Since Stephens Auditorium announced its line up last spring for the 2014-15 school year, five new events have been added to the Performing Art Series.

These shows include Hermes String Quartet, Merle Haggard, Ryan Adams, Ani DiFranco and Widespread Panic.

Hermes String Quartet: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 2 

Based out of Paris, the Hermes Quartet has been the winner of the 2012 Young Concert Artist Auditions in New York and has been complimented by the Washington Post as one of the “world-class quartets of our time.” This quartet plays classical music from famous composers such as Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven and Brahms.

Merle Haggard: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 6

Long-time country star Merle Haggard is known for his hits “Lonesome Fugitive,” “Hungry Eyes,” “Okie From Muskogee” and many others. Haggard is also a Grammy Award winner and is a Kennedy Center honoree. On this tour, Haggard is traveling with The Strangers, a road band who has won the Touring Band of the Year Award from the Academy of Country Music countless times. 

Ryan Adams: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 18 

Singer-songwriter Ryan Adams self-produced his latest album “1984” in his Pax-Am 7 series for this tour. This follows his previous Pax-Am 7 series “Gimme Something Good.”

Ani DiFranco: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 21

Having produced more than 20 albums in 20 years, this self-proclaimed folksinger has covered more genres than her title suggests. Her music features soul, funk, jazz, electronic music and spoken word. Her next album, “Allergic to Water,” will debut this October. 

Widespread Panic: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 29 

Created at the University of Georgia in frontman John Bell’s dorm room, this band is a combination of blues, southern rock and funk. After its brief hiatus, its tour is back with singer-songwriter Gregg Allman and Dr. John.

Angela Ossian, director of marketing at the Iowa State Center, said the newly added shows provide entertainment to those looking for something in a setting other than a large arena.

“The new concerts that have recently been booked for October, such as Ryan Adams and Ani DeFranco, offer such great alternatives to the big arena shows,” Ossian said.

Patti Cotter, development and sponsorship manager at the Iowa State Center, is more excited for the multi-day residency performance Hermes String Quartet. 

“I am especially pleased that we are hosting Hermes String Quartet … Oct. 2 as part of a multi-day residency,” Cotter said. “This young string quartet will play in multiple venues in our community and we love to see the interaction of young musicians with audiences of all ages around the community in schools and other gathering places.”

Tickets for these shows or any other show at Stephens Auditorium can be bought online at ticketmaster or at the north entrance of Stephens Auditorium.