Consider this your friendly reminder that in Central Virginia, the arts don’t disappear when summer ends. They’ve only just begun at The Center.
As ARTober approaches, the Richmond region is entering one of the most magical stretches of the cultural calendar—the BER months, when September, October, November and December give us every excuse to gather under golden trees, experience live art and make a few memories along the way. While Central Virginia scrambles to put their fall bucket list together before the first leaf falls, the Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen has quietly assembled a particularly good one.
We’re talking high-energy swing under the open sky. Broadway stars letting us peek behind the curtain. An outdoor afternoon of Steely Dan. And a Louisiana zydeco celebration arriving just in time for Halloween weekend.
In other words: neighbors, you may want to save these dates.
September 27: Feel the Swing with Good Shot Judy
Sunday, September 27, 2026 | 3 p.m. | $25
Outdoor Center Field
Let’s start with a September afternoon that sounds like an excellent excuse to grab a lawn chair, call your friends and go hear some music.
Good Shot Judy, the Mid-Atlantic’s #1 high-octane swing band, returns to the Cultural Arts Center’s outdoor Center Field stage following a recent sold-out performance with the Richmond Symphony.
What began as a small family combo has grown into a full-scale big-band experience that draws from the classic swing era through today, regularly setting stages aflame throughout the East Coast and across the country.
And Glen Allen audiences already know the secret: Good Shot Judy is fun.
Add this to the fall bucket list: An outdoor afternoon of swing, big-band energy and live music with a lawn chair beneath the September sky.
October 3–4: Watch Broadway Stars in Your Backyard
Saturday, October 3, 2026 | 3 p.m. & 7 p.m.
Sunday, October 4, 2026 | 3 p.m.
$35 | FreeHorse Arts Songwriters Series
Here’s the one you may want to tell your theater-loving friends about immediately.
Tony and Grammy Award-winning actor Christian Borle and award-winning choreographer and dancer Skye Mattox are bringing audiences Behind the Curtain for an intimate look at the craft and magic behind theatrical performance.
Through song, storytelling and dance, Borle, Mattox and their collaborators will share the experiences of careers spanning theater, film and television—and invite audiences into the creative process that happens before the lights come up.
This isn’t simply an opportunity to see extraordinary performers onstage. It’s an invitation to see what happens behind the performance.
Add this to the fall bucket list: A little Broadway magic, a little storytelling and a rare chance to get closer to the artists behind the curtain without leaving the Richmond region.
October 25: Relive the Classics with Deputy Dan
Sunday, October 25, 2026 | 3 p.m. | $25
Outdoor Center Field
There are some albums that become part of the fabric of a generation—and some bands whose music rewards you every time you listen a little closer.
Enter Steely Dan.
Deputy Dan brings its tribute to the iconic group’s jazz-infused rock and pop back to the Cultural Arts Center this fall. The six-piece ensemble—David Lennon, Ron Sada, Gerald Hemphill, Steve Wetzler, John Holmes and Allen Burris—celebrates the sophisticated songwriting, intricate arrangements and unmistakable sound that made Steely Dan a musical institution.
And because this is Center Field, there’s no need to make it complicated.
Bring a blanket. Bring a lawn chair. Bring someone who knows every word.
Add this to the fall bucket list: An autumn afternoon outside with Steely Dan classics and the people who appreciate them as much as you do.
October 30: Let Louisiana Move You
Friday, October 30, 2026 | 7 p.m. | $45
And then, just when you think your October couldn’t possibly get any more fun, Louisiana arrives in Glen Allen.
Buckwheat Zydeco Jr. & The Legendary Ils Sont Partis Band bring the hot, spicy sounds of zydeco, blues and Louisiana roots music to the Cultural Arts Center on October 30.
Hailing from Lafayette, Louisiana, Buckwheat Zydeco Jr. carries forward a musical legacy that has captivated audiences for generations while establishing himself as a dynamic multi-instrumentalist and bandleader. He has performed more than 2,500 shows worldwide and shared stages with artists including Eric Clapton, Paul Simon, Willie Nelson and Buddy Guy.
The result is more than a concert. It’s a celebration of Louisiana’s musical traditions—and an invitation to dance, celebrate and experience the joy of zydeco for yourself.
Add this to the fall bucket list: A Friday night of Louisiana music, dancing and multigenerational joy just before Halloween.
Tickets are available through the Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen. Parties of 10 or more attending Behind the Curtain may contact the Cultural Arts Center at 804-261-ARTS for group-rate information.
For outdoor Center Field performances, general admission seating is available. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets. Wine, beer and snacks are available for purchase. Pets and outside alcohol are prohibited. Children ages 3 and under may attend without a ticket.
This fall, don’t just watch the leaves change. Go see what Central Virginia’s artists are making.