The Troy Arts Council’s annual membership drive will kick off at 6 p.m. Thursday at The Studio on East Walnut Street in downtown Troy.
Joel Williams, TAC president, said there will be food, drinks, entertainment and a first look at the arts council’s 2018-2019 evening concert series schedule.

“The membership drive is an opportunity to preview the season schedule and make an annual contribution to the Troy Arts Council,” Williams said. “Donors will receive season tickets beginning with a $100 donation that includes one season ticket. Two season tickets come with a $150 donation and it’s up from there. The larger the donation the more season tickets.”

Williams said the TAC’s 2018-2019 season is diverse and opens with The Dominican Jazz Project on September 25 at the Crosby Theater.

“The Dominican Jazz Project is incredible, high-energy Dominican-brand Latin jazz with unusually high musicianship,” he said. “This will be a no-miss concert at the Crosby Theater.

“And most TAC events will be at the Crosby Theater this year. Last season, we had several small performance groups that were well suited to smaller venues. The size of the performance group dictates the venue.”

“Rhapsody in Black” will be at the Crosby on October 16 and the Shelia Jackson and Friends Holiday Concert will close out the 2018 portion of the TAC’s calendar.

“Shelia’s concert is always one of the most popular events on our calendar,” Williams said. “The community looks forward to it every year.”

The 2019 TAC’s calendar will open with “Julian G. Piano Virtuoso” on January 22 at Long Hall on the Troy University campus.

“A piano concert is better suited to a more intimate setting,” Williams said. “Long Hall will be the idea setting for a Julian G. concert.”

“Mandy Harvey” a singer/songwriter who is deaf and who took part in the 12th season of America’s Got Talent, will be in concert February 4.

On March 7, the TAC will present “The Second City Improv Troup,” which is an improvisational comedy enterprise.

‘“The Second City is best known as the first ever on-going improvisational theater troupe based in Chicago,” Williams said. “It opened in 1959 and has become one of the most influential and prolific comedy theaters in the world.”

The TAC will close out its evening concert series with a free concert by the Southeast Alabama Community Band in the late spring.

All in all, it will be a fantastic concert series, Williams said.

“The TAC invites everyone that enjoys live arts entertainment to attend the TAC’s membership drive and learn more about our evening concert series and the benefits of being a member of the Troy Arts Council,” he said. “The TAC is also a strong supporter of the arts in the local schools and in the community. Come learn more about the TAC then join us in enjoying all the benefits of membership.”