Francis Marion University Performing Arts Center is gearing up to host a series of extraordinary events that celebrate the rich tapestry of cultural heritage and musical brilliance. This upcoming season, audiences will experience the rhythmic allure of Step Afrika!, the heartfelt melodies of Edwin McCain, and the soul-stirring sounds of Ranky Tanky. Each of these performances promises to captivate with their unique blend of art forms and storytelling, offering a glimpse into the diverse world of African American and Southern cultural expressions. Join us in Florence, SC, for an unforgettable journey through music and dance.

Celebrating Cultural Heritage and Musical Brilliance at FMU

Get ready for an artistic journey that transcends borders and genres as Francis Marion University Performing Arts Center hosts three extraordinary events. Step Afrika will showcase the vibrant art of stepping, Edwin McCain will serenade audiences with his timeless love ballads, and Ranky Tanky will bring the soul-stirring sounds of Gullah music to life. Each event celebrates unique cultural heritages and artistic expressions, promising unforgettable experiences in Florence, SC.

Arts and Culture Revived: Step Afrika, Edwin McCain, and Ranky Tanky Light Up Francis Marion University

Francis Marion University's Performing Arts Center is gearing up for a spectacular season of music and performances that promise to offer something for everyone. From rock legends like Don Felder and The Righteous Brothers to classical and jazz performances by Natalia Vanegas Escobar and the FMU Jazz Combo, this series of events is set to captivate and inspire. Explore the cultural tapestry woven through innovative workshops, classic rock tributes, and theatrical productions. Join us as we dive into an unforgettable experience at the heart of Florence, South Carolina.

An Epic Journey Through Music and Performance at FMU's Performing Arts Center

Open to all university students, the University Concert Choir has an average enrollment of between 35 and 45 students. This group has sung in numerous area churches and has also performed with the Florence Symphony Orchestra. They have performed such major choral works as the “Polovetzian Dance and Chorus” of Alexander Borodin, the “Schicksalslied” of Johannes Brahms, and the Ninth Symphony of Ludwig van Beethoven. Recently their concerts have included selections accompanied by the newly formed Francis Marion string ensemble.

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FMU Choir and Voice Collective Performance

Francis Marion University Performing Arts Center

The Francis Marion University Percussion Ensemble is a contemporary chamber ensemble that explores the world of percussion from an improvisation-based approach. We model our performance methodology and musical ideology on the performance practice of drummer/composer Max Roach’s percussion ensemble M’Boom, especially in their focus on jazz and non-Western musical cultures as a touchstone for aesthetic inspiration. We employ improvisation as a key mode of praxis—both in terms of theory and practice—and special focus is given to compositions invented during collective improvisation exercises. Additionally, we explore “minimalism,” “game,” and “open score” notation/compositional systems, while also examining the ways in which poetry and literature can be interpreted in a musical setting.

FMU Percussion Ensemble Performance

FMU's Performing Arts Center

Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives are on tour now to promote their latest release, Space Junk.

Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives

The FMU Jazz Combo allows students in a small group setting to learn and hone improvisational skills within the the jazz idiom. Works have been selected from music by Corea, Glasper, Shorter, and more.

FMU Jazz Combo Performance

Open to all university students and faculty interested in learning and performing chamber music, the University String Ensemble members meet for weekly rehearsals during Fall and Spring academic semesters, giving public recitals and accompanying other campus ensembles.

FMU String Ensemble Performance

The University Theatre and Music Industry programs combine to produce Vinegar Tom, a 1976 play by the British playwright Caryl Churchill. The play examines gender and power relationships through the lens of 17th-century witchcraft trials in England.

FMU Fine Arts – Vinegar Tom

In 1975, Pink Floyd’s legendary members – Roger Waters, David Gilmour, Rick Wright and Nick Mason – embarked on a journey to create a follow-up to The Dark Side of the Moon at EMI Studios, now the world famous Abbey Road Studios. Despite a tumultuous start, what emerged was Wish You Were Here – a six-time Platinum masterpiece that remains one of the greatest rock albums of all time.

Floyd Nation

The Francis Marion University Concert Band will be performing its fall concert at the FMU Performing Arts Center in downtown Florence.

FMU Concert Band Performance

The Righteous Brothers Lovin’ Feeling Farewell Tour promises a captivating music odyssey, spanning the early days of rock and roll, the era of Blue-Eyed soul and as far reaching as the movie Dirty Dancing. From heartwarming ballads to energetic rock anthems, every performance is a testament to the enduring power of The Righteous Brothers’ music and their connection to fans across the globe.

The Righteous Brothers

Described as “A talented group that exemplifies the genre-obliterating direction of contemporary classical music (Columbia Free times)”, W4RP Trio is an internationally touring cross-genre chamber music experience. Reflecting the combination of Juilliard trained members juxtaposed with members steeped in rock and jazz styles, the one of a kind trio can be seen performing classical works in prestigious halls on the same tour where they headline a standing room only show at a rock venue. In addition to their electrifying public performances, they have gained a reputation for their innovative educational workshops with students from grade school through university level.

FMU Artist Series – W4RP Trio

Colombian pianist Natalia Vanegas has received recognition in national and international competitions in Colombia, Costa Rica, and the United States. She has been invited to festivals and conferences such as the CIMA Festival in Manizales, the Puerto Rico Center for Collaborative Piano, the Piano Encounter in Costa Rica, the College Music Society, and the South Central Regional Tuba-Euphonium Conference (SCRTEC). She has appeared as a soloist with the EAFIT Symphony Orchestra under José Escandell, as well as with the Camerata UdeA, the ArteCámara Orchestra, and the University of Memphis Student Orchestra.

FMU Artist Series – Natalia Vanegas Escobar, piano

Don Felder is a true 21st-century renaissance man for all seasons. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee is probably most known for his contributions as an Eagles lead guitarist, co-writing and performing the memorable solo on the band’s “Hotel California” while contributing songs such as “Vision” in addition to earning writing credits on “Victim of Love” and “Those Shoes.”

Don Felder

The Wisdom Players Senior Theatre Company presents “Encounters in a Park in Heaven”.

Encounters in a Park in Heaven

Ranky Tanky" class="css-u850" data-mark-multiple="true">Ranky Tanky (a Gullah phrase for “get funky”) are five lifelong friends from Charleston, South Carolina who have established themselves as passionate global ambassadors for their local culture and community, helping to faithfully preserve the traditions originated by African Americans in the coastal South during slavery that are kept alive through the present day. The GRAMMY award winning band has been featured on NPR’s Fresh Air, The Today Show, PBS Newshour and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert #playathome. Ranky Tanky were honored to be featured artists in President Biden’s inauguration event, We The People. They were the subjects of a 10-page profile in Oxford American’s South Carolina Music Issue and were named 2020 Artist of The Year by the Charleston City Paper.

Ranky Tanky

From Greenville, SC, Edwin McCain is going on over 30 years of hits and worldwide touring. He has been called a “street corner prophet” by USA Today, and “aching tenor” by Slate Magazine, and a “great American romantic” by the New York Times, but he is so much more than those things. After a long ride on a wave created by recording two of the biggest love songs in the history of music (“I’ll Be” and “I Could Not Ask for More”) and producing and starring in a tv series (Flippin’ Ships on Animal Planet), Edwin slowed his road schedule to dedicate more time to his primary roles as husband to his wife and father of their three young children, but now the kids are grown-ish and Edwin is back touring everywhere.

Edwin McCain

Founded in 1994 by C. Brian Williams, Step Afrika" class="css-u850">Step Afrika" class="css-u850" data-mark-multiple="true">Step Afrika" class="css-u850">Step Afrika" class="css-u850" data-mark-multiple="true">Step Afrika! is the world’s leading authority on the artform of stepping. Under Mr. Williams’ leadership, stepping has evolved into one of America’s cultural exports, touring more than 60 countries across the globe and ranking as one of the top 10 African American Dance Companies in the US. Step Afrika! blends percussive dance styles practiced by historically African American fraternities and sororities; traditional African dances; and an array of contemporary dance and art forms into a cohesive, compelling artistic experience.

Step Afrika

A mulit-media concert celebration of the music of ELO, audiences will be left spellbound by the flawless musicianship and vocals of EVIL WOMAN’s 12 musicians as well as the fusion of Beatlesque-Pop and classical arrangements where cellos co-exist with guitars, and where classically tinged rock intersects with pop. “Mr. Blue Sky,” “Roll Over Beethoven,” and “Evil Woman” are among a list of over 20 instantly recognizable chart-topping hit songs.

He Electric Light Orchestra Experience, Featuring Evil Woman – The American Elo

Gary Puckett and The Union Gap had six consecutive gold records and sold more records in 1968 than any other recording act including The Beatles. Gary is one of only a few artists whose first five releases went gold. Gary Puckett and The Union Gap achieved worldwide prominence. The Greatest Hits album is one of CBS’s best selling “Collector’s Series” albums today. Gary was also a founding member of the incredibly successful “Happy Together” tour playing sold out performances in over 100 cities nationwide.

Gary Puckett and The Union Gap

Micky Dolenz is an actor, singer, director, producer, writer, radio DJ, inventor, and all-around performer extraordinaire, and stands tall as a paragon of taste and accomplishment in the rough-and-tumble world of show business and entertainment.

Micky Dolenz

The Music of Billy Joel and Elton John features the greatest hits of these two great rock piano legends. Songs include: Piano Man, Rocket Man, Bennie and the Jets, Movin’ Out, I’m Still Standing, My Life, and many more. PollStar ranked this show in the Top 50 touring Acts/Shows the last two years.

The Music Of Billy Joel And Elton John Featuring Michael Cavanaugh

The Ozark Mountain Daredevils, a “ragtag collection of hippies, bohemians, and musicians of no fixed ambition” began in Springfield, Missouri in 1970. Since their early beginnings, they have released a number of major label and independent record label recordings, traveled millions of miles performing throughout North America and Europe, and continue to grow and maintain a loyal and dedicated fan base throughout the world. Their current lineup of talented musicians included two of the original co-founders of the band, ensuring their signature sound and style remain intact and vibrant.

Ozark Mountain Daredevils

Dave Mason left Traffic in 1969 to pursue a solo career in the U.S. Dave has penned over 100 songs, has three gold albums: Alone Together, Dave Mason, Mariposa De Oro, and a platinum album, Let It Flow, which contains his top-ten single “We Just Disagree.” He is also a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Dave Mason’s Traffic Jam

Mr. Tambourine Man not only lived history, he made history with his fearless sense of experimentation. As the leader of the influential 60s group, The Byrds, he was on the leading edge, combining the rock beat of the Beatles with the folk sensibilities of Bob Dylan, to create the genre known as “folk-rock”.

His groundbreaking work on The Byrds “Sweetheart Of The Rodeo” album, is widely credited with ushering in the genre of country rock. Roger’s solo career began in 1973 and has yielded 13 albums, a Grammy nomination, and extensive touring and performing for enthralled audiences ever since.

An Evening with Roger Mcguinn

Get ready to have your socks knocked off and your heart racing with The Barricade Boys" class="css-u850">The Barricade Boys! These four dazzling performers are taking the world by storm with their electrifying show that will have you tapping your feet, belting out your favorite tunes, and grinning from ear to ear. From the heart-wrenching emotion of Les Miserables to the harmonies of the Jersey Boys, The Barricade Boys will take you on a musical journey like no other.

The Barricade Boys

The Music Industry Ensemble is a chamber ensemble devoted to the development of individual performance and improvisation skills through the staging of music for small groups representing a variety of classic and modern jazz, pop, rock and soul styles. The M.I.E. provides a workshop in which students also learn arranging, microphone technique and scheduling, sound reinforcement and lighting design.

FMU Music Industry Ensemble

FMU Jazz Combo

Open to all university students, the University Concert Choir has an average enrollment of between 35 and 45 students. This group has sung in numerous area churches and has also performed with the Florence Symphony Orchestra. They have performed such major choral works as the “Polovetzian Dance and Chorus” of Alexander Borodin, the “Schicksalslied” of Johannes Brahms, and the Ninth Symphony of Ludwig van Beethoven. Recently their concerts have included selections accompanied by the newly formed Francis Marion string ensemble. Francis Marion’s Voice Collective is a small, audition-only vocal group. This group performs throughout the region for schools and service organizations. They have also performed in Orlando, Florida, in Baltimore, Maryland, in Washington, D.C., in Vienna, Austria, and on a performance cruise to the Bahamas.

FMU Concert Choir and Voice Collective

FMU Percussion Ensemble

Sean Kennard has won top prizes in the Queen Elisabeth Competition (Belgium), the International Music Competition of Viña del Mar (Chile), the Vendome International Piano Competition (Portugal), the Sendai International Music Competition (Japan), the Hilton Head International Piano Competition (USA), the National Chopin Competition, the Iowa Piano Competition, the American Pianists Association, and the International Chopin Competition of the Pacific. The Washington Post praised Kennard’s “powerful and involved music making,” describing him as “a strong luminous pianist.” His 2011 debut album received a rave review in American Record Guide, which pronounced it “a hidden gem,” attesting to its “perfect blend of lyricism and romantic passion,” “huge romantic sound, and bold melodic vision.” It proclaimed that he “plays the dickens out of the Stravinsky [Three Movements from Petrushka]” and “plays Chopin’s Preludes with more poise and vision than most pianists who have recorded them.” Fanfare affirmed the enthusiastic reception, naming the album “a very desirable disc” and citing “Kennard’s mastery of Chopin’s idiom,” its “impression of complete effortlessness” and “emotional responsiveness.” The review characterized his playing as “full of life and sparkle,” summing up: “while I wouldn’t necessarily say that Kennard outclasses Ashkenazy, Rubinstein, Moravec, Ohlsson…in this repertoire, he surely equals them.”

Sean Kennard, Piano

South Carolina Ballet is thrilled to present its highly anticipated production of Nutcracker this holiday season at the Francis Marion Performing Arts Center, with two performances on December 17 and 18. Perfect for families and couples alike, this beloved classical ballet promises a magical evening filled with romance, adventure, and wonder.

South Carolina Ballet – Nutcracker

Billy Martin is an American jazz drummer, best known as a member of jazz-funk trio Medeski Martin & Wood. Martin was part of the New York City Brazilian scene in the 1980s. He performed regularly with Pe De Boi, Batucada and several Bob Moses bands for over a decade. He also joined Chuck Mangione’s touring group for three years. Most notably he has developed as a percussionist for The Lounge Lizards and with the John Lurie National Orchestra, and has collaborated with artists such as John Zorn, DJ Logic, Dave Burrell and Miho Hatori. He has also started his own record label, Amulet Records, specializing in eclectic percussion albums. Martin has also collaborated with Iggy Pop, Eyvind Kang, Chris Whitley, DJ Olive, Ikue Mori, John Scofield, Maceo Parker, Calvin Weston, Marty Ehrlich, and Min Xiao-Fen.

FMU Artist Series – Billy Martin, Percussion

“The Music of ABBA” are no strangers to the incomparable sound and look of Sweden’s greatest music export with meticulous attention to costumes, make-up, musical arrangements, movements and the singing, nothing is left to chance.

Direct from Sweden — The Music of ABBA

Alfreda Sings The Divas of Soul highlights iconic and musically groundbreaking female artists, such as Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, and many more.

Alfreda Sings “The Divas of Soul”

“Fierce in its poetic treatment of love, The Swan provides a mysterious gloss on whether or not we descended from the beasts…and what we may feel when we find them lurking in our truest selves.”

FMU Theatre – The Swan

The Francis Marion University Concert Band is composed of FMU students as well as community members from the Pee Dee region. Community members include professional area music educators, band directors, choir directors, ministers of music, and FMU music faculty members.  Membership is open to all FMU students and area residents who are experienced concert band instrumentalists. Performances include traditional concert band music as well as popular and show music. The program began as a way to give students of FMU a chance to perform music, earn academic credit for performance in the ensemble, and to become involved with other students in campus life.

With eight Gold singles, 17 Top 40 hits, four Gold Albums and 45 million records sold worldwide, Gary Lewis and the Playboys are still one of the hottest acts around.

Gary Lewis and The Playboys

FMU Music Ensemble Performance

FMU Percussion Ensemble Performance 2026

Experience a heartfelt celebration of early folk, gospel and Western swing music with Women of Americana. This isn’t just a concert – it’s an exuberant exploration of the expansive and singular American genre that planted the roots of American music.

Francis Marion University Performing Arts Center

17 - 18 Dec, 2025

South Carolina Ballet – Nutcracker

Jan 21, 2026

FMU Artist Series – Billy Martin, Percussion

Jan 23, 2026

Direct from Sweden — The Music of ABBA

Feb 6, 2026

Alfreda Sings “The Divas of Soul”

18 - 21 Feb, 2026

FMU Theatre – The Swan

Nov 24, 2025

FMU Choir and Voice Collective Performance

Nov 19, 2025

FMU Percussion Ensemble Performance

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Francis Marion University Performing Arts Center