Welcome to the Mondavi Center’s 2026-27 Season!
Explore the Extraordinary
Get ready for an exciting season filled with audience favorites, exciting debuts, artistic collaborations and genre-defying performances.
Explore Orchestras, Classical and Chamber Quartets
World-renowned ensembles and musicians on tour share their artistry.
Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, the musical democracy that taps into shared artistry and respect with collaborators to make music, returns with an evening of works by Handel, Haydn, Katie Jenkins and pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason playing Mozart’s final piano concerto. (Sat, Nov 7, 2026; JH).
The San Francisco Symphony, led by acclaimed conductor Marin Alsop, brings a night of star-powered orchestral music including a cinematic piece written for Alsop and Shostakovich’s masterful Fifth Symphony. Serbian-French violinist Nemanja Radulović joins for Samuel Barber’s lyrical, demanding Violin Concerto, op. 14. (Sat, Jan 23, 2027; JH)
Music director Jordi Savall leads Le Concert des Nations in vital interpretations of two of Beethoven's most groundbreaking orchestral works, the heroic third and iconic fifth, performed on period instruments. (Sat, Apr 24, 2027; JH)
The National Symphony Orchestra appears under the baton of critically acclaimed Music Director Gianandrea Noseda. Celebrated violinist Ray Chen returns to the Mondavi Center to perform Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto. Carlos Simon’s tribute to the orchestra’s home city, Washington, D.C., and the triumphant sweep of Dvořák’s Symphony No. 8, bookend the program. (Tue, Apr 27, 2027; JH)
The vibrant Arcis Saxophone Quartet presents a program of kaleidoscopic preludes and fugues, where the timeless mastery of Johann Sebastian Bach meets the creativity of musicians and composers from all centuries and styles. (Sun, Nov 8, 2026, two shows; VST)
Calidore String Quartet and Rosamunde String Quartet offer lively chamber music programs in February and April. Calidore features Leoš Janáček’s String Quartet No. 1 and Franz Schubert’s String Quartet No. 14 in D minor, D 810 (“Death and the Maiden”) while Rosamunde will play Walker’s Lyric for Strings; the worldly Debussy string quartet, and a Beethoven classic. (Calidore String Quartet Sun, Feb 28, 2027; VST; Rosamunde String Quartet Sun, Apr 25, 2027, two shows; VST)
Pianist Yeol Eum Son, renowned for her refined artistry and flawless technical control, brings electrifying contrasts to her Mondavi Center debut in a program that traces variation and transformation, from Beethoven’s inventive Six Variations to Liszt’s deeply poetic Ricordanza. (Wed, Apr 7, 2027; JH)
Alisa Weilerstein, cello & Inon Barnatan, piano, return with a deeply expressive program spanning Spanish lyricism, Russian Romantic intensity and the sweeping emotional breadth of Rachmaninoff’s Sonata in G Minor, with Chopin’s late Sonata No. 3 and selected Preludes from Shostakovich. (Thu, May 13, 2027; JH)
Explore Artistic Collaborations
The meeting of musical worlds and perspectives produces unforgettable experiences.
Everyone’s favorite globe-trotting “little orchestra” is back with an all-new holiday show. The Pink Martini All Stars lineup features three of the band’s longtime collaborators, Ari Shapiro, Edna Vazquez and Jimmie Herrod, for a night of catchy classic pop, big band sound, and signature Hollywood glamour, delivered with Pink Martini’s unmistakable flair. (Sat, Dec 5, 2026; JH)
The iconic theater artist Taylor Mac reunites with Obie Award–winning composer Matt Ray for an evening that invites reflection on queer lineage and futures. Electrifying, provocative and disarming, this duet evening draws from their original songbook Bark of Millions, an open call to community and celebration. (Sat, Oct 24, 2026, two shows; VST)
Grammy Award-winning contemporary classical ensemble Third Coast Percussion joins groundbreaking electronic composer and performer Jlin for a genre-defying melodic celebration of rhythm and melody that Stereogum has described as “like chamber music breaking out on the dance floor.” (Thu, Apr 8, 2027; JH)
Explore New Directions in Dance
Contemporary dance companies explore ritual, cultural roots and creativity.
In Akram Khan Company’s final touring production, Thikra: Night of Remembering, the past and present converge in a journey deeply rooted in the power of ritual. Imagined as an annual gathering, the all-female ensemble comes together to awaken the spirit of those who came before them, combining Bharatanatyam and contemporary voices. (Sat, Oct 17, 2026; JH)
Dance Theatre of Harlem company brings its bold, forward-thinking repertoire to the Mondavi Center, including treasured classics, neoclassical works by George Balanchine and Artistic Director Robert Garland, and innovative contemporary works that use the language of ballet. (Wed, Mar 3, 2027; JH)
Making their Mondavi Center debut, Music from the Sole is a vibrant tap and live music ensemble that celebrates tap’s roots in the African diaspora with music drawn from jazz, funk, Afro-Brazilian rhythms, house, soul, rock and Afro-Cuban traditions. The joyfully expressive House Is Open, Going Dark honors cultural lineage while pushing creative boundaries. (Sat, Apr 3, 2027; JH)
Explore Family & Film Favorites
Circuses meet cinema in a thrilling lineup filled with acrobatic feats, engaging performances, live scores and nostalgia.
Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters in Concert brings Ivan Reitman’s 1984 classic to the big screen with a live orchestra performing Elmer Bernstein’s iconic score. Experience every laugh, jump and proton pack blast in a thrilling fusion of film and symphonic sound. (Wed, Sep 23, 2026; JH)
Marvel Studios’ Black Panther (2018), directed by Ryan Coogler and anchored by Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa, was a global sensation that redefined the superhero genre. In Black Panther in Concert, Ludwig Göransson’s Oscar-winning score is performed live onstage by an ensemble featuring African percussion and Indigenous instruments. (Sat, Jan 30, 2027; JH)
Journey back to the 1980s and experience a high-flying homage to America’s amusement parks with Tilt! A Circus Thrill Ride. Bursting with acrobatics, aerial feats, juggling and a dose of nostalgic charm, Cirque Mechanics' theatrical circus adventure brings the spirit and classic rides and games of the era to life. (Sun, Oct 25, 2026; JH)
Celebrated the world over for its “physical music,” Japanese Taiko drumming group Yamato looms (and booms) large, with more than 40 Taiko drums on stage representing different characters. Yamato does more than simply make their Taiko drums explode—they produce delicate music that gives the listener a palette of meticulously crafted sounds. (Sun, Apr 11, 2027; JH)
Gravity knows no bounds when the Australian circus company Gravity & Other Myths takes the stage. In Ten Thousand Hours, eight acrobats jump, balance, flip and fly in an ode to the time needed to achieve great things. Set to a dynamic score performed live on stage with percussion and drums, this jaw-dropping performance will leave you in sheer wonder. (Fri, Apr 30, 2027; JH)
Explore Exhilarating Jazz
Milestone celebrations with jazz stars and intimate studio performances with innovators and premier players converge at the Mondavi Center.
Herbie Hancock is a true icon of modern music. He has made history many times over his five-decade career, both as part of the Miles Davis Quintet and with his own groups including The Headhunters and VSOP. Throughout his explorations, he has transcended limitations and genres while maintaining his unmistakable voice. (Sun, Aug 16, 2026; JH)
NEA Jazz Masters and Grammy winners Branford Marsalis & Dianne Reeves Celebrate John Coltrane with a new album and international tour. Reeves joins the versatile Branford Marsalis Quartet for a tribute to the landmark 1963 collaboration between Coltrane and vocalist Johnny Hartman, alongside other works from Coltrane’s enduring repertoire. (Wed, Sep 30, 2026; JH)
Drawing inspiration from folkloric traditions, the Julian Lage Quartet plays warm, soulful, organic music that reflects Lage’s deepening interest in writing with a band fully in mind. His latest project, Scenes from Above, features keyboardist John Medeski, bassist Jorge Roeder, and drummer Kenny Wolleson. (Oct 18, 2026; JH)
New Orleans groove master Herlin Riley is widely regarded as one of the premier drummers performing today. Leading his quartet with commanding presence and infectious enthusiasm, he delivers a high-spirited program of original compositions, jazz standards and blues, each infused with the unmistakable pulse of the Crescent City. (Thu–Sat, Nov 12-14, 2026; VST)
Acclaimed pianist and composer Isaiah J. Thompson offers a heartwarming holiday season gift with A Guaraldi Holiday. Vince Guaraldi’s compositions, including the timeless A Charlie Brown Christmas, served as both an introduction to jazz and a childhood soundtrack for generations. Thompson brings his own nostalgic yet refreshingly personal perspective to these enduring classics. (Dec 10-12, 2026; VST)
Guitar innovators Charlie Hunter and Ella Feingold join forces for an evening of musical conversation. Hunter weaves bass lines, melody and harmony into a single, seamless voice. Feingold is celebrated for her command of rhythm guitar, fluid groove and groundbreaking inverted tuning approach. Their project, Different Strokes for Different Folks, unfolds as an immersive dialogue shaped by rhythm, space and spontaneity. (Feb 18–20, 2027; VST)
Composer and trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire creates work that transcends genre, weaving threads of jazz, hip-hop, contemporary classical music and spoken word into compositions that are as poetic and graceful as they are bold. The multiple Grammy-nominated artist has earned a reputation as one of the most vital composers of his generation. (March 11-13, 2027; VST)
Celebrating Wynton Marsalis’ final season as artistic and music director, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis takes the stage in a milestone moment for the world's premier big band ensemble. (Thu, Feb 18, 2027; JH)
Explore American & Global Roots
Featured artists and ensembles from around the world celebrate their culture’s traditional music and dance while reimagining them for the modern era.
Celebrate Día de los Muertos with Lila Downs — a Mondavi Center favorite, and one of Latin America’s most influential voices. Weaving Mexican tradition with jazz, cumbia, folk and contemporary rhythms, she turns each concert into a gathering where culture is honored, stories are reclaimed, and audiences are invited to feel, dance and remember. (Fri, Oct 23, 2026; JH)
Camila Fernández was destined to become a musician. She attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston and experimented with many genres. But it was a promise to her grandfather, the legendary Vincente Fernández, that brought her back to her roots in mariachi and Mexican regional music. The powerful songwriter and bandleader will make her Jackson Hall debut with her compositions as well as holiday favorites, and a cast of folkloric dancers. (Sat, Dec 19, 2026; JH)
Celebrating its 75th anniversary, Amalia Hernández's Ballet Folklórico de México has positioned itself as the most emblematic folkloric dance ensemble in Mexico and around the world. Ballet Folklórico brings together the music, dance and costume of Mexican folklore from pre-Colombian civilizations through the modern era. (Fri, Feb 12, 2027; JH)
Spain’s Las Migas reimagine flamenco, shaping a sound that is both contemporary and powerfully expressive. Already massive stars in Europe, this all-female quartet continues to create new fans with their blazing instrumentalism, passionate vocals and expressive movement. (Sat, Nov 14, 2026; JH)
Blending country music with Americana, folk, rock and blues, singer-songwriter Rosanne Cash has shaped American music for more than four decades. In this intimate performance, the four-time Grammy Award winner is joined by her husband and longtime recording partner, John Leventhal. (Fri, Jan 29, 2027; JH)
Four-time Grammy Award winner Kalani Pe‘a and ukulele virtuoso Taimane unite for a vibrant celebration of Hawaiian artistry. Together, they offer a program grounded in heritage and alive with the evolving spirit of Hawaiian music. (Wed, Feb 10, 2027; JH)
Preeminent koto performer and composer Yumi Kurosawa continually redefines the possibilities of her instrument. Uniting violin, percussion and koto, her trio performs a program that pairs exhilarating new works with compelling reinterpretations from her repertoire. (Mar 18-20, 2027; VST)
Get ready for St. Patrick’s Day with a cracking good time in Jackson Hall with Goitse. The Irish quintet returns to the Mondavi Center with their signature blend of original compositions and timeless, traditional Irish tunes. (Wed, Mar 17, 2027; JH)
It's a Mardi Gras celebration worthy of the Crescent City with Grammy Award–winning pianist and bandleader Jon Cleary, his powerhouse ensemble the Absolute Monster Gentlemen and New Orleans–based Afro-Indigenous funk collective Cha Wa. Together they’ll bring the spirit of New Orleans to Jackson Hall. (Wed, Feb 3, 2027; JH)
Two visionary forces shaping the future of African diasporic music come together for an evening that honors deep musical lineages while embracing a new global perspective. Sona Jobarteh, the first professional female kora virtuoso to emerge from a West African griot dynasty, carries this centuries-old tradition forward through luminous vocals and masterful musicianship. Saha Gnawa reimagines Morocco’s revered Gnawa tradition, often called “Sufi Blues,” uniting the founders of Innov Gnawa with leading artists from New York City’s jazz and contemporary music scenes. (Fri, Apr 9, 2027; JH)
Explore Engaging Speakers & Theater
Pulitzer Prize finalist and author Tommy Orange will be in conversation about his bestselling novel There There, a multigenerational portrait of urban Native American life that tells the story of lives shaped by profound spirituality as well as the ongoing realities of addiction, abuse and loss. His newest book, Wandering Stars, traces the legacies of the Sand Creek Massacre of 1864 and the Carlisle Indian Industrial School. (Wed, Nov 4, 2026; JH)
After a lifetime devoted to climate activism, internationally renowned environmentalists David Suzuki and Tara Cullis take to the stage in What You Won’t Do For Love, an intimate and inspiring theatre experience from Canada’s Why Not Theatre. Honest, warm and thought-provoking, David and Tara share captivating stories, powerful insights and heartfelt moments of humor as they celebrate their love for each other, their love of the planet, and love’s capacity to inspire action. (Thu-Fri, Nov 12-13, 2026; JH)
Join paleontologist and National Geographic Explorer Tyler Lyson for an extraordinary journey 66 million years back in time to the end of the age of dinosaurs in this National Geographic Live presentation. Tracing the asteroid impact that toppled Triceratops and Tyrannosaurus rex, Lyson reveals how birds and mammals survived and adapted, illuminated by one of the most extraordinary fossil discoveries of our time. (Sun, Apr 18; JH)