For the first time in over 18 months, the curtains of Harold Miossi Hall went up and welcomed audiences back to the Performing Arts Center for the San Luis Obispo Symphony’s Opening Night concert on Oct. 4, 2021. The concert marked the start of a full lineup of live, in person events. Currently, there are more than 80 ticketed performances scheduled for the 2021-22 season.
Included in the schedule are the 35+ shows presented by Cal Poly Arts. Noteworthy performances:
- Broadway hits like HAIRSPRAY, BEAUTIFUL – The Carole King Musical, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, and RENT.
- Award-winning comedian Iliza Shlesinger returns to the PAC in April after a sell-out performance in 2019.
- Four-time Grammy-winning collective Snarky Puppy performs on Nov. 1 for a “virtuosic, high-energy blend of jazz, funk, hip-hop and more” (Rolling Stone).
- A cappella group Straight No Chaser, who’ve collaborated with legends like Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, and Dolly Parton, take the stage in February on their Back in the High Life Tour.
- The Hip Hop Nutcracker, a near sell-out in 2019, returns on Nov. 7 for a contemporary dance spectacle set to Tchaikovsky’s timeless music.
- The popular National Geographic Live speaker series (Cal Poly Arts) returns with behind-the scenes stories, unforgettable imagery, and gripping footage from the front lines of exploration. Speakers this season include wildlife photographer Ami Vitale, filmmaker Filipe DeAndrade, and mountaineer Hilaree Nelson.
San Luis Obispo Symphony, Cal Poly Music Department, Cal Poly Theatre and Dance, and other resident arts organizations also have new performances scheduled for the new season. The PAC loves to work with local and on campus organizations.
In addition to this, the School Matinee Program remains virtual for now with the potential for a few in-person performances in the spring. The PAC just wrapped up celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with a bilingual musical collaboration from Somos Amigos, comprised of Sonia De Los Santos and The Okee Dokee Brothers. Students and teachers both loved this performance.