Upcoming Events
September 17, 2024
The Revolutionary Love Bus Tour
The Revolutionary Love Bus Tour 2024-2025 is a healing odyssey across the United States calling people to rise up in courage, humanity, and love. Presented at Hotel Congress.
Join visionary civil rights leader Valarie Kaur in an immersive experience of storytelling, music, song, ancestral wisdom, and community-building. We invite you into a space for soulful introspection, deep listening, and courageous action. Each stop uplifts local leaders, artists, and advocates who catalyze hope. You will leave with the tools needed to lead with love and courage in your daily life.
At the heart of every event, Valarie and fellow artists tell stories of how their ancestors survived seemingly apocalyptic times. Together, we explore how each of us can walk the path of love, healing, and justice. Featuring raag-based kirtan by celebrated Sikh women artists Jasvir Kaur Rababan and Nirinjan Kaur Khalsa. And renowned trumpeter and artist Sonny Singh performing from his new album Sage Warrior, accompanied by Qais Essar or Shahjehan Khan. There will also be special guests at every stop who will be announced soon!
September 19, 2024 - September 20, 2024
Relics and Their Humans
Experience an Ohio family’s story told through visual and musical relics in a moving theatrical performance, Relics and Their Humans. Seated on stage in Centennial Hall.
Join the performers on a theatrical and musical journey alongside the Quillen family in Dover, Ohio. Three key family relics—a recorded interview with Quillen’s mother, Jerry Quillen’s journal, and a surprising playlist — guide us through three years of family life framed around the years following a devastating ALS diagnosis. Using reimagined musical classics, from “One Less Bell to Answer” to “Free Bird,” and phrases from Jerry’s journal, Gordon and Quillen’s spirited performances, together with playwright and director Talvin Wilks’s inventive dramaturgy and Jennifer Tipton’s evocative lighting design, transform these elements into a beautiful storytelling experience.
Relics and Their Humans marks the second collaboration between writer, director, and performer Ain Gordon and composer, writer, and percussionist Josh Quillen (So Percussion). This work was partially developed during a 2022 residency with Arizona Arts Live.
September 27, 2024
MOMIX: ALICE
Step into a fantastical world where reality bends and imagination reigns with MOMIX’s mesmerizing new show, ALICE. Presented in Centennial Hall.
MOMIX: Alice sends audiences flying down the rabbit hole in Moses Pendleton’s newest creation inspired by Lewis Carroll’s classic Alice in Wonderland, seemingly seamlessly blending illusion, acrobatics, magic, and whimsy. “I don’t intend to retell the whole Alice story,” Pendleton says, “but to use it as a taking off point for invention.”
Join this dazzling company on a mind-bending adventure, as Alice encounters time-honored characters including the undulating Caterpillar, a lobster quadrille, frenzied White Rabbits, a mad Queen of Hearts, and various other surprises. Filled with visual splendor and startling creative movement, Alice reveals that nothing in MOMIX’s world is as it seems!
October 4, 2024
Kavita Shah & Cape Verdean Blues
The Music of Cesária Évora
Experience a heartfelt tribute to global music legend Cesária Évora and Cape Verde’s rich musical traditions with Award-winning jazz vocalist Kavita Shah. Presented in the Century Room.
Kavita Shah is an award-winning jazz vocalist, composer, researcher, polyglot and lifelong New Yorker of Indian origin, hailed for possessing an “amazing dexterity for musical languages” (NPR). In her latest project, Cape Verdean Blues, she explores the sounds and stories of São Vicente, an island of Cape Verde, off West Africa, and the birthplace of world music legend Cesária Évora.
Shah, herself a daughter of diaspora who resonated with the music’s language of longing, has teamed up with Évora’s longtime bandmates–including master acoustic guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Bau–to create her most personal work to date. This is music that makes you want to dance and cry at the same time. She will be joined by Bau, as well as two other masters of Cape Verdean music: guitarist Jorge Almeida and percussionist N’du Carlos.
October 11, 2024 - October 13, 2024
On the Far End
Dive into Muscogee (Creek) Nation activist Jean Hill Chaudhuri’s incredible life story in this harrowing recount of her family’s history, inspired by true events. Presented in Tornabene Theatre.
In a captivating one-woman performance, playwright, actor, and attorney Mary Kathryn Nagle (Sovereignty; Manahatta) recounts the pivotal moments in the life of activist Jean Hill Chaudhuri who served as Executive director of the Tucson Indian Center, the Traditional Indian Alliance, founded the first off-reservation Indian Health clinic in Tucson, and was inducted into the Arizona Women’s Hall of Fame posthumously in 2013.
From the Trail of Tears to the Supreme Court’s landmark opinion in McGirt v. Oklahoma that upheld the sovereignty of the Muscogee territories, Nagle sheds light on her mother-in-law’s relentless pursuit of justice and a legacy of broken promises between nations. Watch as On the Far End intertwines Chaudhuri’s personal story–the Native boarding school she fled on foot, her marriage to a young Bengali scholar, and the advocacy that became her life’s work–to highlight the resilience of Indigenous communities and the need to confront historical injustices.
“‘On the Far End’ is a beautiful and noteworthy one-woman play … acknowledges the generational effects of the Indian Removal Act on Native American communities. This play calls attention to the importance of fighting for what is right” (MD Theatre Guide).
October 13, 2024
Spider-Man™: Across the Spider-Verse in Concert
Embark on an inter-dimensional journey across the multiverse with Miles Morales in Spider-Man™: Across the Spider-Verse in Concert.
Building on the success of the sold-out global shows of the first Oscar®-winning Spider-Man™ animated Spider-Verse film, comes the highly anticipated sequel, Spider-Man™: Across the Spider-Verse. Witness the return of Mile Morales as he embarks on an interdimensional journey across where he encounters the Spider Society.
Watch a full screening of this Oscar-winning film on a colossal HD screen complemented by a diverse ensemble of musicians performing the film’s iconic score and soundtrack live. This extraordinary experience features a full orchestra, a skilled scratch DJ on turntables, and percussion and electronic instrumentalists.
October 24, 2024
Coco: Live-to-Film Concert
An unforgettable live concert experience featuring Orquesta Folclórica Nacional de México performing alongside a screening of Disney Pixar’s Coco.
Catch a full screening of this beloved film as the 20-member Orquesta Folclórica Nacional de México performs Oscar®-winning composer Michael Giacchino’s musical score live. This family-friendly experience also features “Remember Me” by Oscar-winning songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, and additional songs co-written by Germaine Franco and co-director and screenwriter Adrian Molina.
Orquesta Folclórica Nacional de México stands out for its ability to fuse pre-Hispanic instruments with instruments from the colonial era. Made up of expert musicians, the ensemble features traditional instruments dating back to colonial times from the “Huehuetl “and “Tepobaztli” to flutes, Ocarinas, guitars, violins, and more.
November 1, 2024
Frontera
Dana Gingras / Animals of Distinction
Ten dancers break through boundaries in the U.S. premiere of this visually striking spectacle featuring live music and mesmerizing lighting. Presented in Centennial Hall.
In an era where the advancing frontier of knowledge and control monitors our movements, defines our identities, and gathers our data, the human body has never been so visible. Increasingly, surveillance technologies blur the border between public and private in an attempt to orchestrate our place in the world.
In Frontera, choreographer Dana Gingras tackles these borders to answer the question: what space remains for the unruly, ungovernable body in a world consumed by monitoring technologies? Watch ten dancers navigate a spectacular world of light in a visual conversation between choreography, architecture, and live music by Fly Pan Am and field recordings by post-rock musician Dave Bryant (Godspeed You! Black Emperor).
November 20, 2024 - November 23, 2024
Scott Silven: WONDERS
Witness an indelible performance far beyond a traditional magic show with illusionist, mentalist, and performance artist, Scott Silven. Presented in Tornabene Theatre.
An unforgettable evening of awe-inspiring intrigue awaits. Wonders is a show for these extraordinary times; a shared experience that explores the power of connection through breathtaking illusions.
Be enchanted as you experience the power of your imagination and understand how the wonders in your life can bring everyone closer together. From an acclaimed off-broadway run, sold-out world tour, and, most recently, a headline engagement at The Sydney Opera House, Wonders has mesmerized audiences across the globe. You will leave feeling different.
November 24, 2024
Avatar: The Last Airbender in Concert
Avatar: The Last Airbender comes to Tucson featuring a two-hour series recap with original dialogue, sound effects, and live renditions of the beloved soundtrack.
Avatar: The Last Airbender In Concert presents a live orchestral rendition of the series’ iconic soundtrack by award-winning composer Jeremy Zuckerman. Enjoy a two-hour special recap of the animated series’ three seasons on a full-size cinema screen with original dialogue and sound effects. The result? A truly immersive and grandiose concert experience.
Just as Avatar: The Last Airbender masterfully blends Chinese culture with anime and American cartoon styles, an orchestra especially handpicked for this event will harmoniously combine Eastern and Western musical traditions. Watch as the ensemble faithfully reflects the signature sound of the Avatar saga with taiko drums, erhus, violins, clarinets, and more.
The performance will comprise an initial 80-minute segment, encompassing seasons 1 and 2 of the series, followed by a 40-minute presentation on season 3, and concluding with a 4-minute encore performance (Secret Tunnel).
January 9, 2025
Garrison Keillor Tonight
An evening of stand-up, storytelling, and a cappella singing with GRAMMY-winning author, humorist, and radio personality Garrison Keillor. Presented at The Rialto Theatre.
Garrison Keillor Tonight is an evening of stand-up, storytelling, audience song, and poetry. One man, one microphone. There are sung sonnets, limericks and musical jokes, and the thread that runs through it is the beauty of growing old. There is the News from Lake Wobegon, a town booming with new entrepreneurs, makers of artisanal firewood and gourmet meatloaf, breeders of composting worms, and dogs trained to do childcare.
But some things endure, such as the formation of the Living Flag on Main Street, citizens in tight formation wearing red, white or blue caps, and Mr. Keillor among them, standing close to old neighbors, Myrtle Krebsbach (“Truckstop”) and Julie Christensen (“Bruno, The Fishing Dog”) and Clint Bunsen. And an a cappella sing-along with the audience singing from memory an odd medley of patriotic songs, pop standards, hymns, and ending with the national anthem.
January 17, 2025
Paquito D’Rivera
Celebrate the musical genius of Paquito D’Rivera, a 16-time Grammy and Latin Grammy winner known for his mastery of Latin jazz and classical music. Presented at the Rialto Theatre.
Born in Havana, Cuba, Paquito D’Rivera was a child prodigy who performed with the National Theater Orchestra at age 10. A founding member of the iconic Irakere, he helped blend jazz, rock, and traditional Cuban music, earning international acclaim. He has recorded over 30 solo albums, collaborated with prestigious orchestras like the London Philharmonic, and composed works performed by world-renowned ensembles.
A recipient of numerous honors, including the NEA Jazz Masters Award and the National Medal of the Arts, Paquito D’Rivera remains a vibrant force in both jazz and classical music, continually bridging cultural divides through his innovative compositions and performances.
January 18, 2025
Endea Owens and the Cookout
Discover the dynamic artistry of Endea Owens, a rising star in the jazz world and an award-winning bassist and composer, and philanthropist. Presented at the Rialto Theatre.
Detroit-raised and Juilliard-educated, Owens has performed with legends like Wynton Marsalis, Diana Ross, and Jon Batiste, and is a member of the Late Show with Stephen Colbert’s house band, Stay Human. Her accolades include an Emmy, a Grammy, and a Peabody Award, featuring her work on projects like Judas and the Black Messiah and H.E.R’s Super Bowl performance.
Endea has a true passion for philanthropy and teaching. She has taught students across the United States, South America, and Europe. In 2020, Endea founded The Community Cookout, a non-profit organization birthed out of the COVID-19 pandemic that provides meals and music to underserved neighborhoods worldwide. To date, Endea’s organization has helped feed over 6,000 people. She has composed for prestigious ensembles, including the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and recently released her debut album, Feel Good Music.
January 18, 2025
Emmet Cohen Trio
Join Arizona Arts Live and the Tucson Jazz Festival as we welcome the return of multifaceted American jazz pianist and composer Emmet Cohen. Presented at the Rialto Theatre.
Emmet Cohen is the winner of the 2019 American Pianists Awards and the Cole Porter Fellow of the American Pianists Association, and Artist-in-Residence at the University of Indianapolis. He was a finalist in the 2011 Thelonious Monk International Piano Competition. Cohen has appeared at major international jazz festivals and at Lincoln Center’s Rose Hall and Washington’s Kennedy Center, in addition to headlining at the Village Vanguard and other major New York jazz clubs. For many years he was Hammond B-3 Organist-in-Residence at Harlem’s SMOKE jazz club. During the lockdown, he created “Live From Emmet’s Place,” a weekly livestream that received millions of internet views worldwide. Cohen is a Mack Avenue artist.
A Suzuki piano student at age three, Cohen holds jazz piano degrees from the Manhattan School of Music (M.M.) and the University of Miami (B.M.). Emmet Cohen has performed, recorded, or collaborated with Ron Carter, Benny Golson, Jimmy Cobb, George Coleman, Jimmy Heath, Tootie Heath, Houston Person, Christian McBride, Kurt Elling, Billy Hart, Herlin Riley, Lea DeLaria, and Bill T. Jones.
Emmet's Website
Emmet's Facebook
January 19, 2025
Delfeayo Marsalis and The Uptown Jazz Orchestra
Experience the vibrant legacy of New Orleans jazz with Delfeayo Marsalis and the Uptown Jazz Orchestra, a premier ensemble dedicated to preserving and evolving jazz traditions. Presented at the Rialto Theatre.
Founded in 2007 by NEA Jazz Master and Grammy-winning trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis, UJO emphasizes riff-playing, spontaneous group improvisations, and New Orleans polyphony. The orchestra has released three critically acclaimed CDs and tours globally. Marsalis also founded the “Swinging with the Cool School” program, bringing jazz to students and offering music therapy at the New Orleans Children’s Hospital.
Since 2021, UJO has produced the annual Jazz at Congo Square Festival, celebrating New Orleans culture with live performances, local food, and arts. Through these initiatives, Marsalis and UJO continue to inspire new generations with the rich legacy of American jazz.
February 28, 2025 - March 8, 2025
Indian Ink Theatre: Mrs. Krishnan’s Party
An immersive experience like no other, join Indian Ink Theatre: Mrs. Krishnan’s Party with music, dancing, and vegetarian dhal prepared live in this heart-warming show. Presented at Maya Tea Warehouse.
Indians throw big parties. Heard of Diwali? A million lamps floating on a river and fireworks lighting the sky. Heard of Holi? An explosion of color and joy–massive dry cleaning bills. How about Onam? An annual harvest festival celebrating life, death, and rebirth…and possibly the biggest of them all!
Mrs. Krishnan is renting an apartment to the overzealous wannabe DJ, James. James has invited a few friends into the back room of Mrs. Krishnan’s corner shop as a special surprise to celebrate Onam and her son’s return home. But when 100 strangers turn up (you, the audience) Mrs. Krishnan has no choice but to throw the party of her life! Come as you are or break out that festive sari.
March 19, 2025
Martha Graham Dance Company
Discover the next frontier of dance in a centennial celebration with one of the most influential forces of the 20th Century, the Martha Graham Dance Company. Presented in Centennial Hall.
Since 1926, Martha Graham’s groundbreaking and uniquely American dance style has influenced generations of artists, dancers, and audiences worldwide. In celebration of its upcoming centennial, the Company has organized GRAHAM100. This three-season program explores Graham’s artistic legacy through performances, new productions, exhibitions, film screenings, publications, discussions, and educational activities.
This March, join “one of the great companies of the world” (New York Times) for a captivating performance featuring Graham masterworks and new pieces, including Steps in the Street (1936, featuring UA School of Dance students), Immediate Tragedy (1937), Errand into the Maze (1947), CAVE (2022), and We The People (2024).
April 6, 2025
Silkroad Ensemble: Uplifted Voices
Join Grammy-winning Silkroad Ensemble in an unforgettable musical journey connecting the music of Indigenous North America to the World. Presented in Centennial Hall.
Silkroad brings together musicians globally to inspire collaboration and add more equity and justice into the world. Conceived by Yo-Yo Ma in 1988, Silkroad continues to break new ground with innovative music, cultural collaboration, and high-quality arts education under the leadership of visionary Artistic Director Rhiannon Giddens.
In Uplifted Voices, Silkroad shines a light on previously under-recognized voices from across the globe to change our perspective of the history and migration of music. Through a stunning collaboration of global instrumentation, Silkroad’s newest project champions women and non-binary members of the Silkroad Ensemble alongside special guest Tuscarora/Taíno musician Pura Fé to tell a musical journey that connects the music of indigenous North America to the World.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sFvDs0Prv0
April 12, 2025
Circa: Opus
Ten acrobats and a live string quartet celebrate the music of composer Dmitri Shostakovich in a stunning work of power, virtuosity, and physical poetry with Opus by Circa. Presented in Centennial Hall.
Australian company Circa returns with a bold piece of extreme physicality and nuanced detail melded into a seamless whole with Opus. Beginning with a solo performer suspended on a rope serenaded by musicians, Opus then moves powerfully through rapidly alternating scenes of dislocated stillness and violent explosions into extreme physicality to arrive at exquisitely detailed and nuanced geometries of acrobats flying, balancing, and landing.
This groundbreaking experience is brought to life by France’s Debussy String Quartet who perform three passionate quartets by 20th-century composer Dmitri Shostakovich live and from memory. The result? A red-hot fusion of extreme acrobatics, lyrical movement, and group choreography.
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The Revolutionary Love Bus Tour
Learn More
The Revolutionary Love Bus Tour The Revolutionary Love Bus Tour 2024-2025 is a healing odyssey across the United States calling people to rise up in courage humanity and love Presented at Hotel CongressJoin visionary civil rights leader...
Relics and Their Humans
Learn More
Relics and Their Humans Experience an Ohio family8217s story told through visual and musical relics in a moving theatrical performance Relics and Their Humans Seated on stage in Centennial HallJoin the performers on a theatrical and...
Relics and Their Humans
Learn More
Relics and Their Humans Experience an Ohio family8217s story told through visual and musical relics in a moving theatrical performance Relics and Their Humans Seated on stage in Centennial HallJoin the performers on a theatrical and...
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MOMIX: ALICE
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MOMIX ALICE Step into a fantastical world where reality bends and imagination reigns with MOMIXs mesmerizing new show ALICE Presented in Centennial HallMOMIX Alice sends audiences flying down the rabbit hole in Moses Pendletons newest...
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