2025-26 Season
We are excited to share our 48th season of world-class performing arts with you! This season promises to be among the best yet, with six fantastic performances featuring bluegrass, Latin fusion, a brass quintet – and a little bit of everything in between. This season has something for everyone! Come as you are and experience the transformative power of music and dance with the Smith Fine Arts Series.
Upcoming Events
All performances begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Leonard W. Rice Auditorium (corner of Knox St N and Powell St E) on Western Oregon University’s Monmouth campus.
Sep
25
The Arcadian Wild
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!).
Dec
6
Shara Nova
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.
Jan
17
Nickerson-Rossi Dance
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.
Mar
14
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.
Apr
10
De Tierra Caliente
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!
Jun
6
Taimane
With the fierceness of a rocker and the grace of a dancer, Taimane’s music demonstrates the enormous range of the ukelele, 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.
Come as you are.
What can you expect from SFAS? A chance to enjoy a quality cultural
experience at a reasonable price. An intimate venue that lets you feel up-close-and-personal with performers – there’s not a bad seat in the house. A hassle-free evening, with easy ticketing, convenient free parking, and great dining close by.
What won’t you find? A stuffy, black-tie-and-evening-gown vibe. Or a place that’s just for students. Everyone is welcome, so come as you are—we’ll see you in Rice Auditorium!
Stay informed.
Why Subscribe? Subscribers enjoy many benefits, including a convenient renewal process with priority seating, discounted tickets, invitations to special behind-the-scenes events and advance notice of our new season lineup before it goes public. As a season subscriber, you make extraordinary performances and educational outreach opportunities possible for WOU and the wider community, year after year.
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