Tickets for Center for the Arts' 2025-26 season now on sale
Tickets are now available for the Center for the Arts at Virginia Tech’s 2025-26 season.
Celebrating the magic of shared experiences, the season features legendary performers, inspiring voices, and spirit-lifting rhythms from around the world — from spectacular orchestras, brilliant ensembles, and Broadway blockbusters to innovative dance and theatre works, family-friendly favorites, and cherished holiday classics.
Complementing the center’s performances and exhibitions are a lineup of free experiences offering deeper connections with artists and their work, including artist talks, post-performance question-and-answer sessions, and hands-on workshops.
Virginia Tech students will have exclusive access to class visits, hands-on workshops, master classes, and other special on-campus engagement events with artists and ensembles, and school-aged students from across Southwest Virginia will be treated to seven free school-day matinee performances, including two events that bring professional artists directly into local schools.
Center for the Arts 2025-26 performances
Free outdoor concert, Patricia Buckley Moss Lawn
Friday, Sept. 5, 6 p.m.
With infectious rhythms and vibrant vocals, the music from these masters of Cuba's iconic son cubano is made for dancing — and for bringing people together.
2025-26 Season Opener
Friday, Sept. 19, 7:30 p.m.
New York-based jazz ensemble the Hot Sardines brings brassy horns, rollicking piano, rich vocals, and a tap dancer.
Saturday, Sept. 27, 7:30 p.m.
Step Afrika! delivers electrifying night of rhythm, movement, and culture with traditional African stepping, drumming, and vibrant storytelling.
Abel Selaocoe, cello and vocals
Thursday, Oct. 2, 7:30 p.m.
South African cellist Abel Selaocoe blazes across genres, improvising, vocalizing, and creating his own percussion.
Saturday, Oct. 11, 7:30 p.m.
Grammy-winning mandolinist Chris Thile is a founding member of bluegrass string bands Punch Brothers and Nickel Creek.
Tuesday, Oct. 14, 7:30 p.m.
Vancouver-based Ballet BC creates dance at its most essential: visceral, powerful, thought-provoking, daring, and transformative.
Gaelynn Lea and the Music Inclusion Ensemble
Co-presented with the School of Performing Arts
Monday, Oct. 20, 7:30 p.m.
Disability rights advocate Gaelynn Lea joins the Music Inclusion Ensemble, which centers disability narratives and performs a diverse repertoire by disabled composers.
Wednesday, Oct. 22, 7:30 p.m.
“New Yorker” cartoonist Roz Chast is one of the greatest chroniclers of life's anxieties and surreal imaginings.
Thursday, Oct. 30, 7:30 p.m.
The L.A.-based, Grammy-winning La Santa Cecilia is a modern-day creative hybrid of Latin culture, rock, and world music.
“The Great War”
Thursday, Nov. 6, and Friday, Nov. 7, 7:30 p.m.
Hotel Modern creates fascinating performances that fuse drama, object theatre, puppetry, and film.
Sunday, Nov. 9, 4 p.m.
360 ALLSTARS brings an energy-packed party with dancing, rapping, beatboxing, acrobatics, BMX biking, basketball, and more.
“Holiday Pops Spectacular”
Saturday, Dec. 6, 4 p.m.
The Roanoke Symphony Orchestra brings the magic of the season to the Anne and Ellen Fife Theatre with its beloved “Holiday Pops Spectacular.”
Handel's “Messiah”
Sunday, Dec. 14, 4 p.m.
The Blacksburg Master Chorale is joined by a professional orchestra and soloists to present an iconic work of the holiday season: Handel's "Messiah."
Benjamin Grosvenor, piano
Vasily Petrenko, music director
Thursday, Jan. 22, 7:30 p.m.
At the forefront of music-making, London’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is known for its excellence and versatility.
“From Ordinary Things”
Wednesday, Jan. 28, 7:30 p.m.
Powerhouses Julia Bullock, Seth Parker Woods, and Conor Hanick unite to showcase composers of lyricism and storytelling.
Tim Etchells with Bert and Nasi
“L'Addition”
Friday, Jan. 30, and Saturday, Jan. 31, 7:30 p.m.
Brilliant theatre duo Bert and Nasi turn an ordinary restaurant scene into a hilarious theatrical experiment.
“Tilt! A Circus Thrill Ride”
Tuesday, Feb. 10, 7:30 p.m.
Journey to the backlot of an inventive theme park as Cirque Mechanics returns to Blacksburg with its newest acrobatic adventure.
with Cécile McLorin Salvant
Friday, Feb. 20, 7:30 p.m.
Danish Radio Big Band brings powerhouse sound alongside three-time Grammy-winning jazz vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant.
“The Trials of Tenducci”
Tuesday, March 17, 7:30 p.m.
Experience something different this St. Patrick’s Day with music from flagship period classical instrument ensemble Irish Baroque Orchestra.
“Manifesto”
Saturday, March 28, 7:30 p.m.
With all-out dancing and electrifying sound, Stephanie Lake Company's "Manifesto" features nine dancers and nine drummers on nine drum kits.
“In My Dreams”
Featuring Jenny Scheinman, Eyvind Kang, Hank Roberts, Thomas Morgan, and Rudy Royston
Friday, April 3, 7:30 p.m.
Grammy-winning jazz guitar icon Bill Frisell’s career as a musician and composer has spanned more than 40 years and many recordings.
“Beauty Beyond the Frontlines”
Muhammed Muheisen, photojournalist
Tuesday, April 7, 7:30 p.m.
“National Geographic” Explorer Muhammed Muheisen's photographs take an unflinching but hopeful look at lives impacted by war.
with Jordan Bak, viola
Wednesday, April 15, 7:30 p.m.
The world-renowned Takács Quartet and violist Jordan Bak bring an expressive evening of Mozart viola quintets and Schubert's “Quartettsatz.”
“Music, Dance, and Women's Resilience”
Wednesday, April 23, 7:30 p.m.
Performer and educator Esraa Warda brings a night of music, voice, and dance to highlight the artistry and spirit of Algeria.
“An Evening with Kelli O'Hara”
2025-26 Season Closer
Saturday, May 9, 7:30 p.m.
One of the most beloved leading ladies of Broadway, Kelli O’Hara is a force of nature on stage and screen.
Broadway in Blacksburg
Broadway returns to Southwest Virginia with the center’s “Broadway in Blacksburg” series, featuring two performances:
“TINA – The Tina Turner Musical”
Monday, Nov. 17, 7:30 p.m.
“TINA – The Tina Turner Musical” is the inspiring journey of a woman who broke barriers and became the queen of rock ‘n’ roll.
Monday, Feb. 23, 7:30 p.m.
“Chicago” is the musical with everything that makes Broadway shimmy-shake: a universal tale of fame, fortune, and all that jazz.
Tickets
Tickets can be purchased online; at the Center for the Arts box office, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday; or by calling 540-231-5300.
Subscriptions for the 2025-26 season offer discounted prices, priority seat selection, and first access to major events.
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