More than a stage show, and much more than a
concert, THIS IS THE ’60s takes the audience on
a time tunnel journey that celebrates the 50th
anniversary of major milestones in news, pop
culture, and music history. From the early days
of the space program, through the hysteria of
Beatlemania, into the darkness of the Vietnam
War and the shining optimism of Woodstock, THIS IS THE ’60s merges that entire turbulent decade into a cohesive and enthralling stage production.
Featuring 35 songs from the soundtrack that united an entire generation, THIS IS THE ’60s, features the music of The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, The Monkees, The Mamas & The Papas, The Fifth Dimension, Simon & Garfunkel, The Beach Boys, Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Three Dog Night, Jefferson Airplane, and many more. Performed live with no pre-recorded samples, the 2½ hour show features the skill and versatility of seven seasoned performers, all from the Charlotte region. Their note-for-note recreations of classic songs will keep audiences captivated throughout the evening.
The unique show is the brainchild of producer/director Jim Duffy, a veteran documentary filmmaker, author and musician, who has created programming for Discovery Networks and other national media outlets. “I combined the two elements I love most: music and storytelling,” explains Duffy. “This Is The ’60s takes the audience on a journey - one that’s designed to entertain, educate, and stimulate. The show is essentially a live documentary on the most fascinating decade in recent history.”
Interspersed with the music and dance are vintage film clips featuring major news events, pop culture fads, and vintage TV commercials that carry the audience back fifty years. While many of the clips bring laughter and reminiscing, others are more poignant, such as the muffled drum cadence of President Kennedy’s funeral procession or the escalating war in Vietnam. The film clips also bring new depth and understanding to songs like Buffalo Springfield’s “For What It’s Worth” and Dion’s “Abraham, Martin & John.”
Ovens Auditorium is owned and operated by the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA) of the City of Charlotte. The facility seats more than 2,400 and is located at 2700 East Independence Boulevard.
Why Does the Performing Arts Center Present at Ovens Auditorium?
Access to Ovens Auditorium allows us to offer great shows at times when the Belk Theater is booked with other events. Ovens also has 358 more seats than the Belk Theater, so when we expect demand for a show to exceed the capacity of the Performing Arts Center, we schedule it at Ovens Auditorium, allowing more people to enjoy the show.
More than a stage show, and much more than a 
