Single tickets for September and October shows in the 2026/27 Walton Arts Center season are on sale now. The 35th anniversary season kicks off with great shows including jazz, local and international music legends, a new series and a much-anticipated Arkansas premiere of a Tony Award®-winning musical.
The Outsiders
Sept. 1-6 | 8 performances! | Arkansas Premiere | First National Tour
Tickets start at $48.30
The winner of four 2024 Tony Awards, including best musical, is The Outsiders. This classic coming-of-age story takes you to Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1967, where Ponyboy Curtis, his best friend Johnny Cade and their family of Greaser “outsiders” dream about who they want to become in a world that will never accept them. The Outsiders features Danya Taymor’s Tony Award winning direction that’s “refreshing, gritty and endlessly effective.” (The New York Times). With “high-octane choreography” (New York Magazine), The Outsiders has been described as “more pulse-pounding than anything else on Broadway!” (Time Out New York).
Hear from author S.E. Hinton on writing and creating the story we know and love:
From Cole Porter to Bob Dylan featuring Isabella Isherwood
Thursday, Sept. 10, 7:30 pm
Tickets are $40.25 for tiered seating and $63.25 for cabaret tables
Praised by critic Neil Tesser for her "thrilling low notes, a middle register that resonates warmth and ghostly obbligatos to enhance an arrangement," Isabella Isherwood delivers a delightful exploration of jazz and beyond. Fresh off her debut album The Sweetest Sounds released this year, this emerging talent celebrates the enduring legacy of the Great American Songbook with artistry, charm and a distinctly personal touch. This show is the first in the new Songbook Salon series.
Learn about the making of her debut album here:
Matthew Whitaker Trio
Saturday, Sept. 12, 7:30 pm
Tickets are $40.25 for tiered seating and $63.25 for cabaret tables
Coming off of a 2026 Grammy® win for best instrumental arrangement of “Super Mario Praise Break,” Matthew Whitaker is just getting started. A recipient of three ASCAP Foundation Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composers Awards, Whitaker began his musical career at the age of three and since graduated from The Juilliard School. He has already composed for television and film, released four studio albums and collaborated on projects with Jon Batiste, Christian McBride, Regina Carter, Anderson .Paak, just to name a few.
Jake Shimabukuro
Wednesday, Sept. 16, 7 pm
Tickets are ONLY $10
Jake Shimabukuro is a world-renowned ukulele virtuoso whose groundbreaking artistry has redefined the instrument for the 21st century. Hailed as the “Jimi Hendrix of the ukulele,” He has captivated audiences across the globe with his masterful technique, innovative spirit and deeply expressive performances that seamlessly blend elements of jazz, rock, classical, blues, folk and traditional Hawaiian music. Over the course of his career Shimabukuro has released numerous acclaimed albums, collaborated with an array of legendary artists including Bette Midler, Yo-Yo Ma, Jimmy Buffett, Ziggy Marley and Mick Fleetwood.
Trout Fishing in America’s 50th Anniversary Tour Kickoff
Thursday, Sept. 24, 7 pm
Tickets are $20
Trout Fishing in America’s Keith Grimwood and Ezra Idlet have been friends and songwriting partners for five decades. They write music for people who take their fun seriously, and their dynamic sound, relatable lyrics and unique stage presence offer something for everyone. The nationally touring duo has traveled over a million miles and performed in all 50 states plus parts of Canada and Europe. Now, they’re hitting the road on their 50th Anniversary Tour, kicking it off right here in their hometown. Come out and show these legends some Fayetteville love!
Simon Moullier Trio with Alex Claffy and Steve Pruitt
Friday, Oct. 2, 7:30 pm
Tickets are $40.25 for tiered seating and $63.25 for cabaret tables
Grammy-winning vibraphonist, composer and arranger Simon Moullier is known for his entirely new approach and sound on his instrument, distinguishing himself as one of the leading voices of his generation. "His music is fresh. Never heard anyone play vibes like that before,” says Herbie Hancock, who mentored Moullier along with Quincy Jones, Wayne Shorter and Darren Barrett at the Thelonious Monk Institute. Moullier will be joined onstage with Alex Claffy on double bass and Steven Pruitt on drums.
The War And Treaty
Wednesday, Oct. 7, 7 pm
Tickets start at $40.25
For the past decade, soulful duo The War And Treaty—husband-and-wife Michael and Tanya Trotter—have steadily risen from industry favorites to internationally acclaimed performers known for their electrifying live shows. They defy categorization, earning nominations and honors from the Academy of Country Music, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Grand Ole Opry and the Grammy Awards, proving their extraordinary talent across genres. Their 2025 performance sold out, so we’re bringing them back to give an even larger audience the chance to experience their vibrant energy.