New London-Spicer Community Education is excited to announce our 2026-27 CatPAC Series!
All showtimes will be held in the NLS Performing Arts Center with a 7PM start time.

Your Season Ticket Includes:
Key of G Live! A Tribute to Garth Brooks – October 3rd
Platinum Duets – November 7th
Rock ‘n’ Roll Christmas – December 18th
Comedy Mind Reader – March 6th
Chicago Transit: A Tribute to Chicago – April 3rd

Season Tickets are just $135 — a $20 savings over individual ticket prices! Season Tickets are on sale now!
Individual tickets go on sale August 15, 2026.
✔️ Reserved seats for every show
✔️ Five nights of top-quality entertainment close to home
✔️ Support for arts and entertainment in our community

BUY SEASON TICKETS TODAY: www.nls.k12.mn.us/ticketsales

October 3 – Key of G, Live! Tribute to Garth Brooks
Key of G Live! is the ultimate Garth Brooks tribute experience—packed with high-energy hits, heartfelt ballads, and the stories behind the music that made Garth a living legend. From iconic anthems to emotional favorites, the show brings back the memories that made Garth’s music the soundtrack of a generation.

Fronted by Minnesota native AJ Bisto, Key of G Live! delivers an authentic and electrifying performance. AJ has been singing since he could talk, landing his first gig at age five and performing lead vocals by age eight. Throughout his teen years, he fronted multiple bands, starred in school musicals, and by 16 launched his own performance business, entertaining at weddings and events across the region.

In 2015, AJ and his wife Josie moved to Nashville to immerse themselves in the music scene. Since then, AJ has opened for nationally recognized artists including Jamie O’Neal, Ty Herndon, Andy Griggs, and Anita Cochran, while continuing to perform regularly in Nashville venues.

The inspiration for Key of G Live! came after AJ was recruited by a cruise line to portray Garth Brooks in one of their variety shows. With a natural vocal sound strikingly similar to Garth’s, AJ was encouraged by industry professionals to create a full tribute to the #1 selling solo artist of all time—and the result is a show that captures the spirit, energy, and heart of Garth Brooks’ legendary live performances.

November 7 – Platinum Duets – Phil Thompson
Get ready for an unforgettable night of iconic music at the CatPAC Series’ Platinum Duets show!

Minnesota’s favorite Piano Man, Phil Thompson, teams up with his longtime music collaborator Tristana Ward for an electrifying evening of chart-topping duets you know and love. Sing along to classics like “You’re the One That I Want” (Grease), “I’ve Had the Time of My Life” (Dirty Dancing), “Islands in the Stream” (Kenny & Dolly), “I Got You Babe” (Sonny & Cher), “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” (Elton & Kiki Dee), “Endless Love” (Lionel Richie & Diana Ross), “Easy Lover” (Phil Collins & Philip Bailey), and many more!

Backing this dynamic duo is an all-star band led by Jeff Perry (Sonic Dream) on guitar, alongside Brian Handeland (sax & flute), Josh Alfaro (drums), Andy Schuster (bass), and Karl Von Gohren (keys).

If you’ve loved Phil’s past sold-out productions at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres—Billy & Elton: The Hits, Legends of Country, Feeling Good: A Michael Bublé Tribute, and A Piano Man Christmas—this brand-new show is a must-see. Don’t miss a night filled with harmony, nostalgia, and incredible live music!

Phil Thompson Pop Pianist & Vocalist Bio: Phil Thompson is a Kawai-endorsed touring piano performer & vocalist who has performed at venues including Mandalay Bay and Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, the MGM Grand in Macau and Shanghai Rolex Masters in China and the US Open Tennis Tournament in New York for 3 years in a row. Phil has also co-headlined several specialty-themed cruise events including the Wine, Dine & Music Cruise (with Kenny Loggins, America and Three Dog Night) and the Smooth Jazz Cruise (with George Benson & Peabo Bryson). Phil has also served as an opening act for artists including Rod Stewart, David Foster, Brian McKnight, The Tenors and Clay Aiken to name a few. When not on the road, Phil can be seen on WCCO/CBS-4 in Minneapolis as their Man About Town and on TPT/PBS-2 for many of their high-profile concert events for artists including Josh Groban and Michael Bublé.

December 18 – Rock & Roll Christmas Spectacular
Celebrating 21 years of holiday magic in 2025! Get ready for the Rock & Roll Xmas Spectacular, where beloved Christmas classics collide with legendary rock anthems in a high-energy show packed with dazzling performances—and enough confetti to make Rudolph blush.

This fan-favorite holiday tradition features an all-star lineup including Paul “Stretch” Diethelm and Ted Manderfeld, powerhouse vocalists Pamela McNeill, Stacy Bauer, and Tim Haussner, and an incredible band with Cody McKinney (bass), Mike Kreitzer (saxophone & flute), and Pete Hennig (drums).

Enjoy timeless favorites like Silent Night, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Jingle Bells, and The Little Drummer Boy—all reimagined with a bold rock twist that will kick your holiday spirit into high gear.

Don’t miss this unforgettable night of rock, nostalgia, and holiday cheer!

March 6 – Comedy Mind Reader USA
Funny Mind Reader Kristoffer Olson brings a high-energy, clean comedy experience filled with music, audience interaction, and unforgettable surprises. From revealing names, dates, and thought-of words to matching personal items with their owners, each moment is designed to amaze and entertain. Because the audience drives the action, no two shows are the same—every performance is packed with spontaneous humor and one-of-a-kind fun. “Mind-boggling!” – St. Cloud Times

April 3 – Chicago Transit – A Tribute to Chicago
Everybody loves Chicago—and audiences everywhere agree that Chicago Transit delivers one of the most authentic and exciting tributes to the legendary band. On Saturday, April 3, 2027, at 7:00 PM, Chicago Transit brings their acclaimed show to the NLS Performing Arts Center as part of the CatPAC Series.

Formed in the early 1990s, Chicago Transit was the first Chicago tribute band in the world and remains the longest-running of its kind today. The band mirrors Chicago’s original sound and structure with five vocalists (four lead singers), a three-piece horn section, and a five-piece rhythm section—a combination that has earned recognition from members of the band Chicago themselves.

Over the past 25+ years, Chicago Transit has performed at festivals, theaters, casinos, and major venues across the United States and Canada—including the city of Chicago. Their setlist spans the full Chicago catalog, from horn-driven classics like “Make Me Smile,” “25 or 6 to 4,” and “Saturday in the Park,” to beloved ballads such as “If You Leave Me Now.”

If you’re a fan of timeless hits, incredible musicianship, and high-energy live performances, this is a show you won’t want to miss.