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The UMass Amherst Fine Arts Center has announced the lineup of events scheduled to celebrate its 50th anniversary season in 2025-26.

The season kicks off Sept. 17 with Wynton Marsalis, who returns to the Tillis Performance Hall stage with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra to present the world premiere of “Afro!” – a bold, electrifying program exploring the vibrant connections between jazz and the rhythms of the African diaspora.

Some of the highlights of the season that will be held in Bowker Auditorium include “Hamed Sinno: Poems of Consumption” on Oct. 9, Paul Beaubrun at The Drake on Oct. 14, an evening with UMass alumnus, author and Buffalo Tom frontman Bill Janovitz on Oct. 22, George Clinton in conversation with Paul D. Miller, aka DJ Spooky, on Oct. 29, Palestinian actor and comedian Alaa Shehada’s solo performance of “The Horse of Jenin” on Nov. 6, The Brandee Younger Trio on Nov. 13, the Kris Davis Trio on March 5 and classical pianist Hayato Sumino on March 26.

Among the events the Frederick C. Tillis Performance Hall will host include Ballet Hispánico on Oct. 2, an immersive “Wicked” sing-along film screening and “cOZplay” event on Oct. 24, Richard Thomas in Mark Twain Tonight! by Hal Holbrook on Nov. 9, the Soweto Gospel Choir on Nov. 20, Broadway star Lea Salonga on Dec. 4, the Venice Baroque Orchestra on Feb. 4, Cirque Flip Fabrique Blizzard on Feb. 12, the Paul Taylor Dance Company on Feb. 27 and Chief Adjuah on March 28.

The Drake will once again showcase FAC events this year, with scheduled performances including Paul Beaubrun on Oct. 14, Carsie Blanton on Feb. 11, Sunny Jain’s “Wild Wild East” on Feb. 19 and Lucía on April 9.

Bezanson Recital Hall will host ¡Guitarra! with Peter Clemente on Nov. 22 and Kevin Loh on March 14.

Tickets for the 50th anniversary season are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased and complete details for each event can be found on the FAC’s all-new website - arts.umass.edu.