PRESS RELEASE
CONTACT: Laura Kratt, Director of Cultural Events
704.233.8302  [email protected]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Batte Center 2016-2017 Season Announced
Wingate, N.C. – The Batte Center raises the curtain on its 2016-2017 Batte Center Presents Season of
concerts, comedy and theatre events featuring its trademark blend of diverse and a diverting artists from
around the world.
The season kicks off with the political parody of The Capitol Steps providing their own outrageous take on
the 2016 Presidential campaign and issues of the day. The musical talents of Grammy winners Eileen
Ivers, the original Celtic fiddler of Riverdance fame, and Paul Jacobs, the only organist to ever win a
Grammy, will be showcased this fall. Just after Veterans Day, Griffin Theatre’s “Letters Home” brings to
life actual letters written by active duty military in Iraq and Afghanistan in this powerful and
compassionate portrait of the soldier experience. Family Friendly events include The Story Pirates that
celebrate the creative ideas of children by incorporating them into original sketch comedy musicals.
In March, The 2017 Connected Campus: The Nile Project will explore themes of sustainability and bring
together musicians from the 11 African countries that boarder the Nile River to form one of the tightest
cross-cultural collaborations in history. Using music to spark cultural curiosity, the Nile Project engages
musicians and audiences, challenging them to connect to the world’s longest river and explore new
approaches to its social, cultural, and environmental problems.
When asked what are the standout shows for the coming season, Wingate’s Director of Cultural Events,
Laura Kratt, responded “the HillBenders bluegrass tribute to The Who’s rock opera TOMMY is really going
to surprise and delight music lovers this season. When I saw their performance electrify the crowd, I was
sold. The special pre-Valentine’s Day show with world-renowned singer and guitarist John Pizzarelli is
another “must see” show featuring beloved songs from the Great American Songbook delivered with
consummate old-school charm.”
-- more -The Batte Center at Wingate University

403 N. Camden Rd., Wingate NC 28174

www.battecenter.org/media

704.233.8302
Batte Center 2016-17 Season Release
Page 2 of 3
The Batte Center 2016-2017 Season:
The Capitol Steps
Sep 9 – 8pm
With the 2016 presidential elections just around the corner, The Capitol Steps are primed and ready to
unleash witty musical parody and political satire targeting on both sides of the aisle and all sides of the
issues.
Paul Jacobs, organist
Oct 16 – 4pm
The first and only organist ever to have won a Grammy Award, Paul Jacobs is known for his imaginative
interpretations, charismatic stage presence and a repertoire that spans the gamut of music written for his
instrument, both old and new
Eileen Ivers
Nov 11 – 8pm
Eileen Ivers has been called a "sensation" by Billboard magazine and "the Jimi Hendrix of the violin" by The
New York Times. Grammy awarded, Emmy nominated, the original musical star of Riverdance, and Nine
Time All-Ireland Fiddle Champion, Eileen Ivers has established herself as one of the pre-eminent
exponents of the fiddle in the world today.
Griffin Theatre presents “Letters Home”
Nov 18 – 8pm
“Letters Home” puts the recent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq front and center by bringing to life actual
letters written by soldiers serving in those countries. Without politicizing, the play gives audiences a
powerful portrait of the soldier's experience, defining patriotism and what it means to serve our country
through acts of bravery, compassion and brotherhood. Some elements of this performance can be
graphic and contain explicit language.
John Pizzarelli
Feb 10 – 8pm
A world-renowned guitarist, singer and master of the Great American Songbook, John Pizzarelli’s old
school magnetism, along with his superb musicianship, has kept him a fixture in the American jazz scene
for nearly 30 years.
The HillBenders present: TOMMY: A Bluegrass Opry
Feb 17 – 8pm
Forty-five years after its original release, The Who’s rock opera “TOMMY” has been transformed by the
HillBenders into a full-length bluegrass tribute with all the original record’s energy, instrumental
showmanship and rock star vocals intact. Originally recorded with a full rock band, the dynamic bluegrass
quintet recreated the legendary album with a banjo, Dobro, mandolin, bass, and guitar.
The Story Pirates
Mar 19 – 3pm
Story Pirates turn kids’ creative ideas and original stories into wild sketch comedy musicals featuring
professional actors showing those kids just how amazing their ideas are. As part of The Nile Project, Union
County Public School students will write about ideas for sustainability and clean water in their own
community.
-- more -The Batte Center at Wingate University

403 N. Camden Rd., Wingate NC 28174

www.battecenter.org/media

704.233.8302
Batte Center 2016-17 Season Release
Page 3 of 3
The Nile Project
Mar 31 – 8pm
One of the tightest cross-cultural collaborations in history, the Nile Project concert brings together
musicians from the 11 Nile basin countries, representing over 400 million people, to make music that
combines the rich diversity of its ancient cultures and peoples. Using music to spark cultural curiosity, the
Nile Project engages musicians and audiences, challenging them to connect to the world’s longest river
and explore new approaches to its social, cultural, and environmental problems.
Tickets are now on sale to Season Subscribers and Members of The Friends of The Batte by mail, email,
phone and fax. To subscribe, patrons can buy three or more shows and Friends of the Batte Memberships
start at $50. Single tickets will go on sale to the general public on June 27th. Visit Wingate University’s
Batte Center website at www.battecenter.org for a complete schedule of events, ticket prices, as well as
subscriber and membership information or call 704-233-8300.
Learn more about The Batte Season: www.battecenter.org
Download high resolution photos at: www.battecenter.org/press/media/
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About The Batte Center
Opened in 1999, the George A. Batte, Jr. Fine Arts Center presents events in the Hannah Covington McGee
Theatre, Plyer-Griffin Recital Hall and Austin Auditorium. A five-minute drive from Monroe and 29 miles
southeast of Charlotte, The Batte is just off of Highway 74. Free parking is plentiful and all three performance
spaces offer full wheelchair accessibility.
About Wingate University
Wingate University, consistently ranked as a top 10 “best value” in the South by U.S. News & World Report,
serves more than 3,100 students on three campuses in Wingate, Charlotte and Hendersonville, N.C. Founded in
1896, the University offers 35 undergraduate majors, 37 minors and career concentrations, numerous preprofessional programs, graduate degrees in business, accounting, education, physician assistant studies and
sport management, and doctorates in pharmacy, physical therapy and education. With a 15-to-1
student/teacher ratio, Wingate students gain the tools and support needed to excel in academics and apply
that learning toward an extraordinary career and life.
To view current news, go to www.wingate.edu
For video and more story ideas, visit www.youtube.com/wingateuniversity
The Batte Center at Wingate University

403 N. Camden Rd., Wingate NC 28174

www.battecenter.org/media

704.233.8302