High Point Theatre Announces Date for Inaugural “High Point Has Talent” Competition

Finalists set to perform on October 8 for People’s Choice Award, cash prizes!

"High Point - The Stage is set for the first ever High Point Has Talent event on Oct. 8, 2016. The twenty-five performers selected as finalists after an extensive audition process come from all walks of life, with an age range from 12 years old to mid-70’s. Performances will get underway at 7:00 PM!

High Point Has Talent will feature performances by singers, dancers, stand-up comics, musicians, and singer/songwriters, with music ranging from classical, to patriotic, to hip hop/R&B. An amazing group of performers will be putting their skills on display for the public to see with an opportunity to win cash prizes, and to be seen by regional talent buyers and agents for a shot at advancing their performing career!

Contestants will have an opportunity to win one of four prizes: $500 for first, $250 for second, $100 for third and a special “People’s Choice” award.

HPHT is a new fundraising event for the Friends of the High Point Theatre, the non-profit volunteer arm of the High Point Theatre. This event will replace the long standing Cabaret, which was a City of High Point owned staple of the Friends for 27 years.  David Briggs, Director of High Point Theatre noted “The Cabaret event was very popular, but the Friends decided that they needed to broaden the horizons, bring a new type of show, and create a special event that will be enjoyed by many more people.” Leslie Graham, a Friend and Volunteer at the theatre said, “This is an exciting way to help create our audience for the amazing talent found in our area.”

 

Tickets for High Point Has Talent are $15, tax included, available through the High Point Theatre Box Office, in person or by calling (336) 887-3001 during regular business hours (Mon-Fri, noon-5PM).  Tickets may also be purchased on-line by visiting www.highpointtheatre.com. Online tickets are subject to a convenience fee. Visit the ‘official’ High Point Theatre website in order to avoid ticket re-sellers.

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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, display, or receptions, and free parking."

- A Press Release

Grammy Award Winning Sweet Honey in the Rock Set to Perform at High Point Theatre

An Evening of Song, Enlightenment and Empowerment scheduled for Saturday, May 14

"High Point, North Carolina – Rooted in a deeply held commitment to create music out of the rich textures of African-American legacy and traditions, Sweet Honey in The Rock has diligently set out to educate, entertain, and empower its audience and community, now well into its fourth decade. On Saturday, May 14, the Grammy Award winning ensemble will share its stunning vocal prowess with Triad residents when it comes to the High Point Theatre for a single live performance. Concert will get underway at 8:00 pm.

Formed as a quartet in 1973 at a workshop at the D.C. Black Repertory Theatre Company in Washington, the founding members - Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon, Carol Maillard, Louise Robinson, and Mie - drew their name from the first song they learned, “Sweet Honey in the Rock,” based on a Biblical psalm. “Sweet Honey speaks of a land that is so rich when you break the rocks open, honey flows. And we thought it was something like us African-American women . . . strong like a rock, but inside [there’s] honey – sweet,” explains Robinson.

With current members – Carol Maillard, Louise Robinson, Aisha Kahlil, Nitanju Bolade Casel, and Shirley Childress – Sweet Honey captures the complex sounds of blues, spirituals, traditional gospel hymns, reggae, African chants, ancient lullabies, and jazz improvisation, often accompanied by hand percussion instruments, producing a sound filled with soulful harmonies and intricate rhythms. The group educates, entertains and empowers its audience and community through the dynamic vehicles of a cappella singing and American Sign Language interpretation, preserving and extending the traditions of African American vocal music while inspiring others to find and use their individual and collective voice to address the critical issues of our time.

The ever-growing list of Sweet Honey’s musical and activist achievements since its creation is stunning. The group has appeared at various festivals in the US and Canada, including the Smithsonian Festival of American Folklife at the National Mall in Washington. After the 1976 release of its first album, the group expanded its touring and, in of 2011, joined other muse musicians (Bonnie Raitt, Crosby, Stills & Nash, et al) in a benefit concert for disaster relief efforts in Japan. The ladies have performed in Nairobi and Beijing at the U.N. World Conference on Women, toured extensively at home and abroad, and been the subject of two PBS documentaries “Gotta Make This Journey” and “Sweet Honey In The Rock®: Raise Your Voice.” They have recorded film soundtracks, received Grammy nominations for several of their albums for children, shared a Grammy Award for their participation in a multi-artist tribute record to Woody Guthrie, appeared in a PBS special on the first national observance of Martin Luther King Day and performed at the unveiling ceremonies for the monument for Dr. King on the National Mall, provided the lyrics for composer William Banfield in their first orchestral collaboration, and co-wrote, co-recorded and released (on their own label) a thought-provoking single and video, “Are We a Nation,” resulting in a Gold Songwriter Award from the 27^th Mid-Atlantic Song Contest.

“It’s an honor to present this Grammy Award winning ensemble to our patrons this season,” says High Point Theatre Director David Briggs. “Sweet Honey delivers a fabulous entertainment experience with bonus educational factor!” Tickets are $35-$45, available at the box office by calling (336) 887-3001 and online at www.highpointtheatre.com."

- A Press Release

A Celebration of America's Music - Live from Nashville! - Coming to the High Point Theatre

Musical extravaganza will showcase country’s greatest hits by America’s favorite artists, Fri., April 22, 8:00 pm

"High Point, NC - America has long had a love affair with all things country, especially its music. Direct from Nashville, TN, 12 musicians, dancers and singers perform a century of hits by some of America’s most iconic country singers and songwriters in “Live from Nashville!.” The all-singing, all-dancing extravaganza will be performed on stage at the High Point Theatre on Friday, April 22, at 8:00 pm. Originally scheduled in late January, tickets for the original date will be honored with no additional action needed by the holder. Triad residents can expect dazzling costumes, fancy footwork, and phenomenal fiddling, along with the top flight vocals, sure to set toes to tapping and memories to churning.

Presented as “Life Scenes” ranging from the 50’s to the present, the multi-talented artists of this Nashville revue will perform a series of best-loved songs, from "The Roots of Country Music" featuring music by stars like Jimmy Rodgers, The Carter Family and Roy Acuff, to "Today's Country" with the music of top artists Jason Aldean, Taylor Swift and Lady Antebellum. "Country Music's Golden Age" brings to life Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton, while the "Country Rocks" scene includes groups such as The Eagles, The Allman Brothers and The Charlie Daniels Band. "Country Music is King" has songs from Garth Brooks, The Judds and Brooks and Dunn, with “The Bluegrass Connection” bringing such down-home favorites as Bill Monroe, Flatt and Scruggs, Ricky Skaggs. And, what country music show would be complete without the beautiful “Grand Ole Gospel” segment with “I’ll Fly Away” and “Will The Circle be Unbroken,” finally ending the celebration of all things country with a very fitting "The Country We Love" salute through "God Bless the USA" and "America the Beautiful?"

“Live from Nashville is an exciting, nostalgic and contemporary show filled with great music, choreography and stage presence,” says High Point Theatre Director David Briggs. “It’s sure to get the heart beating a little faster, the memories of great times flooding back, and a smile on your face that won’t soon go away.” Tickets are $20-$25, available at the box office by calling (336) 887-3001 and online at www.highpointtheatre.com."

- A Press Release

Off-Broadway Hit “Feet Don’t Fail Me Now!” Embarks on National Tour, with Stop in the Triad Planned on April 2 at the High Point Theatre

Internationally renowned artists mix dance, music and theatre

in captivating, family-friendly “Stomp” style show

"High Point, NC -- 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 hour-and-a-half “circus” of rock, blues and soul. Rhythmic Circus will present “Feet Don’t Fail Me Now!” at the High Point Theatre, Saturday, April 2, at 8:00 pm, a scheduled stop on the troupe’s 2015-2016 North American tour.

Since their early beginnings at a small theatre in Northeast Minneapolis, Rhythmic Circus has grown into an international sensation touring to over 90 cities worldwide. The troupe’s brilliance has been marked by their production's rave reviews, sold-out engagements and numerous awards, which include: 2 Sage Awards for Outstanding Ensemble and Performance, the "Spirit of the Fringe" Award (Edinburgh Fringe Festival's top theatrical award), 2 Upper Midwest Emmys, as well as being named "Best Dance Performance" by the City Pages.

Under the Artistic Direction of Ricci Milan and Executive Direction of Nick Bowman, Rhythmic Circus includes dancers Nick Bowman, Galen Higgins, Ricci Milan and Kaleena Miller. The musicians of Rhythmic Circus include guitarist Alex Rossi, vocal percussionist Aaron “Heatbox” Heaton, keys player Cornell Blanchard, drummer Patrick Nelson, bassist Dan Ristrom, saxophonist Peter Vircks and trumpeter Aaron Wiener. Brilliant staging and integrated choreography 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. The New York Post describes it as “A family-friendly tap extravaganza!” while the New York Times exclaims “Fast, furious footwork!”

As “Feet Don’t Fail Me Now!”  continues to spread their positivity with audiences everywhere, it remains true to its mission to provide inspirational experiences for all age groups and cultural backgrounds through a sensational blend of theatre, music and dance.

“Feet Don’t Fail Me Now! promises to be one of our most exciting and unique shows of the season,” says High Point Theatre Director David Briggs. “I would describe it as “Stomp” on steroids! The audience can expect non-stop action for an experience they will never forget.” Tickets are $35-$40, available at the box office by calling (336) 887-3001 and online at www.highpointtheatre.com."

- A Press Release