Welcoming back in-person performances for its 2021-2022 season, the Moss Arts Center has released its fall lineup of events that includes musical performances from classical to contemporary, an audacious dance company that turns the dance floor on its side (literally), innovative theatre works, thought-provoking perspectives from a celebrated author, and contemporary voices of Native American artists.
“We’ve chosen ‘gathering’ as the theme for our newest season,” said Ruth Waalkes, executive director of the Moss Arts Center and associate provost for the arts at Virginia Tech. “This reflects the excitement of our community to gather once again and experience the power of the arts, live and in person, as well as the gathering momentum of artists as they prepare to bring their vital voices and perspectives to stages and concert halls across the country.”
Subscriptions are now available for the fall performances, which are as follows:
Moss Arts Center fall performances
- BANDALOOP
Friday, Sept. 17, 2021, 5 and 6 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, 1 and 2 p.m.
The season kicks off in September with the unforgettable sight of dancers rappelling down the side of the center. The exterior of the Moss Arts Center becomes an outdoor dance floor for BANDALOOP, performers who inspire wonder and challenge what is possible. Join a celebration of the human spirit and community with these free outdoor performances.
- “Welcome to Indian Country”
Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021, 7 p.m. and Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021, 7 p.m.
Commissioned in part by the Moss Arts Center, “Welcome to Indian Country” is a new evening of stories, poetry, and music—from jazz to Appalachian—celebrating Native peoples and culture. Together, the performers exemplify the vibrant life of modern indigenous people, honoring their ancestors and capturing the joy they feel as part of a Native community while sharing their expressions with the world. Presented in partnership with Virginia Tech’s American Indian and Indigenous Community Center.
- Miwa Matreyek: “This World Made Itself” and “Infinitely Yours”
Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021, 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, Sept.29, 2021, 7 and 8:30 p.m.
Los Angeles multimedia artist Miwa Matreyek interacts with her digital animations as living shadow silhouettes at the cross-section of cinema and theatre. “Infinitely Yours” and “The World Made Itself” explore global warming and the vastly changing Earth.
- “Duets”—Dianne Reeves, Chucho Valdés, and Joe Lovano
Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021, 7:30 p.m.
Savor a rare evening of jazz duets by three masters. With a combined total of 12 Grammys, Cuban pianist Chucho Valdés, jazz vocalist Dianne Reeves, and saxophone titan Joe Lovano perform a magical evening of jazz standards.
- DeLanna Studi: “And So We Walked”
Monday, Oct. 11 and Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021, 7:30 p.m.
In 2015 Cherokee actor and writer DeLanna Studi retraced the path her great-great-grandparents took along the Trail of Tears. A powerful one-woman show honoring Indigenous people everywhere, “And So We Walked” recounts Studi’s own journey to understand her identity. Studi performed excerpts of this work for the Moss online “HomeStage” series. This fully-staged production is presented in celebration of Indigenous People’s Day in partnership with Virginia Tech’s American Indian and Indigenous Community Center.
- Imani Winds and Catalyst Quartet: “(Im)migration: music of change”
Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, 7:30 p.m.
Two leading chamber ensembles join forces for a concert highlighting the experience of migration. “(Im)migration: music of change” features music written or inspired by migrants and immigrants from the African and Latin diaspora. Catalyst Quartet features alumni from the internationally-acclaimed Sphinx Competition while Grammy-nominated Imani Winds leads a revolution of the wind quintet. Performing both individually and together, the ensembles transform ancestral stories into music.
- Pink Martini featuring China Forbes
Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, 7:30 p.m.
Always a sold-out party, the band Pink Martini is inspired by the romantic Hollywood musicals of the 1940s and ‘50s. With arrangements of Latin music, cabaret, and cinema scores, its sound defies categorization. Following last year’s wildly entertaining “HomeStage” series virtual performance by founders China Forbes and Thomas Lauderdale, this event features the entire band on the stage of the Anne and Ellen Fife Theatre.
- “An Evening with Jesmyn Ward”
Wednesday, Nov.10, 2021, 7:30 p.m.
MacArthur “Genius” Jesmyn Ward has been described as the standout writer of her generation. Raised in Louisiana, Ward is the first woman and the first person of color to win two National Book Awards for Fiction, joining the ranks of William Faulkner, Philip Roth, and John Updike. Her novels build deep empathy for the human condition. This event is presented in partnership with the Department of English Visiting Writer Series.
- Conrad Tao, piano
Friday, Nov. 19, 2021, 7:30 p.m.
Leading the new generation of classical music, pianist and composer Conrad Tao has amassed a steady stream of awards and critical acclaim for his performances, compositions, and recordings. This fresh and insightful evening includes works by Beethoven and Schumann, as well as American composers John Adams and Fred Hersch, and a new Moss-commissioned work by Tao.
- Roanoke Symphony Orchestra: “Holiday Pops Spectacular”
Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, 4 p.m.
A Moss tradition, one of the most popular evenings of the year makes its triumphant return: the “Holiday Pops Spectacular” with the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra. With much to celebrate this upcoming holiday season, join friends and family for a merry musical program for audiences of all ages.
Subscriptions offer discounted prices and priority seat selection. Two subscription levels, Premier and Silver, are available for fall semester performances. The Premier subscription includes all performances at a 25 percent discount. For fall 2021, eight shows are included in the Premier Subscription, and Miwa Matreyek’s performance of “This World Made Itself” and “Infinitely Yours” can be added on. The Silver Subscription offers a 15 percent discount off ticket prices with a minimum of three performances.
Subscriptions can be purchased online; at the Moss Arts Center box office, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday; or by calling 540-231-5300 during box office hours. Currently, only subscription packages are available for purchase. Tickets for individual performances will be available for purchase on August 4, 2021.
