Sheng Wang is a comedian, actor and writer originally from Houston, TX. His first Netflix special, Sweet & Juicy, released in September 2023 and was produced and directed by Ali Wong. He was a featured stand-up on HBO’s “2 Dope Queens” special and wrote for the ABC show “Fresh Off the Boat.” Sheng resides in Los Angeles and in his time off, he enjoys exploring botanical gardens and discovering new ways to snack.

Ballet Hispánico is a powerhouse of contemporary dance, known for bold storytelling, technical brilliance, and culturally rich performances. This dynamic program features highlights from their acclaimed repertory, including Club Havana—Pedro Ruiz’s dazzling tribute to 1950s Havana nightlife, infused with conga, rumba, and mambo rhythms. Fusing tradition with innovation, Ballet Hispánico captivates audiences and redefines American dance with every performance, celebrating Latinx culture while shaping the future of the art form.

In this a-MEOW-zing show, Gabby unboxes a special acorn that needs the magical touch of a rainbow to grow. But when CatRat causes a colour cat-astrophe and breaks the rainbow, Gabby and the Gabby Cats must find the colors again to set things right. Gabby's Dollhouse Live! Presented by Walmart brings to life an original story featuring incredible puppets, dynamic staging, and songs that will have audiences singing and dancing along, from beginning to end.

Jake Shimabukuro revolutionized the ukulele with his genre-blending style and viral cover of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.” Taught by his mother at age four, he rose to global fame in the early 2000s and has since released over a dozen albums, performed at top venues, and collaborated with world-renowned artists. Appointed to the National Council on the Arts, Jake continues to inspire audiences worldwide with his groundbreaking talent and dedication to pushing musical boundaries.

Camila Fernández, the only female voice of the iconic Fernández Dynasty, is a rising star in Mexican regional music. With early training in piano, guitar, and voice, and formal education at Berklee College of Music, she blends traditional mariachi with modern flair. Inspired by her legendary grandfather Vicente Fernández, Camila’s powerful voice and creative vision are shaping the future of the genre with authenticity and elegance.

A rising star in jazz, Lucía captivated audiences when she won the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition in 2022 with her unique fusion of jazz and Latin influences. Her debut album, released in May 2025, showcases her stunning voice and versatile style, blending soulful jazz standards with the warmth of Latin folk. With a powerful stage presence and a sound rooted in her Mexican heritage, Lucía is set to redefine the global jazz scene. 

Get ready for Story Pirates: The Amazing Adventure Tour, featuring fan-favorite songs from the multi-award winning The Story Pirates Podcast and improvised sketch comedy based on ideas from kids in the audience.

The Blind Boys of Alabama, six-time Grammy winners and gospel legends, bring over 80 years of soul-stirring music to the stage, inspiring audiences with their timeless sound. Joining them is Grammy-winning keyboard virtuoso Cory Henry, known for his electrifying performances and genre-blending talent. Don’t miss this unforgettable night of music, featuring a special on-stage collaboration between these powerhouse artists—a must-see celebration of gospel, soul, and musical mastery.

Renowned concert organist Christian Elliott brings his exceptional talent to San Luis Obispo for a thrilling live accompaniment of the 1920 silent classic The Mark of Zorro. Performing on the majestic Forbes Pipe Organ, Elliott enhances the swashbuckling tale of Don Diego Vega—played by the legendary Douglas Fairbanks Sr.—with rich, dramatic sound. Packed with sword fights, stunts, and intrigue, this unforgettable performance celebrates a cinematic icon and the enduring magic of live music and film.

Internationally acclaimed Spanish guitarist Pablo Sainz-Villegas invites you on a passionate musical journey through Spain. Joined by fellow musicians, he’ll perform some of the most fiery, romantic, and iconic works ever written for guitar, celebrating the heart and soul of Spanish culture. With rich storytelling and emotional depth, this unforgettable program brings Spain’s vibrant spirit to life. Don’t miss the chance to experience the guitar like never before.

Tyrannosaurus rex is the most famous dinosaur out there, but few people know the true story of this species. We go on assignment with paleontologist and National Geographic Explorer Lindsay Zanno to dig sites in the remote deserts of the western U.S. to find out how T. rex evolved. Along the way, uncover the entire landscape—from plants to fish to mammals—where these memorable dinos reigned 66 million years ago.

CHICAGO has everything that makes Broadway sizzle—fame, fortune, and all that jazz—with showstopping songs and jaw-dropping dance. Set in the roaring Jazz Age, murderesses Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart battle for the spotlight in a media frenzy.

Broadway’s longest-running musical, CHICAGO has dazzled audiences for over 28 years with 6 Tonys®, 2 Oliviers, and a Grammy®. Don’t miss the magic—CHICAGO is hotter than ever!

Author and host of Netflix's limited series "Salt Fat Acid Heat," come hear the stories behind her recipes, the inspiration behind her newest cookbook, and the cherished culinary rituals she shares with friends. Get ready for a heartwarming celebration of creativity, connection, and the joy of cooking—because good food feeds both body and soul.

Experience a powerful live concert blending Mississippi Delta Blues with symphony orchestra grandeur, featuring a special LIVE appearance by Morgan Freeman. This exclusive event combines Freeman’s cinematic storytelling with soulful blues and rich orchestral music, honoring the Delta’s cultural roots. Featuring artists from the Ground Zero Blues Club, for one night only, Cal Poly Arts presents this moving tribute to the birthplace of the Blues.

Ben Folds, an Emmy-nominated singer-songwriter, will deliver a must-see concert experience with Cal Poly Arts this season. Celebrated for his work with Ben Folds Five and as a solo artist, his 2023 album earned rave reviews and sold-out shows. Folds served as the first Artistic Advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center, shaping innovative performances over his eight-year tenure. Folds continues to tour globally, performing both solo and with top orchestras, while also composing for film, TV, and theatre. 

Celebrate the magic of the festive season with pianist and composer Christian Sands. His trio will be showcasing an energetic mix of original compositions and cherished holiday classics.

Known for their viral stairwell performances and rich, choir-like sound, the Dallas-based group brings a fresh take to holiday classics with their signature mix of gospel, jazz, R&B, and classical influences. 

Celebrate the season with Campana Sobre Campana: Christmas in Mexico! Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar and Ballet Folklórico del Rio Grande bring vibrant Mexican traditions to life through joyful music, colorful dance, and heartwarming storytelling. Experience Posadas, the Reyes Magos, and festive holiday spirit in this magical celebration that captures the true essence of Christmas in Mexico!

Dog Man: The Musical is a hilarious and heartwarming adventure based on Dav Pilkey’s hit series. Follow Dog Man—a crime-fighting half-dog, half-policeman—as he battles Flippy the cyborg fish, Beasty Buildings, and the evil Petey the cat. Packed with humor, music, and heart, this epic show is perfect for all ages and fans of Captain Underpants and Cat Kid Comic Club.

Fearless and visually stunning, this French-Algerian dance company blends contemporary and urban dance, capoeira, and martial arts into gravity-defying movement. Sol Invictus, inspired by Yasmina Khadra’s novel and choreographer Hervé Koubi’s own roots, is a poetic and athletic exploration of identity, unity, and love. Set to a powerful score, it’s a celebration of connection, light, and the enduring bonds that unite humanity.

While lions and tigers are well-known, filmmaker and National Geographic Explorer Sandesh Kadur is on a mission to spotlight India’s lesser-known wild cats to aid their conservation. India’s diverse landscapes—Himalayas, plains, and jungles—are home to unique species like the grumpy-faced Pallas’s cat, the water-diving fishing cat, and the elusive clouded leopard. Discover these hidden feline treasures and the efforts to protect them, LIVE with Sandesh Kadur at the Performing Arts Center San Luis Obispo.

Keyon Harrold is a Grammy-winning trumpeter, vocalist, and producer known for his emotionally powerful performances and genre-blending sound. Fusing jazz, Afrobeat, soul, hip-hop, and rock, he gained acclaim as the trumpet voice in Miles Ahead. His latest album, Foreverland, earned a 2025 Grammy nomination. Harrold has toured with major artists and captivates audiences with his warm tone and masterful improvisation.

Praised for their soulful, orchestral sound, The String Queens (TSQ) bring their genre-blending magic to Harold Miossi Hall with an intimate “in the round” performance. This dynamic D.C. trio inspires with a powerful mix of pop, jazz, soul, and contemporary classics, turning each show into a moving celebration of connection, culture, and sound.

DakhaBrakha, a Kyiv-based quartet, blends traditional Ukrainian polyphony with global influences. Known for their theatrical performances and rich visual style, they reflect Ukraine’s heritage and evolving identity. Internationally acclaimed and award-winning, they continue creating amid conflict, with a new album in progress capturing a nation’s spirit.

Patti LuPone brings her acclaimed concert Matters of the Heart to San Luis Obispo, celebrating its 25th anniversary. Three-time Tony Award winner, known for recent roles on stage and screen, LuPone delivers over two dozen love songs exploring the complexities of the heart, from Broadway classics to contemporary works.

Join us for an inspiring evening with Emmy-nominated actor and former White House official Kal Penn. Known for roles in Designated Survivor, The Namesake, and Harold & Kumar, Penn also served in the Obama administration, focusing on youth engagement, arts, and public policy. He continues to promote social change through storytelling and service.

Grammy-winning mandolinist and MacArthur “Genius Grant” recipient Chris Thile is a genre-defying musician known for his work with Punch Brothers and Nickel Creek, and collaborations with artists like Yo-Yo Ma and Fiona Apple. His 2025–2026 solo tour features a wide-ranging program blending Bach, folk, and improvisation, including music from his upcoming Bach volume and the ambitious song cycle ATTENTION!.

Giordano Dance Chicago, America’s original jazz dance company, begins its 63rd season celebrating founder Gus Giordano’s legacy while innovating the art form. Led by Nan Giordano for 41 years, the performance will feature works like Gershwin in B by Emmy-winning choreographer Al Blackstone and Red & Black by Dancing with the Stars choreographer Ray Leeper.

Afrique en Cirque by Yamoussa Bangoura showcases the vibrant youth and artistry of African culture, inspired by daily life in Guinea. The energetic performance features acrobats performing gravity-defying moves and human pyramids, set to live Afro-Jazz, percussion, and kora music. Kalabanté Productions invites audiences on an unforgettable journey filled with strength, agility, and joy.

Organist Amelie Held, known for her red organ shoes, is an internationally acclaimed performer with concerts across Europe and the U.S. Her diverse repertoire spans early music to contemporary works. Named to Diapason’s “20 under 30” in 2023, she trained at top conservatories including Juilliard. Experience this incredible artist live on the Forbes Pipe Organ.

Curated by Sukanya and Anoushka Shankar, the Ravi Shankar Ensemble is a multi-generational group of world-class musicians honoring the timeless compositions and legacy of the legendary Ravi Shankar.

On their debut tour, the ensemble offers a unique program that combines visual archives of Ravi Shankar with a powerful selection of his soul-stirring music.

Masters of West African music unite to celebrate Mandé Sila, honoring the rich traditions and cultural heritage of the Mandingo empire. Their collective artistry blends centuries-old musical legacies with contemporary innovation, creating a vibrant renewal of the genre.

Grammy Award-winning organist Paul Jacobs is renowned for his virtuosity, depth, and wide-ranging repertoire. The first organist to win a Grammy, he has performed worldwide with leading orchestras like the Chicago Symphony and Philadelphia Orchestra. As chair of Juilliard’s organ department, Jacobs brings his skill and talent to the Forbes Pipe Organ in Harold Miossi Hall for this one-night-only performance.

Experience an unforgettable evening in Paso Robles as Bruce Munro’s Field of Light—featuring over 100,000 fiber-optic stems—illuminates the landscape. Amidst this stunning backdrop, award-winning violinist and composer Kishi Bashi will perform live, blending classical, rock, electronic, and indie pop with lyrics in English and Japanese. His joyful, wonder-filled music perfectly complements the exhibit’s ethereal beauty.

A special screening in partnership with SLO Film Center, violinist and songwriter Kaoru Ishibashi (Kishi Bashi) explores WWII-era Japanese incarceration, cultural assimilation, and the minority experience in America. Through music, improvisation, and archival footage, he reflects on his bi-cultural identity and offers a unique perspective on American history.

Featuring a live Q&A with Composer and Director, Kishi Bashi.