Henderson Area Arts Alliance Executive Director Kensington Eck says next season’s lineup is one that “gets people back through the doors.”
She said HAAA is giving the community what it has asked for, namely weekend shows, earlier shows and some with an educational component mixed in.
Of the five shows that make up the arts alliance’s lineup for season ticket holders, all will be on a Friday or Saturday night, and all start at 7 p.m.
“I think we’re giving people what they’ve been asking for,” Eck said.
The performances that are included in the season ticket package begin Oct. 18 when Mike Super 2.HO! comes to town. Eck said the interactive show is peppered with a lot of personal stories and talking to the audience, and Super is not so much a magician as a “mystifier.”
“I still don’t know how he does what he does,” she said.
He performed in April 2023 at the PAC and stayed for 90 minutes after the show to greet everyone who wanted to meet him, Eck said.
“He was so lovely,” she said.
On Nov. 8, progressive bluegrass music pioneer Sam Bush will take the stage. Bush, a mandolin virtuoso, was elected to the International Bluegrass Hall of Fame as a member of the New Grass Revival. He performs widely and has a large following. Eck said Bush, who was born in Bowling Green, is bringing his band, and there’s a surprise in the works that will be revealed later.
He’s “such a talented musician,” she said.
“A Slightly Wicked Holiday Show,” featuring cast members from Broadway’s “Wicked” will come to the PAC to perform both Wicked songs and more standard Christmas songs, Eck said. She said Elphaba, Galinda and Santa are scheduled to be on stage and described the show as one that Broadway fans will get into. The show is Dec. 6.
Eck said there’s usually one each year, and March 12’s show will be the one that the crowd dances in the aisles. That’s when Uptown will perform its high-energy show that features a 7-piece band, three vocalists, a light show and projections.
“This will be the show for the ’25-26 season,” she said. “This is the one that I’m ready for.”
The season closes on April 24 with Calpulli Mexican, which Eck describes as the “most beautifully directed” of the season’s offerings. The show includes two different stories in two acts told through dance and it focuses on Mexican-American heritage and culture, Eck said.
“I’m excited for the community to enjoy this one,” she said.
The dance company will also perform for students earlier in that same day.
Before the regular season kicks in, HAAA will offer other shows—two as fundraisers and one a free show geared for children.
Bob Park is at it again with another round of Taffy Shenanigans he’s written for the stage. Park’s next play will be 7 p.m. Aug. 23 and 2 p.m. Aug. 24 at the PAC. All the proceeds will go toward supporting HAAA, Eck said.
HAAA’s biggest fundraiser will be a couple weeks later, on Sept. 6. It’s Howl at the Moon, the dueling pianos fundraiser and will be Sept. 6 from 5:30-9:30 p.m. at the Lumber Yard Event Center.
HAAA also has a kid-friendly event—that is free!—lined up for Sunday, Sept. 28 at the Henderson County Public Library. Big Bang Boom is a kid-friendly indie rock band, but it’s definitely not in the same realm as the Baby Shark craziness we all put up with a few years back, Eck said.
“This is not that experience,” Eck said.
The band performs real rock aimed at preschool through third-graders. Big Bang Boom is headed by singer Chuck Folds, the brother of popular musician Ben Folds.
Prices for the shows (except for the free Big Bang Boom) have not been set yet and will be determined later in the summer, Eck said.
HAAA 2025-26 schedule
- Taffy Shenanigans Fundraiser: Preston Arts Center Saturday, August 23 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Aurgust 24 at 2 p.m.
- Howl and the Moon Dueling Pianos Fundraiser: Lumber Yard Event Center Saturday, Sept. 6 from 5:30-9:30 p.m.
- Big Bang Boom: Sunday, Sept. 28 at 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. at the Henderson County Public Library
- Mike Super 2.OH: Saturday, Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. at Preston Arts Center
- Sam Bush: Saturday, Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. at the Preston Arts Center
- A Slightly Wicked Holiday Show: Saturday, Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. at Preston Arts Center
- Uptown: Friday, March 12 at 7 p.m. at Preston Arts Center
- Calpulli Mexican Dance: Friday, April 24 at 7 p.m. and a school show at 10 a.m. at the Preston Arts Center
Call the Box Office at 270-826-5916 or visit www.haaa.org for questions, ticket purchasing, and more!
