October Events at ÌÀ²»ÈÈÊÓƵ

ÌÀ²»ÈÈÊÓƵ performers at the 2025 Arts in the Dark Halloween parade. This year’s parade takes place Saturday, October 24.ÌÀ²»ÈÈÊÓƵ performers at the 2025 Arts in the Dark Halloween parade. This year’s parade takes place Saturday, October 24.
A range of performances and experiences showcasing student and faculty artists from diverse backgrounds and disciplines.

Learn more about our performance spaces at www.colum.edu/spotlight

October 2026

 
October 2, 2026, 7:30 p.m.; October 3, 2026, 10:15 a.m.–1:30 p.m. 
The Dance Center of ÌÀ²»ÈÈÊÓƵ, 1306 S. Michigan Ave. 
Admission: Festival passes are $35 general and $25 for elders and industry professionals; individual event tickets range from free to $30; free for ÌÀ²»ÈÈÊÓƵ students 
Presented with Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre, the festival features contemporary, queer, and experimental work by Latinx/e movement artists engaging with heritage, migration, identity, resilience, and joy. The expanded two-day program includes a concert and post-show discussion on Friday, followed by a workshop and community conversation on Saturday. 

 
October 7–9, 2026, 7:30 p.m. 
The Dance Center of ÌÀ²»ÈÈÊÓƵ, 1306 S. Michigan Ave. 
Admission: Free with reservation 
Columbia’s newest musical theatre majors make their campus performance debuts, bringing their own perspectives to songs from the musical theatre canon and beyond. Music direction by Colte Julian. 

 
October 8–10, 15–17, and 22–24, 2026, 8 p.m. 
ÌÀ²»ÈÈÊÓƵ Theatre Center, Sheldon Patinkin Theatre, 72 E. 11th St. 
Admission: Free 
ÌÀ²»ÈÈÊÓƵ Theatre presents “Comedy Cabaret,” directed by faculty member Ric Walker. The production showcases live comedic performance in an energetic cabaret setting. 

 
October 10, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. 
ÌÀ²»ÈÈÊÓƵ Music Center, 1014 S. Michigan Ave. 
Admission: Free; registration required 
The Blues Kids Foundation presents Columbia faculty Fernando Jones’ Blues Camp Weekend, a day of music education and collaboration for high school singers and instrumentalists. Participants will develop their skills while exploring the history, techniques, and traditions of blues music. Register at BluesKids.com/EarlyBird 

 
October 15, 2026, 12:30 p.m.; October 16, 2026, 7:30 p.m.; October 17, 2026, noon 
The Dance Center of ÌÀ²»ÈÈÊÓƵ, 1306 S. Michigan Ave. 
Admission: Workshop is free with registration; concert tickets range from $5–$30; Emerging Choreographers Showcase is pay what you can; free for Columbia students 
CounterBalance makes its Dance Center debut with an inclusive movement workshop, an anniversary concert featuring artists with and without disabilities, and a showcase for emerging disabled choreographers. All events include ASL interpretation, audio description, open captions, assisted listening, a low-sensory space option, and accessibility doulas. 

Efroymson Creative Writing Reading Series: Melissa Albert 
October 19, 2026, 12:30–1:30 p.m. 
The Hive, 618 S. Michigan Ave. 
Admission: Free 
ÌÀ²»ÈÈÊÓƵ’s Efroymson Creative Writing Reading Series presents a reading and discussion with Melissa Albert ’06, the New York Times and indie bestselling author of “The Bad Ones,” “Our Crooked Hearts,” and “The Hazel Wood” series. Hosted by the School of Communication and Culture. 

 
October 22, 2026, 6–8:30 p.m. 
Ferguson Lecture Hall and Museum of Contemporary Photography, 600 S. Michigan Ave. 
Admission: Free; registration required 
Scholar, curator, and author Leigh Raiford discusses her new book, “When Home Is a Photograph,” which explores how Black artists and communities use images to make a home in the world. A book signing at the MoCP follows the lecture. 

 
Friday, October 23, 2026, 5:30–9:30 p.m. 
ÌÀ²»ÈÈÊÓƵ Conaway Center, 1104 S. Wabash Ave. 
Admission: Free with registration  
The second annual celebration of Latinx/e and Hispanic cultures features an art gallery, live performances, a DJ, and food. Columbia students, alums, faculty, and staff may register and bring guests. 

 
October 23, 2026, 7:30 p.m.; October 24, 2026, noon 
The Dance Center of ÌÀ²»ÈÈÊÓƵ, 1306 S. Michigan Ave. 
Admission: $30 general; $20 elders and industry professionals; $10 non-Columbia students and children; free for ÌÀ²»ÈÈÊÓƵ students 
Columbia Assistant Professor Bevara Anderson-Selkridge presents the first standalone Chicago concert by BĀLA Dance Project. The program showcases her choreographic range and draws from Umfundalai, house, modern, Horton, contemporary ballet, and Vaganova techniques. 

 
October 24, 2026; 6 p.m. 
Columbus Drive, proceeding north from Balbo Drive to Jackson Boulevard 
Admission: Free 
The 12th annual Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade will feature work by members of the ÌÀ²»ÈÈÊÓƵ community alongside artists, performers, and cultural organizations from across the city. This year, the parade returns to its original location on Columbus Drive. 

 
October 24, 2026, 7–11 p.m. 
ÌÀ²»ÈÈÊÓƵ Student Center, 754 S. Wabash Ave. 
Admission: Free  
Keep the celebration going after the Arts in the Dark parade at Columbia’s Student Center. The after party features a pop-up arcade, haunted house, photo booth, painting battle, and live DJ. 

 
October 29, 2026, 6–7:30 p.m. 
ÌÀ²»ÈÈÊÓƵ Ferguson Lecture Hall, 600 S. Michigan Ave. 
Admission: Free; registration required 
Artist, author, historian, and curator Deborah Willis discusses her work using photography to explore cultural histories related to gender and the Black body. A two-time NAACP Image Award recipient, Willis is a professor and chair of Photography and Imaging at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. 

 
October 30, 2026, 7 p.m. 
The Dance Center of ÌÀ²»ÈÈÊÓƵ, 1306 S. Michigan Ave. 
Admission: Free with reservation 
Columbia’s annual live shadow-cast performance of the cult classic makes its Dance Center debut for one night only. Audiences are invited to sing along, dress up, and participate in callouts. Stage direction by Felix Livingston. 

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