“The Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts represents the heart of this region.”
— William T. “Billy” Clow
The Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts is set to open in the Fall of 2026!
Celebrate with us as we bring you stellar voices from the West End and stunning harmonies from close to home. Bring your family for spectacular entertainment and electric performances.
We present a Gold Series of professional performances, curated to bring excitement and joy to our community, and feature a Purple Series of WIU productions in Theatre, Music, and Dance. Be among the first to take your seat in the Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts by subscribing to A Season of Joy!
A Season of Joy
Chicken Wire Empire
Wed., Sept. 16, 2026 Chicken Wire Empire is a Wisconsin-based bluegrass band known for their dynamic musicality, thorough arrangements, and true-to-life songwriting. They’ve been recognized worldwide for their top-tier performances and collaborations with dozens of artists from all corners of the bluegrass genre. "...bridges traditional bluegrass with aggressive jam band tendencies." -Isthmus
Gravity
Sun., Sept. 20, 2026 Gravity brings together three of the West End's most glamorous and celebrated leading ladies for an unforgettable evening of music and storytelling. “Gravity isn’t just a concert from three powerhouse performers… it is a coven of Wicked Witches, defying expectations on the London West End stage.” -WestEndWilma.com
Magic Rocks
Thurs., Oct. 22, 2026 He's Fooled Penn and Teller, Rocked America's Got Talent, and cracked up Jimmy Fallon. Now illusionist Leon Etienne brings his spectacular stage show to the Goldfarb Center for a jaw-dropping encounter with the impossible. Get up close with his brand of high-energy magic that's suitable for all ages. Will he fool you?
Stomp
Tues., Dec. 1, 2026 STOMP is explosive, inventive, provocative, witty, and utterly unique—an unforgettable experience for audiences of all ages. The international percussion sensation has garnered armfuls of awards and rave reviews and has appeared on numerous national television shows. The eight-member troupe uses everything but conventional percussion instruments – matchboxes, wooden poles, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters, hubcaps – to fill the stage with magnificent rhythms. Year after year, audiences worldwide keep coming back for more of this pulse-pounding electrifying show. As the Boston Globe says, “If you haven’t seen STOMP, GO! If you have seen it, take someone and share the pleasure!” STOMP. See what all the noise is about.
Forgottonia
Sat., Feb. 6, 2027 How could we open the Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts without Chris Vallillo? Here where it premiered, Forgottonia, Chris’s love letter to the places, the communities, and the songs of Western Illinois will take you on a musical journey, illustrated by Tim Schroll’s stunning black and white photography. Lyrical, moving, and unforgettable.
TaikoArts Midwest
Wed., Mar. 24, 2027 Bursting from the US Midwest, rooted in centuries of tradition from Japan, comes TaikoArts Midwest, presenting BIG GRAVITY! Blending top-notch skill and training from Japan and rooted in Minnesota, their performances carry a deeper spiritual purpose and joy. Defying time and place, their music captures earthy tones of long ago, thundering with images of a whole new world coming to life.
Quad City Symphony Orchestra
Mon., Apr. 5, 2027 For the first time in more than twenty years, the Quad City Symphony will take to the road. As part of the ensemble's 112th season, Masterworks VI will be performed at the Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts. Chávez’s rhythmic Sinfonía India sets a vibrant tone before cellist Tommy Mesa returns to the Quad Cities to perform Michael Abels’s newly commissioned cello concerto. The season concludes with the warmth and joy of Dvořák’s spirited Eighth Symphony.
OUR JOURNEY
Experience the Future of Performing Arts at WIU
The Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts at Western Illinois University is a state-funded, 100,000-square-foot facility designed to elevate both campus and community arts experiences. Scheduled for completion in Spring 2026, the $119 million center will feature premier performance spaces for theatre, dance, and music, including a large-scale Great Hall and flexible studio venues.
Serving students, faculty, and the public, the center will host university productions, professional performances, and external events, while also offering rental opportunities and accessible programming. Built with sustainability in mind as a LEED Silver facility, it is expected to drive regional economic impact through tourism, events, and cultural engagement.
Our Journey
Experience the Future of Performing Arts at WIU
The Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts represents a 40-year collaboration among WIU, the City of Macomb, and the State of Illinois. With the support of students, alumni, and the Western Illinois region, the Goldfarb Center has grown from idea to reality with a $119 million investment from the state of Illinois. The facility features 100,000 square feet of designed and dedicated space for teaching and learning, rehearsal, and performance in Theatre, Music, and Dance.
As we open the doors, we look forward to welcoming new and returning students, artists of professional caliber, friends and supporters, and audiences from throughout the region. As we strive to make the live arts accessible and affordable for our entire community, we remember the spirit of our late Dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communication, William T. "Billy" Clow, who told us:
"What matters is that our students will have facilities to train and learn in that are worthy of their immense talents. That our spectacular faculty can teach and create in spaces that long for a sense of timeless artistry. The Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts is more than just a building. It is our art. It is our learning. And it is our soul."
“The Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts
represents the heart of this region.”
— Late Dean Billy T. Clow
The Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts is set to open in the Fall of 2026!
Celebrate with us as we bring you stellar voices from the West End and stunning harmonies from close to home. Bring your family for spectacular entertainment and electric performances.
We present a Gold Series of professional performances, curated to bring excitement and joy to our community, and feature a Purple Series of WIU productions in Theatre, Music, and Dance. Be among the first to take your seat in the Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts by subscribing to A Season of Joy!
“The Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts
represents the heart of this region.”
— Late Dean Billy T. Clow
The Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts is set to open in the Fall of 2026!
Celebrate with us as we bring you stellar voices from the West End and stunning harmonies from close to home. Bring your family for spectacular entertainment and electric performances.
We present a Gold Series of professional performances, curated to bring excitement and joy to our community, and feature a Purple Series of WIU productions in Theatre, Music, and Dance. Be among the first to take your seat in the Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts by subscribing to A Season of Joy!
“The Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts
represents the heart of this region.”
— Late Dean Billy T. Clow
The Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts is set to open in the Fall of 2026!
Celebrate with us as we bring you stellar voices from the West End and stunning harmonies from close to home. Bring your family for spectacular entertainment and electric performances.
We present a Gold Series of professional performances, curated to bring excitement and joy to our community, and feature a Purple Series of WIU productions in Theatre, Music, and Dance. Be among the first to take your seat in the Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts by subscribing to A Season of Joy!
UPCOMING SEASON
Grand OpeningFri, Sep 04
Chicken Wire EmpireWed, Sep 16
GravitySun, Sep 20
Magic RocksThu, Oct 22
STOMPTue, Dec 01
Taiko Arts MidwestWed, Mar 24
CONSTRUCTION
Learn more about the Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts and see the current construction at wiu.edu/gcpa
OUR MISSION
The Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts supports the academic mission and artistic programs at Western Illinois University. The Goldfarb Center serves as a cultural and performing arts destination for the campus, the City of Macomb, and the entire Western Illinois region.
Location
571 N. Western Ave.
Macomb, IL 61455
Contact
General Inquiries: goldfarbcenter@wiu.edu
Anne Lefter, Director
Browne Hall
Phone: (309) 298-2862
Email: AM-Lefter@wiu.edu
Follow Us
Follow us on Social Media as we approach the finish line and open our doors!
Wrapping Up Our 2025-2026 Season
Asif Ali
Comedian and actor Asif Ali takes the stage at 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 6, in the University Union Grand Ballroom. Buy tickets here.
