The State Theatre of Ithaca to Celebrate its 85th Birthday with The Temptations on Friday, December 6th!

Motown Legends The Temptations will be performing at The State Theatre’s 85th Birthday celebration on Friday, December 6th.

The quintessential Motown vocal group, The Temptations offer a rich blend of voices accompanied by stylish, coordinated dance moves. With songs and production from some of Motown’s brightest lights – most notably Smokey Robinson and Norman Whitfield – the Temptations have lived up to their billing as emperors of soul. During the gilded age of soul music in general and Motown in particular, the Temptations delivered the intricate harmonies of street corner serenaders and the polished choreography of a Sixties soul revue. Throughout the years The Temptations have remained true to their tradition. They survived the whims of fashion, whether disco or techno, and stuck to their guns. Over the course of their career the Temptations have had 83 charted Billboard U.S. singles and 44 Billboard Top 10 Hits including “My Girl”, “Just My Imagination”, “Ain’t Too Proud”, “Papa was a Rolling Stone”, and “I Can’t Get Next to You”.  With a lineup that includes founding member Otis Williams, the group has remained active, perpetuating what they’ve long referred to as “the tradition.”

The State Theatre’s opening night on December 6th, 1928 featured Paul Tremaine and his Aristocrats of Modern Music. The show promised “21 Peppy, Snappy Entertainers” and admission cost 50 cents. Now, 85 years later, ticket prices may have increased, but the Theatre has continued to create a magical haven for theatre and concertgoers.

Tickets for the December 6th Temptations show are on sale now at the State Theatre Box Office at 107 West State Street, online athttp://www.stateofithaca.com/, or by calling (607)277-8283.

This special Birthday Celebration is part of the Gateway Commons / CFCU Community Credit Union STATE series and is proudly sponsored by Travis Hype Properties, Vector Magnetics, BSI Production, The Ithaca Times, and Cobp Design.  A major holiday food drive to benefit The Food Bank of The Southern Tier is being held in conjunction with this event. Throughout the month of November and continuing with this very special celebration, all patrons are encouraged to bring canned or nonperishable food to the State Theatre Box Office to support this important cause.

State Theatre of Ithaca Inc. is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization that owns and operates Tompkins County’s last remaining historic theatre. Their mission is to enhance the cultural life of Ithaca and the Finger Lakes by preserving, operating and promoting the historic State Theatre as an active venue for national, international and community performances and programming.  With just over 1,600 seats, The State Theatre hosts over 85 events each year, including concerts, theatrical productions, comedy shows, dance performances, lectures, readings, and community performances.  Close to 50,000 people will attend events there during the 2013/14 season.