The Lensic Presents

The Second City Touring Company’s "Mo’ Funny, Less Problems" promises an uproarious celebration of comedy genius through two acts of scripted scenes, musical comedy, and their legendary improvisation. The iconic Chicago theater makes America laugh at pop culture, headlines, scandals, and trends.

Don't miss Melissa Etheridge at the Lensic this October! Known for her confessional lyrics and raspy, smoky vocals, Etheridge has remained one of America's favorite female singers for more than two decades.

In this unique expression of thirteen years of friendship and collaboration, Robert Mirabal (Grammy Award-winning master musician, actor, artist, and story-teller, and elder of the Taos Pueblo) and ETHEL (Grammy Award-winning, genre-defying, New York-based string quartet) come together to reimagine the concert experience.

Sugar Skull! A Día de Muertos Musical Adventure is a bilingual/bicultural musical for young audiences and families that uses traditional regional music and dance from Mexico to tell the story of twelve-year-old Vita Flores.

Wise, insightful, and wickedly funny, “Liberal Redneck” Trae Crowder has been called a "sensation" by the Chicago Tribune. Crowder is known for his hilarious “porch rant” videos, his sold-out comedy tours, and his best-selling The Liberal Redneck Manifesto.

Fronted by singer/songwriter Sammy Rae and honed through years of touring, the group is capable of flourishing in any spotlight thanks to its signature blend of palpable chemistry, deft virtuosity, and vocal fireworks.

The always funny Leslie Jones is a three-time Primetime Emmy Award nominee for her on Saturday Night Live and one of Time Magzine's 100 Most Influential People.

Take a blustery brass lineup, layer it over a rhythm section led by a Fats Waller-style stride-piano virtuoso and tie the whole thing together with a magnetic, one-of-the-boys frontwoman whose voice recalls another era.

Men at Work was one of the more surprising success stories of the new wave era, rocketing out of Australia in 1982 to become the most successful artist of the year. With its Police-styled rhythms, catchy guitar hooks, wailing saxophones, and off-kilter sense of humor, the band's debut album, Business as Usual, became an international blockbuster, breaking the American record for the most weeks a debut spent at the top of the charts.

Ira Glass is the creator, producer & host of This American Life, the iconic weekly public radio program with millions of listeners around the world. Using audio clips, music, and video, Ira Glass delivers a unique talk; sharing lessons from his life and career in storytelling.

In a cultural landscape filled with endless pundits and talking heads, Fran Lebowitz stands out as one of our most insightful social commentators. Her essays and interviews offer her acerbic views on current events and the media – as well as pet peeves including tourists, baggage-claim areas, after-shave lotion, adults who roller skate, children who speak French, or anyone who is unduly tan.

Joe Illick’s superlative New Year’s Eve concerts have become a holiday tradition. Ring in 2025 with an unforgettable night of classical music featuring Beethoven’s 9th Symphony with soloists Jennifer Rowley, Mariam Mouawad, Joshua Blue, and Zachary Nelson.

The American Spiritual Ensemble is a critically-acclaimed professional group composed of some of the finest singers in the classical music world. The vocalists have thrilled audiences around the world with their dynamic renditions of classic spirituals and Broadway numbers.

"Every generation has that super special guitarist, one with star quality and universal appeal, praised for their effortless technique and musical integrity. We have Miloš–the hottest guitarist in the world." (The Sunday Times). Don't miss Miloš playing selections from his debut Sony Classical release Baroque. 

Jazz at Lincoln Center celebrates the Crescent City with songs that evoke the soul of New Orleans and the spirit of Mardi Gras. From Jelly Roll Morton and Louis Armstrong to Ellis Marsalis and James Black, you’ll be captivated by the timeless spirit of this vibrant city. Featuring Quiana Lynell, Milton Suggs, and Luther Allison.

The enchanting Ballet Folklórico de México returns to the Lensic for an evening of brilliant dance, music, and spirit. For over 70 years, Ballet Folklórico de México has served as a cultural ambassador, captivating audiences with the beauty of Mexico from its Columbian and Spanish influences through to modern day.

Kodo has perfected centuries-old taiko drumming techniques over its nearly 50-year history. Their name means both “heartbeat,” and “children of the drum.” And, indeed, a Kodo concert taps into our primal need for rhythm. You’ll never forget their precision, endurance, and strength. 

Twyla Tharp celebrates her 60th anniversary with a coast-to-coast tour featuring her Olivier-nominated “Diabelli Variations,” set to Beethoven’s masterpiece of the same name, and a new dance to a reimagining of Philip Glass’s iconic “Aguas da Amazonia.”

International Guitar Night celebrates its 25th anniversary with IGN favorite Lulo Reinhardt and three artists each making their US debut: New Age guitarist Sönke Meinen, contemporary guitarist Niwel Tsumbu, and classical guitarist Alexandra Whittingham.

Música celebrates women who make music and those who inspired Sonia (and her all-female bandmates) to become a musician-or "una música" en español. You'll dance in and out of your seats as this playful band charts a joyful journey of Latin American rhythms ranging from festejo to cumbia to traditional Mexican folk.

Jazz luminary Branford Marsalis returns to the Lensic for an unforgettable evening of music. The New Orleans-born artist is an award-winning saxophonist, band leader, featured classical soloist, and a film and Broadway composer.

The tradition continues! Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with Santa Fe favorite and, without a doubt, the world’s best acoustic Celtic Band. Back by popular demand for a third year running.

Husband and wife duo Joshua Bell and Larisa Martínez present Voice and the Violin, exploring repertoire from classical art song and opera to musical theatre and selections by Puerto Rican and Spanish composers.

Nothing says science like KABOOM! Doktor Kaboom travels the world, thrilling adults and children alike with some exciting scientific experiments, unscripted fun, and an explosive comedic style. The Scientific Method never looked so good.

Yo-Yo Ma shares some of the music that has helped him understand life and reflects on how it has shaped his thinking about human nature, art, and our search for meaning. This special evening of music and words asks us to consider what music is for, and how it can guide us on a path towards hope. 

Straight from Havana, Grammy-nominated Orquesta Akokán channels the fiery Cuban mambo revolution of the 1940s and 50s while pushing the grooves to new heights. Bursting with an innate sense of soul and songcraft and featuring “some of the island’s greatest instrumentalists” (The New York Times).

One of the most iconic and dynamic modern dance ensembles of our time, the Paul Taylor Dance Company has been innovating and transforming the art form of modern dance since 1954.

Celebrating over five decades of musical excellence, Tower of Power comes to the Lensic this December for the Holidays and Hits Tour!

Our annual free Halloween movie screening returns with the 1999 horror classic, The Blair Witch Project! In October of 1994, three student filmmakers disappeared in the woods near Burkittsville, Maryland, while shooting a documentary in search of a local legend, the fabled Blair Witch. A year later their footage was found.