13th Annual Live at Heritage Center Performing Arts Series is Red Hot

DUBUQUE, Iowa - The 13th annual Live at Heritage Center Performing Arts Series at the University of Dubuque is red hot with an array of performances from a Grammy Award-winning vocal ensemble to a comedian who regularly sells out venues!

The 2025-2026 Live at Heritage Center Performing Arts Series will open with The Red Hot Chilli Pipers on Monday, September 8, 2025, and will close on Sunday, April 26, 2026, with organist Grant Wareham for the John and Alice Butler Pipe Organ Recital Series. A variety of special events and bonus events will complement the season.

"Heritage Center has a full season of shows planned with something for everyone," said Victoria Molle and Randy Schultz, co-directors of Heritage Center. "We welcome back some of our favorite artists: BritBeat, The Texas Tenors, Chanticleer, and the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra. We are also excited to introduce our audiences to artists performing at the University of Dubuque for the first time: Raul Malo and Preacher Lawson. Join us and experience our Red Hot 2025-2026 season!"

Tickets for all performances are available now. Stop by the Farber Box Office, Heritage Center, 2255 Bennett Street; call 563.585.7469; or visit www.dbq.edu/heritagecenter to purchase tickets. The box office is open 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 90 minutes prior to events.

The Heritage Performing Arts Loyalty System (H-PALS) allows patrons to earn rewards with most ticket purchases. For every $200 spent on eligible events, patrons will receive one free ticket (valued up to $50) to their choice of eligible event. Reward points are redeemable for Live at Heritage Center Performing Arts Series events only. Visit www.dbq.edu/heritagecenter for more details.

University of Dubuque students may attend all Heritage Center events for free! Additionally, $10 non-UD student rush tickets will be available at the Farber Box Office one hour before Live at Heritage Center and special event performances - not bonus events. High school or university ID required.

PERFORMING ARTS SERIES SCHEDULE

All events are held in John and Alice Butler Hall, Heritage Center.

The Red Hot Chilli Pipers
7:30 p.m. Monday, September 8, 2025
Tickets: $40 to $45; UD Affiliates Receive $5 Discount

Bagpipes with attitude. Drums with a Scottish accent. A blazing rock band and show so hot, it carries its own health warning! It's Bagpipes. It's Rock. It's Bagrock. AC/DC meets the poet Robert Burns. Where rock anthems sit comfortably alongside the great tunes from the glens and the mountains of Scotland. It's The Red Hot Chilli Pipers - NOT the Peppers - a nine-piece ensemble consisting of pipers, guitarists, keyboardists, and drummers who have been rocking the world from New York to Beijing to Melbourne and everywhere in between with musicianship of the highest order and a passion for pipes that will leave you breathless. There has never been anything quite like The Red Hot Chilli Pipers. Feel the Chilli heat: It's time to come closer to the fire!

Colin Andrews, Organist - John and Alice Butler Pipe Organ Recital Series
3:00 p.m. Sunday, September 21, 2025
General Admission: $14; UD Faculty/Staff Receive One Free Ticket

Since his debut at the age of 18, Colin Andrews has been recognized as a musician of great versatility, power, and artistry. Born in Bristol, England, he entered London's Royal Academy of Music for four years of organ and piano study. He later moved to Geneva, Switzerland, where he was a student of at the Conservatoire de Musique before his return to Britain for private studies. Andrews has been the recipient of many awards and has toured worldwide as a solo recitalist. He has appeared at many of the world's most prestigious venues. In addition to his recitals, Andrews is an active teacher and lecturer. He also continues his visiting professor role at Florida State University and is director of music at First Presbyterian Church in Franklin, Indiana.

Preacher Lawson, Comedian - Homecoming at UD!
8:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Tickets: $30 to $35; UD Affiliates Receive $5 Discount

Preacher Lawson was born in Portland, Oregon, but spent most of his adolescence in Memphis, Tennessee. He moved 20 times before the age of 10, but if you asked him what city he's from, he'd say Orlando, Florida, because that's where he grew as a comedian. Lawson is best known for his appearance on season 12 of NBC's hit series America's Got Talent in 2017, where he made it to the final round. Based off his stellar performance, Lawson was invited to compete on America's Got Talent: The Champions in 2019. In television, Lawson can be seen on HBO's A Black Lady Sketch Show and NBC's Connecting as a series regular. Most recently, he can be seen on The Tonight Show talking about his fame recognition and MMA fight. Lawson has built a massive following on TikTok of 3.5 million followers. His YouTube channel has amassed over 600,000 subscribers and features clips of stand-up, MMA training, and even vegan cooking tips! He recently completed his residency hosting AGT Live in Las Vegas and continues to perform at sold-out venues around the country.

Chanticleer
4:00 p.m. Sunday, October 5, 2025
Tickets: $35 to $45; UD Affiliates Receive $5 Discount

Known around the world for its eclectic repertoire and dazzling virtuosity, the Grammy Award-winning vocal ensemble Chanticleer - under the leadership of Music Director Tim Keeler - has been hailed by the Boston Globe as "breathtaking in its accuracy of intonation, purity of blend, of color and swagger of style." Founded in San Francisco in 1978 by singer and musicologist Louis Botto, Chanticleer quickly took its place as one of the most prolific recording and touring ensembles in the world. Chanticleer is an "orchestra of voices" performing thousands of live concerts and selling more than one million recordings.

An Evening with Raul Malo
8:00 p.m. Friday, October 24, 2025
Tickets: $58 to $68; UD Affiliates Receive $5 Discount

Raul Malo is the incomparable frontman of genre-defying, Grammy Award-winning band The Mavericks, and he is the sole writer of many of their songs. His free-wheeling, swaggering style seamlessly blends neotraditional country, rock 'n roll, and Latin rhythmic fervor and prominently features his lush, soaring baritone. Malo's compositional craftsmanship includes penning progressive and timeless hits like "Here Comes the Rain," "What A Crying Shame," "Dance The Night Away," "Back In Your Arms Again," and "All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down." From his earliest days, when his raucous sound broke ground at the punk clubs on Miami Beach, to fronting The Mavericks over three decades of acclaimed recording and touring, Malo has demonstrated an unfailing skill for getting people to groove.

Christmas at Heritage Center "Come, Messiah"
7:30 p.m. Friday, December 5, 2025
Tickets: $24 to $29; UD Faculty/Staff Receive One Free Ticket; Other UD Affiliates Receive $5 Discount

Celebrate the spiritual meaning of the Christmas season with Christmas at Heritage Center "Come, Messiah." Presented by the University of Dubuque, Christmas at Heritage Center will feature the University of Dubuque's Department of Fine and Performing Arts including the UD Concert Band, Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, Treble Choir, Handbell Ensemble, and String Ensemble. Charles Barland, DMA, university organist and professor of music, will play the John and Alice Butler Pipe Organ. Complimentary holiday refreshments and live music from the UD Jazz Band will immediately follow the concert.

Jukebox Saturday Night in Conjunction with the 2026 UD Jazz Festival
7:30 p.m. Friday, February 6, 2026
Tickets: $35 to $40; UD Affiliates Receive $5 Discount

A music review of the great big bands during the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s. A fun-filled event for all ages that captures the exciting sounds of great melodies and lyrics performed by an energetic group of instrumentalists and vocalists who will keep you moving in your seats, tapping your toes, and clapping your hands. Jukebox Saturday Night celebrates America's Swing Era performing the greatest hits as recorded by Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington, Jimmie Lunceford, Harry James, Artie Shaw, Cab Calloway, Benny Goodman, Bunny Berigan, Count Basie, and more! Vocal selections will include songs made famous by Frank Sinatra, Doris Day, Bob Eberly, Helen O'Connell, Rosemary Clooney, and other vocal idols.

Grant Wareham, Organist - John and Alice Butler Pipe Organ Recital Series
3:00 p.m. Sunday, April 26, 2026
General Admission: $14; UD Faculty/Staff Receive One Free Ticket

Named one of The Diapason magazine's top "20 under 30" young organists in 2020, Grant Wareham is active as an organist, choral conductor, and teacher. He was recently appointed as director of music at First Unitarian Church of Dallas, Texas.

SPECIAL EVENT

Held in John and Alice Butler Hall, Heritage Center.

University of Dubuque Inauguration Celebration Featuring The Newfangled Four
7:30 p.m. Friday, October 3, 2025
Tickets: Free and Open to the Public; Ticket Required

From Southern California, The Newfangled Four is one of the top barbershop quartets in the world, performing all around the United States and internationally. Formed in fall 2012, this foursome quickly bonded through their involvements with the Westminster Chorus and Masters of Harmony, two well-renowned choruses in the Barbershop Harmony Society. Combining old fashion slapstick humor with their quirky offbeat comedy, The Newfangled Four merges their talents as top-notch harmony singers and world-class entertainers. In 2013, the quartet won the International Collegiate Barbershop Quartet Contest and the Far Western District Quartet Contents, and most recently finished sixth place in the world in 2023. Over the years, they have developed a reputation not only for their fine singing and showmanship, but also for their work and involvement in the youth movement as clinicians and educators, leading countless workshops for young singers in the US. The Newfangled Four has appeared on Buzzfeed, Hallmark's Home and Family, ABC's The Gong Show, and the CW's Christmas Carolers Challenge. Additionally, the quartet has recorded tracks for the Lifetime Movie Network. With millions of views on their YouTube performances, they are proud to introduce the barbershop artform to aspiring young singers around the world. Entertaining audiences is their priority, and they can't wait to entertain you. They are Jackson, Joey, Jake, and Marcus: The Newfangled Four!

BONUS EVENTS SCHEDULE

All events are held in John and Alice Butler Hall, Heritage Center. UD affiliate discounts are not available and H-PALS reward points are not redeemable.

BritBeat: The Magical Mystery Beatles Concert Experience, Presented by Edge Entertainment Limited
7:30 p.m. Saturday, September 27, 2025
Tickets: $28 to $58

BritBeat's Magical Mystery Beatles Experience turns Heritage Center into a swirling, technicolor time machine celebrating the revolutionary music of the Beatles with the world's No 1 award-winning immersive multimedia Beatles-themed concert backdrop. Hear the Beatles' visionary hits from Revolver through Abbey Road. From the hypnotic pulse of "Tomorrow Never Knows" to the kaleidoscopic dreamscape of the sparkling, rainbow-hued "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" and the lush soundscape of "Strawberry Fields Forever," each masterpiece bursts to life against mind-blowing, kaleidoscopic projections that fill the stage with cascading color and psychedelic wonder as the songs are performed live, on stage.

More than a tribute, this is a feel-good night for everyone-die-hard fans, casual listeners, and families alike-where you're invited to sing, sway, and let the music move you. Dazzling visuals meet spot-on musicianship to create a shared celebration of creativity, unity, and pure fun. Grab your friends, slip on some imaginary rosetinted glasses, and experience the late-1960s Beatles era like never before-right here at the University of Dubuque Heritage Center.

The Texas Tenors "Deep In The Heart of Christmas," Sponsored by Mark and Cheryl Falb and Falb Family Foundation and Presented by the Dubuque Arts Council
7:30 p.m. Saturday, December 13, 2025
Tickets: $57 to $67

The Dubuque Arts Council presents The Texas Tenors, the most successful music group and third highest selling artist in the history of America's Got Talent. Since appearing on the series in 2009, JC, Marcus, and John have released five studio albums, two PBS specials, four DVDs, multiple singles, and a children's book that have earned them impressive recognition. These classically trained, versatile tenors have performed over 1,700 concerts around the world including headline shows in Las Vegas and China as well as a 24-city tour of the United Kingdom. Recently they were honored to be included among the Top 50 acts in the world and the only vocal group from the United States invited to appear on NBC's America's Got Talent: The Champions in 2019.

Blue Violin Candlelight Christmas Extravaganza, Presented by Music Maker Foundation
7:00 p.m. Thursday, December 18, 2025
Tickets: $40 to $65; Children Age 5 and Under Free, Ticket Required; Family Four Packs and Family VIP Experience Available

Blue Violin Candlelight Christmas Extravaganza returns for its third spectacular year - bigger, brighter, and bolder than ever before! This one-of-a-kind holiday concert experience blends the beauty of traditional carols with high-octane rock anthems, cinematic classical reimaginings, and heartwarming favorites all brought to life in glowing candlelight with a dazzling stage set and immersive light show. With guest vocalists, surprise musical collaborators, and a live choir, Blue Violin Candlelight Christmas Extravaganza performs virtuosic, high-energy arrangements that blur the lines between elegance and edge. Holiday classics like "Somewhere in My Memory," "Carol of the Bells," and "Holly Jolly Christmas" are reinvented with power and soul. There are also genre-bending takes on "Stairway to Heaven," "Bohemian Rhapsody," two songs from the Interstellar soundtrack, and more.

Beethoven's 9th Symphony, Presented by the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra
7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 18, 2026
2:00 p.m. Sunday, April 19, 2026
Tickets: $29 to $69

Don't miss the symphony that changed everything! Experience the power and passion of Beethoven's Choral Symphony - Symphony No. 9 - a masterpiece that redefined classical music. From its thunderous opening to the triumphant Ode to Joy finale, this iconic work unites the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra, Dubuque Chorale, local collage choirs, and an amazing lineup of soloists in a celebration of humanity, freedom, and universal brotherhood.

Menopause The Musical 2: Cruising Through 'The Change'®
7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Tickets: $54 to $64

All aboard, sisters! The hysterical sequel to the smash-hit Menopause The Musical® is finally here! Five years after their chance encounter in a department store, we set sail with our beloved ladies for more high jinks on the high seas. Menopause The Musical 2: Cruising Through 'The Change'® is a hilarious and heartfelt look at the joys of menopause and friendship - plus hot flashes, mood swings, and memory lapses! Join us on a trip of self-discovery, backed by a new soundtrack of toe-tapping parodied hits from the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. For these four ladies, menopause was not the end, but the beginning of a beautiful friendship where love conquers all, and friendships never fail.