
Famed Comedy Troupe “The Second City” Brings the Laughs to GSUPAC
The Performing Arts Center at Georgia Southern is proud to present “The Second City: Improv All-Stars” as part of their 2019-2020 Main Stage Series on Thursday, January 30, 2020 at 7:30pm. The best seats are going fast for this legendary comedy troupe!
Chicago’s storied comedy theater The Second City is bringing their talent to Statesboro with “The Second City: Improv All-Stars,” an irresistible hour of improved comedy performed by the industry’s up-and-coming talent. These masters of the form will astound with their skill and wit – all without the aid of scripts or sets. Fresh, fast, and always spectacularly funny, The Second City is celebrating more than 55 years of producing cutting-edge satirical revues and has launched the careers of legends like Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, Steve Carell, Gilda Radner, Bill Murray, and more.
The group is also planning to lead two improv masterclasses during their time on campus. Those interested in attending a workshop can keep an eye on the Performing Arts Center Facebook page for more details once dates and times of the classes are confirmed.
PAC Director Stacie McDaniel says the whole staff is excited about the show, noting “I’ve been trying to get this group to our venue for years, and we finally worked out the right date to make it happen! If you’re looking to start the new decade off with a laugh, this is absolutely the right show for you.”
Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for youth 17 and under and are on sale now at the GSUPAC Box Office. Discounts are available for Georgia Southern students and faculty/staff. Group rates for groups of 10 or more are also available. Visit the Box Office in person Monday-Friday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, or purchase tickets over the phone at 912-478-7999 or online at www.georgiasouthern.edu/pac.

For more information, including cast and crew interview inquiries, please contact:
Stacie McDaniel
(912) 478-0830

Las Vegas-Based Cirque Mechanics Brings the Magic of the Big Top Circus To GSUPAC
The 2019-2020 Main Stage Series at the Performing Arts Center at Georgia Southern is heating up! Up next, the GSUPAC presents cirque-style acrobatics with a mechanical twist. Cirque Mechanics: 42FT is scheduled for Friday, October 25, 2019 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are on sale now!
Las Vegas-based troupe Cirque Mechanics was founded in 2004 and quickly established itself as a premier American circus with its unique approach to performance, inspiring storytelling, and innovative mechanical staging. Spectacle Magazine hailed the group as “the greatest contribution to the American circus since Cirque du Soleil.” Finding its roots in the mechanical and its heart in the stories of American ingenuity, Cirque Mechanics prides itself of timeless and relevant message – not to mention jaw-dropping spectacle.
Their new show, 42 FT: A Menagerie of Mechanical Marvels focuses on the glory days of the traveling one-ring circus, showcasing a mechanical metal horse and a rotating tent frame to display the feats of strongmen, dazzling acrobats, and flying aerialists. So step right up, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls of Statesboro to the Cirque Mechanics world of gears, canvas, pulleys, and stardust.
GSUPAC Director Stacie McDaniel notes, “In an effort to bring something really unique to our community, I have been working to get Cirque Mechanics to Statesboro for years – and we’ve finally made it happen! I have had the pleasure of watching the Acrobats of China as well as Cirque du Soleil, but Cirque Mechanics truly brings something fresh and exciting to the table that gives all other cirque shows a run for their money!”
Tickets are $25 for adults and $12 for youth 17 and under and are on sale now at the GSUPAC Box Office. Discounts are available for Georgia Southern students and faculty/staff. Group rates for groups of 10 or more are also available. Visit the Box Office in person Monday-Friday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, or purchase tickets over the phone at 912-478-7999 or online at www.georgiasouthern.edu/pac.

For more information, including cast and crew interview inquiries, please contact:
Stacie McDaniel
(912) 478-0830
smcdaniel@georgiasouthern.edu

Georgia Southern’s Performing Arts Center Welcomes Big Stars and Hit Shows in Their 2019-2020 Main Stage Series
The Performing Arts Center at Georgia Southern is knee-deep in tickets this week as they begin their season subscription drive for the upcoming 2019-2020 Main Stage Series. Full season packages are available for patrons who wish to come to all six shows, while a flexible package option allows patrons to purchase advanced tickets to three or more shows. All season subscribers enjoy the privilege of choosing their seats early and maintaining their seat choice throughout the season in addition to the best ticket prices.
This year’s season takes patrons on a trip across the United States, featuring big stars and hit shows from across the country. Beginning with Texas-born and Nashville-based country legends Lonestar, famous for their No. 1 crossover smash “Amazed,” we then venture further west with a glitzy Vegas-style cirque performance from Cirque Mechanics who take the glory days of the American circus to the next level. Next, Broadway comes to Statesboro with the national tour of the Tony- and Grammy-winning musical The Color Purple. Then we start 2020 off laughing with Chicago’s famed comedy troupe, The Second City, and their all-improv performance, Improv All-Stars. In February, the PAC partners with Georgia Southern’s Theatre & Performance to present another Broadway favorite, Jesus Christ Superstar, before finally ending the season strong with a nostalgic performance of beloved Motown artists – The Drifters, Platters, and Cornell Gunter’s Coasters. Visit the PAC website at www.georgiasouthern.edu/pac for detailed descriptions, dates and times.
PAC patrons have expressed their excitement about the new season. Season subscriber Joanna Schreiber says, “The PAC has put together yet another amazing season of entertainment.” Another subscriber, Christina Olson, adds, “From musical arts to theatre to comedy, there’s something for everyone!”
Previous season ticket holders can renew their subscription now through August 23 while those interested in becoming new subscribers this year can do so beginning August 26. Full season packages are $130 per seat, while flexible package prices vary depending on show choice. Tickets to individual shows will be available starting September 3. Visit the PAC Box Office in person Monday-Friday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, or purchase your subscription over the phone at 912-478-7999. Single tickets will be available online at www.georgiasouthern.edu/pac.

For more information, please contact:
Stacie McDaniel
(912) 478-0830

Georgia Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus (GACVB) Announces Partnership with Pineapple Public Relations
The Georgia Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus (GACVB) is proud to announce a strategic partnership with long-standing tourism industry PR firm, Pineapple Public Relations. The partnership will support GACVB in creating and promoting awareness of Georgia’s destination marketing organizations (DMOs) and their contributions to the state’s economy and quality of life for both residents and visitors via industry education, professional development, and legislative awareness.
“GACVB is committed to being the voice for our destination marketing organizations and tourism industry professionals. Through this partnership, we look forward to communicating and advocating
news of our members and their contributions to Georgia’s tourism-based economic development, industry trends, and legislation that potentially affects our hospitality communities,” said Jay Markwalter, Executive Director, Georgia Association of Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Pineapple PR brings a unique understanding of Georgia’s tourism industry through their decades of work with numerous destinations across the state and beyond. Their reputation for best-in-class service and skill is something that we are excited to bring to GACVB. We welcome the Pineapple PR team as one of our newest Ally Members at the Sustaining Level partnership.”
“We are thrilled to be a part of GACVB, the exciting future of this organization and the many communities across the state. Working with DMOs and CVBs to share news and stories that further enhance economic growth dovetails with our own mission statement, and we look forward working to increase awareness and visitation to Georgia,” said Deborah Stone, President of Pineapple PR.
Pineapple Public Relations is a full-service PR agency with more than 20 years of success in serving large and small businesses in the tourism, hospitality and lifestyle industries and helping them achieve economic success. The agency provides forward-thinking, results-based strategies backed by superior service and experience, offering big agency capabilities with the responsiveness and attentiveness of an independent, hands-on firm. Founded on three principals – excellence in service, a passion for travel and a never-ending quest to successfully and creatively tell clients’ stories – Pineapple PR offers a full-suite of traditional, digital and social media services.
The Georgia Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus is an organization comprised of 90+ diverse tourism bureaus throughout the state of Georgia and associate members who provide services and support to the CVB community. The organization provides a unified voice of Georgia’s destination marketing organizations as well as industry education and professional development opportunities to members. GACVB represents members across the state and country to keep Georgia’s tourism industry at the forefront of developments, trends, products and services that may benefit its members, partners and ultimately communities.
For More Information, Please Contact:
Jay Markwalter, Executive Director
Georgia Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus
(706) 338-0124
Jay@gacvb.com
www.GACVB.com
Deborah M. Stone, President
Pineapple Public Relations
(404) 237-3761, ext. 1001
Dstone@Pineapple-PR.com

The GSUPAC Presents Inaugural “Emerging Artist Series” Featuring Banditos Plus Local Up-and-Coming Talent
The Performing Arts Center at Georgia Southern is excited to present the first-ever Emerging Artists Series performance, featuring Americana band, Banditos. With this program, the GSUPAC aims to support emerging artists who are new to the industry but are at the top of their genre and show great promise.See this unique show on Saturday, May 4, 2019 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are on sale now!
Hailing from Birmingham, AL, one of the southern rock capitals of the country, Banditos has been described by Rolling Stonemagazine as “equal parts alt-country twang and garage rock bang.” Featuring three vocalists, steel guitar, banjo, upright bass, and hot-footed drums, Banditos sound is stuffed with unique rhythms and energetic melodies. Influenced by rock, soul, bluegrass, and folk, their music is both unexpectedly sweet and electric. Having performed all across the globe at prominent events such as the Newport Folk Festival and Hangout Fest, they now bring their talents here to Statesboro.
The GSUPAC is also planning a special pre-show event. Between 4:30 pm and 6:30 pm on the evening of the show the PAC will be hosting a mini-festival in their parking lot, with food trucks, lawn games, and live music showcasing local up-and-coming artists. This event is free and open to the public. More details, including names of featured artists and vendors, to be announced. Follow the GSUPAC on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for the latest updates!
Says GSUPAC Director Stacie McDaniel, “Our staff feels so passionately about supporting artists at the beginning of their careers, who often get overlooked in favor of ‘big names’. With this event, we have the opportunity to showcase some amazing talent and introduce new audiences and broaden some horizons. This is just about having fun and enjoying something fresh and different – come see them before they’re famous!”
Tickets are $12/reserved seat, or $20/reserved seat plus access to a VIP room with special food and drink service. On sale now at the GSUPAC Box Office. Discounts are available for Georgia Southern students and faculty/staff. Visit the Box Office in person Monday-Friday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, or purchase tickets over the phone at 912-478-7999 or online at www.georgiasouthern.edu/pac.
DISCLAIMER: Music may contain adult language and themes.

For more information, please contact:
Stacie McDaniel
(912) 478-0830

Murder. Mayhem. Ten Minute Play Festival.
Theatre South invites you to an evening of murder and mayhem. Six original short plays by student playwrights. See you there…if you dare.
The Ten-Minute Play Festival is an annual program produced by Theatre South, in association with Georgia Southern Theatre. The submitted plays were sent out to a panel of respondents including alumni, theatre professionals, and faculty. The top scoring plays are presented in a staged reading in the Spring Semester.
The Theatre South student club is an open student group that accepts members from all majors. The students host guest artists and run workshops on various theatre topics from improv, to dance, to audition skills, and building a resume.
The Ten-Minute Play Festival will hold on Saturday, March 30th, 2019 at 7:30 pm at Sanford Hall, Room 1002. Admission is Free.
See you there . . . If you dare.

The GSUPAC is Proud to Introduce Elle Woods, a Lawyer with a Heart of Gold and a Mane to Match, in Legally Blonde
The Performing Arts Center at Georgia Southern is excited to present the fabulously fun musical, Legally Blonde. The heralded national tour stops right here in Statesboro on Monday, March 4, 2019 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are on sale now! Don’t wait to secure your seat!
The international award-winning Broadway musical based on the adored movie of the same name, Legally Blonde The Musical follows the transformation of the beautiful, brilliant, and blonde Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes, snobbery, and scandal in pursuit of her dreams – and justice of course! This action-packed musical explodes on the stage with memorable songs and dynamic dance numbers. Equal parts hilarious and heartwarming, this musical is so much fun, it should be illegal!
The sparkling new touring production features choreography by Tony-nominated Denis Jones, snazzy modern scenery, costumes, lighting, and sound, and dynamic LED video screens with new inventive designs by Daniel Brody (of Aladdin, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and the Wizard of Oz fame). A perfect show to bring joy to audiences of all ages, Legally Blonde The Musical will win your heart and inspire you to push past the barriers that stand between you and your own dreams!
“This show is sure to please fans of the classic movie as well as those who are brand new to the story of perky and beautiful but kind Elle Woods and her ragtag group. The music is so much fun and the underlying message to believe in yourself no matter what anyone expects of you really resonates,” says GSUPAC Director Stacie McDaniel.
Tickets are $32 for adults and $16 for youth 17 and under, and are on sale now at the Performing Arts Center at Georgia Southern Box Office. Discounts are available for Georgia Southern students and faculty/staff. Group rates for groups of 10 or more are also available. Visit the Box Office in person Monday-Friday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, or purchase tickets over the phone at 912-478-7999 or online at www.georgiasouthern.edu/pac.
DISCLAIMER: This musical contains adult themes and some mild language. Viewer discretion is advised.
For more information, please contact:
Stacie McDaniel
(912) 478-0830

Georgia Southern Theatre Presents The Spring Season Opener “Bug”
The Georgia Southern Theatre presents the first production of the Spring semester “BUG” written by Tracy Letts.
“Bug” is a dark comedy takes place in a seedy motel room outside Oklahoma City, where Agnes, a drug-addled cocktail waitress, is hiding from her ex-con ex-husband. She meets Peter, a handsome drifter with a secret past. Tracy Letts’s tale of love, paranoia, and government conspiracy is a thought-provoking psycho-thriller that mixes terror and laughter at a fever pitch.
Directed by Lisa L. Abbott, “Bug” explores the depth of human weakness and is a showcase of the madness and fear that plagues conspiracy theorists while focusing on issues of love, paranoia, drugs, conspiracy theories, psychological trauma, and Agnes’s slow descent into insanity under Peter’s influence.
The author, Tracy Letts is an American actor, playwright, and screenwriter. He is best known for his award-winning play (2007) and film (2013) titled “August: Osage County”. “Bug” was first produced in London in 1996 and was adapted for the screen by Tracy Letts in 2006. He has also featured in various plays, movies and Television shows including “Homeland” (2013), “The Big Short” (2015) and his Broadway debut in 2012 as George in “Who is Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” For which he won a Tony award in 2013.
Georgia Southern Theatre will be showing “Bug” on Wednesday, February 27 through Wednesday, March 6, 2019. No performance on Monday night, March 4th. Curtain for all evening performances is at 7:30 pm (The Sunday Matinee is on March 3rd at 2 pm). They encourage audience members to arrive at least 15 minutes early as all seats are open admission. “Bug” is intended only for mature audiences.
Ticket prices are $12 for general admission and $6 for Students, Seniors, and Members of the Military. Group rates are available. Contact the box office at 912-478-5379 to make reservations. Reservation requests can be left on the box office voicemail 24-hours a day.
The box office is located at the Center for Arts and Theatre and is open in the afternoons Monday through Friday till 5 pm for ticket purchases and reopens at 6 pm on performance days. Tickets can also be purchased through the Marketplace on the GSU website at http:/class.georgiasouthern.
For more information email them at theatre@georgiasouthern.edu

Exciting Changes for the Farmers Market2Go
The venue. Market2Go is moving! Starting Thursday, February 14, Market2Go order pickups will be at the Statesboro Convention and Visitors Bureau at 222 South Main Street. They’re not moving far — the SCVB is on South Main Street, diagonally across from Queensborough Bank.
Hours will remain the same with order pick up between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. every Thursday.
Sugar Magnolia Bakery has been the operations base for Market2Go since the very beginning. The owners past and present have been very generous and gracious through every kind of transition of the building. They are grateful to Steve Jones for helping them get started, Barry Turner for letting them use the building even when the business was closed, and especially to Caroline Joyner and the current management team for making room for them — and making them feel welcome — even as they worked around the market to do renovations and open their beautiful new restaurant.
At their new location at the SCVB, they will have a dedicated cooler and freezer to improve efficiency, food safety and customer service. They also expect that the generous parking area will make order pickup more convenient for the customers.
The cost structure. They are eliminating the annual membership fee and in its place — because they have to maintain support for the market — they’re instituting a surcharge of 7% on each order.
Their analysis, as well as comments from vendors and would-be customers, suggest that their annual membership fee of $25 remains a barrier to market participation for some customers, especially for customers at lower incomes. At the same time, they know they need to maintain their income to cover market expenses. They think that this new structure will allow them to do both — to bring in new customers to the market and also produce income to keep the market going.
Effective immediately, market membership fees will no longer be charged — anyone can make purchases on the market, simply by signing up. They will contact customers who have paid a membership fee recently, to offer some compensation alternatives.
Beginning March 1, your Market2Go orders will include a 7% market-support fee to maintain income for Market2Go.
For questions, please contact :
market2gostatesboro@gmail.com
Michele 912-601-9252
Relinda 912-481-2263

Strade Boro Gravel Fondo Rides into Statesboro
There’s a new cycling event coming to Statesboro this spring! Dubbed the Strade Boro Gravel Fondo the event will take place in Statesboro and will feature some of Bulloch County’s best dirt, clay, and gravel roads!
The inaugural Strade Boro Gravel Fondo is the third unique gravel event hosted by race promoters, Mt.
Pleasant Velo (MPV), and will be a self-supported, timed event meant to challenge riders. Participants will receive a custom Strade Boro 100% cotton event T-shirt, custom finisher award, ride packet and number, and post-ride food from Chazito’s Latin Cuisine with registration. The Strade Boro Gravel Fondo is designed for anyone from gravel newbies who want a new experience or camaraderie to experienced cyclists who want a challenge! There are planned 50 km (~31 mile) and 100 km (~62 mile) ride options.
Founded in 2010, Mt. Pleasant Velo has hosted over 40 cycling events, including the first and longest running gravel stage race in the United States. MPV seeks to promote the sport of cycling by hosting the best competitive and non-competitive bicycle events. MPV provides cyclists access to participate in cycling events, develop camaraderie, and achieve their personal goals.
DETAILS
DATE: May 18, 2019, 9:00 AM
REGISTRATION and INFORMATION:
Registration: www.bikereg.com/strade-boro (beginning February 2, 2019)
More information on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/2262712260417277/
Email: racedirector@mtpleasantvelo.org
PRICING: Ranges from $50 to $70 depending on event entered
CATEGORIES: Men Open, Women Open, Men 40+, Men 50+
RIDE OPTIONS: Half Metric (50 km) and Metric Century (100 km)
The Strade Boro Gravel Fondo is sponsored nationally by Lauf Cycling, Boyd Cycling, Squirt Lube, Schwalbe Tires, GU Energy Nutrition, and Raw Revolution.
Local sponsorships are available: racedirector@mtpleasantvelo.org