Arkansas State University-Beebe has announced the 2025–2026 Performing Arts Series, featuring a vibrant season of music, theater, lectures, visual arts, and cultural events held across its campuses.
General admission to most events is $10, with discounted pricing of $5 for educators, military personnel, K–12 students, and senior citizens age 60 and up. ASU-Beebe students, employees, alumni, retirees and emeriti receive one free ticket per event. Tickets and additional information are available at www.ASUB.edu/tickets.
ASU-Beebe extends a special thank-you to its host sponsors Eoff & Associates Realty, Inc., Stallion Transportation Group, and ArkansasRadio.com. Performance sponsors include First Electric Cooperative, Edward Jones – Debbie Elgen, First Community Bank, and Arkansas Record-CD Exchange.
The season kicks off Tuesday, Sept. 23, with a free outdoor concert by Emerald City Council in The Grove on the Beebe campus. Sponsored by AR Record-CD Exchange, the community is invited to enjoy food and fun beginning at 5 p.m., followed by the concert at 7 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs. Dr. Brent Bristow, ASU-Beebe professor of music, will perform on saxophone and keyboard with the band, which blends progressive rock with a dynamic live performance.
On Tuesday, Oct. 7, the Owen Center Theater will welcome Private Eyes: A Tribute to Daryl Hall & John Oates. This Los Angeles-based band delivers note-for-note renditions of the legendary duo’s greatest hits. Tickets are required for this event.
ASU-Beebe’s Singers and Chamber Singers, led by Mary Jo Parker, assistant professor of music, and the Symphonic Band, under the direction of Dr. Brent Bristow, professor of music, will perform a full season of concerts in the Owen Center Theater. All concerts begin at 7:30 p.m.
The Symphonic Band concerts will be held on Monday, Sept. 19; Monday, Nov. 17; Thursday, March 5, 2026; and Thursday, April 30, 2026. The Singers and Chamber Singers concerts are scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 9; Thursday, Nov. 20; Tuesday, March 3, 2026; and Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
From Oct. 27–31, ASU-Beebe presents “Echoes of the Ozarks,” a week-long celebration of Arkansas’s haunted folklore and urban legends. Events include a lecture by associate professor of education Amber Bramlett titled “The History of the Urban Legend,” and a guest presentation by folklorist Dr. Gregory Hansen.
On Thursday, Oct. 30, Dr. Daniel Littlefield, director of the Sequoyah National Research Center with the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, will speak at 12:30 p.m. in the Science Building Lecture Hall. According to the Arkansas Times, the center houses the largest collection of Native American print culture in the world.
In November, the ASU-Beebe Theatre Department will present “Bright Star,” a bluegrass musical written by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell. Performances run Nov. 6–9 in the Owen Center theater, immediately followed by an alumni gathering in the Centennial Bank Gymnasium. In the spring, the department will bring “Peter Pan” to the stage on April 23–26. Tickets for both productions are $5.
“The Performing Arts Series is about more than entertainment—it’s about creating connections across our community, our campus, and our culture,” said Ryan Gibbons, theatre director and co-chair of the Performing Arts Series. “We’ve designed this year’s lineup to celebrate creativity in all forms, and we’re excited to invite audiences of all ages to experience something truly special.”
The annual Community Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held Tuesday, Dec. 2, in The Grove behind State Hall. The event will feature performances by the Studio 360 Dancers, ASU-Beebe Symphonic Band, and Chamber Singers. A holiday pottery sale will benefit the Student Emergency Hope Fund. Guests can enjoy refreshments, hayrides, crafts, photos, and a visit from Santa Claus.
On Thursday, Jan. 29, Hank Nightshade & The Midnight Sons will perform at the Owen Center Theater. This working-class rock band from Northeast Arkansas delivers raw, soulful rock and storytelling through singles like “Drive,” “Run to the End of the World,” and “Devil in My Heart.” Videos of the band’s music are available on YouTube. Tickets are required for this event.
The series will also feature a special visit from Dr. Jan Pol, star of Nat Geo WILD’s “The Incredible Dr. Pol,” at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31, 2026 in the Owen Center theater. Dr. Pol will share stories from his remarkable veterinary career, which spans more than 45 years and is featured in his hit show seen in more than 100 countries. Tickets are required for this event.
In addition to music and theater, the England Center Art Gallery will host several exhibitions, including Yard Work in September, Courtney Wilson in October, and Gary Simmons in March. Artist Richard Stephens will exhibit artworks in February and lead public workshops. The ASU-Beebe Student Showcases will be featured in November and April. All gallery exhibitions are free and open to the public.
The Abington Library Series returns with themed programming including True Crime Week on Oct. 7–9, Echoes of the Ozarks, Oct. 27–31, and Children’s Literature Week: “Based on a True Story,” March 2–6, 2026.
To view the full 2025–2026 Performing Arts Series schedule or to purchase tickets, visit www.ASUB.edu/tickets.
Pictured on the cover of the ASU-Beebe 2025-2026 Performing Arts Series are members of Emerald City Council, Dr. Jan Pol, Hank Nightshade & The Midnight Sons, Private Eyes: A Tribute to Daryl Hall & Jon Oates and Dr. Daniel Littlefield. View more about the series at: https://www.asub.edu/performing-arts/
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