Dance, Jazz, Musical Theatre, and Ben Folds highlight UNCG’s annual series
The season is set, and there is truly something for everyone in this year’s UNC Greensboro Concert and Lecture Series, from Tony- and Grammy-winners to street dance artists and jazz luminaries.
The series kicks off on Friday, Sept. 25 with Tony Award–winning actor and singer Alex Newell, known for their Broadway roles in Once on This Island and Shucked. Fans will also know Newell from performances on TV’s Glee and Zooey’s Extraordinary Playlist.
On Friday, Oct. 16, UCLS gets moving with Rennie Harris Puremovement American Street Dance Theater — the country’s leading street dance theater company dedicated to preserving and disseminating hip-hop aesthetics.
On Saturday, Oct. 24, the School of Music presents the 19th annual Collage concert, which this year honors the United States’ 250th anniversary with the theme of “American Voices.”
On Friday, Feb. 5, 2023’s Grammy-winning Best New Artist and six-time Grammy-winner, jazz superstar Samara Joy graces the stage.
And on Saturday, March 20, it’s an evening with North Carolina native and Emmy Award-nominated singer-songwriter Ben Folds.
Robinson Family Visiting Artists
John Scofield, three-time Grammy Award-winning jazz guitarist and composer, and Carmen Bradford, Grammy Award-winning vocalist of the Count Basie Orchestra perform.
UCLS and the Falk Visiting Artist Fund present Clarence Morgan, an American abstract painter whose work spans painting, drawing, printmaking, and a reflective writing practice.
A 114-year history
Tickets for all performances are on sale now at ucls.uncg.edu or by calling ETix at 800.514.3849. There are special discounts for UNCG students, faculty, and staff. Bundle and save 10% by purchasing tickets at any level to all four of the performances by Alex Newell, Rennie Harris Puremovement, Samara Joy, and Ben Folds.
UCLS has an 114-year history of bringing world-class artists and speakers to campus. In addition to public performances, the series includes dedicated, selective interactions between visiting artists and UNCGstudents. It offers them unique learning opportunities — and sometimes once-in-a-lifetime experiences — in the form of moderated conversations, jam sessions, and masterclasses. Many UCLS artists engage with Guilford County Schools K-12 students by giving special, school-day matinee performances, class visits, or artist talks.
UNCG is a state university, and our mission includes not only the education of our students but also engagement with the broader community. For this reason, we intentionally keep our ticket prices low to allow access to as much of the local community as possible. The series is supported by several generous sponsors and the University, which allows us to bring leading artists to our campus and the community:
- Presenting Sponsors: Joseph M. Bryan, Jr. and The Cemala Foundation
- Underwriting Sponsors: Melissa Greer/Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices and UNCG Housing and Residence Life
- Hospitality Sponsor: Quaintance-Weaver Restaurants and Hotels
- Media Sponsor: Our State magazine
- Performance Sponsors: Pam and David Sprinkle (Rennie Harris Puremovement American Street Dance Theater) and Pamela Pittman and Ward Robinson (Robinson Family Visiting Jazz Artists).
Watch UNCG’s David Furr announce the 2026-27 UCLS lineup
Full schedule and tickets
2026–2027 UNC Greensboro Concert and Lecture Series
Click the links for tickets
Alex Newell
Sept. 25, 2026
8 p.m.
UNCG Auditorium
Rennie Harris Puremovement American Street Dance Theater
Oct. 16, 2026
8 p.m.
UNCG Auditorium
Collage
Oct. 24, 2026
7:30 p.m.
UNCG Auditorium
Samara Joy
Feb. 5, 2027
8:00 p.m.
UNCG Auditorium
Ben Folds
March 20, 2027
8 p.m.
UNCG Auditorium
Robinson Family Visiting Jazz Artists
John Scofield and Electrospective
Nov. 21, 2026
7:30 p.m.
UNCG Auditorium
Carmen Bradford with UNCG Jazz Ensemble
April 23, 2027
7:30 p.m.
UNCG Auditorium
Falk Visiting Artist
Clarence Morgan
Oct 1, 2026
5:30 p.m.
Benjamin Auditorium, Weatherspoon Art Museum
Get your tickets at UCLS.UNCG.EDU. Tickets to CVPA and UCLS events are sold exclusively through our box office locations and ETix website, and nowhere else. Tickets purchased through third-party vendors cannot be honored.
