By By KEVIN SCOTT CUTLER
Lifestyles & Features Editor
The summer schedule at the historic Turnage Theater in Washington has been rather light, but the lights will be burning brightly for several upcoming shows.
“We have had a light summer season, with folks being busy with vacations and other activities,” said Scotty Henley, executive director of the Turnage Theaters Foundation. “But we do have several shows scheduled, beginning this weekend.”
Henley was referring to Friday’s showcase performance featuring Beaufort County’s own Carolina Still, a bluegrass band that has developed quite a following in recent years.
The concert will follow Friday’s Music in the Street festivities and is set to begin at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 per person at the door.
Next up is the Donald Underwood Thompson Band’s Boppin’ the Blues Revue, planned for July 24 at 8 p.m. This concert will offer a selection of vintage rhythm-and-blues hits as well as the Boppin’ the Blues dancers. Tickets are on sale now and are priced at $20 a person for downstairs/mezzanine and $10 a person in the balcony.
On Aug. 20, the Turnage will host Ever Ember Live beginning at 8:30 p.m. This Christian rock band is comprised of teenagers and recent high-school graduates, but don’t let their young ages fool you — they are already making a name for themselves in the area. Tickets for the concert are $5 a person and available only at the door.
The summer season will wind down Aug. 28 with Russ Varnell and his Too Country Band, offering country music steeped in its traditional roots. Tickets are $10 a person and are on sale now — reserve them early to get the best seats. Show time is 7:30 p.m.
The Turnage Theater also is preparing to kick off its fourth season of quality entertainment, according to Henley.
Tickets for the 2010-2011 season for members at the $125 level and above went on sale July 5; tickets for all other levels are available beginning July 21.
Among the shows scheduled for the upcoming season are The Kingston Trio, “Neil Berg’s 101 Years of Broadway,” “The Night Before Christmas Carol,” “A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline,” The New Christy Minstrels, Woods Tea Company, The Red Clay Ramblers, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” The Tar River Swing Band and “If You Take a Mouse To School.”
Patrons save money by purchasing ticket packages. For example, purchasing tickets for three or four shows saves patrons 15 percent; patrons save 20 percent on ticket prices when they book seats for five or more shows. In addition, discounts are available for the theater’s three holiday events and parents may purchase tickets for the theater’s five children’s shows and save 20 percent.
Season tickets are available with a savings of 25 percent.
For more information about upcoming shows at the Turnage Theater, call 252-975-1191 or visit turnagetheater.com. The theater’s box office, located at 150 W. Main St. in Washington, is open Mondays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.