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    Announcing the 5th Anniversary 2026–27 Reser Presents Season

    Posted June 4, 2026

    Member Pre-Sale Begins Thursday, June 4, 2026
    Public On Sale Begins Wednesday, July 8, 2026

    Season Sponsors: Tim and Mary Boyle

    Beaverton, OR (June 4, 2026) — Almost five years ago, the Patricia Reser Center for the Arts opened its doors in Beaverton with a promise: that world-class arts and culture belonged here, for everyone. Today, more than 220,000 visits and 750 public events later, we celebrate what we’ve built together and look ahead to what comes next.

    The Patricia Reser Center for the Arts (“The Reser”) proudly announces its 5th Anniversary 2026–27 Reser Presents season — our most culturally expansive yet, and a heartfelt thank-you to every audience member, donor, artist, and neighbor who has helped shape this place. Rooted in our mission to foster joy, connection, and understanding, this anniversary season brings voices and traditions from across the globe to our stage.

    The Reser has become far more than a performance venue. More than 150 local nonprofits have performed here, generating over $2 million in ticket sales for causes that matter to our community. Our free Art Gallery has earned critical acclaim. Youth and family programming has reached nearly 20,000 youth and families. And through it all, our doors have remained open to the full diversity of the communities we serve in Beaverton and beyond.

    “Our 5th Anniversary season is a celebration of joy and gratitude, and our most culturally diverse season to date,” said Executive Director Chris Ayzoukian. “Because that’s who Beaverton is – and who we strive to be – a welcoming place for everyone. We believe that connection and understanding across all cultures and identities is what the world needs right now. I hope you’ll join us.”

    This season, we raise the curtain on our next chapter, with gratitude, with ambition, and with you.

    Highlights of the 2026–27 Season

    Opening Night: Gaby Moreno
    Born in Guatemala and based in Los Angeles, Gaby Moreno blends jazz, blues, R&B, and 1960s soul into a rich, bilingual sound shaped by influences like Ella Fitzgerald and Nina Simone. A Latin GRAMMY winner and internationally recognized songwriter, she has toured with artists including Tracy Chapman, Ani DiFranco, and The Punch Brothers, earning acclaim across Latin America, Europe, and the U.S. With a warm, soulful voice and a genre-crossing style, she brings a vibrant, welcoming energy to open the season.

    Mariachi Flor de Toloache is the Grammy Award–winning, all-female mariachi ensemble founded in New York City in 2008 by Mireya I. Ramos. Blending traditional Mexican mariachi with contemporary influences, the multicultural group delivers vibrant performances featuring powerful vocals, rich harmonies, and masterful musicianship that honor and reimagine the mariachi tradition.

    In collaboration with White Bird, The Reser is thrilled to bring Taiwanese dance company Hung Dance and their surreal, sculptural work Birdy to the stage. The centerpiece of Birdy is a traditional Chinese opera headdress called ‘Ling Zi’ — a helmet adorned with four-foot-long pheasant tail feathers historically worn by warriors to project power and skill. Choreographer Lai Hung-chung reinterprets it here as a symbol of inner longing and the desire to escape the cages we build for ourselves. Within Birdy is a duality: one dancer embodies a bird dreaming of freedom, while another dancer plays simultaneously the supporter, the cage, the mirror, and the dream — a structure that lets the piece hold Taiwan’s complex history of external constraint and individual identity in a single image.

    Seffarine: Abaraz ⴰⴱⴰⵔⴰⵣ Gateway to the Sahara: An evocative journey into the heart of Mhamid — a small oasis town in southern Morocco — Abaraz explores the captivating rhythms and melodies that have echoed through the desert sands of North Africa for centuries. Expect hypnotic Saharan beats, haunting desert blues, Gnawa basslines and compelling stories, all brought to life by the vocals of Lamiae Naki. Drawing on her family’s roots in the region, Naki and the Seffarine ensemble celebrate the enduring spirit and cultural wealth of Mhamid — a town threatened by climate change even as it holds a profound musical legacy.

    Inspired by the legendary music of gypsy jazz pioneer Django Reinhardt, the Django Festival Allstars bring the spirit of 1930s Paris to life with dazzling virtuosity, infectious swing, and heartfelt ballads. Internationally acclaimed for their electrifying performances, the ensemble has captivated audiences at prestigious venues and festivals around the world, carrying Reinhardt’s timeless legacy into the 21st century.

    Celebrate the season with the incomparable Meow Meow Trio’s Feline Festive, a dazzling holiday cabaret filled with wit, wonder, and musical mischief. Backed by a stellar band, Meow Meow weaves jazzy vintage showbiz, Weimar cabaret, French chansons, and contemporary surprises into an evening of sparkling good will. Expect childhood wonder, peals of laughter, and audience encounters of the gloriously ridiculous kind.

    Christmas in México with Campana Sobre Campana is a vibrant celebration of Mexican holiday traditions. Named for the beloved Andalusian Christmas carol, the evening brings to life the spirit of Las Posadas, the Reyes Magos, and the joy of breaking piñatas through dazzling mariachi and folklórico dance. A colorful, heartwarming tribute to the rich cultural tapestry of Christmas in México.

    Haley Johnsen – Home for the Holidays: Haley Johnsen is a Portland-born vocalist and songwriter known for her powerhouse voice and dynamic blend of blues-rock and soulful pop. Drawing inspiration from artists like Bonnie Raitt and Brandi Carlile, she brings both grit and warmth to her performances, balancing playful energy with emotional depth.

    For Home for the Holidays, she delivers a spirited, feel-good set that highlights her expressive vocals and genre-spanning sound, shaped by a lifetime immersed in pop, rock, country, and gospel influence.

    Cedric Watson Creole Christmas: Four-time Grammy-nominated fiddler, accordionist, singer and songwriter Cedric Watson brings the amazing rhythms of Cajun, Creole and Zydeco music to The Reser. With his band Bijou Creole, Watson resurrects the ancient sounds of the French and Spanish contra dance and bourreé alongside the spiritual rhythms of the Congo tribes of West Africa.​ He joins us at The Reser for his first-ever Christmas tour.​

    Award-winning singer-songwriter Nani Vazana brings the rich traditions of Ladino—the endangered language of Sephardic Jews—into the modern era through captivating vocals, flamenco-inspired melodies, and powerful storytelling. Winner of the 2024 Liet International Eurovision for Minority Languages, Vazana creates a vibrant musical journey that celebrates culture, migration, identity, and female empowerment while honoring a centuries-old heritage. Her ensemble will be joined onstage by the Oregon State University Chamber Choir for the Beaverton premier of their new collaborative project, which will be developed at Oregon State and will debut at PRAx just before bringing the show on the road to The Reser.

    Sangjaru is a Korean folk fusion ensemble that reimagines traditional Korean music through a vibrant blend of gypsy swing, funk, rock, and improvisation. Rooted in a spirit of creative transformation, the group draws inspiration from the idea of music as something flexible and ever-evolving. Winner of the 2019 Sori Frontier competition at the Jeonju International Sori Festival, Sangjaru has earned recognition as one of Korea’s most dynamic emerging acts, captivating audiences with their inventive sound and high-energy performances.

    The 80’s Kids invite audiences to turn up the nostalgia with a high-energy celebration of 1980s synthpop. Led by Shannon Curtis and Jamie Hill, the show features iconic hits from artists like a-ha, Depeche Mode, The Human League, New Order, and Pet Shop Boys, reimagined with vibrant, authentic style. Blending infectious performance energy with storytelling, immersive visuals, and a joyful, inclusive spirit, 80’s Kids is a heartfelt love letter to the anthems and artists that defined a generation.

    Performing at The Reser to honor St. Patrick’s Day, Goitse is one of Ireland’s most celebrated contemporary traditional bands, blending vibrant original compositions with the rich musical heritage of Celtic folk. Known for their dazzling musicianship, infectious energy, and soaring vocals, the award-winning quintet delivers an exhilarating performance that showcases the best of modern Irish music while honoring its timeless roots.

    The Limeliters launched their career in 1959 at San Francisco’s famed Hungry i, quickly becoming one of the defining voices of the early 1960s folk revival. Founding members Alex Hassilev, Lou Gottlieb, and Glenn Yarbrough rose to national prominence with best-selling RCA albums, extensive television appearances, and their memorable Coca-Cola campaign featuring “Things Go Better with Coke.” Praised by Time Magazine for their polished, academic-meets-popular style, the group helped shape the sound of mainstream folk music. Lead by Andy Corwin, a comedic baritone handpicked by original member Alex Hassilev to join the group in 2004, today’s lineup continues the legacy of the band, bringing rich three-part harmonies, energetic performance, and a signature blend of humor and musicianship that keeps their sound vibrant and enduring.

    Skeleton Canoe is more than a theatrical performance, it is an intergenerational and experiential community gathering. Written and performed by Ty Defoe, an Indigenous Anishinaabe and Oneida artist, the theatrical piece follows a young Anishinaabe youth named Nawbin on a rite-of-passage journey after accidentally breaking their family’s sacred ancestor oar — a story rooted in real Indigenous teachings about responsibility, identity, and connection to the earth. Through puppetry, traditional Anishinaabe lifeways, and multimedia design, we follow young Nawbin’s journey to discover their truth. A performance for all ages! Co-presented in collaboration with Boom Arts.

    Red Baraat is a Brooklyn-based ensemble led by dhol player Sunny Jain, celebrated for its electrifying fusion of Punjabi bhangra rhythms with jazz, hip-hop, ska, and punk influences. Known for high-energy performances and a bold, celebratory sound, the group has earned international acclaim for its distinctive musical style and community-driven spirit.

    With a mission rooted in “manifesting joy and unity in all people,” Red Baraat delivers an immersive, dance-driven experience that transforms every performance into a vibrant, communal celebration.

    Peacherine Ragtime Society Orchestra performs a live original score to Buster Keaton’s silent film The General, bringing early cinema vividly to life through historically informed performance. Led by virtuoso Andrew Greene, the ensemble recreates the sound world of the late 1800s and early 1900s using an extensive archive of authentic orchestral arrangements. Renowned for their acclaimed “Stage & Screen Spectacular,” PRSO blends ragtime, theater, and dance music by composers such as Scott Joplin, Irving Berlin, and George M. Cohan. Their performances of classic silent films have earned national recognition for their energy, precision, and immersive storytelling through music.

    In Adam Gopnik’s New York, the warm, playful, funny, precise, essayist and cultural critic explores his neighborhood in New York City, discovering its mischief and its meanings, spinning tales that shimmer with insight and charm, for an intimate and delightful evening of entertainment. The show exists entirely because of a conversation with Steve Martin — who is also co-producing it. Martin told Gopnik, ‘You really ought to do a one-man show. You have an interesting breadth of mind; I love to hear you land on one subject and then leap to another.’ Gopnik’s response: ‘They would? Nobody in my family does.’ The Reser is proud to co-present this evening of tightly observed tales and erudite jokes in partnership with Literary Arts.

    Returning Favorites & Collaborations
    Beloved artists return to The Reser stage: Kalani Pe’a’s Hawaiian Christmas, International Guitar Night, Tomáseen Foley’s A Celtic Christmas, and Friends of Dorothy with Poison Waters.

    National Geographic Live
    Returning by popular demand, the 2026–27 National Geographic Live series sees incredible award-winning National Geographic explorers coming to our stage and bringing stories of their travels and research to life with three extraordinary evenings: Wild Wolves of Yellowstone, Diving the Great Barrier Reef, and Weird World of Frogs.

    Co-presented performances with Whitebird Dance, Boom Arts, Immigrant Story, Oregon Symphony, Live Wire, Chamber Music Northwest and Literary Arts continue to deepen our commitment to collaboration and community impact.

    The Reser’s partnership with PRAx continues with an eclectic mix of American String’s shows featuring a diverse array of extraordinary artists.

    Leyla McCalla draws inspiration from her past and present– her music vibrates with three centuries of history and influences from around the globe, and resonating at the intersection of Haitian and American folk traditions. McCalla possesses a stunning mastery of the cello, tenor banjo and guitar and, as a multilingual singer and songwriter, has risen to produce a distinctive sound that reflects the union of her roots and experience. In addition to her solo work, McCalla is a founding member of Our Native Daughters (with Rhiannon Giddens, Amythyst Kiah and Allison Russell) and alumna of Grammy award-winning Black string band The Carolina Chocolate Drops.

    Bob James and Mikael Jorgenson join us for this special American Strings installment to discuss their creative exploration and collaboration on a new documentary on the many facets of Bob James’ musical life. The celebrated and prolific Grammy Award-winning jazz keyboardist Bob James was discovered and signed to his first record contract by Quincy Jones in 1962. James would go on to record over 60 solo albums, compose the theme song for the tv show “Taxi”, and with the rise of Hip Hop, become the most sampled jazz artist of all time. At 85, Bob continues to tour, record and compose. Mikael Jorgensen, keyboardist for the band Wilco for 23 years, began his musical journey when his father was Bob James’ recording engineer. This event will feature a screening of “Bob James: Avant Smooth” and the two artists in conversation.

    Chief Adjuah, formerly known as Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah, changed his name after being installed as a chief of the Xodokon Mardi Gras Indian tribe in New Orleans — a title that carries deep ceremonial meaning in that city’s African and Native American cultural traditions. Cheif Adjuah plays an instrument he helped invent called the ‘stretch music trumpet,’ modified to allow microtonal playing — notes that fall between the standard notes of Western music — giving him access to tonal vocabularies from African and Indigenous music traditions.

     

    2026–27 Season Performance Dates

     

    Full season lineup and ticket information available at thereser.org.

     

    Art Gallery at The Reser 2026–27 Exhibitions
    The Reser’s exhibitions provoke curiosity, honor diverse voices, and open space for critical conversation.

    Converge 45 (Aug 27 – Oct 18, 2026)

    Carnelian | Lex Brown
    We Are All Brothers | Mark Bishop & Nathan Ueno

    In partnership with Converge 45 and guest curator Lumi Tan, The Reser presents Carnelian by Lex Brown and We Are All Brothers featuring North Pole Studio artists Mark Bishop and Nathan Ueno, two exhibitions exploring impermanence and figuration through multimedia, intergenerational perspectives.

    The Curio | Exhibition & Sale (Nov 6, 2026 – Jan 10, 2027)

    The Curio, a collaboration with Beaverton Arts Market, showcases and sells work by Northwest artists and craftspeople, connecting the community with unique handmade art during the giving season.

    Collective Effervescence (Feb 5 – Mar 13, 2027)

    Friderike Heuer, Diane Jacobs, and Susan Murrell explore humanity’s evolving relationship with nature through painting, photography, printmaking, and mixed media, examining environmental change, interdependence, and shared responsibility.

    The Art of Theater (Apr 2 – Jul 17, 2027)

    Pulling Back the Curtain | Michael Curry Design
    The Stories We Wear | Maia Denzler
    All the Critters That Call My Backyard Home | Yulia Goldberg

    Before the show begins, The Reser invites audiences behind the scenes with visionary work by Michael Curry Design and featuring Maia Denzler, and Yulia Goldberg, revealing how sets, costumes, lighting, sound, and puppetry transform imagination into theatrical magic.

    Wild Classified (through Jul 3, 2027)

    Wild Classified, as part of The Reser’s Curtain Call project in partnership with North Pole Studio, showcases bold neurodivergent creativity through window installations that celebrate inclusion, imagination, and diverse ways of seeing.

     

    About The Reser
    The Patricia Reser Center for the Arts unites artists, audiences, and communities through shared purpose and the joy of discovery. As the cultural heart of Beaverton, The Reser is committed to excellence, access, and authenticity—offering programming that is bold, inclusive, and resonates with the diverse experiences of our community.

    For full season details, gallery exhibitions, and tickets, visit thereser.org.

    Artist images are available here.