Nearly 10,000 people filled Red Rocks Amphitheatre over the July Fourth weekend for a tribute performance that blended film, music and spoken-word pieces to honor the late poet Andrea Gibson. Organizers say the evening — part memorial, part multimedia concert — will now travel across North America this fall, giving fans another chance to experience Gibson’s work onstage and in film.
Why this matters now: tickets for the November tour go on sale Aug. 14, and the run promises live orchestral arrangements, screenings of a recently completed film of Gibson’s final onstage set, and guest appearances from artists who worked closely with the poet.
From Red Rocks to a national tour
The July 5 ceremony at Red Rocks combined a screening of the new film Love Letter From the Afterlife with live music and readings. Producers say the event drew a near-capacity crowd and catalyzed plans to bring the same program to 14 cities beginning in November.
Tour producers have framed each stop as more than a concert: audiences will see the film of Gibson’s last major live performance and hear that footage accompanied in real time by the Goosebump Orchestra or a local symphony playing an original score by composer Blake Neely. Performers slated for the tour lineup include longtime collaborators and high-profile musicians who participated in the Red Rocks show.
What to expect at each show
The touring presentation will mix elements in a single evening — a cinematic portrait, live orchestral music, recorded and live spoken-word segments, and guest performances. Filmmaker Ryan White, an Oscar-nominated director who documented Gibson’s later work, directed the film at the center of the program.
In a statement after the Red Rocks performance, poet Megan Falley — Gibson’s partner and a principal figure in putting the program together — described the night as unexpectedly powerful, saying many attendees left feeling as if they had heard directly from Gibson. Organizers hope the tour can recreate that intimate effect for those who were not able to attend.
Key collaborators
The stage and screen project was produced and supported by a broad group of artists and industry figures. Among those publicly attached are director Ryan White and performers such as Sara Bareilles and Chris Pureka, alongside a roster of executive producers drawn from the creative and advocacy communities.
Notable names: Ryan White, Megan Falley, Sara Bareilles, Chris Pureka, Blake Neely, Tig Notaro, Brandi Carlile.
Tour dates and ticket notes
Sales open Aug. 14. The run begins Nov. 4 and concludes Nov. 21, covering venues from the Fitzgerald Theater in Saint Paul to Chicago’s Auditorium Theatre. Some performances will feature the Goosebump Orchestra, while others will pair the film with local symphonies or civic opera orchestras.
- Nov. 4 — Saint Paul, MN — Fitzgerald Theater
- Nov. 5 — Madison, WI — Barrymore Theatre
- Nov. 7 — Columbus, OH — KEMBA Live!
- Nov. 8 — Ann Arbor, MI — Michigan Theater
- Nov. 9 — Toronto, ON — Winter Garden Theatre
- Nov. 11 — Brooklyn, NY — Kings Theatre
- Nov. 12 — Portland, ME — State Theatre
- Nov. 13 — Somerville, MA — Somerville Theatre
- Nov. 14 — Providence, RI — The VETS
- Nov. 15 — Albany, NY — The Egg
- Nov. 17 — Washington, D.C. — The Anthem
- Nov. 19 — Philadelphia, PA — Keswick Theatre
- Nov. 20 — Pittsburgh, PA — Roxian Theatre
- Nov. 21 — Chicago, IL — Auditorium Theatre
Notes: performances will vary by city — for example, some nights list the Goosebump Orchestra, others will bring in established ensembles such as the Wordless Music Orchestra, the Washington National Opera Orchestra, or the Chicago Philharmonic.
Context and legacy
Andrea Gibson rose to prominence as a spoken-word poet whose work addressed gender, identity, politics and grief. Over a career that included multiple poetry collections, an illustrated volume and several albums, Gibson built a devoted following and influenced contemporary spoken-word performance.
Gibson’s public career slowed after a 2021 cancer diagnosis, though they returned to the festival circuit and attended a screening of White’s earlier documentary at Sundance, where that film won a jury favorite award. Gibson died from ovarian cancer on July 14, 2025; the new film records the final major performance the poet gave in 2024 at Denver’s Paramount Theatre.
For longtime supporters, the tour offers a way to gather and remember. For newcomers, producers say the evening is intended as an introduction to Gibson’s voice and work — presented as both cinematic portrait and live performance.
Tickets and additional information are being distributed through the tour’s official channels and venue box offices; prospective attendees should check local listings for orchestra pairings and any guest-artist announcements before purchasing.
