The 2015-2016 Season at Thrasher-Horne Center

Bill Engvall
Courtesy of Thrasher-Horne Center

Thanks to all of the friends and supporters of the Thrasher-Horne Center, the 2015-2016 season was one of our best ever. Sixty-four percent of tickets sold were to first time visitors of our venue. We look forward to seeing all of them again and to seeing many more new visitors in the upcoming season.

Last season, the Thrasher-Horne Center hosted concerts by some of the finest recording artists around, including Lyle Lovett, America, and Boz Scaggs. Our diverse schedule also featured the magic of Mike Super and Hal Holbrook’s iconic one-man show, Mark Twain Tonight. We played host to a weeklong residency by the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra with new conductor Courtney Lewis, and welcomed the National Circus and Acrobats of the People’s Republic of China with their world renowned production of Peking Dreams.

Here are a few of the other highlights of the season:

R5 Rocked!

Courtesy of Thrasher-Horne Center

R5 kicked off their summer U.S tour at the Thrasher-Horne Center nearly a year ago on July 7th. These young rockers have what it takes to make it to the top and stay there. They had a blast performing on our stage and it showed, in an unforgettable night that was both charismatic and electrifying. Our audience that evening can claim bragging rights to a powerhouse performance from a band skyrocketing to superstardom.

Bill Engvall had the audience in stitches!

Bill Engvall’s ability to connect with an audience by sharing the humor in everyday situations has made him one of the top comedians today. He attributes his 35-year career to his evolution from joke-teller to storyteller. His work spans small comedy clubs, nationally touring comedy shows, radio, television, films, albums, and books. He marked his debut performance at the Thrasher-Horne Center on October 2^nd, 2015, bringing a side-splitting show to a nearly sold out crowd and setting Thrasher-Horne Center’s box office records in the process.

Michael McDonald crooned his heart out!

Courtesy of Thrasher-Horne Center

For decades, singer/songwriter Michael McDonald has had one of the most recognized voices in popular music. His sound is distinctively soulful, winning him five Grammys throughout his career. In 2009, McDonald released This Christmas, his third holiday album. On December 19^th, he took to the Thrasher-Horne Center stage with hits and holiday favorites for a very memorable performance. 

Melissa Etheridge got personal!

Courtesy of Thrasher-Horne Center

Melissa Etheridge has won an Academy Award and two Grammy Awards. On February 17^th, she performed an intimate one-woman set that included music from her new album, This is M.E., as well as many of her greatest hits. Known for her iconic voice, profound lyrics, and riveting stage presence, Melissa shared personal stories about her remarkable journey through life and the inspiration behind some of her most beloved songs.

A full-fledged Broadway Season was delivered to Orange Park!

The Thrasher-Horne Center presented five fabulous Broadway shows as part of its inaugural Broadway Season. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical kicked off the series in December. It was fun for the whole family, but particularly for the little ones. Ragtime was presented in January, with a gorgeous new staging and powerhouse performance from an incredible cast. Annie was up next at the Thrasher-Horne Center in February, charming children and adults alike with its classic tale of perseverance and optimism. In March, Saturday Night Fever came to town, and transported us back in time to the 70s with two nights filled with dancing in the aisles and singing along to the greatest hits of the era.

Courtesy of Thrasher-Horne Center

Capping off the season, the Thrasher-Horne Center hosted the Northeast Florida premiere of ONCE on May 1^st, a musical which won eight Tony Awards® including Best Musical. Based on the popular 2007 movie, ONCE is the enchanting tale of a Dublin street musician who’s about to give up on his dream when a beautiful young woman takes a sudden interest in his music. The touring production of ONCE featured an impressive ensemble of actor/musicians who played their own instruments on stage. ONCE drew in audience members from the very first note and never let them go.

The 2016-2017 Broadway season is being planned now. It’s going to be another fantastic season! Stay tuned to this blog and to the Thrasher-Horne Center’s website for all the details which will be coming out in the very near future. Remember that subscribers get the best seats at the best prices. If you’re a theatre lover, please consider subscribing. If you know a theatre lover, you might also consider giving a subscription as a gift.

…And Coming Soon!

We already have several excellent performers lined up for the Thrasher-Horne Center in the coming year, from Wayne Brady to Billy Gardell to Jay Leno, and with other world class musicians and performers being added daily… it’s gonna be another revolutionary year!

Are you a teacher planning field trips for 2016-2017?

The Thrasher-Horne Center’s popular School Time Series offers entertaining, educational and engaging performances for students. Through these educational programs, the Thrasher-Horne Center continues its commitment to enrich the lives of the students it serves. There are five exciting performances scheduled for the coming school year. If you, or a teacher you know, is planning field trips for the coming school year, check out the flyer.

Have you explored the benefits of Membership?

The Thrasher-Horne Center plays a unique and significant role in the cultural life of the surrounding community. It’s a venue which hosts artistic performances that are not available elsewhere in Clay County. Thrasher-Horne Center Memberships are available starting at $75.00. Member benefits include priority ticket ordering, discounts, VIP parking, and more depending on your donation level. For more information on member benefits, go to the membership page.  

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

Tickets for concerts and other 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!

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.

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Billy Gardell to perform on Saturday, December 3, 2016

Tickets available to Thrasher-Horne Center members now!

Billy Gardell will perform at Thrasher-Horne Center on Saturday, December 3^rd, 2016, at 7:30 PM. Thrasher-Horne Center Members can buy tickets now, but the show will not be available to the general public until May 16^th. These tickets will go quickly, so don’t miss your chance to see this hilarious show!

Billy Gardell took the long road to Hollywood, stopping at every small town lounge, military base and comedy club along the way. His comedy act took him to Los Angeles, where his dedication to acting, along with touring as a stand-up comedian, allowed him to grow consistently in both arenas. His stand-up show is a powerhouse. His grounded, down-to-earth point of view strikes a strong chord with American audiences. Stories about his rough childhood, wild adolescence and new family life are executed with the skill of a master craftsman.

 “Whenever I realize I'm being a goofball; I write it down. When I release the joke onstage, I love watching the effect it has on the audience. No one wants to see someone talk who takes themselves too seriously.” Billy Gardell

Best known for his role of Officer Mike Biggs on the CBS Hit television series, MIKE & MOLLY, Gardell is also the host of a new game show, MONOPOLY MILLIONAIRE'S CLUB, based on the hit board game and produced by the team behind Deal Or No Deal.  Gardell also co-starred in the critically acclaimed television series “Lucky." His other television credits include Yes Dear, Judging Amy, My Name is Earl, The Practice, Monk, and Gary the Rat.

“You start realizing that maybe you're the one night a month that people have out, and they don't need to hear your political views or how dark you can get. They just want to laugh for an hour and go home. Once I wrapped my head around that, my act evolved accordingly.” Billy Gardell

As a standup comic, his comedy specials, "Billy Gardell: Halftime," premiered on Comedy Central and "Billy Gardell Presents Road Dogs" premiered on Showtime. In addition, he makes regular appearances on "NFL Today" on CBS Sports.

Experience MORE as a Thrasher-Horne Center Member

Get your tickets to big events like Billy Gardell’s performance before they are available to the public. After all, there are some shows you just don’t want to miss.

Become a member of the Thrasher-Horne Center. Your Membership Donation contributes to the future of the Thrasher-Horne Center and brings you MORE by supporting programming, outreach, events, capital improvements and venue operations.  We can't do it without you!

All of our members and donors should be very proud that they, through their contributions to Thrasher-Horne Center, helped to achieve the following:

• Over 7,500 students and teachers from schools throughout Northeast Florida participated in field trips where they learned about the visual and performing arts.
• The School Time Series enriched the lives of students with many entertaining, educational, and engaging performances such as Charlotte’s Web, Dinosaur Train Live! The BFG, and Miss Nelson is Missing.
• Thrasher-Horne Center kicked off its inaugural season of Broadway Orange Park with a stunning production of the beloved classic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. 2016 began with Ragtime in January, followed by Annie in February and Saturday Night Fever in March. The Northeast Florida Premiere of Once will cap the season in May.  
• In 2015, Thrasher-Horne Center also hosted concerts by some of the finest recording artists around, including Lyle Lovett, America, Boz Scaggs, and Michael McDonald. Other memorable events included the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra conducted by Courtney Lewis and the National Circus and Acrobats of the People’s Republic of China: Peking Dreams. Comedian Bill Engvall’s hilarious performance broke all of our standing box office records.

Membership Levels

Thrasher-Horne Center memberships are available starting at $75.00. Member benefits include priority ticket ordering, discounts, VIP parking, and more. Member benefits are good for regular Thrasher-Horne Center presentations for one year from the purchase date.

Members joining at the Silver, Gold or Platinum Circle levels can enjoy relaxing in the Thrasher-Horne Center Circle Club. This lounge-like atmosphere features complimentary hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar. The Circle Club is open one hour prior to most main stage performances.

There are six different ways you can enjoy more:

$75 – Friend

$150 – Donor

$300 - Contributor

$500 – Silver Circle

$1,000 – Gold Circle

$1,500 – Platinum Circle

Platinum Circle members enjoy all of the following benefits. Other levels of membership feature two or more of the listed benefits.

• Priority Ticket Ordering & Pre-Sale Announcements
• Membership Recognition
• Option to exchange tickets for another performance or Gift Certificate
• 15% discount on ticket purchases all season long!
• 10% discount on rentals at Thrasher-Horne Center
• Thrasher-Horne Circle Club admittance for up to eight
• Thirty complimentary drink coupons
• Guaranteed reserved seats during Priority Ticket Ordering and Pre-Sale periods.
• One Named Reserved Season Parking Spot with VIP Season Parking Pass

For more information on member benefits, go to the membership page.  

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The Thrasher-Horne Center plays a unique and significant role in the cultural life of the surrounding community. It’s a venue which hosts artistic performances that are not available elsewhere. The permanent and seasonal exhibits give visitors the opportunity to see works of art that they would not otherwise encounter.

Without the generous support of members and donors, it wouldn’t be possible for the Thrasher-Horne Center to continue to serve the community as it has in the past. Please consider becoming a donor or joining the Thrasher-Horne Center as a member.

For more details about Thrasher-Horne Center Membership, go to our Membership page.

For more information on giving opportunities, please call (904) 276-6815.

Donations can also be made online.

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 Billy Gardell’s upcoming performance in December of 2016. I’ve also written about Thrasher-Horne Center membership and the Thrasher-Horne Center’s unique contributions to the cultural life of the surrounding community.

Tickets for events 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 theatre, 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.

Related articles

• Billy Gardell To Co-Star In CMT Drama Series 'Million Dollar Quartet'
• Billy Gardell opens up on "Mike & Molly" ending
• The 2016 Daytime Nominations Are In
• Daytime Emmys Nominations 2016: See Full List Of Emmy Awards Nominees!

Jay Leno to perform on January 14, 2017: Tickets available to Thrasher-Horne Center members now!

One of the benefits of becoming a Thrasher-Horne Center member is that members can purchase tickets to events before they are available to the general public. For example, Jay Leno will perform at Thrasher-Horne Center on Saturday, January 14, 2017, at 7:30 PM. Tickets to that show will not be available to the public until May 2^nd, and we anticipate that they will sell quickly.

Thrasher-Horne Center members can get tickets now!

“Jay Leno marks the first announcement of many top-notch performers we have planned for this next season,” said Thrasher-Horne Center Executive Director, Denton Yockey. “We look forward to his comic style that has entertained so many on ‘The Tonight Show’ for so many years.”

Jay Leno is widely characterized as “the hardest working man in show business.” His career has included top-rated TV late night show host, admired stand-up comedian, best-selling children’s book author, much-in-demand corporate speaker, lovable TV and movie voice-over artist, pioneering car builder and mechanic, and philanthropist.

Don’t miss this opportunity to see Jay Leno! Ticket prices range from $69 to $129 with all fees included. Tickets and more information are available at (904) 276-6815 or online at THcenter.org.

Experience more as a Thrasher-Horne Center member

“In my own philanthropy and business endeavors, I have seen the critical role that the arts play in stimulating creativity and in developing vital communities. The arts have a crucial impact on our economy and are an important catalyst for learning, discovery, and achievement in our country.”
Paul G. Allen, Co-Founder, Microsoft

Thanks to all of the friends and supporters of the Thrasher-Horne Center, 2015 was a wonderful year! We’re especially thankful for our many members and financial contributors. They made it possible for the Thrasher-Horne Center to continue in its efforts to shine a light on the arts in Northeast Florida.

Denton Yockey, Executive Director

We are committed to developing and nurturing the artistic potential and growth of the students, residents and visitors of the community by offering the very best of professional theater, dance, music performances, and visual art exhibits. All of our members and donors should be very proud that they, through their contributions to Thrasher-Horne Center, helped to achieve the following:

• Over 7,500 students and teachers from schools throughout Northeast Florida participated in field trips where they learned about the visual and performing arts.
• The School Time Series enriched the lives of students with many entertaining, educational, and engaging performances such as Charlotte’s Web, Dinosaur Train Live! The BFG, and Miss Nelson is Missing.
• Thrasher-Horne Center kicked off its inaugural season of Broadway Orange Park with a stunning production of the beloved classic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. The next Broadway show in the season was Ragtime in January, followed by Annie in February and Saturday Night Fever in March.  Coming soon is the Northeast Florida Premiere of Once.  

In 2015, Thrasher-Horne Center also hosted concerts by some of the finest recording artists around, including Lyle Lovett, America, Boz Scaggs, and Michael McDonald. Other memorable events included the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra conducted by Courtney Lewis and the National Circus and Acrobats of the People’s Republic of China: Peking Dreams. Comedian Bill Engvall’s hilarious performance played to a full house and R5’s tour launching concert broke all of our standing box office records.

"The arts are not a frill. The arts are a response to our individuality and our nature, and help to shape our identity. What is there that can transcend deep difference and stubborn divisions? The arts. They have a wonderful universality. Art has the potential to unify. It can speak in many languages without a translator. The arts do not discriminate.
The arts can lift us up."
Former Texas Congresswoman Barbara Jordan

2016 is off to a great start!

In January, Thodos Dance Chicago presented its critically-acclaimed modern ballet, A Light in the Dark: the Story of Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan. Creedence Clearwater Revisited visited in January and Melissa Etheridge had an unforgettable show on the main stage in February. The Moscow Festival Ballet presented Sleeping Beauty on February 21^st. 

Thrasher-Horne Center Memberships

Thrasher-Horne Center Membership donations are available starting at $75.00. Member benefits include priority ticket ordering, discounts, VIP parking, and more depending on your donation level. Member benefits are good for regular Thrasher-Horne Center presentations for one year from the purchase date.

Members joining at the Silver, Gold or Platinum Circle levels can enjoy relaxing in the Thrasher-Horne Center Circle Club. This lounge-like atmosphere features complimentary hors d' oeuvres and a cash bar. The Circle Club is open one hour prior to most main stage performances.

Membership Levels
$75 – Friend
$150 – Donor
$300 - Contributor 
$500 – Silver Circle
$1,000 – Gold Circle
$1,500 – Platinum Circle

Platinum Circle members enjoy all of the following benefits. Other levels of membership feature two or more of the listed benefits.

• Priority Ticket Ordering & Pre-Sale Announcements
• Membership Recognition
• Option to exchange tickets for another performance or Gift Certificate
• 15% discount on ticket purchases all season long!
• 10% discount on rentals at Thrasher-Horne Center
• Thrasher-Horne Circle Club admittance for up to eight
• Thirty complimentary drink coupons
• Guaranteed reserved seats during Priority Ticket Ordering and Pre-Sale periods.
• One Named Reserved Season Parking Spot with VIP Season Parking Pass

For more information on member benefits, go to the membership page.  

“Aeschylus and Plato are remembered today long after the triumphs of Imperial Athens are gone. Dante outlived the ambitions of thirteenth century Florence. Goethe stands serenely above the politics of Germany, and I am certain that after the dust of centuries has passed over cities, we too will be remembered not for victories or defeats in battle or in politics, but for our contribution to the human spirit.”
John F. Kennedy

What are people saying about the Thrasher-Horne Center?

“The facilities are great and the staff is great. In the last ten years I’ve seen shows that I never would have seen elsewhere, including my first ballet. If you haven’t been out to the Thrasher-Horne Center, come on out and wave to me when you see me.” John Haas
 
“I’m an artist and I was invited to exhibit in the Florida Artists’ Gallery last Spring. It was a real pleasure to work with all the staff and to exhibit my works alongside works by the late Charlie Brown, who was a local legend. The Thrasher-Horne Center is a real gem in Northeast Florida.” Sarah Cooks Flare
 
“I come here quite often because there’s a big variety of shows with events for the whole family. They really keep up with the times. If you haven’t been to the Thrasher-Horne Center, I suggest that you check out this great venue.” John Vedas

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The Thrasher-Horne Center plays a unique and significant role in the cultural life of the surrounding community. It’s a venue which hosts artistic performances that are not available elsewhere in Clay County. The permanent exhibits as well as the seasonal exhibits give visitors the opportunity to see works of art that they would not otherwise encounter.

Without the generous support of members and donors, it wouldn’t be possible for the Thrasher-Horne Center to continue to serve the community as it has in the past. Please consider becoming a Thrasher-Horne Center Member.

For more details about Thrasher-Horne Center Membership, go to our Membership page.

For more information on additional giving opportunities, please call (904) 276-6815.

Donations can also be made online.

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 Thrasher-Horne Center’s unique contributions to the cultural life of the surrounding community. I’ve also written about Thrasher-Horne Center membership and Jay Leno’s upcoming performance in January 0f 2017.  

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

The Thrasher-Horne Center is one of the best 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.

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