Paragon Ragtime Orchestra

July 11 - Steamboat Springs, Colorado
2026-07-11 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Denver) | Strings Music Festival, 950 Strings Road, Steamboat Springs, CO, 80487, United States
The Paragon Ragtime Orchestra (PRO) presents Buster Keaton’s silent film comedy STEAMBOAT BILL, JR. with its original 1928 orchestral score at the Strings Music Festival. This two-hour livescore performance will also include a screening of the 1921 Keaton comedy short One Week, and a rare performance of the “Mischa Elman March.” The event will be hosted and conducted by PRO founder and Artistic Director Rick Benjamin.

Tickets: PRO with Buster Keaton at the Strings Festival
Email: strings@stringsmusicfestival.com
Telephone: (970) 879-5056 ext. 105
Website: Strings Music Festival

May 31 - Forest Hills, Queens, New York
2026-05-31 16:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York) | Community House, 15 Borage Place, Forest Hills, NY, 11375 , United States
The Paragon Ragtime Orchestra performs Meet Me At The Fair!: Sights & Sounds of the Great World’s Fairs at its return to the Community House in Forest Hills, Queens, New York (A National Historic Landmark). The multi-media performance will feature delightful and rare music and images from the 1876 Centennial, the 1893 Columbian Exposition, the 1901 Pan-American Exposition, the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair, and the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition. The event is presented by Musica Reginae Productions and will be hosted and conducted by PRO founder Rick Benjamin. One show only.
Tickets: PRO’s “Meet Me At The Fair” Program
Telephone: (718) 894-2178
Email: musicareginae@gmail.com
General Website: https://www.musicareginae.org/
This performance is co-funded by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA.gov) as part of the Paragon LIVE! In Historic American Theaters touring program.

May 3 - Bound Brook, New Jersey
2026-05-03 15:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Brook Arts Center, 10 Hamilton Street, Bound Brook, NJ, 08805, United States
The PRO returns to the historic Brook Theatre (1927) for a matinee screening of Charlie Chaplin’s silent feature film THE GOLD RUSH with its original 1925 score. The performance is presented by the Brook Arts Center and will be hosted and conducted by Rick Benjamin. One show only.

This performance is co-funded by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA.gov) as part of the Paragon LIVE! In Historic American Theaters touring program.

Tickets: PRO Silent Film Matinee at the Brook
Telephone: (732) 469-7700
Website: https://www.brookarts.org/

April 26 – Lewisburg, Pennsylvania
2026-04-26 17:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Campus Theatre, 413 Market St., Lewisburg, PA, 17837, United States
The PRO returns to Lewisburg, Pennsylvania’s historic Campus Theatre with a screening of Charlie Chaplin’s silent feature film THE GOLD RUSH with its original 1925 score. The performance is presented by the Paragon Ragtime Orchestra and will be hosted and conducted by Rick Benjamin.

One show only. All seats $20.00. (Ticket purchases are non-refundable.)

Tickets:
Email: info@paragonragtime.com
Telephone: (570) 524-9511
Website: https://www.campustheatre.org/

April 25 - Philipsburg, Pennsylvania
2026-04-25 19:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Rowland Theater, 127 North Front St., Philipsburg, PA, 16866, United States
The PRO returns to Philipsburg, Pennsylvania’s historic Rowland Theatre (1917) with a screening of Charlie Chaplin’s feature film THE GOLD RUSH with its original 1925 score. The performance will be hosted and conducted by Rick Benjamin.
This performance is co-sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts.
Box Office Phone: (814) 342-0477
Email: boxoffice@rowlandtheatre.com
General Website: http://www.rowlandtheatre.com/

April 24 - Canton, Pennsylvania
2026-04-24 19:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Rialto Theatre, 14 E Main St, Canton, PA, 17724, United States
The PRO returns to Canton, Pennsylvania’s historic Rialto Theatre (1913) with a screening of Charlie Chaplin’s silent feature film THE GOLD RUSH with its original 1925 score. The performance will be hosted and conducted by Rick Benjamin.
This performance is co-sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts.
Box Office Phone: (570) 529-6533
Email: Info@CantonRialto.org
General Website: https://www.cantonrialto.org/

April 17 - PBS-Television "Great Performances" Premiere
2026-04-17 21:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | PBS-Television
The Paragon Ragtime Orchestra and its conductor, Rick Benjamin are featured performers in the PBS-Television Great Performances series Now Hear This. The hour-long episode, entitled Everyone Loves Joplin, explores the life, music, and legacy of the great American-American composer Scott Joplin. The program is hosted by violinist Scott Yoo and directed by Harry Lynch.
Everyone Loves Joplin premiers on Friday, April 17 at 9:00 pm Eastern / 8:00 Central on PBS, pbs.org/gperf and the PBS app.
Click here for details and local listings: https://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/now-hear-this-everyone-loves-joplin-about/17610/

February 28 - Elmira, New York
2026-02-28 14:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Clemens Center, 207 Clemens Center Pkwy, Elmira, NY, 14901, United States
The Paragon Ragtime Orchestra presents Buster Keaton’s silent film comedy STEAMBOAT BILL, JR. with its original 1928 orchestral score in Elmira’s historic Clemens Center (1925). This two-hour livescore performance will be hosted and conducted by Rick Benjamin.
This event is co-sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA.gov)

Tickets: https://clemenscenter.org/event/steamboat-bill-jr-livescored-by-david-peckham-paragon-ragtime-orchestra/
Email: boxoffice@clemenscenter.org
Telephone: (800) 724-0159
Website: https://clemenscenter.org/

January 29 - Tallahassee, Florida
2026-01-29 19:30 - 21:30 (America/New_York) | Turner Auditorium, 444 Appleyard Dr., Tallahassee, FL, 32304, United States
The Paragon Ragtime Orchestra performs Meet Me At The Fair!: Sights & Sounds of the Great World’s Fairs for Florida State University’s Opening Nights! program. The multi-media performance will feature delightful and rare music and images from the 1876 Centennial, the 1893 Columbian Exposition, the 1901 Pan-American Exposition, the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair, and the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition. The event will be hosted and conducted by PRO founder Rick Benjamin.
Purchase Tickets: https://openingnights.fsu.edu/events/paragon-ragtime-orchestra/
Box Office Phone: (850) 644-7670
Email: openingnights@fsu.edu
General Website: https://openingnights.fsu.edu/

November 22 - Oak Ridge, Tennessee
2025-11-22 15:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Oak Ridge Civic Music Association, 1350 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge, TN, 37830, United States
The Paragon Ragtime Orchestra visits the Knoxville area of Tennessee to perform its acclaimed ‘Round the Christmas Tree holiday concert for the Oak Ridge Civic Music Association. The concert will be conducted and hosted by PRO founder Rick Benjamin. One show only.

Purchase Tickets: https://www.orcma.org/concerts-and-events/ragtime-orchestra-around-the-chrsitmas-tree
Box Office Phone: (865) 483-5569
Email: joy@orcma.org
General Website: https://www.orcma.org/

October 17 - Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania
2025-10-17 19:30 - 21:30 (America/New_York) | Susquehanna University, 514 University Ave, Selinsgrove, PA, 17870, United States
The Paragon Ragtime Orchestra comes to Susquehanna University for Meet Me at the Fair! a spectacular multi-media celebration of America’s world’s fairs, including the 1876 Centennial Exhibition, the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, the 1901 Pan-American Exposition, the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair, and the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition. In this program, world’s fair images by legendary painters and photographers are paired with original world’s fair music, as performed by the Paragon Ragtime Orchestra (official resident musicians of the U.S. Pavilion – 1992 World’s Fair). All is propelled forward with evocative and humorous narration by conductor Rick Benjamin. One show only!
This performance is the keynote event of SU’s Diverse Sounds for a Young Nation historic American music symposium.
Purchase Tickets: https://susqu.universitytickets.com/w/event.aspx?id=1477&p=1
Box Office Phone: (570) 372-2787
Email: musicdept@susqu.edu
General Website: https://www.susqu.edu/about/community-access/symposium-on-historic-american-music/

October 5 - Prescott, Arizona
2025-10-05 15:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Elks Theatre, 117 E. Gurley St., Prescott,, AZ, 86301, United States
The Paragon Ragtime Orchestra presents a Silent Film Event featuring comedy films by Chaplin, Keaton, and Lloyd with their original orchestral scores in Prescott’s 1907 Elks Theatre. This performance will be hosted and conducted by Rick Benjamin.
Tickets: https://ci.ovationtix.com/36609/production/1250652?performanceId=11689725
Email: info@etpac.org
Telephone: (928) 777-1370
Website: https://www.prescottelkstheatre.org/theatre-events

September 18 - Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
2025-09-18 19:30 - 21:30 (America/New_York) | Majestic Theater, 25 Carlisle St Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, PA, 17325, United States
The PRO returns to the historic Majestic Theater for the opening night of the Orchestra’s 40th Season and in celebration of the Majestic’s 100th Anniversary. The program will feature a screening of Charlie Chaplin’s feature film THE GOLD RUSH with its original 1925 score. The performance will be hosted and conducted by Rick Benjamin
Purchase Tickets: https://gettysburgmajestic.showare.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=414
Box Office Phone: (717) 337-8200
Email: boxofficeinfo@gettysburg.edu
General Website: https://www.gettysburgmajestic.org/

April 27 - Lewisburg, Pennsylvania
2025-04-27 17:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Campus Theatre, 413 Market St., Lewisburg, PA, 17837, United States
The PRO returns to Lewisburg, Pennsylvania’s historic Campus Theatre with a screening of Charlie Chaplin’s feature film A DOG’S LIFE with its original 1918 score. The evening will also include a screening of Harry Langdon’s ALL NIGHT LONG (1925) with the premiere of the film’s reconstructed original score – and more! The performance will be hosted and conducted by Rick Benjamin.
The performance is presented by the Paragon Ragtime Orchestra
Purchase tickets online here:

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Information Phone: (570) 524-9511
Email: info@paragonragtime.com
General Website: https://www.campustheatre.org/

April 26 - Philipsburg, Pennsylvania
2025-04-26 19:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Rowland Theater, 127 North Front St., Philipsburg, PA, 16866, United States
The PRO returns to Philipsburg, Pennsylvania’s historic Rowland Theatre with a screening of Charlie Chaplin’s feature film A DOG’S LIFE with its original 1918 score. The evening will also include a screening of Harry Langdon’s ALL NIGHT LONG (1925) with the premiere of the film’s reconstructed original score – and more! The performance will be hosted and conducted by Rick Benjamin.
This performance is co-sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts.
Box Office Phone: (814) 342-0477
Email: boxoffice@rowlandtheatre.com
General Website: http://www.rowlandtheatre.com/

April 25 - Blossburg, Pennsylvania
2025-04-25 19:30 - 21:30 (America/New_York) | Victoria Theatre, 222 Main St., Blossburg, PA, 16912, United States
The PRO comes to Blossburg, Pennsylvania’s historic Victoria Theatre with a screening of Charlie Chaplin’s film A DOG’S LIFE with its original 1918 score. The evening will also include a screening of Harry Langdon’s ALL NIGHT LONG (1925)with the premiere of the film’s reconstructed original score. The performance will be hosted and conducted by Rick Benjamin.
This performance is co-sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts.
Link for Tickets: PRO at the Victoria Theatre
Box Office Phone: (570) 638-6111
Email: capeceoldvictoria714@gmail.com
General Website: https://victoriatheatreblossburg.com/

April 5 - Rome, New York
2025-04-05 19:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Capitol Arts Center, 220 W Dominick St., Rome, NY, 13440, United States
The PRO comes to Rome, New York’s historic Capitol Theatre with A Pageant of American Music, featuring the works of Scott Joplin, George Gershwin, Stephen Forster, Ferdie Grofé and others, with special guest theater organist David Peckham playing the Capitol’s mighty Moller organ. The performance with be hosted and conducted by Rick Benjamin. Spectacular!
Link for Tickets: PRO’s Pageant of America Music at the Capitol!
Box Office Phone: (315) 337-6277
Email: submit@RomeCapitol.com
General Website: https://www.romecapitol.com/paragon-ragtime-orchestra/

March 9 - Bound Brook, New Jersey
2025-03-09 15:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Brook Art Center, 10 Hamilton Street, Bound Brook,, NJ, 08805, United States
Silent Film Special Event: screening of Buster Keaton’s comedy Sherlock, Jr., featuring Rick Benjamin’s reconstruction of the film’s original 1924 musical score, performed live by PRO. This gala program at the historic Brook Theatre will also include a film by Mack Sennett and the Buster Keaton short Cops (1922). One show only.
This performance is co-sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts
Tickets and information: PRO with Buster Keaton at the Brook!
Email: Theatermanager@brookarts.org
Box Office Phone: (732) 469-7700
General Website: https://www.brookarts.org/

February 18, 2025 - Tifton, Georgia
2025-02-18 19:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Howard Auditorium, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, 2802 Moore Hwy., Tifton, GA, 31794, United States
PRO visits the Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) to present MEET ME AT THE FAIR!: Music from the Great World’s Fairs. ™ This spectacular musical and visual celebration of the legendary world’s fairs includes visits to the 1876 Centennial Exhibition, the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair, and the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition. The performance is hosted and conducted by Rick Benjamin.
Link for Tickets: PRO at ABAC Presents!
Box Office Phone: (229) 391-4895
General Website: https://www.artsatabac.com/abac-presents

February 16, 2025 - Augusta, Georgia
2025-02-16 16:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York) | Imperial Theatre, 749 Broad St., Augusta, GA, 30901, United States
PRO returns to the historic Imperial Theatre to present MEET ME AT THE FAIR!: Music from the Great World’s Fairs. ™ This spectacular musical and visual celebration of the legendary world’s fairs includes visits to the 1876 Centennial Exhibition, the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair, and the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition. The performance is hosted and conducted by Rick Benjamin.
Link for Tickets: PRO Returns to the Imperial Theatre
Box Office Phone: (706) 722-8341
General Website: The 1918 Imperial Theatre

Las Vegas, Nevada - January 10, 2025
2025-01-10 19:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Clark County Library Main Theater, 1401 E. Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, NV, 89119, United States
Silent Film Event featuring comedy films by Chaplin, Keaton, and Lloyd with their original orchestral scores sponsored by the Las Vegas – Clark County Library System. This performance will be hosted and conducted by Rick Benjamin.
FREE Event! Information here: PRO Returns to Las Vegas

Richland, Washington - January 8, 2025
2025-01-08 19:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Richland High School Performing Arts Center, 930 Long Ave, Richland, WA, 99352, United States
Silent Film Event featuring comedy films by Chaplin, Keaton, and Lloyd with their original orchestral scores sponsored by Community Concerts of the Tri-Cities. This performance will be hosted and conducted by Rick Benjamin.
Purchase tickets online here: PRO at the Community Concerts of the Tri-Cities

PRO returns to the Englewood Performing Arts Series to presents its holiday program, 'Round The Christmas Tree. ™
2024-12-06 19:00, 2024-10-22 08:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Englewood Methodist Church, 700 E Dearborn St, Englewood, FL, 34223, United States
Englewood, Florida – PRO returns to the Englewood Performing Arts Series to presents its holiday program, ‘Round The Christmas Tree. ™ This colorful program features favorite selections from the theaters, ballrooms, grand mansions, and humble hearthsides of the Victorian era. Familiar Christmas songs and carols are heard from their original 19th century scores, along with novelties (including a ragtime version of the Nutcracker Suite!) and sparkling instrumental and vocal soloists. The performance is hosted and conducted by Rick Benjamin.
Tickets and further information here: PRO Returns to the EPAS

PRO returns to the Midwest Trust Center to present its new program, MEET ME AT THE FAIR!: Music from the Great World’s Fairs.™
2024-11-17 14:00 (America/New_York) | Midwest Trust Center, 12345 College Blvd, Johnson County Community College, Overland Park, KS, 66210, United States
Overland Park, Kansas – PRO returns to the Midwest Trust Center to presents its new program, MEET ME AT THE FAIR!: Music from the Great World’s Fairs. ™ This spectacular musical and visual celebration of the legendary world’s fairs includes visits to the 1876 Centennial Exhibition, the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair, and the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition. The performance is hosted and conducted by Rick Benjamin.
Tickets and further information here: PRO Returns to the Midwest Trust Center

The PRO returns to Minneapolis with a concert for the Bethlehem Music Series
2024-10-06 16:00 (America/New_York) | CO
The PRO returns to Minneapolis with a concert for the Bethlehem Music Series. This performance will feature music by Scott Joplin, George Gershwin, Stephen Forster, and others, all conducted by Rick Benjamin. Minnesota Public Media host Steve Staruch will lead the pre-concert talk at 3:30 pm.
FREE – Seats should be reserved in advance here: PRO at the Bethlehem Music Series

Silent Film Event featuring comedy films by Chaplin, Keaton, and Lloyd
2024-10-04 19:00 (America/New_York) | Paramount Theatre, 125 4th Ave NE, Austin, MN, 55912, United States
Silent Film Event featuring comedy films by Chaplin, Keaton, and Lloyd with their original orchestral scores at the historic Paramount Theatre. This performance will be hosted and conducted by Rick Benjamin. Purchase tickets online here: PRO at the Paramount Theatre
Co-sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts as part of Paragon LIVE! in Historic American Theaters.

SAFETY LAST! at the Clemens Center
2024-09-28 14:00 (America/New_York) | Clemens Center, 207 Clemens Center Pkwy, Elmira, NY, 14901, United States
PRO’S 39th SEASON OPENER! The Paragon Ragtime Orchestra returns to the historic Clemens Center for a screening of the 1923 silent film comedy SAFETY LAST!, accompanied with its original 1923 musical score performed live by the Orchestra and the Clemens Center’s famed theater organ, played by David Peckham. One Show only!

The Paragon Ragtime Orchestra returns to Southern California's La Mirada Theatre with BORN ON THE 4th OF JULY!: THE BROADWAY MUSIC OF GEORGE M. COHAN, featuring Colin Pritchard
2024-06-30 14:00 (America/New_York) | La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd, La Mirada, CA, 90638, United States
Tap along with patriotic pride to Mr. Broadway’s flag-waving classics “Yankee Doodle Dandy” and “You’re a Grand Old Flag” – plus “Give My Regards to Broadway” and many more. Theatrical world premieres of unheard Cohan songs, plus pre- and post-show concerts, and a reunion of George M. Cohan’s family members. Our last George M. Cohan Celebration at the La Mirada was a sell-out, so don’t wait!

Paragon Ragtime Orchestra presents its new program, MEET ME AT THE FAIR!: Music from the Great “World’s Fairs” ™ for Arts At First Presbyterian
2024-05-10 19:00 (America/New_York) | First Presbyterian Church of Clarks Summit, 300 School Street, Clarks Summit, PA, 18411, United States
This spectacular musical and visual celebration of the legendary world’s fairs includes visits to the 1876 Centennial Exhibition, the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair, and the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition. FREE ADMISSION. (An offering will be taken to defray expenses.)
