On a warm summer evening with a cool breeze drifting across Center Field Stage, The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen made one thing unmistakably clear: the 2026–2027 season is going to be something special.
At the Center’s annual Season Preview Party, President K Alferio welcomed guests to an evening of live performances and festivities that offered a taste of what’s ahead — a sweeping lineup of jazz, comedy, Motown, roots music, theatrical storytelling, and world-class talent that solidifies the Center’s place as the premier destination for arts and culture in Central Virginia.
Preview Party Fun
Guests were treated to preview performances from several of the season’s headliners, including the soulful Desirée Roots, the irresistible Clay Mottley celebrating James Taylor and Billy Joel, the acrobatic hilarity of Paolo Garbanzo, cast members from the beloved Hi-Hat Hattie theatrical performance, the heart-filled ensemble of Coming Back Home… To Love, and the tropical energy of Dreamsicle: A Jimmy Buffett Musical Journey. The night was a celebration of creativity — and a special invitation to be a part of it all year long.
Beyond the performances, guests were invited inside the Center for a creative road trip through the arts. Families explored hands-on children’s activities and crafts, met artists demonstrating their techniques, and received sneak peeks of upcoming gallery exhibitions. Throughout the evening, visitors entered drawings for class scholarships and giveaways while discovering new opportunities to create, learn, and connect through the arts.
The excitement extended throughout the building. Richmond Family Magazine delighted attendees with prize giveaways, future artists found inspiration around every corner, and the Center’s Box Office buzzed with activity as patrons secured season subscriptions before the public on-sale date. From classrooms and galleries to performance spaces and gathering areas, every corner of the Cultural Arts Center reflected its mission to make creativity accessible, welcoming, and alive for all ages.
A Season of Bold Choices and Big Talent
From the irreverent political comedy of Capitol Fools to the Grammy-winning zydeco fire of Buckwheat Zydeco Jr. & The Legendary Ils Sont Partis Band, the Center’s 2026–2027 season is curated for an audience that expects to be moved, surprised, and thoroughly entertained.
Highlights on the Center Season Stage Include:
• Behind the Curtain with Christian Borle, Skye Mattox & Friends (October 3–4) — Tony and Grammy Award-winning actor Christian Borle and choreographer Skye Mattox offer an immersive, behind-the-scenes journey through a career on Broadway, film, and television.
• Buckwheat Zydeco Jr. & The Legendary Ils Sont Partis Band (October 30) — Bearing the torch of his world-renowned father, Buckwheat Jr. delivers a blazing fusion of zydeco, blues, and Louisiana roots music.
• Hi-Hat Hattie (January 22–23) — Dorothy “Dee D.” Miller stars in this celebrated one-woman show honoring Hattie McDaniel, the first African American to win an Academy Award.
• Nathan Chester & The Old Souls Motown Revival (March 5) — The NBC’s The Voice standout returns by popular demand, bringing Motown classics and unstoppable stage energy back to Glen Allen.
• Richmond’s Finest: The Richmond Symphony & Grey Garrett (April 18) — A tribute to Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops, one of America’s most beloved concert traditions.
• Dom Flemons & The Traveling Wildfires (May 12) — Grammy Award-winning co-founder of the Carolina Chocolate Drops brings a firecracker evening of Bluegrass, Blues, Country, and Black string band music.
2nd Stage: Intimate. Electric. Unforgettable.
The beloved 2nd Stage series returns with a lineup of outdoor Center Field and Cardinal Ballroom performances that are as intimate as they are thrilling. The season opens with Good Shot Judy (September 27), the Mid-Atlantic’s #1 high-octane swing band, fresh off a sold-out performance with the Richmond Symphony. Other standouts include:
• Deputy Dan: A Steely Dan Tribute (October 25, outdoor)
• Desirée Roots: Timeless Ella (November 10, indoor ballroom) — A celebration of Ella Fitzgerald’s legacy from one of Central Virginia’s most celebrated performers.
• Bobby BlackHat Band (December 8, indoor ballroom) — Virginia’s Blues Ambassador brings a holiday blues experience to the Cardinal Ballroom.
• Songwriters’ Night with Ty Burkhardt, Drew Dunbar & Deau Eyes (March 23, indoor) — An intimate evening with three of RVA’s most celebrated original music voices.
• Dreamsicle: A Jimmy Buffett Musical Journey (June 5, outdoor) — A sun-drenched, coastal tribute making its Center Field debut.
A New Cultural Partnership Expands the Center’s Mission
The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen also announced a landmark new partnership with Culture Encounters, a Richmond-based nonprofit dedicated to connecting neighbors through multicultural food, the arts, and dialogue. Founded by Amma Gatty, Culture Encounters will establish its office and program base inside the Center — giving the Richmond International Dance Festival a permanent home and bringing a rich year-round multicultural programming lens to the Center’s offerings.
The 2026 Richmond International Dance Festival kicks off the partnership in spectacular fashion on Saturday, August 15, 2026, from 11am–5pm — a FREE, family-friendly celebration featuring 18 cultures, live performances, free dance classes, food, vendors, a kids station, and more.
“Partnering with The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen gives that dream a home,” said Amma Gatty, founder and executive director of Culture Encounters.
The Galleries: Art as Conversation
The Center’s gallery spaces offer a rotating feast for the eyes across three distinct exhibition venues:
• Gumenick Family Gallery — Currently presenting COLLECTive Concerns: Collage & Assemblage (through July 12), in which twelve artists use collage as both siren call and cautionary warning. Upcoming: CONVIVENCIAS by Alfonso Pérez Acosta (July 15–31) and Common Ground: An RVA Clay Member Exhibition (September 10–October 26).
• Slantwall Gallery — Features INK! by Roz Berlin through June 30, followed by Skewing Lines by Marcia Haffmans (July 16–August 31) and Seasons of Change by the Camera Club of Richmond (September 10–November 2).
• Glass Door Gallery — Wrapping up a beloved run of RVA LUG Returns! — a joyful LEGO art exhibition from the Richmond Virginia LEGO Users Group — followed by What’s A Doll by Pryiah Bhagat (July 16–August 31).
Free Events & Holiday Magic
The Center’s commitment to community access shines through its free events. In addition to the Richmond International Dance Festival in August, the beloved 28th Annual Tree Lighting Event returns on Saturday, December 5, 2026 (4:30–7pm), featuring live holiday music, a visit from Santa, and the Grand Opening of Illumination — A Festival of Trees Exhibit (on display through January 4, 2027). Both events are free and open to the entire family.
Subscribe and Save Up to 20%
Season subscriptions are now on sale — and they’re the smartest way to experience everything this landmark season has to offer. Subscribers save up to 20% off individual ticket prices, with packages available for both the Center Season and 2nd Stage series. Individual tickets go on sale July 6, 2026.
For full season details, performance schedules, and to purchase subscriptions, visit artsglenallen.com or call 804-261-ARTS.
ABOUT THE CULTURAL ARTS CENTER AT GLEN ALLEN
The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen is a vibrant hub for creativity and community in the Richmond region, offering a dynamic mix of visual and performing arts. Housed in a beautifully repurposed historic school building, this expansive, multi-use facility brings together galleries, classrooms, and performance spaces under one roof. With its mission to inspire and enrich through the arts, the Center serves as both a cultural destination and an educational resource, fostering artistic expression, lifelong learning, and meaningful community connection. Learn more at artsglenallen.com.
