Don’t miss these great events at Center for the Performing Arts

See the superbly talented group Leonid & Friends on Sept. 27 in Carmel. (Photo provided)

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.

Luminaries: History & Mystery of the Pipe Organ with Rob Heighway
2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24
The Palladium
Tickets: $10, includes light refreshments

Rob Heighway has spent half of his life building pipe organs, and he has stories to tell. He will cover a bit of the history and enlighten attendees about the “hidden” world of pipe organs. He’ll discuss different types of pipe organs and the challenges of an industry that requires expertise in high-end woodworking, metalworking, solid-state control systems, and music. See the role pipe organs play in the musical, mechanical, architectural and spiritual worlds as both a fascinating machine and an inspirational musical instrument.

Nick Carter: Who I Am Tour
7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26
The Palladium
Tickets from $35
Printing Partners Encore Series

Nick Carter was only 12 when he auditioned for what would become America’s biggest boy band. Since then, the Backstreet Boys have sold more than 130 million records worldwide and earned five Grammy nominations, along with countless Billboard Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, and more. Carter’s solo career has produced three albums, along with singles including last year’s “Hurts to Love You,” which topped charts in the U.S. and Canada. His TV and film work has included his own VH1 series, I Heart Nick Carter, and appearances on The Masked Singer and Dancing with the Stars. After completing a world tour with the Backstreet Boys in 2023, Carter launched the current Who I Am Tour, his first solo outing in seven years.

Leonid & Friends: The Music of Chicago & More
8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27
The Palladium
Tickets from $55
Katz, Sapper & Miller Pop/Rock Series

Hailing from Russia, Leonid & Friends have drawn legions of fans with their uncanny ability to capture the spirit, musicality and fire of the American classic-rock group Chicago. Gaining attention with viral videos, the group has since expanded its repertoire to include such artists as Earth, Wind & Fire, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Ides of March, Stevie Wonder, and Steely Dan, along with new original material. The 11-piece band now has more than 700,000 followers across social media, an astonishing more than 200 million video views, and over 200 successful U.S. shows under its belt.

Special Guest: The Sweetwater All Stars, an eight-piece rhythm and blues band based out of Fort Wayne, will open the show.

Damien Escobar: Victory Lap Tour
8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28
The Palladium
Tickets from $35
Katz, Sapper & Miller Pop/Rock Series

Contemporary soul violinist Damien Escobar returns to the Palladium to celebrate 20 years of music. Hailing from Queens, N.Y., he began studying music as a child and at age 10 became the youngest artist ever admitted to the Julliard School, graduating at age 13. The Emmy winner and NAACP Image Award nominee began playing at New York City subway stations and first gained national attention as half of the duo Nuttin’ But Stringz before launching a solo career with his energetic performances and crossover mix of classical, jazz, pop, R&B, and hip-hop.

Special Guest: Opening the show will be Indianapolis-based artist Okara Imani and the Call. Imani is a classically trained vocalist, writer and teaching artist with roots in R&B, blues, funk, jazz and rock. She performs throughout the region and appeared last season in the Center’s Live at the Center livestream concert series.

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.