Student chamber ensembles to perform

The Department of Music announced a free concert Friday evening (March 16) by a student chamber ensemble, performing Mozart's Gran Partita for wind instruments. The concert is set to begin at 5:30 p.m. in 115 Music Building.

More student chamber ensembles are scheduled to perform at 7 p.m. Monday (March 19) in the same room. This event is also free.

The House of Bernarda Alba, through Sunday

Federico García Lorca’s The House of Bernarda Alba continues through Sunday (March 18) in Main Theatre.

Granada Artist-in-Residence Juliette Carrillo directs the UC Davis production, based on a new adaptation by Chay Yew. Wrought with sexual tension, the play looks at the effects of a male-dominated and hierarchical society upon women, as five daughters are confined to their mother’s house for an eight-year period of mourning.

Carrillo said the production, though often grim, is inspired by the energy of Spanish culture — especially duende, the soulful, highly emotional quality that often characterizes Spanish people and art, such as flamenco dance. Lorca frequently spoke of the duende in his work.

“Even though the play is dark and goes to difficult places emotionally, it's also surprisingly funny,” Carrillo said. “There's also some lovely dancing and singing. It's a very full theatrical experience.”

Performances are scheduled at 8 p.m. today through Saturday, March 15-17, and 2 p.m. Sunday (March 18). The production is rated PG-13 for sexuality, adult language and violence.

Read the news release, watch the video promo, buy tickets.

Share your Mondavi Center memories

As it approaches its 10th anniversary season, the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts is asking people to share their Mondavi Center memories.

"Our audience has been a vital part of the Mondavi Center’s success over its first 10 years," center officials said in a recent e-mail. "As we approach our 10th anniversary season, in 2012–13, we want to hear your stories! How has the Mondavi Center thrilled you, inspired you and entertained you?"

Sharing a memory could not be easier: On your next visit to the center, simply step inside the Mondavi Memories video booth (before performances or during intermissions) and start talking! The booth is in the Yocha Dehe Grand Lobby.

What should you talk about? Here are some suggestions:

• A favorite performance
• A special evening shared with friend or family
• What the arts and the Mondavi Center bring to your life
• Anything at all

"Your few moments of sharing will play an important role as we get ready to celebrate our 10th season!"

ARTfriends off to Clos Pegase and Hess Collection

The Nelson ARTfriends announced a bus trip to the Napa Valley, to take in the art at the Clos Pegase Winery (owned by UC Davis art museum benefactor Jan Shrem) and the Hess Collection.

The trip, scheduled from 9 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, May 5, includes lunch and wine tasting — and is for ages 21 and up.

In December, UC Davis announced that Shrem had donated $10 million to help build the university's new art museum, and that it would be named after Shrem and his friend and fellow art patron Maria Manetti Farrow. The couple has since married, and the museum will be called the Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Museum of Art

Clos Pegase, according to its website, isv"a celebration of the ancient marriage of wine and art," with the latter comprising an important collection of 20th-century paintings, sculpture and wine-related art as well as antiquities spanning 4,000 years. The collection covers a range of media — from sculptures in granite, bronze, marble and wood, to oils, watercolors and collages, as well as rare artifacts, wine vessels and antique vineyard tools.

Donald Hess' collection initially comprised modern and contemporary works from U.S. and European artists, and has since become international in scope. The Hess Collection website states: "He collects with the uncanny ability to acquire works by lesser known artists who often go on to become well known and respected in their disciplines. His typical commitment to an artist spans decades and various stages of his career.”

The cost is $100 for members, $125 for nonmembers and $75 for students (limit five students), including transportation to and from UC Davis, guided tours, and wine tasting and lunch at Clos Pegase. Reservations are due by April 12 to the Nelson Gallery's Katrina Wong, kliwong@ucdavis.edu or (530) 752-8500. Payment is due by April 17, otherwise your reservations will be foreited.