One activity that so many of us have missed during the pandemic is live music. But one popular arts center is excited to launch the return of outdoor concerts—just in time for summer.
The Hylton Performing Arts Center, the nine-story, 102,000-square-foot facility home to several performance venues, has just announced the latest dates for its popular Hylton on the Hill series. Soon the venue will once again welcome audiences to its flat, grassy outdoor space located just outside the building on George Mason University’s Science and Technology Campus.
On Saturday, May 29, at 4 p.m., U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion Seán Heely and his band of all-star Celtic musicians will delight guests with Scottish and Irish tunes. On Saturday, June 5 at 4 p.m., Lua Project invites families to experience “Mexilachian Music,” an eclectic mash-up of both traditional and original music from Mexico, Appalachia, and the Atlantic basin. And on Saturday, June 12 at 4 p.m., audiences are invited to travel back to 1957 to enjoy The Rock-A-Sonics, whose tunes are an infectious combination of old-school rockabilly, vintage country, and rock ‘n roll. Each show will be around 90 minutes in length with no intermission.
Tickets for all performances are $25 for adults and $12.50 for kids through grade 12, and can be purchased online. Seating is first-come, first-served, with seating areas spaced 10 feet from other groups. Each area is designated with a spray-painted circle which allows up to four people to sit together. Chairs and blankets will not be provided, but will be permitted; however, if chairs block other patrons’ views, you may be asked to remove them. Outside food and drinks is also permitted within your own seating area, and a limited menu by Mum Mum Thai Restaurant will be available for purchase within the event area.
The Center will have COVID protocols in place, including a maximum of 200 guests at each performance, social distancing of a minimum of six feet, face coverings required for those aged 16 and over, hand-sanitizing stations, and staggered dismissal at the end of the show. Before coming to campus, all visitors should complete the Mason COVID Health✓ test; upon completion, they will receive a status via email (green, yellow, or red) and should stay home if they do not receive a green status.
In addition to the outdoor performances, the Hylton Center is also continuing its virtual content through Hylton at Home. A partnership with Mason Arts at home through the Center for the Arts and GMU’s College of Performing Arts, Hylton at Home features pre-recorded digital concerts, behind-the-scenes conversations with artists, and more. Check out its website for more information.
For more stories like this, subscribe to our Things to Do newsletter.
