BODYTRAFFIC
Jul
16

BODYTRAFFIC

Praised for the “invention, attitude, and urban edge” (The Boston Globe), BODYTRAFFIC has taken the contemporary dance world by storm with its powerhouse performers, technical brilliance, and bold repertoire. Founded in 2007 and led by Artistic Director Tina Finkelman Berkett, the company delivers electrifying works that radiate energy, sophistication, and pure joy.

Presented in collaboration with Festival Mozaic: SLO Music & Arts Festival.

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TajMo
Sep
8

TajMo

It’s been nearly a decade since Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’ teamed up for their collaborative debut, TajMo. Though the original album was a runaway success winning a Grammy Award and sparking a massive joint tour of the US and Europe, neither artist ever expected to record a follow-up. Now, two of America’s most respected folk/blues musicians are BACK featuring songs from their 2025 Grammy nominated album Room On The Porch.

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Hidden Brain with Shankar Vedantam
Sep
20

Hidden Brain with Shankar Vedantam

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.

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Ballets Jazz Montréal: "Dance Me" The Music of Leonard Cohen
Sep
22

Ballets Jazz Montréal: "Dance Me" The Music of Leonard Cohen

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.

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Lyle Lovett and his Small Large Band
Nov
2

Lyle Lovett and his Small Large Band

  • Harold Miossi Hall - Performing Arts Center San Luis Obispo (map)
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As a singer, composer, and actor, Lyle Lovett has broadened the definition of American music by fusing country, swing, jazz, folk, gospel, and blues throughout his career that spans 14 albums. Lovett is a four-time Grammy Award winner and was named Texas State Musician, making him one of the most iconic and vibrant performers. Joined by his renowned Small Large Band, Lovett displays his variety of talents through poetic lyrics and captivating storytelling.

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Las Migas
Nov
15

Las Migas

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.

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Christmas Dreaming with Stella Cole
Dec
14

Christmas Dreaming with Stella Cole

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.

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BEETLEJUICE
Jan
18
to Jan 19

BEETLEJUICE

  • Performing Arts Center San Luis Obispo (map)
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Based on Tim Burton’s dearly beloved film, BEETLEJUICE tells the story of Lydia Deetz, a strange and unusual teenager whose whole life changes when she meets a recently deceased couple and a demon with a thing for stripes. Entertainment Weekly calls it “A FEAST FOR THE EYES AND THE SOUL!” 

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National Geographic Live: Incredible Animal Athletes with Lucy Hawkes
Jan
31

National Geographic Live: Incredible Animal Athletes with Lucy Hawkes

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!

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Rhiannon Giddens
Feb
10

Rhiannon Giddens

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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.”

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José James Sings Sinatra
Feb
11

José James Sings Sinatra

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.

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Ballet Folklórico de México
Feb
16

Ballet Folklórico de México

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.

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Emmanuel Acho
Feb
17

Emmanuel Acho

  • Performing Arts Center San Luis Obispo (map)
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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

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Lightwire Theater - The Adventures of Tortoise and Hare: The Next Generation
Feb
21

Lightwire Theater - The Adventures of Tortoise and Hare: The Next Generation

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.

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Trampled by Turtles
Feb
24

Trampled by Turtles

  • Performing Arts Center San Luis Obispo (map)
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Trampled by Turtles blends bluegrass with rock & roll, drawing energy not from loud guitars or heavy beats, but from measured strums, thoughtful arrangements, and reflective melodies. Their crossover sound has earned them the #1 spot on Billboard’s Bluegrass chart with every album release, while also landing them on major festival stages like Coachella, ACL Fest, and Lollapalooza.

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Nate Smith
Mar
2

Nate Smith

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.

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FORBES ORGAN SERIES: A Duo Organ Recital with Olivier Latry & Shin-Young Lee
Mar
11

FORBES ORGAN SERIES: A Duo Organ Recital with Olivier Latry & Shin-Young Lee

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.

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Goitse
Mar
13

Goitse

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.

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Delirium Musicum
Apr
4

Delirium Musicum

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.

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SHUCKED
Apr
6
to Apr 7

SHUCKED

  • Performing Arts Center San Luis Obispo (map)
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SHUCKED, the Tony Award-winning musical comedy and Broadway hit, has been popping into theaters with a whole cornucopia of joy. When the corn that protects Maizy and Beau’s small community starts to die, they dare to do what no one has ever done–venture beyond the borders of their tiny town. Follow along on this corny journey with an unlikely hero, a lovable con man, and an a-maize-ing battle for the heart and soil of Cob County.

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Alfredo Rodriguez Band feat. Pedrito Martinez
Apr
21

Alfredo Rodriguez Band feat. Pedrito Martinez

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!

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FORBES ORGAN SERIES: Chelsea Chen - Echoes of East Asia: A Celebration of Folk Song & the Organ
Apr
29

FORBES ORGAN SERIES: Chelsea Chen - Echoes of East Asia: A Celebration of Folk Song & the Organ

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.

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MOMIX: Botanica
Apr
30

MOMIX: Botanica

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.

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The Very Hungry Caterpillar Interactive Show
May
9

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Interactive Show

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.

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SIX
May
18
to May 19

SIX

  • Performing Arts Center San Luis Obispo (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

From Tudor Queens to Pop Icons, the SIX wives of Henry VIII take the microphone to remix five hundred years of historical heartbreak into a Euphoric Celebration of 21st century girl power! This new original musical is the global sensation that everyone is losing their head over!

The New York Times says SIX “TOTALLY RULES!” (Critic’s Pick) and The Washington Post hails SIX as “Exactly the kind of energizing, inspirational illumination this town aches for!”

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A Beautiful Noise - The Neil Diamond Musical
Jun
10

A Beautiful Noise - The Neil Diamond Musical

Created in collaboration with Neil Diamond himself, A BEAUTIFUL NOISE is an inspiring, exhilarating, energy-filled musical memoir, that tells the untold true story of how America's greatest hitmaker became a star, set to the songs that defined his career. 

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