Bedford Gallery offers one hour docent-led walking tours of Walnut Creek's wonderful downtown public art collection every third Saturday, April through November. Our Docents are trained by public art specialists and can offer information and insight appropriate for all ages.

Public Art Walking Tour

Bedford Gallery at Lesher Center for the Arts

Make your holidays merry and bright with Julia Adam's 2024 edition of "The Nutcracker Suite", Diablo Ballet's magical take on the classic with added dances and new costumes. This whimsical ballet will include students from Diablo Ballet School.

Patrons who purchase tickets to see a performance of The Nutcracker Suite are invited to join Diablo Ballet for a post-performance event:

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Diablo Ballet's The Nutcracker Suite

Lesher Center for the Arts

Urinetown, The Musical is brought to you by The Ballet School Performing Arts's Teen Production Workshop students. This is a student performance and the product of what we have been working on in class.

Urinetown the Musical

Youth Production Workshop is a part of the Theatre program at The Ballet School Performing Arts. They will be performing a Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble Adaption of The Legend of Banbury Cross.

Youth Production Workshop's The Legend of Banbury Cross

Louis Pearl has been thrilling audiences around the world for over 30 years with the art, magic, science and fun of bubbles. He is a favorite at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where he has enjoyed 14 years of sell-out success.

The Amazing Bubble Man

Bentley Theatre presents a new adaptation of Shakespeare's great tragedy: MACBETH. A daring Scottish warrior encounters three mysterious witches on a deserted heath, uncovering a prophecy that will alter the trajectory of his life - and plunge the entire country into chaos. MACBETH is the opening production of our 2024/25 "Hearts in Darkness" season. Performed by students in Bentley Upper School's Theatre Program. Adapted and directed by GG Grilli.

The Tragedy of Macbeth

On the occasion of her 60th Birthday, Maria Porkalob unspools her mesmerizing origin story to the rapt attention of her granddaughter Sara. In a tour-de-force act of honoring her grandmother’s life and legacy, Sara masterfully embodies countless colorful characters from Maria’s sensational history—from a Manila nightclub teeming with gangsters and lovers, to a Washington state trailer park where the bonds of family are forged. Chauffeured by a wickedly talented live band and Sara’s powerhouse vocals, you’ll be transported by this solo musical adventure that has critics and audiences across the country on their feet!

Dragon Lady

Following sold-out performances on Broadway, the Sydney Opera House, and the famed Edinburgh Festival, 360 ALLSTARS is a phenomenal physical performance exploring all forms of rotation that connects the street with the elite to deliver a supercharged urban circus. 360 ALLSTARS boasts a stellar international cast of World Champion and World Record-holding athletes and artists from the worlds of BMX, beatboxing, breakdancing and more. Don’t miss this spectacular fusion of the extraordinary artistry that emerges from street culture. 


360 Allstars

Founder & CEO Amosite, an Artificial Intelligence-powered Software Company 


Newsmakers: Ann Marie Sastry

Our traditional family concert opens the season! Experience how four different composers explore the colors of the orchestra and use them to paint pictures and tell stories. The narrated story "Peter and the Wolf" also introduces listeners to the instruments of the orchestra, each representing a different animal or character. And the winner of DSO's 2024 - 2025 Yen Liang Young Artist Competition will perform a wind, brass, or percussion concerto of the winner's choosing

Family Concert: Peter and the Wolf

Spooktacular!

Step back in time and add a splash of color to your family fun with our 1960s and 70s-inspired Family Tie-dye T-shirt Workshop! Perfect for all ages, this groovy experience will guide you through three techniques of the tie-dye craze that defined a generation. Afterward, immerse yourself in Bedford Gallery’s exhibition Drawn to Abstraction: Prints from the 1960s and 70s, and explore the dynamic energy of the era’s groundbreaking abstract movements.

Family Tie-Dye T-shirt Workshop

Come and experience the brilliance of tenor Johnny Orenberg as he remembers the life of legendary Andy Williams in this spectacular musical tribute.

Where were you when you first heard "Moon River?" Join us and explore Andy's remarkable life and career, from his early top-40 hits, jazz recordings to his torch songs and film scores. Remember: An Andy Williams Musical Tribute takes the audience on a sentimental journey through decades of classic standards recorded by  Andy Williams, including "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year," "Days of Wine and Roses," "Speak Softly Love" from The Godfather trilogy, and of course his best-known hit, "Moon River".

REMEMBER: An Andy Williams Musical Tribute

Alternate universes, parallel worlds, dystopian futures, never-ending nightmares and a moralistic narrator swirl around the vortex of another dimension in Synergy Theater’s The Improvised Twilight Zone: An Improvised Comedy in the Style of the Classic TV Show. Completely improvised and all based on your suggestions, this hilarious homage to Rod Serling’s beloved cult classic will keep you in hysterics from the first seemingly-innocent stranger to the final twist of fate. 

The Improvised Twilight Zone

Recurring all Fridays through December 15, Rock ‘n’ Roll Fridays will fill Bedford Gallery’s art space from 12:00–5:00 pm with the pulsating sounds of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll music from the 60s and 70s. From Jefferson Airplane and The Doors to The Beatles and beyond, you’re invited to take in this extraordinary collection while reveling in the soundtrack of the psychedelic generation. Then, take inspiration from your groovy viewing experience and make an abstract work of your very own!

Rock 'n' Roll Fridays

The works in this exhibition capture the vibrancy of the emerging abstract movements during the 1960s and 70s, including Abstract Expressionism, Minimalism, Op Art, and Pop art. This show features an extraordinary collection of works on paper by artists now widely recognized as giants of 20th century art: Josef Albers, Max Ernst, Helen Frankenthaler, Ellsworth Kelly, Roy Lichtenstein, Joan Miró, Robert Motherwell, Claes Oldenburg, Robert Rauschenberg, Ed Ruscha, Frank Philip Stella, and others.

Drawn to Abstraction: Prints from the 1960s and 70s

Now a singular presence in the ballet world, the <strong>Dance Theatre of Harlem Company</strong> tours nationally and internationally, presenting a powerful vision for ballet in the 21st century. The 18-member, multi-ethnic company performs a forward-thinking repertoire that includes treasured classics, neoclassical works by George Balanchine and resident choreographer Robert Garland, as well as innovative contemporary works that use the language of ballet to celebrate Black culture. Through performances, community engagement and arts education, the Company carries forward Dance Theatre of Harlem’s message of empowerment through the arts for all.

Dance Theatre of Harlem

This concert travels from music by a Hungarian refugee in New York, to an African-American composing music inspired by the sounds of the Gold Rush era, to a transcendent and meditative work by a composer born in Mississippi and inspired by the landscapes of Alaska.

The Light That Fills the World: Sounds from California to Alaska

This giant of an adventure tale will grow before your eyes as Jack and his friends climb to new heights.  A truly heart-warming story for the entire family to share.

Jack and the Beanstalk

This evening of incredible vocals is sure to inspire you and your family. With award winning a cappella groups from top colleges across the nation, the 5th annual Kaiser Permanente College Notes boasts an incredible level of collegiate talent. Showcasing a wide array of music styles, College Notes is a competition-free performance celebrating bright minds and voices. See below and stay tuned for details about the performing groups (subject to change). If you enjoyed Pitch Perfect, Glee, or The Sing Off, you cannot miss this performance!

College Notes - An A Cappella Performance Celebrating Bright Minds & Voices

The Diablo Wind Symphony in concert featuring traditional band music, with special guests Brazzissimo Brass Ensemble.

Diablo Wind Symphony - March Concert

Founded in 1998 in Prague, the Bennewitz Quartet immediately caught the imagination of the musical world.  Besides being Laureate of the Chamber Music Society of the Czech Philharmonic, the group won the award of the Spanish Queen for best chamber music ensemble of 2002/2003, as well as two special prizes at the prestigious ARD Music Competition in 2004. They soon won two leading chamber music competitions—the Osaka in 2005 and the Borciani in 2008, and recently were nominated for the Boreletti-Buitoni Trust award.  Beyond the classical canon, the Bennewitz champions Czech music, including works by unjustly neglected composers such as Reicha, Haas, Ullmann and Schulhoff. The group was quartet-in-residence at the Musikakademie Basel and, since 2017, has been the ensemble-in-residence for the Czech Philharmonic, performing Prague’s main hall, the Dvorak Hall.

Bennewitz Quartet

Bedford Gallery's 15th annual Craft Fest brings local, independent makers and designers together for a unique-pop-up experience in the gallery! Join this FREE event to get your holiday shopping done early with one-of-a-kind, locally-made artisan goods. It's a Bedford Gallery tradition you don't want to miss!

Craft Fest

It wouldn’t be the holidays without Smuin’s annual run of The Christmas Ballet. From the classical first act to the “Cool Yule” of the second, make your spirits bright with this big-hearted production. As always, new additions keep Smuin’s The Christmas Ballet looking evergreen.

The Christmas Ballet

Guys and Dolls JR. is an adaptation of the show considered by many to be the perfect musical comedy. Its namesake ran for 1,200 performances when it opened on Broadway in 1950, and won numerous Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Frank Loesser's brassy, immortal score and witty book makes Guys and Dolls JR. a perennial crowd pleaser.

Set in Damon Runyon's New York City, Guys and Dolls JR. follows gambler, Nathan Detroit, as he tries to find the cash to set up the biggest crap game in town while the authorities breathe down his neck. Meanwhile, his girlfriend and nightclub performer, Adelaide, laments that they've been engaged for fourteen years without ever getting married. Nathan turns to fellow gambler, Sky Masterson, for the dough, but Sky ends up chasing the straight-laced missionary, Sarah Brown. Guys and Dolls JR. takes us from the heart of Times Square to the cafes of Havana, but everyone eventually ends up right where they belong.

Guys and Dolls JR.

Celebrating 35th years of The Nutcracker! For one weekend only, join Clara and her beloved nutcracker-turned-prince on a magical journey among giant mice and toy soldiers into the deliciously-delightful Candy Kingdom. Contra Costa Ballet brings The Nutcracker to life in this festive production filled with colorful costumes, whimsical sets and an array of talented, young dancers. This one-hour performance is an elegant introduction to the holiday classic.

Contra Costa Ballet's The Nutcracker

Laurie Roldan brings timeless Carpenters Christmas Favorites to the Lesher Center in a nostalgic evening which will warm your hearts and lift your spirits! With Special Guest Deborah Del Mastro, and Featured Ensemble and Musicians, come celebrate the Joy of the Holiday Season with Laurie and her Very Special Guests. 

Laurie Sings A Song For You: A Carpenters Christmas Cabaret

Kick off the holidays with the Walnut Creek Concert Band. Delight in the sounds of the season with holiday favorites and musical surprises. Don't miss this festive musical celebration that will delight audiences of all ages.

Holiday Concert

This holiday tradition has become a family favorite! A fully narrated ballet, based on a Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble story about a clumsy Elf named Roho. Come and see how the Dolls and Toys come to life to celebrate before saying goodbye as they set forth on their Christmas Eve journey. They have a lot to teach Roho about believing in ones self as well as having confidence. This story will become part of your favorite holiday traditions. Perfect for all ages.

Once Upon A Christmas

Join us for a heart-centered, gentle yoga practice for all levels combined with the ethereal sound healing of over 20 harmonious instruments amidst Bedford Gallery’s exhibition Drawn to Abstraction: Prints from the 1960s and 70s. This special session invites you to bask in the warmth and joy of the holiday season, reconnect with the light within, and embrace the magic of this time. The soothing sounds of the season offer a mindful gift, enhancing your sense of peace, joy, and wonder. Led by Janine Ellis, who has guided yoga, meditation, and sound healing for over 35 years, this experience will uplift your heart and nourish your spirit as we celebrate the season together.

Yoga & Sound Healing: Holiday Edition

The Ballet School Performing Arts Winter Piano Recital features the Piano students of The Ballet School Performing Arts.

Winter Piano Recital

Return to bustling Victorian London—and the gloomy office of miserly old Scrooge, who dismisses the cheerful sounds of the holiday season with a “humbug!” When he is visited by three spooky spirits, the curmudgeon is forced to face his past, present, and his potential future, unless he comes to believe the true meaning of family, and the magic of the holiday season. Brimming with carols, music, dance, spectacular special effects and a multigenerational cast of nearly two dozen, Center REP’s annual production has been hailed by critics and audiences alike as “THE Christmas Carol to see in the Bay Area!”

A Christmas Carol

This festive event brings joy to all ages! Corelli's Concerto Grosso in G Minor ("Christmas Concerto") concludes with a musical image of shepherds rejoicing, capturing the joy of the season also reflected in Pergolesi's uplifting setting of the Magnificat. The Fratello Marionettes bring scenes from the The Nutcracker to life, in interpretations by both Tchaikovsky and Duke Ellington! The San Ramon Valley Chroale's beautiful singing will complete this holiday celebration.

Holiday Concert: Home for the Holidays

Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church

Join Santa and Mrs. Claus in the North Pole, during this immersive, live theatre experience. Watch as the holiday magic brings a smile to your entire family! In this exclusive visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus in their kitchen and workshop, your group of up to 6 members will enjoy a private meeting and photo opportunity.

It is important that you arrive before your scheduled time slot - Santa and Mrs. Claus are very busy this time of year and may not be able to visit with your family should you arrive late. Please schedule your visit with plenty of time to arrive.

Visit to the North Pole

Did you send your letter to Santa? Then why has he not received it? No letters – No Christmas. Join the fun and laughter as Tucker the elf and the toys set out to save Christmas.

The Biggest Gift

Learn more about Marlee Mating & Henry Winkler here. 

Newsmakers: Marlee Matlin & Henry Winkler

A fan favorite on NBC’s The Voice, the Bay Area native has toured with Boz Scaggs, Michael McDonald, Johnny Mathis and more! With natural ability, strong will, and determination, Ms Monét continues to make a name for herself in the music industry, as she has been sought out to write, produce, arrange, vocal-train and perform some of the world’s greatest hits and work alongside some of the world’s leading performers. As an artist, Ms. Monét’s constant push forward continues to drive her development and success. It’s no wonder she’s been called, “The Monificent.”

Ms. Monét

Mysterious murders, dogged detectives, and dedicated district attorneys...Dun-Dun! Will the murder be solved? Will the jury convict? And will law and order finally prevail? You decide because you become the jury at the end of Synergy Theater’s hysterical homage to everybody’s favorite cops-and-courtroom show. Completely improvised and all based on your suggestions. Laughter will be served! 

Improvised Law and Order

Stella Cole_Main ImageTo watch Stella Cole perform is to be transported back in time. Her sense of joy and wonder is infectious—one look at her massive social media following makes this clear. Take a quick scroll through the comments of any of her many viral videos and you’ll see not only her irresistible charm, but an ability to expose fans of all ages to the wonders of the Great American Songbook, especially when these timeless stories are told honestly by an artist with an uncanny ability to transcend generations.

On her highly anticipated debut recording and concert tour, Stella is presented performing / interpreting a collection of classics in a variety of settings, including many featuring an orchestra arranged by multiple Grammy-winner Alan Broadbent. Featuring songs made famous by everyone from Barbara Streisand (“When the Sun Comes Out”) and Judy Garland (The Boy Next Door” as well as a classic re-interpretation of “Over the Rainbow”) to Billie Eilish (“My Future”) and Audrey Hepburn (“Moon River”), it is sure to be one of the most impressive vocal recordings of 2024.

Stella Cole

Abba-mania reigns supreme as the eight-piece production show The Abba Concert Experience starring Summer Night City performs all the greatest hits of one of the world's most beloved pop Super-Groups of the 70's: ABBA! Featuring Lead Singers Rachel Songer [as Agnetha] and Gro Bondevik [as Frida] formerly of 'Supertrouper'!

The ABBA Concert Experience

Inspired by the words of theologian and former San Francisco resident Howard Thurman, Simons’ Breathe is a calming appeal to “stay put for a while.”
For music lovers and guitar enthusiasts alike, Rodrigo's iconic Concierto de Aranjuez features evocative melodies and distinctive Spanish guitar solos designed to transport you to another time and place.  

Mozart Serenity

Eagles fans! Mark your calendars because on February 4th, 2025 Eagles Tribute - "Take It To The Limit" from Vancouver, Canada performs in Walnut Creek for the 1st time!

Get ready for an unforgettable night of live music as some of Canada's most talented musicians and vocalists bring to life your favourite Eagles hits, including classics like "Hotel California," "Heartache Tonight," "Peaceful Easy Feeling," "Take It To The Limit," "Desperado," "Life In The Fast Lane," "Take It Easy," "Lyin' Eyes," and more!

Take It To The Limit - A Tribute to the Eagles

Direct from Las Vegas, Elvis Tribute artist extraordinaire Greg Miller stars in this one man show highlighting Elvis Presley's meteoric rise to fame in the late 1950's to his groundbreaking Aloha and Las Vegas 1970's concerts. Greg Miller is recognized as one of the world's best Elvis tribute artists, accomplished in his recreation of the look, sound and moves of The King. He's performed as Elvis worldwide, including headlining shows for 'Legends In Concert'. Greg maintains a performance of remarkable authenticity and has become one of the biggest Elvis headliners in Las Vegas. Come get 'All Shook Up' as we present... The Wonder of Elvis!

The Wonder of Elvis starring Greg Miller

Julia Adam's "Cinderella's Wedding", based on the second act full-length fairytale ballet, includes the infamous glass slipper, romantic pas de deux, and the four seasons with her attendants; Autumn, Winter, Spring and Summer fairies. Also featured is the Diablo Ballet premiere of George Balanchine's cheerful "Donizetti Variations" with music from the opera Don Sebastian; and an encore presentation of the heartwarming "Dr. Magic" by Penny Saunders. 

Diablo Ballet's Cinderella's Wedding

This orchestral program celebrates the incredible variety of dance music composed and performed in the United States. Florence Price's 1951 orchestral Suite of Dances reflects the composer's African American heritage, and Russian émigré Sergei Rachmaninov's 1941 Symphonic Dances echoes the homeland he fled in 1917. Contemporary American composer Libby Larson describes her 2016 "Dancing Man Rhapsody" - written for our soloist, violinist Terrie Baune - as a "cornucopia of music in motion."

Sounds of the Americas: American Dance!

It’s 2007, and motion capture “3D” animation has taken the film and video gaming industry by storm. For Froggy, it’s been a year of obsessing over her actor boyfriend’s disappearance. When she discovers clues to his whereabouts embedded in a violent, underground video game, Froggy dives down a deadly rabbit hole to uncover his—and her own—fate. From the brilliantly demented minds of Blackburn Award-winner Jennifer Haley (The Nether, Netflix’s Mindhunter), multimedia artist / Obie Award-winner Jared Mezzocchi,(VietGone) and directed by Center REP Artistic Director Matt M. Morrow, FROGGY is next generation storytelling, fusing the styles of graphic novels, film noir, and today’s revolutionary virtual media to create a thrilling new theatrical event not to be missed.

Froggy

Mandy P_Main ImageBefore he was an Emmy-winning TV star, Mandy Patinkin was already a Tony-winning Broadway legend. Mandy Patinkin in Concert: Being Alive with Adam Ben-David on Piano presents the acclaimed actor/singer/storyteller in his most electrifying role: concert performer. “Mandy Patinkin is in the business of showstopping,” raves The New Yorker, and that’s exactly what he does in this powerful, passionate evening of song. BEING ALIVE is a collection of many of his favorite Broadway and classic American tunes. From Irving Berlin to Stephen Sondheim, from Cole Porter to Harry Chapin, Mandy Patinkin takes you on a dazzling musical journey you’ll never forget. Mandy Patinkin has been fortunate to carve out a varied career including theater, the concert stage, film, television, and as a recording artist. 


Mandy Patinkin in Concert: Being Alive with Adam Ben-David on Piano

The sold-out, only-at-the-Lesher Center event returns! Our annual College Notes event features a cappella groups from top universities from across the country and is sure to be the perfect harmony of bright minds and bright voices! 

College Notes A Cappella

Experience the magic, romance and excitement of the music of Frank Sinatra in this special one-performance-only-celebration featuring the greatest romantic ballads and swingin' hits of ol' blue eyes himself, the 'chairman of the board!'

Nobody delivered a song like Frank Sinatra, and Las Vegas-style entertainer Jonathan Poretz delivers them with pizazz and style backed by a smokin' hot Jazz Ensemble. This show features all the great hits of Frank Sinatra and a salute to the legendary singers of Las Vegas with select interpretations from the Great American Songbook.

Simply Sinatra: 110 Years of Ol' Blue Eyes

Newsmakers: Vicente Fox

Pete Peterkin has become a bit of a legend himself, having come to worldwide fame as a finalist on "America's Got Talent" and his long running series of tribute shows in Las Vegas. He's appeared in hundreds of productions along the Las Vegas Strip, including his own residency at the Flamingo Hilton. He's been nicknamed "The World's Greatest Celebrity Impressionist," with an astounding repertoire of over 200 celebrity impressions, including Stevie Wonder, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, and many others.

Ray Charles, Chuck Berry, Little Richard & Friends

You’ll hear the two surviving movements of Franz Schubert’s haunting and beautiful final symphony, and the three completed movements of Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 9.
Declining health, hesitation over how to continue the piece, work overload, and even that the pages were completed but ultimately lost... Theories abound, but no one knows why Schubert never finished his eighth and final symphony. 

Unfinished Bruckner

Fly into Neverland with Wendy, Peter Pan and Tinker Bell in this new original, multimedia adaptation! In their adventures, with the Lost Boys and Captain Hook, Wendy learns that a brain filled with fear has little space for dreams. Using popular songs from the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s, stunning digital scenery, life sized puppets and live performers, children receive a valuable message, and adults enjoy a wonderfully entertaining show for audiences of all ages!

DLUX Puppets' Peter Pan

A musical celebration of one of the best-selling artists of all time, Billy Nation thrills audiences with a high energy authentic concert experience of three decades of Billy Joel's hits. Featuring the dynamic virtuosity of Adam Shapiro as Billy Joel along with his 6-piece band, Billy Nation captures Billy's stylistic range with ease from anthems like 'Piano Man' to rocking songs like 'You May Be Right' to beautiful ballads like 'Just the Way You Are'. Complete with Billy's signature grand piano, growling saxophone, rich

A Tribute to Billy Joel with Billy Nation

A collection of serious music for Wind Symphony, ranging from marches to modern.

March Concert

A cleverly tuneful combination of two favorites comes alive as Little Red Riding Hood and Goldilocks get more than they bargained for when they change places for a day.

Once Upon A Time: The Adventures of Goldilocks and Little Red

This multi-ethnic company performs a forward-thinking repertoire that includes treasured classics and innovative contemporary works that celebrate Black culture and empowerment through the arts for all.

Dance Theatre of Harlem is a leading dance institution of unparalleled global acclaim, encompassing a professional touring company, a leading studio school, and a national and international education and community outreach program. Each component of Dance Theatre of Harlem carries a solid commitment towards enriching the lives of young people and adults around the world through the arts. Founded in 1969 by Arthur Mitchell and Karel Shook, Dance Theatre of Harlem is considered “one of ballet’s most exciting undertakings” (The New York Times). Shortly after the assassination of The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Mitchell was inspired to start a school that would offer children—especially those in Harlem, the community in which he was born—the opportunity to learn about dance and the allied arts. Now in its sixth decade, Dance Theatre of Harlem has grown into a multi-cultural dance institution with an extraordinary legacy of providing opportunities for creative expression and artistic excellence that continues to set standards in the performing arts. Dance Theatre of Harlem has achieved unprecedented success, bringing innovative and bold new forms of artistic expression to audiences in New York City, across the country and around the world.

California Symphony’s Young American Composer-in-Residence (2023-26) Saad Haddad presents his second commission for the orchestra. 
Grażyna Bacewicz incorporates Polish folk themes in a piece that features intense moments of drama and a demanding and virtuosic lead role for piano, played here by internationally acclaimed pianist David Fung.
Tchaikovsky’s sixth and final symphony is also known as the Pathétique, but the composer originally called it the Passionate. Grand, sweeping, and with themes you’ll recognize from movies and pop culture, it’s one of the Russian melody master’s most popular and frequently performed works. 

Tchaikovsky Passion

Experience the vibrant sounds of the season at the Walnut Creek Concert Band's Spring Concert, showcasing an uplifting mix of contemporary and classic wind band pieces that celebrate the beauty and renewal of spring. Join us for an unforgettable evening of music that promises to inspire and delight audiences of all ages.

Spring Concert

This iconic ballet set to Pyotr Tchaikovsky's majestic score highlights Act 2 and 3 and includes white and black swan pas de deux, a flurry of swans, exhilarating divertissements and a grand finale.

Patrons who purchase tickets to the Saturday, March 29th, 2 pm performance of Swan Lake Suite are invited to a complimentary post-performance meet and greet with the cast, autograph signing, and more immediately following the performance. 

Diablo Ballet's Swan Lake Suite

The ocean as a force of nature and its reflection of human emotion have inspired composers across the centuries. Debussy's La Mer (The Sea) forms a magical, ever-changing soundscape that has enchanted audiences for more than a century. Composer-in-residence Josiah Catalan's ocean-inspired new world - commissioned by the DSO - will transport listeners of today and tomorrow. Andcellist extraordinaire Evan Kahn will delight with two wonderful works you won't often get to hear: alexander Glazunov's "Melodies" for cello and orchestra and Erich Korngold's Cello Concerto

The Sea in Us

Now in her mid-50’s—and recently ‘liberated’ from her child and husband—Sharon needs a roommate to share her Iowa home. Robyn, also in her mid-50s, seeks a refuge and a chance to reboot. When the two become roomies and their odd-couple of a friendship deepens, truths emerge, along with hidden talents and secret desires. Part mystery, part comedy and altogether original, this two-hander contemporary classic takes on what it means to be middle aged, middle class, in the middle of America, and how to change it all by throwing caution to the wind.

The Roommate

Brazile: Veteran Democratic Political Strategist Columnist
Will: Pulitzer Prize-Winning Columnist and Author

Newsmakers: Donna Brazile & George Will

Perilous journeys, fearsome barbarians, powerful wizards, impossible puzzles, and fire-breathing dragons pour onto stage like an endless supply of food and weapons from a magical Bag of Holding in Synergy Theater’s Improvised Dungeons and Dragons! Completely improvised and all based on your suggestions, this hysterical tribute to the world’s most popular role-playing game will cast its spell of Hideous Laughter on all who enter our realm. So, grab your Boots of Speed, wrap yourself up in your Cloak of Charisma, and come along on our epic adventure. 

Improvised Dungeons and Dragons

In this live musical performance, 'Come Together' recreates the look, sound and history of the Beatles, taking you back into time to witness the Beatles phenomenal rise to pop stardom.

Through authentic costumes, superbly intricate live performances and soaring vocal harmonies,
'Come Together' takes audiences on a musical journey from the early years of the Beatles's British Invasion through their legendary 60's and 70's recordings with highlights of the Sgt. Pepper era, as well as their solo careers.

Come Together: The Beatles Concert Experience

From Vegas to Honolulu, to New York, to Berlin… Rob has come to be known as the ‘King of Diamonds’ as he is able to naturally capture the presence, passion, and energy of this iconic performer in all his youthful ‘JAZZ SINGER’ glory. Those who have witnessed Rob’s unparalleled performances will testify that YOU SIMPLY CAN’T GET ANY CLOSER!

In 2008 Rob was awarded with the “Male Musical Tribute Artist of the Year” award in Las Vegas marking the first (and only) time a Neil Diamond tribute act has won such an honor. Rob Garrett and his top notch showband take a break from their current full time residency in Las Vegas's Alexis Park Modern Showroom to take their award winning show cross country to venues nationwide. Be part of the magic!

The Neil Diamond Concert Experience

NEA Jazz Master, Two-time EMMY and Oscar Nominee, Seven-time GRAMMY® winning trumpeter & composer Terence Blanchard has established himself as the quintessential 21st Century Renaissance man. In celebration of his artistic achievements, Blanchard will reunite the extraordinary band that collaborated on his critically acclaimed album, FLOW, for a 20th anniversary tour in 2025.

Twenty years ago, Blanchard assembled an exceptional lineup consisting of Brice Winston on saxophone, Lionel Loueke on guitar and vocals, Aaron Parks on piano, Derrick Hodge on bass, and Kendrick Scott on drums. This group entered the studio with the intention of delving into the fundamental question: What brings joy and purpose to people's lives? Both the question and the title of the album were inspired by the renowned psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, and his book Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience which explores creativity, peak performance, and genuine happiness.

Terence Blanchard

Miguel Zenon_Main ImageThe internationally acclaimed Grammy Award-winner has been hailed as one of the most influential saxophonists of his generation. Named in May 2024 as one of two musicians for the prestigious Doris Duke Award, Miguel Zenon is at the forefront of blending the often-contradictory poles of innovation and tradition—all while balancing his extensive international touring schedule with his role as a faculty member in the music and arts department at MIT.

Miguel Zenón

Actress/Singer Rebecca Clark becomes Barbra Streisand in this live one-woman musical delivering all the greatest hits of this legendary singer. Hailed as one of the best Barbra Streisand performers in the world, Miss Clark's performances have wowed audiences worldwide.

She's performed at Legends In Concert in Las Vegas, Stars In Concert in Berlin, The Cannes Film Festival and in prestigious clubs from coast to coast.

Hello Gorgeous! A Live Tribute to Barbra Streisand

Newsmakers: Martin Luther King III

Joi Rhone presents Audience of one (Tribute to the King) with Tunde Lasode and friends. At our last show, we had such a breakthrough sold out show!!! A spectacular night that featured amazing musicians who displayed their amazing musical gifts before our deserving king, Jesus! This time, we are taking it up a notch, paying tribute to our King with music and performance by Anastasis Ballet! This show will feature a professional ballet worship performance along with the live ensemble and horn section, with african 'talking' drum. It will be another show to remember! Our Audience from different works of life, and faith couldn't get enough the last time. Come, join us in paying tribute to our King, It is more than just music! It doesn't matter what faith you are, it will bless you. It is not religious, but relationship oriented. Come experience and explore connection with the CREATOR through divinely crafted music, a fine tapestry woven with skillful threads of inspired notes!!! Come, experience joy like never before. Audience of one (Tribute to the King) with Tunde Lasode and friends will again be another Night to remember!!! See you soon.

Tunde Lasode - Audience of One (Tribute to the King)

“Whack!” Percussionist Ken Bergmann is back with his smashing spectacle of drums, cowbells, chairs and more in Percussion Discussion. Incorporating instruments from around the globe, the popular family-oriented show features a hysterical romp through the sound effects of Hollywood, a unique look at the computer age, all the flash one would expect from a drummer gone amok and for no apparent reason, a cymbal clanging monkey.

Percussion Discussion

An evening of music representing the golden days of Broadway.

May Concert - On Broadway

After a stormy beginning, Dorothy shares friendship with a Scarecrow, Tin Man, and a Lion. Together using brains, a heart, and courage, they set out on a dangerous journey with excitement at every turn along the Yellow Brick Road.


Wizard of Oz

Travel down the Mississippi with Florence Price and the Moldau with Bedrich Smetana, respectively, in a Mother’s Day concert that celebrates musical creativity and the beauty of Mother Earth. The melodic and rhythmic ebb and flow of Price’s Mississippi Suite reveals the landscapes, birds, and people in the lands of southern spirituals and New Orleans jazz, and Smetana’s  “The Moldau,” capturing the composer’s love of his homeland, flows past jubilant hunters, a village wedding, a legendary gorge, and whitewater rapids before reaching Prague and its Bohemian castle, Vyšehrad. And Rokeach’s creative Piccolo Concerto, featuring soloist Amy Likar, takes the listener on an optimistic and celebratory journey while also showcasing the instrument’s uniquely sweet-toned low register

A Musical Mother's Day: River Journeys

Newsmakers: Dave Barry

This brand-new production of "Alice in Wonderland" by Brian Enos takes you on a journey down the rabbit hole into an extraordinary imaginative world as Alice meets unforgettable characters and falls in love with the magic of Wonderland. Also featured is the Diablo Ballet premiere of Gerald Arpino's romantic "Reflections", the fast-paced neoclassical work set to Tchaikovsky's "Variations on a Rococo Theme".

Diablo Ballet's Alice in Wonderland

New premieres and old favorites define Dance Series 2. Artistic Director Amy Seiwert creates a World Premiere, her 13th ballet for the Company. Trey McIntyre returns to Smuin with the Bay Area premiere of his Wild Sweet Love, an ode to the ups and downs of love set to a range of music from Mendelsohn to Queen. McIntyre’s “fertility of invention and modernity of spirit” (The New York Times) is no stranger to Smuin, and we’re delighted to add another of his ballets to our repertory. Completing the program is a pair of favorites: Michael Smuin’s Rodin-inspired The Eternal Idol, originally choreographed for American Ballet Theatre superstars Cynthia Gregory and Ivan Nagy and Smuin Alum Rex Wheeler’s spritely, springy Sinfonietta.

Smuin's Dance Series 2

In our first co-production with TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, celebrated Bay Area composer / playwright Min Kahng (The Four Immigrants) has created a world-premiere musical that explodes everything you thought you knew about being young and successful—and old and horny.

When internet influencer Jade Park is cancelled online, she seeks redemption by taking on a precarious challenge—helping her rebellious grandmother June, who has the raised eyebrows of many in her senior residential community following a string of mysterious deaths of her lovers. When the body count starts to rise, the pressure is on Jade to solve the mystery and save her grandmother’s (sex) life! This romp of a world-premiere musical explodes the social taboos around aging by celebrating the Boomer spirit and the intergenerational connections that make family worth fighting for.

HAPPY PLEASANT VALLEY: A Senior Sex Scandal Murder Mystery Musical

Established in 1994, the group had a strong beginning thanks to the mentorship of Lola Bertran, La Reina de La Musica Ranchera. In these early days, Maestro Jóse Hernàndez saw the potential in this all-female ensemble, and fostered the development of the group. Reyna de Los Angeles® has since gone on to record three albums, share the stage with world-renowned musicians like Vicki Carr, Guadalupe Pineda, and Lucha Villa, and perform for some of the world’s highest profile celebrities including Tom Cruise, Oprah Winfrey, and Barack and Michelle Obama.

Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles

Murder, madness, and mystery combine to weave a chilling tapestry of terror in Synergy Theater’s Spontaneous Hitchcock! Stuffed like a corpse with innocence accused, loyalty betrayed, sanity tested, and more twists and turns than a high-speed car chase in the dead of night on a mountain pass, this hysterical homage to Sir Alfred Hitchcock – completely improvised and all based on your suggestions - will keep you in stitches from the first creaking floorboard to the final shovel of dirt. So, fix Mother’s make up and bring her along to Spontaneous Hitchcock: An Improvised Thriller in the Style of the Master of Suspense. 

Spontaneous Hitchcock

Abagnale: Renowned Cybercrime and Fraud Prevention Expert, Author of Catch Me if You Can

Newsmakers: Frank Abagnale

Newsmakers: Lisa Ling

Linney: Award-Winning Theatre, Film & Television Actress

Newsmakers: Laura Linney

Bedford Gallery presents the next iteration of the popular Cocktails & Conversation series. Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Director of Curatorial Affairs Rehema C. Barber Williams will dive deep into the Collins Collection presented in Drawn to Abstraction: Prints from the 1960s and 70s. Hear how the work was wholeheartedly collected by the Collins family and eventually bequeathed to Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. Enjoy a signature cocktail and light bites throughout the evening.

Lesher Center for the Arts

Nov 23, 2024

Craft Fest

23 - 24 Nov, 2024

The Christmas Ballet

Oct 27 - Nov 24, 2024

Dragon Lady

Oct 4 - Dec 13, 2024

Rock 'n' Roll Fridays

Nov 29 - Dec 1, 2024

Guys and Dolls JR.

Nov 16, 2024

Public Art Walking Tour

15 - 16 Nov, 2024

Diablo Ballet's The Nutcracker Suite

Lesher Center for the Arts