County Tourism Group Sponsor for Performing Arts Series at Cole

Sept. 12, 2024 - The Richmond County Tourism Development Authority will be sponsoring this year’s Performing Arts Series at the Cole Auditorium.

“We are very thankful to once again have the support of this organization to help us bring the best shows to our rural community,” said Director of the Cole Joey Bennett. “We have award-winning performers coming this season, and ticket sales are already on the rise.”

Tickets are now available for purchase online.

Country music supergroup Diamond Rio will kick off the 2024-2025 Performing Arts Series with a show on Friday, Oct. 18, at 7:30 p.m.

Originating as The Tennessee River Boys in the ’80s, the band evolved into Diamond Rio in 1989. They had their first big hit in 1991 with “Meet in The Middle,” making them the first country music group in history to reach No. 1 with a debut single.

The band is also known for their multi-week chart-topper “How Your Love Makes Me Feel,” crossover hit “One More Day,” as well as timeless hits “Beautiful Mess,” “Unbelievable,” “I Believe,” and many more.

Amassing numerous accolades throughout the years, Diamond Rio is a member of the Grand Ole Opry, won six Vocal Group of the Year Awards (four CMA and two ACM), received 14 Grammy nominations, and won a Grammy Award for their Christian Country album, "The Reason."

Over the three decades the band has been making music, Diamond Rio has sold more than 6.8 million albums and surpassed over 1.05 billion global streams.

“We are excited to have this legendary country music band come to the Cole Auditorium, where every seat in the house is the best seat in the house,” Bennett said. “You don’t have to go to a big city venue to see a great performance. We are bringing those shows to you right here in Hamlet.”

Tickets for Diamond Rio range from $40 to $55 depending on seating.

The Season Line-up

Other shows for the 2024-2025 Performing Arts Series at the Cole include two musicals, a tribute band and a celebration of Motown music.

For the holiday season, audiences will enjoy Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” on Wednesday, Dec. 18, at 7:30 p.m. The musical brings to life this beloved Christmas story. Tickets are $30 to $40.

On Saturday, Jan. 18, at 7:30 p.m., the Ultimate Fleetwood Mac tribute band Rumours will recreate the band’s legendary persona, taking audiences back to a time when music was still an unbridled cultural experience. Tickets are $15 to $40.

TheaterWorksUSA will present “The Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System” on Friday, March 28, at 6:30 p.m. Families will love watching their favorite characters from the classic book and TV series come to life on an epic interplanetary field trip. Tickets are $10 to $20.

Uptown will bring a celebration of Motown and Soul music to the Cole on Tuesday, April 15, at 7:30 p.m. This group of men combines the smooth stylings of R&B with the fresh hits of today for a unique performance that will have the crowd on their feet dancing and singing along. Tickets are $20 to $35.

A bonus show for the 2024-2025 Performing Arts Series will be a performance by the Charlotte Symphony on Tuesday, June 17, at 7:30 p.m. There will be general admission seating only for this show.

Purchasing Tickets

Tickets can be purchased in person at the Cole Auditorium Box Office or online. Show tickets will be sold as a package or individually. Purchasers will be assigned a seat location when tickets are purchased.

Ticket prices vary per seating section. Season tickets range in price from $100 to $150. All prices include sales taxes. Online sales surcharges not included. Groups of 10 or more save 20% on individual show tickets.

For more information, call the Cole Auditorium at (910) 410-1691.