The Virginia Arts Festival is marking its 30th anniversary by doing what it's always done: Presenting a lineup with the likes of virtuoso cellist Yo-Yo Ma, multi-Grammy winner Wynton Marsalis and the genre-defining Martha Graham Dance Co.
The 2027 season lineup, which was released late Tuesday, is the best reunion of what Rob Cross, the festival's artistic director, calls "old friends."
Several connections, including Ma and Marsalis, are friendships he made while studying at the New England Conservatory or while performing, years before he helped found the arts festival.
"We felt we had to go back to the artists who've been a part of the festival for the past three decades."
The season features a number of festival firsts, including the London-based vocal ensemble Tenebrae, the Vienna Girls Choir, which will be on its first U.S. tour, and the highly anticipated opera "Edmonia."
The arts festival is also adding events in Hampton with shows at The American Theatre, Virginia Peninsula Community College and Hampton University.
It will also have its first Yorktown Bluegrass and Beyond concert in mid-May.
For the anniversary, the festival is also offering $30 tickets for selected seats for all performances.
The season opener is the March 31 duo of Yo-Yo Ma and classical pianist Emanuel Ax.
Other highlights include:
Marsalis' Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and its mentoring partnership with musicians from 12 historically Black colleges and universities. It will be Marsalis’ last year with the program. (April 3, Norfolk)
The all-female brass ensemble Tenthing (April 6, Norfolk)
Olga Kern curated chamber music and coffee concerts (Dates from April 13 - June 18, throughout Hampton Roads area)
Vienna Girls Choir (April 13 and 14, Virginia Beach and Williamsburg)
The world premiere of "Reimagine," Hila Plitman and the Ethel String Quartet (April 18, Norfolk)
The Alvin Ailey Dance Theater (April 27 & 28, Newport News).
The Italian dance company Nogravity Theatre (May 1, Norfolk).
The Martha Graham Dance Co. celebrating its 100th anniversary. (May 8, Virginia Beach).
Jazz artist Samara Joy (June 11, Norfolk)
The Williamsburg Live! Lineup will be announced later.
Visit vafest.org for a detailed schedule and ticket information.
