After 15 years of bringing musical acts into the Hardin Auditorium in Evans, Augusta Amusements is moving to the Kroc Center with its first show on Aug. 8.
“It’s a beautiful theater. I think the acoustics are going to be phenomenal,” said Mike Deas, Augusta Amusements director.
It’s also a little bigger than the Hardin Auditorium, he said.
Tap Into Soul with Solomon Jaye will be featured at the inaugural Augusta Amusements at the Kroc concert.
Jaye, who is a singer, guitarist and tap dancer, “has written, recorded, and captivated audiences in the US & Internationally with GRAMMY winners and nominees Pentatonix (from NBC’s Sing-Off), Jessie J., MKTO, Robin Thicke, Jazz phenom Mindi Abair and Broadway stars Shoshana Bean and Alyssa Fox,” according to his website.
The first show will be what Deas calls a “get acquainted” event.
“We want our customers to get acquainted with what doors to come in, how to find their seats. We want to be able to determine what type of entertainment we can bring in,” he said.
Since the Kroc Center and its Franklynn Theater are a faith-based organization, there are some offerings that won’t be available. Augusta Amusements sometimes served wine, which will not happen at the Kroc Center, but Deas doesn’t think that will deter many people.
Deas said the facility has other pluses including the on-site security.
He sees some added benefits for the performers including close proximity to hotels and food.
Often performers come in for a sound check but have some time after the check and before the show. A day pass at the Kroc Center for a dip in the pool or time in the gym might be an added bonus for them, he said.
Deas said Augusta Amusements made the move to the Kroc Center because of a change in the Hardin Theater’s management. The theater, which is in the Columbia County Library, was previously managed by the library; however, in July 2025, it fell under Columbia County Performing Arts Center management.
The change brought different fees and procedures.
Over the years, the organization has brought in a variety of performers including an array of tribute artists who brought music of Whitney Houston, the Beatles, Olivia Newton-John, The Beach Boys, The Bee Gees and more.
Deas said he is working to book other acts and will announce them in the coming weeks.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for more than 35 years. She’s won multiple Georgia Press Association awards, is the recipient of the 2018 Greater Augusta Arts Council’s media award and was named Augusta Magazine’s best local writer in 2024 and 2025. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
