News

Last spring, Maestro Peter Wilson picked up the baton, becoming the new artistic director and conductor of the American Festival Pops Orchestra (AFPO), effective the 2022-2023 season. No stranger to AFPO, Maestro Wilson was the orchestra’s longtime concertmaster and principal violinist. While Wilson has some pretty big shoes to fill, but we’re excited to see his official debut with Holiday Pops: Songs of the Season.

Mason Artists-in-Residence Nrityagram Dance Ensemble and Chitrasena Dance Company Lead Campus/Community Events in Addition to their Nov. 5 Center for the Arts Performance

On October 10, the Center for the Arts honors Indigenous Peoples’ Day, and looks forward to upcoming performances this season by Pura Fé with Silkroad Ensemble and Indigenous Enterprise.

There’s still time to subscribe to the 2022/2023 Center for the Arts Family Series! This three-event series is a fantastic opportunity for the whole family to explore the magical world of live performance together. The Family Series introduces children to the arts though lively and engaging programs in song, dance, and story.

The Center for the Arts presents Wagner's electrifying "The Valkyrie" Oct. 8-9 and Virginia Opera Artistic Director Adam Turner participated in a livestreamed talk with Wagner Society of Washington, DC Chairman Jim Holman about the production.

The College of Visual and Performing Arts celebrated the in-person return of ARTS! By George in 2022. This signature annual event showcases everything within the College, from groundbreaking and exciting visual art and design to exquisite performances.

“An evening like no other,” ARTS by George! makes its in-person return on September 24. The philanthropic event, headlined by Emmy® and Tony Award winner Kristin Chenoweth, raises support for student scholarships in visual arts, dance, music, theater, game design, film, arts management, as well as for the Mason Community Arts Academy, Green Machine Ensembles, and the Great Performance at Mason season at the Center for the Arts.

Rising star Meghan Kasanders has already been hailed by The New York Times for her “authentically Wagnerian sound" and by Opera News for her "rich dramatic soprano. See her make her Wagnerian debut as Sieglinde in Virginia Opera’s production of "The Valkyrie" at the Center for the Arts on Oct. 8 and 9.

The venerated Preservation Hall Jazz Band brings its classic New Orleans sound to the Center for the Arts at George Mason University in November 2022.

Baritone Kyle Albertson discusses Virginia Opera's "The Valkyrie," which will be presented at the Center for the Arts Oct. 8 and 9, 2022.

Still tapping our toes, the Center for the Arts looks back on SW!NG OUT's time within the community, George Mason University, and the Center. As an Artist-in-Residence, SW!NG OUT company members engaged with local swing dance groups, area students, Hylton Performing Arts Center’s Veterans and the Arts Initiative, and community members to share the history of swing and Lindy Hop—and get dancing too! After a wonderful collection of community activities, SW!NG OUT concluded its time at George Mason University with its highly anticipated performance at the Center for the Arts on March 19.

The Center for the Arts at George Mason University announced its 2022/2023 season of mainstage performances, featuring a diverse lineup of artists and ensembles across many genres, as part of Great Performances at Mason and the Family Series.