Upcoming Arts & Events: Jan. 30–Feb. 12, 2026
This two-week stretch concentrates Fairfield’s biggest-ticket programming into a tight run: staged theater, touring performance, two Open VISIONS Forum nights, and “screening-plus” events where the program is built around conversation—not just the film.
Bill’s 44th (Quick Center) is scheduled as a fully produced theater run with multiple performances, marking it as core season programming rather than a one-off rental. The piece’s theme is the story of “Bill” as a character-driven stage narrative (as billed by the production listing). The experience is a seated theatrical performance in the Quick Center’s program format, with matinee and evening options. Tickets are listed as available through the venue. Fri., Jan. 30 (7:30 p.m.); Sat., Jan. 31 (2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.).
US vs THEM: Film Premiere and Discussion (SHU Community Theatre) is listed as a premiere event with a discussion component, which clears the script’s routine-screening exclusion. The theme is a documentary presentation framed as a “premiere and discussion” program. The experience is a seated screening followed by a structured talkback/discussion segment. Ticket availability was not listed at publication. Fri., Jan. 30 (7:30 p.m.).
DRUM TAO: The Best (Quick Center) is booked as a touring performance date on the Quick Center season calendar, signaling a marquee performing-arts booking. The theme is large-ensemble taiko drumming presented as a staged concert production. The experience is a full-hall performance built around choreographed percussion set pieces rather than a lecture or recital format. Tickets are listed as available through the venue. Sun., Feb. 1 (4 p.m.).
The Great Divide (Post Q&A with the Filmmakers) (FTC StageOne) is explicitly programmed as “post Q&A w/ the filmmakers,” making it a discussion-forward event rather than a standard screening. The theme is “a history of violence in America, presented in nine chapters,” per the venue description. The experience is a seated screening followed by an on-record Q&A segment with the filmmakers. Tickets are listed as available through the venue. Sun., Feb. 1 (7 p.m.).
Open VISIONS Forum: Ken Burns (Quick Center) is listed as an Open VISIONS Forum conversation, placing it among the venue’s highest-profile civic/cultural programs. The theme is documentary storytelling and American history in a conversation format (as billed by the Forum event). The experience is a seated talk designed around moderated conversation rather than a screening. The event is listed as sold out through the official ticketing page. Tue., Feb. 3 (7:30 p.m.).
Henhouse Prowlers (FTC StageOne) is scheduled as a headlining touring-date concert on FTC’s StageOne calendar. The theme is a live progressive/modern bluegrass performance. The experience is a seated club-theater concert with doors and showtime clearly set by the venue schedule. Tickets are listed as available through the venue. Wed., Feb. 4 (8 p.m.).
Open VISIONS Forum: Scott Rothkopf (Quick Center) is programmed as an Open VISIONS Forum lecture night, placing it within the series’ mainline public programming. The theme is “The Whitney Museum of American Art: A New Paradigm for Artists and Audiences,” per the event title. The experience is a seated talk-format evening (Forum-style) rather than a performance. Tickets are listed as available through the venue. Mon., Feb. 9 (7:30 p.m.).
MLK Convocation: Dr. Eddie S. Glaude, Jr. (Quick Center) is listed as the university’s MLK Convocation—high-stakes civic programming with a defined public audience. The theme is “Challenging Injustice: Fear as Fuel for Change,” per the Quick Center listing. The experience is a seated convocation address in a large-hall setting rather than a panel or workshop. Tickets are listed as available through the venue. Wed., Feb. 11 (6 p.m.).
National Theatre Live: Life of Pi (Quick Center) appears on the season calendar as a National Theatre Live presentation, which is curated programming rather than routine cinema. The theme is Yann Martel’s Life of Pi presented in a staged-theatre capture format (NT Live). The experience is a seated “theater-on-screen” event in a performing arts venue setting, distinct from a standard movie run. Tickets are listed as available through the venue. Thu., Feb. 12 (7 p.m.).
On the Horizon
Top-tier dates worth early planning (Feb. 13–Mar. 16).
Mardi Gras Mambo with Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience (SHU Community Theatre) is listed as a featured concert date. Fri., Feb. 13 (8 p.m.).
Elaine Pagels (Open VISIONS Forum) (Quick Center) is listed as an Open VISIONS Forum program focused on “Faith in America 1776–2026,” per the season calendar. Tue., Feb. 17 (7:30 p.m.).
Jim Messina: A Post-Show Q&A Conversation with Jim Messina (FTC Warehouse) is listed as a concert-plus-Q&A format date on FTC’s calendar. Thu., Mar. 12 (8 p.m.).
Listings are curated and verified at publication. Scheduling changes may occur. Omissions are intentional.
