News

Tickets are on sale now for the Gateway Chamber Orchestra’s 10^th Anniversary Season – “Inspiration Abounds.”

The four-concert Masterworks Series will explore composers that have shaped the Gateway Chamber Orchestra (GCO) over the past decade, culminating with a new festival dedicated to Franz Joseph Haydn in April. Internationally acclaimed soloists are scheduled to perform, including Los Angeles Philharmonic principal clarinet Boris Allakhverdyan.

Join the GCO for a classical musical experience that will surprise and entertain as you listen to some of the most noteworthy musicians in the Southeast. This season begins with a slate of American originals, and the following concerts feature other GCO favorites, including Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

“The 2018-2019 season is a celebration of our first 10 years,” said Gateway Chamber Orchestra Music Director Gregory Wolynec. “Each program will take a closer look at composers and works that have shaped our identity with prominent American composers, fascinating works from the Second Viennese School, as well as Mozart and Haydn. This is a celebration of the music that has launched our orchestra!”

Season tickets (includes four events) begin at $50 for students/military and $80 for adults. The Gateway Chamber Orchestra performs at the Franklin Theatre, with concerts on Monday evenings.

For more information about the GCO, visit gatewaychamberorchestra.com. For tickets, call the Franklin Theater box office at (615) 538-2076 or visit www.franklintheatre.com. Season tickets are on sale now. Individual concert tickets will be available Aug. 6.

MASTERWORKS SERIES

American Originals with Boris Allakhverdyan

Monday, September 24th, 7:30 p.m.

Cristina Spinei – Clarinet Concerto

Aaron Copland – Clarinet Concerto

Aaron Copland – Quiet City

Philip Glass – Symphony No. 3

This All American line-up features favorites by Copland, a mesmerizing work by Philip Glass and a new work from the pen of Middle Tennessee’s own Cristina Spinei. It marks the first full line-up of American composers in the GCO’s history, featuring clarinetist Boris Allakhverdyan of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Unexpected Beauty

Monday, November 5th, 7:30 p.m.

Anton Webern – Langsamer Satz

Alban Berg/arr. Alfred Bartles – Sonata, Op. 1

Arnold Schoenberg – Chamber Symphony, Op. 9

The GCO transports you to Vienna for a truly memorable musical experience. Explore the transformation of classical tonality in the 20th century with works by Arnold Schoenberg and his pupils as you discover these beautiful pieces by masters of the Second Viennese School.

Magical Mozart

Monday, January 28th, 7:30 p.m.

Richard Strauss – Serenade, Op. 7

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Symphony No. 36 Linz

Pyotr Ilych Tchaikovsky – Orchestral Suite No. 4 Mozartiana

The lineup of beloved treasures features three renowned composers – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Richard Strauss and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Enjoy the stunning strains of the symphony penned for the Austrian town of Linz, while Serenade, Op. 7 and the Mozartiana suite serve as a tribute to Mozart’s influence on two later master composers.

Haydn Festival

Monday, April 8th, 7:30 p.m.

Program to be announced

The GCO’s final concert of the season is a celebration of the music of Franz Joseph Haydn, composer of 106 symphonies. Nuanced performances of works by Haydn have appeared in every season of the GCO and have defined the orchestra’s sound and approach.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE GCO: Visit gatewaychamberorchestra.com.

FOR TICKETS: Call the Franklin Theater box office at (615) 538-2076 or visit www.franklintheatre.com. Season tickets are on sale now. Individual concert tickets will be available Aug. 6.

The GCO is a nationally-recognized cultural institution committed to enriching lives through innovative concerts, distinctive recordings and inspiring educational programs. Conducted by Gregory Wolynec, the GCO performs in two permanent homes – The Franklin Theatre in Franklin and the Mabry Concert Hall on the campus of Austin Peay State University in Clarksville.

It’s the final days of summer, and we hope the Franklin Theatre and Downtown Franklin are on your list of things to do for a moment of leisure. Nothing like stepping into the cool theatre and catching an afternoon matinee or an evening show with your loved one, with a cold beverage, sweet snack and story to take you away.

Here are a few highlights of what’s happening at the theatre and in Downtown Franklin this month:

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FIRST FRIDAY ART SCENE – 8/3

Downtown Franklin’s monthly art crawl is Friday 8/3 beginning at 6 pm. Stroll the streets, visit the shops, meet local artists and discover their talented work. You can sip and savor the food and libations so plentiful around here, too. Catch a movie around the art crawl – “Book Club” (PG-13) at 4 pm, “Ocean’s 8” at 7 pm.

More Info.

LIVE THEATER – 8/4 & 8/5

The talented teen performers of Act Too Players present: “Legally Blonde the Musical”

A fabulously fun, award-winning musical based on the adored movie, Legally Blonde The Musical, follows the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes and scandal in pursuit of her dreams. Action-packed and exploding with memorable songs and dynamic dances – this musical is so much fun, it should be illegal!

More Info & Tickets

IMPERFECT COURAGE BOOK TOUR – 8/16

Jessica Honegger is the Founder of Noonday Collection-a socially responsible business that uses fashion to create meaningful opportunities around the world. To celebrate the launch of her new book, Imperfect Courage, join Jessica and special guests Amy Moffett Brown of the Bobby Bones Show and Ashley LeMieux of the Shine Project for a meaningful and fun girls’ night out!

More Info & Ticket

TWIST THE NIGHT AWAY – CHUBBY CHECKER 8/18

In 2 minutes & 42 Seconds, Chubby Checker revolutionized popular culture and changed the music business forever. When he appeared on American Bandstand in 1960 and performed “The Twist,” it was the dawn of a new era in Rock and Roll.

More Info & Tickets

MOVIES FOR THE MONTH

Movies were made to take you away; for a good laugh, or a good cry, and fun times with loved ones. Our calendar is full of matinee and evening movies in August. Come enjoy:

“Book Club”(PG-13), “Ocean’s 8” (PG-13),  “Overboard” (PG-13) and “Benched” (PG-13).  On 8/31, The Movie Gang Presents: “Labyrinth” (PG).

Movie Schedule

For a full schedule of events, visit Franklintheatre.com.  If you want to know more about what to see around Franklin, go to VisitFranklin.com. We hope to see you soon!

THE GATEWAY CHAMBER ORCHESTRA PRESENTS THE FINAL INSTALLMENT OF ITS MASTERWORKS SERIES: LANDMARK CELEBRATION

The Gateway Chamber Orchestra (GCO) is proud to present its final concert of the 2017-18 season, The Masterworks Series: Landmark Celebration at the Franklin Theatre on April 30th.

This concert features Ludwig van Beethoven’s Lenore Overture No. 3, Aaron Jay Kernis’ Musica Celestis and Jean Sibelius’ Symphony No. 3 in C.

Beethoven’s overture sets the stage for an evening of inspiring music. Kernis’ spacious and enchanting celestial music soothes the soul. The triumphant third symphony of Sibelius brings an adventurous season to a close.

“Beethoven’s music has been a source of so much inspiration for the GCO that it seems only right to tie up the 2017-18 season with this heroic overture,” explains Gregory Wolynec, Gateway Chamber Orchestra Music Director. “We first performed Kernis’ modern Adagio for Strings five years ago as a special tribute and we are delighted to revisit this gorgeous work.”

The largest orchestra that the GCO has ever assembled will perform Sibelius’ classically modeled symphony, which takes the audience on a musical journey ending with a rousing climax to the entire season, and the GCO’s first 10 years.

The Franklin Masterworks Series:

LANDMARK CELEBRATION

Monday, April 30th, 2018 7:30 p.m. – Franklin, TN

Pieces Performed:

Ludwig van Beethoven – Leonore Overture No. 3

Aaron Jay Kernis – Musica Celestis

Jean Sibelius – Symphony No. 3 in C

The Franklin Theatre,  419 Main St, Franklin, TN 37264

CLICK FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TICKETS

Elvis™ fans from around the world will gather in Middle Tennessee March 22-25, 2018 for the 2nd annual Nashville Elvis Festival, celebrating the music and legacy of the King of Rock & Roll™. The historic Franklin Theatre, located just south of downtown Nashville in the charming suburb of Franklin, Tennessee, will serve as the host venue. Tickets are on sale now at www.NashvilleElvisFestival.com.

Mark Anthony performing at the Franklin Theatre 2017

The 4-day festival will be filled with celebrity appearances, live music performances, an Elvis movie screening with special guests and 25 of the best Elvis tribute artists from all over the world. In addition, two special VIP events will feature live recreations of a Sun Records recording session and a Jungle Room recording session – both events will take place inside Paragon Studios – one of the nation’s top recording studios (featured on the hit series “Nashville”).

Special guests confirmed to appear include legendary game show host, TV/Radio personality and lifelong friend of Elvis, WINK MARTINDALE; Fan favorite SANDY MARTINDALE, a close friend of Elvis who was a featured dancer in “Viva Las Vegas” and other Elvis films; Award-winning actress VICTORIA PAIGE MEYERINK who co-starred with Elvis in “Speedway”; BILL BAIZE of The Stamps who recorded and toured with Elvis; GRAMMY®-winning recording artist KEVIN MAX; Award-winning singer-songwriter and TV/Radio personality GARY CHAPMAN; and many more.

Nashville Elvis Festival will also feature performances by some of the top Elvis Tribute Artists in the world. Scheduled to appear are BILL CHERRY, the 2009 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest® champion; DEAN Z, the 2013 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest® champion; Australia’s #1 Elvis tribute artist MARK ANTHONY; Award-winning tribute artist COTE DEONATH; and JEFF LEWIS, an award-winning Elvis Tribute Artist, GRAMMY® nominated singer-songwriter, actor and emcee.

The festival will also be hosting an Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest preliminary round with the winner moving on to Graceland’s Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Semifinal Round in Memphis during Elvis Week 2018. Twenty contestants have been invited to compete in Nashville, coming from all over the USA as well as Germany, Chile, Canada, Brazil, Australia and the United Kingdom.

Backing all live performances will be the incomparable EAS Band, known for their performances all over the world backing tribute artists and giving the feeling and excitement of being at an actual Elvis concert.

Nashville Elvis Festival is produced by Tom Brown & Brian Mayes for Music City Festivals, LLC,  and hosted by Tom Brown, a longtime host of select Elvis Week events, one of the hosts of the “Gates of Graceland” web series and the former Vice President of Original Production for Turner Classic Movies (TCM).

For more information including special guests and schedule, please visit the official website at www.NashvilleElvisFestival.com.

Click for tickets.

Kelly Frey Assumes Board President Post

In 2011, the Franklin Theatre reopened after a multi-year campaign, led by the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County, to save the historic movie house originally built in 1937.  The effort involved more than simply saving the theater…it was totally reinvented as a state-of-the-art live music showplace and multi-purpose venue that’s been recognized as one of the great historic showplaces in America.

Recognizing the need for the non-profit to have dedicated board leadership focused on the theater’s mission, the Heritage Foundation created a separate board in 2013 which recently appointed new leadership.

Kelly Frey becomes the board’s new president effective immediately and brings a wealth of experience and passion about film and entertainment.  He has served as Executive Producer for half a dozen feature films shot in the local area over the last couple of years and as past-president of the Nashville Film Festival and current president of the Nashville Japanese Film Festival.  Kelly is an attorney and partner at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP (an AmLaw 100 firm with more than 575 attorneys and government relations professionals and offices in 10 states and Washington, DC).  As an attorney he is known for his work in technology law and was selected last year as both “Best of the Bar” in Technology Law by the Nashville Business Journal and Nashville “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers in America® in Information Technology. He is author of the legal treatise “Frey on Technology Transactions and Intellectual Property” and one of the few attorneys in private practice to be named a Fellow of the World Technology Network (for legal work deemed by the other Fellows of the WTN as “most likely to be of long-term significance”) – other Fellows include such tech notables as Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook), Elon Musk (Tesla), and Bill Gates (Microsoft).

“The Franklin Theatre has a unique charm for creating special experiences that touch the lives of our patrons, performers and community every day.  I’m humbled to be asked to serve in this capacity,” says Mr. Frey.

He assumes the post held by Wendell Moore (MNA Government Relations) who continues to serve on the board and whose volunteer service as president for four years is much applauded by his colleagues.

Reappointed to new terms in their leadership post are board vice-president Donna Douglas (Jackson National Life Insurance Company), treasurer Andy Marshall (Marshall Family Foods) and board secretary Cliff O’Sullivan (Parks Real Estate).  Other board leadership include: Emily Magid, Connie Haley, Paul Polycarpou, Robert Deaton, Greg Ham and Bari Beasley.

The Franklin Theatre, an intimate experience with 297 seats, hosted more than 591 events with ticketed attendance of 82,018 in 2017.  Musical highlights since reopening have included hundreds of live concerts from diverse genres including Sheryl Crow, Jason Isbell, Art Garfunkel, Ronnie Dunn, Keb Mo’, John Hiatt, Ricky Skaggs, Michael W. Smith, Mac Davis and more.  It continues to feature movies and serves as host to theatrical productions, corporate functions, community events and charity events (which have helped raise more than $5 million since reopening).

For more information about the theater’s history and upcoming events, visit www.franklintheatre.com or call 615-538-2076.

Happy New Year!

Our goal is to continue creating experiences that connect, enrich, inspire and entertain our patrons, artists and community. We hope you’ll come visit us soon for a magical night of music. Yes, we do believe a little magic happens once you walk through our doors.

Take a look at what’s on the calendar:

Charlie Worsham (1/27) – Tickets

Rodeo & Juliet Featuring Michael Tait Singing the Songs of Nat King Cole (2/2) – Tickets

A.J. Croce (2/3) – Tickets

3rd Annual Grassroots of Grassland (2/9) – Tickets

Exile (2/10) – Tickets

Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder (2/15 – 2/16) – Tickets

Suzy Bogguss (2/17) – Tickets

Indigo Girls (2/22) – ON SALE 1/5

Mary Gauthier (2/23) – Tickets

Sierra Hull (2/24) – Tickets

Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver (3/2) – Tickets

Hal Ketchum (3/3) – Tickets

Charles Esten (3/10) – SOLD OUT

Pam Tillis (3/16) – Tickets

Martin Sexton (4/6) – Tickets

Bruce Cockburn (4/21) – Tickets

For questions and to purchase tickets, please call our Box Office at 615.538.2076 or click on ticket links above. You can also view our full show listing here.