Suffolk Center announces upcoming season
Published 9:58 pm Wednesday, August 14, 2019
- The Way Down Wanderers will be among the performances featured in the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts’ 14th season. (Submitted Photo)
Celebrating its 14th season, the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts on Tuesday announced its 2019-20 performance lineup.
A diverse lineup including Americana, bluegrass, Motown, R&B and beach music, contemporary Christian, musical theater, comedy, jazz, acoustic, choral and more will celebrate the state’s 50th anniversary of the “Virginia is for Lovers” slogan, according to a press release from the center.
During the 2019-2020 season, the Suffolk Center will offer 13 performances, 13 movies, five regional art exhibitions, multiple school matinees, a plein air festival, a Suffolk Wedding Showcase, a Mardi Gras fundraiser and many other surprises along the way.
The upcoming season features several national bands. Way Down Wanderers will open the season on Oct. 4. They were noted as Rolling Stones Country Magazine’s up and coming “Bands to Watch.” Their high-energy mix of folk, Americana and bluegrass with influences from the Avett Brothers is a toe-tapping good time for all ages.
On Jan. 11, the center will welcome a two-time Dove Award winner, contemporary Christian artist Mark Schultz, who has had 13 No. 1 songs and Christian Song of the Year.
On April 4, Grammy-nominated bluegrass all girl-band sensation Della Mae will delight fans, with Dempsey — three sisters from Smithfield — opening.
Rock & Roll Hall of Famers, The Drifters, close the 2019-20 season on May 16. Their quintessential R&B with a touch of beach music flare will get patrons crooning and on the dance floor.
“We really want to make our guests feel that making the choice to stay in Suffolk or the extra effort to come to Suffolk to see a show is really worth it,” SCCA Executive Director Susan Lawrence stated in a press release. “So new this year, when a ticket is purchased our guests will be getting more than a great show, they will be getting an extra experience at each show. It may be a craft beer tasting or local distillery tasting, it could be an unannounced pre-show performance, it may be special decorations or a character appearance during a show. It will always be something different and always a surprise. We want to create an environment where our guests will want to keep coming back just to see what we are going to do next. We are going to be extremely busy this season and are stretching beyond our normal limits to offer experiences.”
Also this season, the center will present its first LOVE LOCAL event: “Red, White and Brews,” showcasing local craft beers, food and three local bands, Cool Tones, Stolen and Just Us, for a three-hour concert honoring veterans.
Back by popular demand, the center also will continue with the “Downstairs at the Center” series, which offers local entertainment in a casual, comfortable, club-style atmosphere.
Other performances include two family musicals by the Hurrah Players, the Virginia Symphony Orchestra’s Holiday Brass, Suffolk favorite Masters of Soul, the Chowan University Chorus and more.
For additional information, visit SuffolkCenter.org. To buy tickets, call the Suffolk Center’s box office at 923-2900, order online at SufffolkCenter.org, or come in to the Suffolk Center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays. The Suffolk Center is located at 110 W. Finney Ave.