Written by Maureen Brakke
MONMOUTH, Ore. –
The 2025-2026 Smith Fine Arts Series kicks off in September at Western Oregon University’s Rice Auditorium, promising to enchant and inspire audiences with a vibrant array of music and dance performances. Featuring six high-caliber groups, this season showcases a rich blend of styles, from the magical harmonies of The Arcadian Wild, a four-piece indie folk/pop group from Nashville, to De Tierra Caliente, a dynamic Latin fusion band that will ignite the air with vibrant colors and irresistible rhythms, creating an infectious atmosphere.
Series subscriptions and individual performance tickets are available now for purchase. Guarantee your seats and get your tickets today!
September 25, 2025
This four-piece indie folk/pop group from Nashville, TN, confidently blends the traditional with the contemporary. Combining elements of progressive bluegrass, folk, and formal vocal music, the Arcadian Wild invites listeners to join them on an exploration of sound and wonder, to find refuge and rest, to laugh and even cry, but most of all to share joy (and sing along!).
December 6, 2025
Shara Nova’s hauntingly powerful vocals are showcased through her majestic compositions that blend art, pop, rock, and chamber music into a sound totally her own. An original member of the hit Broadway show Illinoise, she has collaborated with a who’s who of modern and classical music. Her 2022 album, The Blue Hour, was listed in NPR’s Top 10 Albums of the Year. Don’t miss this chance to experience her unique and innovative voice in the intimate setting of the Smith Fine Arts Series.
January 17, 2026
Michael Nickerson-Rossi’s choreography is filled with a complexity that takes the audience through a beautifully orchestrated mixture of artistic movement and emotional freedom. This intricate, evocative performance is sure to showcase the beauty and art of dance at its finest. The Nickerson-Rossi Dance Company has performed his innovative contemporary dance works with a balletic touch internationally and are an anchor to the Palm Springs dance community.
March 14, 2026
Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass
The Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass (RMPBB) is America’s premier large brass ensemble. With a sound larger than any room they play, the RMPBB reflects the diversity of American culture and the men and women who inhabit it. RMPBB is dedicated to the notion that music is a gift to be enjoyed by everyone, and everyone loves a brass band! Their music breaks the usual barriers between genres and strives to create a connection between the audience and performers.
April 10, 2026
De Tierra Caliente is a dynamic Latin fusion band that ignites the air with vibrant colors and irresistible rhythms, creating an infectious atmosphere sure to get everyone up and dancing. Their music combines catchy melodies, unaffected lyrics, and a fusion of Latin, Caribbean, Brazilian, and American rhythms, resulting in an unforgettable celebration of music and culture. Bring your dancing shoes and be ready to experience all that De Tierra Caliente has to offer!
June 6, 2026
With the fierceness of a rocker and the grace of a dancer, Taimane’s music demonstrates the enormous range of the ukulele, stretching it far beyond the familiar melodies of her native Hawai`i. Whether delicately fingerpicking through Bach or radically ripping through Led Zeppelin, Taimane can morph genres – from classical to rock to flamenco. She lights up rooms wherever she goes, sparkling like the diamond that she is.
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About Western Oregon University
Western Oregon University, established in Monmouth in 1856, proudly stands as Oregon’s oldest public university. Hosting around 4,000 students, Western embodies a mid-sized, NCAA Division II institution, with approximately 80% of its students hailing from within the state. Notably, its diverse student body comprises individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, veterans, and non-traditional learners. Western stands as the preferred campus in Oregon for those pursuing an enriching education within a nurturing, student-focused environment, characterized by faculty-led instruction. Where YOU belong.
