In the past 15 years, residents in and around Parker have come to know the Parker Arts and Cultural Event Center – the PACE Center – as a hub for entertainment.
Before the PACE center was built, residents were accustomed to having to go to downtown Denver for exciting entertainment, but today, those same quality shows are available right in people’s backyard – and they don’t have to pay for parking, said Carrie Glassburn, cultural director at Parker Arts which oversees the PACE Center..
“People can come here and bring their family, still go out to eat and not break the bank like they might have for other entertainment,” Glassburn said.
With a 534-seat theater, Glassburn said that the intimate setting allows for performers and artists to really connect with the audience.
She added that the PACE Center continues to bring new people into the theater, averaging about 30-40% new attendees each show.
“When they get here and they see that we’re affordable and we’ve got quality shows that are really convenient, it’s everything that they love,” Glassburn said.
This season, there is even more to love. From magic to fashion to dinosaurs, the entertainment lineup for the 2025-2026 season has something for everybody.
“We’ve got even more variety this year,” Glassburn said. “We try to find some things for people who have never been to the theater before, especially young children, all the way up to our aging adults.”
In addition to returning musical performances by the Parker Symphony Orchestra and the Parker Chorale, several Friday nights will feature the Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra which offers a mix of salsa, swing, jazz manouche and more.
The PACE Center will host numerous noteworthy live concerts – Devon Allman’s Blues Summit country artist Chris Cagle; Grammy nominated pianist Jim Brickman; and Celtic music with Natalie MacMaster, Donnell Leahy and the Celtic All-Stars.
The music doesn’t end there, as there are musical theater performances that will bring fairytale fun and take audiences through the decades.
Shows include “Shrek the Musical,” “BritBeat: The Immersive Beatles Tribute Experience,” “Neil Berg’s 50 Years of Rock ‘n’ Roll” and “Electric Avenue: The 80s Movie Soundtrack Night.”
There are shows for the younger generation as well, including “Dinosaur World Live,” a theatrical adaptation of “Goodnight Moon” and the Family Discovery Series.
If you’re looking for a good laugh, there are comedy performances by national stand-up comedians like Adam Ferrara, Ryan Hamilton and the 2015 winner of “America’s Got Talent,” ventriloquist Paul Zerdin.
The season also includes performances by psychic medium Matt Fraser, comedic clairvoyant Peter Antoniou, the Magic of Rob Lake and and thrillers like the 360 ALLSTARS, which is a high-octane urban circus that blends breakdancing, basketball, BMX and beatboxing.
The holiday classics will return, along with new events such as Reel Stories: AANHPI Voices in Film – a one-day film festival celebrating Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander narratives.
Tickets for the season are on sale to Parker Arts members now. They go on sale to the public on July 22.
Find more information at ParkerArts.org or call 303-805-6800.