Music Archives - Academy Center of the Arts

The Mavericks Brings Lynchburg Native to the Academy

March 20, 2019 by Morgan Yeatts

by Morgan Yeatts This Friday, MaxxMusic and Midwood Entertainment presents legendary band The Mavericks who will bring their unique blend of country and Latin rock to the Historic Academy of Music Theatre stage. The Academy was thrilled to discover that the band’s saxophonist, Max Abrams, is one of Lynchburg’s own. Abrams joined the band for their reunion tour in 2011 and has been a member ever since. “It’s been a dream come true to tour the world playing saxophone with great musicians,” he says. Performing in the newly renovated Historic Theatre is especially exciting for Abrams. “It’s been a work in progress my whole life and I’m thrilled it’s up and running. Everyone says it’s a perfect theatre!” Abrams says that growing up in Lynchburg played a role in his musical career. His band director in middle school and saxophone teacher fueled his passion for his art. “It would take several pages to list all of the Lynchburg musicians that were positive role models for me growing up.” he says. “Even though I live in Nashville now, I hope I can still be a positive mentor for kids interested in the arts in Lynchburg.” […]

Czech Violinist Ivan Zenaty to Perform at the Academy

January 11, 2019 by Brittany Griffith

The Academy Center of the Arts and Forte Chamber Music are proud to announce that Ivan Zenaty, “the most important Czech violinist of this time,” will take the Academy Center of the Arts’ Historic Academy Theatre stage, 524 Main St., in performance on Saturday, January 12, 2019, at 7:30pm. The program includes works from Vivaldi and Beethoven. Ivan Zenaty reaches a broad public without abandoning the world of classical music for even a moment. Besides the technical perfection one would expect, he is also appreciated for his taste, style and a captivatingly beautiful tone. With his exceptional wealth of repertoire including more than 50 violin concertos, he is a favored guest artist with many international orchestras. Known for his versatility, his engagements also include solo recitals and chamber music collaborations. The springboard to his international career came as a result of being a prize winner in the Tchaikovsky International Violin Competition followed immediately by debut engagements with the Moscow and Czech Philharmonic. Other successes include First Prize at the Prague Spring Competition, as well as being a chosen laureate of the UNESCO International Rostrum of Young Performers. In the subsequent years following his victories, Zenaty made his orchestral […]

Over 600 Lynchburg Area Music Students Gain Access to Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra

November 26, 2018 by Brittany Griffith

Contact: Brittany Griffith Director of Communications and Marketing (434) 528-3256 x131 bgriffith@academycenter.org OVER 600 LYNCHBURG AREA MUSIC STUDENTS GAIN ACCESS TO THE JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER ORCHESTRA The Academy Center of the Arts’ staff and board are proud to share that over 600 local middle and high school music students will travel to the newly restored Historic Academy of Music Theatre on Thursday, December 13, 2018, to experience the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra’s Big Band Holidays sound check with Wynton Marsalis. The sound check event will begin at 4:30pm in the Historic Theatre prior to the 7:30pm performance that evening. A question and answer portion will also be held between the students and musicians on stage prior to the concluding the event. “Youth outreach is really important to Wynton Marsalis,” said Geoffrey Kershner, Executive Director of the Academy Center of the Arts. “When arranging their visit, it was the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra who offered up this opportunity and it was something we jumped at. We loved the notion that not only would adult audiences benefit from this world-class artist but also area youth.” The Academy Center of the Arts is dedicated to […]

Mavis Staples Headlines Historic Academy of Music Theatre’s First Public Event

October 15, 2018 by Brittany Griffith

The Academy Center of the Arts has announced Mavis Staples, Grammy award-winning R&B-gospel singer and civil rights activist, as the headlining artist the first event of the Historic Academy of Music Theatre’s Opening Week Activities on Thursday, December 6, 2018, at 7:30pm. “The evening will celebrate the integration of the Historic Academy of Music theatre, a space that was previously segregated when it closed in 1958,” said Geoffrey Kershner, Executive Director of the Academy Center of the Arts. “We chose Mavis Staples as our headlining artist for this event because of her significant accomplishments as a civil rights activist and her continuing efforts to serve as a positive force for social equity”. Mavis Staples began singing with her family, The Staple Singers, in Chicago in the 1940s, later performing in Montgomery, Alabama for none other than Martin Luther King, Jr. Lauded as one of the greatest gospel singers of all time, her powerful voice has underscored some of the United States most pivotal and dramatic periods of social change, weaving herself into the very fabric of gospel, soul, folk, pop, R&B, blues, rock, and hip hop over the last 60 years. Mavis Staples is both a Rock […]

Lynchstock Music Festival 2018

October 3, 2018 by Morgan Yeatts

by Morgan Yeatts The Academy Center of the Arts is proud to be presenting the sixth annual Lynchstock Music Festival! Since its beginning, Lynchstock has been one of the most attended and loved events in Lynchburg. This year, the festival will be held in the fall rather than the spring, on the 20th of October, a Lynchstock Music Festival first. It’s the perfect opportunity to break out the flannels and kick the fall vibes into high gear! This year’s lineup is one of the best yet, with headliners COIN and Dr. Dog. There will be a wide variety of artists representing numerous genres, including many of Lynchburg’s own talented bands and artists. A few Lynchstock veterans, Joel Robert Kaiser and Vacation Manor, will also be returning to their hometown for this exciting day of music and community. Other artists include The Dundies, Oceanic, L.A. Dies, Apple Butter Soul, Tony Camm and the Funk Allstars, and many others! For those of you who have attended Lynchstock in the past, you already know what goes down at this amazing event, from the performances, food trucks, local vendors, spoken word poetry, and inspiring vibe. However, if you’re a newcomer to […]

Riverfront Park Concert Series Finale: Wynona and the Big Noise

August 31, 2018 by Morgan Yeatts

Even before the gates opened at 5:00 for happy hour, fans were camped outside, waiting to claim their spot in the grass to see Wynonna Judd and her band, The Big Noise. They were soon joined by hundreds more who trickled through the entrances in pairs and groups. The mixed drinks and beer were provided by Blue Ridge Beverage. With plenty of time before the concert began, those in attendance enjoyed pizza, fries, and other crowd favorites from local food trucks Uppercust Pizza, Uprooted, Hibachi Guys, and Bistro Bros. VIP ticket holders enjoyed refreshments provided by {RA} Bistro in the shade of the VIP tent. Although the forecast had called for rain, when former Lynchburger Josh Wolfe took the stage to open the show at 6:30, the sky was blue and clear. Kids played frisbee, while the adults lounged in lawn chairs or stretched out on blankets. The ages of those in attendance ranged from infants and toddlers to the older couples slow dancing to the music, with a mix of ages between. Shortly after Josh Wolfe finished his set, The Big Noise took the stage. Led by Cactus Moser, Wynonna Judd’s husband, the group of four […]

Academy Center of the Arts Announces August 2018 Riverfront Park Concert Artists

March 29, 2018 by Brittany Griffith

ACADEMY CENTER OF THE ARTS ANNOUNCES AUGUST 2018 RIVERFRONT PARK CONCERT ARTIST The Academy Center of the Arts, through the support of Framatome, Inc., is excited to announce the final concert of the 2018 Riverfront Park Concert Series, which features national, regional, and local music acts performing in Riverfront Park, 1100 Jefferson St. This event will continue the Academy’s efforts to serve our community through arts and culture by bringing world-class music to our city’s beautiful downtown park. The Academy Center of the Arts will close out the 2018 Riverfront Park Concert Series on Saturday, August 11, 2018, with headlining artist Wynonna & The Big Noise. Respected by the millions of fans who are drawn to her music and undeniable talent, Wynonna’s rich and commanding voice has sold over 30-million albums worldwide spanning her remarkable 34-year career. As one-half of the legendary mother/daughter duo “The Judds,” Wynonna was once dubbed by Rolling Stone as “the greatest female country singer since Patsy Cline.” This iconic performer has received over 60 industry awards, with countless charting singles, including 20 No.1 hits such as “Mama He’s Crazy,” “Why Not me,” and “Grandpa, (Tell Me ‘Bout The Good Ole Days).” Wynonna […]

Academy Center of the Arts Announces July 2018 Riverfront Park Concert Artists

March 22, 2018 by Brittany Griffith

ACADEMY CENTER OF THE ARTS ANNOUNCES JULY 2018 RIVERFRONT PARK CONCERT ARTISTS The Academy Center of the Arts, through the support of Centra Health, is excited to announce the third concert of the 2018 Riverfront Park Concert Series, which features national, regional, and local music acts performing in Riverfront Park, 1100 Jefferson St. This event will continue the Academy’s efforts to serve our community through arts and culture by bringing world-class music to our city’s beautiful downtown park. The Academy Center of the Arts will continue the 2018 Riverfront Park Concert Series on Saturday, July 14, 2018, with headlining artists The Spin Doctors and Arrested Development. On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Spin Doctors’ landmark debut album Pocket Full of Kryptonite, the band’s four original members, front man Barron, guitarist Eric Schenkman, bassist Mark White, and drummer Aaron Comess, can still appreciate the uncanny, enduring musical rapport that’s allowed them to maintain the upbeat energy and restless creativity that first endeared them to their fiercely devoted fan base. “When you get the four of us in one room, things just start to happen,” Schenkman asserts. “It instantly feels like the old days. The […]

Academy Center of the Arts Announces June 2018 Riverfront Park Concert Artists

March 15, 2018 by Brittany Griffith

ACADEMY CENTER OF THE ARTS ANNOUNCES JUNE 2018 RIVERFRONT PARK CONCERT ARTISTS The Academy Center of the Arts, through the support of the Academy’s Restoration Partners, announce the second concert of the 2018 Riverfront Park Concert Series, which features national, regional, and local music acts performing in Riverfront Park, 1100 Jefferson St. This event will continue the Academy’s efforts to serve our community through arts and culture by bringing world-class music to our city’s beautiful downtown park. The Academy Center of the Arts will continue the 2018 Riverfront Park Concert Series on Saturday, June 9, 2018, with headlining artists Naughty By Nature and Big Daddy Kane. The Grammy Award-winning, Platinum-album selling, New Jersey super-group, Naughty By Nature, has a twenty-year track record of creating the hits and party anthems that have become the soundtrack to our lives. Their music has smashed through mainstream barriers all while remaining true to the sound, message and grit of the hood. And now, these three kings of the Hip-Hop anthem have formally claimed their titles with the 20th Anniversary album, Anthem Inc. “We wouldn’t have reunited if we didn’t think we could give people that authentic Naughty feeling,” says the […]

Academy Center of the Arts Announces April 2018 Riverfront Park Concert Artists

March 8, 2018 by Brittany Griffith

ACADEMY CENTER OF THE ARTS ANNOUNCES FIRST HEADLINER OF THE 2018 RIVERFRONT PARK CONCERT SERIES The Academy Center of the Arts, through the support of BWX Technologies, Inc., announces the first headlining artist of the 2018 Riverfront Park Concert Series, which features national, regional, and local music acts performing in Riverfront Park, 1100 Jefferson St. This event will continue the Academy’s efforts to serve our community through arts and culture by bringing world-class music to our city’s beautiful downtown park. The Academy Center of the Arts will kick off the 2018 Riverfront Park Concert Series with headlining artist Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives, along with the Secret Sisters on Saturday, April 21, 2018. Hot off the heels of his tour with Chris Stapleton, Stuart and his band will head to Lynchburg, VA as a stop on the Way Out West tour, performing music from his album, Way Out West, one of MOJO’s “Best Americana Albums of 2017.” The Secret Sisters, recently announced headliner of the 2018 Red Wing Roots Musical Festival and Grammy-nominee, will open for Marty Stuart. Leah Blevins, a nashville native, will open the show. The Academy Center of the Arts has set out to make […]