Performances for Schools
Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts is proud to provide four live educational events free of charge to local students and school groups during the 2026-2027 Center Presents Season in partnership with Allied Solutions.
These free matinee performances allow students to enjoy a wide variety of live arts experiences with the opportunity to ask questions of the artists after each program. Some student matinees also include the availability of educational resources such as classroom activity ideas, study guides and supplemental content.
NOTE: For homeschool groups, each family must register individually.
School groups are invited to apply for reimbursement of transportation costs through Allied Solutions Center’s Transportation Grant Program.
For questions, email SchoolPrograms@TheCenterPresents.org or call 317.819.3523.
2026-2027 Student Matinees
Pricing: $25-$75 FREE!
Registration for groups smaller than 20 (including homeschools) will open six weeks prior to each performance. Sign up to receive email reminders when small group registration opens!
Demola!
Thu October 1 | 10AM
Payne & Mencias Palladium
Registration now open for schools!
Homeschool Registration: Aug. 18, 2026
Grades: 3 - 12
Subjects: Music, Social Studies
Length: 50 minutes followed by 15-minute Q&A
Registration Deadline: Sept. 17, 2026
Born in Nigeria and now based in Houston, Demola is a singer-songwriter, record producer and award-winning, self-taught, multi-genre violinist. His music draws from many genres and cultures around the world, including Afrobeat, reggae, hip-hop, jazz, classical, country and rock. He has become a viral and social media sensation, with over 3.5 million followers across platforms.
Hasta La Muerte
Thu October 29 | 10AM
Payne & Mencias Palladium
School Registration: Aug. 4, 2026
Homeschool Registration: Sept. 15, 2026
Grades: 3 - 12
Subjects: Music, Social Studies, Storytelling, Art
Length: 45 minutes followed by 15-minute Q&A
Registration Deadline: Oct. 15, 2026
Hasta La Muerte is an enthralling new production created by Las Cafeteras in the spirit of the Indigenous/Mexican practice known as Day of the Dead. The two-act theatrical and musical performance revisits Mexican folklore to tell new stories, engage old archetypes, challenge patriarchy, uplift the role of curanderas and re-examine our imagination about “death” and the “afterlife.”
Big Bang Boom
Mon February 1 | 10AM
Payne & Mencias Palladium
School Registration: Aug. 4, 2026
Homeschool Registration: Dec. 15, 2026
Grades: PreK - 3
Subjects/Topics: Music, Cooperation/Teamwork, Listening/Following Directions, Imagination/Creativity
Download education materials
Length: 60 minutes followed by 15-minute Q&A
Registration Deadline: Jan. 18, 2027
This three-piece power pop band – featuring musicians Chuck Folds (brother of Ben Folds), Steve Willard and Eddie Walker – plays “parent-friendly, educational children’s music.” Their songs mix alternative, hip-hop, rock, country and other genres to create music that both adults and children can enjoy, because Big Bang Boom songs are fun and they teach you things! The band has released several albums and performed at major festivals.
TaikoProject
Wed April 28 | 10AM
Payne & Mencias Palladium
School Registration: Aug. 4, 2026
Homeschool Registration: March 16, 2027
Grades: 2 - 8
Subjects: Music, Social Studies, Art, Science
Length: 45 minutes followed by 15-minute Q&A
Registration Deadline: Apr. 14, 2027
TaikoProject has astonished audiences worldwide since 2000, blending ancient Japanese taiko drumming tradition and 21st century American innovation to create a riot of movement and thundering rhythm. The group has performed on the Academy Awards, the Grammy Awards and NBC’s The Voice and has performed and recorded with artists including Stevie Wonder, Peter Gabriel, Hans Zimmer, Alicia Keys and John Legend.
