The Dunn Center | Official Site | North Carolina Wesleyan University The Dunn Center | Official Site | North Carolina Wesleyan University myNCWU Academic Calendar University Catalog Events Calendar Campus Map Student/Staff Email Directory Faculty & Staff Resources Recent News & Articles QUICKLINKS Mims-Gallery-Slider Mims-Gallery-Slider The Dunn Center The Dunn Center | Official Site Order Tickets General Information Auditorium & Meeting/Banquet Space Event Venue Rentals Facilities Information Cultural Arts Mims & Gravely Art Galleries Past Art Gallery Exhibits PURCHASE TICKETS Authorized Ticket Purchase Statement Welcome to The Dunn Center at NC Wesleyan! Check out all the wonderful offerings that will be available at The Dunn Center this season, from complimentary events, very affordable shows and a very unique art exhibits like The Life & Art of Charles Schulz and Bob Ross Art Exhibit The Dunn Center is a premier venue for concerts, shows and conferences in eastern NC. Located on the campus of NC Wesleyan University, in the heart of Rocky Mount, The Dunn Center is proud to host the Wesleyan Season Series of cultural events and concerts . In addition to these world-class performances, The Dunn Center features a variety of campus and community events, including Wesleyan Players productions, concerts of the Tar River Swing Band and Orchestra and other various performances by nationally known artists. So, if you are looking for things to do in Rocky Mount , NC, The Dunn Center is a best choice for entertainment. Coming May 12, 2026 "Journey Through America's Songbook" featuring the Tar River Swing Band with Special Guests One of the most distinctive musical events ever presented in Rocky Mount! Formed in 1999, the Tar River Swing Band will mark twenty-seven years of performance in eastern and central North Carolina by welcoming six professional musicians who regularly appear at the North Carolina Jazz Festival in Wilmington, a festival founded in 1980 and long recognized as one of the premier traditional jazz gatherings in the South. About Our Special Guests Rossano Sportiello, featured at the festival, is an internationally respected pianist from Vigevano, Italy, trained at the Italian conservatory and widely admired for stride piano, swing, and bebop performances throughout Europe and the United States. His presence will bring both virtuosity and stylistic authenticity to the program. Chuck Redd, another festival artist, is an accomplished performer on drums and vibraphone who has appeared internationally, worked with major jazz figures, and taught at the University of Maryland School of Music; his artistry will add both rhythmic drive and color, especially alongside Tar River’s own outstanding percussionist, Jon Wacker, a retired music professor at East Carolina University. Adrian Cunningham, the Sydney-born multi-instrumentalist who now lives in New York City, has performed at major festivals and clubs around the world and is known for his work on reeds, clarinet, flute, and vocals. His breadth and showmanship would make him a natural fit for a festive traditional jazz program. READ MORE > Upcoming Live Performances Here is a preview of who will be on stage this year at The Dunn Center, so get tickets TODAY for our 2025-26 shows. Parking is always convenient and FREE. For assistance with tickets or rentals, call 252.985.5197. Current Month Event type All Academics Admissions Alumni Association Athletics Camps Career Development Workshop Series Clubs Disc Golf Dunn Center Rental Show Dunn Center Showcase/Seasonal Show Faculty Event Internships/Career Services Library Mims Gallery Reception NC Wesleyan Event Practical Skills Academy Student Activities Theatre Past and Future Events All Only Past Events Only Future Events The Dunn Center – Minges Auditorium 3400 N Wesleyan Blvd, Rocky Mount, NC 27804 tue 12 may 7:30 pm Journey Through America' Songbook Tar River Swing Band with Special Guests Event Details Celebrate the rich legacy of American music with the Tar River Swing Band as they take Event Details Celebrate the rich legacy of American music with the Tar River Swing Band as they take you on a Journey Through America’s Songbook. From the spirited sounds of Dixieland and the golden age of Swing to the soulful rhythms of Blues and Jazz, this concert honors the timeless styles that define our nation’s musical voice. One of the most distinctive musical events ever presented in Rocky Mount! Formed in 1999, the Tar River Swing Band will mark twenty-seven years of performance in eastern and central North Carolina by welcoming six professional musicians who regularly appear at the North Carolina Jazz Festival in Wilmington, a festival founded in 1980 and long recognized as one of the premier traditional jazz gatherings in the South. About Our Special Guests Rossano Sportiello, featured at the festival, is an internationally respected pianist from Vigevano, Italy, trained at the Italian conservatory and widely admired for stride piano, swing, and bebop performances throughout Europe and the United States. His presence will bring both virtuosity and stylistic authenticity to the program. Chuck Redd, another festival artist, is an accomplished performer on drums and vibraphone who has appeared internationally, worked with major jazz figures, and taught at the University of Maryland School of Music; his artistry will add both rhythmic drive and color, especially alongside Tar River’s own outstanding percussionist, Jon Wacker, a retired music professor at East Carolina University. Adrian Cunningham, the Sydney-born multi-instrumentalist who now lives in New York City, has performed at major festivals and clubs around the world and is known for his work on reeds, clarinet, flute, and vocals. His breadth and showmanship would make him a natural fit for a festive traditional jazz program. Bruce Harris, an outstanding trumpeter who serves as Program Director at the Louis Armstrong House Museum and Center in Queens, New York, will be a guest artist as well. The Armstrong Center, opened in 2023 across from Armstrong’s historic home, houses the vast Louis Armstrong Archive and serves as a major performance and educational center dedicated to preserving and advancing Armstrong’s legacy. Harris, a Bronx native who studied under Jon Faddis at SUNY Purchase and earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in jazz performance there, combines institutional leadership with a flourishing performance career. His involvement would connect the Rocky Mount concert to one of the most important living centers of traditional American jazz heritage. Lucy Yeghiazaryan is an especially compelling guest vocalist. She is an Armenian American singer who has become a leading voice in straight-ahead jazz. She has performed widely in major venues and has earned recognition for combining emotional richness, jazz phrasing, and deep interpretive power. Her artistry will bring a strong vocal dimension to the concert, and her presence will carry added symbolic value in Rocky Mount, the birthplace of Thelonious Monk. Her connection to the larger jazz world, together with Rocky Mount’s own historic link to Monk, will help frame the evening not simply as a concert but as a celebration of the city’s place in the story of American jazz. Trombonist Charlie Halloran of New Orleans will likewise be an excellent fit. Halloran is known as one of the most active and versatile musicians on the New Orleans scene, deeply grounded in traditional jazz performance. His command of the idiom, together with the authentic New Orleans character he brings to every appearance, would strengthen the traditional jazz concept being envisioned for the program. Important local and regional support help make this undertaking possible. Sandy Evans , longtime leader of the North Carolina Jazz Festival, provided contact information for the musicians and will assist in promoting attendance from the Wilmington area. Winkie Earp, a Johnston County resident and major supporter of the NC Jazz Festival, has also provided support for the May 12th concert. She is known for her enthusiasm for jazz that spreads beyond Smithfield, Clayton, and Raleigh to Wilmington each year and now to Rocky Mount.  Such support will help broaden the audience base well beyond Rocky Mount area itself. By bringing to Rocky Mount several leading artists associated with the North Carolina Jazz Festival and pairing them with the Tar River Swing Band, this concert will celebrate twenty-seven years of local musical commitment while also honoring the broader legacy of traditional American music. In the birthplace of Thelonious Monk, such a collaboration will become more than a concert. It will become a cultural event of genuine distinction, linking Rocky Mount to Wilmington, New Orleans, New York, and the wider history of jazz itself. Through thoughtful planning, strong local partnerships, and outstanding guest artists , the evening of May 12, 2026,  will be unlike anything the Tar River Swing Band has ever done before. Come early and enjoy a lively pre-concert reception with hors d’oeuvres, drinks, and entertainment by members of the swing band (VIP ticket required). Don’t miss this extraordinary night of jazz excellence and musical camaraderie—sure to be one of our season’s highlights! May 12, 2026 7:30 PM PURCHASE TICKETS General Admission Standard Ticket: $30 VIP Pass (includes pre-concert reception): $60 Time (Tuesday) 7:30 pm Location The Dunn Center – Minges Auditorium 3400 N Wesleyan Blvd, Rocky Mount, NC 27804 Organizer Tar River Orchestra Calendar GoogleCal The Dunn Center – Minges Auditorium 3400 N Wesleyan Blvd, Rocky Mount, NC 27804 mon 05 oct 7:00 pm United States Marine Band in Concert The President's Own Event Details Since 17th Director John Philip Sousa was first granted permission to tour the country by President Benjamin Harrison in 1891, “The President’s Own” Event Details Since 17th Director John Philip Sousa was first granted permission to tour the country by President Benjamin Harrison in 1891, “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band has delivered a White House experience from Washington, DC, to the far-reaching corners of our country. This beloved event has been shared by generations of Americans, and we invite you to join us in this tradition by attending the Marine Band performance. This will be an unforgettable musical and patriotic experience for your the eastern NC community. TICKETS General Admission Tickets are FREE for this event and will be available on September 5, 2026 . (one month before concert). SAVE THE DATE! About the United States Marine Band Established by an Act of Congress in 1798, the United States Marine Band is America’s oldest continuously active professional musical organization. Its mission is unique—to provide music for the President of the United States and the Commandant of the Marine Corps. President John Adams invited the Marine Band to make its White House debut on New Year’s Day, 1801, in the then-unfinished Executive Mansion. In March of that year, the band performed for Thomas Jefferson’s inauguration and it is believed that it has performed for every presidential inaugural since. In Jefferson, the band found its most visionary advocate. An accomplished musician himself, Jefferson recognized the unique relationship between the band and the Chief Executive and he is credited with giving the Marine Band its title, “The President’s Own.” READ MORE > Time (Monday) 7:00 pm Location The Dunn Center – Minges Auditorium 3400 N Wesleyan Blvd, Rocky Mount, NC 27804 Organizer The Dunn Center Calendar GoogleCal The Dunn Center – Minges Auditorium 3400 N Wesleyan Blvd, Rocky Mount, NC 27804 thu 15 oct 6:30 pm The Ultimate ELVIS Tribute! Dunn Center Performance Event Details For the third incredible year, we return to the stage at the Dunn Center for a night that keeps getting bigger, bolder, and more unforgettable. Event Details For the third incredible year, we return to the stage at the Dunn Center for a night that keeps getting bigger, bolder, and more unforgettable. The Ultimate ElvisTribute is back, and this year it’s an all-new experience. Starring Ultimate ElvisTribute Artist Champion Cote Deonath, alongside World Champions Alex Mitchelland Austin Irby, three of the best in the world join forces for one powerful night paying tribute to the legacy of Elvis Presley. This is not the same show you’ve seen before. It’s a completely reimagined production featuring brand new costumes, all-new medleys, and a fresh, creative journey through Elvis’ legendary career. Inspired by a completely different concept, this show takes you deeper into the music, the moments, and the magic, presented in a way that’s never been done on this stage. From the raw energy of the early years to the power of Vegas and the iconic moments that defined a legend, you’ll experience Elvis like never before. This is also the only licensed and endorsed Elvis show in the state of North Carolina, officially recognized and approved by Elvis Presley’s estate. One night only. One stage. One legacy. Don’t miss Year 3 at the Dunn Center, where the music lives on. Follow Cote on Facebook: Follow Cote on Instagram: Cote Deonath Website > Tickets $25 – $65 TICKETS ON SALE SOON Time (Thursday) 6:30 pm Location The Dunn Center – Minges Auditorium 3400 N Wesleyan Blvd, Rocky Mount, NC 27804 Organizer The Dunn Center Calendar GoogleCal Upcoming Art Gallery Showings Current Month Event type All Academics Admissions Alumni Association Athletics Camps Career Development Workshop Series Clubs Disc Golf Dunn Center Rental Show Dunn Center Showcase/Seasonal Show Faculty Event Internships/Career Services Library Mims Gallery Reception NC Wesleyan Event Practical Skills Academy Student Activities Theatre Past and Future Events All Only Past Events Only Future Events april fri 03 apr (apr 3) 1:56 pm thu 28 may (may 28) 1:56 pm William Manley and Bo Banes Exhibition Where Visions Meet -Photography Event Details Showing: April 3- May 29, 2026 Reception: Sunday April 12, 20263-5 pm CONVERGE “Where Visions Meet” Event Details Showing: April 3- May 29, 2026 Reception: Sunday April 12, 2026 3-5 pm CONVERGE “Where Visions Meet” What began as a shared interest in photography grew into something deeper. As photography associates, William Manley and Bo Baines crossed paths through the craft—exchanging ideas, techniques, and perspectives. Over time, that connection evolved into a real friendship rooted in mutual respect, inspiration, and growth. Though our visual styles and creative approaches differ, we’ve continuously challenged and encouraged one another to see further, push harder, and create with intention. This exhibition represents that journey—two distinct visions shaped by individual experiences, now brought together in a shared space. “Converge” is a reflection of collaboration without compromise. Separate bodies of work. One room. A meeting point where perspective, light, and story come together. We invite you to step into this shared space, explore each vision, and experience where they meet. Bo Baines Photography Time April 3 (Friday) 1:56 pm - May 28 (Thursday) 1:56 pm Location Gravely Gallery Organizer The Dunn Center Calendar GoogleCal may fri 03 apr (apr 3) 1:56 pm thu 28 may (may 28) 1:56 pm William Manley and Bo Banes Exhibition Where Visions Meet -Photography Event Details Showing: April 3- May 29, 2026 Reception: Sunday April 12, 20263-5 pm CONVERGE “Where Visions Meet” Event Details Showing: April 3- May 29, 2026 Reception: Sunday April 12, 2026 3-5 pm CONVERGE “Where Visions Meet” What began as a shared interest in photography grew into something deeper. As photography associates, William Manley and Bo Baines crossed paths through the craft—exchanging ideas, techniques, and perspectives. Over time, that connection evolved into a real friendship rooted in mutual respect, inspiration, and growth. Though our visual styles and creative approaches differ, we’ve continuously challenged and encouraged one another to see further, push harder, and create with intention. This exhibition represents that journey—two distinct visions shaped by individual experiences, now brought together in a shared space. “Converge” is a reflection of collaboration without compromise. Separate bodies of work. One room. A meeting point where perspective, light, and story come together. We invite you to step into this shared space, explore each vision, and experience where they meet. William Manley Photography Bo Baines Photography Time April 3 (Friday) 1:56 pm - May 28 (Thursday) 1:56 pm Location Gravely Gallery Organizer The Dunn Center Calendar GoogleCal june fri 05 jun (jun 5) 1:59 pm thu 30 jul (jul 30) 1:59 pm Nash Prison Art Exhibit Event Details Coming June-July, 2026 Exact dates and details will be announced as soon as possible. Event Details Coming June-July, 2026 Exact dates and details will be announced as soon as possible. Time June 5 (Friday) 1:59 pm - July 30 (Thursday) 1:59 pm Calendar GoogleCal july fri 05 jun (jun 5) 1:59 pm thu 30 jul (jul 30) 1:59 pm Nash Prison Art Exhibit Event Details Coming June-July, 2026 Exact dates and details will be announced as soon as possible. Event Details Coming June-July, 2026 Exact dates and details will be announced as soon as possible. Time June 5 (Friday) 1:59 pm - July 30 (Thursday) 1:59 pm Calendar GoogleCal august thu 06 aug (aug 6) 2:01 pm thu 24 sep (sep 24) 2:01 pm Go With The Flow Art Exhibit Go with Flow Exhibit Event Details Coming August-September 2026 Exact dates and details will be announced as soon as possible. Artists: Andrea, Haley, Cathy and Event Details Coming August-September 2026 Exact dates and details will be announced as soon as possible. Artists: Andrea, Haley, Cathy and Lisa Time August 6 (Thursday) 2:01 pm - September 24 (Thursday) 2:01 pm Calendar GoogleCal september thu 06 aug (aug 6) 2:01 pm thu 24 sep (sep 24) 2:01 pm Go With The Flow Art Exhibit Go with Flow Exhibit Event Details Coming August-September 2026 Exact dates and details will be announced as soon as possible. Artists: Andrea, Haley, Cathy and Event Details Coming August-September 2026 Exact dates and details will be announced as soon as possible. Artists: Andrea, Haley, Cathy and Lisa Time August 6 (Thursday) 2:01 pm - September 24 (Thursday) 2:01 pm Calendar GoogleCal october thu 01 oct 2:06 pm thu 26 nov (nov 26) 2:06 pm Nash County High Schools Art Exhibit Event Details Exact dates and details to be announced at a later date. Artists: Kelly Williams and Shelley Mahoney Exhibition Dates: October-November 2026 Event Details Exact dates and details to be announced at a later date. Artists: Kelly Williams and Shelley Mahoney Exhibition Dates: October-November 2026 Time October 1 (Thursday) 2:06 pm - November 26 (Thursday) 2:06 pm Location Mims Gallery - The Dunn Center Organizer The Dunn Center Calendar GoogleCal november thu 01 oct 2:06 pm thu 26 nov (nov 26) 2:06 pm Nash County High Schools Art Exhibit Event Details Exact dates and details to be announced at a later date. Artists: Kelly Williams and Shelley Mahoney Exhibition Dates: October-November 2026 Event Details Exact dates and details to be announced at a later date. Artists: Kelly Williams and Shelley Mahoney Exhibition Dates: October-November 2026 Time October 1 (Thursday) 2:06 pm - November 26 (Thursday) 2:06 pm Location Mims Gallery - The Dunn Center Organizer The Dunn Center Calendar GoogleCal NC Wesleyan University 3400 N. 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