STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK

The Argyros Theater for the Performing Arts is set to roll out a few new programs, including a songwriter’s series, an intimate Bailey Studio Series and a program bringing world-class children’s entertainment to the Sun Valley area.

And the staff is sharpening their pencils to cross the final T in a contract that would bring a legendary country music star who will undoubtedly sell out in an instant.

The Argyros threw a Gratitude Party for patrons Wednesday night followed by a Show of Gratitude Party for the community Thursday night to celebrate the success of the past year and  draw back the curtain back on upcoming acts.

With three weeks left in the year—and plenty of holiday concerts and plays yet to come—The Argyros has:

Hosted 24,103 attendees so far this year.

Hosted 51 Argyros Presents Performances featuring concerts and other arranged by Artistic Director Casey Mott

Sold out 18 Argyros Presents performances.

Provided space for 30 nonprofit organizations for fundraisers and other events.

Hosted 10 Grammy-nominated artists performed at The Argyros this year.

Provided stage space for 20 world-class musicians at one time.

On Wednesday night The Argyros thanked patrons who have helped sponsor various performances with a long list of cocktail choices that included a Holiday Margarita made with grapefruit; a Rubus Bramble made of vodka, blackberry shrub, lime and ginger beer; a Midnight Manhattan with coffee liquor, and a Jack Frost Old-Fashioned made of bourbon and applejack.

At Your Place servers passed beautifully plated nibbles, including a tiny taco contained in a phyllo dough cup the size of a quarter.

And innovative composer and pianist Steve Hackman and Los Angeles vocalist Zoe D’Andrea regaled attendees with an original Christmas song Hackman composed on the chairlift, along with other tunes.

Chip Booth and Ember blended their voices on Thursday night for the community gathering.

When I became executive director a year ago, I knew I was inheriting not just a beautiful space but one with a history of creativity, Executive Director Melissa Mathews told the audience. We’re excited to build on our history, she added, noting that The Argyros is dedicated to inspiring creativity while bringing artists to the rural Wood River Valley.

Casey Mott noted that he was able to focus more on programs in his first year as The Argyros’ artistic director.

“And it starts in a few days with the Blind Boys of Alabama--five-time Grammy Award winners,” he added.

Mott touted several upcoming artists:

Mat Kearney, an Americana singer songwriter who will be premiering his new studio album “January Flower,” inspired by a retreat in Joshua Tree.

Sisters cellist-pianist Ania and violinist-pianist Sophie Drum who come from Vienna, Austria. “They’re like Time for Three. They trained in classical music at the highest level and play with electricity.”

Mott said he will kick off a new songwriter series with Tyler Hubbard, one of the most successful country music artists today. And in February resident DJ BearSkinRug, who earlier celebrated the 50th birthday of hip hop music at The Argyros, will turn his attention to music of the ‘80s.

The Argyros will host Wood River Valley’s Pisten Bullys at their album release party. And The Argyros will celebrate the 30th anniversary of “Forrest Gump,” with a screening accompanied by two Sun Valley residents who worked on it.

The Argyros will debut the new Bailey Studio Series, an intimate performance series featuring acclaimed artists from across the nation in a close-up setting. It will kick off on Jan. 5, with Marcus Eaton, who has collaborated with such artists as David Crosby, even contributing to the Grammy-nominated documentary “David Crosby: Remember My Name,” which The Argyros screened.

The Argyros will celebrate Black History month with the jazz stylings of vocalist Kate Reid on Feb. 4 as part of the Bailey Studio Series. She will be joined by Mountain West musicians Alex Sjobeck and Braun Khan as they perform classics from the Great American songbook.

In the coming year The Argyros plans to present an Ada Twist musical for youngsters based on the popular children’s book series about three inquisitive out-of-the-box thinkers. “We’re working with families to put together a fund to support high quality children’s programs,” Mott said.

Mott gave the audience a sneak preview of some of summer’s attractions, as well, but swore them to secrecy. Not even a tweet, he said, as the contracts still have to be signed.

Sherri Luhr, who attended the patron’s party, said that she loves to sample whatever The Argyro rolls out.

“I love the Blind Boys of Alabama and Tyler Hubbard,” she said. Only one problem, she lamented—you’re bound to miss something when you leave town for a vacation to Mexico or the likes.

UPCOMING SHOWS:

Dec. 17, 7:30 p.m. Blind Boys of Alabama Christmas Show

Dec. 27-28, 8 p.m. Charlie Worsham will show why he just won the 2024 Country Music Association Awards Musician of the Year. Local talent Axel Diehl will lead off the concert on Dec. 27; the Pisten Bullys, on Dec. 28.

Jan. 5, 7 p.m. Singer-songwriter and guitar virtuosos Marcus Eaton performs music from his upcoming album “What is Real” in the intimate Bailey Studio to kick off the new Bailey Studio Series.

Jan. 11, 7:30 p.m. Mat Kearney—The Acoustic Trio Tour features a multi-platinum songwriter who has claimed the No. 1 spot on iTunes, topped multiple Billboards and amassed more than 2.5 billion global streams.

Jan. 24, 7:30 p.m. Ania & Sophia Druml “Strings & Keys.” The Vienna-born sisters will perform in various instrumental combinations.

Jan. 25, 7:30 p.m. Tyler Hubbard will show how he’s amassed 22 No. 1 records as part of the group Florida Georgia Line and now as a solo artist.

Jan. 28, 7:30 p.m. Marcus King Featuring Drew Smithers will feature an intimate acoustic evening.

Feb. 4, 7 p.m. Vocalist Kate Reid, known for her smoky alto voice and improvisational skills, will perform a free concert featuring gems from Gershwin, Ellington and Jobin with Alex Sjobeck and Braun Khan.

Feb. 13, 7:30 p.m. International Guitar Night featuring Lulo Reinhardt, classical guitarist Alexandra Whittingham, Congolese-born guitarist Niwel Tsumbu and Sonke Meinen, who blends folk, classical, pop and jazz influences.

Feb. 14, 7:30 p.m. Maeve Gilchrist, a Celtic harp player featured on the blockbuster movie “How to Train Your Dragon, whose most recent recording got five stars from The Irish Times.

Feb. 15, 7:30 p.m. DJ BearSkinRug will play homage to the crazy danceable tunes that made the 1980s one of the rockin’est decades in American history.

Feb. 28, 7:30 p.m. The Pisten Bullys play at their album release party.

March 15, 7:30 p.m. GoldFish, two South African natives whose chart-topping hits have helped them become one of the most enduring acts in electronic music, return to the Argyros.

March 27, “Forrest Gump” film screening and Q&A with Producer Allyn Stewart and Oscar-winning cinematographer Don Burgess.

March 30, Ada Twist, Scientist & Friends