Garrison Keillor is coming to LaGrange. Sweetland Amphitheater announced on Friday, that the renowned NPR host of Prairie Home Companion will take the stage at Callaway Auditorium as a part of a new series, “Sweetland Inside.”
According to Brent Gibbs, the Ampitheatre’s general manager, the series aims to bring talent to LaGrange but in a more intimate setting than at Sweetland. It will kick off with Keillor on Nov. 9 at LaGrange College. Fred Newman, a sound effects artist with LaGrange ties, will be on stage alongside Keillor.
“We are in the service of the community, finding entertainment and promoting it to Troup County and the surrounding area,” Gibbs said. “There was a desire to program a little bit more year-round [and] a desire to partner with other community entities.”
Currently, the Amphitheater hosts shows typically run from April to October. The space is rented out and hosts seasonal events like Sweetland on Ice, however, this series allows for more programs during the off-months.
The smaller setting also caters to more demographics, as talent can be more niche rather than a big-venue artist, like kid’s shows or different genres. Keillor’s show, for example, will not be exclusively music.
According to the announcement the show, Garrison Keillor at 80, is, “ A show of music, stories, and stand-up on the theme of cheerfulness — happiness depends on circumstance but cheerfulness is a choice. The show includes Keillor’s sung sonnets, fan-favorite “News from Lake Wobegon,” and audience singing.”
LaGrange College reached out to Sweetland hoping to utilize Callaway Auditorium more, and Sweetland Inside was born. While Callaway will be host to the shows, Gibbs said they would love to get into other venues in the area.
Tickets went on sale Sept. 4 at 10 a.m. ET on the Amphitheater website. Sweetland will be announcing more shows in the series soon. Gibbs said they look forward to exploring more venues and inviting new artists to the city.
“As we find places and organizations that are suitable to partner, we want to be a good community partner in that way,” Gibbs said.
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