LiveArt Gala

Welcome to the 2024-2025 Season at the Townsend Center for the Performing Arts and the sixteenth edition of LiveArt, a premier event that showcases fabulous artists in a unique setting. In 2008, LiveArt was created to enrich the cultural relationship between the West Georgia region and the University of West Georgia. The TCPA strives to offer exceptional and diverse artistic programming, outreach, and arts education. LiveArt is our annual fund raising event each winter, in a Gala format, whose purpose is to raise funds for programming in the TCPA season. Come enjoy the VIP reception, seated dining in the themed dining rooms, and then, an all-new performance, direct from Music City.

For one night only, Saturday, February 1st, the LiveArt 2025 Gala presents Songs of the Silver Screen starring Jaimee Paul, Leif Shires, and their Studio Film Orchestra.

Join Jaimee & Leif as they take you on a journey through the years, from the 1940s to the 2010s, in a performance highlighting the greatest songs from the treasured movies of the past and present. A unique experience with a studio film orchestra, Songs of the Silver Screen brings to life a variety of masterpieces ranging from love songs such as “Moon River” and “As Time Goes By” to dramatic hits like "Goldfinger" & “Skyfall” from iconic action films.

Jaimee and Leif are internationally acclaimed artists who bring new life and variety to the legendary music of yesterday. Raised in southern Illinois, Jaimee's style is deeply influenced by gospel, blues and jazz music. She headed to Nashville to become a studio session singer, as well as a background vocalist with such artists as Wynonna, Kelly Clarkson, and Bill Gaither.

Leif Shires, a trumpet player, raised in the San Joaquin Valley of California, began his professional career at an early age, and in 2004 moved to Nashville. His first discovery was a sultry singer looking for a trumpet player, the lovely Jaimee Paul.

As we prepare for LiveArt 2025, please consider joining the festivities. The enclosed information provides details about each giving level: Blue side for Families and the Red side for Business Sponsors. You can donate or sponsor using the enclosed commitment card or the convenient and secure donor portal accessed with the QR code on the Donor/Sponsor pages enclosed. For additional information about each giving level, kindly contact Mary Parsons at 678-839-4722. Thank you for your support!

Sixteen Years of LiveArt: 2008 - 2025

LiveArt was created in the spring of 2007 to enrich the cultural relationship between the community and the University of West Georgia. To this end, LiveArt strives to offer exceptional and diverse artistic programming, outreach and arts education. Each of the last fifteen galas has been a considerable undertaking that was inspired and managed by a group of community volunteers. Here, we list the artists throughout those years that have provided lasting memories: 16 unique Seasons, 26 fabulous Artists!

LiveArt Galas

• 2008 - Ballet Memphis
• 2009 - Chicago Jazz Ensemble starring Jon Faddis
• 2010 - Beausoleil
• 2011 - Spanish Harlem Orchestra
• 2012 - Club Swing starring Five by Design
• 2013 - Irish Homecoming starring Cherish the Ladies
• 2014 - Dress Casual starring Mandy Patinkin
• 2015 - Manhattan Transfer
• 2016 - Johnny Mercer: A Night in Savannah starring The Fabulous Equinox Orchestra
• 2017 - Take 6 with Nnenna Freelon
• 2018 - Meet Me in Paris starring The Hot Club of San Francisco
• 2019 - 1966: A Night at the Sands starring Matt Dusk
• 2020 - A Night in Little Italy starring Joe Piscopo
• 2023 - A Night in the Roaring Twenties starring Alex Mendham
• 2024 - A Night in Old Havana starring Joachim Horsley and Via Havana
• 2025 - Songs of the Silver Screen starring Jaimee Paul and Leif Shires

LiveArt Family Shows

• 2008 - Seusical the Musical
• 2012 - Peking Acrobats
• 2013 - Cirque Zuma Zuma
• 2014 - Houston Ballet II
• 2015 - Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
• 2016 - Golden Dragron Acrobats
• 2017 - Artrageous!
• 2018 - Million Dollar Quartet
• 2019 - The Corner of Broadway & Mainstreet starring Voctave
• 2020 - Magic & Illusion starring Mike Super