Connect2Culture’s February 2026 Performances

Joplin, Missouri – Connect2Culture’s (C2C) February performances feature a Carthage native and renowned saxophonist, a beloved local pianist, and an adaptation of a classic Sherlock Holmes story.

“February is the perfect time to fall in love with Connect2Culture!” says Emily Frankoski, Executive Director of C2C. “This month, we’ll be presenting soulful jazz from a Carthage native, timeless American classics and love songs from an area pianist, and a suspenseful whodunit from a prominent New York theatre company.”

All performances in the 2025-2026 season will be held at C2C’s home theater—the 419-seat Beshore Performance Hall—or its outdoor amphitheater—the 1000-person Leggett & Platt Green—at the Cornell Complex at 212 W 7th St.

Javon Jackson Quartet
Thu, Feb. 12, 2026 | 7pm
C2C Venue: Beshore Performance Hall, Cornell Complex
Ticket Prices: $40–$45
Genre: Jazz • Cultural Heritage

Missouri native Javon Jackson, a former member of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, is celebrated for his soulful, expressive saxophone sound and innovative approach to jazz. A prolific recording artist, he has performed with legends like Elvin Jones and Christian McBride and composed scores for projects such as Alfred Hitchcock’s The Lodger. Jackson’s recent work, including The Gospel According to Nikki Giovanni, highlights his ability to blend tradition with bold, contemporary ideas. He currently directs the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz Studies at the University of Hartford.

An American Love Song with Glenda Austin
Sat, Feb. 14, 2026 | 4pm
C2C Venue: Beshore Performance Hall, Cornell Complex
Ticket Prices: $15–$20
Genre: Patriotic • Piano

Dust off your red, white, and blue and add an extra touch of red for Valentine’s Day. Join Glenda and friends for a once-in-a-lifetime musical tribute honoring America’s 250th birthday. This performance celebrates the sounds of our nation, from stirring spirituals and cherished hymns to patriotic favorites, timeless folk tunes, lively ragtime,

New Orleans jazz, and hits from decades past. And no American celebration is complete without a little romance, so we’re also honoring Valentine’s Day with classic love songs. Whether you’re nostalgic or just love great music, this is one tribute you won’t want to miss!

Aquila Theatre in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Hound of the Baskervilles
Thu, Feb. 26, 2026 | 7pm
C2C Venue: Beshore Performance Hall, Cornell Complex
Ticket Prices: $50–$55
Genre: Drama • Literary Adaptation

Aquila Theatre, one of the foremost producers of classical theater in the United States, ventures onto the fog-shrouded moors of England in this inventive, suspenseful adaptation of The Hound of the Baskervilles. With comedy, mystery, and dynamic staging, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson unravel a supernatural legend in a “play within a play” setting—joined by the ever-resourceful Mrs. Hudson and eccentric actor Sir Anthony Knee-Cap. Known for their bold, innovative productions, Aquila Theatre invites audiences to step into a world of intrigue and laughter, where solving the case might just require the audience’s help.

The public is encouraged to visit https://connect2culture.org/our-season to learn more about each artist in C2C’s 2025-2026 season.