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Columbia, SC · Founded 1930

The room where
legends played.

Friends of the Township is a private membership for those who want to sit close to what comes next.

39 charter spots remaining  ·  From $500/yr

Performer silhouetted on the Township Auditorium stage

Andrew Horne Photography

Columbia's living room

The same arches.
The same boards.
Ninety-six years of history.

Elvis. Aretha. James Brown. Cash. Ray Charles. Prince. Springsteen. They all stood on the same stage inside the same gilded walls, 3,000 seats deep.

Township Auditorium isn't a generic venue. It's Columbia's collective memory — a room that has witnessed more American music history than almost any other hall in the South.

Friends of the Township is the private membership that connects you to everything still to come.

What you get

Membership benefits

  1. Private VIP Lounge Access

    A dedicated pre-show and intermission space — drinks, quiet, good company. Away from the general crowd, before and after every show you attend.

    All tiers
  2. Priority Ticketing

    You hear about the show before tickets go public. You get the good seats first. No scrambling, no sold-out screens.

    All tiers
  3. Personal Concierge Service

    Text Robert directly. He handles ticket pulls, seat upgrades, and last-minute requests. One person, one phone number, zero friction.

    All tiers
  4. Monthly Show Previews

    A personal email each month — what's coming up, which shows are worth it, and what's not announced yet. You're always the first to know.

    All tiers
  5. Patron-Level Upgrade: Guest Passes

    Two guest passes per season to bring someone to the lounge. Extend the experience to whoever you want, whenever the moment calls for it.

    Patron & Benefactor
  6. Benefactor: Named Recognition

    Your name or family name displayed in the VIP space. Permanent credit in the program, lounge signage, and year-end reports.

    Benefactor only
$574 ahead.

The average Township subscriber spends over $574 per year on tickets alone — before parking, dining, or last-minute upgrades.

A Friend membership pays for itself the moment you stop paying face value.

What members typically spend Annual
5 shows × avg. 2 tickets @ $52 $520
Last-minute ticket upgrades (2×) $54
Friends membership (Friend tier) −$500
Net cost to attend 10 shows $74

Plus priority access, VIP lounge, and a direct line to someone who can solve any problem.

Charter pricing

Choose your tier

Charter members lock in founding rates. Prices will increase when the lounge opens to the public.

Under 30

Young Friend

$250 /yr
  • VIP lounge access
  • Priority ticketing
  • Monthly show previews
  • Personal concierge
Reserve My Spot

Honor system. Age verified at first event.

Most popular

Friend

$500 /yr
  • VIP lounge access
  • Priority ticketing
  • Monthly show previews
  • Personal concierge
Reserve My Spot

Annual recurring membership.

Recommended

Patron

$1,000 /yr
  • Everything in Friend
  • 2 annual guest passes
  • SMS show alerts from Robert
  • Dedicated seat preferences on file
Reserve My Spot

Most charter members choose this tier.

Legacy

Benefactor

$2,500 /yr
  • Everything in Patron
  • Named lounge recognition
  • Program listing
  • Annual Foundation dinner invitation
Reserve My Spot

Limited availability.

Charter cohort · 2026

The founding eleven.

Eleven members have already committed. Thirty-nine spots remain at charter pricing.

R.B.
M.J.
T.H.
C.W.
S.P.
D.L.
A.M.
J.K.
P.R.
E.S.
N.B.

Questions

The honest answers.

How does priority ticketing actually work?

Robert sends you a personal email or text before shows go on sale publicly. You respond with what you want. He pulls the tickets, you pay face value. No Ticketmaster queues, no sold-out screens.

Where is the VIP lounge?

The dedicated lounge space is being finalized with Township management now — part of the charter program's launch. Charter members get first access when it opens. During the interim period, Robert arranges equivalent private space (private dining room, backstage area) for all shows.

What does membership actually cost per show?

A Friend membership works out to $41.67/month. If you attend even five shows a year, the priority access, lounge, and concierge service add more value than the membership cost.

Can I bring guests?

Friend tier members can bring guests to shows (tickets at face value). Patron and Benefactor members receive formal guest passes for the lounge — two per season for Patron, four for Benefactor.

What's the Under-30 tier?

$250/yr for members 30 and under. Same benefits as a full Friend. Honor system — Robert verifies age at the first event. If something's off, membership is refunded or adjusted at his discretion.

Is this annual? Can I cancel?

Annual recurring membership. You can cancel before your renewal date and nothing further is charged. Charter pricing is locked for as long as you stay enrolled — if you cancel and re-join, you re-enter at the current (higher) rate.

Who is Robert?

Robert Butt created the Friends of the Township program before Covid and is relaunching it as program director. He's been embedded with Township Auditorium Foundation for years. He answers his phone.

Hold your spot

Reserve before
the room fills.

No payment here — Robert will follow up personally within 24 hours to confirm your tier and handle the rest. Charter pricing locks on confirmation.

Prefer to call or text?

(803) 400-0000

No card required. Robert will reach out within 24 hours.