— South Carolina’s Original Showplace —
A private membership for those who value the experience.
VIP Lounge · Priority Tickets · Complimentary Beverages · Reserved Parking · Free Tickets
Become a FriendCharter Membership now open — limited to the first 50 members.
The Membership
The Township Auditorium has welcomed the finest performers in the world to Columbia for over ninety years. Friends of the Township is a private membership that offers a different way to experience it.
Members enjoy access to the private VIP Lounge—a dedicated space on the first balcony with a full bar, available before the show, at intermission, and after. Members receive advance notice of upcoming events, priority ticket purchasing, complimentary beverages, guest privileges, and a level of service that reflects the commitment they’ve made to this institution.
This is a membership built for people who attend regularly, who appreciate what the Township represents, and who understand that supporting a venue like this is both a privilege and an investment in something worth preserving.
Member Benefits
A dedicated space on the first balcony with a full bar. Available before the show, at intermission, and after. Your space, every time.
Hear about upcoming shows before the general public and purchase tickets before they go on sale. First access, every time.
Bring guests into the VIP Lounge with you. Three to ten guest passes per event, depending on your level.
Two to six complimentary drinks per event, depending on your membership level. Arranged in advance, waiting at the box office.
At the Patron and Benefactor levels, a reserved parking spot for shows you attend. Subject to availability.
The Foundation provides one to four tickets per year to the show of your choice. Our way of saying thank you.
Membership Levels
$500 /year
The full Friends experience. Lounge access, guest passes, complimentary drinks, and priority ticket purchasing at every show.
$1,000 /year
Everything in Friend, plus reserved parking, additional guests and beverages, and two complimentary tickets per year.
$2,500 /year
The highest level. Designed for individuals and businesses seeking a distinctive way to entertain, build relationships, and make an impact.
Young Professionals (under 30) may join at the Friend level for $250/year.
The Value
What a typical year looks like at the Friend level
| Benefit | Value |
|---|---|
| 3 guest passes × 10 events = 30 lounge visits | $300+ |
| 2 complimentary beverages × 10 events | $200+ |
| 1 complimentary ticket to show of choice | $75+ |
| Lost ticket insurance | $50+ |
| Advance notice & priority purchasing | $100+ |
| Walk of Fame brick (permanent) | $100+ |
| Ticket exchange & priority seating | Priceless |
| Foundation special event invitations | Priceless |
| Total Annual Value | $825+ |
| Annual Membership | $500 |
This does not account for the lounge itself, the community, or the satisfaction of supporting an institution that has served South Carolina for nearly a century.
The VIP Experience
The Friends Lounge is located on the first balcony of the Township Auditorium—a private space with a full bar, reserved exclusively for members and their guests.
It is available before the show, at intermission, and after. Your beverages are arranged in advance and waiting when you arrive. No lines, no crowds, no hassle.
This is the centerpiece of the membership: a place to arrive early, enjoy a cocktail, and greet the people who make these evenings worth attending.
Limited Opportunity
The first 50 members to join the relaunch
We are relaunching Friends of the Township, and we are reserving Charter Member status for the first 50 individuals who join. Charter Members receive:
Charter Member status will close when 50 spots are filled.
Become a Charter MemberThe Foundation
A living piece of South Carolina history
The Township Auditorium has been South Carolina’s Original Showplace for over ninety years. From BB King to Kevin Hart, Tony Bennett to Widespread Panic—this stage has hosted the finest performers in the world.
The Township Auditorium Foundation exists to ensure it continues. We fund educational outreach, community programming, and facility improvements that keep this historic venue thriving for the next generation.
Your membership directly supports this work. Our members understand that, and it’s part of why they join.
Arts programming for local schools and young people who might not otherwise have access to live performance.
Expanding the reach of live entertainment to diverse and underserved communities across the Midlands.
Maintaining and improving a ninety-year-old architectural landmark for the next generation.
Attracting the concerts, comedy, theater, and events that make the Township what it is.
From Our Members
“The lounge changed how we experience shows entirely. It’s become our favorite part of the evening.”— Member Name, Friend
“As a business owner, I use the Benefactor membership to host clients. There’s nothing else like it in Columbia.”— Member Name, Benefactor
“The advance ticket access alone justified the membership. I’ve gotten seats to shows that sold out within the hour.”— Member Name, Patron
FAQ
The lounge is open for select events throughout the year. Most major concerts, comedy shows, and special events include lounge access. We notify members in advance whenever the lounge is available for an upcoming show.
Guest passes are included at every level. Friend members receive 3 per event, Patrons receive 5, and Benefactors receive 10. We ask that you provide guest names in advance or at the door, and that you accompany your guests in the lounge.
When you join, you are enrolled as a Township Insider and added to our priority notification list. When advance purchasing windows are available, you are notified before the general public. This varies by show and depends on the promoter and artist.
If you are at a show and notice better seats available, let us know. We will do our best to relocate you. Friends receive priority for seat upgrades when they are possible.
Yes. Monthly payment options are available upon request. Contact Robert Butt at 803-727-8226 or email info@townshipfoundation.org.
Charter Members are the first 50 individuals to join during the relaunch of Friends of the Township. They receive permanent recognition on our website, priority seating in the VIP Lounge, and an invitation to an annual appreciation event. Once 50 spots are filled, Charter Member status closes.
The Township Auditorium Foundation is a nonprofit organization. A portion of your membership may be tax-deductible. We provide documentation for your records. Please consult your tax advisor for details.
When attending an event with lounge access, call Robert Butt at 803-727-8226 in advance. Your beverage passes will be waiting at the box office when you arrive.
The Township has a Walk of Fame at the front of the building. At the Friend level and above, you receive a personalized brick—your name, permanently part of the building’s history. We send an inscription form after you join.
The Benefactor level is designed for businesses. It includes logo placement on our website, recognition in our newsletter, private lounge use for a corporate event, and a meaningful way to entertain clients and support the community.
Yes. Young Professionals under 30 may join at the Friend level for $250/year, receiving all the same benefits as a full Friend membership.
Join
If this feels like the right fit, we’d be glad to have you.
We accept credit card, check, or online payment. Monthly payment plans available upon request.
