The 2024-25 season at Danville’s Norton Center for the Arts at Centre College has another star-packed lineup, ranging from musical acts like ZZ Top and The Righteous Brothers to performances like the Paul Taylor Dance Company and Cirque Us Stories to unique presentations like Haunted Objects Live and an appearance by PBS’ Henry Louis Gates Jr.
This is the Norton Center’s 51st season and the 1,476-seat Newlin Hall inside the building is ready for another season of a diverse array of entertainment.
Tickets to performances can be purchased for individual events, through a subscription package or through group sales. All performances begin at 7:30 p.m., the perfect formula for an evening out in Danville. Start with dinner at one of Danville’s many terrific restaurants, followed by a performance at the Norton Center, followed by a night cap at a local restaurant or bar. And if you are coming from out of town, consider an overnight stay instead of driving back home. Danville has several hotel and short-term rental options so you can spend more than just a few hours in town.
Information about all the upcoming performances at the Norton Center, along with online ticket purchase options, can be found on the Norton Center’s website – https://nortoncenter.com/
Here is a snapshot of what’s on the 2024-25 schedule at the Norton Center:
Sept. 13 – Brandee Younger
A visionary harpist redefining the boundaries of her instrument for the digital age. She made history in 2022 as the first black woman nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition. She has collaborated with cultural icons like Common, Lauryn Hill and John Legend.
Sept. 20 – Cirque Us Stories
Cirque interweaves a collection of folktales, classic literature, children’s stories, modern fiction and more, jumping off the page with twists, flips, rewrites and retellings of stories you’ll love. The show features aerialists, jugglers, acrobats, contortionists, clowns and more, all ready to fly off the shelf and straight to you.
Sept. 26 – Luedji Luna
This award-winning singer-songwriter has become one of the most powerful voices in contemporary Brazilian music. Considered a Brazilian music sensation, she stands out in the music scene by mixing the sounds of Bahian and African drums.
Oct. 2 – Haunted Objects Live
Join Greg and Dana Newkirk, known from The Haunted Objects Podcast, Amazon Prime’s Hellier and Travel Channel’s Kindred Spirits, for a spine-tingling live presentation. As two of the world’s only full-time paranormal investigators, the Newkirks have dedicated their lives to collecting and caring for cursed artifacts, possessed dolls and other mysterious objects with supernatural activity.
Oct. 5 – ZZ Top
“That Little Ol’ Band From Texas” has been at it for well over a half-century, delivering rock, blues and boogie on the road and in the studio to millions of devoted fans. With iconography as distinctive as their sound, ZZ Top is virtually synonymous with beards, hotrod cars, spinning guitars and that magic keychain, all of which transcend geography and language. And this isn’t their first trip to the Norton Center!
Oct. 8 – Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
Dive deep into the past and build connections to the present during this very special evening with scholar and Emmy-Award-winning filmmaker Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Based on his groundbreaking PBS series, Finding Your Roots, Professor Gates will share insights from his influential series about genealogy, genetics and history’s impact on our lives today. Program followed by a Q&A session.
Oct. 11 – Cirque Kalabanté
Where cirque meets live percussion and music, this performance is a vibrant spectacle inspired by daily life in Guinea, sharing the beauty, youth and artistry of African culture. A colorful show beyond its scenery, costumes and staging, it makes any theatre vibrate with energy and represents the strength, agility and life joys of young Africans. The audience will see acrobats execute gravity-defying moves and human pyramids, accompanied by the contemporary sounds of live Afro-Jazz, percussion and kora.
Oct. 24 – The Righteous Brothers
Prepare for a soul-stirring, nostalgic concert experience at the Lovin’ Feelin’ Farewell Tour of the legendary Righteous Brothers. Rock-and-Roll Hall of Famer Bill Medley joins forces with one of the most versatile vocalists in America, Bucky Heard, to bring the Righteous Brothers back to the stage.
Nov. 8 – Last Out: Elegy of a Green Beret
In this theatrical production, U.S. Army Green Beret Danny Patton is a modern-day warrior fighting battles that range from Afghanistan to his own living room. As the corrosive gears of war begin to rip apart his family, his integrity, and his soul, Danny is thrust into his final, eternal mission. On the other side, with Valhalla beckoning, he discovers that combat can be fueled by vengeance or by love… it just depends on which price you are willing to pay.
Nov. 21 – Invincible: A Glorious Tribute to Michael Jackson
Invincible brings “Billie Jean,” “Beat It,” “Smooth Criminal,” “Thriller” and so much more from the King of Pop back to the stage. Fans will be delighted by choreography by longtime Michael Jackson choreographer and dancer, Lavelle Smith Jr., featuring never-before-seen routines that Jackson rehearsed, alongside your favorite hit songs and dances that MJ fans adore.
Jan. 17 – Hanzhi Wang
Acclaimed for her “staggering virtuosity,” Hanzhi Wang is the only accordionist ever to win a place on the roster of Young Concert Artists in its 60-year history. An ambassador for her instrument, Hanzhi has been praised for her captivating stage presence and performances of passion and finesse. In 2017, she became the very first accordionist to win First Prize at the YCA Susan Wadsworth International Auditions. She has been named Musical America’s “New Artist of the Month,” and featured on WQXR’s Young Artists Showcase.
Feb. 8 – Isidore String Quartet
Comprised of recent Juilliard graduates, this New York City-based ensemble approaches the established as if it were brand new, and the new as if it were firmly established.
Since forming in 2019 as part of Juilliard’s chamber music program, the Isidore String Quartet has been recognized with two prestigious awards, winning the 2023 Avery Fisher Career Grant and first prize at the 14th Banff International String Quartet Competition (BISQC) at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity.
Feb. 15 – Rosanne Cash
One of the country’s pre-eminent singer-songwriters, Rosanne Cash has released 15 albums of extraordinary songs that have earned four Grammy Awards, 12 Grammy nominations and numerous other accolades for songwriting and sound recordings. Also an accomplished author, Cash’s 2010 memoir Composed garnered widespread praise from critics and landed on The New York Times bestseller list.
Feb. 20 – YAMATO: The Drummers of Japan
Step into the world of YAMATO, the Japanese Taiko drumming sensation that has captivated audiences worldwide since 1993. YAMATO takes audiences on a whirlwind tour of rhythm and culture with more than 40 Taiko drums standing tall on stage, each with its own character, size and sound. The mighty “Odaiko,” carved from a 400-year-old tree, weighs 500 kg and sets the stage for an awe-inspiring experience. But it’s not just about power; YAMATO also creates delicate music, crafting a palette of meticulously curated sound and earning them the title of “physical music.”
Feb. 28 – Alison Brown Quintet
Although Alison began her musical career as a teenager in the Southern California Bluegrass scene, she has earned her reputation as one of today’s most forward-thinking and innovative banjo players. Taking her instrument far beyond its Appalachian roots, Alison blends Bluegrass and jazz influences into a sonic tapestry that has earned her widespread praise and recognition. Her masterful skill and creativity have earned her acclaim from national tastemakers including The Wall Street Journal, CBS Sunday Morning, NPR and USA Today.
March 7 – Mnozil Brass
Known as the Monty Python of the music world, Austrian septet Mnozil Brass seamlessly combines slapstick comedy with virtuosity. Hailed as one of the world’s premier brass ensembles, this group blends classical, jazz, folk and pop with sketch comedy, silly songs and side-splitting buffoonery on their trumpets, trombones, French horn and tuba. Mnozil Brass takes its name from Gasthaus Mnozil, a restaurant across the street from the Vienna Conservatory, where seven young music students met and began playing at a monthly open mic in 1992. 30 years later, Mnozil Brass performs for sold-out houses around the world.
March 11 – Paul Taylor Dance Company
Renowned for its innovative and emotionally compelling performances, the Paul Taylor Dance Company is known as the premiere institution for American modern dance. Under the direction of Artistic Director Michael Novak, the company continues to push boundaries and present groundbreaking works.
March 18 – JigJam
Where Ireland meets Kentucky Bluegrass, just in time for St. Patrick’s Day.
“Sparkling” and “infectious” Irish Bluegrass quartet JigJam brings a high-energy combination of Bluegrass and American folk to their foot-stomping live performances. Described as “Ireland’s answer to New Grass Revival” and “the best Irish group so far in Bluegrass,” this sharply dressed outfit delivers energy-fueled, electric performances.
All multi-instrumentalists, JigJam interchanges between banjos, guitars, fiddles, mandolins and double bass onstage, creating an experience pleasing to both the eye and the ear.
April 4 – The Four Phantoms in Concert
An extravagant celebration of the iconic music of Broadway and more, The Four Phantoms in Concert brings together four Phantoms from Tony Award-winning The Phantom of the Opera for an unforgettable night of entertainment. The Four Phantoms features the extraordinary quartet of performers Brent Barrett, Ciarán Sheehan, Franc D’Ambrosio and John Cudia under the musical supervision of two-time Grammy Award-winner David Caddick and musical direction of Lexington-native Ryan Shirar.
May 12 – Agathe and Adrien: N.Ormes
Blurring the lines between circus show, contemporary dance and performance art, N.Ormes invites audiences to question preconceived ideas. In this physically impressive and touching creation, duo Agathe Bisserier and Adrien Malette-Chénier push the limits and expectations of their own bodies and gender norms.