The palpable excitement is felt among the chatter and whispers heard throughout the vast theater. It isn’t until the dim of the lights that the voices start to hush and heartbeats start to grow louder. Each theater seat holds the anticipation of audience members ready to be captivated by the artists of the UNLV Performing Arts Center’s 2024-2025 season.
Back for its 48th season, the UNLV Performing Arts Center (PAC) will bring eight captivating performances to the stage from an array of internationally renowned artists showcasing technical mastery and talent in various artistic elements for a season of progressive music exploration. The season’s curtains will open on Sept. 28 with an enthralling dance performance by the L.A.-based group BODYTRAFFIC and come to a close with an unforgettable performance by the Mēla Guitar Quartet on March 15.
Opened in 1976, the UNLV Performing Arts Center pioneered the way for the arts and creatives in Southern Nevada. Executive Director of the UNLV Performing Arts Center Lori Cobo says, “We still consider ourselves the cultural heart of the Valley. We were the first cultural art center that was here in Vegas.”
As the beating drum of the arts in Southern Nevada, the PAC emphasizes its commitment to the community. It caters to the UNLV community by having its spaces come alive with performances from UNLV student performing art groups annually. Extending a hand to the Valley, the PAC also has partnerships with the Clark County School District for young student artists to take the stage and engage in educational outreach programs with presenting artists.
For this new 2024-2025 season, the UNLV Performing Arts Center plans to unite the community in a new way.
On Nevada Day, Oct. 25, the UNLV PAC will present Disney Pixar’s “Coco” Live-to-Film Concert this season. The film will be played live on the big screen as Oscar-winning composer Michael Giacchino’s musical score is performed on modern, pre-Hispanic and colonial-era instruments.
Cobo expresses her excitement for the one-of-a-kind family experience, “We are really excited because it’s a great opportunity for people that love Disney films to come and watch the movie, while also being given the opportunity to watch it with a live orchestra. So that’s really exciting for us this year and new that we are trying for the first time.”
To make the novelty even more special, the UNLV PAC plans to unveil a community ofrenda on Oct. 4th in the Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall.
“We will unveil the ofrenda on Oct. 4, then for the next two weeks we are going to collect pictures from the community to put on that ofrenda to be on public display through Día de los Muertos,” says Cobo.
The ofrenda will provide people of all ages and backgrounds in the community with a special opportunity to come together and honor the lives of their departed loved ones. In remembrance of the tragic events that occurred within the UNLV Community on Dec. 6, 2023, the lives of the victims will also be honored, including Patricia Navrro-Velez, accounting professor of the Lee Business School; Ch Jan (Jerry) Chang, MIS professor of the Lee Business School; and Naoko Takemaru, associate professor of Japanese Studies with the College of Liberal Arts.
As the UNLV Performing Arts Center embarks on its 48th season, it continues to be the “cultural heart of the Valley.” Whether you are a long-time patron or a newcomer, let the anticipation build and get ready to be inspired by the magic of this season.
Season and single tickets may be purchased online at pac.unlv.edu and by telephone at 702-895-ARTS (2787), or at the PAC box office from 12 to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Discounted subscription packages are available, including 25% off a subscription to the full season. Discounts on single tickets are also available for students, seniors, military members, the disabled, UNLV alumni and UNLV faculty and staff.
