THE CLAYTON CENTER
FOR THE ARTS
2025 / 2026 season at a glance:
AUGUST
SATURDAY, AUGUST 16 – Comedian Preacher Lawson, a finalist on Season 12 of“ America’ s Got Talent” and a high energy viral comedy sensation online that sells out theaters and comedy clubs worldwide.
September
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 –“ One Night in Memphis,” a tribute to Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash. The show features former cast members of the Broadway smash hit“ Million Dollar Quartet” and a number of vintage rock and roll classics.
October
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5 – A free performance by the United States Marine Band, otherwise known as“ The President’ s Own.” Founded in 1798 by an Act of Congress, the Marine Band is America’ s oldest continuously active professional musical organization.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16 – The Improvised Shakespeare Company, a group of performers that creates a fully improvised Elizabethan masterpiece in which nothing has been planned out, rehearsed, or written. All of the dialogue is spoken for the first time while the characters are created on the spot.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19 – Naturally 7, an internationally acclaimed a cappella group known for their audio pyrotechnics while transforming their voices into human instruments as they perform music in a variety of genres.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30 – Vitamin String Quartet: The Music of Taylor Swift, Bridgerton, and Beyond. Popularized by Netflix’ s hit show“ Bridgerton,” the group is in rotation in playlists throughout the globe and has been cited as one of the world’ s most popular contemporary string ensembles, one that crosses the boundaries between classical, dance, hip-hop, rock, and pop.
November
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15 – The Okee Dokee Brothers— Brothers Joe and Justin record and perform family music with a goal to inspire children and their parents to get creative. Five-time Parents’ Choice Award winners, the duo has been featured on PBS kids in their animated film‘ Brambletown” and garnered praise from NPR’ s“ All Things Considered” and USA Today.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29( two performances) –“ Dolly
Parton’ s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol,” an Appalachian holiday musical set in the 1930s and in the Smoky Mountains. With songs by Dolly herself, it reimagines Charles Dickens’ classic“ A Christmas Carol” in a small mining company town.
December
MONDAY, DECEMBER 15 –“ Wheel of Fortune LIVE!” America’ s popular game show takes to the stage with contestants randomly selected from the audience and given a chance to spin a replica of the iconic Wheel Of Fortune, solve puzzles, and win prizes like trips to Paris and Hawaii as well as up to $ 10,000 in cash.
January
SATURDAY, JANUARY 24 –“ The Coalminers Present Always Loretta: The Ultimate Loretta Lynn Tribute Show”. A salute to the Queen of Country herself, the show is dedicated to honoring the timeless music and legacy of country music. Led by Emily Portman and the Original Coalminers, the show recreates Lynn’ s greatest hits through heartfelt performances and authentic storytelling.
February
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19 – Vienna Boys Choir returns to the Clayton Center with an all-new program.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27 – Red Hot Chilli Pipers, a rock and roll cover band that lends a Scottish twist to any number of pop standards while played on Bagpipes and adorned in kilts.
March
TUESDAY, MARCH 10 – BODYTRAFFIC, a 21st-century L. A.- based contemporary dance company, offers a program featuring the music of Buddy Holly and other popular musical icons.
FRIDAY, MARCH 20 – Don McMillan, an“ America’ s Got Talent” finalist, comedian and engineer specializes in a mix of tech savvy and stand-up. Using graphs and charts, McMillan offers humor from an unexpected perspective.
April
SATURDAY, APRIL 25— The Magic of Rob Lake. Named“ The World’ s Greatest Illusionist” by NBC, Lake is internationally renowned for his mesmerizing and award-winning illusions. In 2008, he became the youngest magician in history to receive magic’ s highest honor—“ International Stage Magician of the Year.”
For more information, go to https:// claytonartscenter. com or phone 865-981-8590.
FALL 2025 • BLOUNT COUNTY QUARTERLY | 31