Art of Storytelling comes to Wayne Theatre March 18-19

The Wayne Theatre is hosting a Storytelling Weekend on March 18-19 with Donald Davis, Geraldine Buckley, Linda Gorham and Leonard Lee Smith presenting in four sessions.

In our digital world, where personal connection is often diminished, the Wayne Theatre will bring back the timeless tradition of personal, family and generational connection through the Art of Storytelling.

Three sessions will be offered on Saturday, at 9:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.One session will be offered Sunday morning at 9:30. All four storytellers will participate in every session.

Ticket prices to attend all four sessions are $55 adults or $25 students. Individual ticket prices are $15 for morning and afternoon sessions and $20 for the one night session.

While many people think “storytelling” is for children, that is not so, says Donald Davis, one of the storytellers at the weekend event. Stories are primarily geared for adults though families are welcome (grades 3+ recommended).

“Each session will be totally different,” said Davis. “We cannot tell you in advance what we might be telling.”

Stories always have humorous elements though some of them will take quite serious turns along the way. The stories should remind listeners of things that have happened to them and that they will be telling their own stories on the way home.

“We all tell original stories of our own,” said Davis. “For example, Geraldine’s home of origin is England, my roots are in the mountains of North Carolina, while Linda brings African-American culture and heritage to the mix.”

Stories always have humorous elements though some of them will take quite serious turns along the way. The stories should remind listeners of things that have happened to them and that they will be telling their own stories on the way home.

The storytellers regularly perform together with 42 festival weekends booked in 2017 in more than 24 states ranging from Virginia to Washington.

The Wayne Theatre is located at 521 W. Main St. in Waynesboro.

Info: (540) 943-9999 or www.waynetheatre.org.


Trout Fishing in America with Dana Louise and the Glorious Birds at the Wayne Theatre

trout fishing in americaThe Wayne Theatre presents Trout Fishing in America with Dana Louise and the Glorious Birds on Saturday, June 25, at 7:30 p.m. at the Ross Performing Arts Center in downtown Waynesboro.

Tickets are $25 and $20. Tickets are on sale now.

Four time Grammy award nominees Trout Fishing in America is the long-standing musical partnership of Keith Grimwood and Ezra Idlet. Trout Fishing in America is an eclectic folk/rock/pop band.
Best known for family music and kids’ songs, this show is for all ages. Keith Grimwood and Ezra Idlet, the musicians of Trout Fishing in America, met in Houston more than three decades ago and have been playing together ever since.

The name, taken from a Richard Brautigan novel, seems almost as incongruous as a picture of this musical duo: Ezra Idlet (guitar) stands six feet eight inches and Keith Grimwood (bass), five feet five and one half inches. Ezra is more playful and extroverted while Keith is more serious and reserved. Each of them bring out the best in the other and the joy that comes from this musical interaction is contagious and impossible to deny.

story-danalouiseDana Louise is a new songstress astonishing audiences with her vibrant, melodic vocals, adept finger-picking and cool sound.

Now touring her debut album, she is joined by the Glorious Birds — Adams Collins (vibraphone and 5-string banjo), Ezra Idlet and Keith Grimwood (Trout Fishing in America/guitar, percussion and bass).

Drawing from jazz and bluegrass, carrying a contemporary beat, the sound is roots-rooted flung-into-the-future folk. Dana Louise & the Glorious Birds work to leave their audiences glowing with the magic music can bring: genuine human connection.

“Dana Louise is something special … nothing short of magical.” Doug Treadway for Nightflying


4D Mark Nizer Show comes to Wayne Theatre

mark-nizerEntertainment comedian and juggler Mark Nizer presents his One-Man Show on Friday, May 20, at 7 p.m. at the Wayne Theatre/Ross Performing Arts Center in downtown Waynesboro.

The show features a combination of original comedy, world class juggling, movement, music and technology that promises a spellbinding evening.

“The Wayne Theatre could not be more thrilled to have Mark Nizer coming to the stage,” said Tracy Straight, executive director of the Wayne Theatre. “This is the first time families will get to experience 4D in our theatre.”

The 4D show is the only show in the world that incorporates 4D glasses in a live show. Using these special glasses, light is converted to depth which adds a fourth dimension to our normal 3D world.

“The technology associated with this show is unbelievable,” said Straight. “The performance will really feel like it’s taking place out into the audience.”

Whether juggling laser beams at 1000 rpms, or five ping pong balls being thrown 20 feet in the air using only his mouth; or even juggling a burning propane tank, a running electric carving knife and a 16-pound bowling ball, you’ll discover for yourself why Nizer has been called “nothing less than brilliant” by Performance Magazine.

“The Wayne continues to bring nationally known artists to the area,” said Straight. “Nizer has opened for Jerry Seinfeld, Bob Hope, George Burns, Ray Charles, and now Waynesboro.”

Nizer has taken his one-man show to thousands of venues around the world. He has been on MTV, HBO’s Just for Laughs, and Comic Strip Live.

Tickets are available for $12.50 and $16.50 to the 7 p.m. show. Two matinee shows will also be offered as part of the Wayne’s Arts Education programming. Tickets to the earlier shows are only $7.50 per person.

Tickets are on sale now at the Wayne Theatre box office at 521 West Main Street  Tuesday-Friday,10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and one hour before all performances. Tickets are also available online up to three hours before a performance at www.WayneTheatre.org