Staff Reporter
The Surry Arts Council’s Summer Series, which will feature 58 programs, will kick off May 1 with the Embers to perform in concert at 7:30 p.m. at the Blackmon Amphitheatre.
“It is exciting, we have a huge amount planned this summer,” said Tanya Jones, the executive director of the arts council. “There’s a variety of shows. It’s great to have The Embers, one of our biggest beach bands and a theater performance kick off the series.”
Along with the Embers, the Surry Arts Players will hit the stage with a performance of the political comedy “Lying in State” also on May 1-2 at 7:30 p.m. at the Andy Griffith Playhouse.
Both shows are included in the 2009 Summer Art Series Season Pass which are $100 through May 1, and $125 after that date. Children 12 and under are free.
The season pass, which runs from May 1 to Sept. 20, includes entry into the 58 programs. Those programs include five theatrical productions including the three comedies “Lying in State,” “A Bad Year for Tomatoes,” and Neal Simon’s “Chapter Two.” Shelby Foote’s “Shiloh,” a civil war drama, is included along with Burton Cohen’s “Wedding of the Siamese Twins.” Brack Llewellyn is directing all five of the summer performances.
Season pass holders can also enjoy bluegrass every third Saturday night with the “Voice of the Blue Ridge,” and Beach Music on Friday nights at the Amphitheatre.
The Carolina Travelers and guest bands each month perform at the Downtown Cinema Theatre. International Bluegrass Music Association award winner “J.D. Crowe and New South” will return to the Blackmon Amphitheatre on Aug. 29 and the “Jeanette Williams Band” will be at the Blackmon Amphitheatre on May 2.
Some of the Friday night beach bands include “The Fantastic Shakers,” “Sea Cruz,” “The Mixed Emotions,” “Part Time Party Time Band,” “The Entertainers,” “Mark Roberts and Breeze,” “The Holiday Band,” “Billy Scott and the Party Prophets,” “North Tower,” “Too Much Sylvia,” and “The Mixx Band.”
Also, “Coastline” will be playing on May 21, “The Craig Woolard Band” on July 1 and the “Catalinas” on July 2. The 208th Army Band will be playing on July 4 at 1 p.m. On Sept. 3, the “Band of Oz” will be at the Blackmon Amphitheatre and the “Tim Clark Band” will be featured on Aug. 21 during the 2009 North Carolina State Hog Rally.
“We’re trying to include the most popular events from the past three years,” Jones said. “There should be lots of things included in the series for all ages. The series has more variety than any past series.”
The “Jimmy Lowry Tribute” will be held on July 17. Part of the proceeds from this concert will fund the Jimmy Lowry Scholarship Fund. There also will be live family theatre, which is “The Living Storybook Series,” every Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. at the Blackmon Amphitheatre. The show is hosted by actors Peter and Christina Holland.
The Dairy Center will sell hot dogs and drinks and Shelton Vineyards will sell wine at selected events. Patrons are allowed to bring food to the events, but alcoholic beverages are not allowed in the productions.
Jones said ticket sales are going well, and she’s hopeful for good participation in the arts and summer series this year.
“The season ticket sales picked up this week, it’s such an incredible deal,” she said. “There are 50-something shows, and with the season tickets, if you came to everything, it would be as if you spent $2 at each show,” she continued, adding that all the shows are rain or shine. ”In case of bad weather, we have a back up venue for everything.”
Admission is also available at the gate one hour prior to performance time for individual events at a price of $10 per event for most events.
For more information about Summer Series or obtaining passes call the Surry Arts Council at 786-7998 or visit www.surryarts.org.
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