COMMUNITY STRINGS SPRING CONCERT
MAY 2, 2026
WEATHERWAX HALL
Spring has sprung! Come celebrate the change in season with community strings. This concert is free and fun for the whole family!
JEANS ‘N CLASSICS: AN EVENING OF PINK FLOYD
MAY 16, 2026
POTTER CENTER
Experience the legendary sound of Pink Floyd like never before as the Jackson Symphony Orchestra teams up with Jeans ’n Classics for an unforgettable evening of symphonic rock. From iconic hits like “Comfortably Numb” to “Another Brick in the Wall,” this concert blends the power of a full orchestra with the energy of a live rock band. A powerful celebration of one of the most influential bands in music history.
SALSA NIGHT WITH ORQUESTA RITMO
SEPTEMBER 26, 2026
WEATHERWAX HALL
Back by popular demand, Orquesta Ritmo returns to bring the heat with their signature blend of high-energy salsa and vibrant Latin rhythms. Founded by Michael Eyia and rooted in Cuban musical traditions, this ten-piece ensemble fills the room with bold horns, driving percussion, and infectious grooves that get people dancing. For fans of: Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, and Buena Vista Social Club.
GERSHWIN’S GREATEST
OCTOBER 17, 2026
POTTER CENTER
Enjoy an evening of powerful and expressive music. Bennett’s Four Freedoms opens the program with music inspired by Norman Rockwell’s paintings. Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess: Symphonic Picture follows, drawing from the iconic opera’s most memorable themes. Pépin’s Feu d’artifice adds a fresh, vibrant voice to the program, and the concert ends with Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F, featuring acclaimed pianist Jon Kimura Parker.
WEST SIDE STORY
NOVEMBER 14, 2026
POTTER CENTER
JSO’s clarinetist Guy Yehuda takes center stage in a program filled with virtuosic showpieces and beloved Bernstein favorites. He is featured throughout the evening, from Copland’s lyrical Clarinet Concerto and Artie Shaw’s jazzy concerto to Bernstein’s energetic Prelude, Fugue and Riffs. The program also includes Reena Esmail’s Ram Tori Maya and William Dawson’s Break, Break, Break. The concert concludes with Symphonic Dances from West Side Story and the uplifting finale Make Our Garden Grow from Candide.
COMEDY NIGHT WITH HEYWOOD BANKS
NOVEMBER 21, 2026
WEATHERWAX HALL
Back for another round of laughs, Heywood Banks returns to Weatherwax Hall with his signature blend of absurdity, musical comedy, and offbeat charm. A fan favorite known for his one-of-a-kind style, Heywood has entertained generations with songs, poems, and unpredictable humor that appeals to just about everyone, from college students to grandparents. For fans of: Bo Burnham, Demetri Martin, and musical comedy with a twist.
MARDI GRAS NIGHT WITH SALLY BABY’S SILVER DOLLARS
JANUARY 30, 2027
WEATHERWAX HALL
Sally Baby’s Silver Dollars deliver the vibrant sounds of New Orleans with a mix of traditional jazz, swing, and blues. With driving rhythms, bold horns, and vintage flair, the band captures the spirit of a classic Mardi Gras celebration. Expect upbeat tunes, rich melodies, and a night full of energy and fun.
FROM MOZART TO THE ROMANTICS
FEBRUARY 12-14, 2027
WEATHERWAX HALL
French violinist Eva Zavaro returns to the JSO to perform Dvořák’s Violin Concerto, a work full of lyricism and energy. The concert begins with Mozart’s Overture to The Magic Flute, known for its dramatic flair and sparkling precision. Also featured are Bright Sheng’s Black Swan, a reflective and atmospheric work, and Schumann’s Rhenish Symphony, inspired by the landscape and culture of the Rhine River.
JAZZ NIGHT WITH BEN ROSENBLUM
FEBRUARY 20, 2027
WEATHERWAX HALL
Following a standout performance in 2023, Ben Rosenblum returns to Weatherwax Hall from New York City with his award-winning blend of jazz, swing, and world music. Known for his expressive, story-driven approach to both piano and accordion, Rosenblum brings a deep connection to jazz tradition while adding his own modern, melodic voice. For fans of: Brad Mehldau, Bill Evans, and global jazz fusion.
STRAUSS & MAHLER
MARCH 13, 2027
POTTER CENTER
This program brings together music that is bold, exciting, and full of energy. Soloist Leelanee Sterrett performs Strauss’s Horn Concerto No. 1, a fun and expressive showcase for the horn. The evening concludes with Mahler’s Symphony No. 1, “Titan,” a dramatic symphony known for its strong melodies and thrilling ending.
CELTIC FESTIVAL WITH STEEL CITY ROVERS
MARCH 20, 2027
WEATHERWAX HALL
Steel City Rovers perform dynamic, expressive music that blends traditional Celtic sounds with North American styles including bluegrass, folk, and roots. Known for powerful, emotive vocals and engaging performances, the band performs on carefully crafted replicas of historical instruments rarely heard today. Their lively sound brings together centuries-old melodies and original songs exploring themes of love, loss, celebration, and heritage.
COUNTRY NIGHT WITH CHLOE KIMES
APRIL 10, 2027
WEATHERWAX HALL
Chloe Kimes delivers a spirited alt-country sound powered by pedal steel, upright bass, mandolin, acoustic guitar, and drums. Her music draws from folk festival roots, steeped in family harmony and the barefoot back roads of her northern Michigan upbringing and current Nashville home. Known for rafter-reaching vocals and storytelling with old-soul sensibility, Kimes brings joy, gratitude, and energy to the stage, most recently capturing attention with her viral hit Coors Light, which listeners call the song that made them fall in love with country music. For fans of: Sierra Ferrell, Lucinda WIlliams and John Prine.
ORLI SHAHAM PLAYS RAVEL
APRIL 24, 2027
POTTER CENTER
Internationally acclaimed pianist Orli Shaham joins the JSO to perform Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G major, a work known for its sparkling rhythms, lyricism, and jazz‑inspired flair. The concert opens with Dukas’s The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, a vivid and whimsical piece that brings the classic tale to life through bold orchestral color. The program concludes with Ravel’s complete Daphnis et Chloé, a sweeping ballet score filled with atmosphere, motion, and glowing harmonies.
JSO ONLINE
PAST CONCERTS
MOZART’S REQUIEM
APRIL 25, 2026
POTTER CENTER
An evening of emotional and powerful music. Brahms’ Academic Festival Overture begins with celebratory and bold sounds. Schumann’s Piano Concerto follows, full of beauty and heart, performed by 2022 Gilmore Young Artist winner, Janice Carissa. Mozart’s Requiem closes the program with dramatic, inspiring music that will stay with you long after the final note.
GOSPEL NIGHT WITH NIKKI D & THE SISTERS OF THUNDER
APRIL 11, 2026
WEATHERWAX HALL
Nikki D & The Sisters of Thunder is a family-based ensemble from Toledo, Ohio, blending gospel with blues riffs and grooves in a way that is uniquely their own. The band’s sound is defined by Nikki D’s electrifying steel guitar, which is often described as wildly soulful. In 2016, Guitar World magazine recognized Nikki as “The Jimi Hendrix of Sacred Steel” for her experimental, vocal-like riffs and otherworldly tones. Alongside her guitar prowess, Nikki’s raspy, sultry voice commands attention, harmonizing with the other band members’ voices adding depth and soul to every performance. For fans of: Sister Rosetta Thorpe, Robert Randolf & the Family Band, and Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings.
BRANFORD MARSALIS PLAYS JOHN WILLIAMS
MARCH 28, 2026
POTTER CENTER
Enjoy a night of music filled with rhythm, charm, and storytelling. Bizet’s L’Arlésienne Suite No. 2 opens the evening with lively dances and heartfelt melodies. Paule Maurice’s Tableaux de Provence follows, painting vivid musical scenes of Southern France. The second half features Bernstein’s Fancy Free, a playful ballet about sailors on shore leave, before closing with John Williams’ Escapades from Catch Me If You Can, featuring the legendary Branford Marsalis on saxophone for a thrilling, movie-inspired finale.
CELTIC FESTIVAL WITH THE TANNAHILL WEAVERS
MARCH 6-7, 2026
WEATHERWAX HALL
The Tannahill Weavers bring the energy and tradition of Celtic music to life with powerful vocals, bagpipes, fiddle, and guitar. Blending lively dance tunes with heartfelt ballads, this legendary band has been a driving force in the Celtic scene since 1968. With members featured in the hit series Outlander and praised by The New York Times for their “eloquent mixture of the old and the new,” they continue to captivate audiences worldwide.
CONCERT AGLOW: BEST OF MOTOWN
FEBRUARY 20 – 21, 2026
JACKSON COUNTY TOWER BALLROOM
The smooth sounds of Motown meet the intimate setting of candlelight in this special performance by a JSO string quartet. Sing along, tap your feet, or just sit back and take it all in as we revisit some of the most iconic songs ever recorded. Hosted at the Jackson County Tower Ballroom, in collaboration with the Jackson County Fair, this is a night of feel-good music in a relaxed, one-of-a-kind atmosphere.
5, 4, 3, BEETHOVEN!
FEBRUARY 13-15, 2026
WEATHERWAX HALL
Celebrate love and the enduring brilliance of Beethoven with a performance filled with passion and triumph. This program, featuring pianist Evren Ozel, highlights the lyrical beauty of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4, a masterpiece full of elegance and warmth. The performance opens with the dramatic Leonore Overture No. 3, a story of courage and devotion, and concludes with the iconic Symphony No. 5, rounding out a journey where struggle meets victory in a symphony of resilience and inspiration.
WORLD JAZZ NIGHT WITH DAVE SHARP QUARTET
JANUARY 31, 2026
WEATHERWAX HALL
Featured in the JazzTimes 2010 Critic’s Poll, the Dave Sharp Worlds Quartet seamlessly weaves together rhythms, sounds, and textures from around the globe with original compositions inspired by world music. With a unique instrumentation that includes oud, violin, electric bass, synthesizer, and world percussion, the Worlds Quartet is driven by the dynamic interplay of jazz, global traditions, and bold improvisation. Led by bassist, composer, and bandleader Dave Sharp, the group draws on musical influences from Turkey, Egypt, Ukraine, India, Bulgaria, and Greece, delivering a rich and vibrant tapestry of sound. For fans of: global fusion, jazz improvisation, and cultural exploration.
CONCERT AGLOW: BEST OF BROADWAY
JANUARY 23 – 24, 2026
JACKSON COUNTY TOWER BALLROOM
Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Broadway with a captivating harp and flute duo performance. Journey through the most memorable show tunes, from classic productions to contemporary masterpieces, all in the cozy glow of candlelight. Held at the Jackson County Tower Ballroom in collaboration with the Jackson County Fair, this concert offers a serene and sophisticated musical escape, bringing the magic of the theater to an intimate setting.
COMMUNITY STRINGS CLASSICS & CHRISTMAS CONCERT
DECEMBER 19, 2025
WEATHERWAX HALL
Free and fun for the whole family! Come celebrate the holiday season with the Community Strings performing Christmas and classical favorites!
THE NUTCRACKER
DECEMBER 12 – 14, 2025
POTTER CENTER
Ballet Chelsea proudly presents its 27th annual performance of The Nutcracker, a Christmas Eve tale about a young girl named Marie and her magical journey to the enchanted Kingdom of Sweets. The Ballet Chelsea company artists and the Jackson Symphony Orchestra musicians will come together for the sixth year to present this annual full-length, narrated ballet.
BLUEGRASS-ISH WITH WILSON THICKET
NOVEMBER 22, 2025
WEATHERWAX HALL
Experience a masterful acoustic performance featuring rich three-part harmonies and a dynamic blend of guitar, fiddle, mandolin, and banjo. Wilson Thicket draws inspiration from the essence of Appalachian string bands but pushes beyond traditional bluegrass. This ensemble brings together some of Michigan’s most talented singers, instrumentalists, and songwriters, all with decades of experience. For fans of: Doc Watson, The Avett Brothers, and Old Crow Medicine Show.
ROMEO & JULIET
NOVEMBER 15, 2025
MICHIGAN THEATRE
Experience an evening of drama and lyricism with music that stirs the soul. Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet overture-fantasy sets the tone with its passionate and timeless depiction of Shakespeare’s tragic lovers. Samuel Barber’s Knoxville: Summer of 1915, featuring soprano Kathryn Mueller, captures the tender nostalgia of childhood and simpler times. The program concludes with Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5, a masterful exploration of fate and triumph, brought to life in its full emotional grandeur
ROMEO & JULIET: INSIDE THE MUSIC
NOVEMBER 14, 2025
MICHIGAN THEATRE
A free educational concert for high school and college students that shows correlation between literature and music. Learn how music can show feelings, tell a story, and represent characters.
SENSORY-FRIENDLY CHAMBER CONCERT
NOVEMBER 7, 2025
WEATHERWAX HALL
This sensory-friendly concert experience has been designed for those with sensory sensitivities, including neurodiverse audiences and those with communication, movement, and learning needs.
CONCERT AGLOW: BEST OF THE 80s
OCTOBER 24, 2025
JACKSON COUNTY TOWER BALLROOM
Relive the vibrant spirit of the 80s as a string quartet brings iconic hits to life in an intimate, candlelit setting. Experience the era’s energy and nostalgia, from electric anthems to heartfelt melodies. Hosted at the Jackson County Tower Ballroom in partnership with the Jackson County Fair, this evening promises a unique fusion of retro flair and timeless elegance.
STAR WARS & THE PLANETS
OCTOBER 18, 2025
POTTER CENTER
Embark on a celestial journey as the JSO explores music inspired by the stars and beyond. Jessie Montgomery’s Starburst opens the program with its radiant energy, followed by Fernande Decruck’s evocative Hymne à Apollon, a nod to ancient mythology. The concert continues with selections from John Williams’ iconic Star Wars Suite, transporting you to galaxies far, far away. After intermission, Gustav Holst’s The Planets takes center stage, offering a breathtaking symphonic portrayal of the cosmos , enhanced by stunning visual projections from designer Camilla Tassi.
EXPERIMENTAL FOLK WITH GAELYNN LEA
OCTOBER 11, 2025
WEATHERWAX HALL
Since winning NPR Music’s Tiny Desk Contest in 2016, Gaelynn Lea has captivated audiences worldwide with her mesmerizing blend of haunting original songs, ethereal soundscapes, and traditional fiddle tunes. Her unique style combines lush, looping violin melodies with her plaintive, otherworldly vocals, creating an emotional depth that lingers long after the music ends. Lea is a powerful Disability Rights activist who promotes equitable inclusion and advocates for accessibility in the music industry. For fans of: Andrew Bird, Joanna Newsome, and Jessica Hoop.
SALSA NIGHT WITH ARMANDO VEGA’S ORQUESTA
SEPTEMBER 27, 2025
WEATHERWAX HALL
A true sonero with deep roots in Latin music, Armando Vega has shared the stage with Grammy-nominated Herman Olivera, opened for El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, and performed across Puerto Rico and beyond. His performances blend the vibrant energy of salsa with the heartfelt rhythms of bachata.
CMS OPEN HOUSE
SEPTEMBER 20, 2025
WEATHERWAX HALL
Join us for a free open house at the Community Music School! We’ll be celebrating 33 years of music education with a free event full of fun, games, and music. Guests will be guided on an exciting adventure throughout the JSO building, where they can learn fascinating musical facts from our experienced instructors. The event will feature captivating musical performances that showcase the talents of both students and faculty, providing a glimpse into the diverse genres and instruments taught at the school. Adding to the excitement, families can enjoy interactive games and activities. Sweet treats will also be available, making the afternoon even more delightful.
SUMMER SONGS
AUGUST 28, 2025
NEW LOCATION: LUNA LUX LOUNGE
Due to the forecasted rain and thunderstorms, our outdoor Summer Songs Concerts with Dahlem will return again in 2026!
To see our JSO Woodwind Quintet perform, please join us inside at the Luna Lux Lounge (128 W Michigan Ave) tomorrow Thursday, August 28th at 7pm.
SUMMER POPS
AUGUST 22, 2025
BLACKMAN PARK
The Jackson Symphony Orchestra is proud to announce Patriotic Pops, a FREE concert to take place on Friday, August 22 at 7:00 PM, at Horace Blackman Park. This summer we’ll pay tribute to America and its steadfast strength in the face of hardship with a mixture of marches, film scores, and iconic works. These pieces are all composed by American composers including music by Aaron Copland, John Philip Sousa and John Williams. The concert is free but you can purchase VIP tickets for $30 which includes special seating and one drink ticket.
SUMMER SONGS: AN OUTDOOR CONCERT
JULY 8, 2025
DAHLEM CENTER
Join the Jackson Symphony Orchestra and Dahlem for a FREE outdoor concert performance! Bring your own lawn chair or blanket and sit under the trees or out in the grass and listen to a selection of summer songs performed by the Jackson Symphony Orchestra string quartet. The performance will be held outdoors at the Dahlem Environmental Education Center pavilion, 7117 South Jackson Road, at 7pm. Please feel free to arrive early and enjoy a walk on the trails, play at the nature playscape, or stop by the exhibit room and gift shop.
SUMMER SONGS: AN OUTDOOR CONCERT
JUNE 25, 2025
DAHLEM CENTER
Join the Jackson Symphony Orchestra and Dahlem for a FREE outdoor concert performance! Bring your own lawn chair or blanket and sit under the trees or out in the grass and listen to a selection of summer songs performed by the Jackson Symphony Orchestra brass quintet. The performance will be held outdoors at the Dahlem Environmental Education Center pavilion, 7117 South Jackson Road, at 7pm. Please feel free to arrive early and enjoy a walk on the trails, play at the nature playscape, or stop by the exhibit room and gift shop.
COMMUNITY STRINGS SPRING CONCERT
MAY 16, 2025
WEATHERWAX HALL
Spring has sprung! Come celebrate the change in season with community strings. This concert is free and fun for the whole family!
CHARCUTERIE BOARD WALK
MAY 15, 2025
WEATHERWAX HALL
Join us for a delicious stroll through a variety of charcuterie board finds at your favorite downtown Jackson businesses on May 15 at 4pm!
JYSO SPRING CONCERT
MAY 11, 2025
WEATHERWAX HALL
BEETHOVEN’S SHADOW
SEPTEMBER 25-27, 2020
BACH TO THE FUTURE
FEBRUARY 7-9, 2020
CARNIVAL OF THE ANIMALS
NOVEMBER 23, 2019
BEETHOVEN & THE AMERICANS
OCTOBER 5, 2019
