Performing Arts
The Paramount ![]()
www.theparamount.net
Box Office: 979-1333
215 E. Main St. (Downtown Mall)
With entertainment fare ranging from a Bill Cosby comedy show to a Yo-Yo Ma concert, the Paramount has become the premiere theater venue in town. The circa 1931 theater was restored and reopened in 2004.
Charlottesville Pavilion ![]()
www.charlottesvillepavilion.com
Ticket Information: cvillepaviliontix@musictoday.com or 951-2246
This new concert venue on the Downtown Mall presents local and national performing artists, and features covered or open-lawn seating as well as state-of-the-art sound systems. The Pavilion also hosts community events such as wine festivals, movie screenings, and craft fairs, and is the site of Fridays After Five, a free concert series during the summer.
Jefferson Theater ![]()
www.jeffersontheater.com
Located on Charlottesville's historic Downtown Mall, the Jefferson Theater was established in 1912 as a live performance theater that played host to silent movies, vaudeville acts and a historic list of live performers, ranging from Harry Houdini to The Three Stooges. The Jefferson reopened in 2009 after a comprehensive restoration that highlights the theater's vintage architecture while modernizing its facilities. The theater features two full‐service bars on separate floors, a restored balcony, new central air and heating systems, and new restrooms throughout the facility. In addition, state‐of‐the art sound and lighting systems and treatments to the theater's acoustics make The Jefferson an excellent environment to experience live music.
Charlottesville/University
Symphony Orchestra
www.virginia.edu/music/ensembles/cuso
This professional group of musicians from the University and the surrounding area gives five symphonic performances during the school year in Cabell Hall Auditorium Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons. Season and single tickets.
LiveArts Theater
www.livearts.org
977-4177
123 E. Water St.
Presents a variety of works from classic to contemporary. There are often inexpensive tickets available, and some nights are pay-as-you-can.
Charlottesville
Municipal Band
www.charlottesvillemunicipalband.org
Numerous concerts throughout the year with six performances on the Downtown Mall during warm weather months. Pop, semi-classical, classical, and some older jazz tunes. Auditions open to all.
John Paul Jones Arena ![]()
www.johnpauljonesarena.com
243-4960
Named Pollstar’s Best New Concert Venue of 2006, the John Paul Jones Arena has already featured such acts as Billy Joel, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Justin Timberlake, the Blue Man Group, Eric Clapton, Kenny Chesney, and James Taylor. In addition to hosting UVA basketball games, the arena has become the area's premiere venue for concerts, comedy acts (like Daily Show host Jon Stewart), and family fare such as the circus and Sesame Street Live. The arena offers an email alert notifying patrons of upcoming events.
McIntire Music
Department
www.virginia.edu/music/index.html
924-3052
There are a host of student musical groups
at the University, including Black Voices, the University
Glee Club, the University Jazz Ensemble, University Singers,
Virginia Gentlemen, and the Women's Chorus. The McIntire Music
Department has its own box office for tickets to University
events. Regular tickets become available two weeks prior to
the concert date. Student prices on student performances are
generally low. Performances sponsored by the University are
often free for full-time students with Arts$.
Southern Cafe and Music Hall ![]()
www.thesoutherncville.com/
977-5590
103 South First St. on the Downtown Mall
This venue features an array of young artists, usually for around $10 per show.
UVA Drama Department
www.virginia.edu/drama
924-3376
Six major productions a year plus summer performances by the Heritage Repertory Theater.
First-Year Players
www.student.virginia.edu/~fyplayrs
First-year law students are included in "first-years" for the purpose of this group, which produces one musical per semester.
Four County Players
www.fourcp.org
(540) 832-5355
This community theater offers five productions a year, including Shakespeare at the Ruins (August) and acting workshops. Performances are held in the Barboursville Community Center.
Miki Liszt Dance
Company
www.mikilisztdance.org
973-3744
Hosts the First Friday Dance Series at the McGuffey Art Center.
Piedmont Virginia
Community College Masquers
www.pvcc.cc.va.us
961-5381
Off Route 20 S., just south of I-64
This drama department group of PVCC students and community residents stages two productions a year. PVCC Fine Arts & Performances. Auditions advertised in The Daily Progress.
Oratorio Society
www.oratoriosociety.org
295-4385
Members from the University and the community perform three times a year. Auditions held in the fall.
Shakespeare on
the Lawn
www.student.virginia.edu/~sotl
Performs Shakespearean works at open-air locations around the Lawn for free. Open auditions.
Whethermen
http://scs.student.virginia.edu/~improv
This comedy improvisation troupe performs every semester and can be invited to perform at events or parties in the University by a department for a fee and by students free of charge.
Charlottesville Ballet
www.charlottesvilleBallet.org
Charlottesville Ballet is a professional ballet company, dance academy, and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Charlottesville, Virginia. Founded in 2007, Charlottesville Ballet is the only full time professional dance company in the area and consists of ten professional dancers from across the United States. Charlottesville Ballet Academy (CBA), the official training school of Charlottesville Ballet, is a nonprofit center for dance education and offers training in all dance genres for ages 3 through adult. Charlottesville Ballet presents performances and events in Charlottesville and throughout the Central Virginia area. Look for programming designed just for families in the Children’s Ballet Series, eclectic mixed-repertory performances in the Mainstage Series, and the annual holiday production of The Nutcracker Suite.
Photo courtesy of the Charlottesville/Albemarle Convention & Visitors Bureau, visitcharlottesville.org



