The Performance Pop-Up series are FREE outdoor presentations that celebrate the depth and variety of Arizona’s talent and provide high-quality music, dance, and theatrical programming in a safe and welcoming environment. The 60-minute performances are held on Saturday evenings from 6pm-7pm, showcasing artists and performances that are diverse and reflective of our community. The performances activate the outdoor areas of the theater through interactive opportunities that engage people who live, work, study and visit downtown Phoenix. Stop by for a unique experience!
2024-2025 Season
EL MAMBO
Saturday, October 12, 2024
Audiences will be experiencing WORLD CLASS MAMBO/LATIN JAZZ with an amazing exhibition of Latin percussion sounds.
Dance Fusion AZ
Saturday, October 19, 2024
Dance Fusion is proud to present a variety of styles of dance including hip hop, breaking, tap, jazz, belly dance, contemporary, ballet and more.
Sandra Bassett
Saturday, October 26, 2024
At a Sandra Bassett performance, audiences can expect an electrifying show filled with soulful vocals and high-energy grooves that keep the crowd dancing and singing along. Sandra’s powerful voice and magnetic stage presence create an immersive experience, blending classic R&B hits with contemporary favorites.
Arizona Girlchoir
Saturday, November 2, 2024
Arizona Girlchoir will be singing a selection of inspirational and uplifting songs with a mission to cultivate confidence, community, and leadership in girls through the beauty of music.
CONDER/dance
Saturday, November 9, 2024
CONDER/dance and Depth Dance present a collaborative pop-up performance featuring new choreographic works at this beautiful outdoor theater space. Experience premieres of two local female choreographers in a dynamic split bill that promises to captivate and inspire.
Phoenix Youth Circus Arts
Saturday, November 30, 2024
A variety of short acts including juggling, equilabristics, acrobatics, clowning, and aerial arts.
SOUNDS Academy
Saturday, December 14, 2024
The SOUNDS Academy Exposure Concert is a concert featuring multi-faceted works performed by some of the brightest stars of SOUNDS Academy. In this event, audiences can expect to hear some advanced repertoire including concerti, sonatas, and a variety of styles across the student body.
Brittani Jay
**This Event Has Been Postponed. Please Check Back Later For New Date.
Vocalist, songwriter, and recording artist Brittiani Jay will be presenting a selection of songs audiences will absolutely love.
“Home Alone” Film on the Pavilion
Saturday, December 28, 2024
When bratty 8-year-old Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) acts out the night before a family trip to Paris, his mother (Catherine O’Hara) makes him sleep in the attic. After the McCallisters mistakenly leave for the airport without Kevin, he awakens to an empty house and assumes his wish to have no family has come true. But his excitement sours when he realizes that two con men (Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern) plan to rob the McCallister residence, and that he alone must protect the family home.
Serenity Dance
Saturday, January 11, 2025
Serenity Dance is a student-led community service and performing arts group who provides free experiences for youth to learn Vietnamese modern and traditional dance and gain volunteer hours. They will be showcasing a series of different works that audiences are bound to enjoy.
Metropolitan Arts Institute
Saturday, January 18, 2025
Metro Arts will feature a collection of works from their young artists including dance, theatre, and music performances.
Scottsdale Community College
Saturday, January 25, 2025
A showcase featuring choreography and dance performances by current SCC students, faculty, and alumni.
Lisa Hightower
Saturday, February 1, 2025
An evening with the jazzy soulful sounds of Lisa “Thee’ Oracle” Hightower. Hightower’s unique sound draws from jazz, R&B, soul, and Gospel and is energetic and lyrically-focused. Join this amazing vocalist as she inspires & engages the audience for a wonderful evening of music & joy!
Third Space Dance Project
Saturday, February 15, 2025
A “third space” is a place where ideas that seem opposite can come together to generate a new, third idea. Third Space Dance Project will be presenting a showcase featuring incredible contemporary, experimental, and hip hop/street dance artists from Arizona.
Driftwood Quintet
Saturday, February 22, 2025
Driftwood Quintet is a chamber group dedicated to crossing genres and bending boundaries in classical music. A Driftwood Quintet performance can feature anything from orchestral masterworks or piano works to the imaginative soundtracks from the greatest video games and films. Driftwood Quintet also collaborates with artists from a variety of disciplines, ranging from jazz musicians and singer-songwriters to dancers and visual artists.
Center Dance Core
Saturday, March 1, 2025
Center Dance Core is a new modern company comprised of dancers from around the Phoenix area. This evening, they will be premiering new choreography as well as past works created by two inspirational women, Frances Smith Cohen and Diane McNeal Hunt.
Desert Dance Theatre
Saturday, March 15, 2025
Desert Dance Theatre is a contemporary dance theatre company that was founded in 1979. The company specializes in theme-related programs that focus on cultural diversity, social issues and about the lives of prominent people who have fought for freedom in America through its music/dance/drama productions. This evening will be a showcase of some of their latest work.
EDM Fitness “Dance Party”
Saturday, March 22, 2025
Get your FIT on with a special Dance Party with EDM Fitness! This is a workout you don’t want to miss.
The Asim Project
Saturday, April 5, 2025
The trio consists of Lloyd Foulks on bass, Mark Dorris on keyboards, and its leader Asim Nichols on drums. They will be performing new original material. Their performances can be described as “musical conversations” amongst the band members.
Showcase Community Theatre
Saturday, April 19, 2025
Showcase Community Theatre is an Arizona-based nonprofit theatre company. Their goal is to provide an outlet for artists to express themselves, while helping them learn more about their craft and grow as people. They strive to put on quality productions and provide the theatre community with a wide variety of entertainment choices.
State 48 Theatre Company
Saturday, April 26, 2025
State 48 Theatre Company is a performing arts organization for performers of all ages. They create high quality entertainment while fostering a safe and welcoming environment for kids, teens and adults to learn and grow. This evening will be a showcase of some of their performances.
APPLY FOR 25-26 SEASON
The Herberger Theater Center seeks performing artists and groups to participate in our ‘25/’26 Performance Pop-Up series. Performance Pop-Ups are admission-free outdoor presentations for the community that celebrates the depth and variety of Phoenix’s talent and provide high-quality music, dance, and theatrical programming in a safe and welcoming environment. These 60 minute performances are held on Saturday evenings from 6pm-7pm. This performance opportunity is to showcase your work, re-engage with past audiences, and develop new followers. We are looking for artists and performances that are diverse and reflective of our community to book several dates in October through December 2025, and January through May 2026. Selected artists are provided a small stipend, have access to a large outdoor stage, free marketing/advertisements, and assistance by a professional theatrical crew.
Submissions will be reviewed on an ongoing basis by the adjudication panel and will be accepted until all available slots are filled.
Thank you to our Performance Pop-Up Sponsors!
