Artists in Residence: Michael McSweeney

Dates and Times

• Wednesday, Jan 14, 2026  7:30pm
• Wednesday, Jan 21, 2026  7:30pm
• Wednesday, Jan 28, 2026  7:30pm

Location

Details

Concert 1: A Night of Salsa—Wed, January 14

Drummer and percussionist Michael McSweeney and his band, Costas Colectivo, offer an up-close look at the intricate tapestry of musical cultures that have fueled modern day salsa and Latin music. Drawing on deep-rooted traditions from West and Central Africa as well as modern styles like salsa dura, Latin jazz, timba, and more, Costas Colectivo weaves together original compositions and those of some of salsa’s greatest names for a high-energy night of music and cultural celebration.

Free Workshop: The Percussionist’s Playground: From Music to Movies—Wed, January 21

Choosing a sound or texture as a percussionist can sometimes feel being a kid with a box filled to the brim with all of your dream toys, so how are you supposed to decide? In music, sound design, and Hollywood foley art, the choice is both an opportunity and responsibility that can shape someone’s experience listening to music, watching a movie, or even walking through a theme park. This immersive workshop for all ages and experience levels explores the intersection of context, intention, and artistic expression, and how the answer is found somewhere in the balance.

Concert 2: Hiraeth Project—Wed, January 28

Hiraeth is a Welsh word with no direct translation in English, evoking a nostalgic yearning with a tinge of déjà vu. It describes the sensation of encountering a familiar scent—even something as minor as cooking spices or cleaning products absorbed into wooden floorboards over the years—that immediately takes someone back to a specific moment in a place once called home. Featuring members of the 2026 AIR class alongside special guests, Hiraeth Project exists at the intersection of each artist’s musical “home” to create a performance that feels both unique and familiar to everyone in the room.