Yo-Yo Ma, Alvin Ailey Dance top phenomenal new season at UAB’s Alys Stephens Center

The season begins with percussionist Sheila E. Sept. 15, followed by a year of performances by artists including Bruce Hornsby, Emmylou Harris, Marc Broussard, Maceo Parker and free shows by Spanish Harlem Orchestra and Red Baraat.

A diverse new season filled with some of the most moving and talented artists and performances the world has to offer is set to kick off in September, presented by the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center.

Explore the new season online and purchase tickets at AlysStephens.org, or call the center’s Box Office at 205-975-2787. When you become an ASC season subscriber, choose three or more shows to create your own package and save 15 percent on the total price; UAB students, faculty and staff can save 25 percent. UAB student tickets are $10 for most shows. UAB staff and faculty can get discounted tickets and ticket packages.

Click on the artists below for full performance details. Additional educational and free events with the artists may be announced.

The Alys Stephens Center’s 2017-2018 season of performances includes:

sheila e 2017 asc announceSheila E.Friday, Sept. 15

Sheila E, world-class drummer and percussionist, 8 p.m. Tickets are $59, $49 and $39.


Friday, Sept. 22

Ballet Hispánico, with an all-Latina choreographed engagement, 8 p.m. Tickets are $45, $35 and $25.


Thursday, Sept. 28

Jazz pianist prodigy Joey Alexander and his trio in “The Essentials Vol. 6: The Future of Jazz,” hosted by Eric Essix, 7 p.m. Tickets are $40.


joey alexander 2017 seasonJoey AlexanderThursday, Oct. 12

Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Grammy-winning salsa and Latin jazz band, a ¡Celebración! free outdoor event, 7 p.m.


Friday, Oct. 13

Robert Cray, Blues Hall of Fame singer/guitarist/songwriter, 8 p.m. Tickets are $59, $49 and $39.


Thursday, Oct. 19

The Triplets of Belleville, a live cinema-concert recreation of the classic animated French film, 7 p.m. Tickets are $25.


david holt 2017 seasonDavid HoltSunday, Oct. 29

David Holt, Grammy-winning Southern folk musician/storyteller, 3 p.m. Tickets are $15 adults; $10 students/children.


Friday, Nov. 3

An Evening with Bruce Hornsby, solo, 8 p.m. Tickets are $68, $58 and $48.


Sunday, Nov. 5

Emmylou Harris, 7 p.m., with pre-show dinner, special Alys Stephens Center member pricing. Meet-and-greet package or VIP package available. Call 205-975-2787 for package purchases. Performance tickets are $76, $66 and $56.


modigiliani 2017 seasonModigliani QuartetFriday, Nov. 10

Dionne Warwick, 8 p.m. Tickets are $76, $66 and $56.


Sunday, Nov. 12

Modigliani Quartet, part of the Salon Series, performing Mozart, Saint-Saëns and Dvořák, 2 p.m. Tickets are $55 with on-stage seating and VIP reception; $35 choral balcony seating.


Friday, Nov. 17

Illusionist Kevin Spencer, 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 adults; $10 students/children. A sensory-friendly performance is set for 11 a.m. Nov. 18.


underground railroad 2017 season“Sing to Freedom: Music and Stories of the Underground Railroad”Sunday, Dec. 10

Holiday Soul with Eric Essix and friends, 7 p.m. Tickets are $40.


Saturday, Jan. 20, 2018

Ballet Memphis, Alabama Dance Festival, presenting “I Am” with four commissioned pieces, 8 p.m. Tickets are $45, $35 and $25.


Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018

“Sing to Freedom: Music and Stories of the Underground Railroad” featuring Reggie Harris, 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 adults; $10 students/children.


Sunday, Feb. 11, 2018

alvin ailey 2017 seasonAlvin Ailey American Dance TheaterDavid Finckel, cello, and Wu Han, piano, part of the Salon Series, performing “The Passionate Cello,” a program of works by Beethoven, Schumann, Mendelssohn and Grieg, 2 p.m. Tickets are $55 with on-stage seating and VIP reception; $35 choral balcony seating.


Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, due to the size of this production, this Center performance will be at the BJCC Concert Hall, 7 p.m. Tickets are $76, $56, $36 and $28.


Friday, Feb. 16-Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018

Kid Koala’s “Nufonia Must Fall – Live!” based on the graphic novel. A live animation film with live music, 8 p.m. Tickets are $25.


michael mcdonald 2017 seasonMichael McDonaldSunday, Feb. 25, 2018

Michael McDonald, 7 p.m. Tickets are $85, $72 and $59.


Saturday, March 3, 2018

Third Coast Percussion, with drummer Glenn Kotche of Wilco and UAB Percussion, in residence, featuring the world premiere of an Alys Stephens Center commissioned piece, 7 p.m. Tickets are $25.


Saturday, March 17, 2018

Marc Broussard St. Patrick’s Day Show, 8 p.m. Tickets are $40.


Friday, March 23, 2018

marc broussard 2017 seasonMarc BroussardAngelique Kidjo, Grammy Award-winning Beninese singer-songwriter and activist, 8 p.m. Tickets are $40. (A free lecture will be presented by UAB’s Institute for Human Rights at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 22).


Sunday, March 25, 2018

Jerusalem Quartet, part of the Salon Series, performing a program of Mozart, Janacek and Beethoven, 5 p.m. Tickets are $55 with on-stage seating and VIP reception; $35 choral balcony seating.


Thursday, March 29, 2018

ronald 2017 seasonRonald K. Brown’s EVIDENCEThe Victor Wooten Trio, featuring legendary bass player Wooten, Dennis Chambers, drums, and Bob Franceschini, saxophone, 7 p.m. Tickets are $40.


April 19-21, 2018

Ronald K. Brown’s EVIDENCE in residence, with performances 7:30 p.m. nightly. Tickets are $45, $35 and $25; all tickets $25 on opening night.


Thursday, April 26, 2018

Brooklyn Bhangra band Red Baraat, free IndiaFest outdoor concert, 7 p.m.

yo yo may 2017 seasonYo-Yo MaSunday, May 6, 2018

Cellist Yo-Yo Ma, star of the Alys Stephens Center’s Viva Health Starlight Gala. Alys Stephens Center member tickets to Ma’s concert are $150. General public tickets are $175 now; tickets will increase to $200 from Oct. 1, and to $250 from Jan. 1. All tickets to the 2018 Viva Health Starlight Gala starring Yo-Yo Ma include an elegant pre-performance cocktail reception and seating for the performance.


Friday, May 11, 2018

Funk, soul and jazz saxophonist Maceo Parker, 8 p.m. Tickets are $40.


Saturday, May 12-Sunday, May 13, 2018

yellow brick road 2017 season“Down the Yellow Brick Road”“Down the Yellow Brick Road,” a family-fun adaptation of the timeless classic, performances at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. May 12 and at 3 p.m. May 13. Tickets are $15 adults; $10 students/children.


Saturday, June 16, 2018

LOCAL 2018, outdoor festival celebrating all things Alabama, 5 p.m. Free.


Friday, June 22-Saturday, June 23, 2018

SESSIONS Singer/Songwriter series, a showcase of local singer-songwriters, 8 p.m. Tickets are $20.

UAB faculty may purchase $25 tickets; but a limited number of $25 tickets are available for most performances.

sessions 2017 seasonSESSIONS Singer/Songwriter seriesUAB students may purchase $10 tickets. UAB student tickets must be purchased with valid student ID at the ASC Box Office. Limit one ticket per student, and a limited number of tickets are available for each show. Faculty and staff may receive a 20 percent discount on single tickets. No discounted tickets are available for Alvin Ailey or the Viva Health Starlight Gala. For tickets, call 205-975-2787 or visit www.AlysStephens.org.