26/27 Season Director's Choice Selections

Welcome to the Mondavi Center’s 2026-27 Season!

On behalf of the Mondavi Center and UC Davis, Associate Executive Director Rob Tocalino and I invite you to Explore the Extraordinary with this year’s lineup of audience favorites, exciting debuts, and provocative performances.

This season we say farewell to two artists that have helped shape our artistic vision for more than two decades: Wynton Marsalis and Akram Khan. Since their first stunning appearance in Jackson Hall, Akram Khan Company’s distinctive, choreographic voice, fusing Kathak with contemporary dance, has been a highlight of many seasons. Wynton Marsalis, who is stepping down from his post at Jazz at Lincoln Center, will make his final Mondavi Center appearance with his legendary big band from the “House of Swing.”

Over the last several years I have said a lot about the importance of discovering new artists, and Mondavi Center debuts. This year will feature the return of several artists that made their first appearance with us in recent seasons, including violinist Ray Chen, who will appear with the National Symphony Orchestra, pianist Inon Barnatan, Why Not Theatre, and Jordi Savall with the Le Concert des Nations.

This season also includes artist debuts that reflect who we see as some of the best rising stars touring today. These include pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason with Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, pianist Yeol Eum Son, three incredibly talented classical quartets (including two string quartets and a saxophone quartet), tap dance juggernaut Music from the Sole, singer Camila Fernández, cirque company Gravity & Other Myths, and African superstars Sona Jobarteh and Saha Gnawa. And, although performance artist Taylor Mac is now a queer icon rather than a rising star, a long-awaited appearance from this MacArthur “Genius” is not to be missed.

As always, it’s a privilege to build each season of performances for the Mondavi Center’s community of enthusiastic audience members. 

Jeremy Ganter

As always, it’s a privilege to build each season of performances for the Mondavi Center’s community of enthusiastic audience members. In the age of AI, when it’s sometimes hard to know what is real, the authenticity and visceral impact of live performance is more important than ever. We are so grateful for your support, and I look forward to seeing you at the Mondavi Center soon!

With Gratitude,

Jeremy Ganter 
Executive Director 
Robert and Margrit Mondavi Center