Modern Dance, Shakespearean Theater and Russian Masterpieces at GMU's Center for the Arts

The spring semester has officially kicked off and with it comes a stellar collection of diverse performances at .

The weekend of Jan. 27 - 29 brings three exciting performances offering something for everyone: an evening of dazzling contemporary dance, a classic Shakespearean tragedy and a recital of grand Russian music.

On Friday, Jan. 27, at 8 p.m., features the jazz-based River North Dance Chicago, one of Chicago’s leading dance companies and one of the most popular national repertory ensembles touring today.

“We’ve expanded the idea of what jazz dance is and that happened in a very organic way throughout the years,” said Frank Chaves, artistic director. “Our company is personable, charismatic and emotive. Audiences get to experience a high quality artistic product that is also very entertaining.”

Appealing to dance enthusiasts and novices alike, River North Dance Chicago presents a program beautiful and eclectic works, including Chaves’s spicy “Habaneras, the Music of Cuba” and the Miles Davis-inspired “Simply Miles, Simply Us,” as well as a work by celebrated choreographer Robert Battle.

On Saturday, Jan. 28, at 8 p.m., British-American touring troupe Aquila Theatre performs a modern-dress production of Shakespeare’s brutal and chaotic tragedy, “Macbeth.”

First published in 1623, this wicked work, superstitiously called “The Scottish Play,” tells the tale of Scottish general Macbeth, who, fresh from victory, encounters three witches in the forest on his journey home. The witches present a fascinating prophesy: one day, Macbeth will become the King of Scotland. When Lady Macbeth hears the news, she persuades her husband to commit regicide, leading the couple down a murderous and maddening path into war, insanity, guilt and death.

A favorite at the Center for the Arts, virtuoso pianist Jeffrey Siegel returns with his third performance of the 2011-12 season in his beloved Keyboard Conversations^® series.

In this “concert with commentary,” Siegel provides unique insight into the lives and works of two of the greatest Russian composers the world has ever known: Rachmaninoff and Tchaikovsky. “Russian Rapture: Rachmaninoff and Tchaikovsky” appears at the Center for the Arts on Sunday, Jan. 29, at 7 p.m.

If you can’t make it out to George Mason University’s Center for the Arts this weekend, there are a number of thrilling performances on tap in the next couple of weeks:

• Legendary Cuban jazz pianist Chucho Valdés appears with his band, The Afro-Cuban Messengers, on Feb. 3;
• The Tschaikowski St. Petersburg State Orchestra visits on its inaugural North American tour on Feb. 4;
• The Virginia Opera brings the Virginia Premiere of Philip Glass’s “Orphée” on Feb. 10 and 12;
• Music legend and counterculture icon Arlo Guthrie, joined by his son, grandson and longtime collaborator, brings a program of folk favorites and witty storytelling called “Boys’ Night Out” on Feb. 11.

For tickets, please call 888-945-2468 or visit cfa.gmu.edu or visit the Center for the Arts Concert Hall box office, open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.