Taylor Swift Tribute Show Kicks Off 2026-27 Performance Season

Aug. 12, 2026 – The Cole Auditorium will kick off its highly anticipated 2026-2027 Performing Arts Series on Thursday, Oct. 8, at 7:30 p.m. with "Are You Ready For It?" A Taylor Experience, a nationally touring tribute production celebrating the music of icon Taylor Swift.

Starring award-nominated vocalist Traci Marie, America’s No. 1 family-friendly Taylor Swift tribute recreates the magic of Swift's record-breaking career. The high-energy show features show-stopping costume changes, dynamic choreography, a live band, immersive multimedia, and unforgettable sing-along moments spanning from Swift’s self-titled debut album to her newest release, The Life of a Showgirl.

Taylor Swift is undeniably a music icon, recently ranked by Billboard as one of the greatest artists of all time, alongside legends such as The Beatles and Michael Jackson.

“We are thrilled to open our season by bringing this spectacular, family-friendly celebration of her music to our community. Whether you’re a ‘Swiftie’ or new to Taylor’s music, this a must-see production for all generations,” said Cole Auditorium Director Joey Bennett. “We know this show is going to generate a lot of interest, so I encourage people to buy their tickets early.”

Headliner Traci Marie brings a wealth of performance experience to this tribute show. A small-town theater girl from the suburbs of Chicago, she has opened for national touring artists including Tony Orlando, The Righteous Brothers, and Chubby Checker. She was named a two-time nominee for the Josie Music Awards Tribute Artist of the Year.

Ticket Prices: $35 to $45

Scotty McCreery

The next musical performance will be North Carolina’s very own Scotty McCreery, who is set to step foot on stage Friday, Nov. 6, at 7:30 p.m. McCreery is no stranger to Hamlet, as he performed here at the Cole Auditorium in 2019 for the Fidelity Bank Classic Rock ‘n Country Series. The “Five More Minutes” singer has sold more than 4 million albums and achieved 7 No.1 hits: the RIAA-Platinum certified “Bottle Rockets” featuring Hootie & The Blowfish, which was also McCreery’s first ever No. 1 hit in Canada, "Cab in a Solo.” The ACM and CMT Award winner and Grand Ole Opry member was the first country artist and youngest male artist of any genre to debut their first album at No. 1 on the all-genre Billboard 200 when he started in 2011 with “Clear as Day.”

Ticket Prices: $55 to $65

Beginnings: A Celebration of the Music of Chicago

Bring in the new year with Beginnings: A Celebration of the Music of Chicago on Thursday, Jan. 21, at 7:30 p.m., this group brings the magic of a live Chicago performance to life, recreating exceptionally well their extensive songbook of contemporary hits. The band transports listeners back to a time of big arena concerts with all the sound, excitement, and emotion generated from Chicago’s extensive catalog of gold and platinum recordings.  Relive hits like “Saturday in the Park” and “You’re The Inspiration.”

“This Chicago tribute band has one of the most entertaining live performances you can see today.  Expect a family-friendly entertainment event that is pleasing to music lovers of all ages,” said Bennett.

Ticket Prices: $30 to $45

Smokey & Me: A Celebration of Smokey Robinson

After an extraordinary career fronting the Miracles, Smokey Robinson stepped out onto a solo path in 1972 and forged a new body of work that heavily influenced the rise of Motown music. Bringing that miraculous work back to the stage in this day and age is Tony nominee Charl Brown. Smokey & Me: A Celebration of Smokey Robinson will be at the Cole Auditorium on Wednesday, Feb. 3, at 7:30 p.m. This tribute show celebrates the life, music, and career of the acclaimed singer-songwriter, once pronounced by Bob Dylan as America’s “greatest living poet.” Smokey is perfectly and uncannily captured by Charl Brown, who won a Tony nomination for his portrayal of Smokey in Motown: The Musical. For the Broadway lovers, the second half of the show takes a journey through Charl’s musical history with hits from Broadway musicals like Hair, Jersey Boys, & The Wiz.

Ticket Prices: $30 to $40

Fiddle in the Band, the Premier Tribute to Alabama

The final show of the Performing Arts Series is Fiddle in the Band, the Premier Tribute to Alabama on Thursday, April 8, at 7:30 p.m. Fiddle in the Band is a premier, nationally touring tribute act dedicated to the iconic country music group Alabama. The band faithfully recreates Alabama's signature harmonies and decades of No. 1 hits, such as "Mountain Music," "Roll On," and "If You're Gonna Play in Texas.” 

Ticket Prices: $35 to $45

For More Information

Tickets for the 2026-2027 Performing Arts Series are on sale now. Show tickets are sold as a package or individually. Purchasers will be assigned a seat location when tickets are purchased.

Season tickets range in price from $120 to $160 each. Season ticket holders save anywhere from $65 to $80. Individual show tickets range from $30 to $65 and vary per show and seating section. All prices include sales taxes. Online sales surcharges are not included.

Groups of 10 or more save 20 percent on individual show tickets. Tickets can be purchased at the Cole Auditorium Box Office located on the Hamlet Campus of RichmondCC, online, or by calling (910) 410-1691. The Box Office is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

For more information, call the Box Office at (910) 410-1691.