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ArtsLIVE

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Bringing Luminaries in the Arts to Campus

Since being founded in 1961, the University of Dayton's ArtsLIVE program brings luminaries in the arts to campus. Over a thousand artists, as soloists or in ensembles, have performed and dozens of other writers, actors and composers have spoken in presentations open to campus and community.

Throughout the years, ArtsLIVE has demonstrated the University's commitment to excellence, innovation and diversity, bringing in artists who reflect the culture and concerns of the times.

Keeping Legacies Alive

The spirit of these beloved Dayton area legacies are continued through ArtsLIVE.

Cityfolk

Cityfolk was a small but mighty non-profit presented hundreds of exceptional world and traditional music concerts over three decades. To the regret of many, Cityfolk closed its doors in 2014 — but left a real legacy at the University.

The outstanding jazz programming presented by ArtsLIVE was the direct result of Cityfolk's work: these concerts and residencies are supported by a substantial endowment established by Cityfolk with support from the JazzNet program of the Doris Duke Foundation.

Vanguard Concerts

Founded by Elana and Vince Bolling in 1962, the Vanguard Concerts were a popular chamber music program hosted by the Dayton Art Institute for more than five decades. In 2016, Vanguard Concerts ended its long run at its original home. That same year, the University of Dayton agreed to extend the Vanguard legacy.

Now, with support from a Vanguard Legacy Endowment established by the Bollings, the same high-caliber classical chamber concerts continue in a new home. Vanguard Legacy Concerts are presented in the Roger Glass Center for the Arts concert hall on occasional Sunday afternoons during the academic year.
Marian Anderson performs in the UD Fieldhouse Van Cliburn waits backstage at UD Arena Chick Corea Sheri Sparkle Williams rehearses with DCDC Simon Shaheen Fred Hersh Wycliffe Gordon
History of ArtsLIVE

Marian Anderson, who in 1955 was the first African-American to perform at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, was one of the first featured artists. Admission was just a dollar when she performed at the UD Fieldhouse.

The selection of artists demonstrated the University’s commitment to excellence, innovation and diversity. The artists featured each decade also reflect the culture and concerns of the period.

The Sixties
  • Marian Anderson (1961-62)
  • W. H. Auden (1962-63)
  • Miriam Makeba (1969-70)
  • Basil Rathbone (1965-66)
  • Juan Serrano (1966-67)
  • Robert Penn Warren (1964-65)

The Seventies
  • Edward Albee (1979-80)
  • Van Cliburn (1972-73)
  • Eliot Fisk (1977-78)
  • Ella Fitzgerald (1974-75)
  • Marcel Marceau (1973-74)
  • Edward Villella (1974-75)

The Eighties
  • Robert Altman (1984-85)
  • Chick Corea (1985-86)
  • Guarneri String Quartet (1983-84)
  • Arlo Guthrie (1989-90)
  • John Houseman (1981-82)
  • New Irish Chamber Orchestra (1985-86)

The Nineties
  • Anonymous Four (1999-2000)
  • Ballet Hispanico (1994-95)
  • DCDC (1992-93)
  • Ensemble Galilei (1999-2000)
  • Norman Kreiger (1999-2000)
  • Kronos Quartet (1991-92)

The 2000s
  • Ronald K Brown/Evidence (2004-05)
  • Simon Shaheen (2007-08)
  • Luciana Souza (2004-05)
  • Vieux Farke Touré (2007-08)
  • Trio Apollon (2002-03)
  • Jason Vieux (2000-01)

The 2010s
  • Menahem Pressler (2011-12)
  • Imani Winds (2012-13)
  • So Percussion (2012-13)
  • Trio da Kali (2016-17)
  • Fred Hersh (2018-19)
  • LA Guitar Quartet (2018-19)

The 2020s
  • Les Delices (2020-21)
  • New Morse Code (2021-22)
  • The Harlem Quartet (2021-22)
  • David Hazeltine Trio (2022-23)
  • Trio Virado (2022-23)
  • Wycliffe Gordon (2022-23)
  • Baltimore Consort (2023-24)
  • Frank Vignola and Tessa Lark (2023-24)
  • Polina Bespalko (2023-24)
  • Sullivan Fortner Trio (2023-24)
  • Sybarite 5 (2023-24)
  • Warren Wolf (2023-24)
  • Akropolis Reed Quintet (2024-25)
  • Alicia Olatuja (2024-25)
  • Donny McCaslin Quartet (2024-25)
  • Marian Consort (2024-25)
  • OWLS (2024-25)

World Rhythms Performances
  • Kiran Ahluwalia - India (’07 & '14)
  • Francesca Blanchard - France (’16)
  • Cristina Branco – Portugal (’06)
  • Brasil Guitar Duo - Brazil (’08)
  • The Cuban Connection: Jane Bunnett, Hilario Duran and Candido Camero – Cuba (’12)
  • De Temps Antan – Quebec, Canada (’12)
  • Ensemble Heinavanker – Estonia (’19)
  • Mamadou Diabate – Mali (’03)
  • Fatoumata Diawara – Mali (’12)
  • Joe Driscoll & Sekou Kouyate - America/Guinea ('15)
  • Gao Hong & Chen Tao – China (’03)
  • Hot Club of Detroit – America-France (’13)
  • Hungarian State Folk Ensemble - Hungary (’07)
  • Hunn Huur Tu – Tuva (’11 & ’06)
  • Khumariyaan - Pakistan ('14)
  • Konono No.1 – Democratic Republic of Congo (’05)
  • Kotchenga Dance Company – Ivory Coast (’05)
  • Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba – Mali (’11)
  • Le Vent du Nord – Quebec, Canada (’11)
  • Les Yeux Noirs – France (‘04)
  • Lo Còr de la Plana – France (’09)
  • Aurelia Martinez – Honduras (’06)
  • Rahim Al Haj String Quartet – Iraq (’05)
  • Russian Renaissance – Russia (’20)
  • Rhythm in Shoes with Dallas Chief Eagle – America (’09)
  • Sahrdaya Foundation’s Don Quixote - India (’15)
  • Jean Paul Samputu and Ingeli - Rwanda (’07)
  • Simon Shaheen – Palestinian-Americal (’08 & ’11)
  • Alex Skolnick’s Planetary Coalition (’15)
  • Son de Madera – Veracruz, Mexico (’09)
  • Luciana Souza and Romero Lubambo – Brazil (’04)
  • Trio da Kali - Mali ('16)
  • Vieux Farka Touré – Mali (’07)
  • Wacongo – Democratic Republic of Congo (’10)
  • Cedric Watson and Bijou Creole ('14)
  • Taj Weekes and Adowa ('13)
  • Chen Zimbalista – Israel (’10)