Renaissance Center offers free shows for Bredesen’s Family Day celebration

Release Date: 1/7/2003. Expired: 1/18/2003

With Governor-elect Phil Bredesen calling for a statewide Family Day celebration in connection with his Jan. 18 inauguration, The Renaissance Center in Dickson will offer an afternoon of two free shows in the CyberSphere Digital Theatre and a free presentation of a Renaissance Repertory Company theatre production.

“The Renaissance Center has always had families at the heart of its mission as an educational and entertainment facility,” said Doug Jackson, executive director. “We are pleased to be able to participate in Family Day celebrations across the state.”

The center’s Family Day celebration will include:
2:00 p.m. - Journey to Infinity in the CyberSphere;
3:00 p.m. - Laser Country in the CyberSphere, and;
4:30 p.m. - The Rep Co. production of Blanca Flor in the Performance Hall.

All three programs will be offered free on a first-come-first-served basis. Seating in the CyberSphere is limited to 139 people while the Performance Hall will seat 450.

The shows will be offered free but a ticket is necessary for admission. Tickets can be obtained at the center’s box office beginning at noon Jan. 18. Advance tickets will not be issued before the day of the shows.

“Journey to Infinity is a planetarium show that takes the viewer on a fantastic tour of the Solar System and to some of the most wonderful sights in the universe,” said Ron Stinson, director of the CyberSphere. “Amazing 3D computer graphics, the world’s first full-dome laser system and digital surround audio make for an incredible experience.”

Laser Country is a brand new show in the CyberSphere featuring some of the top acts in popular country music with spectacular laser effects and computer-generated graphics along with a 14,000-watt digital sound system.

The show features music from Shania Twain, George Strait, Garth Brooks, Faith Hill, Brooks and Dunn, Tim McGraw, Alan Jackson and more.

“We’ve covered just about every genre of music with our laser shows, from heavy metal like Metallica and classic rock like Pink Floyd to popular Christian music and even big band,” said Stinson. “But we haven’t had a strictly country music show until now. With country music being the only kind of music that showed increasing album sales in 2002, its popularity is as strong as ever. Laser Country gives a whole new audience the chance to come in and enjoy the unique brand of entertainment we have to offer.”

The Renaissance Rep Co. is the center’s professional acting troupe that produces live theatrical productions for school field trips as well as performs in the Gaslight Dinner Theatre.

Blanca Flor is one of four plays currently available for field trips. Written by Kim Leavitt, director of Theatre Education and Community Outreach, the play is based on the Spanish version of the popular fairy tale of Snow White.

“Blanca Flor tells the familiar story of jealousy, vanity and good triumphing over evil, while also introducing young audiences to some of the culture of our Hispanic neighbors,” Leavitt said.

In addition to the free programs, The Renaissance Center’s Visual Arts Gallery will feature Alabama Art, a new exhibit featuring the work of 13 different artists from Alabama. Created by noted artist Nall Hollis, the Alabama Art exhibit has been touring the world for more than two years.

The exhibit also includes Hollis’ collage portraits of the featured artists.

“The collage style portraits of the artists uniquely represent the personality and history of those individuals portrayed,” said Curtis Southerland, curator of the Visual Arts Gallery. “The portraits themselves are a captivating exhibit.”

The center’s Virtually Unlimited Bookstore also will be open throughout Family Day with not only a wide selection of books but a variety of novelty items, collectibles, gifts, educational games, art supplies, toys, greeting cards, film and photo supplies and merchandise with The Renaissance Center logo.

Saturday, Jan. 18, also includes a special performance by the Trevecca Symphony Orchestra, which presents its Handel Highlights program at 7 p.m. in the Performance Hall. The all-Baroque concert includes several pieces written by George F. Handel, best know as the composer of the Biblical oratorio The Messiah.

Tickets for Handel Highlights are $5 for adults and $3 for seniors and children under 13.

For more information on programs at The Renaissance Center, call (615)740-5600. The Renaissance Center is an arts and technology education and performing arts center at 855 Highway 46 South in Dickson, just 35 miles west of Nashville on Interstate 40 at exit 172.