Friends of the Center for the Arts look forward to Great Performances at Mason events scheduled in the 2025–26 season...
Bob Warakomsky
I look forward every year to the American Festival Pops Orchestra’s Holiday Concert. I have fallen in love with all the exhilarating performances of the AFPO beginning with the first performance in 2009 under the leadership of its founder, Maestro Tony Maiello. I vividly recall interviewing Maestro Tony, sitting on his porch sipping lemonade. I was writing an article about the forthcoming new orchestra for the Friends of the Center for the Arts newsletter a few months prior to the orchestra’s initial performance. Maestro Tony remarked during the interview that one of his dreams was to create a pops orchestra, and he has absolutely fulfilled that dream “in spades.” The annual Holiday Concert is the highlight of my Christmas season, filling me with a sense of comfort, joy, and anticipation, and is now one of my “must do” events during the days leading up to the holiday itself.
Jim Wolfe
I am definitely looking forward to the Mnozil Brass performance in March for an evening of laughter and music! I have always enjoyed the mixture of humor with classical music since I first heard Victor Borge and PDQ Bach.
Janice Sutera Wolfe
Puppetry can draw on the child in all of us. I want to see the Papermoon Puppet Theatre production not only because of the meaningful theme of the work, but to see how the puppeteers' imagination and creativity move us from childlike wonder to a deeper meaning. The intimacy of the Harris Theatre promises to be a fantastic setting to see and “feel” the puppets up close.
Debbie Jones
The performance of The Center Will Not Hold brings an extraordinary fusion of breakdancing, hip-hop and tap dance. These three styles of dance that wouldn't normally be brought together in one venue will blend together an exceptional performance for all to see. If that isn't enough, this one-of-a-kind performance is supported by original music composed by Donovan Dorrance which provides a pulsating rhythm highlighting the dancer’s performance. This is a must see for me for an exceptionally unique performance at George Mason.
Mark Morris is an iconic legendary dancer and choreographer whose work is admired by the modern dance world. His work is acclaimed for its style, ingenuity, and playfulness. It is always a special evening for me to attend a Mark Morris Dance Group and Music Ensemble performance. His work is admired by the modern dance community and by many aspiring modern dancers. It is always a treat for the eyes and senses to attend one of his company's performances.
James (Mac) McAtamney
In 1962, Disney released Almost Angels, a movie chronicling life among members of the Vienna Boys Choir. At the time, I was a soprano in our school choir and, after my aunt took me to see it, I was so taken with it that I mused about the possibility of actually becoming a member of the choir. I even thought that, because I was born in Salzburg, I’d have a “leg up” on the competition. Of course, that never happened—and, anyway, I didn’t remain a soprano for long after that—but I’ve always had a special place in my heart for the choir. I’m looking forward to the December 14 concert, which, after all this time, will be the first chance I’ll have to enjoy their music in person.
Anonymous
I forget when I first heard about the world-renowned Academy of St. Martin in the Fields. It must have been at least 70 years ago, probably not long after the orchestra's beginnings in 1959 by a group of strings players gathered in the small church not far from London from which the famous orchestra took its name. And now the Academy’s chamber ensemble is coming to grace the Center for the Arts at George Mason University with their ethereal sounds!
Anonymous
The performance I am most anxious to see is the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra with Yo-Yo Ma. I have seen this fantastic cellist several times as well as our own wonderful symphony, so I could not pass up the opportunity to see them together.
Likewise, the Academy of St Martin in the Fields is a favorite of mine, so I am excited that I will be able to see their Chamber Ensemble, especially since Joshua Bell is now the Academy's current music director.
George Mason University is fortunate to secure the Mark Morris Dance Group and Music Ensemble regularly. This coming season’s program features Dances to American Music, and the music the ensemble has chosen may be new to most of our audience. That is a compelling reason for me to attend this performance.
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