Forward Motion: Storytelling Drawing Sessions
Storytelling Drawing Sessions provide artists with the opportunity to engage with the stories of long-term residents of Indianapolis. During these sessions, community members share their stories while artists listen and reflect as they hone their skills. These sessions are free to the public, and we welcome artists of all skill levels and mediums to participate.
Timbeleza play Lawrenceville Memorial Day Parade
The Lawrenceville Memorial Day Parade, one of the oldest in the country (dating back to 1872), is held annually on Memorial Day in Pittsburgh, PA. In 2026, the parade takes place on Monday, May 26, typically beginning at 10 a.m. at 36th and Butler Street, featuring veterans groups, bands, and floats.
Timbeleza plays La Escuelita Arcoiris Caranval
The La Escuelita Arcoiris Carnival Cash Bash 2026 is the annual spring fundraiser for the Pittsburgh-based Spanish immersion preschool, scheduled for Sunday, May 17, 2026, from 6 PM to 9 PM. Held at 5915 Beacon St (Congregation Beth Shalom's ballroom), it features live music, food, and prizes to support school
Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra: The Planets
Journey into celestial wonder in this epic concert experience. Accordion virtuoso Radu Ratoi makes his WSO debut with Bach’s Concerto in D minor. Then, soar into the cosmos with Holst’s epic masterpiece The Planets, a breathtaking tour of our solar system brought to life by the full power of the orchestra.
Foundation Improvised Music Series
Pittsburgh Sound Preserve presents Foundation: an improvised music series featuring ad hoc groupings of local improvisers.
Pittsburgh Composers’ Project presented by NAT 28
My new piece Scatter for flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano and percussion will be premiered by the wonderful Nat 28 as part of their annual Pittsburgh Composers’ Project Call for Scores. Other works will include premieres from Ali Sadeqi and Victor Valle.
https://kelly-strayhorn.org/events/nat28pittsburghcomposers/
Resonance Works presents Requiem for Water
Major choral and orchestral concerts for the season highlight two deep and moving works by living composers: the Pittsburgh premiere of Reena Esmail’s Malhaar: A Requiem for Water and the return of Nancy Galbraith’s Flute Concerto, which Resonance Works commissioned and premiered in 2019.
In Hindustani music, Malhaar refers to a family of raags that beckon rain. As drought worsened in Southern California, Reena Esmail was inspired by the legend that the greatest musicians could cause a downpour performing this raga. Intertwining the worlds of Hindustani and Western classical music and texts from the traditional Latin Requiem mass, the words of Wendell Berry, William O’Daly, and interspersed Hindi, the result is “a fresh and profound choral jewel” (San Francisco Classical Voice), which has taken the choral world by storm since its 2023 premiere. Esmail calls this a “hopeful'“ requiem: “While the collective loss has been so tremendous, we can still hold out hope that if we change our relationship to the earth, we might beckon the rain back.”
Resonance Works’ first world premiere, Nancy Galbraith’s Concerto for Flute written for Lindsey Goodman has established itself as a major addition to 21st century repertoire, with performances around the country since our 2019 premiere. We are excited to bring its energetic, colorful, and transcendent soundscape back to our concert stage showcasing the stunning virtuosity, “bold interpretations, and impeccable technique” of flutist Lindsey Goodman.
Resonance Works presents Requiem for Water
Major choral and orchestral concerts for the season highlight two deep and moving works by living composers: the Pittsburgh premiere of Reena Esmail’s Malhaar: A Requiem for Water and the return of Nancy Galbraith’s Flute Concerto, which Resonance Works commissioned and premiered in 2019.
In Hindustani music, Malhaar refers to a family of raags that beckon rain. As drought worsened in Southern California, Reena Esmail was inspired by the legend that the greatest musicians could cause a downpour performing this raga. Intertwining the worlds of Hindustani and Western classical music and texts from the traditional Latin Requiem mass, the words of Wendell Berry, William O’Daly, and interspersed Hindi, the result is “a fresh and profound choral jewel” (San Francisco Classical Voice), which has taken the choral world by storm since its 2023 premiere. Esmail calls this a “hopeful'“ requiem: “While the collective loss has been so tremendous, we can still hold out hope that if we change our relationship to the earth, we might beckon the rain back.”
Resonance Works’ first world premiere, Nancy Galbraith’s Concerto for Flute written for Lindsey Goodman has established itself as a major addition to 21st century repertoire, with performances around the country since our 2019 premiere. We are excited to bring its energetic, colorful, and transcendent soundscape back to our concert stage showcasing the stunning virtuosity, “bold interpretations, and impeccable technique” of flutist Lindsey Goodman.
Timbeleza at Pitt Brazilian Festival
This free event will feature live performances from the local Brazilian community, including samba, percussion, and MPB, along with traditional feijoada options (vegan and non-vegan).
First Night 2026: Timbeleza & Pittsburgh Samba Group
Bringing the Rhythm and Spirit of Brazil to Pittsburgh!
Get ready for an unforgettable cultural experience with Pittsburgh Samba Group and Timbeleza — two of Pittsburgh’s premier Brazilian performance groups coming together to light up the city with the sounds, sights, and soul of Brazil.
The Pittsburgh Samba Group is a high-energy dance group that has been dazzling audiences with authentic samba performances, vibrant costumes, and electrifying choreography. From the feathers and sequins of Rio-style Carnaval to folkloric and Latin fusion styles, the group brings Brazilian dance to life at festivals, parades, weddings, school events, private parties, and more.
Timbeleza is Pittsburgh’s leading Brazilian Batucada (percussion) ensemble, delivering powerful, high-energy rhythms rooted in the samba traditions . With pounding drums, syncopated beats, and infectious grooves, Timbeleza transforms any space into a street party — creating the heartbeat behind the dance.
Together, Pittsburgh Samba Group and Timbeleza offer a fully immersive, show-stopping performance experience that combines live Brazilian percussion with stunning samba choreography. This collaboration brings the true essence of Carnaval to life — energetic, colorful, and unforgettable.
Forward Motion at Chatterbox Jazz Club
We’ll bring a mixture of modern instrumental and improvised music to this historic Downtown Indianapolis venue on Mass Ave
Inuksuit at White River State Park for PASIC 50
Known for its immersive and environmental nature, Pulitzer Prize-winning composer John Luther Adams’ Inuksuit is a concert-length composition for percussion instruments designed to be performed outdoors. This project will be led by PAS Hall of Fame Member and world-renowned percussionist Steven Schick
Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra: The Music of John Williams
From the magic of Harry Potter to the epic sounds of Star Wars, experience an unforgettable evening of John Williams’ greatest film scores performed live by the full symphony orchestra. A blockbuster concert for the whole family!
Sunburst Boleros at La Escuelita Arcoiris Día de Muertos
Join La Escuelita Arcoiris from 11-2pm on Sunday, 2/November in Squirrel Hill to celebrate Día de Muertos with crafts, food, music & dance!
Musser Marimba Festival Orchestra
The MMF is a joint effort between Heartland Marimba and Lancaster Marimba Ensemble to celebrate the contributions of Clair Omar Musser to our art form. The festival takes place in Manheim, PA, Musser's hometown.
Vibes Duo at Bantha Tea Bar
Performing vibraphone duets with Ben Dumbauld -https://bendumbauld.wordpress.com/
Faculty Guest Artist Concert Series: Forward Motion & Sound Ecologies
New music by Sound Ecologies composers performed by Forward Motion at Ruth Lilly Performance Hall.
Sound Ecologies is an Indianapolis music artist collective, dedicated to cultivating Music, Community, and Conservation. Forward Motion is an Indianapolis ensemble that advocates for the creation of new works by presenting innovative performances in a variety of spaces. They focus on the performance of new works and free improvisation.
For more info visit: https://news.uindy.edu/events/faculty-artist-concert-series-sound-ecologies-x-forward-motion/
Forward Motion presents Art Becomes Music
Graphic Scoring (or Graphic Notation) is a process where artwork often includes symbols for musicians - who perform the artwork. This is your chance to come receive a bit of guidance then spend some time creating art - and hear your artwork performed at the end of the session!
Consider how to visualize music.
Join Forward Motion to learn a bit about graphic scoring/notation, and then spend some time creating your own artwork. Before you leave - you'll be able to hear the musicians perform your artwork! Leave feeling calmer and refreshed after creating.
This program is great for people of all ages.
*This program will have a Spanish language interpreter.
Este programa contará con un intérprete de español.
Forward Motion presents Art Becomes Music
Graphic Scoring (or Graphic Notation) is a process where artwork often includes symbols for musicians - who perform the artwork. This is your chance to come receive a bit of guidance then spend some time creating art - and hear your artwork performed at the end of the session!
Consider how to visualize music.
Join Eric Salazar and friends to learn a bit about graphic scoring/notation, and then spend some time creating your own artwork. Before you leave - you'll be able to hear the musicians perform your artwork! Leave feeling calmer and refreshed after creating.
This program is great for people of all ages.
*This program will have a Spanish language interpreter.
Este programa contará con un intérprete de español.
Forward Motion at Indy Fringe Festival
Forward Motion will be performing three times for the 2025 Indy Fringe Festival! Performance dates are 8/20 at 8pm, 8/23 at 2pm and 8/24 at 8pm.
Forward Motion at Chatterbox Jazz Club
We’ll bring a mixture of modern instrumental and improvised music to this historic Downtown Indianapolis venue on Mass Ave.
All Together Now! Student and Staff Performance Night
Proceeds from the All Together Now! Music Festival will go to the Collaborative for Immigrant Impact to help immigrants access legal services, housing, healthcare, education, English classes, career development, food assistance, and more, ensuring our immigrant neighbors have the opportunity to thrive.
The Collaborative for Immigrant Impact is a network of 18 Pittsburgh-based organizations that serve as a critical safety net for over 20,000 immigrants in our community. In an era of rapidly shifting immigration policies and funding challenges, these organizations have come together to address urgent needs and provide essential short-term support.
$30 tickets- all proceeds donated
Tough Pill Series
It’s not always this... but it’s always good. So always come!
Tough Pill is a monthly creative and experimental performance series held every third Thursday at The Government Center. Tough Pill seeks to create space for practitioners and expand the scope of the creative music and performance audience in Pittsburgh.
Ego by Ramin Akhavijou
Ego is a revolutionary musical journey through the intersection of identity and technology. Seamlessly blending avant-garde music with psychological explorations of how the different facets of personality are influenced by Artificial Intelligence, Ego is a mind-bending musical masterpiece you won’t want to miss. For more information and tickets visit: https://newhazletttheater.org/events/ego/
Three Performances:
Thursday March 20th 8pm
Friday March 21st 10am
Friday March 21st 8pm
Foundation Improvised Music Series
Pittsburgh Sound Preserve presents Foundation: an improvised music series featuring ad hoc groupings of local improvisers.
Resonance Works presents Dwell Together
Dwell Together takes its name from Psalm 133: "How pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity." It’s the final line from Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, which will be presented alongside the Pittsburgh premiere of Joel Thompson’s powerful The Seven Last Words of The Unarmed, Julia Perry’s heart wrenching Stabat Mater, and several other choral works. Dwell Together isn’t just sentiment, it’s a powerful call to action.
Two performances:
Friday March 7th 8pm- First Baptist Church Oakland
Sunday March 9th 4pm- Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church
Forward Motion presents Unsilent Night
Forward Motion will be presenting Phil Kline’s annual winter time piece Unsilent Night. Following Unsilent Night Forward Motion will present a concert at the Herron School of Art and Design in Eskenazi Hall