Center for the Arts

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) returns to the Center for the Arts on January 28 with an exciting program featuring the acclaimed 2022/2023 RPO Artist-in-Residence pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason, RPO Music Director Vasily Petrenko, and pieces by Debussy with orchestration by Ravel, Prokofiev, and Rimsky-Korsakov. Cemented in its place at the forefront of classical music performance, RPO demonstrates an unwavering dedication to excellence while developing its programming, breaking down barriers, and making classical music accessible and inclusive.  

Longtime Friend of the Center for the Arts Bob Warakomsky collected cherished holiday memories at the Center for the Arts from other Friends, compiling snapshots of joyful stories from across the years.

Coming to the Center with new arrangements of classic yuletide carols is the vibrant Latin GRAMMY-nominated group Mariachi Herencia de México with A Mariachi Christmas on December 10. For the holidays, the ensemble shares the Latin American tradition of Las Posadas with songs of the season, such as “Feliz Navidad,” “Ave Maria,” and more. The Chicago Sun-Times notes, “...for freshness and originality, it’s hard to top Mariachi Herencia de México’s south-of-the-border ode to Christmas.”

The Center for the Arts makes it easy for your class or group to attend field trips, which are all offered in person. From their seats, students will be introduced to music, theatrical puppetry, film, and more, with instruments and rhythms from around the world. This spring, experience FREE schooltime performances for Hamid Rahmanian’s "Song of the North" on Friday, January 26 and Small Island Big Song on Friday, April 19.

Renée Fleming, one of the most celebrated singers of our time and a 2023 Kennedy Center Honoree, joins the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra (FSO) for an exclusive evening at the Center for the Arts on November 18.

The holidays are right around the corner and if you listen closely, you can hear the quiet jingle bells and merriment heading to the Center this season. From family-favorite classics to brand-new traditions in the making, the Center has a wide offering of performances that will leave your heart shining with holiday spirit!

Calling all bookworms! “Read a Book Day” is on September 6 and the Center for the Arts has a handful of recommendations to pair with upcoming performances in the 2023/2024 Great Performances at Mason season. After all, what’s better than a good book followed by a night out with friends?

With two performances this fall that represent the rich culture of Cuba and Mexico, the Center invites its audience to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month all semester long! Experience the hypnotic allure of Malpaso Dance Company in October and join the Mariachi Herencia de México family for the holidays this December.

Opening Virginia Opera’s 2023-2024 season, Siegfried, part three of Richard Wagner’s legendary "Ring" cycle, performs at the Center for the Arts on October 7 and 8. Virginia Opera invites its audience to reenter the fantasy realm of gods and heroes on an epic quest for true love.  

The hugely popular Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood LIVE!, based on the Emmy Award-winning #1 PBS Kids TV series, has delighted live audiences on stages across the country. Now, on October 15 at 2:30 and 5:30 p.m., families’ favorite characters are hopping on board Trolley to come to Fairfax with Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood LIVE: King for a Day! The Center invites you to get to know Daniel Tiger’s lead actor, Amanda Lupacchino, in a recent Q&A.