Don’t miss these May performances at the Center

There’s still time to get tickets for these events and more coming up at Carmel’s Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to TheCenterPresents.org.

The Electric Light Orchestra Experience featuring EVIL WOMAN – The American ELO
Saturday, May 2 at 8 p.m.
Payne & Mencias Palladium

With brilliant arrangements, flawless musicianship, and superlative vocals, the 12-piece band EVIL WOMAN – The American ELO is widely recognized as the world’s premier tribute to the Electric Light Orchestra.

Picking up where the Beatles left off in 1970, the UK-based ELO expanded the concept of great melodies, epic song structures, and grand orchestrations in which cellos coexisted with guitars, and classically tinged progressive rock intersected with hook-filled, radio-friendly pop songs.

ELO was one of the biggest groups of the 1970s, with hits including “Telephone Line,” “Mr. Blue Sky,” “Xanadu,” “Evil Woman,” “Livin’ Thing,” and “Don’t Bring Me Down.”

Click here for tickets.

Melissa Etheridge: RISE
Sunday, May 3 at 7:30 p.m.
Payne & Mencias Palladium

Melissa Etheridge stormed onto the American rock scene in 1988 with the release of her critically acclaimed self-titled debut album, which led to an appearance on the 1989 Grammy Awards show. For several years, her popularity grew around such memorable originals as “Bring Me Some Water,” “No Souvenirs,” and “Ain’t It Heavy,” for which she won a Grammy in 1992.

Known for her confessional lyrics and raspy, smoky vocals, Etheridge has remained one of America’s favorite female singers for more than three decades.

Click here for tickets.

An Evening with Jake Shimabukuro
Friday, May 8 at 8 p.m.
Payne & Mencias Palladium

Since gaining prominence in the early 2000s, ukulele marvel Jake Shimabukuro has mesmerized audiences with his innovative and dynamic style, taking the instrument to dizzying new heights.

Over a dozen solo albums, Shimabukuro has shown a knack for moving effortlessly between genres, sometimes in the same song. He has played the world’s top venues, from Lincoln Center to the Sydney Opera House, and has worked with artists including Yo-Yo Ma, Bela Fleck, Bette Midler, Ziggy Marley, Sonny Landreth, Billy Strings, Lukas & Willie Nelson, and Warren Haynes.

Special Guest: Local singer-songwriter Meghan Cristeen Martin will open the show.

Click here for tickets.

Local Mix Music Series
Northside Exchange
Wednesday, May 20 at 7:30 p.m.
The Tarkington & Online

Northside Exchange was founded in 2022 in Indianapolis by guitarist/vocalist/producer Joseph Filipow and drummer/producer Darnell Perkins, with rising star Daniel Hicks on keyboards.

The band has opened for jazz legend Branford Marsalis, performed at Carmel Jazz Fest, and backed esteemed Indianapolis vocalists Goldie, Marielle Sellars, Blair Clark, and other notable artists.

The group’s 2023 debut single “Steppin’” is available on all major streaming platforms.

Click here for tickets.

Peanut Butter & Jam
Todd Williams Trio: All Aboard the Short Track Shuffle
Saturday, May 23 at 10:30 a.m.
The Studio Theater

All aboard! The train is leaving the station to explore what makes jazz swing. The Todd Williams Trio will explore everything you need to bop before you stop. Bring your little ones to our next Peanut Butter & Jam performance as we depart on the Short Track Shuffle.

Click here for tickets.

Luminaries
It’s All About the Groove! with Lisa Colleen
Tuesday, May 26 at 2 p.m.
The Studio Theater

Drumming has the power to motivate, relax, educate, energize, unite, and inspire. It is accessible to all ages and ability levels, and no experience is needed.

Join music educator Lisa Colleen on a rhythmic journey via a drum circle experience that explores the drum as a tool for creating unity, self-expression, and well-being. The presentation will introduce basic rhythms that lend themselves well to the circle experience.

What are you waiting for? Come have fun and drum!

Click here for tickets.

New Works Premiere Performances 2026
Saturday, May 30 at 7 p.m.
The Tarkington

Don’t miss this evening of exciting work from local artists who are the winners of the 2026 New Works project commissions.

Now in its fifth season, the New Works project is an initiative by Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts to promote and sustain central Indiana’s working artists and arts communities in an inclusive way by supporting the creation of new works in the performing and visual arts disciplines.

The four winning performing arts proposals will be presented on stage at the Tarkington, with a talkback discussion following the performances. The event will also include the public unveiling of this year’s winning visual arts project.

Click here for tickets.