The Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts and the Department of Theatre and Dance are collaborating on a two-day celebration of the diversity of the Ameri-can piano literature.

Feb. 27
8 p.m., Vanderhoef Studio Theatre

Part 1: American Mavericks — Cage: Two Pieces, A Room from She is Asleep, The Wonderful Widow of Eighteen Springs and Nowth Upon Nacht. Rzewski: Piano Piece No. 3, Piano Piece No. 4 and De Profundis. With pianist Anthony de Mare.

Part 2: The Black Virtuoso Tradition — Gottschalk: The Banjo and Bamboula, Joplin: Pine Apple Rag, Morton: Grandpa’s Spells and Dead Man Blues, Johnson: Carolina Shout, and Tatum: Tea for Two and I Know That You Know. With pianist Steven Mayer.

Feb. 28
2 p.m., Vanderhoef Studio Theatre

Copland and the Cold War — How did the Red Scare impact America’s iconic, interwar composer? The program includes a re-enactment of Aaron Copland’s testimony before a Senate subcommittee led by Sen. Joseph McCarthy. The music program includes pertinent piano and chamber works, and an audience singalong: “Into the Streets May First,” Copland’s prize-winning workers’ song (which he subsequently disowned). With pianist Karen Rosenak. Also, commentary by history professor Kathryn Olmsted, whose books include Real Enemies: Conspiracy Theories and American Democracy, World War I to 9/11.

Tickets: (530) 754-2787 or (866) 754-2787, or mondaviarts.org.

More at the Mondavi Center.

The University Concert Band takes its show on the road Feb. 19 and 20, then presents a concert at home on March 10.