Arizona Arts Live and KXCI presents Baila el Pueblo–A Desert Music Festival celebrating our regional cultural diversity. The festival will showcase a vibrant array of musical traditions from around the southwest. Plus, enjoy local food vendors and artisans on-site at the MSA Annex. Internationally touring artist Reyna Tropical will headline the festival. Inspired by the wide-reaching cultural traditions of Peru, Colombia, and the Congo, trailblazing guitarist and songwriter Fabi Reyna remixes and melds these influences to create a tropical feel. Regional artists include Los Esplifs, Native Creed, Hataałii, Nicosa, MizSkoden and Las Chollas Peligrosas.  Doors open at 3:30 pm, and the show starts at 4:00 pm at MSA Annex’s iconic festival and event space. Advance general admission tickets are $30 for KXCI Members and $35 in advance for the general public. Tickets can be purchased at all Bookmans locations, online at KXCI.org, and at the door. All tickets will be $40 at the door. Youth 12 and under will be free with adult paid admission. Food can be purchased from local vendors and MSA Annex eateries and bars. Galeria Mitotera will curate a micro artisan market that celebrates Chicanx culture and uplifts artists to inspire one another through art and togetherness.  All proceeds support KXCI’s mission to connect the communities of Tucson and Southern Arizona to each other and to the world with informative, engaging, and creative community-based programming. 

Guided by their signature blend of dark psychedelia and Latin-inspired rhythms, XIXA invites you on an extraordinary journey through the mystical underworld. Presented at the Rialto Theatre. On their latest album, XIXA leave the sunbaked desert behind, taking listeners on a journey through the underworld. Diving into the richness of folklore, Brian Lopez and Gabriel Sullivan, who share XIXA’s songwriting, lead vocals and lead guitars, expand on their mystic, psychedelic rock, reaching more into their Latin influences to create a musical and lyrical narrative for XOLO, an album exploring both a mythic journey and what messages it might have for today. XOLO (in both band name and album title, the x is pronounced like ch) refers to the breed of Mexican hairless dog, Xoloitzcuintli, sacred in Mayan and Aztec cultures as guides through the underworld, Mictlán. The record loosely tells the story of a young girl, Arcoiris, on her journey through all nine levels of Mictlán, guided by her sacred protector, El Xolo. Musically, the moods and styles shift along with the journey. Still guided by dark psychedelia and cumbia, XIXA brings more dynamic arrangements, expanding their musical language and carving the album into more distinct chapters. XOLO is the band’s third full-length record, following Genesis (2021) and Bloodline (2016), and EPs The Code (2019) and Shift and Shadow (2015).

Connect with multifaceted pianist Lisa Moore in a striking performance that combines lyricism and virtuosity with expressive and emotional power. Presented and fully seated on stage for an up-close and intimate audience experience in Centennial Hall. Hailed as “brilliant and searching…beautiful and impassioned” by The New York Times, Lisa Moore brings unmatched emotional depth and virtuosity to every performance. Her extraordinary career has taken her to iconic venues like Carnegie Hall, La Scala, and the Sydney Opera House. A champion of modern music, she has premiered hundreds of works, collaborating with over 200 living composers. Her acclaimed recordings span genres, with standout releases like Mad Rush (Philip Glass) and The Stone People, named a New York Times Top Classical Album of 2016. A founding member of Bang on a Can All-Stars, Moore has performed alongside legends like Philip Glass, Meredith Monk, and Steve Reich. Her music bridges the traditional and avant-garde, delivering unforgettable performances that resonate with passion and precision.

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).

Embark on a 60-year musical legacy with Ladysmith Black Mambazo, five-time Grammy winners spreading messages of peace and love. With a deep respect for cultural and personal history, they return to the Old Pueblo for an evening of uplifting South African rhythms and harmonies taking center stage at the Rialto Theatre. For over 60 years, the five-time Grammy-winning group Ladysmith Black Mambazo has captivated global audiences with messages of peace, love, and harmony. Formed in the early 1960s, their name symbolizes the founder’s hometown (Ladysmith), strength (Black, like oxen), and the ability to triumph over rivals (Mambazo, Zulu for chopping ax). Specializing in isicathamiya, a traditional music style developed in South African mines, the group reflects the cultural resilience of black workers who, despite harsh conditions, found solace in music during weekends away from home. In the mid-1980s, Paul Simon collaborated with them, introducing their rich harmonies to mainstream audiences through his landmark Graceland album, a pivotal moment in the popularization of World Music. Their musical efforts over the past five decades have garnered praise and accolades from a wide body of people, organizations, and countries. The late former South African president Nelson Mandela designated the group “South Africa’s cultural ambassadors to the world,” a title the members carry with them with the highest honor. In 2018, the group received two Grammy Award nominations for two separate albums, a first in the history of World Music. These two nominations brought their career total to 19 Grammy nominations. Artist's Site Facebook Instagram Twitter

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. Please join us after the show to enjoy a taste of freshly prepared vegetarian dhal (red lentils) and rice with the cast! ParTEA Pass Add-On Looking for even more fun? Here’s your chance to really steep yourself in adventure! Join Manish Shah, the founder and CEO of Maya Tea Company and Transit Tea, for an exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour of the Maya Tea Factory—happening just one hour before the performance. You’ll leave brimming with tea wisdom and … TWO $100 gift cards (yes, TWO—one for Maya Tea and one for Transit Tea, because we believe in spoiling you properly). And that’s not all! Sip your way to joy with a limited-edition commemorative tea canteen, created just for this event. It’s perfect for showing off during the show—or to your friends later when you casually mention how you got the VIP treatment. Trust us, this is the kind of experience that makes people say, “Wait, YOU did what?!” Seating Chart Top Table: prize seat at the center of the room. First-class treatment all the way, and a place to rest your drink.Inner Circle: premium seat, close to all the action. You can see and be seen. Perfect for the in-crowd.Wallflowers: prefer to hang back? This is the seat for you with a perfect view of everything.Cheeky Seats: not too hot, not too cold. Close, but not too close.Party Animals: you came to party! You need room to move and you’re gonna dance like no-one is watching! Click to enlarge image

Experience beauty, originality, and emotional depth with the captivating performances by award-winning classical pianist Rachel Breen. Presented and fully seated on stage for an up-close and intimate audience experience in Centennial Hall. Hailed as “truly show-stopping” by Gramophone UK, American pianist Rachel Breen is Gold Medalist Winner in the 2023 International Bösendorfer Piano Competition. Captivating audiences with her radiant piano sound and extraordinary artistry, she presents a brilliant program of major piano works by Beethoven, Schumann and Stravinsky. A rising star on the international stage, Breen’s further accolades include most recently top prizes at the Premi Iturbi, Hans von Bülow, and Honens International Piano Competitions, among many others. She has graced the stages of renowned festivals and venues, including the Beethovenfest in Bonn, Festival Piano aux Jacobins, and San Francisco International Piano Festival. Breen’s training spans from self-taught beginnings to mentorship under the legendary Lars Vogt at Hannover’s Hochschule für Musik; previously, she completed degrees at Yale University and the Juilliard School. In addition to her concert career, Breen’s artistic curiosity extends to languages, philosophy, and visual arts, reflecting the depth and passion she brings to her music.

In the wake of the deadly and devastating fires in the Los Angeles area, Tucson musicians and artists are coming together to raise funds for those in need. Presented at Hotel Congress. Tucson Loves LA will bring together a large coalition of local artists, as well as some special guests from out of town, to do our part in helping the Los Angeles musical community recover from the recent fire disaster.  Proceeds will be donated to the 501c3 nonprofit MusiCares, an institution dedicated to the well-being of recording artists and performers. MusiCares has played a critical role in providing relief and resources to those displaced or worse by the fires, and in conjunction with the Recording Academy, have announced $1 million in funding for fire victims. MusiCares’ Fire Relief efforts include $1,500 in financial assistance and a $500 grocery card for near-term needs such as necessities and evacuation costs. MusiCares will also provide additional, more substantial support for individuals with considerable impact, including assistance for damaged equipment, medical needs, and rental assistance. Confirmed participants in Tucson Loves LA include event co-organizer Howe Gelb (and his Friends), Jason Lytle (of California’s beloved Grandaddy), Brian Lopez, Petie Ronstadt, indie rock band Orchadia, Gabriel Sullivan, Beth Goodfellow performing solo and with Thøger Lund and Naim Amor, Gabby Pietrangelo, and Salvador Duran, rockers Birds and Arrows, and more. Artists have been invited to include a cover of a favorite Los Angeles musician’s song as they are able.  

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Inspired by the Audioramas of Mexico City, our Cuk Ṣon Audiorama is located on the east side of Centennial Hall on the Historic University of Arizona Mall. Cuk Ṣon is the Tohono O’odham name for Tucson, referring to the 17th-century O’odham village at the base of “Black Hill or Mountain.” Cuk Ṣon is the Tohono O’odham name for Tucson, referring to the 17th-century O’odham village at the base of “Black Hill or Mountain.” Read, nap, and daydream; the Audiorama is a place for people to rest in the company of nothing but trees and music. It is an open-air concert auditorium, and there are several places to sit surrounded by speakers that play music all day. The type of music differs by the day of the week. Student performances are held live on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00 – 5:00 PM. Bring a book or borrow one, escape the noise and craziness around us, and sit with nature.Cuk Son Audiorama is made possible thanks to generous donations by Arzate Design Group of Tucson in collaboration with Old Pueblo Hemp Co., Ponderosa Cactus, Civano Growers, AYJ Construction, Desert Streams and Gardens, University of Arizona Facilities Management and was built together with CAPLA students.   Preview the sounds of Cuk Son Audiorama: Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

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).

Witness an indelible performance far beyond a traditional magic show with illusionist, mentalist, and performance artist, Scott Silven. Presented in Tornabene Theatre. Tickets start at just $10 for any student! Scott Silven is a master of illusion and imagination, blending mind-bending mystery with profound insight. Named a “Critic’s Pick” by The New York Times and praised by Vogue as a “world-renowned mentalist,” Silven’s performance Wonders takes audiences on an unforgettable journey beyond traditional magic. His work has captivated from Broadway to the Sydney Opera House, leaving audiences awestruck and inspired. Step into a world where the boundaries of perception dissolve, and you’ll leave with a newfound connection to the wonders within yourself and the people around you. Experience a night that promises to shift your perspective—forever. You will leave feeling different.

Blue Note Recording Artist, pianist and composer Nduduzo Makhathini makes his debut appearance in the Century Room for a special night of South African jazz. South African jazz pianist Nduduzo Makhathini blends the deep cultural roots of Zulu music with jazz influences. His sound is shaped by the legends of South African jazz such as Bheki Mseleku and Abdullah Ibrahim, alongside American greats like John Coltrane and McCoy Tyner. As an educator and head of the music department at Fort Hare University, Makhathini is committed to preserving the emotional depth of African jazz while pushing the genre forward. He has performed internationally, including at Jazz at Lincoln Center and the Cape Town International Jazz Festival. With eight award-winning albums, including his critically acclaimed 2020 Blue Note debut Modes of Communication: Letters from the Underworlds, Makhathini continues to make a global impact as both a performer and a producer.

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).

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.

Celebrate Homecoming 2024 with the release of the latest collaboration with Pueblo Vida! Enjoy a delicious new Hazy India Pale Ale with Hibiscus. Presented in Centennial Hall. Come on down to the first-ever Arizona Arts Live Beer Garden, brewed by Pueblo Vida Brewing Company! Enjoy Pueblo Vida’s newest beer, Experience Unexpected and all their other yummy brews, including Wildcat Cerveza. Plus, there’ll be food, music, and games to keep you entertained. And the best part? We’ll be watching the Homecoming Bonfire from the Centennial Hall patio. Just remember, you gotta be 21 or older to get in. So, bring your friends and let’s make this unforgettable night!

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.

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).

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.

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!

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. 

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!

Celebrate the healing and unifying power of the arts in the community-led Art is Vital Fiesta premiering simultaneously in 18 cities nationwide. Presented at the Edward B. Berger Performing Arts Center. Inspired by the inter-city Federal Theatre Project in 1936, the Arts for Everybody Project brings together people and communities to prove how the arts can lead to healthier people and communities. Cities nationwide will collectively answer the prompt “No Place Like Home” through large-scale participatory arts projects drawing on sounds, styles, and stories of their communities. Tucson’s Art is Vital Fiesta will kick off with a concert reading of “Anita,” a new musical about the power of joy to create a sense of home and belonging. The experience will also feature live music by local award-winning mariachi bands, heritage food booths, art exhibits, interactive activities promoting the connection between arts participation and personal and collective wellbeing, and a special “Art is Vital” art contest winner presentation by Tucson Mayor Regina Romero.

Join us for an unforgettable experience with MacArthur Fellow and two-time GRAMMY Award-winning singer and instrumentalist Rhiannon Giddens. Don’t miss a transformative journey at the Rialto Theatre as she crafts an extraordinary narrative, spotlighting marginalized voices and pushing artistic boundaries. Rhiannon Giddens has forged a remarkable and multifaceted career in folk music, marked by her two-time GRAMMY Award-winning talent as a singer and instrumentalist. Recognized as a MacArthur “Genius” grant recipient, she is not only a composer of opera, ballet, and film but also a dedicated advocate for acknowledging the overlooked contributions to American musical history. Giddens’s mission involves fostering a more accurate understanding of the country’s musical origins, spotlighting marginalized voices, and pushing artistic boundaries. Beyond her musical endeavors, Giddens has extended her creativity into various mediums, from writing opera and children’s books to contributing to video game soundtracks. Her influential presence has garnered attention, earning a place on NPR’s list of the 25 Most Influential Women Musicians of the 21st Century and acknowledgment as “one of the most important musical minds currently walking the planet” by American Songwriter. Artist's Website Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube

On a dark and lonesome night, imagination, technology, and a winding tale of love and loss converge in this gripping radio play, Bedtime Stories. Follow along with young Lily as she is transported to dark, disorienting worlds by the two most influential storytellers in her life – her father and grandfather. As she comes of age, unimaginable events throw these three generations into a frightening journey for one final story that blurs the line between truth and fiction. Conceived by Dutch collective URLAND, Bedtime Stories celebrates the art of the voice to tell engaging and immersive stories. This pitch-perfect narrated performance takes its inspiration from radio plays, using just actor Thomas Dudkiewicz’s voice and well-timed sound effects to bring to life an enchanting cast of characters. Meet Lilly, a precocious young girl, her father Max, and doting grandfather George, both master storytellers. Every night before bed, Lilly enters a fantastical universe created just for her, where she encounters a host of strange and menacing creatures. Unforeseen events throw these three generations into a twirling journey through both universes. The final story. Laugh, squirm, and dream as Bedtime Stories catapults towards its unsettling ending, keeping you on edge from scene to scene. Content warning: contains cursing, gunshots, and themes of death and suicide. Recommended for ages 13+. Artist's Site Facebook Instagram YouTube

Considered one of today’s greatest showmen, Afro-Cuban Rockstar Cimafunk performs an electric live show with his 9-person band from Havana featuring Pjiama Piyama and Mariachi Nuevo Azteca de Tucson. Join Arizona Arts Live, and Best Life Presents for an evening that will make you move live at the Rialto Theatre! Cimafunk’s monumental second album, El Alimento, released in October 2021, received overwhelming praise for celebrating black music’s power. Co-produced by Grammy-winning producer Jack Splash (CeeLo Green, Kendrick Lamar, Alicia Keys), the album features hip-hop stars Lupe Fiasco, CeeLo Green, and Afro-Cuban jazz icon Chucho Valdés among others. El Alimento ranked #3 of the Best Spanish-Language and Bilingual Albums of 2021 and #23 of the 50 Best Albums of 2021. It also ranked among NPR’s Best Latin Music of 2021 and #1 of Le Monde’s Latin Music favorites. In addition to being named a “Top 10 Latin Artist to watch” by Billboard, Cimafunk stole the show at the 2019 South by Southwest Music Festival. Before the pandemic, his moving performance on NPR’s Tiny Desk concert series was chosen as one of the overall best TDC’s of 2020.

Winner of 14 Grammy Awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award, and an Academy Award, Herbie Hancock stands as a cultural icon and luminary. Join us for a thrilling musical journey as we celebrate the multifaceted genius of Herbie Hancock together with Devin Daniels on Saxophone, James Genus on Bass, Trevor Lawrence, Jr. on Drums, and Chris Potter on Saxophone live in Centennial Hall! Now in the seventh decade of his professional life, Herbie Hancock remains where he has always been: at the forefront of world culture, technology, business, and music. Herbie Hancock has been an integral part of every popular music movement since the 1960s. As a member of the Miles Davis Quintet that pioneered a groundbreaking sound in jazz, he also developed new approaches to his recordings, followed by his work in the 70s — with record-breaking albums such as “Headhunters” — that combined electric jazz with funk and rock in an innovative style that continues to influence contemporary music. “Rockit” and “Future Shock” marked Hancock’s foray into electronic dance sounds; during the same period, he continued working in an acoustic setting with V.S.O.P. Hancock received an Academy Award for his Round Midnight film score and 14 Grammy Awards, including Album Of The Year for “River: The Joni Letters,” and two 2011 Grammy Awards for the globally collaborative CD, “The Imagine Project.” Hancock serves as Creative Chair for Jazz for the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association and Institute Chairman of the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz. In 2011 Hancock was named a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, and in December of 2013, received a Kennedy Center Honor. His memoir, Herbie Hancock: Possibilities, was published by Viking in 2014, and in February 2016 he was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Hancock is currently in the studio at work on a new album.

“Uniquely Angeleno mishmash of punk, hip-hop, beat music, cumbia and rock … live, they’re magnetic”– LA Times Rediscover the dynamic world of Las Cafeteras, East LA’s musical visionaries on their return to the Old Pueblo. Mixing Afro-Mexican beats and Son Jarocho instruments, they are redefining traditional music with inspiring English, Spanish, and Spanglish lyrics. Don’t miss this electric experience taking center stage at 191 Toole. Born and raised east of the Los Angeles River, Las Cafeteras are remixing roots music and telling modern-day stories. Las Cafeteras creates a vibrant musical fusion with a unique East LA sound and positive message. Their Afro-Mexican beats, rhythms, and rhymes deliver inspiring lyrics that document stories of a community seeking love and justice in the concrete jungle of Los Angeles. Using traditional Son Jarocho instruments like the jarana, requinto, quijada (donkey jawbone), and tarima (a wooden platform), they sing in English, Spanish, and Spanglish and add a remix of sounds, from rock to hip-hop to rancheras. Las Cafeteras use music as a vehicle to build bridges among different cultures and communities, and create “a world where many worlds fit.” Artist's Site Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube Spotify

Join us for an unforgettable evening of strength, power, and grace as we proudly present the nationally acclaimed Urban Bush Women: Legacy + Lineage + Liberation. Prepare to be moved by their captivating performance highlighting the voices of women of color in an inspiring and healing journey live at Crowder Hall. For 40 incredible years Urban Bush Women have been using dance as a medium to unite diverse audiences through their innovative choreography, community collaborations, and artistic leadership development. Now, in Urban Bush Women: Legacy + Lineage + Liberation, they showcase iconic works that transcend genres, amplifying the voices of women of color. These timeless classics offer multiple dimensions of life that deeply resonate with today’s reflection on equity and justice, uplifting Black lives in profoundly inspiring ways. This dynamic program features iconic works by Founder Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, and a new work by Co-Artistic Directors Chanon Judson and Mame Diarra Speis. Works include but are not limited to: Give Your Hands to Struggle; Women’s Resistance; I Don’t Know but I Been Told…if You Keep on Dancin’ You Never Grow Old; and Haint Blu (proscenium). Urban Bush Women will mesmerize you with their exceptional musicality and thought-provoking reflections on empathy and joy. Artist's Site Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube

Witness a dynamic performance from the internationally celebrated quartet Sō Percussion together with Pulitzer Prize-winning singer Caroline Shaw. Experience contemporary percussion and spellbinding vocals in a genre-bending program featuring scores from their recently released album “Let the Soil Play Its Simple Part.” For over 20 years, Sō Percussion has redefined chamber music for the 21st century through an “exhilarating blend of precision and anarchy, rigor and bedlam.” They are celebrated by audiences and presenters for a dazzling range of work and for live performances in which “telepathic powers of communication” bring to life the vibrant percussion repertoire. Their extravagant array of collaborations in classical music, pop, indie rock, contemporary dance, and theater and their work in education and community create opportunities and platforms for music and artists that explore the immense possibility of art in our time. Caroline Shaw moves among roles, genres, and mediums, trying to imagine a world of sound that has never been heard before but has always existed. She works often in collaboration with others, as a producer, composer, violinist, and vocalist, a versatile skill set she utilizes on tour with Sō Percussion. Caroline is recipient of the 2013 Pulitzer Prize in Music and her vocal work is featured with commissions written for Yo-Yo Ma, the LA Philharmonic, Rosalía (MOTOMAMI), and premieres with GRAMMY-winning contemporary ensemble Roomful of Teeth. Artist's Site Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube

Embark on a 60-year musical legacy with Ladysmith Black Mambazo, five-time Grammy winners spreading messages of peace and love. With a deep respect for cultural and personal history, they return to the Old Pueblo for an evening of uplifting South African rhythms and harmonies taking center stage at the Rialto Theatre. For over 60 years, the five-time Grammy-winning group Ladysmith Black Mambazo has captivated global audiences with messages of peace, love, and harmony. Formed in the early 1960s, their name symbolizes the founder’s hometown (Ladysmith), strength (Black, like oxen), and the ability to triumph over rivals (Mambazo, Zulu for chopping ax). Specializing in isicathamiya, a traditional music style developed in South African mines, the group reflects the cultural resilience of black workers who, despite harsh conditions, found solace in music during weekends away from home. In the mid-1980s, Paul Simon collaborated with them, introducing their rich harmonies to mainstream audiences through his landmark Graceland album, a pivotal moment in the popularization of World Music. Their musical efforts over the past five decades have garnered praise and accolades from a wide body of people, organizations, and countries. The late former South African president Nelson Mandela designated the group “South Africa’s cultural ambassadors to the world,” a title the members carry with them with the highest honor. In 2018, the group received two Grammy Award nominations for two separate albums, a first in the history of World Music. These two nominations brought their career total to 19 Grammy nominations. Artist's Site Facebook Instagram Twitter

Movement, music, and precision combine in a beautiful dance tribute to the chart-topping songs of Burt Bacharach. Described as “the preeminent modern dance organization of our time” by famed cellist Yo-Yo Ma, Mark Morris Dance Group showcases sensational choreography sure to captivate eyes and ears. Following the roaring success of his Beatles tribute Pepperland, Mark Morris teams up again with musical collaborator Ethan Iverson for The Look of Love, a wistful and heartfelt homage to the chart-topping songs of Burt Bacharach. A towering figure, across decades of popular music, Bacharach is known for crafting soaring melodies embedded in unique orchestrations influenced by jazz, rock, and Brazilian music – his longtime lyricist Hal David providing unsentimental, often bittersweet lyrics. This evening-length showpiece features original choreography by Morris and new, lush musical arrangements by Iverson, performed by an ensemble of vocals, piano, trumpet, bass, and percussion, with singer, actress, and Broadway star Marcy Harriell on lead vocals. The Look of Love is a production of the Mark Morris Dance Group; BAM; BroadStage, Santa Monica; Cal Performances, UC Berkeley; The Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center at Auburn University; Hopkins Center for the Arts at Dartmouth; and Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in association with Arizona Arts Live, University of Arizona; Harriman-Jewell Series; The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; Modlin Center for the Arts at University of Richmond; Moss Arts Center at Virginia Tech; Marybelle and Sebastian P. Musco Center for the Arts; Tennessee Performing Arts Center; UC Santa Barbara Arts & Lectures; and Virginia Arts Festival. Artist's Site Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube