(Photo provided) Compagnie Herve Koubi – Sol Invictus is a high-energy performance blending contemporary and urban dance, capoeira and martial arts with powerful imagery and inspired choreography and will be featured at 8 p.m. Sept. 24, at Peoples Bank Theatre as part of the Esbenshade Series 2025-26 season.

Marietta’s signature arts series returns with a bold and diverse 2025-26 lineup of music, performance and creativity.

With a world-class dance company, a best-selling author, and renowned musicians, the 2025-26 Esbenshade Series at Marietta College will continue its decades-long tradition of offering free, enriching and diverse cultural experiences to the campus and the broader community.

Curated by Esbenshade Director Todd Burge, a native of Wood County, and one of the state’s most prolific singer-songwriters, the series is designed to connect the campus and community through fine arts experiences that ignite conversation, foster appreciation, and celebrate creative expression.

Compagnie Hervé Koubi, a French-based company composed of dancers from diverse international origins, will kick off the season with Sol Invictus, a high-energy performance that blends contemporary and urban dance with capoeira and martial arts, showcasing the unifying power of dance on Sept. 24 at the Peoples Bank Theatre.

“Celebrating its 45th year, the 2025-26 Esbenshade Series is one of our most exciting yet. We have brought together artists and performances that not only represent the highest level of artistic excellence but also speak to a wide range of cultural experiences,” Burge said. “Our mission, established through the Frederica G. Esbenshade Memorial Fund, has always been to connect the campus with the community–a tradition begun in 1980 by the Esbenshade family to bring world-class performances, lectures, and diverse programs to Marietta, free and open to all.”

The full 2025-26 Esbenshade series includes:

¯ Compagnie Herve Koubi – Sol Invictus

Sept. 24, 8 p.m. at Peoples Bank Theatre

A high-energy performance blending contemporary and urban dance, capoeira and martial arts with powerful imagery and inspired choreography.

¯ Billy Bob Thornton & The Boxmasters

Oct. 8, 7 p.m. at Peoples Bank Theatre

A powerful, guitar-driven, retro rock-influenced concert from the prolific touring band.

¯ Mary Roach

Nov. 12, 7 p.m. at Alma McDonough Auditorium

A fascinating talk from the best-selling author of “Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law,” featuring hilarious anecdotes, mind-blowing facts, and unknown realities about the relationship between humans and the natural world.

¯ Dom Flemons

Jan. 22, 2026, 7 p.m. at The Gathering Place

A compelling folk performance by the Grammy-winning artist, celebrated as “The American Songster,” known for honoring Black string band and American roots music traditions.

¯ Susan Werner

Feb. 27, 2026, 7 p.m. at Alma McDonough Auditorium

A genre-defying acclaimed singer-songwriter performing a mix of folk, jazz, gospel and Americana.

“This year’s lineup invites both students and residents to share in moments of inspiration, curiosity, and joy. When you attend an Esbenshade performance, you will witness the work of a master–and I hope you leave not only entertained, but with a deeper appreciation for the power of live performance to bring people together,” Burge noted.

All performances in the Esbenshade Series are free and open to the public, thanks to the Frederica G. Esbenshade Memorial Fund, which was established in 1980 by Harry H. Esbenshade Sr. and Harry H. Esbenshade Jr., husband and son of the late Mrs. Esbenshade of Uniontown, Pa. The endowed fund provides annual income to bring lectures, performing artists, and programs of a diverse nature to Marietta College’s campus and the local community.

Since its founding, the Esbenshade Series has showcased nationally and internationally recognized talent to the Marietta community, focusing on quality programming, multiculturalism, and public accessibility. For additional information about the 2025-26 Esbenshade Series, visit marietta.edu/esbenshade-series.