Tag Archives: Cincinnati Arts Association

June 11, 2025 · 5:39 pm

Cincinnati Arts Association Announces Its CAA PRESENTS! 2025-26 Season

Celebrating Connection, Wonder, and Cultural Vibrancy
Milestone Season Marks the 30th Anniversary of the Aronoff Center

[CINCINNATI, OH] – The Cincinnati Arts Association (CAA) is pleased to announce its CAA PRESENTS! 2025-26 Season, which reflects the organization’s deep commitment to presenting performances that spark imagination, bridge generations, and celebrate the richness of global cultures. The milestone season marks the 30th anniversary of the Aronoff Center, which opened in October 1995.

With events that range from beloved children’s stories brought to life on stage (Dog Man: The Musical) and sensory-friendly performances that prompt the imagination (TREE, A World in Itself) to globally acclaimed performers (Ndlovu Youth Choir, Mariachi Garibaldi, and Complexions Contemporary Ballet), the season invites audiences to experience the world through music, movement, and storytelling.

This season embraces accessibility, family engagement, and educational impact, as seen through daytime education shows and community-driven events. From the nostalgic charm of The Sound of Music performed by the Salzburg Marionette Theatre to the urban energy of 360 Allstars, the programming brings together traditional and contemporary expression to foster joy, empathy, and shared cultural appreciation with our diverse audiences.

CAA PRESENTS! 2025-26 SEASON

Dog Man: The Musical
Saturday, October 4, 2025 – 2:00 PM & 6:30 PM
Sunday, October 5, 2025 – 2:00 PM
Aronoff Center – Procter & Gamble Hall
On sale now

Based on the worldwide bestselling hit series by Dav Pilkey, Dog Man: The Musical is a hilarious and heartwarming production following the chronicles of Dog Man, who with the head of a dog and the body of a policeman, loves to fight crime and chew on the furniture. But while trying his best to be a good boy, can he save the city from Flippy the cyborg fish and his army of Beasty Buildings? Can he catch Petey, the world’s most evil cat, who has cloned himself to exact revenge on the doggy do-gooder? And will George and Harold finish their show before lunchtime?? Find out in this epic musical adventure featuring an exciting book and lyrics by Kevin Del Aguila, music by Brad Alexander, and original direction and choreography by Jen Wineman. Recommended for ages 6+. 

Twilight In Concert
Tuesday, October 28, 2025 – 7:30 PM
Aronoff Center – Procter & Gamble Hall
On sale now

Experience the legendary romance saga with this epic film-to-concert event, featuring the original movie accompanied by a sensational live band on stage and an enchanting candlelit atmosphere.

Twilight In Concert offers a unique opportunity for fans to relive the story that started it all in a cinematic live experience like no other. An exceptional twelve-piece ensemble of outstanding rock and orchestral musicians will take the stage to perform the beloved film score in perfect synchronization with the original movie, presented in its entirety on a full-size cinema screen. Be captivated by the magical atmosphere as over a thousand twinkling candles illuminate the grand stage, creating an ambiance that sets the stage for a truly romantic journey.

Campana Sobre Campana: Christmas in Mexico
Tuesday, December 2, 2025 – 7:30 PM
Aronoff Center – Procter & Gamble Hall
On sale Tuesday, June 10 at 10:00 AM

Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar and Ballet Folklorico del Rio Grande invite you to celebrate the holiday season with Campana Sobre Campana: Christmas in Mexico! Named for the beloved Andalusian Christmas Carol, this vibrant show weaves cherished Mexican traditions into a magical story of the season. Through the joyous rhythms of “Bells Upon Bells” and the colorful spectacle of Mexican dance, Christmas in Mexico captures the heartwarming reenactment of Mary and Joseph’s journey. You’ll experience the spirit of Posadas, the majesty of the Reyes Magos, and the thrill of breaking piñatas. Join Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar and Ballet Folklorico del Rio Grande for an unforgettable program where every note and dance step embodies the rich cultural tapestry of Christmas in Mexico.

Christmas Together with Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith & CeCe Winans
Friday, December 5, 2025 – 7:00 PM
Aronoff Center – Procter & Gamble Hall
On sale now

Celebrate the magic of the season with three Grammy® Award-winning Gospel Music Hall of Fame members — Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, and CeCe Winans. The highly anticipated Christmas Together Tour will feature selections spanning the artists’ expansive Christmas repertoires and combine the vast collection of their traditional classics and critically acclaimed holiday albums. This tour marks the first time Grant and Smith have been joined by Winans for a holiday concert since she originally appeared on their 1998 Christmas tour.

The Jokers of Magic
Saturday, January 24, 2026 – 4:00 PM & 8:00 PM
Aronoff Center – Jarson-Kaplan Theater
On sale Tuesday, June 10 at 10:00 AM 

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!

Ndlovu Youth Choir
Friday, February 27, 2026 – 7:30 PM
Aronoff Center – Procter & Gamble Hall
On sale Tuesday, June 10 at 10:00 AM

Since bursting onto the world stage in 2009, the Ndlovu Youth Choir has become one of South Africa’s brightest musical exports. Combining vibrant choreography, rich vocal harmonies, and infectious energy, this extraordinary group transforms every performance into a celebration of life and resilience. What began as an after-school program for orphaned and vulnerable children has grown into a global phenomenon.

The choir gained international acclaim as finalists on America’s Got Talent, where their uplifting performances won hearts worldwide, earning praise from Simon Cowell and a record deal with Sony Music. Blending traditional South African sounds with pop, rock, jazz, and EDM, the Ndlovu Youth Choir brings fresh life to songs like Toto’s “Africa,” Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You,” and U2’s “Beautiful Day.” Their concerts are more than just music – they’re a message of hope, unity, and the power of young voices to change the world.

Salzburg Marionette Theatre: The Sound of Music
Friday, March 6, 2026 – 7:30 PM
Aronoff Center – Jarson-Kaplan Theater
On sale Tuesday, June 10 at 10:00 AM

Step into a world where imagination knows no limits and art comes to life in the most captivating way. For over a century, the Salzburg Marionette Theatre has enchanted audiences of all ages with its breathtaking performances. Among its timeless productions is The Sound of Music, the marionette stage version of the iconic Broadway musical, featuring its unforgettable melodies. This world-renowned theatre immerses you in a magical realm, where marionettes perform with the grace and emotion of living actors.

Complexions Contemporary Ballet: STAR DUST
Thursday, March 19, 2026 – 7:30 PM
Aronoff Center – Procter & Gamble Hall
On sale Tuesday, June 10 at 10:00 AM

Led by dance icons Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson, Complexions Contemporary Ballet has awakened audiences to a new, exciting genre with their singular approach of reinventing dance and contemporary ballet. Armed with a rich Alvin Ailey lineage and a cadre of sixteen stunning dancers, Complexions has been hailed as a “matchless American dance company” by the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The dance program opens with favorites from Retro-Suite, a series of short works that celebrate the company’s thirty years. The second half is STAR DUST, an utterly transfixing tribute to the life and music of David Bowie, full of glitter and glam. This ballet takes an array of his hits and lays a visual imprint, inspired by his unique personas and his restless invention artistically to create a rock opera-style production in his honor.

The Simon & Garfunkel Story
Wednesday, April 1, 2026 – 7:30 PM
Aronoff Center – Procter & Gamble Hall
On sale Friday, June 20 at 10:00 AM

This immersive, concert-style theater show chronicles the amazing journey shared by the folk-rock duo Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel. It tells the story from their humble beginnings as Tom & Jerry to their incredible success as one of the best-selling music groups of the 1960s to their dramatic split in 1970. It culminates with the famous “The Concert in Central Park” reunion in 1981 with more than half-a-million fans in attendance. Using state-of-the-art video projection, photos, and original film footage, the show also features a full live band performing all of their hits, including “Mrs. Robinson” (featured in the 1967 film The Graduate), “Cecilia,” “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” “Homeward Bound,” and many more.

TREE
Saturday, April 25, 2026 – 12:00 PM & 3:00 PM
Sunday, April 26, 2026 – 12:00 PM & 3:00 PM **
Aronoff Center – Fifth Third Bank Theater
On sale:  TBA 

Would you like to experience the magical world of trees and feel the cool morning mist? Settle into mama bird’s cozy nest while she warms her luminous clutch of eggs. Plants, insects, and animals visit, accompanied by gentle melodies and rhythmic music. As evening falls, you’ll rest under a rising moon, stars, and shimmering Milky Way, gathering strength to spread your wings like a fledgling bird of light.   

TREE is a multi-sensory, interactive universe enveloped in soft light, music, and silence, where five characters continually adapt to meet the needs of their audience.

** TREE was created for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and adapted for children with intellectual disabilities and/or reduced mobility. The Sunday, April 26, 3:00 PM performance – titled TREE: A World in Itself – is intentionally designed to be smaller and suitable for guests with ASD who may require additional attention or a less stimulating environment. Seating is extremely limited. 

360 ALLSTARS
Thursday, May 7, 2026 – 7:30 PM
Aronoff Center – Procter & Gamble Hall
On sale Tuesday, June 10 at 10:00 AM

A phenomenal physical performance exploring all forms of rotation, 360 ALLSTARS connects the street with the elite to deliver a supercharged urban circus. Boasting a stellar cast of World Champion and World Record-holding artists and athletes, 360 ALLSTARS is a spectacular fusion of extraordinary artistry that emerges from street culture. Add to this a stunning live soundtrack delivered by award-winning musicians, coupled with spectacular video projections, and 360 ALLSTARS is as aurally exciting as it is visually astounding. A magnificent, colorful, and astonishing expression of a generation that has reinvented the circus, 360 ALLSTARS is a revolutionary production that will leave you dizzy with excitement! 

TICKETS & INFORMATION

ON SALE NOW: Dog Man: The Musical; Twilight In Concert; Christmas Together with Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith & CeCe Winans 

ON SALE TUESDAY, JUNE 10 AT 10:00 AM: Campana Sobre Campana: Christmas in Mexico; Jokers of Magic; Ndlovu Youth Choir; Salzburg Marionette Theatre: The Sound of Music; Complexions Contemporary Ballet: STAR DUST; 360 ALLSTARS

ON SALE FRIDAY, JUNE 20 AT 10:00 AM: The Simon & Garfunkel Story

ON-SALE DATE TBA: TREE

Tickets

  • www.CincinnatiArts.org 
  • (513) 621-ARTS [2787]
  • Aronoff Center Ticket Office, 650 Walnut Street, Downtown
  • Group Discount Tickets (10 or more): (513) 977-4155
  • Ticket prices include all service fees.

Aronoff Center Ticket Office Hours    

  • Monday-Friday:  10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Through intermission of the last show on performance days

Cincinnati Arts Association SPONSORS 

The Cincinnati Arts Association is supported [in part] by the Ohio Arts Council, which receives support from the State of Ohio and the National Endowment for the Arts.

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

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

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May 27, 2025 · 5:20 pm

DOG MAN: The Musical | October 4-5 | Aronoff Center

THE HILARIOUS, HEARTFELT ADVENTURE
MAKES ITS CINCINNATI PREMIERE!

THEATERWORKSUSA’S PRODUCTION OF
DOG MAN: THE MUSICAL   

October 4- 5, 2025
Aronoff Center – Procter & Gamble Hall 

Tickets on sale NOW

[Cincinnati, OH] – The New York Times Critics’ Pick Dog Man: The Musical, based on the best-selling book series by Dav Pilkey, makes its Cincinnati premiere at the Aronoff Center’s Procter & Gamble Hall on Saturday October 4 at 2:00 PM & 6:30 PM and Sunday, October 5 at 2:00 PM. The popular family show is part of the CAA PRESENTS! 2025-26 Season.

Tickets go on sale Friday, May 23 at 10:00 AM at www.CincinnatiArts.org, (513) 621-2787 [ARTS], and the Aronoff Center Ticket Office. For Group Sales (10 or more), call (513) 977-4155. Ticket prices include all applicable fees and taxes and are subject to change.

Dog Man: The Musical is a hilarious and heartwarming production following the chronicles of Dog Man. With the head of a dog and the body of a policeman, Dog Man loves to fight crime and chew on the furniture. But while trying his best to be a good boy, can he save the city from Flippy the cyborg fish and his army of Beasty Buildings? Can he catch Petey, the world’s most evil cat, who has cloned himself to exact revenge on the doggy do-gooder? And will George and Harold finish their show before lunchtime?

“Dog Man: The Musical surpasses my highest expectations. It is the ‘perfect mash-up’ of memorable music, humor, and love,” shares author/illustrator Pilkey, who also created the popular series Captain Underpants and Cat Kid Comic Club.

Dog Man: The Musical features book and lyrics by Kevin Del Aguila (two-time Emmy Award-winning writer of the PBS show Peg + Cat); music by Brad Alexander (Drama Desk-nominated See Rock City & Other Destinations); and original direction and choreography by Jen Wineman (NY: Less Than 50%).

Additional creative team for Dog Man: The Musical includes scenic design by Timothy R. Mackabee (Broadway’s The Elephant Man; Guards at the Taj, Lucille Lortel Award); costume design by Heidi Leigh Hanson (Regional: The Addams Family Musical, How I Learned to Drive); lighting design by David Lander (Broadway’s The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical; Benghal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, Drama Desk Award); original sound design by Emma Wilk (NY: The Waiting Game, Regional: The Heiress); and orchestrations by Lloyd Kikoler. Dog Man: The Musical is produced by TheaterWorksUSA.

Dog Man: The Musical premiered off-Broadway in June 2019 at the Lucille Lortel Theatre, extending due to popular demand. The production returned to New York at New World Stages in March 2023. Newsday called it “A howling good time. This show is perfect for everyone.” The New York Times claimed, “Dog Man: The Musical keeps young audiences giggling for nearly 90 minutes. You have to love a show that makes adults laugh too.”

To learn more about the new touring production, visit www.DogManTheMusical.com or Facebook/Instagram: @TheaterWorksUSA 

TheaterWorksUSA (Barbara Pasternack, Artistic Director) has led the Theater for Young and Family Audiences movement in New York City and across North America for over half a century. TWUSA believes that access to art – and theater, in particular – is vital for our youth. Since 1967, the 501(c)3 not-for-profit has captured the imaginations of 100 million new and veteran theatergoers with an award-winning repertoire of over 140 original plays and musicals. Acclaimed alumni include Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez (Disney’s Frozen), Daphne Rubin-Vega (Rent), Jerry Zaks (The Music Man), Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (Dear Evan Hansen), Miguel Cervantes (Hamilton), Kathleen Chalfant (Angels in America), and Chuck Cooper (Tony award-winning actor, The Life).  For more information, visit https://twusa.org/.

Cincinnati Arts Association SPONSORS 

The Cincinnati Arts Association is supported [in part] by the Ohio Arts Council, which receives support from the State of Ohio and the National Endowment for the Arts.

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:                Dog Man: The Musical
WHEN:                Sat, Oct. 4, 2025 – 2pm & 6:30pm & Sun, Oct. 5, 2025 – 2pm

WHERE:              Aronoff Center – Procter & Gamble Hall

PRICE:                 Ticket prices start at $35, inclusive of all fees. Subject to change.

INFO:                   The New York Times Critics’ Pick Dog Man: The Musical, based on the best-selling book series by Dav Pilkey, makes its Cincinnati premiere at the Aronoff Center. This hilarious and heartwarming production follows the chronicles of Dog Man who, with the head of a dog and the body of a policeman, loves to fight crime and chew on the furniture.

TICKET INFORMATION – on sale NOW

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

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April 27, 2025 · 6:17 pm

DANCING FOR THE STARS 2025 Announces Winners 

Celebrity Dancer Erin Mignano and Dance Pro Jozsef Parragh Crowned New Dancing for the Stars Champs

Bill Chappie Honored as Fundraising Champion

[CINCINNATI, OH] – Erin Mignano (Vice President and General Manager, Turner Construction) and dance pro Jozsef Parragh (Independent Dance Instructor) were crowned the champions of the Cincinnati Arts Association’s seventeenth annual Dancing for the Stars on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at the Music Hall Ballroom. The dance pair earned perfect scores of (10) from each of the four judges. Bill Chappie (Hair Designer and Owner, Studio 900) took home the Fundraising Champion Award as the celebrity who raised the most money for the event through ticket sales and donations – more than $20,000.

Ryan Anderson (Assistant Vice President, Human Resources, Cincinnati Financial Services) and James Branham (Arthur Murray Dance Studio – West Chester) took second place. Karla Boldery (Business Advisor – Ohio SBDC at Miami University Regionals; Founder,  Latina Entrepreneur Academy Cincinnati; Local Sales Manager – La Mega | Urban 1) and and Josh Tilford (Independent Dance Instructor) placed third.

As the Cincinnati Arts Association’s largest annual fundraiser, the popular event raised more than $110,000 in support of the organization’s acclaimed arts education programs, including the Overture Awards – the nation’s largest locally run high school arts scholarship competition. 

The other three dance pairs included:

  • Fundraising Champion Bill Chappie (Hair Designer and Owner, Studio 900) and Maura Garuccio (Independent Dance Instructor)
  • Dylan Morton (Professional Roller Skater, D. Morton Skate Nation) and Bonita Brockert (Independent Dance Instructor)
  • Stacy Sims (Author, Playwright, and Founder of The Well) and Alyenendrov “Lenny” Tsorokean (Phoenix Rising Ballroom)

Inspired by the hit TV show Dancing with the Stars, Dancing for the Stars 2025 featured six Cincinnati celebrities paired with some of the area’s finest professional dancers in a competition program at which the audience vote and judges scores propelled the winners to victory. The competitive dance theme for the evening was the 1920s, and each dance pair had 90 seconds to woo the crowd and the judges.

Event emcees were Chris O’Brien and Janeen Coyle (former hosts of “Married with Microphones,” 103.5 WGRR-FM). The competition judges were Douglas Beal (Independent Dance Instructor), Carri Chandler (Vice President, St. Elizabeth Foundation; Celebrity Dancer, Dancing for the Stars 2011), Johnny Chu (Owner, KungFood Chu’s AmerAsia; Winner, Dancing for the Stars 2015 ), and Desireé Mainous (Arthur Murray Dance Studio – Montgomery).

In addition, Dancing for the Stars 2025 featured:

  • Dinner-by-the-Bite provided by Baru, DelightMore, eat well celebrations and feasts,  KungFood Chu’s AmerAsia, Moerlein Lager House, Prime Cincinnati, Sebastian Bakehouse, Skyline Chili, Street City Pub, Vintage on Race.
  • A speakeasy provided by Willow Run Custom Bourbons that featured samples of custom bourbon blends based on each celebrity’s bourbon palette. Bill Chappie had the favorite bourbon blend of the evening, which will be entered into the running to become the Aronoff Center’s 30th Anniversary Bourbon, available only at Willow Run Custom Bourbons during the 2025-26 season (the Aronoff Center will celebrate its 30th Anniversary in October 2025). A portion of the proceeds from each bottle sold will benefit the Cincinnati Arts Association.
  • Dance music by popular DJ and 103.5 WGRR personality JD Hughes.
  • Open dancing before and after the competition.
  • Entertaining exhibition dances by talented Dancing for the Stars dance pros.
  • An inspiring video about the Overture Awards, featuring interviews with the six student winners of the 2025 Overture Awards finals competition.
  • A special showcase performance by 2025 Overture Awards dance finalist Maanasa Yarlagadda (grade 12, Sycamore High School).
  • Two big screens that featured live video of the competition and engaging video introductions of the stars and pros (interviews and rehearsal footage) before their dances.
  • Humorous, astute, and supportive comments from the Dancing for the Stars panel of judges.
  • Stunning 1920s-themed and Art Deco-inspired décor and attire worn by the event’s dancers and guests.
  • Exceptionally responsive, raucous, and energetic audience reactions, which included large cheering sections holding signs with various messages in support of their favorite stars.

Dance and Song Selections (based on the 1920s theme )

  • Erin Mignano and Jozsef Parragh: “Rock and Jive” by Old Boys and “Easy Now” by Joe Stanley
  • Ryan Anderson and James Branham: “St. James Ballroom” by Alice Francis
  • Karla Boldery and Josh Tilford: “A Little Party Never Killed Nobody” from The Great Gatsby soundtrack by Fergie, Q-Tip, and GoonRock
  • Bill Chappie and Maura Garuccio: “Young and Beautiful” by Lana Del Rey and “A Little Party Never Killed Nobody” from The Great Gatsby soundtrack by Fergie, Q-Tip, and GoonRock
  • Dylan Morton and Bonita Brockert: “Bananaphone” by Raffi and “Phone” by Lizzo
  • Stacy Sims and Alyenendrov Tsorokean: “Great Balls of Fire” by Jerry Lee Lewis
  • Bonita Brockert and Gene Brockert (exhibition dance): “Man of La Mancha (I Don Quixote)” from Man of La Mancha by Linda Eder and “The Plaza of Execution,” from The Mask of Zorro soundtrack by James Horner
  • Maura Garuccio and Przemek Fokt-Skierecki (exhibition dance): “The Rest of His Days” by Anne Takle                    

Event Committee:  Douglas Beal, Doreen Beatrice, Terry Foster, Alex Johns, Ginger Loftin, Rosemary Schlachter

Presenting Sponsor: TriHealth 

Event Sponsors:  Accent on Cincinnati, Arthur Murray – Cincinnati, Arthur Murray – West Chester, Bonita Brockert, Maura Garuccio, Heidelberg Distributing, Jozsef Parragh, Party Source, Phoenix Rising Ballroom, Punky’s Pixels, Josh Tilford, Willow Run Custom Bourbons

The Cincinnati Arts Association is supported [in part] by the Ohio Arts Council, which receives support from the State of Ohio and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Cincinnati Arts Association’s Education & Community Engagment Programs
CAA’s Education & Community Engagement department cultivates diverse, inclusive, and accessible arts engagements, seeking to remove barriers preventing arts participation. Committed to a practice of antiracism, the Education and Community Engagement department encourages the use of CAA venues, develops diverse arts supporters, and fosters an appreciation and understanding of diverse arts disciplines, while encouraging and supporting practicing arts educators and administrators, audiences, and aspiring artists.

SchoolTime presents a series of programs that feature nationally recognized artists at the Aronoff Center and Music Hall. The Artists on Tour program brings a variety of arts experiences directly to schools, community centers, and other organizations. The finest local teaching artists in the region enhance learning with unique programs that vary in culture and art form.

The Arts in Healing Initiative integrates the performing and visual arts in medical and community healthcare settings and other non-traditional settings to promote community wellness and encourage the community to explore the arts as an active part of their healing and ongoing wellness.

The Overture Awards is a program that recognizes and rewards excellence in the arts among Greater Cincinnati students in grades 9-12. Its mission is to encourage arts education as an integral part of a student’s academic experience and to create an environment that encourages training in, and appreciation of, the arts. The Overture Awards is the area’s largest solo arts competition and offers awards in six artistic disciplines: creative writing, dance, instrumental music, theatre, visual art, and vocal music.

Now in its 29th year, the Overture Awards has granted more than $1,000,000 to youth and arts educators in the Tri-state region. The Overture Awards was launched in 1996 by the Cinergy Foundation (now Duke Energy) and Leadership Cincinnati (a Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber of Commerce program).

CINCINNATI ARTS ASSOCIATION
Founded in 1992, the Cincinnati Arts Association (CAA) is a not-for-profit organization that oversees the programming and management of two of the Tri-state’s finest performing arts venues – the Aronoff Center for the Arts and Music Hall – and is dedicated to supporting performing and visual arts. Each year, CAA presents a diverse schedule of events; serves more than 600,000 people in its venues; features the work of talented local, regional, and national artists in the Weston Art Gallery (located in the Aronoff Center); and supports the work of more than one dozen resident companies, including Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati Opera, Cincinnati Symphony/Pops Orchestras, May Festival, and Fifth Third Bank Broadway in Cincinnati, presented by TriHealth. Since the inception of its acclaimed arts education programs in 1995, CAA has reached more 2.1 million youth and adults.

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April 21, 2025 · 3:43 pm

CHRISTMAS TOGETHER with Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith & CeCe Winans | Fri., Dec. 5, 2025 | Aronoff Center

GRAMMY®-WINNERS AMY GRANT, MICHAEL W. SMITH & CECE WINANS
TO CO-HEADLINE THE CHRISTMAS TOGETHER TOUR
THIS COMING HOLIDAY SEASON

CHRISTMAS TOGETHER
with Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith & CeCe Winans

December 5, 2025
Aronoff Center – Procter & Gamble Hall 

Tickets on sale Friday, April 25 at 10:00 AM

[Cincinnati, OH] – Grammy®-winners Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith and CeCe Winans have announced plans to co-headline the spectacular Christmas Together Tour this coming holiday season. The exclusive tour will hit nine major markets across the U.S., including a stop at the Aronoff Center’s Procter & Gamble Hall on Friday, December 5, 2025, at 7:00 PM. The concert is part of the Cincinnati Arts Association’s 2025-26 Season.

Tickets go on sale Friday, April 25 at 10:00 AM at www.CincinnatiArts.org, (513) 621-2787 [ARTS], and the Aronoff Center Ticket Office. For Group Sales (10 or more), call (513) 977-4155. Ticket prices included all applicable service fees and are subject to change.

While Grant and Smith’s holiday concerts have become one of the most heralded events of the season for more than thirty years, the Christmas Together Tour will mark the first time they’ve been joined by Winans on the holiday venture since she originally appeared on their 1998 Christmas tour.

“We all know Christmas is hands down my favorite time of year,” Smith told Billboard this week in an exclusive report. “And getting to tour with Amy always makes it even more special. But this year we’re taking it to the next level! We’re beyond excited to have our dear friend CeCe Winans join us. After so many years of touring together, adding CeCe’s incredible voice and spirit to the mix feels like the ultimate Christmas gift. To say that the three of us are thrilled about this tour is simply an understatement.”

“I’m so excited to be joining Michael and Amy for the Christmas Together tour,” Winans added. “There’s nothing like coming together with friends to celebrate the true meaning of the season through music, worship, and joy. I can’t wait to share these unforgettable nights with audiences across the country.”

“I look forward to every moment of Christmas Together with Michael and CeCe – the rehearsals, the travel, the concerts,” Grant said. “We can’t wait to celebrate Christmas together and with all of you!”

The highly anticipated Christmas Together Tour will feature selections spanning the artists’ expansive Christmas repertoires and combine their vast collection of traditional classics and critically acclaimed holiday albums. Grant’s five studio Christmas albums have produced such holiday favorites as “Breath of Heaven,” “Grown-Up Christmas List,” and “Tennessee Christmas,” among many more. Smith’s numerous chart-topping holiday offerings have also been staples of the season with favorites like “All Is Well,” “Welcome To Our World,” “Christmas Day,” and more. Winans released the critically acclaimed Joyful, Joyful: A Christmas Album last year, featuring her rendition of “Joy to the World,” which rose to No. 6 on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs chart.

For more information on the upcoming tour, visit AmyGrant.com, MichaelWSmith.com, and CeCeWinans.com.

2025 Christmas Together Tour with Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith & CeCe Winans
All dates and venues are subject to change without notice.

  • Nov. 28 – Greensboro, NC – Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts
  • Nov. 29 – Richmond, VA – Altria Theater
  • Nov. 30 – Oxon Hill, MD – The Theater at MGM National Harbor
  • Dec. 01 – Detroit, MI – Fox Theatre Detroit
  • Dec. 03 – Rosemont, IL – Rosemont Theatre
  • Dec. 04 – Fisher, IN – Fishers Event Center
  • Dec. 05 – Cincinnati, OH – Aronoff Center
  • Dec. 06 – Atlanta, GA – Fox Theatre
  • Dec. 08 – St. Louis, MO – Fabulous Fox Theatre

ABOUT AMY GRANT
Amy Grant’s career spans more than forty years and stretches from her roots in gospel into becoming an iconic pop star, songwriter, television personality, and philanthropist. With three multi-platinum albums, six platinum albums, and four gold albums, her total career album sales have exceeded thirty million and over one billion global streams. Grant’s chart success has been consistent throughout her career with six No. 1 hits, ten Top 40 pop singles, seventeen Top 40 Adult Contemporary tracks, and multiple Contemporary Christian chart-toppers.

In addition to her six Grammy® Awards, Grant has earned twenty-six GMA Dove Awards (including four Artist of the Year Awards) and has been awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as well as the Music City Walk of Fame and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Conventional wisdom has it that Grant put Contemporary Christian Music on the map, becoming the first Contemporary Christian artist to have a platinum record, the first to hit No. 1 on the Pop charts, and the first to perform at the Grammy® Awards. With that, her legacy as one of the most influential artists of the past four decades is assured.  In 2020, the T.J. Martell Foundation – the music industry’s leading nonprofit to fund innovative medical research focused on treatments and cures for cancer – honored Grant with the Tony Martell Outstanding Entertainment Achievement Award at their annual Honors Gala. Most recently, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts included Grant as one of their five distinguished Honorees to receive the 45th Kennedy Center Honors for lifetime artistic achievements.

In 2023, Grant toured in seventy cities across the country and released her first new music in a decade, starting with the single “Trees We’ll Never See” (March) and “What You Heard” (April).  Grant released Lead Me On Live 1989 in October 2023, which is a full-concert documentation from the 1988-1989 Lead Me On Tour.  Grant finished the year with two Christmas tours including dates with Michael W. Smith as well as the annual Christmas at the Ryman residency with Vince Gill which celebrated over one-hundred headline shows at the Ryman, the first co-headliners to mark this incredible milestone.

In 2024, Grant toured the country playing thirty-three shows in the spring, including two headlining shows at the Ryman Auditorium over Mother’s Day weekend, which she will do once again in May 2025.  She released the long-sought-after Songs From The Loft album (originally released in 1993) for the first time on digital formats. This past fall, Grant released an “Expanded Anniversary Edition” of her classic album “House of Love” with never before heard tracks and remixes and recently finished a twenty-plus show headlining tour featuring many songs from House Of Love. Grant closed out the year with the annual “Christmas at the Ryman” residency with Vince Gill featuring songs from their recent “When I Think of Christmas” album. Currently, Grant continues to tour across the country and is also writing songs for her next musical project to release in 2025.

Get connected with Amy Grant:

ABOUT MICHAEL W. SMITH
Michael W. Smith has been releasing new music regularly and performing around the world to sold-out crowds for the last thirty-five-plus years. During his storied career, he’s written and recorded over thirty-six No. 1 songs, been bestowed with three Grammy® Awards, forty-five-plus Dove Awards, and one American Music Award. He was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and has sold more than fifteen million albums. More than just an outstanding songwriter and performer, Smith has given back to the global community throughout his career. He has raised funds to battle AIDS in Africa; started Rocketown, a safe haven for young people in Tennessee to meet and find hope; and has helped more than 70,000 children through Compassion International.

Smith is married to the love of his life, Deborah, and together they have five children and seventeen grandchildren.

Get Connected With Michael W. Smith:

ABOUT CECE WINANS
CeCe Winans, the best-selling and most-awarded female gospel artist, is firmly established as one of the most accomplished and celebrated women in modern music history. Her illustrious career is marked by an impressive seventeen Grammy® Awards, thirty-one Dove Awards, and sixteen Stellar Awards. She has been inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and the Nashville Music City Walk of Fame. Additionally, she has been honored as a Trailblazer of Soul by BMI and has received multiple NAACP Image Awards, Soul Train Awards, and Essence Awards.

CeCe’s first live recording, Believe For It (PureSprings Gospel/Fair Trade Services, LLC), exceeded all expectations, amassing over one billion U.S. streams. In 2023 alone, her entire catalog garnered over two billion impressions on YouTube. Her current album, More Than This, features the award-winning single “That’s My King,” already hailed as a Winans classic, and “Come Jesus Come” is being touted as the next anthem that’s here to stay. The highly anticipated More Than This Tour is underway with most dates nearly sold out. Beyond music, CeCe and her husband, Alvin Love, are the founders of Nashville Life Church in Nashville, TN.

Get Connected With CeCe Winans:

Cincinnati Arts Association SPONSORS 

The Cincinnati Arts Association is supported [in part] by the Ohio Arts Council, which receives support from the State of Ohio and the National Endowment for the Arts.

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

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

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CALENDAR INFORMATION

WHAT:                CHRISTMAS TOGETHER with Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith & CeCe Winans
WHEN:                Friday, December 5, 2025 @ 7:00 PM

WHERE:              Aronoff Center – Procter & Gamble Hall

PRICE:                 Ticket prices start at $49, including all fees. Subject to change.

INFO:                   Celebrate the magic of the season with three Grammy® Award-winning Gospel Music Hall of Fame members — Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, and CeCe Winans. The highly anticipated Christmas Together Tour will feature selections spanning the artists’ expansive Christmas repertoires and combine the vast collection of their traditional classics and critically acclaimed holiday albums. This tour marks the first time Grant and Smith have been joined by Winans for a holiday concert since she originally appeared on their 1998 Christmas tour.

TICKET INFORMATION – on sale Friday, April 25 at 10:00 AM

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

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April 9, 2025 · 3:23 pm

TWILIGHT In Concert | Tue., Oct. 28 | Aronoff Center 

TWILIGHT In Concert

Experience the Legendary Romance Saga as an Epic Film-to-Concert Event,
Surrounded by the Beauty of 1,000 Candles Illuminating the Stage

October 28, 2025
Aronoff Center – Procter & Gamble Hall 

Tickets on sale Friday, April 18 at 10:00 AM

[Cincinnati, OH] – GEA Live, in association with Lionsgate, today announced that the highly anticipated, 60-city national tour of the first-ever Twilight In Concert (www.twilightinconcert.com) will visit the Aronoff Center’s Procter & Gamble Hall for one show only. The epic film-to-concert event is part of the Cincinnati Arts Association’s 2025-26 Season, celebrating the Aronoff Center’s 30th anniversary.

As the novel, Twilight, celebrates its 20th anniversary, the live-to-film cinematic experience, featuring the original movie accompanied by a 12-piece ensemble of rock and orchestral musicians on stage, will transport audiences on a journey deep into the heart of this romantic story. Whether you’re Team Edward, Team Jacob, or Team Bella, Twilight In Concert promises an unforgettable evening for fans of the beloved The Twilight Saga film franchise and music enthusiasts alike.

Tickets go on sale Friday, April 18 at 10:00 AM at www.CincinnatiArts.org, (513) 621-2787 [ARTS], and the Aronoff Center Ticket Office. For Group Sales (10 or more), call (513) 977-4155. Applicable services fees apply. Ticket prices/fees subject to change.

Set in an enchanting candlelit setting, Twilight In Concert offers a unique opportunity for audiences to relive the film that started it all in a cinematic live-to-film experience with a sensational live band. Musicians will take the stage to perform the beloved film score in perfect synchronization with the original movie, presented in its entirety on a massive cinema screen. Audiences will be completely captivated by the magical atmosphere with more than one thousand twinkling candles illuminating the grand stage, creating an ambiance that sets the tone for a truly romantic evening.

For more information about the Twilight In Concert tour, visit www.twilightinconcert.com and follow @TwilightMovie on Facebook, and @Twilight on Instagram and X. 

The Twilight Saga is one of the most successful young adult film franchises of all time. The five films (Twilight, The Twilight Saga: New Moon, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse and The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Parts 1 & 2) have grossed more than $3.3 billion at the worldwide box office. The films were adapted from Twilight creator Stephenie Meyer’s acclaimed series of books that won multiple awards, sold over 160 million copies worldwide, and were translated into forty-nine different languages. Lionsgate’s TV adaptation of Stephenie Meyer’s novel Midnight Sun has been picked up as a series on Netflix.

About Twilight
Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) doesn’t expect much when she moves to the small town of Forks, Washington, until she meets the mysterious and handsome Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) – a boy who’s hiding a dark secret: he’s a vampire. As their worlds and hearts collide, Edward must battle the bloodlust raging inside him as well as a coterie of undead that would make Bella their prey. Based on the #1 New York Times best-selling sensation by Stephenie Meyer, Twilight adds a dangerous twist to the classic story of star-crossed lovers.

About Lionsgate Global Products & Experiences
Lionsgate Global Products & Experiences is a division within Lionsgate Studios Corp. (Nasdaq: LION), one of the world’s leading stand-alone, pure-play, publicly traded content companies. By leveraging the studios’ world-class portfolio of film and television brands and franchises, the division drives incremental revenue and builds consumer engagement via live shows and experiences, location-based entertainment destinations, games, physical and digital merchandise, and select strategic partnerships and investments.

The group has announced multiple stage productions (Dirty Dancing, La La Land, Wonder, and Nashville for Broadway, and The Hunger Games for London), integrations with marquee games (Call of Duty, Dead By Daylight, Roblox, and Fortnite), and collaborations with best-in-class consumer products licensees (LEGO, American Classics, Hot Toys, Funko, and more). Attractions based on Lionsgate’s top franchises The Hunger Games, John Wick, SAW, and other iconic IP can be found at theme parks and destinations in Asia, the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Middle East, with the highly anticipated John Wick Experience now open in Las Vegas.

About GEA Live
GEA Live has established itself as the premier partner in location-based entertainment, combining creativity, excellence, and credibility to deliver unforgettable events that bring iconic brands to life in all their glory. Working with renowned IPs from TV, film, theater, music, gaming, and anime, GEA Live designs, produces, and distributes everything from symphonic and film concerts to immersive exhibitions and stage shows. With a vast portfolio of shows spanning more than forty countries, GEA Live has collaborated with world-class brands like PlayStation, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Twilight, Dirty Dancing, Our Planet, and Demon Slayer, in addition to exclusively representing the legendary Ennio Morricone. As a trusted pillar of Sony Music’s Masterworks Live division, GEA Live has partnered with entertainment giants like Sony Pictures, Lionsgate, Viacom, and Warner Brothers, among others, delivering unparalleled value for licensors while further elevating the world’s most cherished brands.

Cincinnati Arts Association SPONSORS

The Cincinnati Arts Association is supported [in part] by the Ohio Arts Council, which receives support from the State of Ohio and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Season Sponsors:  AMERITAS (Founding Season Sponsor), ARTSWAVE, FIFTH THIRD BANK (Lifetime Endowment Partner), LOCAL 12 WKRC-TV, The P&G FUND of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation 

SEASON PRESENTING SPONSORS:  21C Museum Hotel, Cincinnati Herald, CityBeat, Fairfield Inn & Suites Cincinnati Uptown/University Area, Harlan Graphics, Heidelberg Distributing, Kinley Cincinnati, Pepsi, Skyline Chili, TriHealth

#  #  # 

CALENDAR INFORMATION

WHAT:                Twilight In Concert
WHEN:                Tuesday, October 28, 2024 @ 7:30 PM

WHERE:              Aronoff Center for the Arts – Procter & Gamble Hall

PRICE                    Ticket prices start at $47, including all fees. Subject to change.

INFO:                   Set in an enchanting candlelit setting, Twilight In Concert offers a unique opportunity for audiences to relive the film that started it all in a cinematic live-to-film experience with a sensational live band. Musicians will take the stage to perform the beloved film score in perfect synchronization with the original movie, presented in its entirety on a massive cinema screen. 

TICKET INFORMATION – on sale Friday, April 18 at 10:00 AM

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

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