Welcome to your very own exclusive content for the Peace Center! This article is the first post for our brand new, official blog, Call Time. Once a month, Call Time will be landing in your inbox, delivering stories that focus on in-depth content about shows, artists, Peace Center happenings, and history. 

November 1990. 

We’re on the brink of war with Iraq. Dale Earnhardt is king of NASCAR while Monica Seles and Andre Agassi dominate the tennis world. Scandal erupts when everyone discovers Milli Vanilli did not sing their own songs. Across the ocean, Margaret Thatcher resigns as British Prime Minister and computer scientists at the European Organization for Nuclear Research propose a little idea called the “world wide web.” 

And, here in Greenville, something of great historical importance to our (then) small town also happened–the Peace Center opened its doors, ushering in a new era for downtown and our growing population. The Peace Center would ultimately bring some of the world’s greatest artists and biggest Broadway shows to the banks of the Reedy River. The performing arts poured money in the local economy, and downtown Greenville revitalized in ways no one anticipated.

This month, we celebrate our 35th season. It’s been an incredible three-and-a-half decades. So many memories, so many shows, so much evolution from our first season–which included Gypsy, Cats, Mel Torme, Benny Goodman, stars from the Bolshoi Ballet, and New York City Opera’s Tosca. From the start, we’ve been doing everything we can to bring you the best artists, shows, and entertainers. You’re as integral to our story as any artist who’s performed on these stages. The people of the Upstate embraced the performing arts, became subscribers, became donors, made the Peace Center part of your family and school traditions. 

It’s been an exceptional ride so far, and we’re thrilled for what’s ahead.

The Place To Be

If you’ve been in Greenville awhile, you’ve seen the Peace Center expand along with the city itself. Downtown Greenville is thriving, growing, and attracting visitors and new residents–we’re proud to be in the center of it, offering more shows, more community engagement programs, more unique historic building renovations to meet the demands for event and performance spaces. 

In 2012, we opened Genevieve’s lounge, Ramsaur Studio, the Huguenot Mill Loft, The Pavilion outdoor amphitheater, and expanded the Peace Concert Hall lobby. This year, we’re launching two new venues repurposed from historic downtown buildings, continuing our efforts to preserve the past while evolving for what the community needs now and in the future. 

In 35 years, we’ve grown from two venues to six, with three additional performance spaces and three gorgeous, one-of-a-kind event spaces. Here, you can enjoy a blockbuster Broadway show, the latest star of standup, world-class dance companies, intimate singer-songwriter concerts, and participate in master classes taught by some of the most respected names in the performing arts. Meet up with friends, grab a drink, get a bite to eat, take in an outdoor concert, feel inspired by the joy of live performing arts. 

If you live in Greenville or are just stopping through, the Peace Center is the place to be, and this 35th season has something for everyone.

 

What You Can Look Forward To

We've recently made some exciting announcements about our 35th season, including the opening of The Mockingbird with the Song Sessions concerts and Songwriting Workshops. We'll continue with more announcements this month and throughout the season. Let’s just say that you’re getting some super cool ways to get involved this season, and we have new artists and shows lined up that we’ll be telling you about along the way. 

We want YOU to start hanging out with us on social media, so if you’re not following us on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok, please get on your phones now and hook up with us. 

This is your performing arts center, and we're eager to share this 35th season with you. 

VIEW UPCOMING SHOWS