CFA

Having grown up between Minnesota and Mexico, Lila Downs holds great pride in her expansive heritage of being the child of a Scottish-American father and Mixtec mother. In an interview with Reforma magazine, Downs recalls her mother, a singer as well, giving her advice when she was young, “Lila, canta con sentimiento o no cantes. Lila, sing with feeling or don’t sing at all.”

Mozart’s beloved four-act comic opera, "The Marriage of Figaro," is the kind of mad and frantic bedroom farce from which guilty (and not-so-guilty) pleasures are made. Artistic Director of Virginia Opera (VAO), Adam Turner, states, “This story, these characters-they're all incredibly relevant and resonant. You’ll find a way to see a connection with these characters in some fashion because these are all still themes we still explore today.”

Washington, D.C. native Jay Staten has an incredible collection of achievements in activism, education, and dance. He’s absolutely thrilled to be performing in-person with Camille A. Brown & Dancers this April at the Center for the Arts. We had the delightful opportunity of conversing with Jay Staten about his upcoming visit to the Center for the Arts. Learn more about this incredible dancer in the following exclusive Q&A.

D.C.-area dance enthusiasts have the opportunity to witness some of the most exquisite dance works from across the country this spring at the Mason Dance Company’s 2022 Gala Concert on March 25 and 26.

Curious about what’s coming to the Center for the Arts next season? Want to ensure first pick of the best seats in the house? How about the chance to purchase tickets before the general public for special performances at the Center?

As the Center for the Arts prepares to welcome fifth-generation circus performer, Gregory Popovich and his adorable furry and feathered rescue friends in February, we’d like to share some “pawsome” facts about the star behind popular Vegas act, Popovich Comedy Pet Theater. 

On January 10, the Center for the Arts and Virginia Opera collaborated for a special Mason Arts at Home presentation of Let’s Talk Opera with Josh Borths. This episode examined the upcoming production of Three Decembers (at the Center February 5 & 6) and included a fascinating conversation with the show’s composer, Jake Heggie.

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) is a vanguard of classical music performance and under the direction of its new Music Director, Vasily Petrenko, is being recognized as one of the world’s most forward-thinking and boundary-pushing symphony orchestras in the world. Its 75th Anniversary program showcases a trio of 20th century gems, including Benjamin Britten’s sublime Four Sea Interludes and Rachmaninoff’s spirited Symphonic Dances. Elgar’s Cello Concerto will be played by cello virtuoso Kian Soltani, praised by The Times as a “remarkable cellist” and described by Gramophone as “sheer perfection.” This stunning concert of cherished works is the perfect performance to reconnect with live, classical music.

The Center is thrilled to continue a lineup of spectacular performances this spring, including the return of legendary dance companies Pilobolus followed by Mark Morris Dance Group, the very next weekend.

On Saturday, January 23rd at 7 p.m., Jeffrey Siegel will return to the Center for the Arts with his fan-favorite Keyboard Conversations® series, Fantastic Fantasies. Siegel will provide commentary on the music of Hadyn, Mozart, Mendelssohn, and Swedish composer, Stenhammar. His audience will have the pleasure to hear each piece played by Siegel in its entirety with a newfound understanding of the music’s context and meaning.