September 11, 2020
92nd birthday celebration features Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors
The Tennessee Theatre will hold its first semi-public event since the pandemic closed the venue six months ago with the screening of a concert by Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors to celebrate the theatre’s 92nd birthday during “Stars on Stage.”
The “Stars on Stage Virtual Concert: A Streaming Fundraising Event” will take place Thursday, Oct. 1, at 8 p.m. – the same day as the theatre’s birthday – and will offer both on-site screening and at-home ticket packages in addition to free access to the streaming concert with an ask for donations.
“Stars on Stage is one of our most significant fundraisers, and it is especially important in 2020 when the Tennessee Theatre has been closed for the majority of the year due to a pandemic and is unable to generate revenues through regular programming,” Tennessee Theatre Executive Director Becky Hancock said. “While this format is not what we initially envisioned for Stars on Stage in 2020, we could not be more excited about the opportunity to open our theatre doors again, even if it’s in a limited capacity.”
“Stars on Stage Virtual Concert: A Streaming Fundraising Event” will take place Thursday, Oct. 1, at 8 p.m.
A limited number of tickets are available for $250 that include viewing the hour-long event on a big screen at the Tennessee Theatre with a charcuterie box from Grazey Table to enjoy during the concert, at-seat bar service, certificate for a private tour before Dec. 31, 2020, commemorative event poster from Status Serigraph and early access to an online auction. Social distancing will be in effect, and masks must be worn at all times by attendees when not eating or drinking.
A $125 ticket includes a take-home dinner and signature cocktail from a choice of RT Lodge, Emilia or Northshore Brasserie or a take-and-heat meal from Chef Holly Hambright to enjoy at home, along with a commemorative event poster from Status Serigraph and early access to the online auction.
Supporters can watch a free stream of the concert on Vimeo through the Tennessee Theatre website or at vimeo.com/455901668, make online donations and submit bids to an online auction at tennesseetheatre.com. The auction will open to the public on Sept. 21. The auction will end Oct. 1 at midnight.
Sponsored by the Pilot Company, “Stars on Stage” will feature Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors, an Americana band of troubadours out of Nashville who just released a new album, “Dragons.” Holcomb, who formed the band in 2006, is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and got his start by touring college towns all over the country. “Dragons” is now the 13th studio album, and a video of the title track is available at drewholcomb.com.
“Being able to watch the concert by Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors means we can celebrate our historic theatre’s birthday with people inside Knoxville’s Grand Entertainment Palace,” Hancock said. “We also want to thank our sponsors and everyone who buys a ticket package or watches the concert online and makes a donation. We cannot wait to welcome full gatherings again, but until then we will keep doing all we can to bring music and performers to Knoxville.”
For more information about “Stars on Stage,” visit tennesseetheatre.com/starsonstage.
About the Tennessee Theatre
Located in the heart of downtown Knoxville, the Tennessee Theatre opened in 1928 as a movie palace. The Tennessee Theatre is the Official State Theatre of Tennessee and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The Tennessee Theatre is the region’s leading performing arts facility with advanced technology, staging and lighting that draws top entertainment to the Knoxville area. The Historic Tennessee Theatre Foundation is a nonprofit organization tasked with maintaining and preserving the historic theatre and ensuring diverse arts and cultural entertainment remains in downtown Knoxville. For more information, visit www.tennesseetheatre.com.
