Madness and Music Festival

'Flamenco Queen' Buika

In the first of the Mondavi Center’s World Stage: Music series, “Flamenco Queen” Buika is set to perform at 8 p.m. Nov. 6 in Jackson Hall.

The Latin Grammy-nominee is the daughter of political refugees from the African nation of Equatorial Guinea, and grew up in a gypsy neighborhood on the Spanish island of Mallorca.

Buika’s unique sound is described by the Mondavi Center as “a blend of flamenco, jazz, soul and blues.” Her latest recording, El Último Trago, is a tribute to Mexican folkloric singer Chavela Vargas.

Zany ZooZoo for all ages

Imago Theater presents larger than life rabbits, hippos, penguins and more in what The New York Daily News describes as “a cross between a circus, vaudeville and the zoo."

The Portland, Ore.-based Imago calls it ZooZoo, a greatest hits collection of acrobatics, dance and theatrical imagination from Imago's fun and frolicsome FROGZ and Biglittlethings.

This Children's Stage series program is scheduled for 3 p.m. Nov. 7 in Jackson Hall.

MORE AT THE MONDAVI CENTER

• Dresden Staatskapelle — In the Orchestra series. Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4 and Symphony No. 7. 8 p.m. Oct. 23, Jackson Hall.

• Gamelan Cudamani: Bamboo to Bronze — Balinese music and dance. 7 p.m. Oct. 24, Jackson Hall.

• Passing Strange — A free film screening of singer-songwriter Stew's life story. Stew (Mark Stewart) created the stage play of the same name — and his work brought him the  2008 Tony Award for best book. The Spike Lee-driected film came out last year. 7 p.m. Oct. 25, Vanderhoef Studio Theatre.

• Stew and the Negro Problem — Singer-songwriter Stew (of the aforementioned Passing Strange), in concert with his band, the Negro Problem, and Heidi Rodewald — returning to their rock 'n' roll roots for this "double shot of shows." 8 p.m. Oct. 26-26, Vanderhoef Studio Theatre.

• Jonah Lehrer — How We Decide: The New Science of Decision Making. In the Distinguished Speakers series. Lehrer is the author of Proust Was a Neuroscientist and the instant bestseller How We Decide. 8 p.m. Oct. 27, Jackson Hall.

• Venice Baroque Orchestra: The Seasons Project — In this world premiere tour, the orchestra joins with violinist Robert McDuffie to present two distinct versions of Vivaldi’s master work: first, the original Four Seasons, followed by Glass' The American Four Seasons, which McDuffie commissioned. 8 p.m. Nov. 3, Jackson Hall.

• Delfeayo Marsalis Octet – In the Studio Jazz series. 8 p.m. Nov 3 -6, Vanderhoef Studio Theatre.

• Alexander String Quartet, with Robert Greenberg — Two season ago, the quartet and Greenberg began a special series at the Mondavi Center — with four sets of concerts a year, each of them featuring string quartets by Beethoven, so that at the end of three seasons, the quartet will have performed all of them. The cycle wraps up in 2010-11, starting with the String Quartet in E-flat Major, op. 127. Each set of concerts (Nov. 7, Dec. 5, March 13 and June 5, all Sundays) comprises two performances — 2 and 7 p.m. — in the Vanderhoef Studio Theater. The 2 p.m. series, with Greenberg's commentaries, is sold out (contact the box office if you would like to be put on a waiting list). Tickets are limited in avaiability for the 7 p.m. concert series (in which a question-and-answer session follows each performance).

• Delfeayo Marsalis Group with student guests — During the second week of a residency, Marsalis plans to work in area schools — and from these visits, he and his combo will invite some of the top student musicians to join the professionals for a portion of three evening concerts: 8 p.m. Nov. 10-12 in the Vanderhoef Studio Theatre.

• Paul Taylor Dance Company — One of the oldest touring companies of modern American dance. With post-performance question-and-answer session. 8 p.m. Nov. 13, Jackson Hall.

• Christopher O’Riley, on piano — He reimagines works by Radiohead, Elliott Smith, Nick Drake and others, earning the only four-star review ever given by Rolling Stone to a classical pianist. His latest project, Out Of My Hands, includes music of R.E.M., Portishead, Cocteau Twins, Pink Floyd, Nirvana, the Bad Plus, the Smiths and Tears For Fears, as well as material from Radiohead and a newly-released song by Elliott Smith. 8 p.m. Nov. 13-14, Vanderhoef Studio Theatre. As of midweek, the Nov. 13 concert was sold out (contact the box office if you would like to be put on a waiting list)

The Oct. 25 film screening is free. Tickets required for all other events. Tickets and more information. Or call (530) 754-2787 or (866) 754-2787.