We’ve now moved into the heart of Fall Semester and things are hopping on the UC Berkeley campus. The same can be said about Cal Performances, where—this weekend alone—we’ll enjoy concerts by an array of world-class musical talent: mandolinist Avi Avital and guitarist Miloš (Nov 11), American jazz master Aaron Diehl and his trio (Nov 12), violinist Leonidas Kavakos and pianist Yuja Wang (Nov 13), and cellist David Finckel and pianist Wu Han (Nov 14). Together, we’ll take in music by Bach, de Falla, Villa Lobos, and Philip Glass; experience a world premiere by French composer Mathias Duplessy; return to Bach to explore his fascinating musical ties with eminent jazz musicians past and present; and close out the weekend with more timeless music by Bach (there’s never enough!) along with works by Busoni, Shostakovich, Mendels­sohn, Debussy, and Britten. I’m so happy you could join us during what promises to be a memorable weekend; it’s wonderful that we can gather together again, enjoying great music under the same roof!

This robust activity is especially meaningful this year, following such a prolonged period of shutdown! When the pandemic forced Cal Performances to close its doors in March 2020, no one could have imagined what lay ahead. Since then, we’ve witnessed a worldwide health crisis unlike any experienced during our lifetimes, an extended period of political turmoil, recurring incidents of civil unrest and racially motivated violence, and a consciousness-raising human rights movement that has forever—and significantly—changed how each of us views social justice in our time.

Of course, the pandemic remains with us to this date and future challenges—including many adjustments to “normal’ procedures and policies—can certainly be expected. I encourage you to check Cal Per­formances’ website regularly for the most current information regarding our COVID-19 response. First and foremost, I assure you that there is nothing more important to us than the health and safety of our audience, artists, and staff. (And I remind one and all that proof of vaccination is mandatory today, as is protective masking throughout the event.)

Our season continues in December when the Bay Area’s beloved Kronos Quartet returns to Zellerbach Hall with two-part program featuring a world premiere by Cal Performances’ 2021–22 artist-in-residence Angélique Kidjo, new and recent works from Kronos’ extraordinary 50 for the Future project, and a selection of works performed with special guest, Persian classical and world music vocalist and composer, Mahsa Vahdat (Dec 2). Our full calendar offers more of the same, packed with the kind of adventurous and ambitious programming you’ve come to expect from Cal Performances. In particular, I want to direct your attention to this year’s Illuminations: “Place and Displacement” programming, through which we’ll explore both loss and renewal, disempowerment and hope, while seeking paths forward for reclaiming and celebrating vital cultural connections that can fall victim to political and social upheaval.

Please take the opportunity to explore the complete schedule through our website and season brochure and begin planning your performance calendar; now is the perfect time to guarantee that you have the best seats for all the events you plan to attend.

Throughout history, the performing arts have survived incredible challenges: periods of war, economic collapse, and, yes, terrible disease. And if it will take time for us—collectively and individually—to process the events of the past 18 months, I’m certain that the arts have the power to play a critical role as we come to terms with what we have experienced and move together toward recovery.

I know you join us in looking forward to what lies ahead, to coming together once again to encounter the life-changing experiences that only the live performing arts deliver. We can’t wait to share it all with you during the coming year.

Cal Performances is back. Welcome home!

Jeremy Geffen
Executive and Artistic Director, Cal Performances