With over 40 programs to choose from in our 2024-25 Duke Arts Presents season, there’s something for everyone! We asked our Duke Arts team to share their top show recommendations for the Pick-4 subscription and why they’re excited about them.
Single tickets are available now! Our 2024-25 season is also available through Pick-4 package purchases. With this special offer, you can choose 4 or more shows and save up to 20% off single ticket prices while accessing the best seats in the house. Pick-4 now!
Check out the Duke Arts team picks! Which experience will you choose?
Anna Wallace’s Recommendations Student Engagement Manager
1. Music Maker Foundation: Celebrating 30 Years
Soulful vocals, powerful instrumentation, and a storied history – what’s not to love? My husband and I find joy in sharing music with our toddler and we especially love sharing this genre with him.
Learn more about Music Maker Foundation: Celebrating 30 Yearshere.
2. Bill’s 44th
I’m a visual artist, so I’m drawn to anything with a strong sense of materiality. I love the way puppetry brings crafted and found objects to life to create what is often a surreal immersive experience.
My parents both worked in healthcare throughout my childhood, and I’m very drawn to artworks that pull thematically from this subject matter. I’m particularly excited for this piece to come to Duke—a place that is known for its healthcare and increasingly for its support of the arts.
Learn more about Last Ward: Yaa Samar! Dance Theaterhere.
4. Adrianne Lenker with special guest Suzanne Vallie
Big Thief is one of my favorite bands, so I’m over the moon to see Adrienne Lenker’s solo project. Lenker’s tender voice is so special and I love the stories she uses it to tell.
As a true choral music lover and vocalist myself, I am in awe of VOCES8 and their seamless harmonies. One minute I can differentiate the individual singers, and the next, it feels like I’m listening to one voice — but it’s eight! Did I mention my love for Holiday music? Count me in!
If you haven’t seen Kodo, now is the time! Taiko drumming is a visceral experience. Their energy is unmatched, and the timbre and vibration of the drums resonate through your entire body. This is the perfect show for families!
Learn more about Kodo One Earth Tour 2025: Warabehere.
3. States of Hope: HopeBoykinDance
I’ve never been a dancer, but I sure do love it! I’ve seen many Ailey II performances, and each one has left me deeply moved and inspired. I’m so excited to welcome Durham native and former Alvin Ailey dancer, Hope Boykin, to perform her new autobiographical dance-theater piece “States of Hope.”
Learn more about States of Hope: HopeBoykinDance here.
4. Adrianne Lenker with special guest Suzanne Vallie
I have been a huge fan of Adrianne Lenker and Big Thief for years! Big Thief’s “Masterpiece” has been one of my go-to autumn vibe albums since 2016. Lenker’s new album “Bright Future” is thought-provoking and oh so beautiful. I’m looking forward to seeing her in concert again!
Betsy Boulden‘s Recommendations Director of Development
1. Rooted: Ayodele Casel
As a former dancer, I am over the moon that decorated artist Ayodele Casel is coming to Durham. Tap, often presented least of all dance genres is finally getting its moment in the spotlight and I’m thrilled our audiences will be able to see how special this art form is. Not only do tappers arguably have the quickest feet of all dancers but they make their own rhythm as they go. How cool is that?
When our Director of Programming, Aaron Shackelford, first mentioned this piece, I was hooked. Picture this: the audience, in real-time, influencing the outcome of the performance through live voting. In a world where the democratic process is constantly scrutinized, a show that mirrors the chaos and theatrics of politics? Sign me up!
Learn more about Fight Night: Ontroerend Goed here.
3. Gabriel Kahane & Caroline Shaw: Hexagons
Not only do we have the privilege of hosting a Pulitzer Prize-winning North Carolinian native, Caroline Shaw, but this collaborative work promises an evening of profound contemplation. Exploring our search for meaning in the vastness of the universe? Count me in for a journey through the cosmic depths.
Learn more about Gabriel Kahane & Caroline Shaw: Hexagons here.
4. Thomanerchor Leipzig
Having undergone pre-professional dance training during my formative years, I deeply respect the dedication and intense sacrifice required in pursuit of an art form. The young boys of this German choir epitomize that dedication, training at the highest level from a tender age. Plus I cannot resist the idea of an 800 year old choir with the iconic Duke Chapel as the backdrop.
David Liu‘s Recommendations Arts + | Arts Admin Team
1. Meshell Ndegeocello: No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin
A great great R&B artist who has been on my playlist for years. 10 times Grammy nominations, 2 times Grammy wins says it all.
Learn more about Meshell Ndegeocello: No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin here.
2. States of Hope: HopeBoykinDance
Hope Boykin is one of the most exciting local dancers in Durham. This profound, ambitious, vulnerable work is a powerful excavation of an artistic life.
Learn more about States of Hope: HopeBoykinDance here.
3. Kodo One Earth Tour 2025: Warabe
This Japanese Taiko group does drums, kills comedy shows on Japanese Radio, and was even featured on Genshin Impact. I mean, they’d do everything they wanted and be very successful in ALL of them.
Learn more about Kodo One Earth Tour 2025: Warabehere.
4. Rooted: Ayodele Casel
I have always been fascinated by the techniques of tap dancers. They integrate their bodies into music, which is so hard. And when Ayodele Casel is coming to Duke, it’s a MUST-GO for me.
Frances Howorth‘s Recommendations Director of Marketing and Communications
1. Last Ward: Yaa Samar! Dance Theater
I have been following YSDT’s work since 2021, and I am beyond excited that they are on our season. In our divided world, YSDT has a unique ability to communicate shared humanity with complexity, empathy and joy. They’re simply wonderful, and I cannot wait to see them again.
Learn more about Last Ward: Yaa Samar! Dance Theaterhere.
2. Adrianne Lenker with special guest Suzanne Vallie
Adrianne Lenker’s band, Big Thief, has dominated my Spotify Wrapped for the past two years (even winning out over my 2-year-old twins’ favorite artists!) This year, Big Thief may have competition from Lenker’s solo album, Bright Future. I am so excited to get a babysitter and go see her live!
As a history buff and dance fan, this show feels perfect – it’s an opportunity to explore the history of one of American’s great original artforms with one of its greatest living practitioners. How cool is that?
My Mississippi upbringing instilled a deep love of roots music, particularly blues, and I love that we are partnering with The Music Maker Foundation for this show. It’s a mix of younger artists and some of my all-time favorites (Taj Mahal! Jackson Browne!!). It feels like a once-in-a-lifetime kind of event.
Learn more about Music Maker Foundation: Celebrating 30 Yearshere.
Jeffrey Broms‘ Recommendations Arts + | Arts Admin Team
1. Michelle Cann
Michelle Cann is easy to be excited about: a magnificent player and a respected proponent of Florence Price (who, in her own right, was a groundbreaking composer, wunderkind, dazzling pianist and organist, brilliant mind, and awe-inspiringly resilient individual), Cann engages with musical culture and with the piano with equal aptitude. I can’t wait to see Cann present this program that showcases Price and other bright composers of the same Chicagoan milieu.
If Florence Price’s work calls to mind the early- to mid-20th century, Thomanerchor Leipzig surely fills much more of musical history with this exciting program that spans centuries. The choir, founded in 1212 and directed by J.S. Bach for the last 27 years of his life, is a living artifact in itself, and, as a musician, I appreciate their well-curated and wide-ranging selections: you’ll hear works from Pachelbel to Poulenc, Brahms, Rachmaninoff, and (yes) Bach.
The excellent Jerusalem Quartet is exciting, but this particular performance is doubly so because of the marvelous program. Brahms’ Quartet in B Flat Major, written concurrently with his monumental Symphony No. 1 (nicknamed “Beethoven’s 10th”), and Shostakovich’s Quartet No. 12, a vivacious excursion into the realm of atonality, really catch my eye as top-notch selections from top-notch composers.
This show compels me to conclude my Pick-4 with something other than classical music! The Music Maker Foundation, whose mission is tremendously honorable, is celebrated by a dream team of musical titans who (I think) need no explanation: Jackson Browne, Taj Mahal, and Dom Flemons will grace the stage of Page Auditorium.
Learn more about Music Maker Foundation: Celebrating 30 Yearshere.
Jeslyn Gao‘s Recommendations Arts + | Arts Admin Team
1. Vesna Duo
The Vesna Duo has elements of novelty in everything about them, challenging the typical chamber music concept through their refreshing interpretations of classical work. They weave in aspects of their diverse background into storytelling through music, basically guaranteeing an unmissable audience experience.
Yaa Samar’s performances are always electrifying, focused on delivering a truly unique audience experience that involves engaging all five senses. This show intertwines the visual feast presented on stage with a compelling message. What power do social and cultural divides have in the face of the inevitable – death?
Learn more about Last Ward: Yaa Samar! Dance Theaterhere.
3. 32 Sounds
32 Sounds is an experience like none other that I have been to before. I am excited to see how audience interaction will play into the documentary, as well as listen to live tracks from DJ Sampson.
Who did you vote for? This social taboo of a topic is explored in Fight Night, where the audience is invited to participate in a performative vote. Though fictitious, the underlying mechanisms for choosing a candidate are real as ever, and are successful in provoking audience introspection on their own motivations for participating in an election.
Learn more about Fight Night: Ontroerend Goed here.
Max Rosselli‘s Recommendations Arts + | Arts Admin Team
1. Roy Wood Jr. and Jordan Klepper
Two comedians performing in the prime of the election season. What more can you ask for! Roy Wood Jr and Jordan Klepper are two comedic masterminds and their commentary on the current state of the world will for sure leave me smiling and in laugh-filled tears during and after the show.
Learn more about Roy Wood Jr. and Jordan Klepperhere.
2. Racine Nago
I am super excited for Racine Nago to perform at the Hayti Heritage Center. This cultural center holds so much history and life, and for a group like Racine Nago to perform there, it will fill up the venue with beautiful sound and vibrant creation. The use of drums, song and dance will for sure make for a delightful scene.
Bill’s 44th is what I would call, “A puppet show worth bringing your date to.” This “adult” puppet show melds themes of isolation and excitement, but what makes it so great is how Bill is transformed to life with just sticks and puppeteers.
4. Adrianne Lenker with special guest Suzanne Vallie
Adrianne Lenker is one of the big names I would never want to miss. As the leader of the widely popular indie band, Big Thief, her solo career is something worth giving a listen and this concert will showcase that to the fullest. Her songs are a perfect combination of storytelling and musical skillfulness, and I can’t wait for this show.
Sarah Hammond‘s Recommendations Graphic Design and Web Manager
1. 32 Sounds: Sam Green
This is a performance that feels like it’ll be a full-body experience! We have a mix of a visual cinematic experience with the music being performed live by the DJ/composer who has been in bands that I’ve been a fan of on and off through time. I’m excited to be fully immersed in a thought-provoking exploration of how sound transcends time and shapes our human experience.
The violin has been my favorite instrument since I played as a child, so naturally, the Modigliani Quartet is at the top of my list of classical performances I want to see. What’s wonderful about this quartet is that from 20 years of performing together and being close friends, I think we’ll have a rare opportunity to see an intersection of talent, dedication, and performance synergy.
This is a show that I’m excited to see for the reason of it being a rare approach to storytelling. I love the idea of a multi-leveled and sort of meta experience that engages not only the audience but even the actor on stage who is also witnessing the story in real time. Stories about loss resonate with me on a personal level, and with that added element, I think this is one I’ll really enjoy.
To say I’m excited for Kodo is an understatement. This show encapsulates everything I love in a performance: high energy and a full body immersion in the experience through sight, sound, and body. I love getting to experience art forms unique to a culture, so getting to see Taiko drumming from a group dedicated to sharing their artform feels especially special.
Learn more about Kodo One Earth Tour 2025: Warabehere.
What I find fascinating about puppetry is how it can be used as an extension of one’s self. I’m excited to see all the unique ways the puppeteers will express the playful, anxious, and self-conscious emotions we might all bury within us.
I’m new to the classical world, but as I explore this genre, I am excited to experience a recital from an artist that represents my culture with Mexican pianista, Daniela Liebman!
I was drawn to this live cinema experience because it feels like a personalized guided tour through landscapes of sound! Living in such an over-stimulating world, it will feel like a relief to slow down, process, and appreciate the many sounds we don’t catch in our day-to-day lives.
Music that pulls you into an imaginative journey is most memorable or impactful to me. Although I am not too familiar with the widely-celebrated works of Gabriel Kahane and Caroline Shaw, I’m interested to see how the story of a labyrinth library comes to life audibly.
Learn more about Gabriel Kahane & Caroline Shaw: Hexagons here.
