Mexican American composer and pianist Arturo O'Farrill and his trio will bridge the gap between traditional Latin rhythms, modern jazz, and contemporary composition. 

Routinely rated the #1 science podcast in the United States, this live presentation of the NPR podcast and radio show, hosted by veteran science journalist Shankar Vedantam, will explore unconscious patterns and their impact on human behavior.

Presented in partnership with KCBX Central Coast Public Radio.

Ballets Jazz Montréal is an internationally renowned contemporary dance company that embodies excellence, innovation, and passion in the Montréal cultural arts scene. Dance Me is an exclusive creation inspired by the rich and profound work of Montréal-born poet, artist and songwriter, Leonard Cohen. Approved by the artist prior to his passing, the show evokes the grand cycles of existence in five seasons in this unforgettable show.

This Grammy and Emmy award-winning hip-pop children's music group will spark change in their music, creating conversations around racism, gender, diversity, online safety, and environmental conservation.

Leading a new wave of contemporary Australian circus under the leadership of Yaron Lifschitz, Circa blends movement, dance, theatre, and circus. Wolf is circus with fangs. Join the pack.

One of today's premier theatre organists Christian Elliott will present an authentic silent film accompaniment for the comedy/action thriller, "The General," one of the great American silent films starring Buster Keaton. 

Former bandleader on CBS's The Late Late Show with James Corden, Watts will blur the lines between music and comedy through his improvised show, using his formidable voice and vast imagination. 

Founded by Austrian cellist Sol Daniel Kim and Korean gayageum virtuoso Dayoung Yoon, the duo will merge the depth of Western classical music with the mesmerizing elegance of Korean guk-ak (traditional music).

With over 20 years of experience and six studio albums, Las Migas is one of the most internationally acclaimed Spanish bands today. This all-female pop quartet combines the rhythms of flamenco with influences from Spain, Cuba, and Mexico, to create a unique cultural fusion heard ‘round the world. Winner of the Latin Grammy for Best Flamenco Album in 2022 and 2025, their unique voice has won over 1 million followers on Instagram and thousands of listeners around the world.

With a voice that bridges generations, singer and performer Stella Cole has cultivated fans around the world with her fresh interpretations of jazz standards and timeless songs. Drawing on the spirit of Judy Garland and the elegance of Nat “King” Cole, her style is grounded in emotional honesty and timeless storytelling - earning her nearly 2 million social media followers and residencies at Café Carlyle and Birdland Jazz Club in New York.

Celebrate the season as Stella Cole reimagines holiday favorites with her signature intimacy and grace – bringing the audience in with lush arrangements and a warm sense of nostalgia.

Every year, billions of animals migrate in search of food, water, or a mate. We go on assignment with ecologist and National Geographic Explorer Lucy Hawkes as she investigates some of the most astonishing stories of animal perseverance. Along the way, meet the unexpected mammals, fish, and birds that qualify as the most incredible animal athletes, and trace their massive migrations across the globe. 

Come explore with us!

Rhiannon Giddens is a two-time Grammy Award-winner, MacArthur “Genius” grant recipient and Pulitzer Prize winning singer and multi-instrumentalist. Centering her work around the mission of lifting up people whose contributions to American musical history have previously been overlooked or erased, and advocating for a more accurate understanding of the country’s musical origins through art. She has three albums under her own name and is also a music consultant and composer of opera, ballet, film, and video games. NPR named her one of its “25 Most Influential Women Musicians of the 21st Century” and American Songwriter calls her “one of the most important musical minds currently walking the planet.”

José James, often called a “jazz singer for the hip-hop generation,” is a celebrated vocalist known for blending jazz, soul, and contemporary influences. In this performance, he honors Frank Sinatra’s legacy with an intimate piano trio, reimagining the swing, style, and soul of one of America’s most iconic voices.

For over seventy years, Amalia Hernández’s Ballet Folklórico de México has prided itself as the most emblematic folkloric dance ensemble in Mexico—bringing together the music, dance and costume of Mexican folklore from pre-Colombian civilizations to the modern era. Comprised of 60 folk dancers and musicians, the Ballet Folklórico de México is considered the first professional folkloric dance company, with a classic repertoire and elaborate traditional costumes, transforming the history of Mexican dance around the world.

Emmanuel Acho is a two-time Emmy Award winner, three-time New York Times bestselling author, TED Talk speaker, and former NFL linebacker who has become a leading voice in fostering meaningful conversations around cultural and racial insensitivity. His groundbreaking video series, Uncomfortable Conversations with Emmanuel Acho, launched in June 2020 and has garnered more than 100 million views to date. As the host and producer of the series, as well as the host of the groundbreaking late-night sports show Speakeasy, Acho is having the conversations others won’t. Now it’s your turn.

Presented in partnership with Cal Poly Center for Service in Action’s Change the Status Quo Social Justice & Service Speaker Series

Led by Ian Carney and Corbin Popp, Lightwire Theater perform and tell stories without words, instead they use movement and their electroluminescent wire puppetry. The Adventures of Tortoise and Hare starts with Aesop’s classic fable, then continues the story 10 years down the road. Using classical and pop music and dazzling visuals in a pitch-black performance hall, Lightwire Theater brings this classic tale into a brilliant new light.

Nate Smith is a Grammy-winning bandleader, composer, producer, and virtuosic drummer whose groundbreaking work across genres has made him one of the most distinctive figures in contemporary music. Winning both Best Alternative Jazz Album and Best Arrangement, Instruments, and Vocals at the 2026 Grammy Awards, Smith has become one of the most in-demand drummers and collaborators of his generation. In this performance, he presents a dynamic solo drum set that showcases his technical mastery, musicality, and inventive approach to rhythm.

Sharing the same passion for music and sharing their lives, the highly acclaimed husband-and-wife duo Shin-Young Lee and Olivier Latry will be featured this season as an organ duet. Performing on one instrument together (with four hands and four feet), this dynamic duo will come together for one night only with a repertoire showcasing classical pieces from over the past five centuries. Both international artists of profound distinction, Olivier Latry is a titular organist of the Grand Organ at the Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris, France, and Shin-Young Lee, known for the originality of her programming, has performed solo and accompanied orchestras in major concert halls on five continents.

Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, this season features the multi-award-winning quintet Goitse—one of Ireland’s most dynamic and celebrated ensembles. Celebrating 15 years of touring worldwide and captivating audiences, Goitse continues to redefine what it means to be ambassadors of Irish traditional music by pushing boundaries while honoring the past with their signature blend of original compositions and timeless traditional tunes.

Led by violin virtuoso Etienne Gara, Delirium Musicum is a Los Angeles-based chamber orchestra redefining the classical concert experience with bold programming and electrifying performances. Representing 10 countries across four continents, the ensemble performs music from its acclaimed Warner Classics albums Seasons and Cabinet of Curiosities. Winner of the 2025 San Francisco Classical Voice Audience Choice Award in all five nominated categories, Delirium Musicum is quickly becoming one of the most exciting ensembles in classical music today.

Composer and pianist Alfredo Rodriguez and percussionist-singer Pedrito Martinez share their roots in Havana before bringing their music to the U.S., integrating those influences along the way. Rodriguez emerged from the classical world, while Martinez rose from folkloric traditions. Together, they unleash an extraordinary, cross-cultural sound of perseverance blazing fusion of jazz, rhythm, and soul that will have audiences moving, dancing, and swept up in the beats of Cuba!

Chelsea Chen is an internationally renowned organist and composer whose dynamic playing has taken her to the far corners of the world. Her solo concerts offer a unique mix of traditional organ repertoire along with transcriptions of contemporary music and often features her own works based on Asian folksongs.

MOMIX is an internationally renowned dance company celebrated for its breathtaking fusion of movement, athleticism, and visual illusion. Botanica is a lush, dreamlike journey through the changing seasons, blending gravity-defying choreography, whimsical puppetry, cinematic projections, and an eclectic musical score. Inspired by the beauty and rhythms of the natural world, this visually stunning production transforms the stage into a living landscape of fantasy and wonder. Equal parts dance, illusion, and visual theater, Botanica is an unforgettable feast for the senses.

Experience the magic of Eric Carle’s beloved stories in a whole new way! Created by Jonathan Rockefeller and featuring puppets inspired by Carle’s iconic artwork, this delightful production brings four cherished classics to life on stage. Along with The Very Hungry Caterpillar, audiences will move and play with From Head to Toe, dream and sing with The Very Quiet Cricket, and explore the whimsical world of Little Cloud. Filled with color, imagination, and interactive fun, this enchanting hour-long adventure is perfect for young audiences and families.