News
Periodic blog posts to keep you updated with SPACE happenings.
NEW SONG “AMERICAN ROOTS” OUT THIS FRIDAY
ONE OF THE NEW YORK TIMES’
“30 GREATEST LIVING SONGWRITERS”
September 15, 2026—Grammy, CMA, and Americana Music Award-winning singer, songwriter and musician Brandy Clark will embark on her “Take Flight World Tour” next year with 28 dates announced in support of her highly-anticipated new music.
Tickets for the new dates will be available for pre-sale tomorrow, September 16 at 10:00am local time, with general on-sale following this Friday, September 18 at 10:00am local time. Full details can be found at www.brandyclarkmusic.com/tour.
The tour continues a landmark year for Clark, whose new song, “American Roots,” will be released this Friday, September 18 via Reprise Records (pre-save HERE). Written by Clark, Michael Pollack (“Dear Insecurity,” “Flowers”) and Griff Clawson, the song draws inspiration from Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land” and celebrates America as a place of unity, reflecting on shared experiences and connections. It has been met with an overwhelming response when performed live, eliciting spontaneous mid-song standing ovations.
The new music arrives on the heels of Clark being named one of The New York Times’ “The 30 Greatest Living American Songwriters,” further cementing her place as one of the most respected and influential voices in modern music. Read the full piece HERE.
Clark appears on the list alongside acclaimed songwriters Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne, with The New York Times praising the trio as “Music Row pros par excellence, brilliant practitioners of the time-honored tradecraft: crisp hooks, witty wordplay, brisk storytelling, songs that click and whir like little machines” and goes on to call Clark, “a star recording artist in her own right.”
One of her generation’s most esteemed songwriters and musicians, Clark earned Best Americana Performance at the 66th Grammy Awards and Song of the Year at the 2024 Americana Honors & Awards for “Dear Insecurity,” a deeply personal track featuring 11-time Grammy winner Brandi Carlile. The song appears on her self-titled album, produced by Carlile and widely hailed as a defining work, with outlets like Forbes, Variety, and Billboard praising her exceptional songwriting and vocal artistry.
Beyond her solo work, Clark’s songwriting credits include standout tracks such as “A Beautiful Noise,” the Grammy-nominated duet performed by Carlile and Alicia Keys, Kacey Musgraves’ “Follow Your Arrow,” and Miranda Lambert’s “Mama’s Broken Heart.” She also composed the music for the hit musical comedy, Shucked, alongside her longtime collaborator McAnally. For the show, Clark won Outstanding Music at the 67th Drama Desk Awards and was nominated for Best Original Score at the 76th Tony Awards, where Shucked received nine nominations overall. Most recently, she performed “Trailblazer (Dream Chaser Version)” at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards alongside Reba McEntire and Lukas Nelson—a reimagined take on her Grammy-nominated song “Trailblazer,” originally co-written with Lainey Wilson and Lambert.
Join SPACE on Saturday, October 3 at 7pm for a spectacular evening celebrating the arts and kicking off our Fall Fundraising Campaign with Broadway star Teal Wicks! Best known for her acclaimed performances as Elphaba in Wicked on Broadway and in the San Francisco and Los Angeles productions, Teal Wicks has captivated audiences across the country and on Broadway. Her celebrated stage credits also include Finding Neverland, The Cher Show, and & Juliet.
General admission tickets are $45 for adults and $20 for youth 18 & under and are available online at www.spaceperformingarts.org, Mendocino Bookshop (cash or check) and at the SPACE Box Office. The SPACE Theater is located at 508 W. Perkins St., Ukiah. For more information, call (707)462-9370 or visit www.spacperformingarts.org
Register now for Near & Arnold’s School of Performing Arts & Cultural Education’s Fall session, which begins August 31st. SPACE offers a 14-week program for youth ages infant to young adult in dance, dance technique, acting, art, creative dance and Music Together®.
Financial aid is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Registration is available at the SPACE Office and online at www.spaceperformingarts.org and is ongoing until classes are filled. Several schools will offer tuition assistance, including Ukiah Unified School District, Redwood Collegiate Academy & Sequoia Career Academy. Please contact the SPACE Office for more information at (707) 462-9370.
SPACE is a professionally managed public benefit corporation founded in 1995 and funded by tuition, grants, and donations from individuals and businesses.
SPACE Presents Dreamzzz: Where Anything Is Possible
SPACE (School of Performing Arts & Cultural Education) invites the community to experience Dreamzzz: Where Anything Is Possible, an original summer dance showcase featuring more than 30 local teen dancers.
Performances will be held at the SPACE Theater, 508 W. Perkins St., Ukiah, on Friday, July 31, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Created and directed by Aisha Walls as the culmination of SPACE's five-day summer Teen Dance Intensive, Dreamzzz features original choreography by guest artists. Throughout the week, dancers work alongside experienced guest artists, developing their performance and dance skills while preparing for the final showcase.
The theme, Dreamzzz: Where Anything Is Possible, invites choreographers to explore the idea of dreams in their own way. Dreams may be interpreted in many ways—nighttime dreams, fantasy worlds, wishes, hopes for the future, imagination, stars and galaxies, or even the strange and unexpected logic that often appears in dreams. The theme is intended to inspire creativity while allowing each choreographer the freedom to bring their own artistic vision to the stage.
The showcase features a variety of dance styles, including hip hop, contemporary, jazz, and modern.
"Dreamzzz celebrates the courage to dream," said director Aisha Walls. "We hope audiences leave inspired by the creativity, passion, and dedication of these incredible young performers."
The intensive provides local teens with the opportunity to train and perform alongside experienced guest artists in a collaborative and supportive environment. SPACE provides year-round performing arts education and performance opportunities for youth throughout Mendocino County.
General admission tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for children under 18. Tickets are available at The Mendocino Book Company (cash or check), and the SPACE Box Office.
For more information, call 707-462-9370 or visit www.spaceperformingarts.org.
Celebrate Father’s Day with an unforgettable afternoon of music and circus magic at Cirque-A-Palooza! Join us at the SPACE Theater on Sunday, June 21st at 1pm & 5pm for a special benefit supporting the Pomo Summer Arts & Circus Camp and the SPACE Scholarship Program.
Enjoy live music from Sgt. Splendor, a high-energy duo blending blues rock, funk, and soulful Americana into a bold, genre-bending sound. With smoky, expressive vocals and powerful guitar work, their music is gritty, groovy, and a little bit surreal—perfect for a cirque-style celebration. The show also features surprise cirque and musical guests. Sgt. Splendor is bold, eclectic, slightly surreal, and full of personality—music that feels as much like a performance as it does a concert.
Come out, celebrate, and support the arts in your community!
General admission tickets are $35 for adults and $15 for children under 18, and are available online at https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=space, and at the SPACE Box Office. The SPACE Theater is located at 508 W. Perkins St., Ukiah. For more information, call (707)462-9370 or visit www.spaceperformingarts.org.
On Saturday, May 30, audiences are invited to experience 5-6-7-ATE, an exciting student choreography showcase featuring 25 young dancers from Higher Ground and Freedom Feat.
After months of creative exploration, teen students have developed original works under the guidance of instructors Aisha Walls and Pearl Marill. The performance highlights a diverse range of styles, including hip-hop, modern fusion, and jazz, reflecting each dancer’s unique voice and artistic growth.
In addition to live performances, the show incorporates recorded student interviews, offering insight into what dance means to them and why dance is important on their personal journey.
Performance Details:
Saturday, May 30
2:00 PM and 6:00 PM
5-6-7-ATE celebrates the dedication, imagination, and collaboration of emerging young artists, making it a must-see community event.
Over 100 Local Students Take the Stage in Original Dance Production Forces of Nature
Originally written in 2016 by Laurel Near and Amanda Rosenberg now re-written and directed by Amanda Rosenberg-Gutierrez.
The performances will be held at the SPACE Theater (508 W. Perkins St., Ukiah) on Friday, May 22 at 6:00 PM, Saturday, May 23 at 2:00 PM and 6:00 PM, and Sunday, May 24 at 2:00 PM.
More than 100 young performers ages 6 to 17 will take the stage this May in an original full-length dance production titled Forces of Nature, a powerful exploration of how the elements of the natural world mirror human emotion.
SPACE presents 4 A.M., a gripping play by Jonathan Dorf, directed by Nichole Rakes, and features nine teens playing multiple roles. Performances are Saturday, May 2nd at 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM at the SPACE Theater, 508 West Perkins Street, Ukiah.
Set in the fragile, liminal hours before dawn, 4 A.M. unfolds as an intimate, character-driven drama that probes the small decisions and quiet confessions that alter lives. Dorf’s spare, lyrical dialogue exposes the private contradictions of people caught between memory and possibility — old wounds resurfacing, unlikely connections forming, and the urgent search for truth when there is no daylight to hide behind. Through shifting perspectives and tense, atmospheric scenes, the play examines themes of grief, reconciliation, and the risky courage it takes to speak honestly to those we love. Audiences can expect a contemplative, humorous, emotionally resonant experience anchored by nuanced performances and a tightly focused directorial vision from Nichole Rakes that heightens the play’s suspense and tenderness without spectacle.
Local Students Bridge Cultures in Synergy: A Collaborative Performance at SPACE Theater
UKIAH, CA — This April, sixty teen students from two distinct educational traditions will take the stage together to present Synergy, a powerful showcase of artistic and cultural exchange.
The performances will be held at the SPACE Theater (508 W. Perkins, Ukiah) on Friday, April 24 at 7:00 PM, and Saturday, April 25 at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM.
Synergy brings together students from SPACE (School of Performing Arts and Cultural Education) and the Buddhist School Instilling Goodness Developing Virtue School (IGDVS). Through a dynamic program of dance, singing, Chinese instruments, poetry, and presentations in both English and Chinese students from both schools will perform their unique artistic traditions through the lens of modern creativity.
The production is conceived and coordinated by Jin Jr Shi, Principal of Instilling Goodness Elementary and Developing Virtue Secondary Schools and Laurel Near, SPACE Executive/Artistic Director and Co-Founder.
“Through shared performances, students find common ground,” say the organizers. “Synergy is more than a show; it is a celebration of how the arts can bridge different backgrounds, styles and inspire a shared sense of community.”
General admission tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children under 18, and are available at The Mendocino Book Company (cash or check), Brown Bear Toys (cash or check) and the SPACE Box Office. The SPACE Theater is located at 508 W. Perkins St., Ukiah. For more information, call 462-9370 or visit www.spaceperformingarts.org.
Generously supported by The Arlene & Michael Rosen Foundation.
SPACE School of Performing Arts and Cultural Education Presents Noche De Estrellas directed by Olivia Zamora and music director Juan Pablo Mora. The performance will take place on March 21st at 2pm & 7pm at SPACE Theater, 508 West Perkins Street in Ukiah.
Noche De Estrellas is a night dedicated to singing, music, dance, and theater. Performances will be in Spanish by community members and features a multigenerational cast of more than 25 local artists.
This evening offers participants the opportunity to live the experience of performing in a professional environment, being recognized and celebrated as true stars, while sharing their talent and promoting Hispanic art and culture.
SPACE presents I Know Catherine, The Log Lady, the true story of the extraordinary death and big, big life of Catherine Coulson. Oscar winning director David Lynch, and Pulitzer winning playwright Robert Schenkkan both created new works for her. Celebrated actors, producers, directors, writers and cinematographers, who worked with her on stage, screen and behind the camera, come together with her closest family and friends at her death bed, to help her play her most iconic part one last time.
This showing is at SPACE Theater on Friday, February 20, at 6:30pm. A reception with beverages available for purchase will begin at 6:00pm. General admission tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children under 18 and are available at The Mendocino Book Company (cash or check), Brown Bear Toys (cash or check), and the SPACE Box Office. The SPACE Theater is located at 508 W. Perkins St., Ukiah. For more information, call (707) 462-9370.
Red Grammer is one of the premier entertainers of children and families in America. Described by Parent’s Magazine as, “the best voice in children’s music.” Red has set the gold standard for writing and performing music that playfully reconnects each one of us with the best in ourselves.
This performance will be fun for the entire family and is at SPACE Theater on Friday, February 6, at 5:30 pm. General admission tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children under 18, and are available at The Mendocino Book Company (cash or check), Brown Bear Toys (cash or check), and the SPACE Box Office. The SPACE Theater is located at 508 W. Perkins St., Ukiah. For more information, call 462-9370.
The holiday season will soon be upon us, and there’s no better way to kick off the festivities than with Elf JR., the musical that is sure to fill your heart with cheer! Based on the beloved holiday movie Elf, this family-friendly show brings Buddy the Elf’s hilarious and heartwarming journey to life on stage.
Mark your calendars for December 13, 14, 19, 20, & 21 and come join us at SPACE Theater for a performance that’s sure to make your winter season even brighter. Enjoy the delightful decorations and lights and purchase hot chocolate and holiday sweets before the show!
General admission tickets are $18 for adults, $10 for children under 18, and are available at The Mendocino Book Company (cash or check), Brown Bear Toys (cash or check) and the SPACE office. The SPACE Theater is located at 508 W. Perkins St., Ukiah. For more information, call 462-9370 or visit www.spaceperformingarts.org.
Elf the Musical JR. is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com.
Join SPACE and Instilling Goodness and Developing Virtue (IGDV) for an inspiring performance filled with music, dance, and creativity! Directed by Laurel Near in partnership with IGDV assistant director: Bryn Glassey, featuring talented performers from Higher Ground, Freedom Feat, Exception to the Rule, IGDV, and more!
Come celebrate creativity, community, and the power of performance—let’s get loud… and then quiet! Performances will be fun for the entire family and are at SPACE Theater, on Saturday November 8th at 2pm & 6pm. General admission tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children under 18, and are available at The Mendocino Book Company (cash or check), Brown Bear Toys (cash or check) and the SPACE Box Office. The SPACE Theater is located at 508 W. Perkins St., Ukiah. For more information, call 462-9370.
Join us via live stream on Saturday, October 25th at 7:30 as Ukiah’s own Quinn VanAntwerp, along with a cast of professional singers who previously starred in the Tony Award-winning Broadway production of Jersey Boys, take the stage for an unforgettable evening of music. Backed by a professional stage band, they’ll perform the iconic hits of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, as well as other beloved classics.
Livestream tickets are available for $65. The livestream link will be sent to ticket holders via email twice: once 72 hours before the performance and again 2 hours prior to showtime.
Join us on Saturday, October 25th, for an unforgettable evening with four incredible professional singers who previously starred in the Tony Award winning Broadway production of Jersey Boys. The evening will feature Ukiah’s own, Quinn VanAntwerp with a professional stage band, celebrating the iconic music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, along with other classic hits.
The event will begin with doors opening at 7:00 PM, and the performance will start promptly at 7:30 PM. The show will be held at the SPACE Theater, located at 508 W. Perkins St., Ukiah.
Don’t miss EVOLVE: The Journey of Dance—a powerful, high-energy show performed by an all-teen cast directed by Aisha Walls.
From ancient rituals to breakbeats and TikTok trends, this original production blends hip hop, Afro-fusion, jazz, and spoken word to tell the story of how dance has shaped our world.
Join us for a matinee or evening performance and experience the rhythm, the history, and the heartbeat of a generation.
One stage. One story. One word to remember—1, 2, 3... EVOLVE!
Performances will be fun for the entire family and are at SPACE Theater, on Friday, July 25th at 6pm and Saturday June 26th at 2pm. General admission tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children under 18, and are available at The Mendocino Book Company (cash or check), Brown Bear Toys (cash or check) and the SPACE Box Office.
Near & Arnold’s School of Performing Arts & Cultural Education presents Oliver! JR., the Broadway Junior version of Lionel Bart's classic musical based on Charles Dickens’ novel, Oliver Twist. The Tony and Olivier Award-winning show is widely hailed as a true theatrical masterpiece by actors and audience members alike. Oliver! JR. is full of classic songs like "Consider Yourself," "Food Glorious Food," and "Oom-Pah-Pah," and perfectly showcases the talents of a large ensemble cast ages 8-12. The show is directed by David Post.
Performances will be fun for the entire family and are at SPACE Theater on Friday, June 20th at 6pm and Saturday, June 21st at 2pm & 6pm.
Near & Arnold’s School of Performing Arts & Cultural Education presents Express Yourself!, a dance/theater production featuring over 100 youth dancers ages nine and up. This is an original show written by Amanda Rosenberg-Gutierrez and Laurel Near in 2016 and has since been adapted and directed by Rosenberg-Gutierrez. It is a journey through the emotional mind of a human, the twists and turns, the highs and lows, how to navigate, regulate, and interconnect.
Performances are on Friday, May 23rd, at 6pm, Saturday, May 24th, at 2pm & 6pm, and Sunday, May 25th, at 2pm. Shows will be held at SPACE Theater, 508 West Perkins Street, Ukiah CA.
SPACE Theater proudly presents It’s Elemental, an electrifying and heartfelt performance featuring 40 teens and special guest performers directed by Laurel Near with Assistant Director India Frey. The script, written by Near and Devon Near-Hill, is inspired by ancient imagery of the Five Elements—Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water—and brings each element to life through stunning contemporary choreography by local and regional choreographers.
Performances will be held at the SPACE Theater, 508 West Perkins St., Ukiah:
• Friday, May 2nd at 7pm
• Saturday, May 3rd at 2pm & 7pm
• Sunday, May 4th at 2pm
SPACE presents Scenes & Monologues from American Playwrights, an open showing performed by young teens in a new acting class at SPACE on Saturday, April 12 at 2pm and 6pm. The class, taught by Kate Magruder and Alicia Littletree Bales, has been developing this forty-five minute showcase for the past 8 weeks and it will feature excerpts from You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, as well as scenes from Neil Simon’s Brighton Beach Memoirs and William Inge’s Bus Stop.
The open showing will be in the SPACE Theatre at 508 West Perkins Street. Admission is free. For information , call (707) 462-9370 or visit www.spaceperformingarts.org.
SPACE (Near & Arnold’s School of Performing Arts & Cultural Education) presents Noche de Estrellas (Night of the Stars) on Saturday, March 15, at 7pm at the Ukiah High School Cafetorium, 1000 Low Gap Rd., Ukiah.
This year Noche de Estrellas will be 100% live mariachi music and performances from Ballet Folklorico de Luther Burbank Center for the Arts (LBC) who will perform beautiful Mexican ballet folkloric dancing with Luther Burbank Center’s Ensemble, Mariachi Cantares de Mi Tierra.
Mendocino Land Trust to Host Wild & Scenic Film Festival on Tour in Willits and Ukiah, February 21 & 22, 2025
Mendocino Land Trust is thrilled to present the Wild & Scenic Film Festival on Tour in Willits on February 21, 7:30 pm, at the Noyo Theater, and in Ukiah at SPACE Theater on February 22, 1:30 pm matinee.
Register now for Near & Arnold’s School of Performing Arts & Cultural Education’s Winter/Spring session, which begins January 27. SPACE offers a 17-week program for youth ages infant to young adult in dance, acting, art, Music Together® and Rhythm Kids®.
Financial aid is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Registration is available at the SPACE Office and online at www.spaceperformingarts.org and is ongoing until classes are filled. Several schools will pay for ONE full session of one SPACE class, including Ukiah Unified School District, Redwood Collegiate Academy & Sequoia Career Academy. Please contact the SPACE Office for more information at (707) 462-9370.
Near & Arnold’s School of Performing Arts & Cultural Education presents Musicals Through the Ages. Step back in time and journey through some of the most iconic moments of musical theatre history! Musicals Through the Ages celebrates the songs, stories, and unforgettable performances that have defined Broadway from the 1930s to today. This production will bring timeless classics and modern hits to life, featuring energetic group numbers, heartfelt solos, and choreography that audiences of all ages will love.
With performances ranging from The Wizard of Oz to RENT to Dear Evan Hansen, our talented cast of young performers will honor the music that has inspired generations. Come experience the magic, the joy, and the power of musical theatre live on stage!
Performances will be held at the SPACE Theater:
Saturday, January 25th at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Saturday, February 1st at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Tickets: $20 for adults | $15 for children
Available at the SPACE Box Office, Mendocino Book Company (cash or check), Brown Bear Toys (cash or check), and online at www.spaceperformingarts.org.
For more information, call (707) 462-9370.
Witness incredible dance performances, jaw-dropping moves, and unforgettable moments from dance groups from Lake, Sonoma & Mendocino Country. Let the rhythm move you at this spectacular event. Mark your calendars and be part of an evening filled with passion, energy, and talent. Get ready to experience the magic of dance like never before! See you there! MendoLake Teen Dance Fest generously underwritten by Redwood Transportation.
Performance is at the SPACE Theater in Ukiah, CA on Saturday, November 16 at 7pm. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for youth, available at the SPACE Box Office and online at www.spaceperformingarts.org.
SPACE (Near & Arnold’s School of Performing Arts & Cultural Education) is thrilled to present Molly Bell’s Hysterical on Saturday, October 26 at 7:30pm, for SPACE’s Fall Fundraiser. Tickets are on sale at Mendocino Book Company, SPACE Office and online at spaceperformingarts.org. Adults: $30, Youth 18 & under, $15. For information: call 707-462-9370.
Molly Bell’s Hysterical is a bold new musical and solo show that has been meticulously crafted over the past several years. This innovative piece marks a powerful reunion between performer Molly Bell and director Timothy Near. Fresh off its development at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley’s nationally recognized New Works Festival, SPACE is thrilled to bring you the latest chapter in the development of a new musical, Molly Bell’s Hysterical: a feel-good, laugh-out-loud exploration of what it’s like to ride the unpredictable rollercoaster of living—and performing—amid the chaos of an undiagnosed “something.” Make that TWO “some-things”. Oh, and Molly’s also living in this musical. That she’s writing. While she’s performing it- before a live audience. No wonder she’s wondering how to be sick.
For several years, the community has come together to celebrate Hispanic Heritage. This year, on Sept. 20, SPACE (Near & Arnold's School of Performing Arts & Cultural Education) is teaming up with Periodico Al Punto the region's only all-Spanish language newspaper to celebrate.
Register now for Near & Arnold’s School of Performing Arts & Cultural Education’s Fall session, which begins September 9. SPACE offers a 13-week program for youth ages infant to young adult in dance, acting, art, Music Together® and Rhythm Kids®.
Performances are at the SPACE Theater in Ukiah, CA on Friday, June 28th at 11am and 6pm, and Saturday, June 29th at 2pm and 6pm.
PERFECT!? tells the story of three friends who are directing a performing arts summer camp but find themselves on opening day with no play for the 70 kids who have shown up! They panic as they face the parents, the kids, and the other teachers who are dumb-founded that there is NO script. Miraculously, a charismatic stranger appears and offers to create a musical review with the campers; he also persuades the parents to let him make their kids “stars” in Hollywood – for a price. Through messages in classic musical theatre and contemporary songs, as well as a roller coaster of comedic twists and turns, the Hollywood stranger sees the errors of his ways and the students find new meaning to the word "success."