TroyFest offering variety of entertainment at 2015 festival
Published 3:00 am Friday, April 10, 2015
In addition to the artists coming to TroyFest, the entertainment of this two-day festival is a big draw.
According to Morgan Drinkard, TroyFest committee member, the entertainment schedule for the April 25-26 festival is full of variety.
“Bart Culpepper, our entertainment chair, has really worked to have a great variety of performances for the event with a combination of songs, dance and theater,” Drinkard said.
Drinkard said there would be two stages within the festival. Troy Cable Entertainment Stage, which is in the parking lot off of the Downtown Square next to Byrd Drugs, is where the main performances will be.
Acoustic acts will be at the Gazebo on the Square throughout Saturday and Sunday.
“TroyFest promotes a family atmosphere and we want to show off our talents in the region,” Culpepper said. “We have many performers from church groups, school groups and private individuals who would like to share their talents.”
Charles Henderson High School Drama Group will be among the performances in TroyFest 2015. The group will be presenting selections from the upcoming Spring Musical – “Band Geeks,” which will be on stage on May 1 and 2.
“I think people are going to really enjoy our performances,” said Judith Parks, CHHS drama teacher. “‘Band Geeks’ by Tommy Newman from Troy University is a high energy musical with song and dances.
“I think the opportunity to perform at TroyFest will help the students with performing in front of an audience, being familiar with the applause, the laughter and the energy. They can see how much they can excite the audience.”
Parks said the audience would enjoy the songs and dances because they are fun and catchy.
“The musical is about a high school marching band and is very relatable,” she said. “It has a lot to do with social clicks and a mixture of students from different social backgrounds.”
Troy Elementary School students will present a performance with wooden xylophones. There will also be a gymnastic performance from Xtreme Athletics.
“This year we have some new talents that have come our way with a mix of country, pop and rock,” Culpepper said. “I am looking forward to see these new venture local group. There is something for everyone in the area.”
The ending act on Saturday will feature jazz bands.
“It’ll be like a mini jazz festival with several groups coming,” Drinkard said. “Even though our festival ends at 5 p.m., often times the music may goes on depending on how many jazz groups participating.”
Sunday performances will be gospel-related or Christian music, she said.
Culpepper, music minister of Troy First Baptist Church, said their celebration choir will have singing with several selection including “Open up the Heavens” and “Unto the Lamp.”
The TroyFest 2015 entertainment schedule is as follows:
Saturday, April 25
10 a.m. – Spring Hill Baptist Drama Team
10:30 a.m. – Extreme Athletics
11a.m. – CHHS Drama Group
11:30 a.m. – Troy City School Orff Ensemble
Noon – Avenue Switch Band
12:45 p.m. – First Baptist Youth Drama Group
1:15 p.m. – Brandon & Co. Southern Gospel
2 p.m. – Troy University Musical Theater Team
2:30 p.m. – KLPA Creative Dancers
3 p.m. – Jazz bands
Sunday, April 26
1 p.m. – First Baptist Celebration Choir
1:45 p.m. – In His Steps Dance Co.
2:30 p.m. – Pike County Male Chorus