UCF Celebrates the Arts is an immersive and dynamic cultural extravaganza that fuses creativity, innovation and community engagement. This annual festival showcases the artistic prowess of UCF's faculty and students and invites the broader community to enjoy performances, exhibitions, presentations and interactive experiences. With a focus on accessibility, partnership and diverse offerings, UCF Celebrates the Arts is a unique opportunity for the community to experience the creative side of UCF's innovative spirit.The festival will feature the cherished theatrical masterpiece of "Fiddler on the Roof," brought to life by Tony winner Joseph Stein and Pulitzer Prize winners Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick. With unforgettable musical hits like "Tradition," "Sunrise, Sunset," and "If I Were a Rich Man," as well as the enchanting melodies of "Matchmaker, Matchmaker" and "To Life (L'Chaim!)."Each spring, UCF brings its best and brightest artists to Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts for a large-scale celebration of creativity. UCF Celebrates the Arts showcases our students, faculty and alumni through dance, concerts, lectures and discussions, film, chamber music, visual arts and more. Registration Link: http://Arts.ucf.edu/celebrates Registration Info: purchase tickets here.

Pegasus String Quartet Returns to Dr. Phillips Center for the 4th Year!Join UCF's Pegasus String Quartet, under the direction of Ayako Yonetani, for an unforgettable evening of chamber music as the Pegasus String Quartet, UCF's premier graduate string ensemble, returns to the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts for the fourth consecutive year.Program Highlights:In the first half, we'll present String Quartet No. 1 by Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos, known for his innovative fusion of traditional European forms with Brazilian folk elements. This will be followed by one of Mozart's most celebrated quartets, the String Quartet No. 19 in C Major, K. 465, commonly known as the "Dissonance" Quartet. Mozart's exploration of harmonic ambiguity and bold sonorities in this piece offers a fascinating contrast to Villa-Lobos' vibrant and dynamic style.The second half features a collaboration with two esteemed guest artists: David Bjella, UCF faculty member, and Tyler Pacheco, professor at Valencia College. Together, we will perform Verklarte Nacht ("Transfigured Night") by Arnold Schoenberg. Inspired by Richard Dehmel's poem of the same name, this lush, deeply expressive string sextet marks Schoenberg's early mastery before his development of the 12-tone technique. It's a tonal work rich in chromaticism, influenced by the German Romanticism of Brahms and Wagner, and characterized by its intricate harmonic language.Throughout the program, we explore a common theme: pushing boundaries. Each piece challenges traditional notions of tonality, rhythm, and style, offering fresh perspectives within the chamber music repertoire.This event is a part of UCF Celebrates the Arts 2025. Registration Link: https://cah.ucf.edu/events/celebrates/ Registration Info: Purchase tickets here.

"The Body's Voice" is a fun and heartfelt show where Luca Vullo and his mother, Angela Gabriele, bring Italy's silent language to life. Often referred to as the "Ambassador of Italian gestures," Luca has over a decade of experience teaching masterclasses on this subject at more than 70 international universities. His unique expertise allows him to compare Italian gestures with those of other cultures and explore the potential for intercultural misunderstandings.This event is a part of UCF Celebrates the Arts 2025. Registration Link: https://cah.ucf.edu/events/celebrates/ Registration Info: For more information.

The University of Central Florida's top two auditioned ensembles, the UCF Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band, present an evening of firsts, including the premieres of important and impactful works and collaborations with guest artists and ensembles. The program includes the consortium premiere of a new concerto for trumpet and symphonic band, by Juan Vasquez, featuring UCF Associate Professor of Trumpet Jesse Cook, Ph.D., and the world premieres of "D[RAM]EDY" for solo piano and wind ensemble, written by faculty composer, Alexander Burtzos and featuring world-renowned solo artist, Jenny Lin, and also of a new setting of Leonard Bernstein's monumental "Chichester Psalms" for orchestral winds, percussion, mixed choir, and soloists, with the UCF choirs performing alongside our wind ensemble.This event is a part of UCF Celebrates the Arts 2025. Registration Link: http://Arts.ucf.edu/celebrates Registration Info: https://www.drphillipscenter.org/events/tickets/2025/ucf-premieres-and-collaborations/

UCF Celebrates the Arts is an immersive and dynamic cultural extravaganza that fuses creativity, innovation and community engagement. This annual festival showcases the artistic prowess of UCF's faculty and students and invites the broader community to enjoy performances, exhibitions, presentations and interactive experiences. With a focus on accessibility, partnership and diverse offerings, UCF Celebrates the Arts is a unique opportunity for the community to experience the creative side of UCF's innovative spirit.The festival will feature the cherished theatrical masterpiece of "Fiddler on the Roof," brought to life by Tony winner Joseph Stein and Pulitzer Prize winners Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick. With unforgettable musical hits like "Tradition," "Sunrise, Sunset," and "If I Were a Rich Man," as well as the enchanting melodies of "Matchmaker, Matchmaker" and "To Life (L'Chaim!)."Each spring, UCF brings its best and brightest artists to Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts for a large-scale celebration of creativity. UCF Celebrates the Arts showcases our students, faculty and alumni through dance, concerts, lectures and discussions, film, chamber music, visual arts and more. Registration Link: http://Arts.ucf.edu/celebrates Registration Info: purchase tickets here.

Live jazz recital by UCF faculty member Richard Drexler at UCF main campus.