Opening Nights at FSU Announces 2026–2027 Season: “Stories Worth Telling”

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Opening Nights at Florida State University proudly announces its 2026–2027 season, themed Stories Worth Telling. From living legends to first-ever performances, the season gathers artists whose work is built on a single, timeless act: stepping onto a stage to tell a story worth gathering for.

“Every great performance is really an act of storytelling,” said Kevin Maynard, Executive Director of Opening Nights. “This season, we’ve brought together storytellers at the height of their craft, voices that carry us into cultures we might never otherwise encounter, and brand-new work being told aloud for the very first time. These are stories worth telling.”

The season officially opens with Americana favorites Drew & Ellie Holcomb (Sept. 4) at Ruby Diamond Concert Hall, an evening of songs that feel written just for you.

This year’s stages welcome some of the most celebrated storytellers of their generation. Six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald (Feb. 25), and Tony and Grammy winner Leslie Odom Jr. — the original Aaron Burr in Hamilton — performs with the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra (Mar. 6). Jazz at Lincoln Center arrives under the direction of legendary trumpeter Wynton Marsalis in his final season leading the ensemble (Jan. 28), a true passing of the torch live on the Ruby Diamond stage.

Stories Worth Telling also carries cultures from around the world to Tallahassee. Audiences will experience the otherworldly Tuvan throat singing of the Alash Ensemble (Oct. 29); the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine (Feb. 11), whose very presence is a testament that culture endures; the Vienna Girls Choir (Apr. 6); and the immersive Mrs. Krishnan’s Party (Feb. 17–20), where audiences don’t watch the story — they’re invited inside it.

The season further reflects Opening Nights’ commitment to bringing new work into the world. Through Opening Nights’ support, the season features two commissioned pieces: Adele Myers and Dancers’ a world gone FABULOUS (Oct. 6), and JazzReach’s TRUTH (Apr. 16), a multimedia performance honoring the life and legacy of John Coltrane.

The season is also marked by special collaborations and milestones. Academy Award, Emmy, and Grammy winner Common performs with the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra (Nov. 14), presented in partnership with Visit Tallahassee and Scott Carswell. And UK-based singer-songwriter Grace George makes her American debut (Oct. 20) at Goodwood Museum & Gardens, where she builds her acclaimed “one-woman-band” sound from guitar, looping, and soulful, smoky vocals.

Rounding out the season are blues-rock guitarist Tinsley Ellis (Sept. 15), jazz singer-songwriter Madeleine Peyroux (Sept. 24), 1950s tribute show One Night in Memphis (Oct. 2), “The President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band (Oct. 11), Cosmic Swamp Americana from Katie Skene and Friends (Nov. 10), the improv comedy of Whose Live Anyway? (Nov. 15), holiday piano with Barron Ryan (Dec. 10), Southern rock from Duane Betts & Palmetto Motel (Jan. 12), The New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players’ The Pirates of Penzance (Feb. 4), the College of Music showcase PRISM (Feb. 14), Manual Cinema’s The 4th Witch (Mar. 22), and Grammy-winning R&B and soul artist Jamison Ross (Apr. 9).

Two additional performances — each part of a national tour — will be announced in the coming weeks.

Performances take place at venues across Tallahassee, including Ruby Diamond Concert Hall, Goodwood Museum & Gardens, Opperman Music Hall, Nancy Smith Fitcher Theatre, and Adderley Amphitheater, underscoring Opening Nights’ commitment to community.

 

Tickets for performances from September through January go on sale to the public at 11 a.m. on Monday, August 3, with members receiving early access and exclusive benefits. Tickets for the remaining performances, February through April, go on sale in November. To become a member or view the full season lineup, visit My.OpeningNights.fsu.edu.

2026–2027 Season Lineup

• Drew & Ellie Holcomb — Friday, September 4, 2026 | Ruby Diamond Concert Hall
• Tinsley Ellis — Tuesday, September 15, 2026 | Goodwood Museum & Gardens
• Madeleine Peyroux — Thursday, September 24, 2026 | Opperman Music Hall
• One Night in Memphis — Friday, October 2, 2026 | Ruby Diamond Concert Hall
• Adele Myers and Dancers: a world gone FABULOUS — Tuesday, October 6, 2026 | Nancy Smith Fitcher Theatre
• “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band — Sunday, October 11, 2026 | Ruby Diamond Concert Hall
• Grace George (American Debut) — Tuesday, October 20, 2026 | Goodwood Museum & Gardens
• Alash Ensemble — Thursday, October 29, 2026 | Goodwood Museum & Gardens
• Katie Skene and Friends — Tuesday, November 10, 2026 | Goodwood Museum & Gardens
• Common w/ TSO — Saturday, November 14, 2026 | Adderley Amphitheater
• Whose Live Anyway? — Sunday, November 15, 2026 | Ruby Diamond Concert Hall
• Barron Ryan — Thursday, December 10, 2026 | Turner Auditorium
• Duane Betts & Palmetto Motel — Tuesday, January 12, 2027 | The Moon
• Jazz at Lincoln Center — Thursday, January 28, 2027 | Ruby Diamond Concert Hall
• The Pirates of Penzance — Thursday, February 4, 2027 | Ruby Diamond Concert Hall
• National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine — Thursday, February 11, 2027 | Ruby Diamond Concert Hall
• PRISM — Sunday, February 14, 2027 | Ruby Diamond Concert Hall
• Krishnan’s Party — February 17–20, 2027 | Multiple Performances
• Audra McDonald: Audra Goes Hollywood — Thursday, February 25, 2027 | Ruby Diamond Concert Hall
• Leslie Odom Jr. w/ TSO — Saturday, March 6, 2027 | Ruby Diamond Concert Hall
• Manual Cinema’s The 4th Witch — Monday, March 22, 2027 | Ruby Diamond Concert Hall
• Vienna Girls Choir — Tuesday, April 6, 2027 | Ruby Diamond Concert Hall
• Jamison Ross — Friday, April 9, 2027 | Opperman Music Hall
• JazzReach: — Friday, April 16, 2027 | Ruby Diamond Concert Hall

Two additional performances, part of national tours, to be announced.