From “Cats” to Amy Grant, the ETSU Martin Center for the Arts has been the venue for hot ticket events, and this year is no exception.
“The community will be excited,” said Jennifer Clements, the executive director of the Martin Center. “More things are coming down the pipeline over the next coming of weeks.”
On May 20, The Black Jacket Symphony will return to the Martin Center playing Tom Petty’s “Full Moon Fever” along with more of Tom Petty’s greatest hits. Their concert will include songs such as “Free Fallin” and “Zombie Zoo.” The performance will be at the Grand Hall. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the show starts at 8 p.m.
“The people are great,” said Jason Rogoff, a member of Black Jacket Symphony. “We’re excited to be back.”
The Black Jacket Symphony has previously played at the Martin Center before and has collaborated with Marching Bucs. The Black Jacket Symphony emphasizes the importance of playing albums “note for note” and “sound for sound” to recreate the concert style of the original show. They have covered over 42 albums over the past 14 years.
“We love East Tennessee,” said Rogoff. “It’s a fun area and people here are nice and enjoyed the show.”
The Black Jacket Symphony will have a meet and greet at their photo booth in the lobby of the Martin Center at the end of the show.
On June 6, TEDxJohnsonCity will be hosted at the Powell Recital Hall. This sold-out event is hosted by the Young Professionals of Johnson City. It will last from 6-8 p.m. The organizers are Chloe Philpot and McKenzie Templeton.
ETSU Health is presenting “Menopause the Musical” from June 16-17. The show will be performed at the Grand Hall. The doors will open at 7:30 p.m., and the show starts at 8 p.m. on Friday, June 16. On Saturday, June 17, the doors will open at 1:30 p.m., and the show will begin at 2 p.m.
“Menopause the Musical” is about four women going through the problems of being a woman and menopause. The musical covers classic tunes from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s in a parody-style musical.
The Martin Center will not only be bringing “Menopause the Musical” to ETSU. The 2024 Broadway Season will be announced soon. This will follow the 2023 Broadway season of “Annie,” “Cats,” “Riverdance” and “Chicago.” This announcement will be made in late Summer and early fall of 2023.
The Martin Center will host a number of shows from the Department of Music and Department of Theatre and Dance at ETSU.
The Martin Center is also open to the community for smaller events in association with the city of Johnson City. United Way will be hosting an event in the coming weeks.
The Martin Center wants feedback from the community. After every event, there is a survey asking patrons what they would like to see, and engagement is encouraged through comments and social media posts on Facebook and Instagram. The Martin Center uses an agency to book their performances through the venue reaching out, and the performers reach out to them.
The Martin Center is always looking for volunteers and paid workers to help with the events. “Always looking for help,” said Clements. “It is a good way for students to get engaged.”
Clements said ETSU’s students have made the Martin Center a success through their support by showing up to events.
To buy tickets, visit the Martin Center Box Office from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday, or purchase online. For more information, visit etsu.edu/martin-center/.
