Members of the Friends of the Center for the Arts (FCFA) are eagerly anticipating the start of the 2024–25 Great Performances at Mason season in the Center’s Concert Hall. When asked which performances they were looking forward to, Friends had an opportunity to share their returning favorites and new upcoming experiences.
"We are very pleased to see that Virginia Opera will be offering our favorite opera, Carmen, this season. We have seen most of the Virginia Opera presentations these past 20 years and have never been disappointed."
–Charles and Eileen Duggan
"I can hardly wait to hear American Festival Pops Orchestra's Holiday Pops: Songs of the Season. I look forward to hearing them any time of the year, no matter what they are playing. Many years ago, members of the FCFA Board were asked about their favorite Great Performances and Holiday Pops was mentioned by most board members."
–Joanie White
"We are so excited to see The Acting Company returning to the Center for the Arts. We have missed seeing the incredible plays that this oldest and most revered American touring theater company brings (and what a wonderful play to return with, August Wilson’s Two Trains Running)! Theater is back in the Great Performances schedule. Hurrah!
–Paulette and Mack Miller
"We are looking forward to seeing Les Arts Florissants: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons at 300. Why? Because they will have performed at Carnegie Hall in New York prior to their performance at the Center. That is the quality of performances we get at the Center for the Arts and you don’t have to take a train to see them!"
–Dawn and Mark Roddy
"After a recent trip to Prague, we’re excited about the Czech National Philharmonic's Smetana and Dvořák program. We’re always impressed with the precision and musicianship of European orchestra performances. Perennial musical favorites are the American Festival Pops Orchestra and the Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra with Branford Marsalis because the selections and performances are always fun and demand multiple encores!"
–Jim Wolfe and Janice Sutera Wolfe
"As ever, the selection for the 2024–25 season is varied and provides something for everyone. While all look good, I particularly enjoy the orchestral presentations with American Festival Pops Orchestra's holiday performance and Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra heading my list."
–John Nash
"We are excited to be able to see a live performance of the Squirrel Nut Zippers' Christmas Caravan on December 7. Our son introduced us to this eclectic, quirky band that was popular in the late 90’s with their hit album Hot. Their music is a wild mix of New Orleans jazz, 20’s swing, Klezmer, and other lively genres. It should be a wild and entertaining performance."
–Margaret and Roy Wagner
Pumped for The Peking Acrobats
"I am especially looking forward to seeing The Peking Acrobats! We had tickets to see them this past year, but the performance was canceled so I am looking forward to seeing them this upcoming season."
–Dianne Blais
"I am enthusiastically looking forward to The Peking Acrobats. Their amazing athleticism and body control are beyond belief."
–Bob Warakomsky
The Center for the Arts thanks its 2024-25 season sponsors and grantmaking organizations: Didlake, The Wendy Frieman and David Johnson Fund, The Tom and Evelyn Kiley Fund, National Endowment for the Arts, Dominion Energy, and Sandy Spring Bank.