THE GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA PLAYS THE PRINCESS THEATRE

From many reports, the consensus seems to be that Saturday evening with the Glenn Miller Orchestra at the Princess was a great success.  

The orchestra is the most popular and sought after big band in the world today for both concert and swing dance engagements. With its unique jazz sound, the Glenn Miller Orchestra is considered to be one of the greatest bands of all time. The present Glenn Miller Orchestra was formed in 1956 and has been touring consistently since, playing an average of 300 live dates a year all around the world.

Kevin Sheehan and Jonathan Rees

Even though the performers only get a few weeks off a year, they really seem to enjoy themselves wherever they are.  They really seemed to enjoy being in our Princess too!

As you can see in several of the posted photos, the band loves being together and playing music.  Each personality contributes to the orchestra's own personality.  As Mr. Miller himself said, "A band ought to have a sound all of it’s own. It ought to have a personality."

I'm laid up at home with my back, so Gary Baker was gracious enough to take and share his photos from the evening.  Here are some from the practice to the performance on the Princess stage:  

Eileen Burns and Nick Hilscher

Nick Hilscher

Mayor Chris Mason and Dr. Eric Littleton

The Princess Theatre Foundation would also like to thank Dr. Eric Littleton for his work on the piano Saturday evening.  His music is always greatly appreciated by the Princess audience, and wherever he plays. 

 

GET OUT AND SUPPORT HARRIMAN'S PROSPECT 14 ON JUNE 22ND!

There have been a lot of questions about what will happen to the hospital buildings that are in downtown Harriman. For the past few years the City has been actively preparing for this time by reinstalling the Harriman Industrial Board that was originally formed in the 1960’s, hiring an employee to oversee the maintenance of the properties, contracting with the KCDC (same firm that worked with Knoxville with revitalization of Market Square) to establish an Urban Renewal and Revitalization District downtown and a lot of little things such as pole banners and grants for sidewalk and lighting just off of Roane Street.

 

We are in somewhat of a fortunate situation in that we own 14 buildings that are being vacated by the hospital. A lot of towns our size continue to struggle with property owners that are non-compliant to the local codes and ordinances and are unwilling to sell or use the buildings. By the city working with the Industrial Board they are able to control each piece of property and SELL rather than auction like a municipality would. The IDB may set the price for each building and be as aggressive as needed in order to entice developers to come back to our downtown, once again making our revitalization easier than other places we have visited.

Along with the big hospital building we also have some along Devonia Street as well as several on Roane Street that we will be making available for purchase on June 22nd. This will be a day hosted by the Harriman Industrial Board so that any interested parties can walk through each building, ask questions and talk with people from the Chamber of Commerce, the City, State and the KCDC. These people will be able to answer questions as to the history of our area, demographics, details about the Urban Renewal District and other things that we have been working on to make our downtown vibrant once again. This day will be the start of a two week process where the IDB will accept letters or requests for use/purchase for each building. Some things that the board will consider will be the proposed use as well as price. We want to be sure that we are attracting and getting quality buyers for these buildings that will add to and enhance our downtown.

Similar to 123 years ago when the East Tn Land Company marketed and invited buyers to come to Harriman to form our city we too are hoping to attract interested buyers to come and start the final phase of our downtown revitalization! These are exciting times, please come out and support us and be a part of the new Harriman!

 

THE BOTTOM LINE IS:

The City of Harriman has 14 properties located in the downtown district available for your business opportunities. The City of Harriman along with the Harriman Industrial Board will be hosting a Prospect 14 Tour on June 22, 2013 from 10 am - 5 pm. Plan to attend now and get a first hand glimpse during this historic event.

 

A few of the buildings offer 2nd level housing opportunities and the street level would all be available to retail, restaurant, antique shops, office space, commercial use.

Staff will be available to meet with you to discuss your concept and review the opportunities downtown. We want to ensure that your goals are met.

To read and see more about this event, and the properties, CLICK HERE!

Here's What Is Coming From The Princess Theatre Foundation!

At The Princess May- Glenn Miller, June- Bellamy Brothers, July-The Tams

- NEWS RELEASE-

The Princess Theater Foundation in Harriman is presenting The Glenn Miller Orchestra in concert. This orchestra plays the music of the original Miller orchestra of the 40's and 50's.

It is the most popular and sought after big band in the world today for both concert and swing dance engagements. With its unique jazz sound, the Glenn Miller Orchestra is considered to be one of the greatest bands of all time. The present Glenn Miller Orchestra was formed in 1956 and has been touring consistently since, playing an average of 300 live dates a year all around the world. Check their web site for more information: www.glennmillerorchestra.com

The concert is one night only, Saturday, May 18, 2013 presented in the beautiful newly restored Princess Theater in Harriman. 

Tickets for seating on the main floor are $20 with balcony seating $15. 

Tickets may be purchased at the Rocky Top General Store, Harriman Jewelry Exchange or by calling 865-882-8867.

UPCOMING

In June - The Bellamy Brothers, in July - The Tams,

and in August possibly - Motown Review!

Bellamy Brothers Coming To The Princess - June 13!

The Princess Hosted Her First Prom - Oakdale High School 2013

The first prom ever held inside the Princess Theatre happened this past Saturday.  Oakdale High School held it's 2013 Junior/Senior Prom and made use of the entire facility under the theme "Big City Bright Lights - The Way You Look Tonight"!

Prom goers picked up their tickets at the ticket booth, then lined up on the "red carpet" to enter their prom. 

On the theatre seats were personalized programs, and the tickets guided prom guests to their respective row and seat. 

As a Princess Foundation Board Member, former English Teacher, and current RSCC Adjunct, Vera Scarbrough read a proclamation from Mayor Chris Mason (who was out of town) and welcomed the students to the theatre...a first for the Princess!

Students enjoyed delicious refreshments and after their program of "Remember Whens, "Wills", and a "class prophecy", they danced on the stage...also a first.  All reported a good time (noted by the many smiles in the attached photos).  The couples looked radiant in their prom attire. 

Every inch of the Princess was used, including the mezzanine where a professional photographer took individual and couple photos.

Here are more photos from the "Big City Bright Lights - The Way You Look Tonight" evening at the Princess:

 

As the evening wore on, some prom goers went out to eat, or on to the big city of Knoxville...but the fun started in Harriman's Princess!

*Photos courtesy of Gary Baker!*

 

Please remember, the Princess is available for most any type of event, and can accommodate most any crowd.  The Princess is there for all.  

Plan now for your next prom or reunion.  Use the contact information at the top right of this website to book the Princess.

AN INVITATION FROM THE EAST TENNESSEE PRESERVATION ALLIANCE (ETPA)

 Preservation Event Reveals Secrets to Success of

Princess Theatre and Features Roane State Performance, April 12, 2013

In September 1926, the Princess Theatre opened its doors in Downtown Harriman. Eighty-seven years later, the Theatre has been fully restored and is the centerpiece of the Princess Performing Arts, Education, and Conference Center. On Friday, April 12, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., the East Tennessee Preservation Alliance (ETPA) and Roane State Community College will host an open house, recital, and panel discussion about the restoration project. The FREE event will take place at Princess Theatre Complex at 421 Roane Street in Downtown Harriman.

There will be an open house from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. with light refreshments. At 6:30 p.m., sophomore students from Roane State Community College will perform their spring recital. The recital will feature Rebecca Staton, mezzo-soprano; Mason Van Horn, tenor; Dr. Geol Greenlee, piano; and Slade Trammell, piano. The Princess Theatre is operated by Roane State Community College, so this is a special opportunity to experience these students perform at the Princess.

Immediately following the performance, there will be a panel discussion about the Theatre’s restoration. Mayor Chris Mason, Architect Daniel Scott Cooter, and Theatre Manager Megan Anderson will share stories about the restoration process, the importance of working with a wide range of partners in the community, and the value of finding a viable use for historic buildings. After the panel discussion, “behind the scenes” tours will be given of the Theatre.

The original Princess Theatre was damaged by fire in September 1932 and was later destroyed by fire in January 1939. However, the building that stands today was opened on November 16, 1939 and was solidly built, which has paid off as the modern renovation begins.

Please call 865-523-8008 or email egarlington@knoxheritage.org to RSVP by April 10 for this FREE event.

ETPA is a regional historic preservation membership-based organization that serves Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Hamblen, Jefferson, Knox, Loudon, Monroe, Morgan, Roane, Scott, Sevier, and Union counties. For more information and to get involved, please visit www.knoxheritage.org or www.etpaonline.org and find us on Facebook.

Coming May 18th - The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra

RCrobotic Team Going To The Championship - NEEDS YOUR HELP!

Yes, this page is specific to the Princess Theatre, but it also supports any activities in Roane, and surrounding counties, that supports our youth.  Here is a very important “youth” organization and they are in need of your support ASAP!

The RC-robotic team of RCHS is going to St. Louis for the Robotic Championship competition, and they have a very small window of time to raise enough money to take approximately 20 students, including 1 from Midway, to the 5-day competition in St. Louis on April 24-27.  Please check out their web-site! 

Full Metal Jackets is the pioneer FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Team, at Roane County High School in Kingston, Tennessee.

For those of you that do not know, here is the description for the Rookie All Star Award:

The award celebrates the rookie team exemplifying a young but strong partnership effort, as well as implementing the mission of FIRST: To inspire students to learn more about science and technology.

We should be so proud of our county team, and they are very grateful for everyone that has helped and supported them along the way!  Thank you again!

Because the Full Metal Jackets won the Rookie All Star Award, they are invited to the FIRST World Championship. However, it is very expensive for them to go; they need money to pay for travel, rooms, and registration. Please help if you can by donating on this website (http://rchsfullmetaljackets.wordpress.com/).

The Full Metal Jackets competed at the Smoky Mountain Regional Competition March 28-30, and were 19th seed out of 50, and were chosen by the 2nd seeded alliance for the elimination rounds. On the final day of competition, the Full Metal Jackets were selected to receive the Rookie All Star Award! This award celebrates the rookie team exemplifying a young but strong partnership effort, as well as implementing the mission of FIRST.

This award comes with an invitation to attend the FIRST World Championship to compete with 400 other teams in St. Louis April 24-27. 

Click on this video link to see how the robotic competition works!

Here's the direct link to the donation page!  Please donate today!  Thanks.

Sophomore Recital At The Princess

2013 CRUISIN' HARRIMAN BEGINS APRIL 13TH!

Cruisin' Harriman begins its 2013 season on Saturday April 13th, beginning at 3:30 and ending at 7, in Downtown Harriman, Tennessee.

There will be games, food, and lots of beautiful new and vintage cars.  Come join us!

Click HERE to see a sample of past events!