Audiences will once again enjoy the exciting Professional Touring Artist Series presenting bestselling authors, brilliant musicians, hilarious comedy and incredible talent from around the world in the CenterStage at Reston Community Center. Tickets for the 2023/2024 season are now available to Reston residents and employees as of August 1, and they will be available online August 8 to the general public.
The season opens with a delightful conversation between veterans of the stage, large and small screens as well as CenterStage favorites, Mandy Patinkin and Kathryn Grody. Great thinkers of today include Rev. William J. Barber, V (formerly Eve Ensler) and Kwame Alexander. There will be plenty of laughs with Negin Farsad, Reduced Shakespeare Company’s “Ultimate Christmas Show (abridged)”, Mr. Vaudeville, Jen Kober and Jeffrey Jay. Take a musical journey with Lúnasa, Okaidja Afroso, Dan and Claudia Zanes, Robin Spielberg and Trout Fishing in America. Don’t miss the gorgeous imagery of Cleo Parker Robinson Dance company. “We are thrilled to have a full slate of exceptionally gifted performers joining us for the 2023/2024 season,” said RCC Arts and Culture Director, Paul Douglas Michnewicz. “These artists, and the artists we bring to the Reston Multicultural Festival and local schools, will assure a year of cultural feasting for the whole community.”
Here is the 2023/2024 PROFESSIONAL TOURING ARTISTS Series lineup, more details are available at www.restoncommunitycenter.com or by using the links in each title:
National Heritage Award Fellows at the Reston Multicultural Festival
Saturday, September 23, 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Free – Reston Town Center
The National Heritage Fellowships are the nation’s highest honor in folk and traditional arts.
A Conversation with Mandy Patinkin and Kathryn Grody
Saturday, September 30, 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
$40 Reston/$60 Non-Reston
Mandy Patinkin and Kathryn Grody share family stories, professional anecdotes and glimpses into their 40-plus years of (mostly) marital bliss.
A Screening of “We Feed People”
Monday, October 16, 7:30 p.m.
$15 Reston/$20 Non-Reston
Oscar-winning director Ron Howard spotlights renowned chef José Andres and his nonprofit World Central Kitchen. Screening followed by a discussion with Restonian Nathan Mook, executive producer.
Nefesh Mountain – Jewish/Bluegrass Band
Wednesday, October 18, 8:00 p.m.
$15 Reston/$20 Non-Reston
Nefesh combines elements of Appalachian bluegrass, Celtic folk and Eastern European melodies with messages of inclusivity, diversity and hope.
Negin Farsad – Comedian
Sunday, November 19, 7:00 p.m.
$20 Reston/$30 Non-Reston
Negin is a regular panelist for NPR. Her book, “How to Make White People Laugh,” was called “frank and hilarious,” and The Austin Chronicle calls her a “master humorist.”
Reduced Shakespeare Company’s “The Ultimate Christmas Show (abridged)”
Saturday, December 16, 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
$25 Reston/$35 Non-Reston
The RSC returns to take you on an irreverent yet heartwarming trip through the holidays.
Dan & Claudia Zanes – Music for All Ages
Sunday, January 14, 2024, 2:00 p.m.
$15 Reston/$20 Non-Reston
Grammy Award-winner Dan Zanes and Haitian American jazz vocalist Claudia Zanes perform a mix of old and new songs from near and far.
Rev. William J. Barber
MLK Keynote Speaker & Luncheon
Monday, January 15, 2024, 11:00 a.m.
$5 Reston/$20 Non-Reston
Rev. William J. Barber is the President of Repairers of the Breach and co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign, championing various civil rights movements.
Kwame Alexander – Children’s Author & Poet
Sunday, February 4, 2024, 3:00 p.m.
$15 Reston/$20 Non-Reston
Kwame Alexander is a poet, educator, producer, New York Times bestselling author of 38 books and regular contributor to NPR’s Morning Edition.
Robin Spielberg “Moonlight & Love Songs”
Saturday, February 10, 2024, 8:00 p.m.
$15 Reston/$20 Non-Reston
Enjoy an evening of heartwarming tales and beautiful music performed by one of America’s favorite pianists.
“Soul to Soul” – African American & Jewish Music
Sunday, February 18, 2024, 3:00 p.m.
$15 Reston/$20 Non-Reston
“Soul to Soul” brings together African American and Yiddish American experiences in a deeply stirring musical presentation.
Lúnasa
Sunday, February 25, 2024, 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
$25 Reston/$35 Non-Reston
Named for an ancient Celtic harvest festival, Lúnasa is a Reston favorite and one of Ireland’s most renowned music groups.
V (formerly Eve Ensler) – Author & Playwright
Sunday, March 3, 2024, 3:00 p.m.
$20 Reston/$30 Non-Reston
V is a Tony Award-winning playwright and activist, and the author of “The Vagina Monologues.”
Shenandoah Conservatory and Friends “Slavic Dreams”
Saturday, March 16, 2024, 3:00 p.m.
$15 Reston/$20 Non-Reston
Violinist Akemi Takayama and her musical colleagues perform a concert celebrating their history.
Mr. Vaudeville
Saturday, March 23, 2024, 2:00 p.m.
$5 Reston/$10 Non-Reston
Mr. Vaudeville finds himself in a predicament of theatrical confusion that creates a hilarious afternoon of magic, mayhem and vaudeville comedy.
Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble
Wednesday, March 27, 2024, 8:00 p.m.
$25 Reston/$35 Non-Reston
The internationally renowned ensemble, rooted for more than 50 years in African American traditions and modern dance legacy, brings both the iconic and the innovative to the stage.
Trout Fishing in America
Saturday, April 6, 2024, 8:00 p.m.
$15 Reston/$20 Non-Reston
Trout Fishing in America is the longstanding, four-time Grammy-nominated musical partnership of Keith Grimwood and Ezra Idlet.
Okaidja Afroso “Jaku Mumor” The Ancestral Spirit of Ghana
Wednesday, April 24, 2024, 8:00 p.m.
$15 Reston/$20 Non-Reston
Okaidja Afroso ushers in a fresh breeze of musical flavors from the shores of Ghana’s Gulf of Guinea.
Unless otherwise noted, all performances take place at the CenterStage, located at Reston Community Center Hunters Woods. Additional information about each performance and full schedule is available online at https://restoncommunitycenter.com/things-to-do/performances/touring-artist-series/.
Tickets went on sale for Reston residents and employees on August 1 at 4:00 p.m. and are available for everyone else and online on August 8 at 4:00 p.m.
Box Office business hours are as follows:
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Saturday: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Two hours prior to curtain time for each performance.
About Reston Community Center
Reston Community Center offers thousands of positive, self-development experiences that enhance the quality of life for all people living and working in Reston, Va. RCC provides a wide range of programs in arts, aquatics, enrichment and lifelong learning, and creates and sustains community traditions through special events, outreach activities and facility rentals.
Fairfax County is committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of disability in all county programs, services and activities. Reasonable accommodation will be provided upon request. For further information, contact Reston Community Center at 703-476-4500, TTY 711 or visit the website at www.restoncommunitycenter.com. Reston Community Center is located at 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston, VA 20191. Reston Community Center is completely accessible to persons with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
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