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CHARLESTON, IL (02/05/2026) Eastern Illinois University’s Doudna Fine Arts Center proudly presents a dynamic lineup of music, theatre, and student performances throughout February 2026, featuring Grammy-winning artists, faculty and student showcases, and a nationally recognized musical.

The month opens with the 66th Annual Jazz Festival, welcoming legendary bassist, composer, arranger, and producer John Clayton on Friday, February 6 at 7:30 p.m. in the Dvorak Concert Hall. A Grammy Award winner, Clayton has collaborated with countless acclaimed artists and is widely known for arranging Whitney Houston’s iconic performance of the “Star-Spangled Banner” at the 1990 Super Bowl. Festival ticket prices range from $10-$25, with discounted rates available for festival attendees.

On Saturday, February 14 at 7:30 p.m., audiences can celebrate Valentine’s Day with EagleMania, a tribute band renowned for its faithful recreation of The Eagles’ signature sound. Performing in the Dvorak Concert Hall, EagleMania will present The Eagles’ greatest hits along with select solo works by Don Henley, Glenn Frey, and Joe Walsh. Tickets are $30 or $15, and a limited-time Doudna Date Night Package is available through Friday, February 6 (ending Saturday, February 7 at 12 a.m.), offering dinner, drinks, and show tickets for two at $100 for the general public and $75 for EIU students.

EIU student creativity takes center stage on Tuesday, February 17 at 7:30 p.m. with the EIU Singer/Songwriter Showcase in the Black Box Theatre. This free event highlights original compositions written and performed by EIU songwriters.

The Wind Symphony & Faculty Showcase follows on Thursday, February 19 at 7:30 p.m. in the Dvorak Concert Hall, featuring works by Gounod, Grainger, Salfelder, Gabrieli, Ticheli, and Huang. The concert brings together EIU students and faculty members Jamie V. Ryan, Rebecca Johnson, Magie Beck, Anne Mason, and Molly Frederick in a collaborative performance. Tickets are $10 or $5 with discount.

The Eastern Symphony Orchestra (ESO) will perform on Friday, February 20 at 7:30 p.m. in the Dvorak Concert Hall. The ESO is open to all undergraduate and graduate students, alumni, faculty and staff. The string section is composed of music majors, non-music majors, and community members, and the wind and percussion sections primarily comprise music majors in EIU’s Department of Music.

EIU’s Choral Ensembles will perform on Sunday, February 22 at 4 p.m. in the Concert Hall. The ensembles are made up of EIU’s select Concert Choir, the mixed-voice University Mixed Chorus, and the Camerata Singers chamber group.

The jazz celebration continues on Tuesday, February 24 at 7:30 p.m. as the EIU Jazz Combos perform classic jazz standards alongside original student compositions and arrangements in Dvorak Concert Hall. Admission is free.

The month concludes with the musical Bright Star, running consecutive Fridays and Saturdays, February 27-28 and March 6-7 at 7:30 p.m., with matinee performances on Sunday, March 1 and March 8 at 2 p.m. in The Theatre. Featuring music by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, Bright Star is a heartwarming story of love and redemption set in the American South of the 1920s and 1940s. Tickets range from $15-$25.

Tickets for all performances are available through the Doudna Fine Arts Center Box Office and online at eiu.edu/doudnatix.

About Eastern Illinois University
EIU prepares students to accomplish their life goals through a combination of quality academics, personal relationships, and both on-campus and online learning opportunities. For more information about Eastern Illinois University, including its broad array of academic and career readiness programs, or any of EIU’s other community-based services and opportunities, visit eiu.edu or call EIU’s public information office at (217) 581-7400.