2026–27 SEASON
The Art of Fugue by Circa
Best of Woodstock and Monterey ’67 : A Back to the Garden Story Concert
Broadway Boys
Cowboy Junkies
The Four Freshmen
International Guitar Night
Kings Return
Mavis Staples
Peking Acrobats
PILOBOLUS: Trips
Roger McGuinn
Stop Making Sense : A Film by Jonathan Demme and Talking Heads
Sugar Skull!
A Día de Muertos Musical Adventure
Syncopated Ladies
Voctave: It Feels Like Christmas PLUS MANY MORE
DEAR FRIENDS,
A plethora of research in the last several years has proven what those of us who have dedicated our lives to the arts have known for a long time—the arts are incredibly good for our mental and physical health. If you want to feel even better about your choice to prioritize the arts, check out books like Art Cure: The Science of How the Arts Save Lives and Your Brain on Art. It turns out that there’s something about the collective effervescence of gathering with a group of people to enjoy a live performance that is incredibly good for us.
Studies also show that nature is good for you. Lucky for all of us, the Lisa Smith Wengler Center for the Arts is located in one of the most beautiful places on the planet. Arrive early and make time to check out our glorious sunsets and a wonderful meal at one of our local restaurants (check out your confirmation email for some discount offers!).
We have spent many months hand-selecting the performances and exhibitions that follow. At the Lisa Smith Wengler Center for the Arts at Pepperdine University, you can select any four performances and become a subscriber, receiving several benefits (see page 17 for more details).
So, what do you want more of this year? Whether you are looking for more joy, more awe, more wonder, more belly laughs, more family time, or more singing along and dancing in your seat to the music, we are sure you’ll find shows in this book that will delight you. Our friendly staff is always happy to help you discover your new favorite event.
Thank you for your support of the arts. We hope to see you soon!
Sincerely,
Rebecca Carson Managing Director
6 Stop Making Sense: A Film by Jonathan Demme and Talking Heads 9 J. S. Bach's The Art of Fugue by Circa
Mavis Staples
Flying Karamazov Brothers: Artifishal Idiots
3 Sugar Skull! A Día de Muertos Musical Adventure
5 Simply Three 6 The Three Little Pigs and Other Tales 8 The Snowy Day and Other Stories
8 Peking Acrobats 12 Flying Karamazov Brothers: Artifishal Idiots
Amaryn Olmeda, violin
STARS OF STAGE AND SCREEN
6 Stop Making Sense: A Film by Jonathan Demme and Talking Heads
7 Voctave: It Feels Like Christmas
9 Jazz at Lincoln Center presents World on a String: Swinging Songs of Broadway
Broadway Boys 12 Flying Karamazov Brothers: Artifishal Idiots
SINGER/SONGWRITER/FOLK
2 An Evening with Roger McGuinn 4 The Four Freshmen
3 Cowboy Junkies: Celebrating 40 Years and Beyond
5 Best of Woodstock and Monterey '67: A Back to the Garden Story Concert 11 Mavis Staples
12 Classic Albums Live Performs: The Eagles—Their Greatest Hits
GLOBAL JAZZ AND BLUES
2 Kings Return 4 Okaidja Afoso
9 Jazz at Lincoln Center presents World on a String: Swinging Songs of Broadway
MUSIC/GREATEST HITS
7 Voctave: It Feels Like Christmas 8 Andy McKee 10 International Guitar Night
AN EVENING WITH ROGER MCGUINN
Sponsored by Malibu Music
Roger McGuinn, founder and frontman of the Byrds, is a true music pioneer whose fearless experimentation helped shape modern rock. With his signature sound and iconic hits like “Mr. Tambourine Man,” “Turn! Turn! Turn!” and “Eight Miles High,” McGuinn delivers an unforgettable evening of music.
Wednesday, September 9, 2026 7:30 pm
$30.50–$58 | Smothers Theatre
KINGS RETURN
Kings Return is a Dallas-based a cappella quartet renowned for pushing vocal boundaries with smooth harmonies. Weaving together gospel, jazz, R&B, and classical influences, King's Return brings warmth, precision, and a powerful sense of soul with every note. kingsreturnmusic.com
Sunday, September 13, 2026 5 pm
$30.50–$58 | Smothers Theatre
COWBOY JUNKIES: CELEBRATING 40 YEARS AND BEYOND
Sponsored by Mary and Tom Hawkins
Cowboy Junkies will be performing a career-spanning show from The Trinity Session to their recent album, Such Ferocious Beauty. Formed in Toronto in 1985 with siblings Michael Timmins on guitar, Margo Timmins on vocals, Peter Timmins on drums, and Michael’s lifelong friend Alan Anton on bass, the band has sparkled over the course of 29 albums.
“One of the most unique and enduring bands in alternative rock.” All Music cowboyjunkies.com
Saturday, September 19, 2026 8 pm
$43–$83 | Smothers Theatre
Limited tickets available.
SUGAR SKULL! A DÍA DE MUERTOS MUSICAL ADVENTURE
Sugar Skull! A Día de Muertos Musical Adventure is a touring bilingual and bicultural musical for young audiences and families inspired by traditional regional music and dance from Mexico. When a spirited candy skeleton suddenly springs to life, 12-year-old Vita Flores finds herself on a magical journey to unravel the true meaning of Día de Muertos. sugarskullontour.com
Sunday, September 27, 2026 2 pm
$23–$43 | Smothers Theatre
Discounts for youth 17 and younger.
Photo credit: Clayton Cotterell
OKAIDJA AFROSO
Okaidja Afroso, born into a family of musicians and storytellers in Kokrobite, Ghana, is a master multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, and dancer. Drawing on his West African roots, he blends percussion, guitar, vocals, and dance to create a contemporary African oral tradition that honors ancestral heritage while embracing global influences. okaidja.com
Wednesday, September 30, 2026 7:30 pm
$28–$48 | Smothers Theatre
CHAEYOUNG PARK, PIANO
Chaeyoung Park is a prize-winning pianist renowned for her expressive artistry and virtuosic technique. Winner of the 2022 Young Concert Artists Susan Wadsworth International Auditions and finalist at the 2023 Arthur Rubinstein International Master Piano Competition, her wideranging repertoire delivers captivating and deeply moving performances. chaeyoungparkpiano.com
Sunday, October 4, 2026 2 pm
$23–$33 | Raitt Recital Hall
Save 30% on the Recital Series; $92 for all four performances.
THE FOUR FRESHMEN
Sponsored by Mitch Bredefeld in loving memory of Anne Marie Bredefeld
With soaring vocals, intricate harmonies, and multi-instrumental talent, the Four Freshmen deliver a handpicked collection of timeless classics while paying homage to their legendary roots with hits like “It’s a Blue World,” “Poinciana,” and “Day by Day.” The group continues to evolve with members Bob, Jake, Chris, and Tommy, delivering more than six decades of unforgettable jazz performances. fourfreshmen.com
Saturday, October 3, 2026 5 pm
$30.50–$58 | Smothers Theatre
SYNCOPATED LADIES
Syncopated Ladies is a dynamic female tap dance band from Los Angeles created by Emmy Award–nominated choreographer Chloe Arnold, a protégé of Debbie Allen. Blending tap with pop, hip hop, salsa, and more, the group delivers an energetic, inspiring performance filled with powerful rhythm and style. syncopatedladies.com
Thursday, October 8, 2026 7:30 pm
$30.50–$58 | Smothers Theatre
SIMPLY THREE
Simply Three is a thrilling instrumental trio that brings strings to life like never before. Alongside their own emotionally charged originals, bassist Nicholas Villalobos, cellist Zack Clark, and violinist Tim Bria transform hits by Adele, Coldplay, Billie Eilish, and more into electrifying performances. simplythreemusic.com
Wednesday, October 14, 2026 7:30 pm
$25.50–$48 | Smothers Theatre
Discounts for youth 17 and younger.
BEST OF WOODSTOCK AND MONTEREY ’67: A BACK TO THE GARDEN STORY CONCERT
Sponsored by Ellen and Doug Weitman
Celebrating two landmark music festivals of the ’60s: Monterey ’67 kicked off the “Summer of Love,” while in 1969 more than 400,000 people gathered in Woodstock, New York, for the legendary “Aquarian Exposition: 3 Days of Peace & Music.” Now Back to the Garden bring their signature “story concert” treatment to these legendary moments in music history: note-for-note recreations of the music sprinkled with stories and images of the era that made the ’60s such a magical time. back-to-the-garden.net
Thursday, October 15, 2026 7:30 pm
$28–$53 | Smothers Theatre
THE THREE LITTLE PIGS AND OTHER TALES
Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia’s newest production, The Three Little Pigs and Other Tales, presents a fresh and engaging reimagining of three cherished children’s stories—Goldilocks and the Three Bears, the Three Little Pigs, and the Three Billy Goats Gruff. Filled with adventure, humor, and heroism, this imaginative retelling seamlessly interweaves three classic tales into a heartwarming adventure that celebrates friendship and courage. Designed for children ages 3 and up, Mermaid Theatre’s latest production offers a captivating performance, laughter, and wonder for young audiences. mermaidtheatre.ca
Saturday, October 24, 2026 11 am and 1 pm
$18–$33 | Smothers Theatre
Discounts for youth 17 and younger.
STOP MAKING SENSE: A FILM BY JONATHAN DEMME AND TALKING HEADS—LIVE EVENT HOSTED BY JERRY HARRISON
Newly restored in 4K to coincide with its 40th anniversary, the 1984 Stop Making Sense was directed by renowned filmmaker Jonathan Demme and is considered by critics as the greatest concert film of all time, featuring Talking Heads’ most memorable songs. The live event will feature a public screening of the re-release hosted by co-star Jerry Harrison who will deliver introductory remarks, post-screening comments and audience Q and A.
jerry-harrison.com
Sunday, October 25, 2026 7 pm
$30.50–$58 | Smothers Theatre
AMARYN OLMEDA, VIOLIN
Winner of first prize and the audience choice award at the 24th annual Sphinx Competition, Amaryn Olmeda is a sensational young talent captivating audiences worldwide with her bold, expressive, and electrifying performances. She has dazzled at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and David Geffen Hall, and performs on a rare 1864 J. B. Vuillaume violin, promising an unforgettable concert experience.
amarynolmeda.com
Sunday, November 8, 2026 2 pm
$23–$33 | Raitt Recital Hall
Save 30% on the Recital Series; $92 for all four performances.
VOCTAVE: IT FEELS LIKE CHRISTMAS
Voctave’s holiday spectacular, It Feels Like Christmas, includes a stocking full of holiday favorites from their chart-topping album and is sure to be a magical evening of music for the whole family.
Jazz Weekly raves, “Voctave bring a cappella music to a new dimension.” voctave.net
Sunday, December 13, 2026 5 pm
$30.50–$58 | Smothers Theatre Discounts for youth 17 and younger.
THE SNOWY DAY AND OTHER STORIES
Childplay's magical The Snowy Day and Other Stories lifts the curtain on the wonders of winter for the children of Southern California. Adapted for the stage by Jerome Hairston, the characters created by Ezra Jack Keats spring humorously to life through creative shadow puppetry. childsplayaz.org
Sunday, January 10, 2027 1 pm and 3 pm
$18–$33 | Smothers Theatre
Discounts for youth 17 and younger.
PEKING ACROBATS
For more than 30 years, the Peking Acrobats have amazed audiences with daring feats that redefine Chinese acrobatics. Accompanied by live musicians playing traditional instruments and enhanced with high-tech effects, their thrilling performances blend skill, spectacle, and the festive pageantry of a Chinese carnival into an unforgettable entertainment experience.
Sunday, January 17, 2027 2 pm
$25.50–$53 | Smothers Theatre
Discounts for youth 17 and younger.
ANDY MCKEE
Andy McKee, a virtuoso guitarist from Kansas, became an internet sensation when his original composition “Drifting” went viral, capturing millions of views worldwide. Praised as “arguably the most influential player of the era” by Guitar Player , McKee continues to release acclaimed music, and thrills audiences both online and on stage. andymckee.com
Thursday, January 21, 2027 8 pm
$23–$43 | Smothers Theatre
PILOBOLUS: TRIPS
Blast off into the Pilobolus multiverse with Trips, a journey through gravity-defying feats and emotional landscapes where each piece flows seamlessly into the next. Featuring explosive athleticism, physical poetry, and sly humor, this unforgettable performance transports audiences through infinite realities, from the skies to the soul to galaxies beyond. pilobolus.org
Tuesday, January 26, 2027 7:30 pm
$28–$58 | Smothers Theatre
JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER PRESENTS WORLD ON A STRING: SWINGING SONGS OF BROADWAY
Blending the magic of Broadway with the vibrant energy of jazz, this exciting concert from Jazz at Lincoln Center Presents features guest vocalists Kate Kortum and David Marino performing fresh arrangements of beloved songs from hit shows, including Hamilton, Wicked, South Pacific, and West Side Story in an unforgettable night of music. katekorum.com | davidmarinomusic.ca
Saturday, January 30, 2027 8 pm
$28–$53 | Smothers Theatre
J. S. BACH’S THE ART OF FUGUE BY CIRCA
Experience the extraordinary when Circa brings together the genius of Bach’s The Art of Fugue and the breathtaking physicality of contemporary acrobatics. Pianist Vitaly Starikov’s masterful performance meets Circa’s amazing ensemble, led by Yaron Lifschitz, in a mesmerizing display of mind and body in perfect harmony. circa.org.au
Tuesday, February 9, 2027 7:30 pm
$40.50–$78 | Smothers Theatre
INTERNATIONAL GUITAR NIGHT
Sponsored by the Flamminio family
International Guitar Night, North America’s longest-running guitar show, is celebrating its 27th anniversary with the debut of Roxane Elfasci, the award-winning classical virtuoso from France, and three all-time International Guitar Night favorites— acoustic rock dynamo Luca Stricagnoli from Italy, mellow Slack Key master Jim Kimo West from Hawaii, and the irrepressible blues slide guitar powerhouse Minnie Marks from Australia.
Friday, February 12, 2027 8 pm
$28–$53 | Smothers Theatre
RADU RATOI, ACCORDION
Winner of the Léonie Sonning Talent Prize, Radu Ratoi travels worldwide, attracting the public with his musicality, technique, and charisma. With his transcriptions of J. S. Bach, D. Scarlatti, J. P. Rameau, F. Liszt and many more, he has reinvented and improved the accordion repertoire, describing the accordion as “an instrument with almost unlimited possibilities.”
raduratoi.com
Sunday, February 21, 2027 2 pm
$23–$33 | Raitt Recital Hall
Save 30% on the Recital Series; $92 for all four performances.
MAVIS STAPLES
Sponsored by Alison and Dan Hodgkiss and Hodgkiss Insurance Brokers
Five-time Grammy Award winner, Kennedy center honoree, and blues, rock, and gospel halls of fame inductee Mavis Staples is one of the most enduring voices in American music. Her latest album, Sad and Beautiful World, showcases her unmatched power, fearless voice, and timeless artistry—an unforgettable experience you have to see live. mavisstaples.com
Wednesday, March 3, 2027 7:30 pm
$50.50–$98 | Smothers Theatre
BROADWAY BOYS
The Broadway Boys bring the thrill of New York’s stages to life with a dynamic ensemble of male vocalists from hits like Hamilton, Wicked, Jersey Boys, The Lion King, and The Book of Mormon. Featuring six singers and a four-piece band, the Broadway Boys deliver a high-energy, unforgettable night of music and entertainment. thebroadwayboys.com
Wednesday, March 24, 2027 7:30 pm
$30.50–$68 | Smothers Theatre
KATARINA STRING QUARTET
The Katarina String Quartet is redefining the string quartet experience. Violinists Jeanel Liang and Jérôme Chiasson, violist Celia Morin, and cellist Maya Enstad bring every note to life, from contemporary masterpieces to timeless folk tunes, while captivating and connecting audiences to the thrilling power of chamber music. katarinastringquartet.com
Sunday, March 21, 2027 2 pm
$23–$33 | Raitt Recital Hall
Save 30% on the Recital Series; $92 for all four performances.
CLASSIC ALBUMS LIVE PERFORMS: THE EAGLES—THEIR GREATEST HITS
Sponsored by Alison and Dan Hodgkiss and Hodgkiss Insurance Brokers
Classic Albums Live brings some of the most iconic albums in music history to the stage, performing live note-for-note exactly as they were originally recorded with no impersonations or backing tracks. This iteration presents The Eagles—Their Greatest Hits, one of the top 10 best-selling albums of all time. classicalbumslive.com
Sunday, April 18, 2027 7 pm
$30.50–$63 | Smothers Theatre
Discounts for youth 17 and younger.
FLYING KARAMAZOV BROTHERS: ARTIFISHAL IDIOTS
Expect the unexpected with the Flying Karamazov Brothers in Artifishal Idiots, a high-energy, laugh-out-loud adventure. In this imaginative show, the self-proclaimed “eccentric lunatics” become AI bots on a quest to discover what it means to be human, blending music, dance, cutting-edge technology, and daring feats into a playful and unforgettable theatrical experience. fkb.com
Saturday, April 24, 2027 5 pm
$28–$53 | Smothers Theatre
Discounts for youth 17 and younger.
