Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities

The Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra will perform music from Ray Charles performances that were previously unreleased in the 1970s then matched with new recordings of the Count Basie Orchestra in the instantly classic album, “Ray Sings and Basie Swings.”

Set against the rich backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Bright Star weaves an emotional tale of love, loss, and understanding told through the timeless sounds of bluegrass music. Steve Martin and Edie Brickell wrote the beautiful music, book, and lyrics that provide a perfect vehicle for this compelling dramatic story. Main Stage Theatre - Performance Dates: Various Dates & Times September 6 – 29 Tues – Sat at 7:30 pm Wed at 1:00 pm Sat – Sun at 2:00…

Join CJRO as they recreate this mash up of two jazz titans playing together. Released in 1961, “First Time! The Count Meets the Duke”reflects Ellington’s elegance and Basie’s rollicking Kansas City Style. Selections include “Take the A Train,” “Jumpin’ at the Woodside,” and many other big band classics, featuring CJRO vocalist Heidi Schmidt.

Charles Dickens’ classic tale takes us on a journey to the past, present and future this holiday season! With music by Alan Menken ( Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid ) and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens ( Ragtime, Seussical ), this musical version of curmudgeonly Ebenezer Scrooge’s life and ultimate redemption is the perfect holiday tradition for the entire family. Performance Dates & Times: now – December 22, 2019, Tues – Sat at 7:30 pm, Wed at 1:00 pm,…

The 70’s changed America. From civil rights protests to the emergence of new genres of Rock ‘n Roll. Luckly, the 70’s were a fruitful period for big bands as they began to cover tunes by Steely Dan, Chick Corea and Blood Sweat and Tears, the Beatles, and many other. Join the CJRO for a night of tunes from the 70’s with the vocalist you know and love, Robert Johnson.

New York’s The Village Vanguard has been a jazz mecca for over 50 years. Hundreds of musicians have recorded at the Vanguard and hundreds more have traveled just to walk in the front doors. The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra has been a staple for Monday night jazz big band jazz for decades, featuring the best New York jazz players. Join the Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra as they transport you to New York’s The Village Vanguard by performing charts made famous in…

Healthy competition is one thing, but what happens when you’re up against the most famous playwright of all time? Enter a pair of hapless brothers striving for theatrical success in the English Renaissance against none other than the Bard himself, Shakespeare. Uproarious antics ensue in this smash-hit musical comedy that will leave audiences rolling in the aisles. Performances: April 10 – May 3, 2020, Tues – Sat at 7:30 pm, Wed at 1:00 pm, Sat – Sun at 2:00 pm…

CJRO takes a journey to Latin and South America with a program of Latin Jazz. With the addition of percussionist, Christian Teele, this concert will be a fiery night of jazz at the Arvada Center.

Dazzle presents The Sweet Lillies at the Arvada Center, a part of their Front Porch Series. The Sweet Lillies have incorporated all of their cumulative life-experiences into their music, their songwriting, and their artistry, crafting an uncommonly-beautiful style they have christened “String-Americana” - a nod to the band’s all-encompassing musical tastes and willingness to experiment with genres. Julie Gussaroff - bass/vocals Becca Bisque - viola/vocals Dustin Rohleder - guitar/vocals

Dazzle Presents Dechen Hawk and Thom LaFond at the Arvada Center, a part of their summer Front Porch Series. Dechen Hawk creates music that ranges from beautiful ballads to gritty throwback funk and soul. He believes conscious music has the power to heal and transform humanity for the better. “Like Stevie Wonder and Jeff Buckley thrown in a blender,” Dechen writes, records, and performs Indie Soul music. He imbues his songs with the Buddhist teachings of love, respect and expanding consciousness…

The Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra (CJRO) will be matching the heat of the summer in a concert that features its fantastic horn section! CJRO is thrilled to announce Larry Braggs as the featured vocalist. He is an internationally celebrated solo artist, the long-time lead singer of Tower of Power, and toured with the Temptations, and the Commodores, among others. Enjoy this night of music highlighting many of the hottest bands from the ‘60s and ‘70s including Earth, Wind & Fire,…

You have experienced it - that totally awesome playlist to celebrate and soundtrack your summer! Back by popular demand, Denver Brass and baritone Steven Taylor will have you cruisin' down memory lane with songs that make your heart beat and help you feel the wind in your hair and the sun on your face! From classic rock to the silver screen, this is the music you turn up and sing-along to – He’s a Pirate, Impossible Dream, Bohemian Rhapsody, Tequila!,…

Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra presents The Music You’ve Been Missing! The Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra’s (CJRO) returns to the Arvada Center Main Stage Theatre for an evening of classic jazz tunes that will delight its listeners. Enjoy familiar melodies including “All of Me,” “Caravan,” and “I Didn’t Know What Time it Was,” and some new classics as well. From hard-hitting swingers to gorgeous ballads, this show is sure to please any music lover! Vocalist Heidi Schmidt will be featured along…

The Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra’s (CJRO) returns to the Arvada Center Main Stage Theatre for an evening of live jazz that will delight its listeners. From Counts to Dukes, jazz has a long lineage of royalty and heirs, and a fresh take on many of these greats will be heard when the CJRO big band takes the stage. Songs featured include a new arrangement of “Take the A Train,” Billy Strayhorn’s beautiful ballad, “Come Sunday,” and Count Basie’s “In a…

The Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra will perform a night of Latin Jazz featuring the sounds of Brazil, and the exquisite music of Antônio Carlos Jobim. A songwriter, composer, and arranger, Jobim transformed the extroverted rhythms of the Brazilian Samba into an intimate music experience. Guest artists featured on the piano are Victor Mestas and Carl Dixon is on percussion. Both artists are well-known for their expertise in playing Brazilian music and are educators at CU Boulder. Vocalist, Heidi Schmidt will…

Internationally acclaimed music phenomenon Steve Lippia returns in his first CJRO appearance since 2018. A long-time Las Vegas headliner and engaging entertainer, Lippia will be singing your favorite American songs of yesterday and today. The concert will include musical numbers made famous by Nat King Cole, Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Vic Damone, Sammy Davis, Jr., and Bobby Darin among others. You won’t want to miss one of Steve’s rare Colorado appearances! Enjoy this sampling of Steve singing a few of…

The CJRO presents: A Night of Sizzling Soul with Larry Braggs National recording artist Larry Braggs returns for another red-hot concert with the CJRO! Braggs was lead vocalist for the legendary soul band Tower of Power for 14 years in addition to touring with the Temptations and the Commodores. Braggs has also added his soulful vocals to recording projects alongside David Sanborn, Marcus Miller, Chicago, and others. Denver Jazz lovers and fans who were fortunate enough to attend last summer’s…

The Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra’s (CJRO) returns to the Arvada Center Main Stage Theatre performing The Sessions featuring Robert Johnson. In anticipation of the release of their latest recording, Compared to What with Larry Braggs, the CJRO will perform an evening of music from the album along with popular tunes from their previous recordings Invitation (2017) and Overjoyed: The Music of Stevie Wonder (2020). Led by the silky vocals of Robert Johnson, musical numbers will include “All in Love is…

The CJRO returns to the Arvada Center Main Stage for an evening of live jazz that will delight its listeners. From Counts to Dukes, jazz has a long lineage of royalty and heirs, and a fresh take on many of these greats will be heard when the CJRO big band takes the stage. Songs featured include a new arrangement of “Take the A Train,” Billy Strayhorn’s beautiful ballad, “Come Sunday,” and Count Basie’s “In a Mellow Tone.” Led by CJRO…

The CJRO returns to the Arvada Center for a special night of jazz and soul and to celebrate the release of their latest recording Compared to What with Larry Braggs. Led by Colorado favorites Robert Johnson and Marion Powers musical numbers include; "Mercy Mercy Me;" "More Today Than Yesterday;" "Fascinating Rhythm" and of course, the title track "Compared to What." TICKETS A major component of the CJRO’s mission is to introduce new listeners and jazz lovers to its music and…

For well over one hundred years the trumpet with its unmistakable sound has earned its place thanks to some of the greatest jazz artists in history. Its distinct and soulful “voice” came alive when artists like Maynard Ferguson, Miles Davis, and of course the legendary Louis Armstrong contributed to its popularity. CJRO fans will not want to miss the special evening of jazz as we celebrate these jazz legends and showcase several of Denver’s finest trumpeters. Tickets

For well over one hundred years the trumpet with its unmistakable sound has earned its place thanks to some of the greatest jazz artists in history. Its distinct and soulful “voice” came alive when artists like Maynard Ferguson, Miles Davis and of course the legendary Louis Armstrong contributed to its popularity. CJRO fans will not want to miss the special evening of jazz as we celebrate these jazz legends and showcase several of Denver’s finest trumpeters. TICKETS

Can you say R E S P E C T? The Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra brings nationally known artist Tatiana Mayfield to the Arvada Center for an evening of music from the queen of soul herself, Aretha Franklin! All your favorite hits will be heard along with other iconic women of jazz and soul. National recording artist, Tatiana “LadyMay” Mayfield is one of the top rising star vocalists in the country. She has recorded three albums, can be heard on…

The Arvada Center and African Leadership Group are thrilled to present the fashion of Oumou Sy and the music of Baaba Maal in a Day of African Culture! Art is a rich expression of community, identity, and culture - a way for all of us to share our stories and our heritage with each other and the world. This Community Celebration and Concert feature the design of Oumou Sy, "Senegal's Queen of Couture," and music from Baaba Maal, one of…

  When gay college student Matthew Shepard was found brutalized and tied to a fence outside Laramie, Wyoming in 1998, his death made people across the country take a hard look within. Twenty-three years after its World Premiere at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, The Laramie Project still resonates today. As America continues to grapple with hate crimes, we dive deep into a human story of the prejudice, hatred, conflicts and contradictions revealed by Matthew’s death. Patchworked together from hundreds…

When a young woman is forced to be a servant by her evil stepmother, it takes knowing her self-worth, some wonderful friends, and a little magic to help her get out. Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella takes a whimsical turn in the Arvada Center’s production this holiday season, creating a mysterious but playful world where magic is real and dreams come true. This stylish, contemporary take on the fairy tale classic promises fantastical costumes, hilarious dialogue, romantic lyrics, and unforgettable music for a…

Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra (CJRO) presents Big Band Royalty: Nothin' But the Blues featuring music from the great blues artists of jazz and vocals from Marion Powers. Since its birth over 160 years ago, the blues has continuously evolved and the genre has produced some of the most influential and passionate musicians of all time. The CJRO will perform a blues-infused concert with music by Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Thad Jones, and many others.  These musicians have made significant contributions…

Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra (CJRO) presents... In keeping with our tradition of performing a concert featuring music from Latin America the CJRO returns with an evening of Brazilian jazz and funk. Internationally known Brazilian-born guitarist Gabriel Santiago will join the orchestra along with celebrated pianist, Victor Mestas; bassist, Bijoux Barbosa, and Carl Dixon on percussion. Marion Powers will be featured on vocals. Antônio Carlos Jobim was a songwriter, composer, and arranger, who transformed the extroverted rhythms of the Brazilian samba…

Sassy - Soulful - Musical Theatre "A delicious tale that's not simply about getting Prince Charming, but getting its heroine to take action and discover her worth!" — Variety Jenna is a waitress and expert pie-maker trapped in a small town and a rocky marriage. Faced with an unexpected pregnancy, Jenna fears her dreams are out of reach - until a baking contest and a handsome doctor offer up a sweet taste of happiness. With the support of her quirky…

A revenge fantasy to sink your teeth into! One part horror, one part humor, playwright Kate Hamill upends the sexism in Bram Stoker’s vampire classic in a thrilling, gory and funny new adaptation. Who are the real monsters, and who is actually in distress? Dracula’s Victorian tropes of fainting ladies and evil villains get turned on their heads. Fierce, feminist and frightening, Dracula: A Feminist Revenge Fantasy, Really drives a gleeful stake through the heart of the patriarchy itself. “This…

Experience an unforgettable night of jazz mastery as the CJRO pays tribute to legendary guitarists. Revel in the fusion, Latin, and progressive sounds of ten-time Grammy-winner Pat Metheny, and enjoy Wes Montgomery’s beautiful compositions. Curated by CJRO guitarist Mike Abbott, this event features the region's finest players honoring these jazz legends and others. The concert will be curated by Mike Abbott, the CJRO’s extraordinary guitarist, and Marion Powers will be featured on vocals. Celebrate the music of these iconic artists…