Upcoming Events
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.
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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 14, 2025
Rachel Breen
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.
February 27, 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. Please join us after the show to enjoy a taste of freshly prepared vegetarian dhal (red lentils) and rice with the cast!
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!
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March 9, 2025
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
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.
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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).
March 21, 2025
XIXA: XOLO Album Release Party
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).
March 21, 2025
Lisa Moore
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.
March 26, 2025
TENWESTx TALKS: GUY RAZ (How I Built This)
Join Arizona Arts Live and TENWEST this spring for an unforgettable evening with the man whose voice has defined a generation of storytelling, Guy Raz. Presented live in Centennial Hall.
Guy Raz is celebrated as one of the most influential podcasters of our time, creating global sensations like How I Built This, TED Radio Hour, and the award-winning kids’ science show Wow in the World. Dubbed by The New York Times as “one of the most popular podcasters in history,” his shows captivate 19 million listeners monthly. With a career spanning over 25 years, Raz’s engaging storytelling and unparalleled interview style have earned him a reputation as “the greatest interviewer of his generation” (Forbes).
From anchoring groundbreaking news at NPR and CNN to transforming the podcasting world, Raz’s achievements have garnered numerous accolades, including the Edward R. Murrow Award and a Peabody. Over his illustrious career, he has interviewed over 20,000 people, including presidents, Nobel Prize winners, and cultural icons, bringing their stories to life with depth and insight. In 2017, Raz became the first person in the history of podcasting to have three shows in the top 20 on the Apple Podcasts charts simultaneously. His talk, 7 Lessons I’ve Learned From the World’s Greatest Entrepreneurs will inspire you with the practical advice you need to make your next business breakthrough.
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March 28, 2025
TENWESTx LIVE: Reggie Watts
Internationally renowned Reggie Watts uses his formidable voice, looping pedals, and vast imagination to blur the lines between music and comedy. Join Arizona Arts Live and TENWEST for an evening of unparalleled talent at 191 Toole.
Using only his extraordinary voice, looping pedals, and boundless imagination, musician, comedian, writer Reggie Watts delivers entirely improvised performances that are as unpredictable as they are unforgettable. Most recently, he starred as bandleader on The Late Late Show with James Corden and as DJ for the 2021 Emmy Awards.
Watts’ Netflix special, Spatial, earned rave reviews, with The New York Times hailing him as “the most influential absurdist in comedy today” and The A.V. Club calling the performance “exhilarating, silly, exhausting, and transcendent.” A favorite on major stages and festivals worldwide, including Bonnaroo, SXSW, Just For Laughs, and Bumbershoot, his unique fusion of comedy and music continues to captivate fans across the U.S. and Europe.
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.
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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January 2025
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Garrison Keillor Tonight
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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 TheatreGarrison Keillor Tonight is an evening of...
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Paquito D’Rivera
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Paquito DRivera Celebrate the musical genius of Paquito DRivera a 16-time Grammy and Latin Grammy winner known for his mastery of Latin jazz and classical music Presented at the Rialto TheatreBorn in Havana Cuba Paquito DRivera was a child...
Endea Owens and the Cookout
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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 TheatreDetroit-raised and Juilliard-educated...
Emmet Cohen Trio
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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 TheatreEmmet Cohen is the winner of the 2019 American...
Delfeayo Marsalis and The Uptown Jazz Orchestra
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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...
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Endea Owens and the Cookout
Learn More
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 TheatreDetroit-raised and Juilliard-educated...
Emmet Cohen Trio
Learn More
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 TheatreEmmet Cohen is the winner of the 2019 American...
Delfeayo Marsalis and The Uptown Jazz Orchestra
Learn More
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...
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