Tickets are now available for the Moss Arts Center’s 2024-25 season performances. Filled with bold voices, legendary performers, and soul-stirring rhythms from around the world, the season has something for everyone — classical favorites, Broadway blockbusters, jazz and global sounds, innovative dance and theatre works, and fantastical family-friendly worlds of imagination.
Complementing the center’s performances and exhibitions are a lineup of free experiences offering deeper connections with artists and their work, including artist panels and talks, post-performance question-and-answer sessions, and hands-on workshops. Virginia Tech students will have exclusive access to master classes and other special on-campus engagement events with artists and ensembles, and school-age students from across Southwest Virginia will be treated to free school-day matinee performances, including 1,2,3 Andrés with “Across the Americas,” an interactive concert for prekindergarten through second grade that explores geography, culture, and music from around the world.
Moss Arts Center 2024-2025 performances:
Plena Libre
Free outdoor concert, Moss Arts Center lawn
Friday, Sept. 6, 6 p.m.
Master of the plena and bomba styles, the group brilliantly infuses traditional and contemporary music with Afro-Puerto Rican rhythms, bringing an electrifying outdoor dance party to the Moss lawn.
“An Evening with Renée Elise Goldsberry”
2024-25 Season Opener
Friday, Sept. 13, 7:30 p.m.
Original “Hamilton” cast member Renée Elise Goldsberry, who has delivered award-winning performances both on Broadway and on screen, opens the Moss season with a memorable evening of Broadway hits and American songbook classics.
Ontroerend Goed
“Fight Night”
Tuesday, Sept. 17, and Wednesday, Sept. 18, 7:30 p.m.
Belgian theatre company Ontroerend Goed performs “Fight Night,” a rumination on democracy and elections that gives the audience the power to vote for fictitious candidates in real time.
Riyaaz Qawwali and the Harlem Gospel Travelers
“Singing Together: Qawwali and Gospel”
Thursday, Sept. 26, 7:30 p.m.
“Singing Together” is a qawwali and gospel music collaboration between Houston-based Riyaaz Qawwali and New York’s Harlem Gospel Travelers that interweaves musical elements from both ensembles into a resoundingly joyous, boundary-crossing evening of praise.
Lightwire Theater
“Dino-Light”
Sunday, Sept. 29, 2 p.m.
Audiences of all ages are welcome for this visually stunning, glow-in-the-dark adventure as “Dino-Light” tells the story of a playful dinosaur who wanders away from home with an unforgettable blend of puppetry, technology, and dance.
Mariza
Wednesday, Oct. 2, 7:30 p.m.
With enchanting charisma, an unparalleled voice, and profound emotional depth, Mariza is the premier performer of the proud, soulful Portuguese musical tradition fado.
Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn
Friday, Oct. 11, 7:30 p.m.
Legendary banjo musicians Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn team up for a fun evening of traditions and incredible virtuosity. Together, they showcase America’s rich musical heritage and completely new realms for the banjo.
“Voices from the Urban Indigenous Campfire”
Monday, Oct. 14, 7:30 p.m.
Poetry, creative writing, and rich stories interlace in this specially curated celebration of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, featuring three Indigenous creatives. Programmed by guest curator Andre Bouchard.
Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan
“13 Tongues”
Wednesday, Oct. 30, 7:30 p.m.
With training in meditation, martial arts, modern dance, and ballet manifesting in its choreography, Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan transforms ancient aesthetics into a thrilling and modern celebration of motion.
“An Evening with Ta-Nehisi Coates”
Friday, Nov. 1, 7:30 p.m.
The author of the New York Times bestseller and National Book Award winner “Between the World and Me” delivers a reading of his work, participates in a moderated conversation, and answers audience questions.
United States Air Force Heritage Brass
Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, 7:30 p.m.
Featuring 10 brass players and a percussionist, the pioneering symphonic brass ensemble Heritage Brass presents a diverse repertoire, featuring orchestral transcriptions, patriotic favorites, jazz standards, new compositions, and distinctive arrangements.
Cirque Kalabanté
“Afrique en Cirque”
Wednesday, Nov. 13, 7:30 p.m.
Inspired by daily life in Guinea, this spirited cirque performance features daredevil acrobatics, lively drumming, vibrant costumes and staging, and lots of audience interaction. Cirque Kalabanté will delight the entire family.
Roanoke Symphony Orchestra
“Holiday Pops Spectacular”
Saturday, Dec. 7, 4 p.m.
The magic of the season comes alive during this can’t-miss holiday tradition, featuring traditional carols, timeless classics, contemporary holiday favorites, and audience participation with sing-alongs and interactive moments.
Jaha Koo
“Cuckoo”
Friday, Jan. 31, and Saturday, Feb. 1, 7:30 p.m.
Cube
South Korea-born theatre maker Jaha Koo uses video to closely interweave politics, history, and his own personal stories as “Cuckoo” focuses on how the inescapable past tragically affects our lives today.
“Beowulf: The Epic in Performance”
Benjamin Bagby, voice and medieval harp
Thursday, Feb. 6, and Friday, Feb. 7, 7:30 p.m.
Blacksburg Presbyterian Church
Medieval vocalist Benjamin Bagby accompanies himself on harp to deliver a gripping solo performance of the epic tale of ‘Beowulf’ in the most epic way — reverberating through the chapel of the Blacksburg Presbyterian Church.
Lakecia Benjamin
Friday, Feb. 14, 7:30 p.m.
From New York City, trailblazing three-time Grammy nominated jazz saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin makes her Blacksburg debut with her sizzling band to share her latest recording, “Phoenix.”
Czech National Symphony Orchestra
Maxim Lando, piano
Tuesday, Feb. 18, 7:30 p.m.
Recognized as one of Europe’s first-rank ensembles, the Czech National Symphony Orchestra returns to the Moss, joined by pianist Maxim Lando, to perform two of the most beloved works from the Romantic repertoire — Dvořák’s famed Symphony no. 9, “From the New World” and Liszt’s monumental Piano Concerto no. 1.
Kodo
“One Earth Tour 2025: Warabe”
Thursday, Feb. 27, 7:30 p.m.
Exploring the limitless rhythms of the traditional Japanese taiko drum, Kodo has forged new directions for this vibrant artform for more than 40 years. From the thundering giant drums that shake the rafters to colorful traditional dances, Kodo enthralls audiences with its athleticism and energy.
The Dante Quartet
Brian Thorsett, tenor
Thursday, March 6, 7:30 p.m.
For its Moss debut, premier string ensemble the Dante Quartet is joined by Virginia Tech faculty member Brian Thorsett in the world premiere of a new work created by British composer Ian Venables, along with works by Beethoven and Elgar.
A.I.M by Kyle Abraham
Saturday, March 22, 7:30 p.m.
One of the world’s most visionary contemporary dance companies returns to the Moss. Led by the acclaimed choreographer and artistic director, A.I.M by Kyle Abraham mixes social dance and postmodern movement, including a poignant piece set to the songs of Nina Simone.
“An Evening with Charles Yu”
Tuesday, March 25, 7:30 p.m.
Author of the genre-bending National Book Award winner “Interior Chinatown,” as well as a television screenwriter including HBO’s “Westworld,” Charles Yu delivers an entertaining and thought-provoking discussion of the Asian American experience and the unique power of science fiction to address the human condition.
Circa
“Opus”
Friday, March 28, 7:30 p.m.
With a bold and sophisticated approach to cirque, Australian-based Circa is joined live by the Debussy String Quartet for a red-hot fusion of acrobatics and lyrical movement set to Shostakovich quartets.
Les Arts Florissants
“Vivaldi’s Four Seasons at 300”
Théotime Langlois de Swarte, violin
Wednesday, April 2, 7:30 p.m.
The internationally renowned early music ensemble takes the stage with one of today’s most sought-after young early music stars to perform Vivaldi’s masterpiece, “Four Seasons.”
george emilio sanchez
“In the Court of the Conqueror”
Thursday, April 24, and Friday, April 25, 7:30 p.m.
Cube
Writer, performance artist, and social justice advocate george emilio sanchez confronts how the courts have historically diminished the tribal sovereignty of Native nations. Programmed by guest curator Andre Bouchard.
Chucho Valdés and Irakere 50
2024-25 Season Closer
Saturday, May 10, 7:30 p.m.
The legendary Cuban jazz master Chucho Valdés returns to the Moss to celebrate the golden anniversary of Irakere, the Cuban band whose bold fusion of Afro-Cuban and jazz marked a before and after in Latin music. His musical tribute, Irakere 50, will heat up the stage with a phenomenal next generation of Cuban musicians.
Broadway in Blacksburg
Broadway returns to Southwest Virginia with the Moss Arts Center’s “Broadway in Blacksburg” series, featuring two performances:
“Dear Evan Hansen”
Monday, Oct. 21, 8 p.m.
Tickets are now on sale for the six-time Tony Award-winning musical “Dear Evan Hansen,” a deeply personal and profoundly contemporary story that takes a groundbreaking look — from the point of view of both parents and young people — at our complex, interconnected, and social media-filled lives.
“The Book of Mormon”
Tuesday, March 18, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets go on sale on Thursday, Dec. 5, for “Book of Mormon,” the irreverent and hilarious musical that garnered nine Tony awards. The New York Times calls it, “The best musical of this century,” and Jimmy Fallon said, “Genius. Brilliant. Phenomenal.”
Tickets can be purchased online; at the Moss Arts Center’s 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 2024-25 season offer discounted prices, priority seat selection, and first access to major events, including pre-sales for Broadway performances, before they go on public sale.
Katie Gehrt for Virginia Tech
