Friday June 12th 2026 11:00am - 1:00pm
The Showroom at Miami County Museum
51 North Broadway Peru, Indiana
Restauranteur Steve Foht presents a multi-course culinary journey, inspired by the travels of Cole and Linda Porter. Enjoy delectable food, wine and champagne next to Cole’s Cadillac Fleetwood, with Porter tunes played live on the Museum’s vintage piano. A perfect time to kick-off the weekend, socialize with festival friends and meet new ones.
Food & Drinks Included / Advance Tickets Required
Showroom doors open for seating at 10:30am
SPONSORED BY DEBORAH ECK - TRAVEL & BEYOND
From inception to opening night, take a look at the journey of Kiss Me, Kate to the premiere and on to become one of Cole Porter’s greatest hits. This talk and concert will take a look at the genesis of the work and explore one of only five Shakespeare plays to fully make the jump into the musical theatre in the 20th century. Come brush up on Shakespeare with Cole Porter and Dr. Philip Seward.
Friday June 12th 2025 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Festival Auditorium at Story Church
18 East 6th Street Peru, Indiana
Award-winning and 2025 Grammy-considered singer-songwriter Abbie Thomas brings an intimate, story-driven trio performance to the Festival with two Crazy Hearts players. From the piano, Abbie weaves together heartfelt originals and reimagined classics, sharing the stories behind the songs—moments of resilience, love, and lived experience that shape her music. Joined by Isaac Fisher on upright bass and Arthur Schroeder on drums, the trio delivers a soulful, genre-bending, jazz-influenced set full of depth, connection, and timeless style.
Showroom doors open for seating at 3:15pm
Friday June 12th 2026 5:30pm - 7:30pm
The Victorian on 3rd Street
108 West 3rd Street Peru, Indiana
Sandy Lomax joins Dr. Jason Gornto and a variety of guest singers at the Italianate Victorian mansion - for this annual mixer honoring Cole in his hometown. Enjoy cocktails and delicious appetizers as you delight in a nostalgic celebration of Cole Porter’s songs and the stars who sang them.
$45.
Includes Hors D’oeuvres & 1 Drink Ticket
Cash-Card Bar / 21+ in bar area
Doors open for entry at 5:15pm
SPONSORED BY MARICEL & CHARLIE HEETER / DANIEL BEARSS ROBERTS
Friday June 12th 2026 8:00pm - 9:30pm
Festival Auditorium at Story Church
18 East 6th Street Peru, Indiana
An evening of toe-tapping Gypsy jazz expertly delivered by the Third Coast Swing band of Ludington, Michigan - along with multi-instrumentalist and violinist Grant Flick who delighted audiences at our 2025 festival. Influenced by the style of Django Reinhardt, the Hot Club of France, and the American Songbook… this show is one you don’t want to miss! $40.
Showroom doors open for seating at 7:30pm
SPONSORED BY MARYALICE WILLIAMS
Saturday June 13th 2026
10am / 12pm / 2pm
Buses depart from Miami County Museum
51 North Broadway
Take a narrated tour of iconic Cole Porter Landmarks in his hometown, including the charming Cole Porter Inn, The Old-Fashioned Garden, and the timeless family plot at Mount Hope Cemetery. Tour Duration Approximately 90 Minutes. $15 boarding pass.
Limited Seating / Advance Tickets Recommended.
Saturday June 13th 2026 2:00 - 3:00pm
Festival Auditorium at Story Church
18 East 6th Street Peru, Indiana
Acclaimed author Paul Kaplan returns, to give Festival guests an exclusive first chance to get their hands on his newly-published Cole Porter biography. In the 100th talk of his highly-regarded speaking career, Paul will discuss this new work, with audience Q&A and Meet & Greet after the event.
$35.
Your ticket includes a first-look copy of the book, signed by the author.
Saturday June 13th 2026 4:00 - 5:30pm
Festival Auditorium at Story Church
18 East 6th Street Peru, Indiana
Isn’t it ironic that the worst economic period in America’s history was the career high point of our most elegant songwriter, Cole Porter?Between the stock market crash in 1929 and Pearl Harbor in 1941, Porter wrote the scores for twelve shows and four films, took a round-the-world cruise -- and was permanently injured in a horseback riding accident.In this multi-media and live performance program, renowned speaker Charles Troy wends his way through this packed period in Porter’s life, and notes what was going on at the same time in the outside world.
with special musical guests Elizabeth Doyle / Dr. Philip Seward / Ward & Porter Roberts
$35.
Showroom doors open for seating 3:45pm
SPONSORED BY GARY THOMAS