FAIRFAX, VA — Actor and jazz pianist Jeff Goldblum will headline a fall performing arts lineup at George Mason University that also includes international dance and vocal groups, two major orchestras and student productions.
Goldblum and The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra will perform Oct. 3 during the 21st annual ARTS by George! benefit at the Center for the Arts. Proceeds support student scholarships, the Mason Community Arts Academy, Green Machine Ensembles and the center's Great Performances at Mason series.
The fall schedule, spanning September and October, includes dance, theater, jazz, classical music and student productions. Most performances will take place at the Center for the Arts, 4373 Mason Pond Drive in Fairfax.
The 2026-27 Great Performances at Mason series will open Sept. 26 with Music From The Sole, one of the season's Mason Artists-in-Residence. The company's "I Didn't Come to Stay" combines tap dancing and live music with influences from samba, Afro-Cuban music, jazz and Brazilian funk.
Pianist Jeffrey Siegel will return Oct. 11 with a "Keyboard Conversations" program featuring music by Beethoven and Schubert.
The Grammy-nominated British a cappella ensemble VOCES8 will perform Oct. 17, presenting a repertoire that ranges from pop and jazz to classical music.
French-Algerian choreographer Hervé Koubi's company will make its Center for the Arts debut Oct. 24 with "Sol Invictus." The production combines contemporary and urban dance, capoeira and martial arts while drawing on Algerian and Mediterranean culture.
Tickets for the four Great Performances at Mason shows range from $38 to $65. Half-price tickets are available for children through 12th grade.
The National Symphony Orchestra will begin its Fairfax appearances Oct. 1 with "Noseda Conducts Exotic Tales," led by Music Director Gianandrea Noseda.
Composer and conductor John Adams will lead the orchestra Oct. 15 and 16 for "Josefowicz & Adams: Scheherazade Two Point Oh!" Violinist Leila Josefowicz will join the orchestra for a program that includes Adams' arrangements of Astor Piazzolla tangos and his "Scheherazade.2."
The Fairfax Symphony Orchestra, led by Music Director Christopher Zimmerman, will open its 2026-27 season Oct. 10 with "Rachmaninoff & Saxophone Noir." The program will include a regional premiere.
George Mason's School of Theater will open its season Sept. 11 and 12 with "The Originals! 2026," a collection of new works created by students.
The school will also present the musical "Urinetown" from Oct. 28 through Nov. 1 at Harris Theatre. The Oct. 30 performance will include a post-show discussion, American Sign Language interpretation and audio description.
The Dewberry School of Music's schedule will begin with the Grand Piano Celebration on Sept. 27. Other performances include:
ARTS by George! with Jeff Goldblum and The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra will begin at 8:30 p.m. Oct. 3. Tickets cost $75, $105 or $145.
Tickets for Center for the Arts performances may be purchased through the Center for the Arts website, by calling 703-993-2787 or by visiting the ticket office. Programs, performers and dates are subject to change.
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