Performing Arts

The Paramount STUDENT FAVORITE

Box Office: 434-979-1333 
215 E. Main Street (Downtown Mall)

With entertainment fare ranging from the Moscow ballet to a Yo-Yo Ma concert, the Paramount is the premiere theater venue in town. The circa 1931 theater was restored and reopened in 2004.

Ting Pavilion STUDENT FAVORITE

This 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/early fall.

Jefferson Theater STUDENT FAVORITE

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.

Charlottesville/University Symphony Orchestra

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

434-977-4177
123 E. Water Street

Presents a variety of works from classic to contemporary. There are often inexpensive tickets available, and some nights are pay-as-you-can.

Charlottesville Band

Numerous concerts throughout the year. Auditions open to all.

John Paul Jones Arena STUDENT FAVORITE

The John Paul Jones Arena, home of the UVA basketball teams, has featured such acts as Lady Gaga, Billy Joel, Maroon 5, the Blue Man Group, Eric Clapton, Kenny Chesney and Taylor Swift. The arena also has become the area's premiere venue for comedy acts and family fare such as Cirque du Soleil. The arena offers an email alert notifying patrons of upcoming events.

Light House Studio

121 Water Street E, City Center for Contemporary Arts and the Vinegar Hill Theater, Downtown Mall

Filmmaking classes for young people.

UVA Music Department

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.

Southern Cafe and Music Hall STUDENT FAVORITE

103 South First Street on the Downtown Mall

This venue features an array of young artists, usually for around $10 per show.

UVA Drama Department

Six major productions a year plus summer performances by the Heritage Repertory Theater.

First-Year Players

First-year law students are included in "first-years" for the purpose of this group, which produces one musical per semester.

Four County Players

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.

Piedmont Virginia Community College Masquers

This drama department group of PVCC students and community residents stages two productions a year. PVCC Fine Arts & Performances. 

Oratorio Society

www.oratoriosociety.org

Members from the University and the community perform three times a year. Auditions held in the fall.

Shakespeare on the Lawn

Performs Shakespearean works at open-air locations around the Lawn for free. Open auditions.

Whethermen

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

Charlottesville Ballet is a professional ballet company, dance academy and nonprofit organization, wither performances and events in Charlottesville and throughout Central Virginia.