Girls on the Run Northeast Tennessee will host its “Glow the Distance Color-Splash" 5K event on Friday, May
6 th at 6:30 PM at Towne Acres School in Johnson City. Girls on the Run is a physical activity-based, positive
youth development program that uses fun and engaging running games and dynamic discussions to teach life
skills to girls in 3 rd to 8 th grade. During this eight-week program, girls participate in lessons that foster
confidence, build peer connections, and encourage community service while they prepare for an end-of-
season celebratory 5K event!
Participation in the 5K event is open to the public and all proceeds will benefit Girls on the Run Northeast
Tennessee to provide scholarships for area girls to participate in the program during the fall season. The last
5K event brought together over 1,000 participants which included program participants, their family and
friends, and community members. Registration cost is $25.00 in advance and $30.00 on the day of the event.
Registration before April 22 nd guarantees an event shirt and all participants receive a medal, 5K bib, and the
satisfaction of knowing you helped provide the life-changing program to a young girl in Northeast Tennessee
and Southwest Virginia!
Packet Pick-Up will be on Thursday, May 5 th , at Academy Sports + Outdoors, from 5:00-7:00 PM. The 5K will
begin at 6:30 PM on Friday, May 6 th at Towne Acres School. Participants may park at North Johnson City
Baptist Church, Harvest Time Baptist Church, and along the streets near the school. Check-in and pre-event
activities begin at 5:30 PM, so early arrival is suggested. For more information about this fun-filled event,
how to register, and volunteer opportunities, visit www.StrongGirlsRun.com!

Multi-platinum, record-breaking band Shinedown- Brent Smith [vocals], Zach Myers[guitar],Eric Bass [bass, production], and Barry Kerch [drums]–has sold more than 10 million albums and 10 million singles worldwide, earned 14 platinum and gold singles,5platinum and gold albums,17 #1 Active Rock hits,amassed more than 4.5billion total streams, and have recently been named #1 on Billboard’s Greatest of All Time Mainstream Rock Artists Chart After their latest hit singles“Atlas Falls,” “ATTENTION ATTENTION,”“GET UP,” “MONSTERS,”and “DEVIL”brought their total to16 #1s on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Songs Chart-the most #1s everin the history of the Billboard chart.Each of Shinedown 27 Charting singles on Billboard’sMainstream Rock Songs Chart has reached the Top 5–an unparalleled achievement–and they also hold the record for most Top 5s ever on this chart.

With their feature film ATTENTION ATTENTION(out now via Gravitas Ventures),Shinedown Brings to life the story of their acclaimed studio album of the same name that ushered in their biggest and boldest chapter to date. Directed byBill Yukich (Beyoncé,Metallica, Wiz Khalifa),the film is a stunning sonic and visual work of art, weaving the album’s 14 songs into a provocative,visceral,and thought-provoking cinematic journey from life’s lowest lows to the highest highs.What emerges is a powerful and enduring statement about humanity,overcoming struggles, the importance of mental health, not being afraid to fail,and the resolve of the human spirit. The film features theatrical performances from the band, Melora Walters (Magnolia, Big Love, PEN15), andFrancesca Eastwood(Old, Twin Peaks, Fargo).

The album ATTENTION ATTENTION (Atlantic Records) has accumulated more than 622 million global streams,debuted Top 5 on the Billboard 200,simultaneously hit #1 on Billboard’sAlternative, Top Rock and Hard Rock Albums Charts,and led to five iHeart Radio MusicAward nominations for Rock Artist of the Year (2019, 2020, 2021) and Rock Song of the Year(2019, 2020).The record also earned major media acclaim from the likesHuffPost, Forbes,Salon, Billboard, Consequence, Buzzfeed, Grammy.com, Parade, and more, andlanded the bandonLive with Kelly and Ryanand an invitation to92Y’s prestigious talk series,92Y Talks, inNYC. As part of their“Atlas Falls” COVID-19 relief effort launched in 2020, Shinedown Has Raised More than $400,000for Direct Relief, one of the largest providers of humanitarian medical resources in the world whose mission is to improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty or emergency situations by mobilizing and providing essential medical resources needed for their care. Hailed for their high-octane live shows,explosive rock ‘n’ roll spirit, thought-provoking lyrics, and melodic sensibility,Shinedowncontinues to engender diehard love from millions of global fans and has racked up countless sold-out arena tours and festival headlining set backed by their biggest, most eye-popping production yet,and propelled by the undeniable power of front man Brent Smith’s voice

A multisensory puppetry experience for all ages that explores what it means to be a human being

Admission is free and seats can be reserved in advance through a form on the ACA website: https://ashevillecreativearts.org/mainstage-productions/.

Visit Asheville Creative Arts’ website for general information (www.ashevillecreativearts.org);

Asheville Creative Arts (ACA), Asheville’s professional children’s theatre, returns to live theatre with a 60-minute, multisensory puppetry experience, the world premiere of HUMAN.  Written, directed and designed by Nehprii Amenii (CLICK, CLACK, MOO), HUMAN features original music by Martha Redbone and Aaron Whitby; lyrics by Nehprii Amenii, Martha Redbone and Aaron Whitby; choreography by Amparo Chigui Santiago; lights, projections and environment design by Marie Yokoyama; sound designs by Joo Won Park; puppet construction by Dan Jones and Tarish “Jeghetto” Pipkins; dramaturgy by Dr. Allison Curseen and Philip Santos Schaffer; with outreach from ACA’s Community Development Director, Daniele Martin. HUMAN will run at The Tina McGuire Theatre at The Wortham Center for the Performing Arts (18 Biltmore Ave) from April 28- May 15, with public performances Fridays at 7pm, Saturdays at 1pm, and Sundays at 3pm, with special performances Thursday 4/28 at 7pm and Saturday 5/7 at 7pm. Admission is free, with a hat passed for donations post-performance. More information and a link to reserve seats is available at www.ashevillecreativearts.org.

Now that Humans are extinct and the world as we knew it has ended, the Octopus has a decision to make…  Will it be willing to give up one of its three hearts in order to create a new, more sensitive human being? Will it be willing to give humanity a second chance?   HUMAN is told through the windows of a sunken submarine, using images of the human heart, and a hybrid of puppetry styles. Meant to be enjoyed by children 5 and older and their families, it consists of projection design, sound design, dance, puppetry, and sensory play that explore what it means to be HUMAN.

The cast features April Tilles, Joshua Chung, Kaylyn Carter, Khalilah Smith, Olympea, Rebekah Babelay and Tippin.

Creator and Khunum Productions Artistic Director, Nehprii Amenii says “in a world increasingly mediated by technology and flattened screens, this piece will offer a space for audiences of all ages to explore humanness, touch, and interconnectedness.”

Adds ACA Artistic Producing Director, ”Nehprii has brought together an incredible, majority BIPOC team who between them have Broadway, Off-Broadway and regional credits, Drama Desk Awards, and the imagination, sensitivity and creativity to guide young people and their adults through a timely, and in the end, joyful exploration of hope in our current moment.”.

This production of HUMAN is supported, in part, with awards from the National Endowment for the Arts, the North Carolina Arts Council, The Henson Foundation Family Grant, and has been developed as part of the New Victory LabWorks 2021-22 Season.

ABOUT THE CO-PRODUCERS: 

Asheville’s critically acclaimed, award winning theatre devoted to creating works for children of all ages, Asheville Creative Arts was founded in 2013 and produces, presents and creates innovative works for multigenerational, multiethnic and multidimensional audiences, performed by adult actors. Past productions include CHARLOTTE’S WEB, THE WARP & THE WEFT, BUGS!, and SLUG & SNAIL. “Ostensibly, ACA produces children’s theater, but the company’s ambitious works appeal to both youths and adults.” – Mountain Xpress

Khunum Productions is a New York based production company that produces highly visual narrative-based productions that combine the personal, the social, and the magical to create experiences that transform the human heart, and thus our society. Khunum Productions recognizes itself as a platform for “Creative Anthropology.” This means that we are interested in the study of what makes us human, and the interconnectedness of all people and things. Our work and process of working aims to deepen human connectivity–to one another and to our own selves.  We are not interested in art that drags the human along. Thus the people involved in process and their individual needs are priority. We believe in process and nefer –beauty. We strive to make the  artistic process of creating together equally as beautiful as our productions.

LISTINGS INFORMATION:  HUMAN runs April 28 – May 15, 2022 at Tina McGuire Theatre at The Wortham Center for the Performing Arts (18 Biltmore Ave): with public performances Fridays at 7pm, Saturdays at 1pm, and Sundays at 3pm, with special performances Thursday 4/28 at 7pm and Saturday 5/7 at 7pm. Admission is free and seats can be reserved in advance through a form on the ACA website: https://ashevillecreativearts.org/mainstage-productions/.  Visit Asheville Creative Arts’ website for general information (www.ashevillecreativearts.org); for school and community groups wishing to book weekday school matinees, contact [email protected] or call 914/830-3000. For more information about Wortham Arts visit https://www.worthamarts.org.

WORTHAM CENTER PRESENTS

Compagnia Baccalà presents Pss Pss

Actor/Comedian/Writer Tom Segura is one of the biggest names in the comedy business. Paste Magazine describes him as “having a natural and capable storytelling ability, one that lifts his narratives out of average anecdote fare and plants them firmly in hilarious ground.” His humorous tales have been broadcast in numerous Netflix specials and taken him across the country in his TAKE IT DOWN tour, where he performed to sold-out venues night after night across 100+ cities. Though, Segura’s strong following goes beyond his performances. Your Mom’s House Studios is home to his hit podcasts: Your Mom’s House, co-hosted with his comedian wife Christina Pazsitzky, and 2 Bears 1 Cave, where he’s joined by Bert Kreischer and many more! YMH Studios was one of the first networks to create wildly successful Livestream Podcast Events during the pandemic.

In addition to his bustling touring schedule and podcast recordings, Segura is in several films, including the STX Film Countdown opposite Elizabeth Lail, Instant Family opposite Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne, Opening Act and Flinch. As far as television credits go, Segura has made appearances on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Late Late Show, Workaholics, Conan, and more!

Official Website

by William Shakespeare Directed by Mandy Bean Opening 5/6/2022 – 6/4/2022

This was the show we were about to produce just as the world went into lockdown. Perhaps it’s appropriate that it’s a comedy about the end of the world. If you haven’t yet had enough of the real end of the world, feel free to join us for some real belly laughs at its expense.

The play brings together Jules, a grad student in marine biology, and Jo, a journalism student, for, supposedly, a casual sexual encounter. Jo soon comes to realize that her planned-on one-night-stand is actually a ruse, perpetrated by Jules, to find an Eve to his Adam after he has discovered a pattern in fish behavior that portends the end of all life on earth. Stuck in Jules’ laboratory, they wait out their impending doom. A third character, Barbara, serves as our guide to the end of civilization as we know it.

In the sequel to Nunsense and Nuncrackers, Dan Goggin’s endearing, eccentric nuns sing zesty tunes with a country-and-western twang. Sister Amnesia (a.k.a. Sister Mary Paul), having discovered her true identity and desire to be a country singer, finally records her debut country album, “I Could Have Gone to Nashville,” and goes on tour to promote it. The show, filled with hysterical one-liners and infectious comic songs, is sinfully funny.

Sister Amnesia’s Country Western Nunsense Jamboree’s production team includes HT’s Artistic Director Victoria Lamberth as director, the musical direction of Laura Williams, choreography by Matilyn Hull and Dru Dykes as stage manager. WNC actors Karen Covington-Yow, Leisa Foronda, Sarah Henby, Hogan McLamb and Allison Starling complete the cast.

Tickets are not on sale yet. Please check back closer to the event date.

Starbright is the story of Grace, an astrophysicist who lost her daughter Abby nearly a year ago. As Grace’s life spins out of control, Abby appears to her and begins making predictions about the cosmos. Grace must determine if her daughter’s appearance is a sign of her dwindling sanity, or proof that there’s more to the universe than even she understands.

When Grace’s visions from beyond the grave start seeping into her reality, husband Calvin and aunt Margaret must put aside their own struggles and come together to assess Grace’s stability and safety. In light of her family history of mental health issues, can Grace persuade them to trust in her conviction that Abby is speaking to her?

Starbright is Sean David Robinson’s first full-length play. It was selected by the Broadway Bound Theatre Festival in New York City and made its original debut Off-Broadway in 2018. Starbright was named the winner of the 2018 North Carolina New Play Project and the Centre Stage New Play Festival in Greenville, SC. It was also shortlisted as a semi-finalist for the inaugural New Works Festival at the Garry Marshall Theatre in Burbank, CA.

Directed by Ashleigh Goff, Starbright features Courtney DeGennaro Robinson as Grace, Scott Voloshin as Calvin, Ivy Voloshin as Abby, and Janet Oliver as Margaret. Performances run Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 4:00pm. For tickets and more information, visit https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?show=132323.

Lindsey Jordan is on the brink of something huge, and she’s only just graduated high school. Her voice rises and falls with electricity throughout Lush, her debut album as Snail Mail, spinning with bold excitement and new beginnings at every turn.

“Is there any better feeling than coming clean?” sings the eighteen-year-old guitarist and songwriter halfway through the sprawling anthem that is “Pristine,” the album’s first single.  You can’t help but agree with her. It’s a hook that immediately sticks in your head—and a question she seems to be grappling with throughout the record’s 10-songs of crystalline guitar pop.