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 21^st 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.

Choose from two showtimes: the 1pm performance is perfect for kids and families, while the 5pm show open teens and adults.

Come out, celebrate, and support the arts in your community!

General admission tickets are $35 for adults and $15 for children under 18 (recommended for ages 12 & up), 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.