WELCOME

Ready or not, the holiday season is upon us. It’s always a special time here at the Center for the Performing Arts, but this year seems even more magical than usual, now that we can gather again in person to experience top artists from around the world.

The 2021-22 Center Presents Season sponsored by Allied Solutions includes an especially robust Holiday Series. New names include the rock-meets-classical Luminare production making its national debut; the timeless Debby Boone on a rare concert tour; and from the U.K., a cappella stalwarts the King’s Singers. Of course, it wouldn’t be Christmas at the Center without a visit from Dave Koz & Friends, and “hip-hop violinist” Damien Escobar is returning to the Palladium with his unique take on seasonal tunes. You can read more about him in our cover story on Page 6.

Even aside from those holiday shows, November and December at the Center offer plenty more to lift your spirits. Other performers on the schedule include witty pop-rock composer Ben Folds, rising classical piano star Sean Chen, the charmingly irrepressible chanteuse Storm Large, Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox on their Grand Reopening Tour, and beloved writer and humorist David Sedaris. More details are in the pages that follow.

The Center Presents season is off to a great start this fall, and clearly folks are eager to enjoy the performing arts again. We appreciate your cooperation with our health and safety protocols, which have become a standard expectation in the concert industry.

And as always, the Center is extremely grateful to the donors, sponsors and other community partners who have sustained our mission through good times and bad. We truly could not continue this work without your support.

Thanks again for joining us, and – if it’s not too early – Happy Holidays!