The Crown Center has just the cure for the winter blues — a line up of sensational shows that will keep you entertained. With upcoming shows, you will be on the edge of your seat, jamming to some of your favorite music, laughing out loud at side splitting comedy and shedding a tear or two over 01-11-12-crown1.jpglive theatre. So hang onto your seat, and grab a phone to order tickets, the Crown is starting the year out right.

The FireAntz opened the year with a game against the Huntsville Havoc and have several home games scheduled through March. As we head into the coldest months of the year, a feisty game of hockey is sure to heat things up. Check the schedule at www.fireantzhockey.com.

Community Concerts presents REO Speedwagon on Jan. 14. The band formed in 1967, and has been on stage and in the studio for more than 40 years producing, doz01-11-12-crown2.jpgens of albums and performing hundreds of concerts. The concert is sure to please fans of every age. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster and the Crown box office. Contact Community Concerts at www.community-concerts.com for more information and ticket inquiries.

Broadway’s best-loved musical, The Color Purple, makes a stop at the Crown on Jan. 19. Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker and the film by Steven Spielberg, the play tells the story of Celie, a woman who finds strength to triumph over adversity and discover her voice in the world. The curtain rises at 8 p.m. Tickets are between $30 and $59.

On Jan. 21, country crooner Jason Aldean performs at 7:30 p.m., along with Luke Bryan and American Idol runner-up Lauren Alaina. Since his debut in 2005 with Hicktown, Aldean has become a country favorite, keeping critics and listeners on their toes.

Tickets are available by calling the Crown box office at 438-4100.

Look for the Thunderslam Monster Truck Spectacular on Jan. 27-28. If the smell of dust in the air and the sounds of crunching metal get your heart pounding, this event is a must-see. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. on01-11-12-crown3.jpg both nights.

Comedian Ron White visits the Crown on Feb. 3. White performed with funny men Jeff Foxworthy, Bill Engvall and Larry the Cable Guy in the Blue Collar Comedy Tour from January 2000 through March of 2003. They played to sold-out audiences in more than 90 cities and grossed more than $15 million dollars. Over the past five years, White has been one of the top-three grossing comedians on tour in the U.S. A Comedy Central mainstay, White’s sense of humor keeps his audiences in stitches. The show starts at 8 p.m.

Rock of Ages featuring music from ‘80s bands, Journey, Night Ranger, Styx, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Poison and Whitesnake, rocks the Crown on Valentine’s Day. Presented by Community Concerts, this event is the perfect opportunity to relive some great memories — or ma01-11-12-crown4.jpgke new ones — with your sweetheart, best friend or favorite teenager. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. 

Comedian Mike Epps brings laughter to Fayetteville on Feb. 19 with the I’m Still Standing Tour, followed by Tyler Perry’s The Haves and the Have Nots on Feb. 23-24.

February comes to a close with the Carolina Home and Garden Show on the Feb 25-26. Attend a workshop, visit with vendors and get ready for spring.

Find out more about these and other events at www.atthecrown.com or by calling the Crown Box Office at 438-4100.

Photos: Jason Aldean, Lauren Alaina, Ron White.