Category Archives: Press Releases

Beloved and Popular America’s Got Talent Finalist
Makes its Cincinnati Debut!

NDLOVU YOUTH CHOIR
The Pride and Joy of South Africa

“If I could bottle your energy, I’d drink it every day!” –
Simon Cowell, America’s Got Talent

February 27, 2026
Aronoff Center – Procter & Gamble Hall

[Cincinnati, OH] – Ndlovu Youth Choir, the inspirational America’s Got Talent finalist (Season 14), makes its Cincinnati debut on Friday, February 27, 2026, at 7:30 PM at the Aronoff Center’s Procter & Gamble Hall. The event is part of the Cincinnati Arts Association’s 2025-26 CAA Presents! Season.

Tickets are on sale now at www.CincinnatiArts.org, (513) 621-2787 [ARTS], or the Aronoff Center Ticket Office. For group sales (10 or more), call (513) 977-4155. A special 50%-OFF Family Four Pack offer is available for purchases of four or more tickets. Prices include all applicable fees and taxes and are subject to change.

Since its inception in 2009, the Ndlovu Youth Choir has become one of the world’s most treasured groups. Their unique musical arrangements and powerhouse vocals, irresistibly combined with mesmerizing choreography and infectious energy, have inspired millions across the globe.

Their eleven-year journey has seen an after-school program for orphaned and vulnerable children, started by the Ndlovu Care Group, transform into an international recording and touring career. Participation does not only instill values of togetherness, a work ethic, and a sense of responsibility, but it also develops self-discipline, self-confidence, and leadership. Through the choir, choristers gain a global perspective that offers an early pathway to artistic and professional achievement. The choir uses their talents to share their inspirational story with the world through song and dance.

The choir’s repertoire is an exciting mix of traditional South African genres with pop, rock, jazz, and EDM. Their intention to create a fresh and original sound is evident in their ability to take internationally well-known songs – Toto’s “Africa,” Kygo’s “Higher Love,” U2’s “Beautiful Day,” and Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You” – and move them into an exciting new territory. The Ndlovu Youth Choir’s incredible run on America’s Got Talent (Season 14) made them the first choir in the history of either America’s Got Talent or Britain’s Got Talent to reach the final. Their soul-stirring performances won hearts and minds around the world. After their final AGT performance, legendary music producer and record executive Simon Cowell labeled the performance “The best final I have ever sat on in my life.” He went on to sign the choir, and together with SYCO and Sony Music, they released their first album, which debuted at number one on iTunes.

Since AGT, the choir has undertaken two European tours, sold out every public performance, and performed on numerous local and international television and radio shows. Highlights include a performance to over 115,000 people in Cape Town and The Match in Africa, which featured Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Bill Gates, and Trevor Noah. During the Coronavirus crisis, the choir continued to offer hope and inspiration with their enthusiastic COVID-19 musical public service messages which were shared by the WHO and the United Nations. They joined many of the world’s top A-list performers on a virtual stage where they were featured during the Global Citizens One World: Together at Home virtual concert.

As the Ndlovu Youth Choir’s meteoric rise continues, they strive to push the creative boundaries of song and dance to reach and touch audiences of all ages across the globe. Their high-energy performances have not only thrilled audiences around the world, but have shared a message of hope, love, and togetherness.

For more information, visit Ndlovu Youth Choir on Facebook: @ndlovuchoir and Instagram: @choirafrica.

Cincinnati Arts Association SPONSORS

The Cincinnati Arts Association is supported [in part] by an investment of public funds from the Ohio Arts Council (OAC). The OAC is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and economically.

Season Sponsors:  AMERITAS (Founding Season Sponsor), MIAMI UNIVERSITY, ARTSWAVE, LOCAL 12 WKRC-TV, The P&G FUND of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation, TRIHEALTH

SEASON PRESENTING SPONSORS:  21C Museum Hotel, altafiber, Bahl & Gaynor, Cincinnati Herald, CityBeat, Fairfield Inn & Suites Cincinnati Uptown/University Area, Harlan Graphics, Heidelberg Distributing, Kinley Cincinnati, Pepsi, Summerfair Cincinnati

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CALENDAR INFORMATION

WHAT:              NDLOVU YOUTH CHOIR
WHEN:             Friday, February 27, 2026 – 7:30 PM
WHERE:             Aronoff Center – Procter & Gamble Hall

PRICE:               Ticket prices start at $23, inclusive of all fees. A special 50%-OFF Family Four Pack offer is available for purchases of four or more tickets.

INFO:                 Since its inception in 2009, Ndlovu Youth Choir (America’s Got Talent finalist – Season 14) has become one of the world’s most treasured groups. Their unique musical arrangements and powerhouse vocals, irresistibly combined with mesmerizing choreography and infectious energy, have inspired millions across the globe.

TICKET INFORMATION – on sale now

• www.CincinnatiArts.org
• (513) 621-ARTS [2787]
• Aronoff Center Ticket Office
• Group sales (10 or more): (513) 977-4155

THE JOKERS OF MAGIC

January 24, 2026
Aronoff Center – Jarson-Kaplan Theater

[Cincinnati, OH] – Laugh your cares away and be astounded at the Cincinnati premiere of The Jokers of Magic at the Aronoff Center’s Jarson-Kaplan Theater for two performances only on January 24, 2026, at 4:00 PM & 8:00 PM. The show is part of the Cincinnati Arts Association’s 2025-26 CAA Presents! Season.

Tickets are on sale now at www.CincinnatiArts.org, (513) 621-2787 [ARTS], or the Aronoff Center Ticket Office. For group sales (10 or more), call (513) 977-4155. Prices include all applicable fees and taxes and are subject to change.

Introducing… The Jokers of Magic – the irreverent, laugh-your-butt-off night of comedy and magic you didn’t know you needed (but trust us, you do). Armed with credits from America’s Got Talent, Penn & Teller’s Fool Us, and a few places in which it might technically be illegal to perform, these slick tricksters will blow your mind and swindle their way into your heart in a no-holds-barred evening of tricks, lies, and laughs. It’s like SNL and Whose Line is it Anyway? had a love child and sent it to Hogwarts!

The show is rated PG-13 and is recommended for ages 14 and up. The attendance of young children is discouraged.

The Jokers of Magic – Bios 

Eric Dittelman
Eric is best known as the first mind reader on America’s Got Talent, where he was a Top Ten Finalist and judges’ favorite. He’s been a guest on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and Live with Kelly & Ryan and has appeared on Penn & Teller: Fool Us, where Penn called his act “bordering on genius.”  Eric has also been featured in Entertainment Weekly, Rolling Stone, and even The National Enquirer.  He has performed on Broadway with The Illusionists and currently performs in the hit off-Broadway show Speakeasy Magick.

Matt Donnelly
The Las Vegas Review Journal recently named Matt “Las Vegas’s Best Up and Coming Comedy Magician.” His act, The Noodler, has been dazzling audiences across North America with his unique and hilarious brand of magic and one-of-a-kind story. Many years ago, while working as head writer on Penn & Teller Fool Us, Penn Jillette challenged Matt to learn one trick. He said, “It’s harder than you think…but you might be better at it than you think.” So, he did learn one trick…from seven different magicians! He put all seven tricks together and made his first show.

Matt spent years on tour opening for “Piff The Magic Dragon” with his unique take on magic. Now, he tours with his own Mind Noodling show, amazing audiences across North America at prestigious magic venues like LA’s Magic Castle, The Chicago Magic Lounge, and Nashville’s House of Cards, while also headlining at the Second Bell Comedy Festival in Tennessee. Offstage, Matt is the cohost of Penn Jillette’s award-winning podcast, Penn’s Sunday School, as well as magic podcast, Abracababble. He just wrapped his ninth season as head writer of Fool Us for CW.

Long before he ever thought of dipping his toes into magic, Matt crushed the Las Vegas comedy world. He played the Las Vegas strip alongside Wayne Brady in the smash-hit improv comedy show Making It Up at the Venetian, played Christian Grey in the ridiculously funny 50 Shades! The Parody at Bally’s, and hosted the innovative and hilarious show Executive Monkeys at The Palms.

Derek Hughes
The live performances of celebrated conjurer “Stand Up Magician” Derek Hughes have been lauded by audiences and critics alike, with The New York Times calling him “thoroughly entertaining.”  Hughes has performed his magic on MTV, VH1, Comedy Central, CW’s Penn & Teller: Fool Us, and The Ellen DeGeneres Show. He’s a consulting producer on truTV’s hit magic series The Carbonaro Effect and was a top-ten finalist on NBC’s America’s Got Talent.

Michael Mills
Michael’s contemporary and playful approach to comedy magic takes audiences on a thrilling funhouse tour of deception.

Hailing from upstate New York, his journey into the world of entertainment began as a performer at the classic resorts of the Catskills and Adirondack region. These early experiences laid the foundation for his unique performance style and love for magic. Over the years, he has graced the stages of hundreds of private events. More recently, Michael has appeared at Chicago Magic Lounge in Chicago and Carnival of Illusion in Phoenix. His one-man show Fool Me Once tours clubs and theaters.

While performing magic was his first passion, Michael is best known for his remarkable journey as the founder and CEO of Mills Entertainment, one of the nation’s leading producers of touring entertainment. From comedic legends like John Cleese and Mel Brooks to the dynamic duo Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood from Whose Line Is It Anyway, Mills has consistently delivered innovative and exceptional live experiences. Last year, Mills partnered with legendary magicians Penn & Teller to produce a nationwide tour of Penn & Teller present The Foolers.

For more information, visit The Jokers of Magic website at https://www.jokersofmagic.com.

Cincinnati Arts Association SPONSORS 

The Cincinnati Arts Association is supported [in part] by an investment of public funds from the Ohio Arts Council (OAC). The OAC is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and economically.

Season Sponsors:  AMERITAS (Founding Season Sponsor), MIAMI UNIVERSITY, ARTSWAVE, LOCAL 12 WKRC-TV, The P&G FUND of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation, TRIHEALTH 

SEASON PRESENTING SPONSORS:  21C Museum Hotel, altafiber, Bahl & Gaynor, Cincinnati Herald, CityBeat, Fairfield Inn & Suites Cincinnati Uptown/University Area, Harlan Graphics, Heidelberg Distributing, Kinley Cincinnati, Pepsi, Summerfair Cincinnati

#  #  #

CALENDAR INFORMATION

WHAT:                The Jokers of Magic
WHEN:                Saturday, January 24, 2026 – 4:00 PM & 8:00 PM

WHERE:              Aronoff Center – Jarson-Kaplan Theater

PRICE:                 Ticket prices start at $45.25, inclusive of all fees.

INFO:                   The Jokers of Magic is an irreverent, laugh-your-butt-off night of comedy and magic you didn’t know you needed (but trust us, you do). Armed with credits from America’s Got Talent, Penn & Teller’s Fool Us, and a few places in which it might technically be illegal to perform, these slick tricksters will blow your mind and swindle their way into your heart in a no-holds-barred evening of tricks, lies, and laughs. The show is rated PG-13 and is recommended for ages 14 and up. The attendance of young children is discouraged.

TICKET INFORMATION – on sale now

• www.CincinnatiArts.org
• (513) 621-ARTS [2787]
• Aronoff Center Ticket Office
• Group sales (10 or more): (513) 977-4155