Thrasher-Horne Connection: January 2016

Saturday, January 30, 2016

The Ideal Setting for your Wedding Day

The Thrasher-Horne Center, one venue which has it all!

Weddings can be complicated and getting things right for the big day can be challenging. Here are some of the important questions to ask when evaluating possible venues for a wedding.

How many guests can the venue accommodate?
Are there different rooms with different capacities?
Can we have our ceremony and reception in different rooms in the same building?
Is the catering in-house or is there a recommended list of caterers?
Can we choose our own event vendors and service providers?
Is there adequate light for photography?
Is there plenty of parking?
Are chairs and tables included in the rental?
Will there be a staff member present during my event?
Are there any particular restrictions, for example, the use of confetti or candles?

One way to simplify things is to have the ceremony and the reception in one place. Fortunately, the Thrasher-Horne Center has multiple banquet rooms within the complex which can be configured and combined to make any couple’s wedding a beautiful and memorable event for all in attendance.

Best of all, your guests will only need to drive to one location, where they will find access easy and ample free parking. This is something that family and friends from out of town, who may not be familiar with the area, will certainly appreciate.

The Conference Center

The Thrasher-Horne Conference Center provides the perfect atmosphere for your wedding and/or reception. The grand banquet room offers a contemporary design, complete with beautiful chandeliers. Additionally, their professional staff will go above and beyond to provide you with five star service, at a fraction of the price! The Conference Center has six suites that can provide space in whatever design you envision. The grand banquet room can accommodate up to 240 guests comfortably with enough room for dancing. Additionally, our other banquet space is the perfect setting for your wedding ceremony.

Catering

The Thrasher-Horne Conference Center offers flexible catering options and a list of recommended caterers is available upon request. The recommended caterers provide a wide range of menu selections such as snacks or light hors d'oeuvres, multi-course dinners or award-winning barbecues.
The Conference Center includes an ample size kitchen, which is primarily a staging area for caterers. Food can easily be delivered to any of the suites in the building. Ease of access to the kitchen and to the suites will make the operation a breeze for any caterer.

Picturesque Settings

One of the most important elements in any wedding event is capturing the event with memorable photographs. The Thrasher-Horne Center has several excellent locations for photos, including the rental availability of the grand staircase and professional, lighted dressing rooms. Also, the grounds include a meticulously landscaped waterfall area, which can make for a wonderfully romantic setting.

In short, if you are planning your nuptials and would like to have your wedding in a wonderful venue known throughout the greater Clay County area as the community’s premier gathering place, give them a call at 904-276-6815, or visit their wedding website at http://weddingsjacksonvillefl.com/

Coming Soon to the Thrasher-Horne Center

Annie, The Musical

Thursday February 4^th, and Friday, February 5^th

The world's best-loved musical returns in time-honored form. Directed by original Lyricist and Director Martin Charnin and Choreographed by Liza Gennaro, this production of ANNIE will be a brand new incarnation of the iconic original.

Featuring book and score by Tony Award® winners Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin, ANNIE includes such unforgettable songs as It's the Hard Knock Life, Easy Street, I Don't Need Anything But You, plus the eternal anthem of optimism, Tomorrow.

“It’s easy to sing ANNIE’s praises.” Boston Herald

"Spectacular on every count." Newsweek

"This enduring ode to optimism remains a sterling example of expert musical-theater craftsmanship." The Hollywood Reporter

Get tickets for ANNIE, TheMusical

Melissa Etheridge: This is M.E. Solo

Wednesday, February 17 at 7:30 p.m.

Melissa Etheridge has won an Academy Award and two Grammy Awards. On February 17^th, she will take the stage at Thrasher-Horne Center to perform songs from her new album, This is M.E., as well as some of her greatest hits like Come to My Window, I'm The Only One, and I Want To Come Over. Known for her iconic voice, profound lyrics, and riveting stage presence, Melissa will share personal stories about her remarkable journey through life and the inspiration behind some of her most beloved songs.

Moscow Festival Ballet presents The Sleeping Beauty

Sunday, February 21^st, at 3:00 p.m.

The Sleeping Beauty has been produced many times all over the world. On Sunday, February 21^st, The Moscow Festival Ballet will perform The Sleeping Beauty at the Thrasher-Horne Center Theater. The Moscow Festival Ballet was founded in 1989 when Sergei Radchenko, legendary principal dancer of the Bolshoi Ballet, sought to create an independent new company which would bring together the highest classical elements of the Bolshoi and Kirov Ballet companies.

This performance of The Sleeping Beauty promises to be enchanting and magical.

Please share this article with your friends and colleagues. The Google Plus button and other social media sharing buttons are below.

In this article, I’ve written about hosting weddings at the Thrasher-Horne Conference Center. I’ve also noted upcoming performances, including ANNIE, The Musical, a performance of The Sleeping Beauty by The Moscow Festival Ballet, and Melissa Etheridge.

Tickets for these events and others are on sale now on the Thrasher-Horne Center’s website.

The Thrasher-Horne Center is one of the nicest venues of its type in Northeast Florida. From concerts by renowned artists, to live theater, to dance, to magic and other fantastic shows, you can see it all at the Thrasher Horne-Center!

Spread the word about one of Northeast Florida’s best kept secrets! Tell your family and friends about the Thrasher-Horne Center. People will appreciate learning about what they have been missing.

We appreciate you taking the time to visit us. If you have a comment about this article, please leave it in the comments section below.

Monday, January 25, 2016

See ANNIE, The Musical, at the Thrasher-Horne Center

7:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 4^th, and on Friday, February 5^th

Win 4 tickets to see ANNIE!

ANNIE was born in a poem of 1885 by James Whitcomb Riley. The title was Little Orphan Annie, and the main message of the poem was that children should obey their parents and be kind to the less fortunate.

Little Orphan Annie debuted as a comic strip by Harold Gray in the New York Daily news in 1924. The comic strip followed the adventures of Annie, her dog Sandy, and a benefactor by the name of Oliver "Daddy" Warbucks.

ANNIE began her career in radio in 1930. She got one of her biggest breaks in 1977, when she finally made it to the stage in a Broadway musical. The original Broadway production won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Original Score. ANNIE’s first run on Broadway lasted almost six years.

The musical has been revived twice on Broadway (1997 & 2012). In 2007, ANNIE played Madison Square Garden in New York for 5 weeks. ANNIE has also done quite well overseas. The musical has been translated into 28 languages and has been produced in 34 countries.

In 1982, ANNIE was made into a feature film starring Albert Finney, Carol Burnett, Bernadette Peters, and Aileen Quinn as Annie. In 1999, Wonderful World of Disney produced a made-for-TV version. In 2014, Will Smith and Jay-Z produced another film version starring Jamie Foxx, Cameron Diaz, and Quvenzhané Wallis as Annie.

Many of the little girls in ANNIE went on to successful show business careers: Sarah Jessica Parker, Molly Ringwald, Alyssa Milano, Debbie Gibson, Catherine Zeta Jones, and others.

Tomorrow has become one of most popular Broadway songs in history. It has been recorded by Barbra Streisand, Johnny Mathis, Grace Jones, and many others.

Reviews of the Touring Production of ANNIE, The Musical

“It’s easy to sing ANNIE’s praises.” Boston Herald

“From its singing optimistic orphans, who can easily put those Sound of Music children to shame, right down to its shaggy dog, is it possible that ANNIE can be anything but a hit? Since its premiere in 1977, the Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin musical, with book by Thomas Meehan, has enchanted audiences with its infectiously bouncy and hopeful score, sweet story, and just enough old-fashioned Broadway pizazz to spin stage magic.” New Orleans Times-Picayune

"Spectacular on every count." Newsweek

“As lovable as ever, ANNIE recaptures a period of history from the 1930s that swells with pumped-up pride… At times, I wanted instant replays. ANNIE is sugary, almost achingly sweet, and it's impossible to watch it and not smile or, doggone it, wag your tail in appreciation.” Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.

"This enduring ode to optimism remains a sterling example of expert musical-theater craftsmanship." The Hollywood Reporter

Q&A with Heidi Gray, the actress who plays ANNIE in the touring production

You’ve been acting for quite a while. How old are you now? What is it you enjoy about acting? Other than Annie, do you have a favorite part that you’ve played before?
I’m 11 years old. What I like about acting is I get to be a different personality each character I play. Other than Annie, my favorite part I’ve played is Gretl in The Sound of Music.

So many people love the story of Annie. What do you love about the character? How is she most like you?
What I love about Annie is that she never gives up and is optimistic. Annie is most like me because we are both outgoing and are leaders.

Few people get a chance to act with an animal on stage. What’s it like to work with Macy and Sunny who both play Sandy in the show? Does anything unpredictable ever happen?
Macy and Sunny are the smartest animals I have ever met, and I’m so lucky to be working with such professionals. Everything is going great so far with the dogs.

We see you are a South Carolina native, so not too far from home in the Southeast. How many months have you been traveling now? What’s the furthest state the Annie tour will be traveling to?
I have been on tour since December 29, 2015. The farthest state we are going to is Oregon.

Casts of productions usually become very close while working together. Have you made any friends during the tour? Who’s the funniest person in the cast in real life?
Yes, I have made lots of friends on this journey. And the funniest person, from the cast, in real life is Madisen. She is the Orphan Swing.

You have a beautiful singing voice. What’s your favorite song to sing from the show?
Thank you. My favorite song to sing from the show is “Maybe” because it is a song about Annie being hopeful about her future.

Balancing the tour with school must be quite a challenge. How do you and the other actresses playing the orphans go to school while on tour? What’s your favorite subject?
We do school on our computers and we also have a teacher that travels with us. My favorite subject is Language Arts.

In the second act Annie gets to meet President Franklin D. Roosevelt. If you could meet any famous person, who would it be and why?
If I could meet any famous person it would be Sutton Foster because she is my role model.

Coming Soon to the Thrasher-Horne Center

Thodos Dance Chicago presents A Light in the Dark: The Story of Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan, 7:30 p.m., Thursday, January 28^th.

Thodos Dance Chicago will present a touring production of A Light in the Dark: The Story of Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan at the Thrasher-Horne Center Theater On Thursday, January 28^th. This inspiring story ballet explores how a caring teacher helped guide a blind and deaf girl into a career as an internationally acclaimed writer and political activist.

Choreographed by Melissa Thodos and Tony Award winner Ann Reinking, this performance is funded in part by a grant from South Arts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. As part of the Dance Touring Initiative program, South Arts awarded three regional touring grants to Thrasher-Horne Center.

Two of these grants were completed in 2015 with the Eisenhower Dance Company in February and Koresh Dance Company in April. A Light in the Dark is the third Dance Touring Initiative grant. South Arts strengthens the South through advancing excellence in the arts, connecting the arts to key state and national policies, and nurturing a vibrant quality of life.

Get tickets to see A Light in the Dark.

Gladius Flamenco Guitar in Thrasher-Horne Center Cabaret Theater
Sunday, January 31 at 4:00 p.m.

In an era when expertise and originality are often overlooked in lieu of fleeting flash and flare, Gladius defines innovation as a composer and mastery as an instrumentalist—perpetually pushing the boundaries of his Baroque-Ethnic-Metal fusion: on both the classical and electric guitar.

Inspired by the great composers, Spanish guitar maestros, and much more, this musical mad scientist fuses the elements into a refreshing formula—evoking the Spanish spirit, yet distinctly unorthodox, mixing influences ranging from classical to rock and beyond.

ALWAYS... PATSY CLINE, Friday, February 12^th, and Saturday, February 13^th.

This play is based on the true story of Patsy Cline's friendship with Houston housewife Louise Seger. The story comes complete with true emotion, and down home country humor. With 27 songs in the show, it includes many of Patsy's unforgettable hits such as Crazy, I Fall to Pieces, Sweet Dreams, and Walkin' After Midnight. ALWAYS...PATSY CLINE was Written and Originally Directed by Ted Swindley.

Melissa Etheridge: This is M.E. Solo Wednesday, February 17 at 7:30 p.m.

Moscow Festival Ballet presents The Sleeping Beauty, Sunday, February 21^st, at 3:00 p.m.

This performance of The Sleeping Beauty promises to be enchanting and magical.

Please share this article with your friends and colleagues. The Google Plus button and other social media sharing buttons are below.

In this article, I’ve written about the upcoming performance of ANNIE, The Musical, at the Thrasher-Horne Center Theater. I’ve also noted other upcoming performances, including A Light in the Dark, The Sleeping Beauty, Gladius Flamenco Guitar, and Melissa Etheridge.

Tickets for these events and others are on sale now on the Thrasher-Horne Center’s website.

Spread the word about one of Northeast Florida’s best kept secrets! Tell your family and friends about the Thrasher-Horne Center. People will appreciate learning about what they have been missing.

We appreciate you taking the time to visit us. If you have a comment about this article, please leave it in the comments section below.

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Creedence Clearwater Revisited, Saturday, January 23, 2016, 8:00 PM

In 1995, Stu Cook and Doug Clifford, two of the original members of Creedence Clearwater Revival, launched the Creedence Clearwater Revisited project. The band performs live for audiences all over the world who love the music of CCR. Their shows are vibrant and exhilarating. Although they may not have intended it, Creedence Clearwater Revisited has taken on an interesting life of its own.

Surprisingly, the members of CCR did not grow up south of the Mason-Dixon Line. Clifford, Cook, and John Fogerty met in a junior high school near San Francisco, California, and formed a trio known as The Blue Velvets. The band played standards and provided backing for Fogerty's older brother, Tom. In 1964 they signed up with Fantasy Records, a jazz label, and changed the band’s name to The Golliwoggs.

In 1966, Doug Clifford and John Fogerty received their draft notices. Since they weren’t the sons of any Senator, they couldn’t escape the draft. Fogerty joined the Army Reserve and Clifford joined the Coast Guard Reserve. In 1968, the band changed its name yet again, to Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR). According to Wikipedia, the name can be attributed to three sources:

Tom Fogerty's friend Credence Newball
A television commercial for Olympia beer ("clear water")
The four members' renewed commitment to their band.

Some considered the name a tad weirder than Buffalo Springfield or Jefferson Airplane. Other names that the band considered were Muddy Rabbit and Gossamer Wump.

In 1968, Doug Clifford and John Fogerty received their discharges from military service. With Tom Fogerty and Stu Cook, they began an intense schedule of rehearsing and performing at nightclubs. CCR’s debut album included the song Susie Q which received substantial airplay in San Francisco and Chicago.

In 1969, CCR began touring and worked on their second album, Bayou Country, at RCA Studios in Los Angeles. That record was their first in an incredible string of hit albums and hit singles over the next three years. Bad Moon Rising peaked at No. 2. Proud Mary also reached No. 2 and it became the group's most-covered song. Ike and Tina Turner’s unforgettable version came out in 1971 and reached number 4.

Later in 1969, CCR released its third album, Green River. The title song reached No. 2. CCR toured a lot, including performances at the Atlanta Pop Festival and Woodstock. After Woodstock, CCR released its fourth album, Willy and the Poor Boys. Down on the Corner reached No. 3 and Fortunate Son reached No. 14.

1969 was a remarkable year for CCR. They had three Top Ten albums and four hit singles. Capping off the year, they performed on The Ed Sullivan Show on November 16, 1969. In February of 1970, CCR was featured on the cover of Rolling Stone. Run Through the Jungle reached No. 4. Later that year, they had another big hit with Have You Ever Seen the Rain? The single's flip side, Hey Tonight, was also a hit.

Members of CCR parted ways in 1972, and they never formally reunited. Surprisingly, the group never had a No. 1 hit. However, they did make their musical mark. In 1993, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

“Creedence Clearwater Revival, which disbanded in 1972, was progressive and anachronistic at the same time. An unapologetic throwback to the golden era of rock and roll, they broke ranks with their peers on the progressive, psychedelic San Francisco scene. Their approach was basic and uncompromising, holding true to the band members' working-class origins. The term 'roots rock' had not yet been invented when Creedence came along, but in a real way they defined it, drawing inspiration from the likes of Little Richard, Hank Williams, Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, and the artisans of soul at Motown and Stax. In so doing, Creedence Clearwater Revival became the standard bearers and foremost celebrants of homegrown American music." Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Get tickets to see Creedence Clearwater Revisited.

Coming Soon to the Thrasher-Horne Center

Thodos Dance Chicago presents A Light in the Dark:
The Story of Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan, Thursday, January 28^th.

Thodos Dance Chicago was founded in 1992 by Artistic Director, Melissa Thodos, as a hub for dancers to grow, not only as performers, but as well-rounded dance artists. The company’s unique mission of inspiring expression through dance education, dance creation, and dance performance has established TDC as an original force in modern dance.

TDC will present a touring production of A Light in the Dark: The Story of Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan at the Thrasher-Horne Center Theater On Thursday, January 28^th. This inspiring story ballet explores how a caring teacher helped guide a blind and deaf girl into a career as an internationally acclaimed writer and political activist.

Get tickets to see A Light in the Dark.

Gladius Flamenco Guitar in Thrasher-Horne Center Cabaret Theater Sunday, January 31 at 4:00 p.m.

Annie, Thursday, February 4^th, and Friday, February 5^th

"Spectacular on every count." Newsweek

ALWAYS... PATSY CLINE, Friday, Feb. 12^th,
and Saturday, February 13^th

This play is based on the true story of Patsy Cline's friendship with Houston housewife Louise Seger. The story comes complete with true emotion, and down home country humor. With 27 songs in the show, it includes many of Patsy's unforgettable hits such as Crazy, I Fall to Pieces, Sweet Dreams, and Walkin' After Midnight. ALWAYS...PATSY CLINE was Written and Originally Directed by Ted Swindley.

Melissa Etheridge: This is M.E. Solo
Wednesday, February 17 at 7:30 p.m.

Moscow Festival Ballet presents The Sleeping BeautySunday, February 21^st, at 3:00 p.m.

Marius Petipa is widely regarded as the most influential ballet master and choreographer in ballet history. The Sleeping Beauty was the crowning jewel of his legendary career, and it is often considered the finest achievement of the Classical ballet. The ballet is based on Charles Perrault's well-known fairy tale. Tchaikovsky, one of the greatest composers of them all, wrote the music.

This performance of The Sleeping Beauty promises to be enchanting and magical.

Buy tickets to The Sleeping Beauty

Please share this article with your friends and colleagues. The Google Plus button and other social media sharing buttons are below.

In this article, I’ve written about the upcoming performance of Creedence Clearwater Revisited. at the Thrasher-Horne Center Theater. I’ve also noted other upcoming performances, including A Light in the Dark, The Sleeping Beauty, Gladius Flamenco Guitar, and Melissa Etheridge.

Tickets for these events and others are on sale now
on the Thrasher-Horne Center’s website.

Spread the word about one of Northeast Florida’s best kept secrets! Tell your family and friends about the Thrasher-Horne Center. People will appreciate learning about what they have been missing.

We appreciate you taking the time to visit us. If you have a comment about this article, please leave it in the comments section below.

Pages

Search This Blog

Saturday, January 30, 2016

The Ideal Setting for your Wedding Day

Coming Soon to the Thrasher-Horne Center

Monday, January 25, 2016

See ANNIE, The Musical, at the Thrasher-Horne Center

Coming Soon to the Thrasher-Horne Center

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Creedence Clearwater Revisited, Saturday, January 23, 2016, 8:00 PM

Pages

Search This Blog

Saturday, January 30, 2016

The Ideal Setting for your Wedding Day

Coming Soon to the Thrasher-Horne Center

Related articles

Monday, January 25, 2016

See ANNIE, The Musical, at the Thrasher-Horne Center

Coming Soon to the Thrasher-Horne Center

Related articles

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Creedence Clearwater Revisited, Saturday, January 23, 2016, 8:00 PM

Related articles