Bloomington Center for the Arts
Bloomington Center for the Arts occupies the north end of Bloomington Civic Plaza. The facility houses eight resident art organizations, community arts activities, City functions, and private rentals.
Bloomington Chorale: A Light in the Darkness
Between Friday December 19 2025 and Saturday December 20 2025
Join the Bloomington Chorale in an illuminating celebration of the season with songs such as Ding Dong Merrily on High, Mozart's Fa La La, Winter Wind, and Umoja Tunaimba.
Bloomington Center for the Arts
Medalist Concert Band: Sounds of the Season
Sunday December 21 2025
Sleigh rides, candlelit evenings, and the wonder of the season come to life in a festive program that celebrates tradition and imagination for listeners of all ages.
Bloomington Center for the Arts
Continental Ballet Company: The Nutcracker
Between Saturday December 6 2025 and Sunday December 14 2025
Enjoy this holiday classic telling the story of a young girl's gift of a nutcracker and her magical trip to the Land of the Sugarplum Fairy. Beauty, fantasy and exquisite dancing make this enjoyable performance for people of all ages.
Please note: CBC is offering a special condensed performance on Friday, December 12th at 10:00am, intended primarily for students and visiting senior centers.
Bloomington Center for the Arts
Bloomington Symphony Orchestra: Art Finds a Way
Sunday November 23 2025
How does a Black American woman find the freedom to compose music for the concert hall in an era when doing so seemed impossible? How does a British composer avoid the incoming shells of a cruel foreign regime and write a solo concerto with a peaceful quality for the most pastoral of instruments? Can a Czech composer find a way to show his gratitude through a piece of music and still retain his personal and distinctive style?
The BSO will do its best to answer these questions as it plays Florence Price's Concert Overture No. 1 based on the spiritual, “Sinner, Please Don’t Let This Harvest Pass,” and the Symphony No. 8 in G Major by Antonín Dvořák. In between, the BSO will send principal oboist Megan Werner to the soloist’s spotlight for Ralph Vaughan Williams's Concerto for Oboe and Strings. Come and hear how music always finds its way through times of enigma to bring forth joy!
Bloomington Center for the Arts
Concerto Dance: Traditions
Between Thursday November 20 2025 and Friday November 21 2025
Join Concerto Dance for an evening of vibrant jazz and modern concert dance!
Bloomington Center for the Arts
Medalist Concert Band: British Band Classics
Sunday November 9 2025
Salute to the music of the British Isles—folk melodies, ceremonial marches, and landmark works by Holst, Vaughan Williams, Grainger, and more.
Bloomington Center for the Arts
Continental Ballet Company: Beer & Ballet
Friday October 10 2025
This program offers a casual look at the art of ballet with original choreography by CBC company members in the Black Box Theater. Refreshments provided. Come enjoy a new look at classical ballet and support local artists!
Bloomington Center for the Arts
Continental Ballet Company: Student Recital
Wednesday June 18 2025
Join us as we celebrate Continental Ballet Company's 37th annual student recital. This is an opportunity for our students to demonstrate skills accomplished this season. We invite family, friends and anyone interested in ballet lessons to come enjoy this program.
Bloomington Center for the Arts
The Discover Dance Series: 2025 Showcase
Between Friday June 13 2025 and Saturday June 14 2025
Join Continental Ballet Company, Concerto Dance, and Threads Dance Project in a showcase of multiple dance styles! This event provides audiences of all ages the chance to discover and experience the joy and power of dance.
Bloomington Center for the Arts
Alive & Kickin 15: The Reunion Tour
Between Thursday June 5 2025 and Sunday June 8 2025
Alive & Kickin, Minnesota’s Premier Seniors Rock Ensemble is back for its 15th season: the Reunion Tour! The show is packed with highlights from their epic history.
Bloomington Center for the Arts
When Worlds Collide: Songs of Stage and Screen
Saturday May 31 2025
Join the NOTEable Singers as they bring to life iconic numbers from both stage and screen, showcasing their signature harmonies and dynamic choreography. From timeless classics to contemporary hits, this show promises to take you on a captivating journey through the stories and songs that have shaped our entertainment landscape. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience the perfect synergy of live theater and film music, delivered with the exceptional flair that only the NOTEable Singers can provide. Mark your calendars and get ready for a night where every note and every scene collide in spectacular harmony!
Bloomington Center for the Arts
Medalist Concert Band: Celebrations!
Sunday May 18 2025
Join the celebration in a program sure to elicit feelings of joy! Featuring “Celebrations,” by Twin Cities composer John Zdechlik, and the winner of the 2025 student concerto competition.
Bloomington Center for the Arts
Bloomington Chorale: Passport to Song
Between Friday May 16 2025 and Saturday May 17 2025
HOP ABOARD and travel with the Bloomington Chorale on a springtime musical journey!
Route 66, Africa, New York New York, Sentimental Journey, just to name a few!
Bloomington Center for the Arts
Story Arts of MN: StoryFest 2025
Saturday April 5 2025
Story Arts of Minnesota presents "StoryFest 2025." This FREE annual festival brings storytelling opportunities to a wide spectrum of enthusiasts, ranging from adults to children and from novice to professionals. Come join us for a day full of workshops, a variety of stories to listen to, and storytelling opportunities.
The first morning session (Laura Packer - 10:30am-12:00pm) is the only workshop requiring paid registration. All other sessions are free.
Bloomington Center for the Arts
Continental Ballet Company: Sleeping Beauty
Between Saturday March 15 2025 and Sunday March 23 2025
Continental Ballet Company's "Sleeping Beauty" is a fairy tale told through the art of classical ballet. It begins with the birth of Princess Aurora and visits from her fairy godmothers. She is bestowed with many gifts and one curse that puts her into a deep sleep, only to be awoken by her true love’s kiss. The work is set to Tchaikovsky’s beautiful music, with exquisite dancing, costumes and sets. Appropriate for all ages.
Bloomington Center for the Arts
Medalist Concert Band: The Music of John Williams
Sunday March 2 2025
From Jaws to Jurassic Park, the most memorable movie themes have been composed by John Williams. Take your seat for this performance of cinema favorites by “the Mozart of the movies.”
Bloomington Center for the Arts
Angelica Cantanti: Broadway, Movie & Pop Songs Concert
Sunday February 23 2025
Five youth choirs with singers in Grades 2 - 12 will perform choral favorites at our Annual Fundraiser Concert & Silent Auction event to support the Angelica Choir organization.
Bloomington Center for the Arts
Medalist Concert Band: Sounds of the Season
Sunday December 22 2024
Enjoy both classic and contemporary favorites in this popular holiday program from the Medalist Concert Band.
Bloomington Center for the Arts
Bloomington Chorale: Winter Tapestry
Between Friday December 20 2024 and Saturday December 21 2024
Enjoy a collection of heartwarming holiday favorites old and new including: “Magnificat” (Rutter), “Feliz Navidad,” “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” “What Child is This,” and many more.
Bloomington Center for the Arts
Continental Ballet Company: The Nutcracker
Between Saturday December 7 2024 and Sunday December 15 2024
Come enjoy this holiday classic with Continental Ballet Company during this festive season! The ballet is to feature CBC’s professional company members.
Please note: CBC is offering a special condensed performance on Friday, December 13th at 10:00am, intended primarily for students and visiting senior centers.
Bloomington Center for the Arts
Continental Ballet Company: Student Review / Demonstration
Friday December 13 2024
We invite family and friends to come to an onstage demonstration of what our students have accomplished this first half of the season. Each class will demonstrate a different ballet exercise with teachers providing explanation of what muscles and technique they are working on. Company members will perform a few solos dispersed throughout the program and all students will perform a finale together on stage. This will be both entertaining and educational and a wonderful opportunity for our students to gain stage experience.
Bloomington Center for the Arts
Concerto Dance: Two Suites
Between Friday November 22 2024 and Saturday November 23 2024
Concerto Dance presents "Two Suites," a pair of entirely new works by Artistic Director Jolene Konkel. Performed in the Black Box Theater, this program will feature a modern dance suite set to a reimagined Vivaldi's "Four Seasons," contrasted against a swingin' new jazz dance suite. Don't miss the two sides of Concerto Dance in this special program!
Friday night features a special add-on ticket for Concerto's annual Swing Dance Fundraiser following the performance. The $25 add-on ticket includes a swing dance lesson, drinks, and dessert.
Bloomington Center for the Arts
Bloomington Symphony Orchestra: Musical Countrysides
Sunday November 17 2024
Take a walk with the BSO! For this concert, we will show our appreciation and thanks for nature’s bounty by playing two well-known and beloved works that celebrate the outdoors. First, we’ll envision the rolling hills and fields of the harvest with music from the ballet repertoire through American composer Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring. After intermission, settle in for another view of the beauty of nature in all its peace and ferocity as the BSO performs the legendary “Pastoral” Symphony by Ludwig van Beethoven. In his Sixth Symphony in F Major, Beethoven explores good feelings, calm, and the outright fear of a mighty storm in the five movements that make up this expression of love for the outdoors that sustained his soul during some of his darkest personal moments.
To our returning patrons: Note this year's change to our concert start time, now beginning at 2pm.
Bloomington Center for the Arts
Medalist Concert Band: American Songbook
Sunday November 10 2024
Songbooks have a rich legacy in American music, preserving pieces from across the oral tradition. This concert will feature “Southern Harmony,” based on an 1835 songbook of the same name.
Note to patrons: Season passes are available for sale until Thursday, November 7th at 11:59pm. After this date and time, only single concert tickets are available for purchase. Season passes will not be available for sale to walk-up patrons on Sunday, November 10th.
Bloomington Center for the Arts
Continental Ballet Company: Beer & Ballet
Friday October 11 2024
Come enjoy a fun, casual look at Continental Ballet Company's "Beer & Ballet" in the Black Box Theater. Company members will premiere original choreography in several short dances, presenting diverse styles of classical ballet in an exciting evening program. Beverages are to be served in the lobby by North Star Tavern, with non-alcoholic options also available. This fundraiser is a treat for all and is one of CBC's favorite events of the year.
Bloomington Center for the Arts
Discover Dance: Performance and Education Series
Saturday September 28 2024
Join Continental Ballet Company, Concerto Dance, and Threads Dance Project in a participatory day of dance discovery! Youth and adult workshops and masterclasses will be taught between 12:30-5:30pm, with the day concluding in a 7pm Black Box Theater performance featuring all companies.
Bloomington Center for the Arts
Continental Ballet Company: Spring Student Recital
Thursday June 20 2024
The School of Continental Ballet Company invites you to its annual Spring 2024 Recital! Students are excited to perform delightful dances they have learned in ballet classes during the 2023-2024 studio season.
Bloomington Center for the Arts
Black to Life: A Black Music Month Celebration
Between Thursday June 13 2024 and Friday June 14 2024
In honor of Black Music Month in June, Bloomington Center for The Arts and The Avant Garde invite you to attend "Black To Life: A Black Music Month Celebration" during the season of Juneteenth! This two day series will be an amazing showcase of Minnesota's top artists representing different genres of Black Music, ranging from Gospel and R&B to Jazz and Hip-Hop.
Thur, June 13th will spotlight R&B/Soul and Gospel Music, featuring Jamecia Bennett (Grammy Award Winner) and Courtland Pickens with KNOWN MPLS! Fri, June 14th will feature Jazz and Hip-Hop, with Jazz great Ben Williams (Grammy Award Winner) and Hip-Hop artist Lewiee Blaze!
Lifetime achievement awards will be given to Twin Cities Black music legends Pete Rhodes, Kimberly Rhodes (Black Music America) and Kathleen Johnson (Musicians 4 Musicians). Hosted by The Avant Garde founder, Chadwick “Niles” Phillips. Join us in celebrating the greatness of Black music!
Bloomington Center for the Arts
Alive & Kickin: The 70's - Can You Dig It?
Between Thursday June 6 2024 and Sunday June 9 2024
The Rockin' Seniors of Alive & Kickin' are thrilled to be back in Bloomington presenting: "The 70's - Can You Dig It?" Come join the party and enjoy this action-packed decades show, featuring the pivotal and influential music of the 1970's!
A&K will host the Rockin' After-Party immediately following the show on Fri, June 7th. Tickets to this special evening support the nonprofit mission and work of A&K. Appetizers, desserts, and fun included. Meet the cast and staff of A&K, dance to the music of the '70s, relive memories and create new ones!
Bloomington Center for the Arts
NOTEable Singers: Elements of Nature!
Saturday June 1 2024
Join the NOTEable Singers are we celebrate our 50th season! Enjoy songs about the elements, and experience weather and seasons in a whole new way!
Bloomington Center for the Arts
Medalist Concert Band: Wild Symphony
Sunday May 19 2024
"Wild Symphony," by "Da Vinci Code" author Dan Brown, presents 20-plus engaging musical portraits of animals. Guest soloist: 2024 Concerto Competition winner.
Bloomington Center for the Arts
Concerto Dance: The Adventures of Peer Gynt
Between Thursday May 16 2024 and Saturday May 18 2024
Utilizing their signature blend of theatrical and classical jazz styles, Concerto Dance presents "The Adventures of Peer Gynt", a new jazz dance work set to Duke Ellington’s arrangement of Edvard Grieg's Peer Gynt Suite.
The work follows the story of Peer's wild adventures in search for meaning and significance, only to return home in realization that his life was wasted searching for something he already had: The love he longed for.
This event is located in the Black Box Theater and is recommended for ages 8 and up.
Bloomington Center for the Arts
Bloomington Chorale: Together We Are...
Between Friday May 17 2024 and Saturday May 18 2024
A choral performance highlighting community, friendship, family and unity. Selections include: We Are Family, Bridge Over Troubled Waters, We are the World, Brothers Sing On, We Are the Champions and many more.
Bloomington Center for the Arts
Story Arts of MN: StoryFest 2024
Saturday May 4 2024
Story Arts of Minnesota presents "StoryFest 2024." This FREE annual festival brings storytelling opportunities to a wide spectrum of enthusiasts, ranging from adults to children and from novice to professionals. Come join us for a day full of workshops, a variety of stories to listen to, and storytelling opportunities.
Please note that the first workshop of the day is a required $35 registration (Jim Stowell, "From the Page to the Stage," 9:30am-11:00am). Patrons may purchase registration through the "Register Now" button on this page. Walk-up registration will be available the morning of Saturday, May 4th, with a cash option.
All other StoryFest events (11:00am-9:00pm) are free and do not require registration - all are welcome.
For a full schedule of events and for more information, visit:
Bloomington Center for the Arts
Continental Ballet Company: Coppelia
Between Saturday March 16 2024 and Sunday March 24 2024
ANNOUNCEMENT: The show on Sunday, March 24, 2024 has been cancelled due to inclement weather.
Continental Ballet Company presents the classical ballet "Coppelia". In this ballet, Swanhilda is engaged to Franz but finds him flirting with a mysterious new girl sitting on the balcony of Dr. Coppelius toy shop. He doesn't realize this is a life-like doll. Swanhilda discovers the truth and she sneaks into the toy shop with her friends. Much frenzy and chaos happens.
This ballet is beautiful and humorous to delight people of all ages.
Bloomington Center for the Arts
Medalist Concert Band: Words into Music
Sunday March 3 2024
Poems, folk tales, and stories are amplified through music and featured in settings by composers such as Grainger, Vaughan Williams, and Copland.
Bloomington Center for the Arts
Angelica Cantanti: Broadway, Movie & Pop Songs
Sunday February 25 2024
Five youth choirs with singers in Grades 2 - 12 will perform choral pop songs at our Annual Fundraiser Concert & Silent Auction event to support the Angelica Cantanti Youth Choirs.
SILENT AUCTION event starts at 1:00pm and between concerts in the lobby.
Bloomington Center for the Arts
Medalist Concert Band: Sounds of the Season
Sunday December 17 2023
Enjoy both classic and contemporary favorites in this popular holiday program by the Medalist Concert Band.
Bloomington Center for the Arts
Bloomington Chorale: A Season of Joy
Between Friday December 15 2023 and Saturday December 16 2023
This Holiday showcase of choral music will bring the warmth of the season to all. Selections include Sleigh Ride, Jingle Bells, Holiday Tango, Eight Days of Light, O Holy Night and more.
Bloomington Center for the Arts
Continental Ballet Company: The Nutcracker
Between Saturday December 2 2023 and Sunday December 10 2023
Enjoy this holiday classic tale of a girl's gift of a nutcracker and her visit to the Land of the
Sugarplum Fairy. This ballet makes for a great family tradition.
35th Anniversary Celebration of Continental Ballet Company: Sat, December 2nd
A special condensed version of this show will be offered Fri, December 8th at 10:00am for students, home school families, and senior citizens.
The previously-advertised "Pay-What-You-Can" performance on Fri, December 1st has been cancelled due to an internal scheduling conflict. CBC apologizes for this inconvenience.
Bloomington Center for the Arts
Continental Ballet Company: Winter Student Recital
Saturday December 9 2023
Continental Ballet Company invites you to their annual Winter Student Recital for ballet students ages 3 to 18 years old. These students are excited to demonstrate what they have accomplished in classes this year and to be on stage in the Schneider Theater. Student dances will be interspersed with performances from professional company members of CBC.
Come and encourage these young students in a delightful, enjoyable program of ballet.
Bloomington Center for the Arts
Bloomington Symphony: Favorites: Yours, Mine, and Ours
Sunday November 19 2023
If you are a music lover who frequents concerts of the BSO, you have likely enjoyed works that you hum at work or sing in the shower! In this concert, the BSO will play a few of these favorites, and feature our concertmaster, Michael Sutton, in a solo performance of Violin Concerto in E Major by Johann Sebastian Bach. This concert will also include music by Richard Wagner, Morton Gould, Samuel Barber, and Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. Be ready to widen your shower singing repertoire! A post-concert reception will follow.
Bloomington Center for the Arts
Concerto Dance: Swingin' it Forward
Between Saturday November 18 2023 and Sunday November 19 2023
Join Concerto in the Black Box Theater for our annual fundraiser event, featuring a company performance of our jazz dance favorites, with a special preview of our newest work. Dessert reception, swing dance lesson, and social dance hour included in Saturday ticket!
Bloomington Center for the Arts
Threads Dance Project: Let America Be America
Between Thursday November 16 2023 and Friday November 17 2023
Presented by Threads Dance Project, "Let America Be America" merges dance and spoken word. The work poses the idea that America has never been great for all, but it can be.
Threads Dance recommends the content of this show for ages 12+
Bloomington Center for the Arts
Medalist Concert Band: Americans We
Sunday November 12 2023
Henry Fillmore dedicated his march "Americans We" to "all of us." In that spirit, this program offers something to everyone, from marches to musicals!
Bloomington Center for the Arts
Continental Ballet Company: Beer & Ballet
Friday October 27 2023
Join us for this fun and creative fundraising event. The program will include new choreography designed for the more casual Black Box Theater setting, with beverages and raffle tickets for sale.
Bloomington Center for the Arts
Bobby van Deusen
Friday June 23 2023
Good news! The trio of Bobby van Deusen (past member of the Barbary Coast Dixieland Band), Steve Pikal (also formerly with the BCDB), and Danny Coots (fabulous drummer from Nashville) will be appearing at the Schneider Theater on Friday, June 23, 2023 with an exciting concert. Their performance will feature music from Broadway shows such as Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, Sound of Music, and Oklahoma, as well as classical, ragtime and other popular styles of music. Audience participation is always included.
Bobby has won the World Piano Contest Senior Division in 2019 and again in 2022. He continues to tour the nation, receiving
standing ovations after each performance. This is a performance you do not want to miss!
Bloomington Center for the Arts
Continental Ballet Company Student Recital
Thursday June 22 2023
Continental Ballet Company invites you to their annual Student Recital for ballet students ages 3 to 18 years old. These students are excited to demonstrate what they have accomplished in classes this year and to be on stage in the Schneider Theater. Student dances will be interspersed with performances from professional company members of CBC.
Come and encourage these young students in a delightful, enjoyable program of ballet.
Bloomington Center for the Arts
Discover Dance Series
Between Thursday June 15 2023 and Saturday June 17 2023
The Discover Dance Series weekend dance festival features performances by four local dance companies representing a variety of styles.
This all-ages event allows the audience to discover and experience the joy and power of the art of dance!
Evening performances take place June 15-17 starting at 7 p.m. and feature:
Alternative Motion Project (Modern)
Concerto Dance (Jazz)
The Continental Ballet Company (Ballet)
Rhythm Street Movement (Tap)
Concert ticket includes free masterclass with separate masterclass registration (see below)
Bloomington Center for the Arts
Discover Dance Masterclasses
Saturday June 17 2023
As part of the Discover Dance Series, masterclasses will be offered by each company at Bloomington Center for the Arts on Saturday June 17, 1 - 3:30 p.m. Classes are geared to dancers ages 12 and up.
Entrance to any masterclass is included with a ticket to a Discover Dance performance on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday evening. To participate in masterclasses only, $10 registration is available here.
Class Schedule and Locations
Session 1, 1 - 2 p.m.
Open/Intro Level Ballet - Studio
Experienced Level Modern - Rehearsal Hall
Open Level Jazz - Stage
Experienced Tap - Black Box
Session 2, 2:15 - 3:14 p.m.
Experienced Ballet -Studio
Open Level Modern - Rehearsal Hall
Experienced Jazz - Stage
Open Level Tap - Black Box
Bloomington Center for the Arts
Alive and Kickin: Renaissance
Between Thursday June 8 2023 and Saturday June 10 2023
Alive & Kickin is ready to ROCK & REdefine stereotypes around aging in an ALL NEW Original Production! REnaissance features stories and songs from the A&k cast of thirty-eight seniors. Celebrate the "RE" moments that can shape, influence, or change the course of your life. Get ready to sing, dance, and be REenergized - REnewed - REdiscovered!
Choose Your Own Price (Thursday & Saturday): $19, $34, or $49
• All seats are “worth” $34, but please choose the price that best fits your ability to pay.
• If you are able to pay $49, THANK YOU! You are subsidizing the cost of admission for someone else who is able to pay $19.
• These prices are available for any seat, but there are limited numbers of each ticket price available.
Groups: 10-19, $28/ticket; 20+, $26/ticket
Friday: All seats $44. Admission includes the Rockin’ After Party
All ticket purchases are subject to a small service fee.
Bloomington Center for the Arts
All The Things She Said: Evolution of Girl Groups
Saturday June 3 2023
The NOTEables Singers Present - All The Things She Said: Evolution of Girl Groups
Join us for an evening of song and dance as we explore how “girl groups” have evolved from the 1930s to the present. From the Andrews Sisters and the Pointer Sisters to the Weather Girls, the Spice Girls, and the Indigo Girls, enjoy music from every era that have made girl groups so popular and influential.
Bloomington Center for the Arts
Bloomington Chorale Presents: "Come Alive! It's Showtime"
Between Friday May 19 2023 and Saturday May 20 2023
The Bloomington Chorale Spring Concert "Come Alive! It's Showtime" is a celebration of songs from stage and screen. Many old and new favorites will be performed including Moon River, an Andrew Lloyd Webber medley (yes, with Phantom of the Opera!) and many more.
You are sure to enjoy this special concert with selected music from Broadway and movies!
Bloomington Center for the Arts
