High Point Theatre Announces Special 40th Anniversary “Passport to Entertainment” Professional Artists Series for 2015-2016

Schedule to feature world-class musicians, popular
humorists and unique artistic performances.
"High Point, North Carolina – Since 1975, the Triad community has counted on the High Point Theatre to fill the fall, winter and spring months with a diverse selection of world-renown artists and performances. The Theatre’s intimate atmosphere, continental seating and fine acoustics continue to make it one of the Triad’s best venues for taking in a live show. Featuring a total of eighteen critically acclaimed musicians, side-splitting humorists, and imaginative artistic performances, the Theatre’s 2015-16 “Passport to Entertainment” lineup is especially fitting for its special 40th Anniversary celebration of providing the highest quality entertainment experience for every guest.
The new season will kick off on Friday, September 11, with multi Grammy award-winning Christian-Pop icon, Amy Grant. With more than 30 million albums sold, 6 Grammys in various categories, 26 Dove Awards and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Amy’s performances inspire and uplift. Ask any fan and they’ll tell you that attending an Amy Grant concert is like a great visit with an old friend!
For more than thirty years Riders in the Sky, a Grammy Award-winning classic cowboy quartet, has been the keepers of the flame passed on by the “Sons of the Pioneers” Gene Autry and Roy Rogers. Branding the Western music genre with their own legendary style and wacky humor, Riders in the Sky will hit the stage on Sunday, October 4, encouraging buckaroos and buckarettes of all ages to live life "The Cowboy Way!"
The month of November rolls around with a total of three exciting and very diverse performances. Delivering adjectives any concert-goer thrives on – captivating, powerful, passionate, exquisite – internationally acclaimed classical piano virtuoso and official Steinway artist, Ang Li, is set to perform a selection of powerful classical pieces with her friends from the Music Academy of NC on Thursday, November 5.
Switching gears completely on Saturday, November 14, it’s fatback funk, blistering blues, uptown horns and low-down grooves when the soulful, funky 7-piece show band, Blinddog Smokin’, hits the stage for a rip roaring good time! Closing out the fall lineup on Friday, November 20, is Mipso, four Chapel Hill, NC, songwriters who have successfully taken the southern string-band sound of Appalachian-influenced American music and, turns it up a notch.   
To shake us out of our post-holiday winter doldrums, the Theatre kicks off the New Year on Saturday, January 16, with America’s favorite funny-man James Gregory. Using home spun comedy, common sense wisdom, old fashioned values and politically incorrect humor, this Triad favorite will share his rib-tickling reflections on life from the front porch. On Thursday evening, January 21, the music and dance of Soul Street Dance: Breakin’ Backwards brings an eclectic mix ranging from hip-hop to classical, with high-energy movement, sure to keep audiences of all ages entertained. With varied technical and artistic skills, stage presence and wit, this ensemble pushes the performance envelope to an amazing standard of excellence.
Closing out the month of January is Live from Nashville! With dazzling staging and costumes, this theatrical production is an extraordinary trip through America’s greatest country music – the songs that beloved singers have brought to life for decades: Patsy & Hank, Johnny & Dolly, Taylor & Garth – sure to leave your toes tapping, your adrenalin pumping, and your memories churning…coming on Saturday, January 23.
Kicking off the exciting lineup of shows in February will be Jimmy Webb: The Glen Campbell Years. Jimmy Webb and Glen Campbell became one of the most successful musical collaborations of all time. Webb will share the music and personal stories of a friendship that provided the soundtrack for generations, performing such classics as “Wichita Lineman,” “Galveston,” “Honey Come Back,” and many more, Friday, February 5.
The following evening, Saturday, February 6, Yolanda Rabun is set to stun the audience with her vocal power, flexibility, passion, and inventiveness. Her sultry blend of smooth jazz-soul earned her the #1 rank in Jazz and R&B Soul for Reverbnation for several weeks, and on more than three other occasions throughout 2014.
In celebration of Valentine’s Day, Sunday, February 14, don’t miss the critically acclaimed one man show, Franc D'Ambrosio's Broadway! Best known as the "Phantom" in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s long-running Tony Award winning Musical, “The Phantom of The Opera," D'Ambrosio’s amazing talent so impressed the late Luciano Pavarotti that an invitation was extended (and quickly accepted) to study with the legendary tenor at his home in Italy. An optional dinner package will also be available for the ultimate romantic experience!
Friday, February 26, multi-Grammy award winning band, BeauSoliel avec Michael Doucet will bring us the music of the sacred French-Cajun culture. With a distinctive sound derived from the distilled spirits of New Orleans’ jazz, blues, rock, folk, pop, Zydeco, country and bluegrass. Listeners from the Jazz & Heritage Festival in New Orleans to New York’s Carnegie Hall have all been captivated by their vibrant, thoughtful fusions.
Pianist-vocalist Brian Gurl, together with a world class 5-piece band, will present Back to Barry, Billy and the Beatles, Sunday, March 6. Expect to hear creative arrangements of such Beatles classics as Eleanor Rigby, And I Love Her, Can't Buy Me Love and others, along with expressive renditions of both Barry Manilow hits and Billy Joel favorites.
San Jose Taiko: Rhythm Journey has mesmerized audiences and critics alike with the powerful, spellbinding and propulsive sounds of taiko, the Japanese drum. Thursday, March 17, the musicians of SJTaiko will broaden and embellish the traditional rhythms of Japanese drumming by adding the beat of world rhythms, including African, Brazilian, Filipino, Latin and Jazz.
Classically trained viola and violin players Wil B and Kev Marcus have played their groundbreaking blend of classical, hip-hop, R&B, and pop music for everybody from the troops in Iraq to the President’s Inaugural Ball to the New Victory Theater on Broadway. Back by popular demand, Black Violin will return to the theatre for a repeat engagement on Saturday, March 26.
Three guys and a gal combine rapid-fire tap dancing talent with the funky styling of a seven-piece big, brass-style band, and a single vocal percussionist, for a genre-hopping “circus” of rock, blues and soul. Saturday, April 2, Feet Don’t Fail Me Now featuring Rhythm Circus will bring the spirit of celebration for all age groups and cultural backgrounds through a sensational blend of theatre, music and dance.  Think of it as Stomp on Steroids!
Closing out the season on Saturday, May 14, is Sweet Honey in the Rock, followed by Jeanne Robertson on Sunday, May 15. Rooted in a deeply held commitment to create music out of the rich textures of African American legacy and traditions, the Grammy Award winning ensemble, Sweet Honey in the Rock, produces a sound filled with soulful harmonies and intricate rhythms by capturing the complex sounds of blues, spirituals, traditional gospel hymns, reggae, African chants, hip hop, and jazz improvisation. Then, back by popular demand, humorist Jeanne Robertson returns to the Theatre for another rollicking good time. Speaking two languages fluently, English and Southern (and having a little trouble with the English), join Jeanne as she lets us know why it’s a bad idea to send a man to the grocery store, go rafting without a Baptist in the boat or line dance in the ladies’ room.
“I hope you enjoy our special 40th Anniversary lineup for the 2015-16 Passport to Entertainment series,” says High Point Theatre Director David Briggs. “Whether taking a nostalgic journey back in time with your favorite artists or being exposed to amazing up-and-coming performers, you’re in for an exceptional entertainment experience. Be sure to grab one of our Passports to collect autographs during our artist meet-and-greets for a special keepsake you will treasure always.”
For tickets and information, please call the High Point theatre box office at (336) 887-3001 during regular business hours (Mon-Fri, 12 noon–5 PM) or visit our website at www.highpointtheatre.com.



About High Point Theatre
Owned and operated by the City of High Point, the High Point Theatre is conveniently located within
the International Home Furnishings Center at the corner of Commerce Avenue and Hamilton Street
in High Point. The Theatre features an elegant 965-seat auditorium with continental style seating,

three exhibition galleries for meetings, displays, and receptions, and free parking."

- A Press Release

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