The curtain is up, the spotlight is lit and the Milwaukee Theater District's 2025/2026 season is off to an unforgettable start. This past weekend, the Marcus Performing Arts Center (MPAC) officially launched its 2025/26 Culture Collective with an ovation-worthy premiere of "Maa Vue and The Dream Carrier." The show brought Hmong heritage to life through stirring music, graceful dance and powerful storytelling.
Now in its third year, the Culture Collective is back and continues to shine a spotlight on artists from diverse backgrounds and artistic disciplines. Running through April, this series will feature seven performances, a special student matinee and three free community events welcoming everyone into the joy of live performance. The lineup includes the exciting return of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, the Milwaukee favorite Black Violin and more, each adding to a celebration of creativity in all its forms.
Wisconsin’s eleven Native American tribes take center stage on Friday, September 26, during the Culture Collective’s first Native Heritage Celebration. This free, family-friendly event honors the rich traditions and history of Native communities, including traditional smudging, youth drumming, a panel discussion and a “Living Village” with artifacts and traditions from several tribes.
The Culture Collective isn’t just about what happens on stage. It’s about opening doors, sparking conversations and creating space for learning and connection. Throughout the season, MPAC will host masterclasses, artist Q&As, post-show talkbacks and more, all in collaboration with local schools and organizations.
Here’s what you can look forward to:
Supaman
Student Matinee Performance
Friday, September 26 | 4 p.m.
Supaman (Christian Takes Gun Parrish) is a Native American hip-hop artist and dancer from the Apsáalooke Nation in Montana, whose performances blend Native culture, comedy and urban beats. With his one-of-a-kind blend of music, dance and storytelling, Supaman shares messages of resilience, pride and inclusion, inspiring audiences of all ages while shining a spotlight on Native culture. Supaman is recommended for all ages. Reserve your tickets here.
Native Heritage Celebration
Free Community Event
Friday, September 26 | 5 p.m.
Learn about the culture and heritage of each of the eleven tribes in Wisconsin through traditional smudging, youth drumming, Native entertainment, a panel discussion and more. A “Living Village” will be open from 2-5 p.m. on the MPAC Outdoor Grounds with artifacts and traditions specific to several individual tribes. This inaugural event is free and open to the public. Learn more here.
Black Violin
Thursday, October 9 | 7:30 p.m.
Step into Black Violin’s Full Circle Tour, where GRAMMY®-nominated duo Wil Baptiste and Kev Marcus redefine the possibilities of music by merging classical depth with hip-hop’s pulse. The tour captures the spirit of origins, renewed through artistry and evolution. Each powerful performance invites audiences to reflect on their own journeys, discovering that even as we evolve, we’re often drawn back to our roots with renewed purpose. Get your tickets today!
42nd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration
Free Community Event
Monday, January 19, 2026 | 4 p.m.
Now in its 42nd year, the Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration highlights the youth in our community as they interpret Dr. King’s words through art, speech and writing contests. The theme for this year’s event is “True Peace.”
DRUMLine Live
Just Announced!
Thursday, February 5, 2026 | 7:30 p.m.
DRUMLine Live embodies the soulful, high-stepping style of the Historically Black College and University (HBCU) marching band tradition. Incorporating original compositions and soul-infused interpretations of top 40 hits, group performances range from colorful, choreographed routines to heavy doses of drum riffs and cadences. This show-stopping performance will bring you to your feet by halftime! Tickets will go on sale soon, so be sure to check back to secure your seats to this one.
8th Annual César Chávez Celebration
Free Community Event
Sunday, April 5, 2026 | 4 p.m.
This annual event pays tribute to César E. Chávez, whose work advanced the causes of labor rights, equity and human dignity. The program shines a light on Milwaukee’s youth as they present original art, speeches and writings inspired by Chávez’s words. The 2026 theme is “Knowledge.”
New Jazz Underground
Friday, April 10, 2026 | 7:30 p.m.
New Jazz Underground is setting a new standard for the future of jazz. This powerhouse trio has earned acclaim for their distinctive approach, establishing themselves as a defining voice in jazz and beyond. Blending deep jazz traditions with modern influences from swing, hip-hop, Afro-Cuban, house and Afrobeat, the group creates a dynamic and electrifying sound. New Jazz Underground brings together heritage and experimentation, reminding audiences that jazz continues to thrive and evolve.
Mariachi Herencia de México
Thursday, April 16, 2026 | 7:30 p.m.
¡Viva el mariachi! Two-time Latin GRAMMY®-nominee Mariachi Herencia de México pushes the boundaries of traditional mariachi music. Simultaneously honoring the past, celebrating the present and creating the future of mariachi music, enjoy an electrifying and unforgettable night of Mexican music and culture.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Tuesday, April 21, 2026 | 7:30 p.m.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater embarks on its next era under the leadership of new Artistic Director Alicia Graf Mack, guided as ever by Alvin Ailey’s pioneering legacy. Audiences will be treated to classic works from the Ailey repertory that have inspired and uplifted fans for decades, including the touchstone of inspiration, "Revelations," the ultimate anthem to resilience and joy. Ailey will continue to break ground with new works by contemporary choreographers that promise to propel dance in exhilarating new directions—pushing the bounds of what the human body can do and what the human spirit can achieve.
360 ALLSTARS
Friday, April 24, 2026 | 7:30 p.m.
BMX, basketball, breakdancing, acrobatics, drumming and more! 360 ALLSTARS brings street style and elite skill in a supercharged urban circus. With a stellar international cast of world champion and world record-holding athletes and artists, this is your chance to witness the global smash hit.
Looking for a Deal?
Look no further! These shows may also be combined with other MPAC Presents performances to create a Build Your Own (BYO) Series (three or more shows) for instant savings of 15%.
Get your tickets here and explore more ovation-worthy performances in the Milwaukee Theater District today!
