Join us as we “Gather + Celebrate” with a robust, diverse program of in-person performances featuring music and dance from around the world.

 

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In a much-anticipated return to live, in-person performances, UGA Presents—the University of Georgia’s professional concert series—will return this fall with an ambitious program of professional music and dance. The new season marks a reopening of the venue after initially closing and then slowly returning, albeit with significantly scaled back activities, due to the COVID-19 pandemic last year. The occasion also commemorates and celebrates the venue’s 25th anniversary.

Forced to pivot to a nearly all-digital program for the entirety of the 2020-21 season, UGA Presents will return to its traditional format of presenting touring artists in live performances at full capacity in the Performing Arts Center and Fine Arts Theatre beginning this fall and continuing through spring 2022.

“Our world has experienced unprecedented disruption since we were last able to gather together,” says Jeffrey Martin, Director of the Performing Arts Center. “Throughout these many long and painful months of separation and isolation, I have been yearning for the time when we can be together once again. I’m absolutely thrilled that the time is now finally at hand.”

The UGA Presents season will feature a diverse mix of classical music, jazz, contemporary and traditional dance, Americana, and vocal music. The program’s 32 soloists, duos, and ensembles will come to Athens from all over the United States and at least eight different countries (travel conditions permitting).

“Not only has the world changed significantly since we first opened our doors 25 years ago, it has changed dramatically in the last year as we have endured the devastating impact of a global pandemic, social injustice, and political uncertainty,” says Martin. “These experiences underscore the importance of the performing arts in our lives. As we gather together this season, we will tap into the power of the arts to unite us, to heal us, and to help us navigate the many difficult emotions we have been feeling.”

The new season launches on Tuesday, October 5, with a free performance by the U.K.-based Doric String Quartet and American pianist Jonathan Biss. Additional ensembles in the Franklin College Chamber Music Series include Trio Con Brio Copenhagen (Oct. 26), Danish String Quartet (Jan. 29), Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center (Mar. 1), and the Pacifica Quartet with Anthony McGill, principal clarinet of the New York Philharmonic (Apr. 19).

Four performances originally planned and announced in the spring of 2020 have been rescheduled for the new season: Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn (Oct. 24), The Kingdom Choir (Nov. 28), Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis (Dec. 7-8), and the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain (Apr. 3). The two-night appearance by Jazz at Lincoln Center will bring the group’s acclaimed Big Band Holidays program to UGA for the first time.

American roots music will be well represented on the series throughout the season with performances by well-established artists as well as rising stars such as Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder (Dec. 21), The Milk Carton Kids (Apr. 14), and Sierra Hull and Justin Moses (May 6). On November 16, two Grammy Award-winning artists join forces for “Southern Journey: An Afro-Americana Celebration!” featuring the Charleston-based band Ranky Tanky and Dom Flemons, founding member of the Carolina Chocolate Drops.

The season’s classical music highlights include the highly-anticipated Hodgson Hall debut of two powerhouse performers together in recital—violinist Leonidas Kavakos and pianist Yuja Wang (Nov. 1). Also featured on the series: guitarist Sharon Isbin with soprano Jessica Rivera (Nov. 21), The King’s Singers (Dec. 18), violinist Joshua Bell (Feb. 11), bassist Edgar Meyer and the Scottish Ensemble (Apr. 1), and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra with pianist Michelle Cann (Mar. 4).

In April 2022, the Performing Arts Center will commemorate 25 years with a weeklong celebration including a gala concert by six-time Tony Award-winner Audra McDonald (Apr. 24) and concluding with a performance by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Donald Runnicles (May 1).

“As we gather together once again, I hope we will be inspired to learn, to love, and to have empathy,” Martin adds. “In those moments after the lights go down and the music begins, we can take great comfort in the fellowship of those around us, forget the cares of the world for a short while, and find joy in our shared experience.”

Subscription packages with savings up to 25% off single ticket prices go on sale to renewing subscribers July 12. New orders begin July 26, and single tickets go on sale to the general public on Aug. 23. View additional dates here. Subscriptions and more information are available online at pac.uga.edu or by calling (706) 542-4400.

2021-22 SEASON

• Doric String Quartet and Jonathan Biss, piano (Oct. 5)
• Time for Three (Oct. 14)
• Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn (Oct. 24)
• Leonidas Kavakos, violin, and Yuja Wang, piano (Nov. 1)
• Southern Journey: An Afro-Americana Celebration! Featuring Ranky Tanky and special guest Dom Flemons (Nov. 16)
• Sharon Isbin, guitar, and Jessica Rivera, soprano (Nov. 21)
• The Kingdom Choir (Nov. 28)
• Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis: Big Band Holidays (Dec. 7-8)
• Christmas With The King’s Singers (Dec. 18)
• Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder (Dec. 21)
• Momix (Jan. 13)
• The World of Musicals (Jan. 18)
• Nobuntu (Jan. 25)
• Danish String Quartet (Jan. 29)
• Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernandez (Feb. 4)
• Joshua Bell, violin (Feb. 11)
• Branford Marsalis Quartet (Feb. 19)
• Anaïs Mitchell and Bonny Light Horseman (Feb. 26)
• Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center (Mar. 1)
• Atlanta Symphony Orchestra with Michelle Cann, piano (Mar. 4)
• Trio Con Brio Copenhagen (Mar. 14)
• Seven Things I’ve Learned: An Evening with Ira Glass (Mar. 19)
• Lúnasa (Mar. 24)
• Mnozil Brass (Mar. 29)
• Edgar Meyer and The Scottish Ensemble (Apr. 1)
• George Hinchliffe’s Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain (Apr. 3)
• The Milk Carton Kids (Apr. 14)
• Pacifica Quartet with Anthony McGill, clarinet (Apr. 19)
• Audra McDonald (Apr. 24)
• Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (May 1)
• Sierra Hull and Justin Moses (May 6)
• Voctave (May 14)

Guest artists, programs, dates, times, ticket prices, and service fees subject to change.

COVID-19

The Performing Arts Center expects to resume regular operations this fall 2021. Per updated guidelines released by the University System of Georgia on May 13, 2021, social distancing and face coverings are no longer required for people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Unvaccinated individuals are strongly encouraged to continue socially distancing from others when possible and wearing a face covering while inside campus facilities. All people are strongly encouraged to get fully vaccinated as soon as possible. The Performing Arts Center will adhere to updated guidelines from the University of Georgia and/or University System of Georgia if they become available. For more information about the Performing Arts Center’s COVID-19 response, visit https://pac.uga.edu/safety-first/.

FLEXIBLE TICKETING

Tickets purchased for any performance postponed or canceled due to ongoing impacts of the coronavirus pandemic will be honored on the rescheduled date (if applicable) or will be refunded for the full amount, including fees (if applicable). Additionally, flexible ticketing will be in place for all performances occurring through December 2021. During that time, patrons may exchange tickets for another performance (including those occurring in spring 2022) or receive a full refund until 12:00 pm on the day of the performance, if occurring on a weekday, or by Friday at 5:00 pm if occurring on a weekend. This is valid for all UGA Presents performances through December 21, 2021.