Jeffrey Brown from PBS NewsHour and cellist and humanitarian Yo-Yo Ma sit on stage in chairs having a discussion, microphones in hand. Large panels display scenic images of Purdue University, highlighting Purdue Convocations. The stage is simply decorated, with cords and a small table between them.

Convos Stories

The most inspiring arts and culture stories from Purdue Convocations.

A marching band in colorful uniforms plays brass instruments energetically on stage, with trombone and saxophone players leaning forward in unison during one of the free musical performances presented by Purdue Convocations in West Lafayette.

August 17, 2026

Purdue Convocations Announces Free Musical Performances in West Lafayette and Indianapolis

Purdue Convocations is excited to announce that Chicago’s wildly exuberant marching band Mucca Pazza will bring its free, genre-bending musical spectacle to both Purdue campuses this September as part of Purdue’s Weeks of Welcome.


Five musicians from the Bang On A Can All-Stars stand together indoors, holding their instruments including a cello and electric guitar. Two circular insets at the top left feature black-and-white portraits labeled Philip Glass and Steve Reich with the number 90.

August 13, 2026

Bang on a Can All-Stars Celebrate Philip Glass and Steve Reich with Landmark Works on Tour

The Bang on a Can All-Stars have collaborated with and performed the music of fellow New Yorkers Philip Glass and Steve Reich for more than 30 years. Now, as a tribute to these living legends—and their upcoming 90th birthdays—the All-Stars are presenting landmark works by the pair on tour.


A man in a black shirt passionately sings into a microphone against a dramatic blue background, embodying the energy of The Music of Billy Joel and Elton John starring Michael Cavanaugh, with light rays and abstract wave patterns shining behind him.

July 30, 2026

Michael Cavanaugh Brings the Music of Billy Joel and Elton John to Purdue

Get ready for an evening piano rock classics as Michael Cavanaugh brings The Music of Billy Joel and Elton John to Purdue Oct. 17, 2026


A theatrical poster with a green background displays William Shakespeare’s Othello in large white letters, highlighting this legendary Shakespeare play, with a quote from the Yorkshire Post praising its authenticity in the top right corner.

July 30, 2026

The Lord Chamberlain’s Men Bring Authentic Shakespeare to Purdue This October

For the first time in a decade, the acclaimed Acting Company brings a reimagined classic, Great Expectations, to the Loeb Playhouse stage. 


A group of performers in traditional attire energetically play Japanese taiko drums on a wooden stage, smiling and moving in unison under stage lights at the Purdue Convocations 2026–27 season unveiling.

May 6, 2026

Purdue Convocations Unveils 2026–27 Season

The 124th Purdue Convocations Season Features Shucked, Clue, KODO, Black Panther Live in Concert, Riverdance, The Wiz, and more!


Split image: On the left, a graduate in a black dress and cap stands on steps before a Purdue Bands sign. On the right, another graduate in a white dress and cap jumps joyfully—Celebrating Our Graduating Interns in style.

May 5, 2026

Celebrating Our Graduating Interns

Sofie & Julia have been wonderful interns. We are so proud of them and can’t wait to see what they do next!


A large Purdue Day of Giving Thank You! badge is centered over a black-and-white background of people performing athletic or yoga poses, highlighting the power of community support.

April 30, 2026

Generous community support helped Convos break Purdue Day of Giving records

Thank you for a record-breaking Purdue Day of Giving! Your generosity raised an incredible $407,854 from 536 gifts, plus $4,000+ in bonus funds. Up next: The 2026-27 Season Announcement & Friends of Convos Presale! We appreciate you.


A smiling man in a white nurse outfit with a stethoscope stands in front of a blue sky background. Text reads: Nurse Blake But Did You Die? Comedy Tour, November 18, Loeb Playhouse.

April 14, 2026

Nurse Blake brings his ‘BUT DID YOU DIE?’ Tour to Purdue

WEST LAFAYETTE, IN (April 14, 2026) – Nurse, comedian, and viral sensation Nurse Blake is expanding his But Did You Die? Comedy Tour to over 35 cities this fall. The tour originally launched in 2025, and now spans over 100 shows across the U.S. and Canada.  He brings the tour to West Lafayette on November 18 in Loeb Playhouse.


Four smiling women stand on a ship deck, each holding a colorful fan and waving. They appear joyful and confident, dressed in bright casual clothing—celebrating friendship and embracing menopause against a sea view under the blue sky.

April 6, 2026

‘Menopause the musical 2’ cruises to West Lafayette

GFour Productions, winners of 68 Drama Desk and 54 Tony Awards®, announced the cast of leading ladies for the Purdue production of Menopause The Musical 2: Cruising Through ‘The Change’® which will play at Loeb Playhouse for 2 performances on April 25th. Tickets are currently on sale and can be purchased at convocations.purdue.edu. Group discounts for 15+ are also available by calling (765) 494-3933.


A collage of six 3rd Street Collective musicians playing instruments and singing, centered around graffiti-style text 3SG on a red background. The instruments include drums, electric guitar, keyboard, bass, and saxophone.

April 4, 2026

Meet West Lafayette’s 3rd Street Collective, opener for Magdalena Bay

3rd Street Collective is a RnB-HipHop-rock band from West Lafayette, IN. What was your first public performance? We played a house show on Evergreen Street in September 2023. It was chaotic due to needing a last-minute drum sub, but it...
Five young adults sit and pose together on a staircase indoors, smiling at the camera. Bold text reads “Opening set by Chauncie.” Ornate railings and lush plants create an inviting, stylish atmosphere.

April 4, 2026

Meet local band Chauncie, opener for Ax & the Hatchetmen

Born in 2022 in the basements of Purdue University, Chauncie began to play small house shows in their local DIY music scene. While mainly opting for covers and crowd favorites, the band's chemistry was clear, and they quickly became a...
Black and white striped background with cut-out style letters spelling “BEETLEJUICE.” A small green bug sits on the letter “I.” Below, bold green text exclaims, “Beetlejuice: The Musical. The Musical. The Musical!”.

March 31, 2026

‘Beetlejuice’ musical retells cult classic movie at Purdue

The producers of BEETLEJUICE, the edgy and irreverent Broadway smash hit musical comedy, are thrilled to announce full casting for the North American Tour coming to Elliott Hall of Music on April 9th. Based on Tim Burton’s dearly beloved film,...