Wilco fans who failed to get tickets for the band's upcoming sold-out Mountain Stage appearance have a second chance to see the alt-rock band.
The Illinois-based group, which helped the Feb. 14 radio show sell out in less than a day, is one of the headlining acts for the Clay Center's 2016 spring season.
The spring season also will include performances by classic rocker Gregg Allmann, country star Vince Gill, actress/comedian Whoopi Goldberg, and '90s hip-hop stars Salt-N-Pepa with special guest Coolio.
The regular season of shows for the Clay Center begins April 6 with Gregg Allman, one of the founders of iconic southern rock and blues act The Allman Brothers Band.
May 21, the Clay Center presents "An Evening with Whoopi Goldberg." Goldberg, one of a handful to ever win an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony, is known for several films, including "Ghost" and "Sister Act," but has recently been a co-host of ABC's "The View."
On July 29, the Clay Center, with Charleston Light Opera Guild, will co-present "Beauty & the Beast," the award-winning musical stage adaptation of the popular Disney film. The show will run 7:30 p.m. July 29 and 30, Aug. 5, 6 and 12, with 2 p.m. matinee performances Aug. 7 and 14.
In addition to the Clay Center's regular season, the performing arts center will have several other stand-alone shows.
March 25, hip-hop trio Salt-N-Pepa will perform, along with rapper Coolio. The Grammy award-winners are best known for a string of mid-'90s radio hits including "Push It," "Let's Talk About Sex" and "Whatta Man."
Rob Rosano, vice president of theater and sales, said discussions about bringing Salt-N-Pepa to the Clay Center had come up in the past as they noticed Charleston audiences had a real hunger for '90s R&B.
"We want to fill that void," he said. "There's demand there."
Because the group is known for dance hits, Rosano announced that for this show, the Clay Center will remove the first six rows of seats to give patrons a place to move.
"It's something we've noticed in the past," he said. "When we had Grace Potter here last time, we really wished there was some space for people to dance."
The dance zone, he said, was an attempt to give people that option.
May 8, Vince Gill will come to the Clay Center, bringing his blend of intelligent songwriting, clear vocals and expert musicianship. Over the years, Gill, a winner of 20 Grammy Awards, has released 12 studio albums, plus several compilations.
His next record, "Down to My Last Bad Habit," is scheduled for release Feb. 12.
On June 1, Wilco takes the stage. The band is currently enjoying success in its 20th year with its latest record, "Star Wars."
Mountain Stage Executive Producer Adam Harris said he was glad to hear the band was coming back to Charleston for a second time in 2016.
"I think they knew what they were doing," he said. "The acoustic show with us was maybe to test the water, to see how much interest there was in them playing in Charleston."
The show, announced at the end of Mountain Stage's final performance of 2015, had sold out by the next afternoon.
"Obviously, it exceeded everyone's expectations," Harris said.
The Mayor's Concert on June 23 was the last of the announced Clay Center shows. Partnering with FestivALL, the Clay Center will present '60s R&B legends The Temptations and The Four Tops.
While only one remaining founding member of The Four Tops remains, the band is known for a slew of hits spanning several decades - most notably, "Baby I Need Your Loving," "Reach Out And I'll Be There," and "Standing in the Shadows of Love."
As with The Four Tops, the lineup of The Temptations has changed over the years, but the vocal group also has endured and charted hits over the decades. The best known of these are "My Girl," "Just My Imagination," and "Papa Was A Rolling Stone."
Rod Blackstone, senior assistant to the mayor, said last year's Mayor's Concert with Trombone Shorty had brought a rising star to the stage, but this year they wanted to bring in a classic.
Rosano said he anticipated adding one more act to the Clay Center schedule, but that it was too soon to confirm it.
"All I will say is that it's an act I saw at Lollapalooza and that they have a song on the charts now," he hinted.
Along with the new season, the Clay Center announced the spring edition of their Sound Check Sessions.
On March 4, young and bluesy rockers The Steppin Stones perform with John Inghram's Slugfest.
Indiana indie rockers Modoc will perform at the Clay Center on April 3, along with up-and-coming local band Ona.
On May 14, the series will conclude for the spring with party blues band Andy Frasco & The U.N. with Farnsworth.
Season ticket packages for the Clay Center season are on sale now. Current season ticket holders have until Jan. 17 to renew and receive seating priority.
Season tickets range from $85 to $140, based on seating.
Single tickets for all Clay Center Presents 2016 performances go on sale 10 a.m., Jan. 25.
Tickets for Salt-N-Pepa with Coolio range from $29 to $69, with $79 for a ticket to the dance zone.
Vince Gill tickets are $35 to $75. Wilco tickets are $30 to $75, and tickets to the Mayor's Concert are $35 to $85.
Tickets to individual Sound Check Sessions shows are $15 in advance or $20 at the door.
An all-access pass for the Sound Check Sessions, which includes tickets to all three shows, is $35.
For more information, visit the Clay Center, call 304-561-3570 or go to www.theclaycenter.org.
Reach Bill Lynch at lynch@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-5195 or follow @LostHwys on Twitter.