Your guide to Samford’s Wright Center – movie nights, opera, ballet, special events and the Alabama Symphony Orchestra

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The Wright Center at Samford University is the hottest place to catch a show. Think of it as the BJCC and the Alabama Theatre rolled into one.

It’s all about community partnerships

Located in the heart of Samford’s campus, the Wright Center is a special venue where community partnerships thrive. With the arts, you have partnerships with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Opera Birmingham, and the Alabama Ballet, just to name a few.

Beyond the world class performances, the Wright Center invites the community to support a good cause at Tonight at the Wright Movie Night.

“The Wright Center is all about our community,” said Ian Philips Manager of Performance Venues at Samford University. “We are located on the beautiful Samford campus and we feature our student and faculty events, as well as bring high-quality entertainment to the Birmingham community. We see ourselves as a partner in enriching the lives of families and friends on and off our campus. I would really encourage anyone who has not been to an event here to come see our facilities and enjoy all of the programs we offer.”

All this makes for an exciting Fall and Winter schedule of movie nights, opera, ballet, concerts and special events.

Pull out your calendar, make reservations and purchase tickets.

Catch a Movie and Support a Cause

Want to catch a classic movie and support a good cause all at the same time?

If your answer is “yes” – Tonight at the Wright Movie Night is the perfect event for you.

Here is the 2019/2020 schedule with instructions on what you need to bring at each showing.

October 29, 6:00pm
The Movie: Hocus Pocus – the classic Halloween movie starring Bette Midler
Benefactor: Community Food Bank of Central Alabama
What to Bring: It’s a Community Food Drive. Help collect and stock up the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama with cans and boxes of food

January 16, 6:00pm
The Movie: Karate Kid
Benefactor: Christian Services Mission
What to Bring: Warm accessories – hats, gloves. etc.

April 2, 6:00pm
The Movie: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
Benefactor: Greater Birmingham Humane Society
What to Bring: Pet supplies donations

Tickets are $5 without a donation. Visit – tickets.samford.edu

Who needs to go to New York City to see an Opera when you can see one in Birmingham

For nearly 65 years, Opera Birmingham, a professional opera company, has been entertaining audiences in North-Central Alabama.

Here is their lineup of performances at Samford this year:

Opera Birmingham presents—Catch a Rising Star
Sunday, October 20, 2:30 pm

Opera Birmingham presents—Sounds of the Season
Sunday, December 15, 2:30 pm

Opera Birmingham presents—Cinderella
To be performed in Spring 2020

Get your opera tickets – HERE

Ghostbusters to John Williams Greatest Hits – Alabama Symphony Orchestra

 

Samford University’s Wright Center will be hosting the Alabama Symphony Orchestra 7 times between October and May. Experience popular music that includes scores from blockbuster movies such as Ghostbusters and Harry Potter to Nat King Cole.

Alabama Symphony Orchestra presents Ghostbusters in Concert
October 25, 7 pm

Alabama Symphony Orchestra presents Tchaikovsky’s Piano Trio
November 19, 7 pm

Alabama Symphony Orchestra presents Woodwind Reveries
February 18, 7:30 pm

Alabama Symphony Orchestra presents Nat King Cole Songbook
February 29, 7:30 pm

Alabama Symphony Orchestra presents Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban in concert
April 18 & 19, 2:30 p.

Alabama Symphony Orchestra presents the Music of John Williams
May 16, 7 pm

Alabama Symphony Orchestra presents Shubert’s Trout Quintet
May 19, 7:30 pm

Get your symphony tickets – HERE

Special Events: From Celebrate Christmas with Samford Arts to the Nutcracker

If the movies, opera and symphony are not enough, the Wright Center has several more performances you don’t want to miss. In addition to a comedic act in November, there are several upcoming events with some of the best-loved voices in gospel music.

Here is the rest of the schedule.

Chanticleer, October 22, 7 pm – known around the world as “an orchestra of voices” for the seamless blend of its 12 male voices ranging from countertenor to bass.

U.S. Army Jazz Band , October 23, 7:30 pm – “America’s Big Band” – Admission Free

Sylvia, Oct. 24-27  – produced by Samford’s Department of Theatre and Dance, part of the Freeman Theatre and Dance Series.

Chonda Pierce, November 17, 7 pm –  – Dubbed the “Country Comic” Billboard Magazine. Pierce is also a best selling author.

1776, November 21-24 –  the musical – produced by Samford’s Department of Theatre and Dance, part of the Freeman Theatre and Dance Series.

Celebrate Christmas with Samford Arts, December 6, 7:30 pm –  the memorable annual holiday performance by Samford’s School of the Arts.

Alabama Ballet George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker, December 13-22 –  A Christmas classic. The Alabama Ballet is one of only eight companies in the world licensed to perform Balanchine’s The Nutcracker.

Melissa Manchester, February 14, 7:30 pm –  The perfect Valentine gift. Manchester is a Grammy award winner and international star.

Birmingham Ballet’s Sleeping Beauty, February 21-23 – A classic ballet for the entire family.

Gaither Vocal Band, March 14, 6 pm –  One of America’s most beloved gospel bands.

Destination Motown, March 26, 7 pm  – See the Sensational Soul Cruisers an 11 piece show band performs “Destination Motown,” where they deliver the greatest hits by the Temptations, the Jackson Five, Marvin Gaye, The Four Tops and so many others.

Get your special event tickets – HERE

See you there!

From movies to the ballet – purchase your tickets today.

Enjoy the best Birmingham has to offer. We’ll see you at the Wright Center!

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