PRINCESS THEATRE - Raising the Curtain: princess event
Showing posts with label princess event. Show all posts
Showing posts with label princess event. Show all posts

Saturday, November 26, 2016

Jason Eskridge Christmas at the Princess

Dec 9, 2016 - 08:00 PM

Jason Eskridge invites you to CHRISTMAS at the PRINCESS.


Sponsored by the Greenwood School Education Fund.  Jason Eskridge has local roots, but his talent is widely known.  He and his band frequently perform in Nashville and other top billing venues.

We cordially invite you to an evening of live music and entertainment as we raise funds for a good cause and celebrate the season.

7 PM Doors Open
8-10 PM Concert

$12 per person, with group discounts available.

Saturday, January 30, 2016

Movie Night "Selma" - February 19th!

Feb 19 2016 - 07:00 PM
Free Admission

David Oyelowo stars as Martin Luther King Jr. in this historical drama set during the height of the American civil-rights movement, and depicting the marches from Selma, AL, to the state capital of Montgomery to secure voting rights for black people. 

Brad Pitt and Oprah Winfrey produce and Ava DuVernay (I Will Follow, Middle of Nowhere) directs. Author: Jason Buchana

This is the most current movie (released in 2014) to be shown at the Princess since its closing in 1999!  The Oscar nominated motion picture is a historically based movie that should be seen by all.

The movie features the Oscar winning song "Glory" by John Legend and Common.

Presented by : RSCC Arts & Lectures Committee
Rating PG-13
Runtime 127 min

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Air Force Band Packs The House!

The United States Air Force Band of Mid-America Shades of Blue Jazz Ensemble wowed a near packed house last night at the Princess.  The number in attendance was great enough that the balcony had to be opened!
From what I'm told the band filled the stage, and Technical Sergeant Keisha Gwin, front vocalists for the band, did an outstanding job singing.
I'm so sorry I missed the event, and everyone should be, because it was and outstanding evening of entertainment.
The popcorn sold well, I'm told, and Doc and Wilma Mullins, along with Kendal Mason had it covered.  
We owe a great debt to our supporters and volunteers.; people like Bobbi Brock-Cobb and Casey Cobb, an instructor at RSCC, an Arts and Humanities at the Campbell County Campus.   

Thanks everyone! 

Sunday, December 21, 2014

"A Christmas Snow" Played At The Princess Saturday Evening

A modest crowd got to watch "A Christmas Snow" Saturday evening with the star, Muse Watson.  It's not often that happens in your life!
I suppose I was the luckiest one of all, since I sat with him in the balcony (don't tell Megan...we weren't supposed to be up there).  He listened to the audience reactions to specific scenes; even peering over the rail a few times.  
 
Fortunately for me, it was dark in the theater, and he couldn't tell when I got verklempt during a couple of my favorite scenes.  When Katie finds her father's pocket watch is one, but the kicker is when she sees Sam outside the window near the end.  Gets me every time!

It was wonderful sitting up there remembering yesteryear; hearing the rattle of popcorn bags and the smell was awesome.  Yes, I had a bag too!
 
Muse has many devoted followers in Harriman and they always flock around him given the opportunity.  We are fortunate to have him in this area, and he maintains a small farm locally in order to have a place to stay during special events.  His celebrity has been a plus for the Princess, and he never passes up and opportunity to promote it.  
He also loves reminding us of "the dream", and he brought three reasons for that dream out on stage with him.
During the brief intermission, Chris Mason pulled ticket numbers and the Simply Sweet Bakery gave away cookie tins.  Do your remember the give-aways during movies long ago?

This was the second movie of the holiday season and I think most people really appreciated the nostalgic throwback.  There are no more movies scheduled for now, but you can rest assured there will be more.

Saturday, November 8, 2014

"This Is What It's All About!"

Muse Watson said it best when he welcomed the audience to the Princess, "This is what it's all about folks; youth bringing their talents to the Princess stage."

Both young artist did "bring it" to the stage last night!  Both are unique loads of charisma and talent, with great promise for the future.  The audience encouraged the performers as if they were their own children.  The Princess stage is a stepping stone our local youth should and can use to launch rewarding careers.
Opening for EmiSunshine was Oakdale talent Emery Francis.  The 17-year-old sits at the piano with the conviction and confidence of a "pro" and delivers her favorite songs with a great vocal range.  She likes the bluesy songs and brought them alive with her own arrangements.  I especially liked the Etta James classic "At Last", and her signature song by the Eric Burton and the Animals "House of the Rising Sun".  Her voice improves every time I hear her sing; from her low notes to her high notes; she is a "rising star"!
Chris Mason's six-year-old daughter, Addie, introduced the star performer, Emi Hamilton, or as she is known nationally "EmiSunshine"!  

It was a fitting introduction since the "kids" had been playing with each other backstage before the performance.  Emi's dressing room was filled with local children long before the doors were opened.  They seemed to have a great time.
At first the children were giggling out in the hall, but soon Emi stuck her head out to see what was going on.  From that moment on they were all great friends, and were soon playing games in the Green Room.  Right before Emi's introduction, and concerned that the kids might be keeping Emi from getting mentally and emotionally ready to take the stage, someone asked the children to give her some space.  Immediately Emi said, "No, they're fine," and the giggling continued.
 
 
We forget that EmiSunshine is just a kid herself; a 10-year-old growing up fast in the entertainment business.  Having friends around, with the freedom to giggle, is just what she needs. 
 
On stage Emi puts aside her shy offstage demeanor and becomes a "performer", and perform she did!  She obviously enjoys the stage where she laughs with her family and pokes jokes at her dad.  But most of all, she loves playing and singing her heart out!  It's a change that is amazing to watch, and even envy!
Both young ladies displayed a love of performing; of the stage, and music.  I noticed Emery shivering just before taking the stage, not realizing it was just a chill, and told her to just go out there and have fun.  She said such sincerity, "Oh, I'm just cold.  I love it out there.  I really do!"  
I was impressed by her love for and dedication to what she is determined to make of her future.  We should all take that lesson to heart, and if you can find that something early in life the more blessed you will be by it.

Best of luck girls, and come back soon!

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

EmiSunshine Is Coming To The Princess!

Coming to the Princess Theatre by popular demand:
Even before Emi could talk, she was cooing along to harmonies with her grandmothers.  By the time she was 5 she'd written her first song.  By the age of 6 she had performed live at countless churches and festivals around east Tennessee, and at age 7 she recorded her first 2 albums, simultaneously, Strong As The Tall Pine and Wide River To Cross in her family studio with the help of her daddy and grandpa Bill.

Drawing inspiration from artists such as Dolly Parton and Sister Thorpe and her distant cousin Kevin Abernathy, Emi strives to write and perform her own songs while also covering some of her favorite artists.

Emi is also a talented musician currently learning guitar as well as taking lessons for ukelele. Her band consists of her daddy on bass guitar and her older brother John on mandolin.

Order tickets today at www.emisunshine.brownpapertickets.com, or call 865-882-8867!

Monday, August 4, 2014

The Princess Became A Dance Hall Saturday Night!

C. Vaughn Leslie, Boys' Night Out, Archie Bell, Clifford Curry, and Kathy Hill held church Saturday night at the Princess, and had people coming forward to dance the night away!
The "Right Reverend" Leslie, even had the congregation stand and shake hands with someone near them.  The audience relaxed, felt at home, and were ready to dance!

The front of the auditorium was packed with dancers Saturday night, and the performers seemed to respond by giving their best.  It was a true "happening" and, I for one, had a blast watching and photographing people letting their hair down and having a good time at the Princess.

I'll begin by showing you the result of the good music, and further down I'll get back to the performers and performances!  After all, the whole purpose of the Princess is to entertain, and she did her job well Saturday night!






Seeing Ruth Coleman, matriarch of the Coleman family in Harriman, up dancing with various people to Archie Bell's oldies was very touching.  I'll have to admit, these photos are very special to me, and they were the best moments of the event!



C. Vaughn Leslie and Boys' Night Out lead the line up and paved the way to a grand show, which celebrated the life of Tony Mason.  The benefit was for the Tony Mason Memorial Scholarship Fund, and the organization raised much more than expected.  Chris and the entire Mason family would like to thank everyone who came and contributed to the scholarship fund.  There will be many that will benefit from your generosity! 
Besides the big band, Archie Bell, Clifford Curry, and Kathy Hill joined in on the fun had on and off the stage.  The performers seemed to be on top of their game and interacted with the packed house at every opportunity.

Like me, all of the performers are reaching their golden years, but their energy, attitude, and voices have retained their strength.  They delivered!

The audience, like me, reacted to all the old familiar tunes with applause and foot tapping!  It was hard to stay still long enough to photograph what was going on around me.
What can I say, C. Vaughn and Boys' Night Out are the consummate "beach band" and Mr. Vaughn's voice still carries all the standards straight down memory lane. 




Archie Bell, at 70 years of age, still has most of the energy he always had and explodes on stage.  He challenged the "old folks" in the audience to "let go and keep moving" just like he does during his performance.  I wish I had his energy and talent!

And how about that outfit and those shoes!  Awesome!  The photo does not show it well, but the shoes have gold tip plates and the heels have silver plates.  I wanted a pair!  However, my feet would still never move like his!
I noticed Archie during the rehearsal too; he demands that everyone be on top of their game, and he stops them and tells them exactly what he wants to hear and when.  He hasn't lost a thing...he's perfected his shows and knows what sounds the best.  It was motivating to watch him work.  Boys' Night Out is a great "horn band" that has been around too, and they responded immediately to changes in the music and line up.  They are all professional musicians.


Mr. Clifford Curry; he's still got that big baritone voice it rolled out some of his greatest hits.  

As a senior at Austin High School in Knoxville, Clifford Curry met fellow schoolmates Benjamin Washington, Charles Holloway and the Myers Brothers, John, Herbert and James and became the sixth member of the "Echo's".  The Echos didn't really make their mark until Clifford joined the group.  His strong voice and writing talents added a lot to the group.


And, who knew Kathy Hill could sing so well?  I mean, I remember hearing her sing years ago, but I guess I never paid much attention!  Man, she can sing, and I thoroughly enjoyed her performance.  She had everyone up dancing too, and really added a special touch to the program.  
I did the above photo in black and white to give it the "Etta James" feel!  Kathy did "At Last", and man it was spot on and the audience responded by getting out on the dance floor!  It was another great moment.

Blogger would not let me post a short video clip of the "all acts on deck" showing ending "Shout" number, so try clicking on THIS FLICKR LINK to see it.

Here are more photos from Saturday night's show.  It was great!















Heaven is Archie's granddaughter, and will probably follow in his footsteps.  She already has the moves down!  Also on stage are Addie, Chloe, and Kendal, all from the Mason clan!
 


Suffice it to say, if you missed it, you missed a great show.  The shows are getting better and better, and you can't beat the price...so what are you waiting for, get on down to the Princess and have a wonderful evening!
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