CFA

Four local restaurants are pleased to offer a 10% discount to ticket buyers, subscribers, and Friends of the Center for the Arts and Hylton Performing Arts Center. When dining, show your ticket stub (physical or digital) or Friends membership pin to receive the discount.

“Mixing Big Band Jazz with James Brown Soul” (The Observer), eight-time GRAMMY Award-winning bassist Christian McBride joins Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra on October 28 at the Center for the Arts. Met Jazz will be led by founder, artistic director, and virtuoso saxophonist Jim Carroll, in an unforgettable night of bravado, improvisation, and jazz swagger. McBride will participate in a pre-performance discussion on Monson Grand Tier 45 minutes prior to curtain. Following the concert, audience members are invited to enjoy the sounds of Mason Jazz students over drinks in the Center’s lobby for the first installment of Jazz Club at the Center. 

Virginia Opera (VAO) opens its 2023/2024 season with a continuation of Wagner’s epic “Ring” cycle, presenting the third installment, Siegfried, on October 7 and 8. Floridian tenor Cooper Nolan whose “powerhouse voice” (Opera News) is increasingly gaining him attention as an important interpreter of some of opera's most demanding tenor roles, makes his debut with Virginia Opera in the title role of Siegfried.

The “sparklingly present… and remarkably strong” (The New York Times), Malpaso Dance Company visits the Center for the Arts on October 20 for a spectacular performance with a perfect balance of head and heart. Recently announced, the evening’s program features the following repertoire: Indomitable Waltz by Aszure Barton, Why You Follow by Ronald K. Brown, and A Dancing Island by Osnel Delgado.

Between the fun costumes and delicious candy, it’s hard to decide what the best part of Halloween is. Stand out during trick-or-treating this year with some family costume ideas from the Center’s Family Series!

In March 2023, the GRAMMY Award-winning Silkroad Ensemble debuted their program, Uplifted Voices, at the Center for the Arts, launching their three-year arc as a Mason Artist-in-Residence. Now, Silkroad Ensemble returns for its second year of residency with the world premiere of its program American Railroad on November 5.

For both new and longtime fans of Beethoven, the Center for the Arts has two upcoming performances that feature the brilliant works of one of the greatest composers of all time.

Mason Arts' “digital venue” is evolving once more with a new name for the online platform: Mason Arts Amplified. Formerly known as Mason Arts at Home, this curated collection features arts experiences, including digitally released performances, panel discussions, behind-the-scenes talks with artists, and more.

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.