Tickets are available for these upcoming arts and education events at The Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. Just go to TheCenterPresents.org or call (317) 843-3800.
Center Presents Performances
Alan Cumming and Ari Shapiro: Och & Oy! A Considered Cabaret
8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3
The Palladium
Tickets from $55
Alan Cumming (Cabaret, The Good Wife) and Ari Shapiro (Pink Martini, NPR’s All Things Considered) are both known for transporting audiences to other worlds through their stories. Now, they’re joining forces in song. Witness the Palladium debut of their new evening of tunes and tall tales, with musical direction by Henry Koperski. “We’re both storytellers who try to help audiences better understand themselves and the world around them,” Shapiro said. “This show lets us explore those shared ideals on stage together, through stories and songs.”
Mariachi Herencia de México: Herederos
8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9
The Palladium
Tickets from $35
Telamon Passport Series
The history of mariachi music is rooted in cities such as Guadalajara and Mexico City, but as the ever-evolving genre spread, it reached Chicago and birthed the Mariachi Herencia de México. Emerging from a student music program in the Chicago Public Schools, the energetic, virtuosic group scored a Latin Grammy nomination with its 2017 debut release and has continued to top the streaming charts with a string of albums, most recently 2022’s Herederos. The 13-piece band consists of five violins, three trumpets, three guitars (including the Mexican vihuela), one bass and one harp, with the musicians doubling as singers.
8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17
The Palladium
Tickets from $35
Katz, Sapper & Miller Pop/Rock Series
With more than 30 million albums sold worldwide, Richard Marx returns for an intimate solo acoustic performance. Marx made history as the only male artist to reach the Billboard Top 5 with his first seven singles, including “Hold on to the Nights,” “Don’t Mean Nothing,” “Satisfied” and “Right Here Waiting.” Overall, he has scored 14 No. 1 singles as a performer and as a songwriter/producer. His most recent release is Songwriter, a collection of five pop songs, five rock songs, five country songs and five ballads, written in collaboration with artists including Keith Urban, Chris Daughtry and Burt Bacharach.
8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23
The Palladium
Tickets from $35
Printing Partners Classical Series
Bulgaria’s national orchestra makes its Palladium debut with an all-Beethoven program featuring the Coriolan Overture, the Piano Concerto No. 5 and the Symphony No. 7. The Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra’s repertoire comprises works from the entire historically available range of music – from classical to contemporary opuses, including premiere performances of numerous works by Bulgarian composers. Since 2017, Nayden Todorov has served as its general director. The expert-led Classics in Context discussion at 7:15 p.m. is free to all ticket holders.
Aretha’s Gold: Classic Albums Live Tribute to Aretha Franklin
8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24
The Palladium
Tickets from $35
Hoosier Village & The Barrington of Carmel Songbook Series
Juno Award-winning Canadian R&B singer Divine Brown recreates the magic of “The Queen of Soul” in this note-for-note, cut-by-cut performance of Aretha Franklin’s 1969 greatest hits album, Aretha’s Gold.
Classic Albums Live is a Toronto-based touring concert series that specializes in performances of classic rock and pop albums, focusing not on costumes or interpretations, but rather on faithful renditions of the recordings performed by top musicians. Aretha’s Gold included such hits as “Respect,” “Chain of Fools,” “Think” and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.”
Other February events include:
Songwriting: Melody and Lyrics
Feb. 6-March 5; performance March 7
The Palladium
Cost: $150 for five sessions and final performance
Aimed at seasoned writers and fresh voices alike, this course explores the elements of songwriting and provides opportunities for participants to co-write and collaborate with other musicians. Each session will include instruction, songwriting breakout sessions, peer/instructor feedback and an opportunity to share work. The course will culminate with a “songwriters in the round” performance in which each participant will share a song and a personal story about the work.
Peanut Butter & Jam: Kid Kazooey
10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 10
The Palladium
Tickets: $10 per child, includes two free adult admissions with each order
Kid Kazooey wants to play music with you and your kids! It’s Time to Have Band Practice is a program exploring the fundamentals of music by playing music together. Rhythm, dance, and dynamics are shared in a highly interactive program with a seasoned performer. Designed for children aged 1 to 7, Peanut Butter & Jam sessions encourage kids to become engaged in the arts.
Child & Adult Music Class: Teddy Bear’s Picnic
9:30 a.m. or 10:45 a.m. Fridays, Feb. 23-March 29
The Palladium
Cost: $72 for all six sessions
Toddlers and their favorite stuffed animals can enjoy a musical romp through the woods with songs about bears, sunshine, numbers, and letters. Led by musician/educator Michelle Marti and presented in partnership with Westfield Veterinary Care, the program is designed for children aged 18 months to 5 years.
Live at the Center: Peyton Womock Band
7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28
Online and at the Studio Theater
Livestream: Free (pay-what-you-can, no minimum)
On-site: $10 (pay-what-you-can, $10 minimum)
Saxophonist Peyton Womock is known for innovative interpretations as well as original compositions that cross genres from smooth jazz and funk to hip hop and pop. His videos on Twitter, YouTube and Instagram have attracted more than a million impressions, and he also brings a unique perspective on music technology through his Indiana University studies in Informatics with a cognate in music. A collection of original compositions, Saint, is available on Spotify and Apple Music. Live at the Center is a monthly concert and livestream series featuring original music by Indiana-based artists.
About the Center for the Performing Arts
The mission of the nonprofit Center for the Performing Arts is to engage and inspire the Indiana community through enriching arts experiences. Its campus includes the 1,500-seat Palladium concert hall, the 500-seat Tarkington theater, and the black-box Studio Theater. The Center presents and hosts hundreds of events each year, including the Center Presents performance series, featuring the best in classical, jazz, pop, rock, country, comedy, and other genres. Educational and experiential programming includes children’s concerts, summer camps, book clubs, lectures, and classes in music and dance. The Center is home to the affiliated Great American Songbook Foundation and provides space and support services for six resident arts companies. More information at TheCenterPresents.org.