Issuu

2026 - 2027

Season Brochure

ABOUT THE PIONEER CENTER The Pioneer Center is northern Nevada’s premier performing arts venue, located in the heart of downtown Reno. Our mission is to cultivate exceptional performing arts experiences in our historic venue and throughout the region because we envision a community that is connected, enriched, and inspired through the power of live performance. Education is fundamental to a thriving community and the Pioneer Center aims to strengthen educational outcomes while inspiring the next generation of creative, compassionate citizens. Pioneer Center Youth Programs [PCYP] is the Pioneer Center’s flagship K-5 educational outreach program, serving well over 1 million Nevada children since 1967.

ABOUT PCYP

PCYP performances are designed to educate, entertain, and enlighten elementary age children and families through interactive presentations. PCYP artists incorporate school subjects into their work and create a curriculum guide for teachers and parents to enhance the learning beyond the show. Performances are designed to enrich the community and provide greater arts access in our region. PCYP programs are available to all public and private elementary schools, public libraries, and community center venues throughout northwestern Nevada. Explore this season’s artists, presentation format options, and affordable prices.

ORDERING

IS EASY SELECT

your programs from the 2026-2027 Artist Roster.

C O N S U LT

the Artist Availability sheet and your master calendar before scheduling.

FILL OUT

the attached order form, including the desired format and (2) choices of dates.

SUBMIT

your order by e-mail to: youth@pioneercenter.com.

OUR GENEROUS SUPPORTERS Thank you to the following organizations:

The Arthur and Mae Orvis Foundation

2026-2027 ARTIST ROSTER Brüka Theatre has been presenting live theatre in our community for 34 years. This production features professional actors bringing the story to life with a small set of props and costumes, incorporating physical theatrics, improvisation, comedy, audience interaction, and links to curriculum. This season, Brüka Theatre for Children presents

.. BRUKA THEATRE FOR CHILDREN BASED IN R ENO, NV AVAILABILITY March 8-June 30, 2027

Lil’ Red - In The Hood, an inspiring, high-energy production that takes a fractured fairytale approach to addressing life’s obstacles through Social Emotional Learning (SEL). Select children are invited to participate in the creation of each performance, ensuring that every show is unique.

Schools: Monday-Friday Mornings & Afternoons Other Venues: Evenings and Weekends

Carson Street Ragtime Band brings the joyful sounds of traditional jazz to life, transporting audiences to the golden age of American music. Featuring talented local musicians and vocalists, the band performs classic songs from the 1920s and beyond using authentic instruments such as trumpet, trombone, banjo, piano, bass, and washboard.

CARSON STREET RAGTIME BAND BASED IN CA RSO N CI T Y, NV AVAILABILITY October 21, 2026-June 30, 2027

Schools: Friday Mornings & Afternoons Only Other Venues: Monday-Thursday Evenings *Additional availability upon request

This lively and interactive program takes audiences on a musical journey through the history of ragtime and early jazz. Through storytelling, live demonstrations, and audience participation, students will learn about the folk instruments and musical traditions that helped shape this uniquely American art form. The jazzy rhythms, engaging performances, and upbeat energy of the Carson Street Ragtime Band make this a fun and memorable introduction to America’s early jazz traditions.

2026-2027 ARTIST ROSTER Cascada de Flores tells original, bilingual stories using song, a variety of traditional musical instruments, dance, theater and the sweet characters of traditional Mexican folklore. Arwen Lawrence and Jorge Liceaga have made music together and engaged with audiences of all ages for 26 years. As both educators and artists, they enjoy passing on what they love about the music that inspires them, with its diversity of rhythms, roots and instrumentation. Joined by multi-instrumentalist and luthier Jorge Mijangos, Cascada de Flores presents El Abuelo

CASCADA DE FLORES

(The Grandfather), an original musical story about

BASED IN SA N F R A NCI SCO, CA

beloved grandfather, and themes of life and renewal

AVAILABILITY March 3-9, 2027 Only

Schools: Mornings & Afternoons Other Venues: Evenings & Weekends

the adventures of a singing donkey, a lonely tree, a in nature. Audiences will sing like owls, dance like vultures, laugh along with Abuelo, and experience traditional songs and dances from different regions of Mexico. Cascada de Flores is only available during their limited March residency.

*Bilingual (Spanish)

Global Heat is a Seattle-based quartet known for its unique blend of Soul, R&B, Jazz, Hip Hop, and AfroWorld Beat. Since 2006, the group has presented more than 500 educational performances for students across the country. Their members have worked with acclaimed artists including Black Eyed Peas, Usher, Chris Brown, Tech N9ne, and Con Funk Shun. Global Heat is only available during their limited May residency. Global Heat brings the energy of hip hop, spoken word, and music to life through Rhymes & Beats: Playing with Words When Rhythm Counts!. Through

GLOBAL HEAT

live demonstrations of spoken word, freestyle rap,

BASED IN SE AT T L E. WA

writers craft lyrics that evoke emotion, create vivid

singing, and percussion, the group shows how

AVAILABILITY May 10-16, 2027 Only

imagery, and connect to the pulse of a drumbeat.

Schools: Mornings & Afternoons

songwriters, hip-hop artists, and musicians. Students

Other Venues: Evenings & Weekends

Accompanied by keyboards, bass, and drums, Global Heat shares stories from their experiences as singerwill discover how music can communicate ideas, emotions, and imagination.

2026-2027 ARTIST ROSTER Direct from TV, Emmy-nominated performer Larry Wilson was voted Comedy Magician of the Year and has headlined in Las Vegas, Reno/Tahoe, Atlantic City, and more! In addition to appearing on network television hundreds of times, including ABC’s The Jimmy Kimmel Show, Larry has blown the minds of guests at Sony, Colgate, Disney, Sunkist, Ford Motor Co., CocaCola, and countless others. Larry returns this season with amazing demonstrations of unbelievable magic that can always be explained by scientific principles. Larry performs magic tricks using student volunteers in

LARRY WILSON BASED IN R E NO, NV

AVAILABILITY October 21, 2026-June 30, 2027 Schools: Monday-Friday Mornings &

direct, hands-on learning applications. As astounding as these tricks may be, the secrets behind them are often more incredible. Under Larry’s master tutelage, the most bewildering magic will be broken down into easy-to-follow steps that students can re-create at home with common household items like pencils, rubber bands, paper clips, and string.

Afternoons Other Venues: Monday-Friday Evenings & Weekends Maya Soleil Traditions presents traditional African song and dance with performers from the countries of Zambia and Ghana. Authentic rhythms, vocals, and dance performance along with charming stories about the rich culture of the African continent captivate audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Members of Maya Soleil Traditions have toured the world, performing, and recording with some of the greats in African music and dance, including Fela, I.K. Dairo, Obo Addy, Dumi Maraire, Kanda Bongo Man, and the national dance companies of Ghana, Guinea, and Zambia.

MAYA SOLEIL TRADITIONS! BASED IN SEAT T L E , WA AVAILABILITY April 15-20, 2027 Only

Schools: Mornings & Afternoons Other Venues: Evenings & Weekends

Audience members will learn about the use of songs in African cultural ceremonies, dance steps, musical instruments, and colorful costumes while also trying some call-and-response songs in an African language. The diversity of songs from South-Central and West Africa illustrates differences as well as similarities of musical culture throughout the continent. Maya Soleil Traditions is only available during their limited April residency.

2026-2027 ARTIST ROSTER Reno Taiko Tsurunokai was founded in 1997 by Rieko Shimbo, a Japanese native who studied traditional music and dance in Tokyo before moving to the U.S. Rieko has assembled a group of talented and dedicated Taiko drummers whose credits include performances at many local and regional festivals and art exhibitions. She has been teaching and performing in our community for over 30 years and is passionate about introducing people to the rich culture of Japan through the art of Taiko.

RENO TAIKO TSURUNOKAI BASED IN R E NO, NV

AVAILABILITY October 21, 2026-June 30,2027 Schools: Wednesday or Friday Afternoons

Traditional Taiko drums have been used in warfare, martial arts, religious ceremonies, and festivals throughout Japan for over 1400 years. The beating of the Taiko drum echoes the beating of the heart and the rolling of thunder. The powerful sounds of Taiko drums will transport your students on a cultural adventure through Japanese history and customs. Reno Taiko Tsurunokai performs traditional Japanese folk music and original compositions.

Other Venues: Weekends *Bilingual (Japanese)

The Note-Ables is the flagship performing group of Note-Able Music Therapy Services (NMTS), a nonprofit that provides music therapy and adaptive music programs to more than 2,500 people per year. As the only one of its kind in Nevada and one of only a few across the country, the mission of The NoteAbles Band is to change the face of disability in our community through music. In 2021, they were selected as a finalist for the Danny Awards, an international music competition for musicians with disabilities. The

THE NOTE-ABLES BASED IN R ENO, NV

group traveled to New York City in March 2022 to accept their award and perform at Symphony Space on Broadway.

AVAILABILITY October 21, 2026-June 30, 2027

Children will enjoy an engaging, informative, and

Schools: Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday

Band and be encouraged to sing and clap along

Mornings

to age-appropriate popular songs, learning about

Other Venues: Weekends *Additional availability upon request *Please note venue accessibility requirements To book The Note-Ables, your venue must meet all ADA wheelchair and accessibility requirements for parking, venue navigation, restrooms, and stage/ performance space access. No exceptions will be made.

interactive live performance by The Note-Ables

basic concepts of disability, access, and inclusion. Students will have opportunities to ask band members questions about their lived experiences as people with disabilities. The program will end with a collaborative musical experience.

A R T I S T AVA I L A B I L I T Y OCTOBER 2026 - JUNE 2027

CARSON STREET RAGTIME BAND

OCTOBER 21, 2026 - JUNE 30, 2027

LARRY WILSON

OCTOBER 21, 2026 - JUNE 30, 2027

RENO TAIKO TSURUNOKAI

OCTOBER 21, 2026 - JUNE 30, 2027

THE NOTE-ABLES

OCTOBER 21, 2026 - JUNE 30, 2027

BRUKA THEATRE FOR CHILDREN Maya Soleil Traditions at Dayton Elementary, Dayton

MARCH 8 - JUNE 30, 2027

CASCADA DE FLORES MARCH 3 - 9, 2027

A R T I S T AVA I L A B I L I T Y OCTOBER 2026 - JUNE 2027

MAYA SOLEIL TRADITIONS! APRIL 15 - 20, 2027

GLOBAL HEAT PLEASE NOTE: Some artists have limited availability. Book early to ensure the best selections. TO BOOK A PROGRAM, SEND YOUR COMPLETED ORDER FORM TO YOUTH@PIONEERCENTER.COM

MAY 10 - 16, 2027

*Check artist roster profiles for availability on specific days of the week.

PERFORMANCE PRICING OPTIONS

A | $250

Our traditional in-person elementary school assembly format includes 2 back-to-back programs of 30 minutes each performed at the school. The entire student body is divided into 2 groups to ensure all children experience the show in a comfortable space. Each performance includes Q&A time with the performers.

Brüka Theatre for Children at Bud Beasley Elementary, Sparks

B | $250

This family-friendly format is a 60-minute program performed in-person for one audience group. It is most often used on-site in libraries, community and performing arts centers, and small-sized schools. It includes audience Q&A time with the performers at the end. The performance may take place outdoors, pending weather, access to power, and performance surface approval.

C | $375

Cascada de Flores at Lena Juniper Elementary, Sparks

The artists provide three 30-minute performances to accommodate smaller gatherings. Two of the performances are scheduled back-to-back with a required 30-minute break period between the second and third performance for the health of the performers. All programs include Q&A time with the performers. This option is not available with all artist groups.

The Note-Ables at Lenz Elementary, Reno

PROGRAM ORDER FORM PROGRAM ORDER FORM Please indicate your desired artists, format choice, and two different possibilities of datesartists, and times. Double check Please indicate your desired format choice, and the twoartist different possibilities of dates and times. Double check the artist availability and your master calendar (note holiday breaks, school availability and your master calendar (note holiday breaks, school testing, conference weeks, etc.) prior to completing the form. testing, conference weeks, etc.) prior completing form. After your bookings are confirmed, anto invoice will bethe provided. After your bookings are confirmed, an invoice will be provided. EMAIL YOUR COMPLETED ORDER FORM TO EMAIL YOUR COMPLETED ORDER FORM TO YOUTH@PIONEERCENTER.COM YOUTH@PIONEERCENTER.COM SCHOOL/ORGANIZATION NAME SCHOOL/ORGANIZATION NAME CONTACT NAME/TITLE CONTACT NAME/TITLE PHONE PHONE

EMAIL EMAIL

MAILING ADDRESS MAILING ADDRESS PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE VENUE VENUE NAME/ADDRESS NAME/ADDRESS (IF DIFFERENT FROM ABOVE) (IF DIFFERENT FROM ABOVE)

NOTES: NOTES:

ARTIST Brüka Theatre for Children Carson Street Ragtime Band Cascada de Flores Global Heat Larry Wilson Maya Soleil Traditions! Reno Taiko Tsurunokai The Note-Ables

DATE/TIME 1ST CHOICE

DATE/TIME 2ND CHOICE

FORMAT CHOICE B C