Step Afrika! The Migration: Reflections on Jacob Lawrence

With the shortening days of November comes a selection of terrific events at Cal Performances, beginning with a vivid and powerful dance production, followed by a remarkable series of acclaimed classical music performers, and concluding on Thanksgiving weekend with a particularly joyous combination of film and music that is perfect for the entire family.

We begin by welcoming Washington, DC’s superb dance company Step Afrika!, currently celebrating its 30th anniversary, with its vibrant production of The Migration: Reflections on Jacob Lawrence (Nov 2–3, Zellerbach Hall [ZH]), a remarkable program that tells the important story of the Great Migration through Black dance forms, bold visual art, and vivid theatricality.

Our focus then shifts to classical music with an exceptional series of international artists. The coming weeks will see concerts with the dynamic young Dover Quartet (Nov 3, Hertz Hall [HH]); powerhouse Uzbek pianist Behzod Abduraimov (Nov 10, HH); Greek violin virtuoso Leonidas Kavakos (a cycle of Bach’s complete Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin over two nights, Nov 15–16, ZH); German master pianist Igor Levit (Nov 19, ZH); and Russian violinist Maxim Vengerov in a special duo recital with his esteemed partner, pianist Polina Osetinskaya (Nov 23, ZH).

And finally, as a special Thanksgiving weekend treat, we welcome audiences of all ages to a special Disney Concerts presentation of Encanto: The Sing-Along Film Concert (Nov 24, ZH), a perfect afternoon out for the whole family with Disney’s beloved animated film brought to life in an interactive performance and screening with live music by Banda de la Casita.

And there’s so much more to see this season! I encourage you to visit our website and check out our interactive season brochure that has been designed to provide the best possible reading experience; this dynamic new online tool has also been configured to map perfectly to your
device, whether it’s desktop, laptop, or mobile.

As you explore the calendar, I recommend you give particular attention to our 2024–25 Illuminations theme of “Fractured History,” which will introduce nuanced accounts and powerful new voices to enrich our understanding of the past and explore how our notions of history affect our present and future. Along with this month’s performances by Step Afrika! and the Dover Quartet, Illuminations programming this season includes the return of the multitalented South African artist William Kentridge with the Bay Area premiere of his mind-expanding new chamber opera, The Great Yes, The Great No (March 14–16, ZH). (Berkeley audiences will fondly recall Kentridge’s remarkable SIBYL from March 2023, in addition to the many other performances and events that were part of his residency that season.)

I’m also delighted to recognize the Maria Manetti Shrem and Elizabeth Segerstrom California Orchestra Residency, which will host three special performances with one of the towering artistic institutions of our time, the peerless Vienna Philharmonic, under preeminent conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin (March 5–7, ZH) and joined by pianist Yefim Bronfman on March 7.

And finally, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention our outstanding dance series, distinguished this season by Twyla Tharp Dance’s 60th anniversary Diamond Jubilee (Feb 7–9, ZH), toasting the artistic output that has made Tharp one of today’s most celebrated choreographers; as well as the Cal Performances debut of the world-renowned Brazilian troupe Grupo Corpo (Apr 25–26, ZH).

I look forward to joining you as we engage with so many fresh artistic perspectives throughout the season. Together, we will witness how these experiences can move each of us in the profound and unpredictable ways made possible only by the live performing arts.