PRINCESS THEATRE - Raising the Curtain: 2015

Saturday, December 19, 2015

Dr. Littleton and Muse Watson - It Wouldn't Be Christmas Without Their Show!

Each year the Princess Theatre Foundation, along with the whole area, looks forward to the annual Dr. Eric Littleton Christmas Concert
His show is always full of music, history, and his own brand of humor.  The audience listens attentively to the accomplished pianist's unique compositions and blended melodies.  He tends to play interestingly with every traditional tune, and the journey takes delightful twists and turns through notes that finally roll back into the familiar song.  
Whereas one might become bored with all the familiar notes, Dr. Littleton's performances keep you wondering what's coming next, and they morph into more complex pieces every year.  He even created a little Star Wars theme last evening inside one old Christmas song, and surprised and pleased everyone.  I'm not at all sure Dr. Littleton knows exactly how and where he will exit each song, which makes it interesting and fun for him as well!

Littleton always brings us his Christmas memories, and into his personal relationships with his family.  While home movies and stills from Christmases past played out on the screen above his head, he played the songs that were special to him during those years.
 

It was especially hard this year to talk about his family, because he lost his dad this past summer.  However, he, like a lot of us that knew his dad, will always remember this particular slide with fond memories, and of Jim's Sunbeam bread truck rolling around the area.  The driver always had a smile on his face and a warm greeting.
 
Usually, his special guest is Muse Watson, who reads a Christmas story on stage to children called up from the audience.  This year's story of choice was the "Cajun Night Before Christmas", by Howard Jacobs.  The audience really got enjoyment from Watson's Cajun accent, but some of the younger children seemed a little puzzled at times!

Last night Muse again surprised the audience by singing a little from "Silent Night"!  He really does have a nice voice...after all, he started out in music.
 
Backstage, Muse had a special "meet and greet" with the Viar family, Rob and April, who had let it be known that their son Jacob had a long standing wish to meet his hero "Mike Franks" of NCIS.  I was blessed by being there when Muse came into the Green Room, where the unsuspecting Jacob waited.  His eyes opened wide as he recognized his TV hero, and then he smiled from ear-to-ear.  It was quite moving, and Muse loves nothing better than pleasing his special fan base!
 
Like his grandmother (Gloria), we look forward all year to Caleb Littleton accompanying his father on "Little Drummer Boy" with his cajón (drum box).  Dr. Littleton loves to have his talented son on stage with him; and he poked a little fun at his red bow-tie!

So, we all went away with a Christmas song in our heads, and a little more Christmas love in our hearts.  Hope you join us next year!

Oh yes, we must thank Janet Gasperetii for donating the beautiful Yamaha piano a couple of years ago.  It will bring a lot of us many moments of joy for years to come.

Here are some other photos from Friday's performance:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 MERRY CHRISTMAS Ya'll!

Friday, December 18, 2015

"The Safe Side Of The Fence" Coming January 22

A documentary film coming January 22nd at 7PM.

This one hits close to home!

The Safe Side of The Fence from Tony West on Vimeo.

World War II’s Manhattan Project required the refinement of massive amounts of uranium, and St. Louis-based Mallinckrodt Chemical Works took on the job.

As a result, the chemical company’s employees would become some of the most contaminated nuclear workers in history. This documentary explores the legacy that St. Louis is still coping with, from workers who became ill – to the challenges of dealing with the fallout of creating some of the world’s first nuclear waste.

The story is not unique to St. Louis, as more than 300 facilities across America would become part of the race to build the bomb, and be forced to deal with many of the same issues.

A detailed look into what some of the men and women went through inside these plants, and how decisions made in the past, effect us all today.

Doors will open at 6:30pm - Showing at 7pm

For tickets click here

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Roane State Music Department Winter Concert - FREE!

Dec 5 2015 - 08:00 PM

The RSCC Music Department offers a traditional concert of Christmas favorites and winter inspired arrangements, featuring Celebration Singers, Concert Choir, Jazz Band, Bluegrass Band, Stage Band, faculty, and lots of guest performers!

Free Admission – Donations accepted at the door

Presented by : Roane State Music Department

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Babahatchie Community Band's Christmas Concert

The Babahatchie Community Band will have their Christmas Concert featuring holiday classics such as White Christmas, Jingle Bells, Sleigh Ride, and many more!

We hope to see you at the Princess Theatre on Monday, Dec. 7 at 7:30pm in Harriman, TN.

Friday, October 23, 2015

It's Movie Night Tonight And Tomorrow Night (Oct. 23-24) at 7PM!

Free Admission

Unemployed parapsychologists set themselves up as “Ghostbusters” to rid New York of evil monstrous apparitions that are taking over the city. Sigourney Weaver costars as Dana Barrett, the cellist whose strange happenings in her apartment lead the ghost-busting team into the clutches of a punitory poltergeist.

Presented by : RSCC Arts & Lectures Committee

Monday, October 12, 2015

Ready to Scare Up Some Fun at Boo-Town?

The Tennessee Medieval Faire invites you to a new outdoor family Halloween event called Boo-Town.  It is a merry-not-scary treat village, with crafts, food, beer, and entertainment as well as an optional haunted hayride. 
If you like safe trick-or-treating and costumed characters, Boo-Town is for you,” said Barrie Paulson, VP-Manager.  “From Steampunk to Cosplay, Pirates to Princesses, anyone at any age can have fun.  Be a kid again and dress however you like!
 
Nightly entertainment includes a patron costume parade, treat booths, a bouncy house, games, music and dance, spooky story-telling and a magic show.  Crafts, food, hot and cold beverages will be available for purchase.

For the more adventurous, there is an optional haunted hayride.  Wagons will be pulled by an antique tractor through the deep, dark woods.  What ghosts and ghouls await?

Organizers are seeking additional craft vendors, businesses, non-profit organizations and volunteers to complete the treat village.  Approved non-profit organizations will get free booth space this year.   By working the event, volunteers can enjoy the treat village for free or earn money for their organization.  If interested, contact the organizers now at 865-248-8414.
 
Boo-Town show dates are the last two weekends in October:  23-24, 29-30-31.  Hours are 5-10pm EDT.  General admission ticket prices are $5 for ages 2 to 12; $8 for ages 13 and up.  Free parking is included.  The haunted hayride is an additional $10 for ages 8 and up only. 

The festival is located at the Tennessee Medieval Faire site:  550 Fiske Road, Harriman, TN.  For more information and entertainment schedule, please visit the website: www.boo-town.com.  Please “Like” us on Facebook at Tennessee Medieval Faire & Boo-Town. 
 
Spook-a-li-cious Fun!

Sunday, October 11, 2015

Near Sellout Crowd Thrilled With Restless Heart Performance

With only a few balcony seats left available, Restless Heart was welcomed to the Princess Theatre Saturday night.  The legendary country group seemed happy and ready to play as they hit the stage; after stepping off their bus as the Tennessee game ended!
The group played all their best known hits, and were on stage for about 2 hours.  They also did a medley of songs by groups that helped propel their 30+ year career.  As front man Larry Stewart commented, "these groups allowed our bus to follow their bus into many venues across the country."
The current band consist of:

  • Larry Stewart – lead vocals, rhythm guitar


  • John Dittrich* – drums, background vocals


  • Paul Gregg – bass guitar, background vocals


  • Dave Innis – piano, keyboards, rhythm guitar, background vocals


  • Greg Jennings - lead guitar, background vocals

  • *John was replaced last night by Chris Golden.  John was out with some back issues and will return to play with the band soon.
    Harriman was busy last evening with a Princess concert and the Harriman City Fire Department's Haunted House going on at the old hospital.  It is always good to see Downtown alive and enjoying themselves.  Even Simply Sweet Bakery was open serving pastries, coffee, snacks, and adult beverages!  It was a good evening all around!
    Greg White (seen photo bombing the group) of Music City Knoxville, who has brought many acts to the Princess, was well pleased with the turnout last night.  I'm sure this will encourage him to continue bringing entertainment to our Princess, and we need to show support to his, and all, performances.  There's no where around that your can get this quality of sound for these kind of prices!
    And speaking of sound, they have finally got the sound quality to match the Princess acoustics!  Last night's sound did not overdrive the eardrums, and I still say the best seats in the house are in the balcony.

    So, enough of my rattling on, here are the photos!
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Hope to see you next time...as you can see, we always have a great time!
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