Regarded as one of North America’s finest concert organists and praised for his dazzling artistry, impeccable technique, and imaginative programming, Ken Cowan’s recordings and live performances have been featured on nationally distributed radio programming from American Public Media. Mr. Cowan will be joined in performance by his violinist wife Lisa Shihoten, a former music faculty member at Princeton University who is currently performing with the prestigious New York City-based Jupiter Symphony Chamber Players and regularly touring the world as a solo artist.

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KEN COWAN & LISA SHIHOTEN FORBES ORGAN SERIES

Performing Arts Center San Luis Obispo

For a quarter century, RENT has inspired us to choose love over fear and to live without regret. Following a year in the lives of a diverse group of artists and friends struggling to follow their dreams without selling out, this Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning phenomenon has become more than a musical – it’s a cultural touchstone and a source of joy and strength for millions. RENT’s 25th Anniversary “Farewell Season of Love” is your final chance to experience this celebrated touring production, so don’t miss it! (Ages 13+) 

RENT – THE MUSICAL

From Iranian playwright Nassim Soleimanpour comes an audacious new theatrical experiment, wherein an audience member-turned-performer joins the playwright on stage while the unseen script awaits in a sealed box. This unique theatrical game forges a delicate connection between performer and audience as together they find out how the story ends, all under the watchful – and sometimes editorial – eye of the playwright. Touchingly autobiographical yet powerfully universal, Nassim is a striking theatrical demonstration of how language can both divide and unite us.

NASSIM

Spanos Theatre

Performing works based on the vast repertory of storied choreographer David Parsons, Parsons Dance is an internationally renowned contemporary American dance company known for its energized and athletic ensemble work. Parsons and his Company have been recognized with three Choreography Fellowship Grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the American Choreography Award, the Dance Magazine Award, a Howard Gilman Fellowship, the Dance Masters of America Annual Award, and the Capezio ACE Award. (Smoke, haze, and strobing light effects)

PARSONS DANCE

Award-winning violinist Tessa Lark and virtuoso composer/ bassist Michael Thurber met years ago as alumni of NPR’s “From the Top” and quickly realized how much they had musically in common. In 2016, they began developing their duo collaboration after a one-off performance at an event for WQXR in New York City. By fusing classical and American music influences, they created a wholly original sound that they now bring to audiences around the country in a charismatic live show. Lark and Thurber will perform an intimate concert in the cabaret-style environment of the PAC Pavilion.

TESSA LARK & MICHAEL THURBER

PAC Pavilion

BEAUTIFUL – The Carole King Musical tells the inspiring true story of King’s remarkable rise to stardom — from being part of a hit songwriting team with her husband Gerry Goffin to her relationship with fellow writers and best friends Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, and ultimately becoming one of the most successful solo acts in popular music history. Along the way, she made more than beautiful music, she wrote the soundtrack to a generation.

BEAUTIFUL - The Carole King Musical

Under the direction of its legendary founder and choreographer, Amalia Hernández, Ballet Folklórico de México and its 60 stellar performers return to the Performing Arts Center direct from Mexico City’s Palacio de Bellas Artes. The company draws upon pre-Hispanic rituals as well as Mexican history and folklore to create an inspiring evening of world music and dance. Driven by the “tap-like” percussion of the dancers’ feet, the swirling patterns of the colorful costumes, and a joyful eruption of music, Ballet Folklórico de México is globally hailed as the original and best Mexican folk dance ensemble.

Ballet Folklórico de México

Black Violin has performed its signature blend of hip hop and classical music to sold-out audiences in venues as diverse as Harlem’s Apollo Theater and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC. In 2018, they blew away Central Coast audiences at the Performing Arts Center in one of the most talked-about performances in recent seasons. In addition to traditional concert touring, Black Violin has been featured on “The Tonight Show,” “Ellen,” “The Wendy Williams Show,” and more. The group has also collaborated creatively with such artists as Kanye West, Aerosmith, Tom Petty, Wu-Tang Clan, Wyclef Jean, and Alicia Keys. Come hear what everyone is still talking about!

BLACK VIOLIN

Ailey II is universally renowned for merging the spirit and energy of the country’s best young dance talent with the passion and creative vision of today’s most outstanding emerging choreographers. Founded in 1974, the awe-inspiring company embodies Alvin Ailey’s pioneering mission to establish an extended cultural community that provides dance performances, training, and community programs for all people. Their Miossi Hall concert will feature Robert Battle’s THE HUNT (2001), an excerpt from ALLELUIA (2002), SEARCHLIGHT (2021), Yannick Lebrun’s SAA MAGNI (2019), William Forsythe’s ENEMY IN THE FIGURE (1989), and Alvin Ailey’s REVELATIONS (1960).

AILEY II

In this stellar tribute to Aretha Franklin, Damien Sneed pays homage to the monarch herself with fresh renditions of Aretha’s most cherished hits, including “Respect,” “Knew You Were Waiting,” “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” “Precious Memories,” “Think,” “Until You Come Back To Me,” “Daydreaming,” “Freeway,” “Natural Woman,” and more. Backed by an accomplished cast of jazz, gospel, and soul musicians and vocalists, Sneed’s multimedia concert will be a tender and spiritual reflection upon the life of an iconic industry titan. Joining the evening will be renowned singer and songwriter Valerie Simpson.  Ms. Simpson, a 6-time Grammy Nominee, is half of the songwriting-performing-producing entity known as Ashford & Simpson. Their award-winning collaborations began in the late ‘60s, and she along with her late husband Nick Ashford have penned classic hits such as, “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “You’re All I Need to Get By,” “Reach Out and Touch Somebody’s Hand,” “I’m Every Woman,” and many others that were made famous by Aretha Franklin.

A TRIBUTE TO ARETHA FRANKLIN – QUEEN OF SOUL FEATURING DAMIEN SNEED

International Guitar Night is the world’s premier touring guitar festival, bringing together the most interesting and innovative acoustic guitarists for special evenings of guitar solos, duets, and quartets. Celebrating 22 years of sweeping showcases, the specially selected artists for the evening will be acoustic rock sensation Luca Stricagnoli (Italy), progressive classical guitarist, Thu Le (Vietnam), Slack Key master Jim Kimo West (Hawaii), and Latin Swing pioneer Lulo Reinhardt (Germany).

International Guitar Night

If the phrase “male a cappella group” conjures up an image of students in blue blazers, ties, and khakis singing traditional college songs on ivied campuses, think again! Straight No Chaser (SNC) are neither strait-laced nor straight-faced, but neither are they vaudeville-style kitsch. SNC has emerged as a massive phenomenon, selling more than 1.5 million concert tickets and 2+ million albums worldwide – two of which were RIAA Gold Certified. They have appeared on national TV and collaborated with legends like Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, and Dolly Parton. With a huge global fanbase, SNC is the real deal. Hear what happens when the captivating sound of nine unadulterated human voices comes together to make extraordinary music in a humorous, moving, and unforgettable evening. (High-volume performance)

STRAIGHT NO CHASER – BACK IN THE HIGH LIFE

One of the most energetic and engaging progressive acoustic bands, known for their perfect mix of virtuoso bluegrass musicianship and rock star vocals, The HillBenders’ WhoGrass is a rollicking chronological journey through The Who’s legendary catalog. From the early hits all the way through The Who’s discography – and even taking a peek into Pete Townshend’s solo career – the rolling banjo, intense dobro percussion, and thunderous vocals will have even the biggest Who fans pumping their fists and singing along in this Spanos Theatre concert!

THE HILLBENDERS - WhoGrass

Meet Jenna, a waitress and expert pie-maker who dreams of a way out of her small town and rocky marriage. Pouring her heart into her pies, she crafts desserts that mirror her topsy-turvy life, such as “The Key (Lime) to Happiness Pie” and “Betrayed By My Eggs Pie.” When a baking contest in a nearby county — and a satisfying run-in with someone new — show Jenna a chance at a fresh start, she must find the courage to seize it. Change is on the menu, as long as Jenna can write her own perfectly personal recipe for happiness.Brought to life by a groundbreaking all-female creative team, this hilarious hit Broadway musical features original music and lyrics by Grammy Award winner Sara Bareilles (“Brave,” “Love Song”), a book by acclaimed screenwriter Jessie Nelson (I Am Sam), original choreography by Lorin Latarro (Les Liaisons Dangereuses, Waiting For Godot) re-created by tour choreographer Abbey O’Brien, and the original direction by Tony Award-winner Diane Paulus (Hair, Pippin) re-created by tour director Susanna Wolk. (Ages 13+)

Cal Poly Arts

May 26, 2022

KEN COWAN & LISA SHIHOTEN FORBES ORGAN SERIES

Apr 21, 2022

RENT – THE MUSICAL

Apr 14, 2022

NASSIM

Apr 9, 2022

PARSONS DANCE

Apr 6, 2022

TESSA LARK & MICHAEL THURBER

Cal Poly Arts

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