Norton Center announces new season

Centre College’s Norton Center for the Arts is embarking on its second half-century with a season packed with music legends, blockbuster entertainment and global adventures.

This star-studded season is packed with blockbuster entertainment, starting with ZZ Top’s return to the Newlin Hall stage October 5. “That Little Ol’ Band From Texas” will deliver their signature mix of rock, blues and boogie that has thrilled fans for over a half-century.

Then, dive deep into the past and build connections to the present during Finding Your Roots: A Conversation with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. on October 8, an extraordinary evening with the always entertaining scholar and Emmy Award-winning filmmaker.

Prepare for a soul-stirring, nostalgic concert experience at the Lovin’ Feelin’ Farewell Tour of the legendary Righteous Brothers (October 24), and brush up on your moonwalk when INVINCIBLE: A Glorious Tribute to Michael Jackson (November 21) brings “Billie Jean,” “Thriller,” “Smooth Criminal” and so much more back to the stage.

Four-time Grammy Award-winner Rosanne Cash (February 15) is sure to enchant audiences with her personal and reflective songwriting. Renowned for its innovative and emotionally compelling performances, the Paul Taylor Dance Company (March 11) leaps onto stage with a diverse dance program blending exuberance, playful satire and classical sophistication. The Four Phantoms in Concert (April 4) brings together four past Phantoms from Tony Award-winning “The Phantom of the Opera” for an extravagant celebration of the iconic music of Broadway and more.

Explore new horizons all season long. “Sonically innovative” harpist Brandee Younger (September 13) opens the new season with a performance that stretches the traditional boundaries of the harp with classical, jazz, soul and funk influences. Travel on a whirlwind tour of rhythm and culture when YAMATO: The Drummers of Japan (February 20) brings their powerful drums and energy to Newlin Hall, then get ready to start foot-stompin’ with infectious Irish Bluegrass band JigJam (March 18), just in time for St. Patrick’s Day. This season also features three unique Cirque performances from around the globe: Cirque Us (September 20), Cirque Kalabanté (October 11) and Agathe & Adrien (May 12).

“This season offers more exciting and diverse programs than ever,” said Norton Center Executive Director Steve Hoffman. “From world-renowned legends to rising stars, seeing these shows in the intimate settings of the Norton Center provides once-in-a-lifetime transformative experiences.”

2024/2025 Norton Center Performing Arts Season

September 13: Brandee Younger

September 20: Cirque Us Stories

September 26: Luedji Luna*

October 2: Haunted Objects Live

October 5: ZZ Top

October 8: Finding Your Roots: A Conversation with Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

October 11: Cirque Kalabanté: Afrique en Cirque*

October 24: Righteous Brothers

November 8: Last Out: Elegy of a Green Beret*

November 21: INVINCIBLE: A Glorious Tribute to Michael Jackson

January 17: Hanzhi Wang*

February 8: Isidore String Quartet*

February 15: Rosanne Cash

February 20: YAMATO: Drummers of Japan

February 28: Alison Brown

March 7: Mnozil Brass*

March 11: Paul Taylor Dance Company*

March 18: JigJam

April 4: Four Phantoms

May 12: Agathe & Adrien*

This season introduces all-new series subscription options designed to enhance your experience with expanded discounts, exclusive new benefits and special subscriber events. Build your perfect season or embark on a global adventure with the premium Spotlight Series: an eight-show fixed series that spotlights stories that entertain and inspire, with premium-level benefits and up to 25% off. The premium *Spotlight Series Includes tickets to Luedji Luna, Cirque Kalabanté, Last Out: The Elegy of a Green Beret, Hanzhi Wang, Isidore Quartet, Mnozil Brass, Paul Taylor Dance Company and Agathe & Adrien.

For more information on the entire lineup of performances, including videos, biographies, activities and more, visit nortoncenter.com.

The Norton Center is open Monday through Friday, 9 A.M. to 4 P.M. Learn more about the season by emailing nortoncenter@centre.edu or calling the Box Office at 859-236-4692. Not ready to buy a subscription? Regular-priced single tickets go on sale on August 5.

The Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency, provides operating support to the Norton Center for the Arts with state tax dollars and federal funding from the National Endowment for the Arts. Programs are generously funded, in part, by grants from SouthArts and Mid-Atlantic Arts Alliance.

With an annual visitation reaching over 50,000, Centre College’s Norton Center for the Arts is home to a world-class annual performing arts series of professional touring artists. Site of both the 2000 and 2012 Vice Presidential Debates, the Center serves as a college and community showplace for such top national—and international—acts as Dolly Parton, Yo-Yo Ma, ZZ Top, and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra; along with Broadway musicals, international dance and theatre companies, and a lineup of award-winning culturally and ethnically diverse global artists. Since its opening in 1973, the internationally recognized performing arts center has helped make Danville, Kentucky a “powerhouse palace of culture” (Louisville Courier Journal).

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