Author: Eddie

  • Astra’s Marquee Re-Lighting Date Set for April 11

    The historic Astra’s recently renovated and refurbished iconic sign and marquee is set to be relit for the first official time on Wednesday, April 11, at 7:30 p.m.  The marquee lighting event will, effectively, also serve as a ribbon-cutting of sorts for the soon-to-be 83-year-old facility as it heads into its first official event since being…

  • East Nashville Recording Artist, Smooth Hound Smith, to Perform at the Historic Astra Theatre in May

    Smooth Hound Smith, a self-described foot stomping Americana roots duo, will perform at the historic Astra Theatre on Saturday, May 12, 2018.  Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., with a yet-to-be-determined opening act beginning at 7:30 p.m. PURCHASE TICKETS HERE. The East Nashville duo utilizes a combination of foot percussion, fuzzed out finger-picked guitar patterns, and…

  • Astra Theatre’s Grand Re-Opening Set for April 14!

    With a $1.6 million renovation headed toward completion, Nashville recording artists Will Kimbrough and Patrick Sweany are set to re-open the historic Astra Theatre on Saturday, April 14, 2018. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., with the performance beginning at 7:30 p.m. We strongly encourage you to get tickets in advance, as we would anticipate…

  • Amid Complete Renovation, Next Act/Astra Launches 2018 Membership Drive

    Next Act, Inc., the 501c3 renovating the historic Astra Theatre in downtown Jasper, has launched its 2018 membership campaign.  Launched while the building is currently undergoing a complete and total renovation and remodel lead by general contractor Seufert Construction, proceeds from the campaign will be used to pay for final design elements in the theater…

  • Welcome to our Board of Directors Members

    Next Act, Inc., has added two new members to its board of directors:  Ben Nowotarski and Rafaela Schaick.  Steffi Schmücker has also joined the board in a consultant’s capacity. “Our original board of directors is now almost four years in on our journey and, as is the case with most not-for-profit by-laws, we saw the…

  • Next Act Seeking Applicants for up to Three Board Seats

    First formed in October 2014, the Next Act has operated with six volunteer board members while having nine available seats—and we’re looking to expand.  Details below. “We have long been working toward a fully-renovated Astra Theatre,” said Leslie Hamby, Next Act’s chairperson.  “Now that we are starting to see where that road ends, we felt…

  • Funding Secured for Major Interior Renovation of the Astra Theatre

      With a recent series of major funding sources aligning in support of Next Act’s effort to renovate the interior of the historic Astra Theatre, a full and complete renovation—inclusive of the interior renovation—appears to be on the horizon. In August of 2016, Next Act received a historic preservation grant from the Indiana Office of…

  • May 19th—GIVE WHERE YOU LIVE! to support the Astra and the local arts!

    TO DONATE TO THE ‘GIVE WHERE YOU LIVE!’ CAMPAIGN, CLICK HERE! Details of the May 19th ‘GIVE WHERE YOU LIVE!’ day of giving campaign aimed at supporting arts’ initiatives (the new Cultural Center and the renovations of the historic Astra Theatre and the Jasper Arts Center) have been announced.   CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A…

  • The Way Down Wanderers to Perform at the Astra

    Click here to purchase tickets! In what could be one of the final events at the historic Astra Theatre before it shuts down for a major infrastructure and external face lift, nationally-touring artists The Way Down Wanderers will bring their unique harmony-laced brand of Americana, follk, and bluegrass to the Jim and Pat Thyen Performance…

  • Jason Wilber to perform at March 3 Will Read and Sing at the Astra

    CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE ADVANCE SEATS TO THE MARCH 3 WILL READ AND SING FOR FOOD EVENT AT THE HISTORIC ASTRA THEATRE. Will Read and Sing For Food will hold its 106th public benefit show on Friday, March 3, 7 p.m., at the historic Astra Theater on Jasper’s town square.  Doors open at 6 p.m. The…