Discover a World of Live Performance at the ECC Arts Center

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The Elgin Community College Arts (ECC) Center’s 2026–2027 season invites you on an unforgettable journey through music, culture, comedy, and storytelling. From the sounds of Liverpool and New Orleans, the traditions of Scotland, the power of soul’s greatest divas, and the relatable laughter of family life, every show is a new destination, bringing the magic of world-class entertainment close to home.

As one of the Fox Valley’s premier destinations for live entertainment, the ECC Arts Center is celebrated for its intimate atmosphere, exceptional acoustics, and diverse programming. Over the years, the Arts Center stages have welcomed Grammy and Tony Award winners, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame icons, and stars from Hollywood and Broadway, creating extraordinary experiences for audiences of all ages.

Featuring internationally acclaimed musicians, Broadway-inspired productions, dance, comedy, and family programming, the 2026-27 season celebrates the power of the performing arts to connect people across generations, cultures, and musical traditions.

CENTERSTAGE

Saturday, September 26 | 7 pm

BritBeat: The Immersive Beatles Experience

Embark on a captivating journey through the music of The Beatles. This one-of-a-kind show blends world-class live performance with stunning multimedia, bringing the band’s legendary catalog to life.

Saturday, October 17 | 11 am & 3 pm

Sugar Skull! A Día de Muertos Adventure

This colorful, bilingual/bicultural adventure follows young Vita and a spirited candy skeleton on a magical journey to discover the heart of Día de Muertos. Packed with vibrant traditional Mexican music and dance, it’s a celebration for the entire family.

Friday, November 20 | 7:30 pm

The Fabulous Equinox Orchestra “Broadway to Bourbon Street”

Get ready for a night you won’t forget with The Fabulous Equinox Orchestra, with their new show, “Broadway to Bourbon Street.” This high-energy big band spectacular blends iconic Broadway melodies with the irresistible rhythm, heart, and swagger of New Orleans.

Friday, December 18 | 7:30 pm

Seán Heely’s Celtic Christmas

Kilts and tartans abound as U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion Seán Heely and a cast of nationally acclaimed Celtic performers take you on a magical winter tour through the Scottish Highlands and across the rugged Irish coast, featuring ancient Gaelic carols and songs, tucked in with lively Irish tunes and familiar Christmas melodies with a Celtic twist.

Saturday, January 30 | 7 pm

Skerryvore

Four-time winners of Scotland’s “Live Act of the Year” Award, Skerryvore has evolved from its humble beginnings to become one of the country’s leading forces in a thriving live music scene. The group delivers a high-octane blend of folk, rock, pop, and traditional tunes driven by fiddle, accordion, pipes, and soaring vocals.

Saturday, February 6 | 7 pm

CeCe Teneal’s “Divas of Soul”

Powerhouse vocalist CeCe Teneal celebrates 50 years of chart-topping music from artists like Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, Chaka Khan, Tina Turner, Whitney Houston, and more, featuring hits from the disco era to Motown/R&B and pop.

Friday, March 12 | 7:30 pm

International Guitar Night: 27th Anniversary

Each year, International Guitar Night brings together four of the world’s best acoustic guitarists for a once-in-a-lifetime concert tour. Returning to the Arts Center is Italian fingerstyle virtuoso Luca Stricagnoli, who wowed audiences last spring with his innovative fingerstyle techniques and multi-guitar approach. He will be joined by French guitarist Roxane Elfasci, Australian guitarist, singer, and songwriter Minnie Marks, and Grammy-winning Hawaiian slack key master Jim “Kimo” West.

Saturday, March 20 | 7 pm

Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre

Join Cerqua Rover Dance Theatre at the crossroads of heritage, culture, and identity through original dance and music. You are invited on a journey into America’s Latin diaspora, where traditional melodies and movement combine with contemporary music and gestures in a celebration of the complexities and beauty of being American.

Friday, April 9 | 7:30 pm

Steve Solomon’s My Mother’s Italian, My Father’s Jewish & I’m in Therapy

Comedian Steve Solomon's hilarious, award-winning comedy show has received rave reviews across the country, becoming one of the longest-running one-man shows in Broadway history. You’ll meet people you are all too familiar with, the family members who make you remember why you left home in the first place. It’s a laugh-filled, universally relatable look at everybody you know, have known, and some you’d like to forget and can’t.

Saturday, May 8 | 7 pm

Third Coast Percussion “Time Pieces: The New Classical”

The ECC Arts Center once again partners with Chamber Music on the Fox to present Third Coast Percussion, Chicago’s Grammy Award-winning percussion quartet and Grammy-nominated composer collective. The ensemble continues to push the boundaries of contemporary percussion performance with its ambitious and highly anticipated programming, which includes several new works alongside celebrated favorites from their two decades of repertoire.

MIDDAY MATINEES—NOW ON WEDNESDAYS

Wednesday, October 7 | 1:30 pm

Joan Curto: Both Sides Now

Chicago cabaret favorite Joan Curto celebrates the timeless artistry of singer-songwriters from the 1960s, 70s, and ‘80s, while shining a spotlight on today’s rising voices carrying the torch forward.

Wednesday, November 11 | 1:30 pm

Thanks for the Memories: A USO Tribute

This nostalgic revue takes audiences back to the golden age of big band and swing, honoring the brave men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces. Backed by a lively five-piece band, six powerhouse vocalists bring the era to life with dazzling harmonies, laugh-out-loud comedy, and classic slapstick fun.

Wednesday, March 24 | 1:30 pm

Tune In: TV Theme Shows

Grab the remote and turn up the nostalgia with a lighthearted musical journey celebrating iconic TV theme songs you can’t help but sing along to. This trip down memory lane channels the spirit of TV’s most memorable moments, featuring catchy intros, cartoon jingles, and dramatic themes in a feel-good journey through the tunes that made television magic.

Wednesday, May 19 | 1:30 pm

Jo Ann Daugherty Trio and Bruce Henry present “American Songs & Stories: Pop, Country, Soul & Jazz—Together Again”

Renowned jazz pianist Jo Ann Daugherty and velvety vocalist Bruce Henry team up again to bring the timeless sounds of pop, country, soul, and jazz into one amazing performance, recalling the days when radio played it all, and great music brought it all together.

Whether you're a longtime ECC Arts Center patron or considering your first visit, the 2026–2027 season offers countless opportunities to explore new destinations through the performing arts. No flights. No long lines. No passport required. Just extraordinary performances, unforgettable artists, and a world of discovery waiting right here at the ECC Arts Center.

Tickets go on sale for the ECC Arts Center 2026-27 season on Monday, August 10 at 12 pm. 

Reserve your seats at eccartscenter.org, by phone at 847-622-0300, or in person at the ECC Arts Center Box Office at 1700 Spartan Drive, Building H, in Elgin, Illinois.