SEASON SHOWS 2024-2025
1 | 2024-2025 Season Shows Greetings Cultural Art Enthusiasts, We are thrilled to announce a new season of live performances at The Dunn Center! Join us as we welcome back the much-loved tribute band, Departure, along with a vibrant mix of new talent debuting on our stage. This season features a diverse lineup, including clean comedy, mesmerizing magic, energetic latingrass, classic rock and roll, and a Prince tribute that’s sure to get you on your feet. Following the tremendous success of last year’s Bob Ross art exhibit, which attracted over 11,000 visitors nationwide and internationally, we are proud to announce we will be hosting another remarkable exhibition featuring 76 newly revealed Bob Ross paintings. “Bob Ross Bringing Back the Joy” will be open from December 2 through January 13, 2025, with advance tickets available for $15 starting July 4, 2024. Check out all the wonderful offerings that will be available at The Dunn Center this season, from complimentary events to very affordable season shows . Parking is always convenient and included. For assistance with season tickets, accessing “Bob Ross Bringing Back the Joy,” or rentals, call 252.985.5197. Thank you for your ongoing support of The Dunn Center and North Carolina Wesleyan University. May you and your loved ones receive abundant blessings. Sincerely, Sheila Powell Martin Executive Director EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR A MESSAGE FROM THE
2 2024 2025 SEASON SHOWS A Patriotic Celebration by Janice Gravely Carolina Visions by Sherry Hendrick & Rick Tracy Bringing Back the Joy by Bob Ross ART GALLERIES Reggie Rice Departure: The Journey Tribute Band John Floyd Nirvani: A Nirvana Tribute Experience Larry & Joe Damn Tall Buildings Purple Xperience PERFORMANCES 3 SEASON SHOWS COMPLIMENTARY EVENTS The Wesleyan Singers BONUS SHOW (Not Included in Season Tickets) The Story Ship 10 11 13
3 | 2024-2025 Season Shows REGGIE RICE SEASON OPENER Magic and laughter is in the air and Reggie Rice’s show is full of them both! Fool of Illusions is like nothing you’ve seen before. A family-friendly show filled with hilarious comedy, innovative illusions, and audience participation that will have you on the edge of your seat wanting more. With his foolish antics & lovable personality Reggie Rice is guaranteed to have everyone bursting into laughter with pure fun and excitement. So brace yourself and buckle up, because we are going to take you on a magical ride into Reggie’s wild imagination in a show you will never forget. 9•13 FRIDAY
dunncenter.com | 4 In their 16th year together, Departure is the most respected Journey tribute band in the nation, replicating the look, sound and feel of the original 80’s rock super group. These veteran musicians love what they do and pride themselves on giving their audience an incredible high-energy stage show from start to finish. Performing over one hundred shows nationally per year and playing all the hit songs that everyone knows and loves, Departure brings the very best of Journey to audiences of all ages. DEPARTURE THE JOURNEY TRIBUTE BAND 9•27 FRIDAY SPONSORED BY
5 | 2024-2025 Season Shows 3 REDNECK TENORS 10•11 FRIDAY Experience the down-home wit and inspirational wisdom of John Floyd, a comedian, author, and proud native of Rocky Mount. Launching his stand-up career at just eight years old during a school talent show, John has since taken the stage over 5,000 times, performing for more than two million people. His career has taken him to all 50 states, over two dozen countries, and given him the chance to work with Oscar, Emmy and Grammy Award winners. John says the men in his family have always been funny and great story tellers. He’s just the first one to do it on a stage instead of a front porch. JOHN FLOYD
dunncenter.com | 6 NIRVANI 10•18 FRIDAY For Nirvani - A Nirvana Tribute Experience, it’s much more than simply being a tribute band. It’s about paying homage to a golden era in music and the unique atmosphere Nirvana contributed to that era. Nirvani embodies Cobain, Novoselic, and Grohl in their talent and authenticity. Each band member is dedicated to portraying both the appearance and playing styles of their Nirvana counterparts. This combined with their use of authentic vintage instruments makes Nirvani a live tribute concert experience that leaves audiences simultaneously satisfied and longing for more. A NIRVANA TRIBUTE EXPERIENCE
7 | 2024-2025 Season Shows LARRY & JOE Larry & Joe were destined to make music together. Currently based in the Triangle of North Carolina, both men are versatile multi-instrumentalists and singer-songwriters on a mission to show that music has no borders. As a duo they perform a fusion of Venezuelan and Appalachian folk music on harp, banjo, cuatro, fiddle, maracas, guitar, upright bass, and whatever else they decide to throw in the van. The program they offer features a distinct blend of their musical inheritances and traditions as well as storytelling about the ways that music and social movements coalesce. 10•25 FRIDAY
dunncenter.com | 8 While their instrumentation is that of bluegrass, Damn Tall Buildings is not bound to it. This roots/americana band from Brooklyn, NY pulls inspiration from a wide range of influences including swing, ragtime, jazz, and even a hint of contemporary. With lyrical storytelling and foot-stomping grooves, their songs about love and ramblin’ help to forget the everyday troubles. With members from all around the United States, Damn Tall Buildings is a truthful combination of people branding their influences into a single sound. DAMN TALL BUILDINGS 11•1 FRIDAY SPONSORED BY
9 | 2024-2025 Season Shows SEASON FINALE The Purple Xperience is a five-piece group hailing from 3 REDNECK TENORS Prince’s birthplace, Minneapolis, MN. Touring around the country since it’s inception in 2011 by Dr. Fink and frontman Marshall Charloff – their vision was to deliver the greatest and most authentic production of Prince and The Revolution, played live and untracked by skilled musicians, to audiences of all generations. Since 2011 Purple Xperience has entertained well over 300 thousand fans and has shared the bill with The Time, Cameo, Fetty Wap, Gin Blossoms, Atlanta Rhythm section, and Cheap Trick. 2•7 FRIDAY SPONSORED BY PURPLE XPERIENCE
dunncenter.com | 10 THE WESLEYAN SINGERS Garner Lobby | 7:00 PM 11•11•24 FALL CONCERT Wesleyan Singers is one of NCWU’s oldest performing ensembles. The group was founded in 1960 by Dr. William G. Sasser, the University’s first professor of music. The Wesleyan Singers learn and perform a wide variety of music including classical, spirituals, show tunes and popular selections. In addition to presenting a concert each semester, the group provides music for special events on campus as well as in the community. Wesleyan students, faculty, staff and members of the local community are Garner Lobby welcome to join this ensemble. | 7:00 PM 4•14•25 SPRING CONCERT COMPLIMENTARY
11 | 2024-2025 Season Shows 9•21 SATURDAY Sean Driscoll and his Story Ship have thrilled audiences with educational workshops and performances for over 30 years. The shows combine interactive animation, music, storytelling, theater, comedy, games, puzzles and magic. This unique combination makes their performances and workshops truly original. The Dunn Center will be presenting two shows that will teach children about science (Diggery’s Dino Adventure at 1:00 PM) and STEAM science (Alien’s Alive at 3:00 PM). A food truck will be available in between shows for a lunch break. Tickets can be purchased online at dunncenter.com. THE STORY SHIP *NOT INCLUDED IN SEASON TICKETS BONUS SHOW
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13 | 2024-2025 Season Shows GRAVELY GALLERY
dunncenter.com | 14 Visit the Gravely Gallery to see a rotating exhibit of Janice Gravely’s artwork! The Gravely Gallery at The Dunn Center, made possible by a generous gift in honor of the late Janice Gravely, showcases student talent at both NCWU and other local schools. It is a great entry point for emerging artists and a tremendous benefit to the local art community. JANICE GRAVELY A Patriotic Celebration Gallery Opens 7•15 IN MEMORY OF
15 | 2024-2025 Season Shows In support of our cultural mission and quality entertainment, the Mims Gallery annually produces a series of art exhibits by nationally recognized and local professionals from various and diverse populations. Reception parties are held bringing music and art together where guests and art collectors can talk with visiting artists one-on-one. Most gallery events are free and open to the public. SHERRY HENDRICK & RICK TRACY Carolina Visions 9•4 to 10•24 BOB ROSS Bringing Back the Joy 12•2 to 1•13
dunncenter.com | 16 MIMS GALLERY
EVENT AT WESLEYAN PLAN YOUR NEXT VENUE RENTALS The Dunn Center at NC Wesleyan University is a perfect venue for conferences, seminars, dance competitions and more. The stage has full technical facilities, including an orchestra pit and fly space. Other rooms may include projection screens and technical equipment needed for your event. The Dunn Center Can Provide: • Customized Room Setup • Onsite Catering (Licensed Beer & Wine Facility) • Professional Serving Staff • Accommodations for 20 to 1,200 Guests Book Your Event at NCWU Today! #1 DANCE VENUE FOR 20 YEARS!
Name: _________________________________ Address: _______________________________ City: ___________________________________ State: _____________ Zip: _______________ Phone: ________________________________ Email: ________________________________ Check (Payable to The Dunn Center) Credit Card: Number: _______________________________ Security Code: _______ Expiration: _________ Signature: ______________________________ Quantity _____ x 150* Each: $___________ Donation to The Dunn Center’s Renovation Fund: $___________ (Optional) Total: $___________ If you are a current ticket holder, do you desire the same seat or have another preference? _______________________________________ *Includes NC Sales Tax PAYMENT SEASON TICKETS GET YOUR SEASON TICKETS TODAY! 9•13•24 Reggie Rice 9•27•24 Departure 10•11•24 John Floyd 10•18•24 Nirvani 10•25•24 Larry & Joe Includes the following: SEASON TICKETS 2024-2025 Mail Registration To: The Dunn Center 3400 N. Wesleyan Blvd. Rocky Mount, NC 27804 Shows start at 7:30 PM $150* 11•1•24 Damn Tall Buildings 2•7•25 Purple Xperience
19 | 2024-2025 Season Shows 3400 N. Wesleyan Blvd. Rocky Mount, NC 27804 252.985.5197 | dunncenter.com