Gift Guide: Perfect Presents for Every Arts Lover

Need gift ideas? We’ve got you! Whether your loved ones enjoy theater, comedy, music, or thought-provoking experiences, we’ve got a show for everyone on your list.

For Film & Audio Buffs

32 Sounds: Sam Green

Jan 25-26, 2025

Experience sound like never before in 32 Sounds by Oscar-nominated documentarian Sam Green. With live narration, a live soundtrack composed and performed by DJ JD Samson, and audience headphones, this profound sensory experience transforms how we hear and perceive the world around us.

For Daredevils

An Oak Tree: Tim Crouch

Feb 7-8, 2025

See the play that shaped a theatre landscape in this rare revival. When it opened in 2005, Tim Crouch’s An Oak Tree changed the rules of the game: bringing in an actor who has neither seen nor read the play.

For Music Adventurers

Ensemble Intercolor

Thu, Feb 20, 2025

Ensemble Intercolor is a trailblazing young trio that combines cimbalom, viola, clarinet and voice with their varied cultural backgrounds – the three musicians are from Belarus, Colombia and France. Conceiving of each instrument as a human voice, they create unique, unforgettable transcriptions of early vocal music.

For History Buffs with a Classical Playlist

Michelle Cann

Fri, Feb 21, 2025

Pianist Michelle Cann will make her Duke debut with “The Women of Chicago’s Black Renaissance.” This program celebrates the works, fascinating lives, and histories of groundbreaking female composers, including Florence Price, Nora Holt, Betty Jackson King, and more.

For Lovers of Quirky Comedy

Bill’s 44th

Feb 28–Mar 2, 2025

Bill’s having a party! This comedic puppet show for grown-ups includes many styles of puppetry, raucous balloons, and a cheeky piece of crudité all collide to examine the pitfalls of impatience, the wonder of loneliness, and the universal passage of time.

For Choral Enthusiasts:

Thomanerchor Leipzig

Tue, Mar 11, 2025

Hailed by The New York Times as “magnificent” and “ethereal,” the historic German boys’ choir Thomanerchor Leipzig captivates audiences worldwide with its impeccable renditions of sacred and secular music. Their program features works by over ten composers, including Bach.

For Those Who Always Tap a Beat

Kodo One Earth Tour 2025: Warabe

Sun, Mar 23, 2025

Transport yourself into a realm of traditional Japanese art with Kodo, a taiko troupe that blends rhythmic precision with spectacular expression and physicality. This production blends simple forms of taiko expression that celebrate the unique sound, resonance, and physicality synonymous with Kodo.

For Visionary Thinkers

Meshell Ndegeocello: No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin

Fri, Apr 18, 2025

GRAMMY®-winning musician Meshell Ndegeocello will perform from her newest album No More Water: The Gospel Of James Baldwin, a striking homage to the eminent American writer and activist James Baldwin.

Worried about scheduling? We are offering free exchanges for tickets from now through the end of the year! That means that your recipient can exchange the value of any gifted tickets to any other Duke Arts Presents event, no fees added.

How will people get the gift? Let them know directly! We’ve made graphics for you to print, text, or email – find them here. To formally transfer tickets to another person, email tickets@duke.edu with your confirmation number and the recipient’s name and email address. Please note that requests sent after Dec 18 will be processed in January.


Duke University Box Office Information

Please note the Duke University Box Office will be closed from December 19 – January 6. During this time, email tickets@duke.edu with any inquiries, and they will respond in the new year.