Curriculum Connections: Music, West African Cultural Traditions, Reasoning and Reflecting, Social Studies, Dance CAPS In-School Program Option: Circus Play Workshop with StoryUp! https://durhamarts.org/product/storyup-aerial-theater/

Omar Ruiz-Lopez (he/him) is a distinguished musician and educator currently based in Durham, NC, with a remarkable command over multiple instruments, including violin, viola, guitar, and mandolin. His roots lie in North Carolina, having been a part of the burgeoning Triangle music scene for 13 years until his move to Nashville in 2023 and back in 2025. Born in Panama and raised in Puerto Rico, Omar's early exposure to traditional Caribbean folk songs, courtesy of his father, laid the foundation for his deep appreciation for music. Spanish is his first language, and it remains an integral part of his cultural identity. Omar will be exploring a blend of different fiddle traditions including old-time, Latin-American, and Celtic while also showcasing some of his original songs in the folk/americana tradition.

A group of misfits encounter a young Yeti named Everest, and they set off to reunite the magical creature with his family on the mountain of his namesake.

Music is the best passport to discovering the many cultures of the world! To the sound of the n'goni, balafon, djembe, naffar, derbouka and dhol, percussionist Kattam invites you to discover Africa, the Middle East and India through rhythm, song and dance! From African rap and desert dance to trance Sufi rhythm and Bollywood dance, Kattam never fails to entertain his audience. Accompanied by his monkey, Takoum, join Kattam on an incredible multicultural adventure!

Based on The Remember Balloons by Jessie Oliveros Illustrated by Dana Wulfekotte Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers Directed and choreographed by Dominic Moore-Dunson Original Score by Theron Brown Curriculum/Learning Connections: Family Illness, Alzheimer’s/Dementia, Memories, Shared Stories, Intergenerational Relationships, Extended Metaphor, Social Awareness – Empathy CAPS In-School Program Option: Claymation Residency with Mimi Herman https://durhamarts.org/product/mimi-herman/

Simba idolizes his father, King Mufasa, and takes to heart his own royal destiny. But not everyone in the kingdom celebrates the new cub's arrival. Scar, Mufasa's brother—and former heir to the throne—has plans of his own. The battle for Pride Rock is ravaged with betrayal, tragedy and drama, ultimately resulting in Simba's exile. With help from a curious pair of newfound friends, Simba will have to figure out how to grow up and take back what is rightfully his.

Curriculum Connections: Music, Photography, Film, Social Emotional Learning CAPS In-School Program Option: Shadow Puppetry – Fundamentals of Design & Performance Workshop with Matt Sandbank’s Shadow Factory https://durhamarts.org/product/matt-sandbanks-shadow-factory/

Curriculum Connections: Geography, Social Studies, Spanish language, Culture, American Sign Language (ASL), Language Arts, Musical Instruments, Career Exploration CAPS In-School Program Option: Latino Folkloric Dancing Workshop with Takiri Folclor Latino https://durhamarts.org/product/takiri-folclor-latino/

“Catch the Bluegrass Bug” when Charles & Jackson Pettee return to the Carolina Theater Family Concert Series on May 16, 2026! Tapping feet, clapping hands, call-response, and sing-along songs all add to the fancy flatpicking and catchy singing from this dynamic duo performing Bluegrass, Blues, and NC Folk music as only a father-son duo can! Together Charles & Jackson Pettee (aka Slippery Hill) invite you to join them on a journey through the multicultural sounds and instruments from around the world that make up the beautiful tapestry that is NC Folk and Bluegrass Music, and to send you into your day singing

Larry & Joe is the duo of Joropo maestro Larry Bellorín (Monagas, Venezuela) and GRAMMY-nominated bluegrass and old-time star Joe Troop (Winston-Salem, North Carolina). These two virtuosic multi-instrumentalists fuse their respective Venezuelan and Appalachian folk traditions on the harp, banjo, cuatro, fiddle, upright bass, guitar, and maracas to prove that music has no borders. Their engaging bilingual (esp / eng) program includes storytelling, humor, singalongs, and dancing.