The Virginia Arts Festival has unveiled its 2027 season, marking its 30th anniversary with a slate that blends familiar names and first-time visitors. The lineup, released late Tuesday, includes cellist Yo-Yo Ma, multi-Grammy winner Wynton Marsalis and the Martha Graham Dance Co.
Rob Cross, the festival's artistic director, described the program as a reunion of "old friends." Several of the connections, including those with Ma and Marsalis, grew out of friendships he formed while studying at the New England Conservatory or while performing, years before he helped found the festival. "We felt we had to go back to the artists who've been a part of the festival for the past three decades," he said.
The season also includes a number of festival firsts. London-based vocal ensemble Tenebrae will appear for the first time, as will the Vienna Girls Choir, which will be on its first U.S. tour. The highly anticipated opera "Edmonia" is also on the schedule.
The festival is expanding its geographic reach as well. New events will be held in Hampton at The American Theatre, Virginia Peninsula Community College and Hampton University. In mid-May, the festival will also present its first Yorktown Bluegrass and Beyond concert.
To mark the anniversary, organizers are offering $30 tickets for selected seats at all performances.
The season opens March 31 with a duo performance by Ma and classical pianist Emanuel Ax. On April 3 in Norfolk, Marsalis brings the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, which has a mentoring partnership with musicians from 12 historically Black colleges and universities. It will be Marsalis' last year with that program.
April brings several other performances. The all-female brass ensemble Tenthing plays in Norfolk on April 6. The Vienna Girls Choir performs April 13 and 14 in Virginia Beach and Williamsburg. Hila Plitman and the Ethel String Quartet present the world premiere of "Reimagine" in Norfolk on April 18. The Alvin Ailey Dance Theater appears in Newport News on April 27 and 28. Chamber music and coffee concerts curated by Olga Kern will run from April 13 to June 18 across Hampton Roads.
In May, the Italian dance company Nogravity Theatre performs in Norfolk on May 1. The Martha Graham Dance Co., celebrating its 100th anniversary, takes the stage in Virginia Beach on May 8. Jazz artist Samara Joy performs in Norfolk on June 11.
The Williamsburg Live! lineup will be announced at a later date. A detailed schedule and ticket information are available at vafest.org.
