Welcome to the Kupferberg Center for the Arts 2025-26 Season!
Here you’ll find the full schedule of exciting performances and events for the upcoming year—featuring world-class artists across music, dance, family shows, and more. To celebrate the new season, we’re offering a limited-time 20% discount on tickets from August 25 through September 7. Explore the lineup, plan your visits, and take advantage of this special offer to enjoy unforgettable moments at KCA!
How to get your 20% discount:
Click BUY TICKETS for any event below
On the ticketing page, click UNLOCK before selecting your seats
Enter the passcode KCA20 to apply your 20% discount
The offer is valid from Monday, August 25, 12 PM ET through Sunday, September 7, 11:59 PM ET. Tickets are subject to availability.
For more information or to purchase tickets by phone, please contact our Box Office at (718) 793-8080.
Please also check out 2025-26 season brochure here.
Buena Vista Orchestra
FRI, OCT 3, 8 PM
Colden Auditorium
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Step into the world of Cuban music legends with Jesus “Aguaje” Ramos and The Buena Vista Orchestra, as they take the stage for a night filled with rhythm, soul, and electrifying music. Featuring iconic members of The Buena Vista Social Club, this concert celebrates the rich legacy of Afro-Cuban music with a mix of timeless hits and deep cuts. From fiery trombone solos to soulful vocals, experience the energy and spirit of Cuban jazz that has captivated audiences worldwide. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see the iconic orchestra live, as they continue their global tour in 2025.
Country Gongbang
FRI, OCT 10, 8 PM
LeFrak Concert Hall
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Fusing the soul of bluegrass with the spirit of K-pop, Country Gongbang brings a fresh, global twist to the stage. Founded in 2014 as South Korea’s first bluegrass band—and the first Korean group to perform at the legendary Grand Ole Opry in Nashville—Country Gongbang is redefining tradition with bold, bilingual vocals and a vibrant, genre-blending sound.
Tuba Skinny
SAT, NOV 8, 8 PM
LeFrak Concert Hall
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For over a decade, Tuba Skinny has captivated audiences worldwide with their vibrant blend of traditional jazz, ragtime, blues, and American roots music. Known for their masterful musicianship and vintage New Orleans sound, this dynamic ensemble brings the spirit of early 20th-century Americana to life.
ENDEA OWENS & THE COOKOUT
SAT, NOV 15, 8 PM
LeFrak Concert Hall
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Emmy and Grammy Award–winning bassist, composer, and bandleader Endea Owens brings her high-energy ensemble, The Cookout, for an evening of feel-good music that blends jazz, soul, and global influences into a vibrant and deeply personal sound. An alum of The Juilliard School and member of The Late Show Band (The Late Show with Stephen Colbert), Owens has performed with jazz greats including Wynton Marsalis, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and Marcus Belgrave.
360 ALLSTARS
SUN, NOV 16, 4 PM
Colden Auditorium
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360 ALLSTARS brings street culture to the stage in a supercharged urban circus! Featuring World Champion and record-holding athletes and artists, this global smash hit has wowed over 1 million people worldwide—now it’s your turn. From BMX and basketball to breakdancing, acrobatics, and drumming, 360 ALLSTARS delivers a mind-blowing fusion of skill, style, and high-octane energy. Backed by a live soundtrack from award-winning musicians and immersive video projections, this bold production redefines the circus. Don’t miss their KCA debut as part of their 12-year anniversary World Tour!
SOWETO GOSPEL CHOIR: PEACE
SAT, DEC 6, 8 PM
Colden Auditorium
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Experience the electrifying energy and soul-stirring harmonies of the multi-Grammy® and Emmy Award®-winning SOWETO GOSPEL CHOIR. This 20-member South African ensemble captivates audiences worldwide with vibrant performances that celebrate culture, faith, and the human spirit. Since 2002, the Choir has wowed global audiences with powerful a cappella renditions—sung in English and African languages—blending traditional and contemporary songs with themes of unity, resilience, and joy. Their acclaimed concert “PEACE” features South African freedom songs, spirituals, and classics by Aretha Franklin, Harry Belafonte, Peter Gabriel, Kate Bush, Leonard Cohen, and more. A moving celebration of sound and spirit—perfect for all ages.
KEITH MICHAEL’S THE NUTCRACKER
SAT, DEC 13, 3 PM
Colden Auditorium
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Experience the holiday magic with New York Theatre Ballet’s one-hour rendition of The Nutcracker, perfect for ages 3 and up. Featuring enchanting choreography by Keith Michael, this reimagined classic brings Tchaikovsky’s beloved score to life in Art Nouveau style of 1907. Don’t miss the captivating mice, dancing imps, and other delightful surprises that will mesmerize audiences of all ages.
QC MLK DAY CELEBRATION: TYREEK MCDOLE
SUN, JAN 18, 3 PM
Goldstein Theatre
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Join rising jazz vocalist Tyreek McDole for a performance inspired by his debut album Open Up Your Senses. Blending original songs with freedom songs and spirituals, McDole creates a space for reflection, unity, and collective healing. This is more than a concert—it’s a journey through sound, rooted in the rich legacy of Black American Music.
This concert is part of QC’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration, honoring Dr. King’s legacy and his historic 1965 speech at Colden Auditorium. The event begins with the MLK ceremony at 3 PM, followed by the concert at 4 PM.
LUNAR NEW YEAR: CELEBRATING THE YEAR OF THE HORSE
SUN, FEB 1, 3 PM
Colden Auditorium
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Join us for a spellbinding family dance performance as we embrace the spirit of the Year of the Horse through the power and beauty of dance. Immerse yourself in a world of wonder as the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company takes the stage at the Kupferberg Center for the Arts, blending ancient Chinese traditions with contemporary movement.
LES BALLETS AFRICAINS
SUN, MAR 1, 3 PM
Colden Auditorium
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Step into a world of color, movement, and tradition with Les Ballets Africains, the legendary national dance company of Guinea. Renowned worldwide for their breathtaking performances, this acclaimed ensemble brings Africa’s vibrant cultural heritage to life through powerful drumming, dynamic choreography, and stunning costumes.
Founded in 1952 by visionary Guinean choreographer Keita Fodeba, Les Ballets Africains has captivated audiences from Paris to Tokyo, New York to Rio—earning international acclaim as cultural ambassadors. Their performances pay tribute to centuries-old traditions while celebrating the power of dance as a force for unity and cultural exchange.
MICHAEL FEINSTEIN’S TRIBUTE TO TONY BENNETT
SAT, MAR 21, 8 PM
Colden Auditorium
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Michael Feinstein pays heartfelt tribute to the legendary Tony Bennett, backed by the acclaimed Carnegie Hall Ensemble. Featuring iconic hits like “Because of You,” “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” “The Best Is Yet to Come,” and more, this big-band performance celebrates Bennett’s enduring legacy.
A close friend of Bennett’s, Feinstein infuses each song with warmth and authenticity, honoring not only the music but the cultural legacy it represents. Continuing Carnegie Hall’s storied tradition, Feinstein and the Ensemble bring a golden era of American music to life on stage.
THE PEKING ACROBATS®
SUN, MAR 29, 4 PM
Colden Auditorium
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Prepare to be amazed as The Peking Acrobats® deliver a jaw-dropping performance that defies gravity and belief. This thrilling showcase blends the time-honored tradition of Chinese acrobatics with live music, bold visuals, and cutting-edge special effects—creating a high-flying experience for all ages.
From daring maneuvers atop a pagoda of chairs to astonishing foot juggling, contortion, balancing feats, and precision tumbling, this high-energy production pushes the boundaries of human ability. Accompanied by live music on traditional Chinese instruments—and enhanced by vibrant costumes and stunning effects—The Peking Acrobats offer a kaleidoscope of movement, color, and cultural celebration.
SO PERCUSSION UNPLUGGED
FRI, APR 17, 8 PM
LeFrak Concert Hall
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Experience Sō Percussion like never before in Sō Percussion Unplugged—an immersive concert that redefines “percussion chamber music” with a five-octave marimba, drums, hand-held instruments, and four tables of everyday objects. This boundary-pushing program features works by Caroline Shaw, John Cage, Vijay Iyer, and more, transforming ordinary materials into a captivating journey of sound, rhythm, and visual artistry.
For 25 years, Grammy-winning percussion quartet Sō Percussion has redefined chamber music for the 21st century through an “exhilarating blend of precision and anarchy, rigor and bedlam” (The New Yorker). The group is celebrated by audiences and presenters for a dazzling range of work: for live performances imbued with “telepathic powers of communication” (New York Times); for an extravagant array of collaborations; and for creating opportunities and platforms for music and artists that explore the immense possibility of art in our time.
DARLENE LOVE
SAT, APR 25, 8 PM
Colden Auditorium
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The legendary Darlene Love returns to Kupferberg Center for the Arts with Love Songs, a celebration of her iconic voice and timeless charm. Over the years, she has captivated audiences around the world with her radiant stage presence and powerful performances. A Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Love has earned both Oscar and Grammy Awards, scored numerous Billboard hits, and garnered praise from critics and fans alike. Rolling Stone hails her as “one of the greatest singers of all time,” and as Paul Shaffer puts it best: “Darlene Love is Rock ’n’ Roll!”
LOUIS ARMSTRONG HOUSE ORCHESTRA
SAT, MAY 2, 8 PM
Colden Auditorium
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Join us for a historic night as the Louis Armstrong House Orchestra makes its KCA debut! Led by the electrifying trumpeter/composer Alphonso Horne, this world-class big band performs new arrangements and rare compositions from the storied archives of the Armstrong canon, honoring Armstrong’s invaluable legacy of musical innovation and social impact.
This special concert also marks the 50th anniversary of the album Louis Armstrong and Friends, featuring the first-ever live performance of the album’s 13 original Oliver Nelson arrangements alongside 3 world premieres. It’s a powerful tribute to Armstrong’s enduring influence and groundbreaking spirit, with special guests adding to the celebration.
VIVA EL CINCO DE MAYO 2026
SUN, MAY 3, 3 PM
COLDEN AUDITORIUM
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Get ready to shout “¡Viva México!” and join our annual Cinco de Mayo family celebration at KCA! Experience the vibrant traditions of Mexican music and dance with lively rhythms, colorful costumes, and the rich cultural heritage of Mexico. This family fiesta will be filled with music, dance, and pure excitement as we come together to honor this special day. Don’t miss out on a celebration that promises fun for all ages!
RAVI COLTRANE
SAT, MAY 9, 8 PM
LeFrak Concert Hall
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Born into jazz royalty, the son of musicians John and Alice Contrane, this Grammy-nominated musician continues the legacy he inherited by carving out his own individual sound. As a bandleader who has collaborated with a veritable who’s who of jazz, Coltrane’s ensemble “demonstrates its marvelous technical capabilities and keen musicianship, and their imaginative interpretations suggest strength and resolve, a fluid embodiment of question and answer,” (NPR) making for a fascinating musical journey.
Celia Cruz 100: Migguel Anggelo’s ICONS
FRI, MAY 15, 8 PM
Colden Auditorium
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Migguel Anggelo’s second episode of ICONS celebrates the legendary Cuban singer Celia Cruz in honor of her 100th birthday year (2025). Directed and developed by Adrian Alea, led by Musical Director Jaime Lozano and backed by an all-star lineup of live musicians and dancers, this concert pays tribute to the Queen of Salsa and delves into themes of Latine cultural identity, resilience, and the transformative power of music.