As we enter the final weeks in Cal Performances’ 2023–24 season, it’s natural to take a look back and remember the highlights of a truly remarkable eight months at UC Berkeley. We will all have our favorite moments—instances when a performance seemed to leap off the stage and speak to us directly. But if such experiences are deeply personal, they also all depend on the communal act of gathering together and opening our eyes, ears, and hearts to the miracle of artistic expression. Every day throughout the world, people come to performances to celebrate what it means to be human in an increasingly impersonal world. As this particular season winds down, let me thank each and every one of you for taking part in the magic of great—and live!—music, theater, and dance.

Once again, April means one thing in particular at Cal Performances—Ailey Week—when the renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater returns for its annual spring residency. With its relationship with UC Berkeley now in its 56th year (Ailey has visited campus every non-pandemic year since 1968), the company will present five separate programs from April 2 through April 7. The centerpiece of this year’s residency is the 2024 Gala on Thursday, April 4, with all proceeds benefiting Cal Performances’ artistic initiatives and education programs. During the week, we will also present an Ailey SchoolTime performance for K–12 students and provide an opportunity for alumni of Berkeley/Oakland AileyCamp to reconnect with company members. On opening night, Tuesday, April 2, I’m especially proud that Cal Performances will offer live audio descriptions and a pre-performance haptic tour for blind and visually impaired audience members.

As the season draws to a close in early May, we still have much to look forward to: gifted early-music artists like countertenor Jakub Józef Orliński with the acclaimed ensemble Il Pomo d’Oro (Apr 9) and Jordi Savall with Hespèrion XXI (Apr 12); the thunderous traditional taiko drumming of Drum Tao (Apr 11–12); superb chamber music with the Danish String Quartet and guest cellist Johannes Rostamo (Apr 13) and French ensemble Quatuor Ébène (Apr 16); a duo vocal recital with opera stars (and a husband-and-wife team to boot!) soprano Amina Edris and tenor Pene Pati, with Robert Mollicone at the piano (Apr 23); a highly anticipated return to campus by one of the most adventurous artists on the international pop music scene, the always astonishing Angélique Kidjo (Apr 26); astounding Icelandic pianist Víkingur Ólafsson in a special performance of J.S. Bach’s immortal Goldberg Variations (May 4); and an evening with America’s preeminent humor writer—and frequent guest of Cal Performances—David Sedaris (May 5).

And I must make special mention of the upcoming visit by our dear friends at the Mark Morris Dance Group (Apr 19–21), returning to their West Coast home away from home with a profoundly moving repertory work (2010’s Socrates) and the world premiere of a new Mark Morris creation, Via Dolorosa, set to Nico Muhly’s meditative composition The Street (performed live by harpist Parker Ramsay). In the more than 35 years since the company first appeared at UC Berkeley, Mark Morris’ dancers have treated Cal Performances audiences to the premieres of more than a dozen new Morris works, many of which have gone on to become company classics—don’t miss this chance to be part of dance history!

Finally, I hope you’ll join us on April 16, when we announce our extraordinary 2024–25 season. One major detail has already been announced—the Maria Manetti Shrem and Elizabeth Segerstrom California Orchestra Residency, when Cal Performances and the Philharmonic Society of Orange County will bring the world renowned Vienna Philharmonic and conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin to California during spring 2025. And I can promise you many more welcome and exciting surprises when full season details are announced.

Again, thank you for joining us this season. I look forward to seeing you again in the fall.

Jeremy Geffen
Executive and Artistic Director, Cal Performances