onal events.
Thanks to our Volunteers. Contact us today to find out how you can become a McGregor Hall volunteer!
Learn more at www.mcgregorhall.org McGregor Hall Performing Arts and Learning Center is owned and operated by Embassy Cultural Founda�on. The center is located at 201 Breckenridge Street in historic downtown Henderson, the hub of North Carolina’s Kerr Lake region. The mailing address is P.O. Box 1333, Henderson, NC 27536. The phone number is (252) 598-0662 and the email is info@mcgregorhall.org. The Box Office is located at the Breckenridge Street entrance and is typically open Tuesday through Friday from 1pm to 5pm as well as one hour before performances. Tickets can be purchased by phone, at the box office, or online at www.mcgregorhall.org. For more informa�on about �cke�ng, sea�ng, performances and procedures, booking and rental informa�on, visit www.mcgregorhall.org or contact the center directly. The facility is 100 percent ADA-compliant and our goal is to meet the needs of all guests. This brochure was created with the help of Jan McDaniel and Marlane White-Bundock. Copyright 2016. All rights reserved. No part of this brochure may be reproduced or distributed without the wri�en consent of McGregor Hall. 6
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Go Inside McGregor Hall
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ince opening in January 2016, McGregor Hall Performing Arts and Learning Center in Henderson, N.C., has become the place for live entertainment performances as well as educational, community and social events in the Kerr Lake region. From Grammy-winning artists to local theatrical performances and educational seminars, there is truly something for everyone at McGregor Hall. The highlight of the center is the 1,000-seat state-of-the-art theater with professional-grade theatrical stage and orchestra pit that meets the standards of today’s Broadway production houses. In addition, the center offers a wealth of theatrical amenities such as an ultra hi-tech audio, visual and lighting system, as well as a 32-line rigging system that can hoist performers in the air and quickly move scenery backdrops. For the audience, the theater provides spacious seating, intimate sight lines, top-of-the-line acoustics and much more to provide you with a comfortable, convenient, safe and rewarding experience during each and every visit. n
Standing Tall Built with the community in mind., the center offers a contemporary yet classic design that blends seamlessly within historic downtown Henderson. It stands as a symbol of growth and renewed spirit within the region and is part of a visionary plan by community leaders and proac�ve ci�zens to revitalize downtown Henderson.
Along the shores of Kerr Lake in Vance County, there is a well-known tree that grows from a rock in the water. The tree has a unique perserverence to survive and take root. The tree is symbolic of McGregor Hall, its theater and the adjacent learning center. The sculpture pictured here sits in McGregor Hall and represents the perserverence of the community to grow and develop. Created by the acclaimed North Carolina ar�st Stephen Zawistowski, the sculpture also memorializes the perserverance of Samuel Meriwether Watkins Jr., founding chairman of The Embassy Cultural Center Founda�on. McGregor Hall is the vision of Sam Watkins along with countless other determined community leaders and ci�zens. 8
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fall 2016 - spring 2017
Upcoming Performances
Organization - Page
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Performance - Date l Time
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Sandi Patty: The Forever Grateful Tour w/ Veritis - 9/17/16 7:30pm
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Rockin’ Road to Dublin - 9/22/16 8pm
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Keb’ Mo’ - 10/14/16 8pm
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U.S. Air Force Heritage of America Band - 10/18/16 7pm
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Bill Leslie & Lorica - 11/4/16 8pm
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Nashville HitMakers, featuring Henderson’s Danny Flowers - 11/12/16 8pm
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13: The Musical - 11/18 - 19/16 8pm
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The Nutcracker - 12/4/16 2:30pm
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WindCircle - 1/13/17 8pm
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Chris Burke - 1/7/17 8pm
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The Hoppers - 1/28/17 7pm
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Ken Lavigne - 2/4/17 8pm
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Paul Robeson, a musical - 2/10/17 8pm
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Dmitri Shteinberg,- 2/17/17 8pm
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Feet Don’t Fail Me Now! - 3/11/17 8pm
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The HillBenders - 4/1/17 8pm
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The Raleigh Flute Choir - 4/7/17 8pm
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Yesterday & Today: The Interactive Beatles Experience - 4/7/17 8pm
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The Fabulous Equinox Orchestra - 5/5/17 8pm
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That Long Tobacco Road - 6/16 - 17/17 8pm
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Program Sponsors
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Special Thanks to our Sponsors.
Ahner Security Incorporated - pg. 46 Arts North Carolina - pg. 25 Barnett Properties LLC - pg. 27 Bart Cleary, DDS & Reed Spears, DDS Dentistry - pg. 15 Bennett Pointe Bar & Grill - pg. 31 Betty B’s Florist & Gifts - pg. 37 Butterfly Kissed Floral Designs - pg. 15 Let these businesses who Carolina Country Snacks - pg. 21 support the arts know City Tire Inc. - pg. 33 you learned about them Cloninger Law Offices, PLLC - pg. 47 in this program. D. Rix Edwards Attorney At Law - pg. 15 Dabney Drive Animal Hospital - pg. 19 Daurity Family Denistry - pg. 31 Davis-Royster Funeral Service Inc. - pg. 43 Family Eye Center, OD, PA - pg. 41 Flowers Funeral Home - pg. 33 Frazco Realty - pg. 21 George’s Restaurant - pg. 46 Glen Raven - pg. 33 Granville Health System - pg. 37 Holden Moss Certified Public Accountants - pg. 31 J.M. White Funeral Home - pg. 19 Joel T. Chetham Inc./Erie Insurance - pg. 27 Kerr Lake Nursing & Rehabilitation Center - pg. 23 Kerr Vance Academy - pg. 19 Kirby J. Ransom, DMD, Family Denistry - pg. 23 The Lamplight Inn - pg. 41 Magnolia Management, LLC - pg. 33 Mainstreet Marketplace - pg. 41 McGregor Hall Performing Arts & Learning Center - pg. 43, 44-45 Pernell’s Custom Framing, Inc. - pg. 43 Pinnell Insurance Agency Inc. - pg. 2 Pizza Inn - pg. 21 Prim Development - pg. 17 The Rogers Group, Inc., A Real Estate Investment Co. - pg. 33 R. Gene Edmundson Attorney At Law - pg. 23 Rose Oil - pg. 46 Roses - pg. 3 Satterwhite Point Marina On Kerr Lake - pg. 27 Southern Laundry/Oxford Dry Cleaners - pg. 37 Tegarris Associates Realty - pg. 27 Vance Family Medicine - Back Cover/pg. 48 Vance Furniture Co. Inc. - pg. 17 Wester Insurance Agency - pg. 43 William L. Stark & Company Certified Public Accountants - pg. 23 Wilson’s Carpet - pg. 21 Winston International, LLC/Weltron - pg. 19 Winston, Williams, Creech & Evans - pg. 15
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Sandi Patty with Veritas
Rockin’ Road To Dublin
The Forever Grateful Tour
Irish Dance & Rock Music Fusion
he is one of the most highly acclaimed performers of our time with five Grammy awards, four Billboard Music Awards, three platinum records, five gold records, and eleven million units sold. Sandi Patty is simply known as “The Voice.” The most awarded female vocalist in contemporary Christian music history, Sandi was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2014. She is currently embarking on a 90+ city worldwide tour, which will be the final large-scale solo tour of her career. Forever Grateful: The Farewell Tour makes its only stop in North Carolina at McGregor Hall on Sept. 17 where she will be singing some of the most notable songs of her career and reminiscing through her 30-year career. “What a privilege it has been to share my story and faith through song for so many years,” Sandi says. “My desire is to use this next season and the ‘Forever Grateful’ tour as an opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to as many people as possible.” As part of her farewell tour, Sandi will feature songs from her newly released album Forever Grateful as well as special guests Veritas, an Inspirational Music group, and performances from members of her family. A portion of the proceeds from the tour will also be donated to World Vision, the international children’s support organization. n
Sandi Patty: The Forever Grateful Tour with Veritas
SEPTEMBER ‘16
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ockin’ Road To Dublin is kicking off their fall 2016 tour right here in Henderson. Be the first to experience this epic spectacle inspired by shows like Riverdance and Lord of the Dance—only better! But unlike those shows, this renowned team of dance and music professionals are amping it up to become the new sensation in dance performances. Rockin’ Road to Dublin is an exciting fusion of music, movement and culture that artfully combines classic Irish tunes accented by rock ‘n’ roll riffs, electrifying dancers and a dynamic light show. Daring performers execute rapid-fire leaps, twirls and footwork, and nimble fiddlers square off with driving electric guitar chords and pulse-pounding drum beats. n
Rockin’ Road To Dublin
September 17, 2016 7:30pm
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September 22, 2016 8:00pm
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Keb’ Mo’
Grammy-Winning Blues OCTOBER ‘16
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t’s time to get down with Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, guitarist and contemporary Blues artist, Keb’ Mo’. Keb’ comes to Henderson during his national tour that follows the release of his 12th studio album BLUESAmericana, which spent several weeks at No. 1 on the Soundscan Blues Album chart. Among his hits, Keb’ wrote and performed the theme song for the smash sitcom Mike & Molly. This successful artist is known for his unique style of Blues that mixes Delta Blues with more contemporary styles like Pop, Rock and Soul. And his style has been well received, earning him a Blues Music Award, three Grammy awards and multiple other achievements. His guitar playing inspired Gibson Brands to issue the Keb’ Mo’ Signature Bluesmaster acoustic guitar and Martin Guitars to issue the Keb’ Mo’ Limited Edition Signature model. n
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Keb’ Mo’
October 14, 2016 8:00pm
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United States Air Force Heritage of America Band
OCTOBER ‘16
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elebrate America and our men and women in the armed forces with this FREE concert by the U.S. Air Force Heritage of America Band. The more than 40 Airmen of this concert band will perform renditions of great orchestral classics, marches, Broadway hits, Jazz standards, movie music and patriotic favorites. For six decades, the United States Air Force Heritage of America Band has educated, inspired and entertained millions each year, providing music for events that support Airmen and their families, honor our nation’s veterans and build stronger relationships between the American people and their Air Force. While they travel throughout the Carolinas, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions to perform under the leadership of Captain Michael D. Hoerber, these world-class Airman-musicians are stationed at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Hampton, Va. This concert is free and open to the public. To reserve your seats in advance, visit the Box Office Tuesday – Friday, 1-5pm or call (252) 598-0662. n
United States Air Force Heritage of America Band October 18, 2016 7:00pm
FREE Concert! Reserve seats through Box Office.
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Bill Leslie & Lorica
Cel�c, Folk & New Age Ensemble NOVEMBER ‘16
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ake a journey through North Carolina as well as places like Scotland and beyond with long-time WRAL news anchor Bill Leslie. This award-winning North Carolina journalist is also an internationally acclaimed musician, singer and composer who performs across the globe with his group Bill Leslie and Lorica. This five-member ensemble showcase presents a blend of Celtic, Folk and New Age music that includes albums that have topped world music charts in the U.S. and abroad. His most recent recording Scotland: Grace of the Wild was named World Radio Album of the Year in 2013. The group’s soothing musical configurations include the guitar, Celtic whistle, violin, flute, piano, percussion and vocals. They are said to transport their audience into their music, inviting you to travel with them as they explore various melodies that often describe journeys through North Carolina. “For the longest time I tried to push music into the background, thinking that was the responsible thing to do,” Bill says. “But music kept pushing back at me. Broadcast journalism is a demanding profession and I work for a station with incredibly high standards. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Many of the things I report on are full of meanness and madness. People tell me my music is full of beauty and warmth.” n
Bill Leslie & Lorica November 4, 2016 8:00pm
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Nashville HitMakers
With Henderson’s Danny Flowers ake a behind-the-scenes look at some of Country music’s biggest hits during the Nashville HitMakers concert. This lineup of award-winning Country music songwriters, singers and musicians will perform their chart-topping songs and share their stories behind the music. Join us for this memorable night of storytelling, laughs and your favorite Country songs. The hit-making lineup includes song writing superstars Roger Cook, Wynn Varble, and Henderson’s very own Danny Flowers. Whether the song was Tulsa Time for Eric Clapton or Gulf Coast Highway for Willie Nelson, Flowers has written dozens of chart-topping hits as well as enjoyed a solo recording career. In 2007, he released the album Tools for the Soul and in 2015, he released Anytime, Anywhere, Everywhere. Wynn Varble co-wrote the hit songs Have You Forgotten? by Darryl Worley, Waitin’ on a Woman song by Brad Paisley and A Little More Country Than That song by Easton Corbin. In 2010 and 2011, Wynn was a contestant on CMT’s Next Superstar. Roger Cook wrote I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing, that became the most famous CocaCola commercial ever, as well as Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress for the Hollies. He is a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame. n
Nashville HitMakers: Danny Flowers, Roger Cook & Wynn Varble
OCTOBER ‘16
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November 12, 2016 8:00pm
Danny Flowers
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Wynn Varble
Roger Cook
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NOVEMBER ‘16
OCTOBER ‘16
13: The Musical
Local Talent Perform Broadway Hit
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hilarious coming-of-age musical about discovering that “cool” is sometimes where we least expect it. This performance has something for anyone who is a teenager, who has been a teenager, or is raising a teenager! Evan Goldman is about to turn 13, and he can’t wait. His life seems full of possibilities—that is, until his parents get divorced, and he is forced to move with his mom from big-city New York to “podunk” Henderson, N.C. If Evan can’t get the coolest kids to come to his bar mitzvah, how is he going to survive the school year, not to mention, the rest of his life? And how will he ever accomplish that in a place where kids don’t even know what a bar mitzvah is? Geek. Poser. Jock. Beauty Queen. Wannabe. These are the labels that can last a lifetime. Thirteen is a musical about fitting in—and standing out. As Evan navigates the world of cool kids and nerds, jocks and cheerleaders, first kisses and heartbreak, he comes to understand what it means to be a friend and that Henderson “isn’t so bad after all.” With a bright, catchy Pop score from Tony-winning composer and pianist Jason Robert Brown, equal doses of humor and pathos, and a cast of wildly talented teens, 13 is irresistible to grown ups and almost-grown ups alike. A six-piece live rock band of local talent will bring the music of Jason Robert Brown to life. 13: The Musical is the only Broadway musical ever to perform with a cast and band entirely made of teenagers. Some of the finest young talent from Henderson and beyond will bring the musical to our stage in a way you never thought possible. n
13: The Musical
November 18-19, 2016 8:00pm
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DECEMBER ‘16
The Nutcracker
NYC Ballet for Young Audiences
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he Nutcracker ballet has become a holiday season tradition for those of all ages. This year, your entire family will delight in experiencing the New York City Ballet for Young Audiences perform this classic. Dedicated to reaching youngsters of all ages and backgrounds, the NYC Ballet for Young Audiences travels throughout the East Coast performing through dance, music and the spoken word. The Nutcracker tells the story of a young German girl who dreams of a Nutcracker Prince and a fierce battle against a Mouse King with seven heads. Originally choreographed by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov with a score by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, the story was adapted from E.T.A. Hoffmann’s story “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” by way of Alexander Dumas’ adapted story “The Nutcracker.” It premiered in Russia on Dec. 18, 1892. Although the original production was not a success, the 20-minute suite that Tchaikovsky extracted from the ballet, especially the Russian Dance portion, has become one of his most famous compositions. n
The Nutcracker
December 4, 2016 2:30pm
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WindCircle Woodwind Quintet
With Guest Pianist Mark Hopper JANUARY ‘17
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indCircle is a new collaborative venture of some of the Triangle area’s finest musicians. Clarinetist Merida Negrete from the faculty of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Department of Music, professional oboist Janet Shurtleff, Raleigh Flute Association President Rosene Rohrer, professional bassoonist Susan Cummings, and professional hornist Tim Dyess will offer a concert of both masterworks and favorites for woodwinds. Mark Hopper of Henderson, N.C., will be featured as the guest pianist. Mark is an accomplished musician and serves as the Minister of Music and Organist for The First Baptist Church of Henderson and holds a Masters degree in Music and Performance from Samford University in Birmingham, Ala. Works presented by WindCircle will feature Francis Poulenc’s Sextet for Wind Quintet and Piano in C Major, FP 100. Ticket packages are available for those who would like to enjoy this performance along with two others in the Chamber and Classical Music Series featured in this program on pages 34 and 38. n
Sponsored By:
WindCircle with Guest Pianist Mark Hopper of Henderson January 13, 2017 8:00pm
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Chris Burke
Henderson’s Soulful Son Returns Home
enderson’s Chris Burke is known for his “velvet vocals” that combine contemporary Neo-Soul/Pop with the classic sounds of Stax and Motown. His style ranges effortlessly from the grit of Stevie Wonder to the smooth R&B of Luther Vandross and the pop falsetto of Daryl Hall. Having grown up in Henderson, N.C., then Birmingham, Ala., he honed his vocal skills at Emory University in Atlanta where he served as lead in a touring a cappella group. In 2003, he was chosen out of over 6,500 vocalists to be a part of the Today Show’s version of American Idol called Today Show’s Superstars. The show was a spring board for his career as he performed and was featured on national and local TV and radio numerous times. This led the Vance County-native to the musical mecca that is Nashville, where his career has blossomed. With producer/bass player Bobby King, Chris has put together an incredible Soul band and has performed at numerous venues, including a weekly residency at a high-end restaurant/club in Nashville. Chris has also released several recording projects, including four, full-length albums of both original material and covers, as well as a handful of singles. For his newest project, he worked closely with famed songwriter Mike Reid to produce the album, I Can’t Make You Love Me: The Mike Reid SongBook. n
Chris Burke
January 7, 2017 8:00pm
JANUARY ‘17
JANUARY ‘17
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The Hoppers
America’s Favorite Family of Gospel Music
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ulti-award winning family group The Hoppers of North Carolina have been singing to global audiences for over 55 years with appearances ranging from presidential religious inaugural ceremonies and New York’s Carnegie Hall to singing conventions and church platforms. Their unique blend of harmonies and song choices has given them notoriety as “America’s Favorite Family of Gospel Music.” They are favorites on the Gaither Homecoming videos and tours, and their recordings frequently land at the top of the Billboard charts and The Singing News radio charts. Comprised today of family members Claude and Connie, son Dean and his wife, Kim, and son Mike Hopper, The Hoppers were formed in 1957 in the rural-farm town of Madison, N.C., and have grown continuously for decades, touching countless lives around the world. A cancer survivor, Connie has been honored with numerous awards, including being inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame. Sons Dean and Mike have continued the family legacy with their musical talents and business abilities; and Kim, Dean’s wife, hails from her own nationally acclaimed musical family, The Greenes. She is noted for the excitement she brings to any live performance. n
The Hoppers
January 28, 2017 7:00pm
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Ken Lavigne
The Traveling Tenor
FEBRUARY ‘17
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inger Ken Lavigne has charmed his way into the hearts of concert goers across North America with his exciting blend of classical tenor sound and modern style. Joined by a four-piece ensemble, Ken takes his audience on a riveting and enchanting journey, retelling his personal campaign to sing at Carnegie Hall with the New York Pops. His performances are told with spectacular songs as well as entertaining and hilarious stories that showcase how Ken embodies the spirit of the underdog— audacity, tenacity and ultimately…triumph. Audience favorites include Loch Lomond, Danny Boy, Hallelujah, Bring Him Home and more. Recognized early for the outstanding timbre of his lyric tenor voice as well as the ease and agility with which he sings, Ken’s career has taken many directions that include his current touring show, The Road to Carnegie Hall. In 2004, Ken was a founding member of The Canadian Tenors and in 2006, he co-founded the successful tenor trio, Romanza, which toured throughout Canada and the United States presenting hundreds of concerts. In 2007, he shifted his focus to independently producing solo performances and CD recordings that include On the Street Where You Live, Believe and Showtime. In 2014, he released a new Christmas album entitled Comfort & Joy. n
Ken Lavigne
February 4, 2017 8:00pm
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Paul Robeson
The Musical & Play of a Civil Rights Icon efore Martin Luther King Jr. dreamed, before Thurgood Marshall petitioned and Sidney Poitier emoted, before the big breakthroughs in Hollywood and Washington, before the Jim Crow signs came down, and before the Civil Rights banners went up, before Spike Lee, before Denzel Washington, before Sam Jackson and Jesse Jackson, there was…Paul Robeson. Robeson is a world-famous scholar, actor, singer, all-American athlete, lawyer and civil rights activist. His life is retold in this unique musical and spoken portrayal entitled Paul Robeson. The performance stars Jason McKinney as Robeson, the African-American Renaissance man who rose to prominence in multiple arenas at a time when racism and segregation was rampant in the United States. Robeson used his fame as a performer to become a voice for people who were marginalized both at home and abroad. Despite a hugely successful career on stage and in films and international popularity, he was eventually silenced and his career effectively ended by prejudice and McCarthyism. The musical sheds light on the life of this courageous, influential and complex man whose message remains relevant for today’s audiences. Written by Phillip Hayes Dean and produced by United in Music Inc., the production attracted a degree of controversy when first presented on Broadway in 1979 with James Earl Jones in the lead role. However, it went on to have two highly successful runs on Broadway in 1988 and 1995 with Avery Brooks in the title role. n
OCTOBER ‘16
FEBRUARY ‘17
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Paul Robeson
February 10, 2017 8:00pm
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Dmitri Shteinberg
N.C. School of Arts Pianist & Professor his virtuosic performance by pianist Dmitri Shteinbergon will be conducted on McGregor Hall’s new Steinway D piano, which was recently donated by Elmira Choopani and KhanhVu. Dr. Shteinberg is Professor of Piano at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem. He holds degrees in piano performance from Tel-Aviv University Academy of Music and the Manhattan School of Music. Equally adept as a recitalist and as a collaborative pianist, Dr. Shteinberg has performed extensively worldwide and is recorded on the Fleur de Son Classics label. His three-year collaboration with cellis Natalia Gutman took him to some of America’s most important concert halls, including the Kennedy Center in Washington and Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center in New York. Ticket packages are available for Sponsored By: those who would like to enjoy this performance along with two others in the Chamber and Classical Music Series featured in this program on pages 26 and 38. n
Dmitri Shteinberg February 17, 2017 8:00pm
Feet Don’t Fail Me Now!
Off-Broadway Tap by Rhythmic Circus
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hythmic Circus are known as the “hoofers from the Minneapolis,” a name that refers to their rapid-fire tap dance similar to that performed in the OffBraodway hit STOMP. Now this group of three guys and gal have their own Off-Broadway hit called Feet Don’t Fail Me Now! The dynamic tap and music performance mixes hardhitting percussive dance with a live Rock band that enthralls audiences with its medley of positivity and infectious rhythm. “We created Feet Don’t Fail Me Now! out of the desire to get people back in touch with the spirit of celebration. The show helps remind our audiences that there is always a reason to get up, let go and dance,” said co-creator Nick Bowman. The funky styling and original lyrics of the seven-piece band with a big brass sound are matched with vocal percussionist Aaron “Heatbox” Heaton, who is known as “the human beatbox.” Together, the performers create a genrehopping mix of Rock, Blues and Soul. The brilliant staging and integrated choreography of the show is most evident in Circus, a crowd-pleaser in which the dancers, decked out in colorful marching band attire, join the musicians in an intense, fast-paced number that features a tuba solo, original vocal lines and tap breakdowns. n
Rhythmic Circus performs Feet Don’t Fail Me Now! March 11, 2017 at 8:00pm 34
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MARCH ‘17
FEBRUARY ‘17
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The HillBenders
Performing Tommy: A Bluegrass Opry
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ver since I was a young boy I played the silver ball.” This might not be your standard Bluegrass lyric, but a line well known from the biggest rock opera of all time, The Who’s Tommy. Forty-five years after its original release, this classic of Classic Rock hit albums has been reimagined as a full-length tribute by The HillBenders, a dynamic Bluegrass quintet known for their high-octane shows that defy any hillbilly stigmas of their music genre. Tommy: A Bluegrass Opry was conceived and produced by South By Southwest co-founder and longtime musician/producer Louis Jay Meyers. His version brings a new perspective to Tommy while paying respect to its creators guitarist Pete Townsend and The Who. Like the original, Meyers’ version tells the story of a deaf, dumb and blind boy...Tommy. The Who’s album has sold 20 million copies and has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. The HillBenders bring the original version to life in a new and exciting way through the banjo, dobro, mandolin, bass and guitar—all of which creates a unique mix of Bluegrass and Rock. n
The HillBenders perform Tommy: A Bluegrass Opry April 1, 2017 8:00pm
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The Raleigh Flute Choir
Sponsored By:
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April 7, 2017 8:00pm
Yesterday & Today:
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The Raleigh Flute Choir
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oin us for an evening of fun fluting like you’ve never heard as The Raleigh Flute Choir, a chamber ensemble of nine professional flutists from central North Carolina, perform live in concert. The choir was founded in 1986 and has distinguished itself as one of the nation’s leading flute choirs. Utilizing all members of the flute family, from the tiny piccolo to the eight-foot contrabass flute, the ensemble seeks to entertain and educate by performing transcriptions of well-known classical works, delightful arrangements of familiar Folk songs, and original compositions written particularly for this unique instrumental ensemble. Appearing in a variety of venues, past highlights include concerts at Biltmore Estate, Colonial Williamsburg, Piccolo Spoleto, and The White House, as well as annual performances at the North Carolina Museum of Art and Duke Chapel. Ticket packages are available to for those who would like to enjoy this performance along with two others in the Chamber and Classical Music Series featured in this program on pages 26 and 34. n
The Interac�ve Beatles Experience
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illy McGuigan and his brothers learned about music from their dad, a Tech Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force who entertained the boys with his guitar, especially with songs from The Beatles. “There was always music in our house,” says Billy McGuigan, lead performer for the Yesterday & Today showcase. “I can remember my dad borrowing a friend’s Beatles chord book and meticulously copying it onto regular lined paper. I was in second grade at the time, and I remember that I’d sit and watch him do this for hours. The end result was, of course, that we could sing the magic that was on The Beatles records. In fact, one of my first musical memories was of my dad teaching my brother Ryan and me (Matthew was an infant at the time) to sing the high harmony lines on She’s Leaving Home.” Today those memories fuel Billy’s innate talent and desire to bring good times through music to others across the nation. Creator and Producer of three national hit shows, Billy developed the live request format for Yesterday and Today, featuring Billy and his brothers, Matthew and Ryan, complete with the requirement that all the band members memorize and be able to play on a second’s notice all 200-plus songs in The Beatles anthology. But it’s not your typical request show. Along with a request, the brothers ask for the reason behind the request and chat with the person who made it. n
Yesterday & Today: The Interactive Beatles Experience April 20, 2017 8:00pm
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The Fabulous Equinox Orchestra High-Energy Big Band
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eet your next two best friends, Jeremy Davis and Clay Johnson, along with their fiery hot 17-piece big band! All across America, audiences have fallen in love with these two sophisticated Southern gentleman and the high-energy show that is Davis & Johnson Present the Fabulous Equinox Orchestra. Along with the greatest songs, the best original arrangements and phenomenal musicianship, these two bring their rich friendship and charm to the stage. Fashioned in the style and swagger of the legendary entertainers led by Frank Sinatra, Davis & Johnson put their own stamp on the Great American songbook, graced with a touch of Motown, Ray Charles, Johnny Cash, Elvis and more, offering a freshness and relevance that speaks to every soul. Jeremy Davis, the band leader who plays the tenor sax and sings lead vocals is a Louisiana native that has led various bands on over 200 shows a year on the road before forming the Equinox Orchestra. Jeremy’s groups have been featured at festivals, theaters and venues all across the country. Clay Johnson, who sings and plays the trombone, is from Georgia and was raised in a family of preachers, teachers and Gospel singers. His passion for music performance has developed since childhood and he has performed over thousands of concerts, musicals and shows—big and small. n
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The Fabulous Equinox Orchestra May 5, 2017 at 8:00pm 40
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Contact us today! www.McGregorHall.org (252) 598-0662
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That Long Tobacco Road “A Country Bluegrass Musical”
June 16-17, 2017 8:00pm
That Long Tobacco Road A Country Bluegrass Musical
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ritten and produced by playwright Charley-John Smith, That Long Tobacco Road is taking the stage of McGregor Hall after being noted as the longest running performance at Louisburg College in Franklin County. Performed and produced by local talent of the region, That Long Tobacco Road tells the story about a North Carolina family of tobacco farmers struggling to harvest their crops in the early 1940s. Beset by natural disasters, human errors and a vindictive opponent, the Sturdivant family finds itself in danger of losing their farm. The farm and a small mom and pop type country store, mortgaged because of the previous year’s crop failures, have been put up as collateral for the impending debt. The musical takes an suspenseful turn after one of the sons is killed during a robbery at the store and barns on the farm are set on fire. Charley-John Smith designed the Norris Theatre at Louisburg College and served as a theater consultant for the North Carolina Division of Cultural Resources and McGregor Hall Performing Arts and Learning Center. n 42
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www.McGregorHall.org
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