A Season of Music, Memories, and Community — And More Still to Come
As the Franco Center’s season runs from August 1, 2025 through July 31, 2026, we’re taking a moment to reflect on a vibrant first half of the year—and to share what’s still ahead. From packed concerts and immersive experiences to meaningful cultural gatherings, this season has been a joyful reminder of why the Franco Center exists: to bring people together through arts, culture, history, and community.
Highlights From the Season So Far
The season kicked off in August with a high-energy favorite: Dueling Pianos, filling the house with laughter, sing-alongs, and audience participation that set the tone for months to come.
In September, the Franco Center produced its own Hooray for Hollywood!, celebrating the magic of film, music, and performance with a homegrown production that showcased creativity and collaboration.
October brought chills and thrills with a Halloween-themed Escape Room adventure set inside the former sanctuary. With the lights off and flashlights in hand, participants solved clues in the dark for an extra dose of spooky fun—an unforgettable way to experience the building in a whole new way.
Also in October, and again in December, the Franco Center hosted La Rencontre luncheons, bringing people together to celebrate Franco-American history through shared meals, entertainment, storytelling, and camaraderie. These gatherings continue to play an important role in keeping the region’s heritage alive.
November was especially full:
Fiddle-icious returned for its annual concert, featuring dozens of talented fiddle players and a sound that filled the room with energy and tradition.
Thread Theater made a welcome return, sparking hope among audiences that it will become a regular part of the Franco Center’s programming.
Crystal Vision delivered a crowd-pleasing Fleetwood Mac tribute concert, delighting longtime fans and newcomers alike.
Beyond the stage, the Lower Level Bar and Lounge hosted a lively cribbage night, with more themed nights planned in the future. The Franco Center also proudly gathered gifts for the Chamber’s Stuff the Bus program, supporting families during the holiday season.
The year closed on a high note with the fourth annual Sights and Sounds of Christmas, welcoming hundreds of attendees for holiday merriment, music, and performances that truly captured the spirit of the season.
Looking Ahead to 2026
The excitement continues in the months ahead, with a lineup that promises something for everyone:
🎹 Dueling Pianos returns
🎤 A Lady Gaga tribute concert
🇫🇷 La Rencontre during March, celebrating Francophonie Month
🕵️ A hoped-for murder mystery theater event
🪄 Three days of magic shows by invitation for local schoolchildren
🎶 Elton John and Rod Stewart tribute concerts
🇨🇦 Another La Rencontre in celebration of St. Jean Baptiste Day
More Than Performances
In addition to public events, the Franco Center continues to be supported through venue rentals, hosting a wide range of gatherings including symphony orchestra concerts, chorale performances, weddings, company parties and seminars, celebrations of life, and more. While the Franco Center does not currently provide in-house catering, renters may choose from a wide array of excellent local caterers.
The Franco Center also offers:
Line dancing lessons twice a week
Free “Parlez Vous” French conversation meetups, open to the public and held every other week
Thank You for Being Part of Our Story
Whether you’ve attended a concert, joined us for lunch, danced, volunteered, rented the space, or simply cheered us on, your support makes everything possible. As the season continues, we look forward to welcoming familiar faces and new friends alike—and to creating even more moments worth celebrating together.
Stay tuned, and we’ll see you at the Franco Center.
