William & Mary’s Spring 2025 Concert Series: A Must-See Lineup in State-of-the-Art Venues
William & Mary Presents! is bringing the arts to life in Williamsburg with an extraordinary inaugural season featuring Grammy-winning artists, world-class performances, and an exciting variety of musical styles. From orchestral masterpieces to jazz, zydeco, and international ensembles, this season is a chance to experience exceptional live music in William & Mary’s brand-new, state-of-the-art performance venues.
William & Mary Presents! – Featured Performances
The William & Mary Presents! series highlights some of the most anticipated concerts of the season, bringing globally renowned artists to campus:
• Benjamin Verdery & The Ulysses String Quartet – January 31, 2025 | 7:30 PM | Concert Hall
🎸 Ben Verdery – Hailed as an “iconoclastic player” (NY Times), this genre-blending guitarist has performed worldwide, composing for top ensembles like the Assad Duo and Los Angeles Guitar Quartet.
🎻 Ulysses String Quartet – Founded in 2015, this award-winning ensemble highlights BIPOC & female composers, demystifying classical music through dynamic, interactive performances.
• Ranky Tanky – February 8, 2025 | 7:30 PM | Glenn Close Theatre
Blending Gullah traditions with jazz, gospel, funk, and R&B, Ranky Tanky brings the soulful sounds of the coastal South to the world. Featured on NPR, The Today Show, PBS, and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, this Charleston-based band even performed at President Biden’s inauguration.
• Goitse – February 23, 2025 | 2:00 PM | Concert Hall
This award-winning Irish quintet, forged at Limerick’s Irish World Academy, blends original compositions with timeless traditional tunes to create a truly unique sound. Named “Traditional Group of the Year” by Live Ireland, Goitse delivers high-energy performances with enchanting vocals, masterful banjo, accordion, and driving rhythms.
🎻 Don’t Miss Grammy-Winning Bluegrass Fiddler Michael Cleveland! 🎻
Hailed as one of the greatest bluegrass fiddlers of his generation, Michael Cleveland has been named IBMA’s “Fiddler of the Year” 12 times and was inducted into the National Fiddler’s Hall of Fame in 2018. His masterful playing balances tradition and innovation, blending an encyclopedic memory for melodies with unparalleled improvisation.
📅 March 1, 2025 | ⏰ 7:30 PM | 📍 William & Mary Concert Hall
🎟️ Grab your tickets now: universitytickets.com
• Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience – April 19, 2025 | 7:30 PM | Concert Hall
Two-time GRAMMY winner and 8th-generation Louisiana Creole, Terrance Simien brings the high-energy sounds of Zydeco to Williamsburg! Blending African, Caribbean, rock, funk, R&B, and hip-hop influences, his band has toured 45+ countrie
These artists represent a dynamic mix of musical traditions, from Irish folk (Goitse) to bluegrass (Michael Cleveland) and Creole zydeco (Terrance Simien). Don’t miss these incredible performances!
Brand-New, State-of-the-Art Venues
Many of these concerts will take place in William & Mary’s newly completed performance spaces, designed to provide world-class acoustics and an immersive audience experience:
Spring 2025 Concert Calendar
February 2025
• Feb 5 (Wed): Hamlet – Actors from the London Stage | Glenn Close Theatre | 7:30 PM
• Feb 7 (Fri): Muscarelle Members’ Opening | Muscarelle Museum of Art | 5:30 PM
• Feb 8 (Sat): Ranky Tanky | Glenn Close Theatre | 7:30 PM
• Feb 15 (Sat): Botetourt Chamber Singers Gala | Concert Hall | 7:30 PM
• Feb 23 (Sun): Goitse | Concert Hall | 2:00 PM
• Feb 27-Mar 2: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time | Glenn Close Theatre | 7:30 PM
March 2025
• Mar 1 (Sat): Michael Cleveland | Concert Hall | 7:30 PM
• Mar 6 (Thu): Symphony Orchestra Winter Concert | Concert Hall | 7:30 PM
• Mar 15 (Sat): Virginia Symphony Orchestra | Concert Hall | 3:00 PM
• Mar 21 (Fri): Peacherine Ragtime Society Orchestra | Glenn Close Theatre | 7:30 PM
April 2025
• Apr 3-5 (Thu-Sat): An Evening of Dance | Glenn Close Theatre | 7:30 PM
• Apr 9 (Wed): USAF Heritage Brass Ensemble | Concert Hall | 7:30 PM
• Apr 19 (Sat): Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience | Concert Hall | 7:30 PM
• Apr 22 (Tue): Applied Music Recital | Comey Recital Hall | 7:30 PM
• Apr 24-27 (Thu-Sun): A New and Well-Ordered City | Glenn Close Theatre | 7:30 PM
• Apr 25 (Fri): Wind Ensemble Spring Concert | Concert Hall | 7:30 PM
May 2025
• May 1 (Thu): W&M String Quartet | Comey Recital Hall | 7:30 PM
• May 3 (Sat): Symphony Orchestra Spring Concert | Concert Hall | 7:30 PM
• May 6 (Tue): Mark Morris Dance Group | Glenn Close Theatre | 7:30 PM
• May 7 (Wed): Edgar Meyer, Tessa Lark, Joshua Roman | Concert Hall | 7:30 PM
Join Us for This Historic Season
With a brand-new lineup of world-class performances and brand-new performance venues, Spring 2025 at William & Mary is set to be the most exciting concert season yet.
For tickets, venue details, and more information, visit William & Mary’s Performing Arts Calendar. Experience the best in live music and performing arts right here in Williamsburg!
Want to Stay in the Know About Williamsburg Events?
If you’re looking for more than just concerts, you’re in luck! I make it my mission to keep both locals and those considering a move to Williamsburg in the loop about what’s happening around town. From the hottest new restaurants to community events (and yes, even the occasional real estate update—hey, I am a Realtor), I’ve got you covered.
Whether you’re scouting the area for a future home or just need an excuse to get out and experience all Williamsburg has to offer, follow along for event updates, insider tips, and maybe even a few bad jokes along the way (consider yourself warned).
Got questions? Want to talk Williamsburg real estate or just swap concert recommendations? I’m here for it!
📞 John Womeldorf