Announcing the 2024-2025 Newman Center Presents season
The Robert & Judi Newman Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Denver has announced the 2024-2025 Newman Center Presents season to launch in September. Having hosted thousands of performances by Newman Center Presents, the Lamont School of Music, the DU Theatre Department and hundreds of local and national organizations, the Newman Center launches its 22nd season in September of 2024.
The Newman Center Presents series has become nationally known for its mix of high-caliber and inspiring artists, many who would not appear on a Denver metro area stage without the presence of the series. “We are thrilled to present a lineup of brilliant artists and unforgettable experiences” shared the Newman Center’s Executive Director Aisha Ahmad-Post. “Our season celebrates diversity and fosters cultural exchange, offering unique opportunities to explore new perspectives and broaden horizons.”
Six subscriptions are available for the 2024-25 season including the Dance Series, Jazz Series, Global Roots Series, Director’s Choice 9, Director’s Choice 5 and Mix 4. Subscription packages are on sale now (starting at $78, plus service fees) for renewing subscribers at newmancenterpresents.com or by phone at 303.871.7720.
New subscriptions will go on sale Friday, June 14 at 10am. Subscriber benefits this upcoming season include a 15-20% discount, complimentary parking, free ticket exchanges and a 15% discount on additional Newman Center Presents shows purchased. Tickets for individual shows will go on sale Friday, June 28 at 10am. All performances take place at the Newman Center’s June Swaner Gates Concert Hall unless otherwise noted.
2024-25 Dance Series
RUBBERBAND: Reckless Underdog – October 1, 2024 at 7:30pm – Founded in Montreal in 2002 by b-boy, ballet dancer and Guggenheim fellow Victor Quijada, RUBBERBAND’s Reckless Underdog takes the company’s genre-bending style to new heights. This larger-than-life three-act performance features music by Jasper Gahunia, Kid Koala, Vlooper from Alaclair Ensemble and Chilly Gonzales.
Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan: Thirteen Tongues – November 23-24, 2024 at 7:30pm- Acclaimed as “Asia’s leading contemporary dance theater” (The Times), Cloud Gate transforms ancient traditions such as meditation and martial arts into a thrilling and modern celebration of motion. Their production Thirteen Tongues takes the audience on a visually arresting exploration of cultural memory.
Music From The Sole: I Didn’t Come to Stay – January 25, 2025 at 7:30pm – Music From The Sole’s I Didn’t Come to Stay blurs the line between concert dance and musical performance, celebrating tap’s roots in the African diaspora with a mix of Afro-Brazilian, jazz, soul, house, and Afro-Cuban styles. “An unforced crowd-pleaser, original and true to itself.” – The New York Times
Limón Dance Company: Migrant Mother – February 18, 2025 at 7:30pm – The Limón Dance Company has been at the vanguard of American modern dance since its inception in 1946. The Company’s repertory will include classic works and Migrant Mother, a new piece by award- winning Mexican choreographer Raúl Tamez.
The Dance Series is made possible in part through the generosity of the Grynberg Family Endowment for Dance Programming.
2024-25 Jazz Series
Cécile McLorin Salvant Quartet – September 22, 2024 at 7:30pm – Salvant, a three-time GRAMMY award-winner, returns to Gates Concert Hall with her unique blend of storytelling and inspired song curation. Her 2023 album, “Mélusine,” features original works and interpretations of songs dating as far back as the 12th century, sung in French, along with Occitan, English and Haitian Kreyòl.
Lakecia Benjamin – October 13, 2024 at 7:30pm - Lakecia Benjamin is a three-time GRAMMY nominated saxophonist, arranger, composer and educator whose constant evolution as an artist and activist has led to universal praise. Her 2023 album, “Phoenix,” centers joy and freedom in one of the finest albums of the year. “She’s a crafty traditionalist who remains in step with the rhythms of the young generation.” – The New Yorker
Billy Childs Quartet – February 1, 2025 at 7:30pm – With 18 nominations and six GRAMMY awards, Childs has emerged as one of the foremost composers and pianists of his era, “consistently expanding the dimensions of the jazz genre – and beyond” (The Los Angeles Times). His album, “The Winds of Change,” won a GRAMMY in 2024 for Best Jazz Instrumental Album.
Julia Keefe Indigenous Big Band – April 8, 2025 at 7:30pm – The Julia Keefe Indigenous Big Band is a sonic celebration of the diversity and vitality of indigenous voices in jazz: past, present, and future. Expect new works, reimagined traditional melodies, and standards made famous by indigenous jazz musicians who came before us. “A songbird of a jazz vocalist” - The New York Times
2024-25 Global Roots Series
Mariza – October 20, 2024 at 7:30pm – With over 30 platinum albums and numerous national and international awards, Portuguese artist Mariza is a true ambassador of fado, a folk singing tradition associated with the pubs and cafes of Libson. She has made the world her stage, sharing the musical culture that has made her a singer in demand.
Zakir Hussain’s Master of Percussion – March 18, 2025 at 7:30pm – Winner of three GRAMMY awards in 2024, Zakir Hussain enjoys fame in his native India and throughout the world. An undisputed table superstar, Hussain brings together great percussionists from a variety of world traditions, as well as the occasional stringed instrument in this genre-defying collaboration.
Vieux Farka Touré – April 11, 2025 at 7:30pm – World-renowned musician Vieux Farka Touré is often referred to as “the Hendrix of the Sahara,” and has become a cultural ambassador for the people of Mali and the Sahel. His 2022 collaboration with Khruangbin, “Ali,” pays tribute to his father and received international critical acclaim. Touré’s live performances are highly energized, dazzling crowds with his charisma and talent.
2024-25 Director’s Choice 9 Series
Nine performances curated by our Executive Director, Aisha Ahmad-Post
Cécile McLorin Salvant Quartet – September 22, 2024 at 7:30pm – Salvant, a three-time GRAMMY award-winner, returns to Gates Concert Hall with her unique blend of storytelling and inspired song curation. Her 2023 album, “Mélusine,” features original works and interpretations of songs dating as far back as the 12th century, sung in French, along with Occitan, English and Haitian Kreyòl.
Mariza – October 20, 2024 at 7:30pm – With over 30 platinum albums and numerous national and international awards, Portuguese artist Mariza is a true ambassador of fado, a folk singing tradition associated with the pubs and cafes of Libson. She has made the world her stage, sharing the musical culture that has made her a singer in demand.
Gabriel Kahane & Roomful of Teeth – November 8, 2024 at 7:30pm - Hailed as “one of the finest songwriters of the day” (The New Yorker), Kahane is a musical storyteller who has worked with many of America’s leading arts institutions including Carnegie Hall and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Kahane is joined in concert by Roomful of Teeth, a two-time GRAMMY winning vocal band dedicated to reimagining the expressive potential of the human voice.
Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan: Thirteen Tongues – November 23-24, 2024 at 7:30pm- Acclaimed as “Asia’s leading contemporary dance theater” (The Times), Cloud Gate transforms ancient traditions such as meditation and martial arts into a thrilling and modern celebration of motion. Their production Thirteen Tongues takes the audience on a visually arresting exploration of cultural memory.
Meow Meow – December 10, 2024 at 7:30pm - International chanteuse and comedienne extraordinaire Meow Meow brings her unique brand of holiday hilarity and musical mayhem. A rollicking tonic, “Feline Festive” will rekindle the spirt of the holidays, featuring a band of superb musicians and music ranging from jazzy vintage showbiz to wicked, witty Weimar 1920’s tunes, French chansons, and original and contemporary classics.
Music From The Sole: I Didn’t Come to Stay – January 25, 2025 at 7:30pm – Music From The Sole’s I Didn’t Come to Stay blurs the line between concert dance and musical performance, celebrating tap’s roots in the African diaspora with a mix of Afro-Brazilian, jazz, soul, house, and Afro-Cuban styles. “An unforced crowd-pleaser, original and true to itself.” – The New York Times
Andew Marlin Band -Friday, February 7, 2025 at 7:30pm - Andrew Marlin is a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist based out of Chapel Hill, NC. He is known for his captivating songwriting and immersive mandolin playing presented in both his band Watchhouse, as a member of Mighty Poplar, and under his own name. Andrew and his string band will be performing an assortment of material from his solo albums and beyond.
Zakir Hussain’s Masters of Percussion – March 18, 2025 at 7:30pm – Winner of three GRAMMY awards in 2024, Zakir Hussain enjoys fame in his native India and throughout the world. An undisputed table superstar, Hussain brings together great percussionists from a variety of world traditions, as well as the occasional stringed instrument in this genre-defying collaboration.
Julia Keefe Indigenous Big Band – April 8, 2025 at 7:30pm – The Julia Keefe Indigenous Big Band is a sonic celebration of the diversity and vitality of indigenous voices in jazz: past, present, and future. Expect new works, reimagined traditional melodies, and standards made famous by indigenous jazz musicians who came before us. “A songbird of a jazz vocalist” - The New York Times
2024-25 Director’s Choice 5 Series
Five performances curated by our Executive Director, Aisha Ahmad-Post
Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan: Thirteen Tongues – November 23-24, 2024 at 7:30pm- Acclaimed as “Asia’s leading contemporary dance theater” (The Times), Cloud Gate transforms ancient traditions such as meditation and martial arts into a thrilling and modern celebration of motion. Their production Thirteen Tongues takes the audience on a visually arresting exploration of cultural memory.
Meow Meow – December 10, 2024 at 7:30pm - International chanteuse and comedienne extraordinaire Meow Meow brings her unique brand of holiday hilarity and musical mayhem. A rollicking tonic, “Feline Festive” will rekindle the spirt of the holidays, featuring a band of superb musicians and music ranging from jazzy vintage showbiz to wicked, witty Weimar 1920’s tunes, French chansons, and original and contemporary classics.
Andrew Marlin Band – Friday, February 7, 2025 at 7:30pm - Andrew Marlin is a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist based out of Chapel Hill, NC. He is known for his captivating songwriting and immersive mandolin playing presented in both his band Watchhouse, as a member of Mighty Poplar, and under his own name. Andrew and his string band will be performing an assortment of material from his solo albums and beyond.
Zakir Hussain’s Masters of Percussion – March 18, 2025 at 7:30pm – Winner of three GRAMMY awards in 2024, Zakir Hussain enjoys fame in his native India and throughout the world. An undisputed table superstar, Hussain brings together great percussionists from a variety of world traditions, as well as the occasional stringed instrument in this genre-defying collaboration.
Julia Keefe Indigenous Big Band – April 8, 2025 at 7:30pm – The Julia Keefe Indigenous Big Band is a sonic celebration of the diversity and vitality of indigenous voices in jazz: past, present, and future. Expect new works, reimagined traditional melodies, and standards made famous by indigenous jazz musicians who came before us. “A songbird of a jazz vocalist” - The New York Times
2024-25 Mix 4 Series
Patrons can choose any four shows from the Newman Center Presents season*, including shows from any of the subscription packages, plus:
Martha Redbone presents Bone Hill – September 25, 2024 at 7:30pm – Martha Redbone is a vocalist/songwriter/composer/educator known for her unique gumbo of folk, blues, and gospel. Bone Hill is a song cycle inspired by Redbone’s life and the women she descended from.
Gabriel Kahane & Caroline Shaw – November 9, 2024 at 7:30pm – Hailed as “one of the finest songwriters of the day” (The New Yorker), Kahane is a musical storyteller who has worked with many of America’s leading arts institutions including Carnegie Hall and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Kahane and Caroline Shaw embark on a newly commissioned large-scale collaboration, orbiting a new work inspired by Jorge Luis Borges’ story, “The Library of Babel.” Shaw is the 2013 Pulitzer Prize winner for Music, as well as a member of the GRAMMY winning vocal group Roomful of Teeth. This performance takes place in Hamilton Recital Hall.
Le Patin Libre – February 22, 2025 at 7:30pm - "Contemporary dance on ice” from Montreal, Le Patin Libre transforms athleticism into a means of artistic expression. Le Patin Libre’s work explores the amazing choreographic and theatrical potential of glide, creating a unique experience that’s fun for the whole family. This performance takes place in Magness Arena.
Dog Man: The Musical – March 8-9, 2025 various times – Based on the worldwide bestselling hit series by Dav Pilkey, Dog Man: The Musical is a hilarious and heartwarming new production following the chronicles of Dog Man, who with the head of a dog and the body of a policeman, loves to fight crime and chew on the furniture.
säje – April 2, 2025 at 7:30pm - 2024 GRAMMY winners for “Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals,” the women creators of säje are all composer/arrangers, vocalists and entrepreneurs, bringing their disparate experiences and influences together to explore, create, and celebrate the music that moves them.
Patti LuPone – May 2, 2025 at 7:30pm - Music has the power to crystalize a moment in time and evoke eras. In her new concert, Patti LuPone: A Life in Notes, the three-time Tony Award winner performs an array of songs which do just that – songs that are touchstones and reflections on her life growing up in America – from a young girl during the burgeoning rock and roll scene of the fifties, to coming of age in politically and socially turbulent sixties, to eventually achieving success with both career and family.