The University at Buffalo Center for the Arts brings an incredible mix of comedy, music, dance, theater, and visual art to audiences this fall, featuring nationally touring performers alongside artists from the UB community. Tickets and more information for all events are available here.
“There’s so much happening at the Center for the Arts this season,” said Jamie Enser, UBCFA executive director. “What excites me most is the range of ways people can connect with the arts. We hope audiences will explore our full calendar, discover something new and find their next experience.”
On Oct. 2, the UB Distinguished Speakers Series welcomes Andrew Ross Sorkin, who will discuss his bestselling book 1929: The Inside Story of the Greatest Crash on Wall Street – and How It Shattered a Nation and its parallels to today’s economic and political landscape.
Next, UBCFA presents one of the season’s hilarious highlights: comedian and musician Fred Armisen, who brings Comedy For Musicians But Everyone Is Welcome on Oct. 10 at 7:00 PM. Best known for Saturday Night Live, Portlandia, and Los Espookys, Armisen combines comedy and music in a show inspired by his longtime fascination with musicians and performance. The show has played to great acclaim and sold-out audiences across the country.
On Oct. 16, families can see the 1984 classic Ghostbusters in Concert at 7:30 PM. A staple of Halloween viewing, the film follows Peter Venkman (Bill Murray), Ray Stantz (Dan Aykroyd), Egon Spengler (Harold Ramis), and Winston Zeddemore (Ernie Hudson), as they fight the supernatural (and Slimer!) in New York City. The film will be presented on the big screen while its score is performed live. “Ghostbusters in Concert is a great example of the kind of shared experience we want to create at UBCFA,” said Enser. “We want a night here to feel like more than the performance itself. The pre-show activities give families and fans a chance to come early, explore, have some fun, meet the Buffalo Ghostbusters and make an evening of it.”
Guests have the chance to meet university artists and go behind the scenes to get a glimpse of works in progress by attending Art in the Open on Oct. 29 at 5:00 PM. “Art in the Open is one of the clearest expressions of who we are,” said Enser. “It opens the doors to the creative process and invites people to see the energy, experimentation and collaboration happening across UB. It’s a free, welcoming opportunity to see the creativity at work throughout our arts community.”
The Distinguished Speakers Series continues with former U.S. Representative Liz Cheney on Nov. 10 at 7:00 PM. Cheney, who served as Wyoming’s representative in Congress from 2017 to 2023 and is the author of the memoir Oath and Honor, will appear as part of the Center for the Arts’ ongoing speaker series.
“One of the things that makes UBCFA special is that audiences can see nationally touring artists and the work of UB students and faculty all within the same season,” added Enser. “That combination reflects our role as an arts hub for both the university and the Western New York community.”
Magic and comedy come together with Lucy Darling, who brings The More the Merrier to UB on Nov. 14 at 5:00 PM. Created and performed by magician Carisa Hendrix, Lucy Darling is an eccentric, sophisticated character whose performances combine theatricality, comedy, and close-up magic. The video shorts that showcase her extraordinary crowd work are must-sees on every social media platform.
The Center for the Arts welcomes Punch Brothers on Nov. 15 at 7:30 PM. The Grammy-winning acoustic group blends bluegrass, folk, classical music, and jazz, creating an inventive sound built around mandolin, banjo, guitar, fiddle, and bass. Their seventh album, The Unsung Adventures of Punch Brothers (their first all-instrumental record), was released on July 24, 2026.
The Wailin’ Jennys perform Nov. 21 at 8:00 PM. What began as a one-time performance at a small guitar shop in Winnipeg has grown into an internationally acclaimed folk-roots trio. The Wailin’ Jennys have built an international following with their distinctive three-part harmonies and blend of folk, roots, and Americana music.
The fall calendar also includes performances by incredible classical ensembles at Slee Hall, located next door to UBCFA, including the Borromeo String Quartet, Jupiter String Quartet, and Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, along with dance and theater productions presented at UBCFA featuring UB students and faculty.
Other highlights include the Zodiaque Dance Company’s fall concert, Wolf Play, Macbeth, the Emerging Choreographers Showcase, the annual LV-Minute Shakespeare Showcase, and The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical. The season continues into December with the MFA Dance Showcase.
With comedy, film, music, dance, theater, and visual art all represented, the Center for the Arts offers a diverse lineup of performances and events throughout the fall.
Additional performances and events will be announced in the coming weeks. Explore the full schedule of performances and exhibitions this season at ubcfa.org.
UBCFA FALL 2026 Season At-a-Glance
Sept. 24: Borromeo Quartet – 7:30 PM
Oct. 2: Andrew Ross Sorkin, Distinguished Speakers Series – 7:00 PM
Oct. 7: Jupiter String Quartet – 7:30 PM
Oct. 10: Fred Armisen: Comedy For Musicians But Everyone Is Welcome – 7:00 PM
Oct. 16: Ghostbusters in Concert – 7:30 PM
Oct. 29: Art in the Open – 5:00 PM
Nov. 6: LA Guitar Quartet – 7:30 PM
Nov. 10: Distinguished Speakers Series: Liz Cheney – 7:00 PM
Nov. 14: Lucy Darling: The More the Merrier – 5:00 PM
Nov. 15: Punch Brothers – 7:30 PM
Nov. 20: Gary Owen: No Hard Feelings Tour – 8:00 PM
Nov. 21: The Wailin’ Jennys – 8:00 PM