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�鶹��ý Symphony Orchestra performs classics, contemporary works in spring concert

 7 p.m., Friday, May 1, Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts, �鶹��ý

In a concert titled “Orbiting Spheres,” the �鶹��ý Symphony Orchestra explores three unique orchestral works under the baton of conductor Matilda Hofman. The concert is Friday, May 1 at the Robert and Margrit Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts and begins at 7 p.m.

The concert’s title is taken from American composer Missy Mazzoli’s “Sinfonia (for Orbiting Spheres)” which the composer describes as “music in the shape of a solar system.” 

Composed of concentric musical loops like planetary objects in orbit, and using harmonicas to create a unique sound floor, the work sounds like outer space. Toward the end, the composer describes a rapid transformation whereby the “ensemble turns into a makeshift hurdy-gurdy, flung recklessly into space.” The work was originally commissioned by the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

The program includes Jean Sibelius's Symphony No. 7 in C Major, which is his final published symphony. Noted for its unique, single-movement structure lasting approximately 23 minutes, the work was originally titled “Symphonic Fantasia.” The music flows continuously through shifting tempi (Adagio, Vivacissimo, Allegro) and features a celebrated, majestic theme on trombone.

Also on the program is Samuel Coleridge-Taylor's Ballade in A Minor, one-movement orchestral work known for its dramatic, passionate, and highly melodic nature. Commissioned by Edward Elgar, this early breakthrough piece features an intense, stormy opening themes alternating with tender, romantic melodies, showcasing rich orchestration and energetic, narrative-driven phrasing.

A highlight of the orchestra’s spring concert is a featured performance by winner of the �鶹��ý Concerto Competition. This year’s winner is undergraduate music and mechanical engineering major Joshua Lee, who will perform the first movement of Ludwig van Beethoven’s Violin Concerto. 

Tickets are $12 �鶹��ý students; $15.50 children (under 18), $24 faculty/staff $27.50 and regular (reserved seating). Tickets are available at the Mondavi Center Ticket Office in person or by calling 530-754-2787 between noon and 5 p.m., Tuesday through Friday. Tickets are also available online at Tickets.MondaviArts.org.

For more information about the Department of Music in the College of Letters and Science at �鶹��ý, visit arts.ucdavis.edu/music.

Ongoing Art Exhibitions at �鶹��ý

Catch Basement Gallery student art Friday: ‘Through the Prism’

Basement Gallery Senior Shows, Manetti Shrem Art Hall, Friday, May 1, 4-7 p.m.

For the remaining weeks of spring quarter, the �鶹��ý Basement Gallery will be holding their Senior Shows weekly with reception held at the end of each week. The Basement Gallery can be found on the basement floor of the Maria Manetti Shrem Art Hall at 230 Hutchison Drive.

This week's show will be Through the Prism. The show will explore color as it functions in culture. The reception will be held Friday, May 1 from 4-7 p.m.

More information about upcoming shows, and shows throughout the year, can be found through the Basement Gallery instagram, @ucd_basement_gallery. 

Symposium Saturday on Village Homes features 'Building Communities that Work: What Village Homes can Teach Us Today'

�鶹��ý Design Museum (Cruess Hall), 375 California Ave., Saturday, May 2, , 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Registration required

For 50 years, Village Homes, a neighborhood in West Davis, has been a model of sustainability and community living, demonstrating potential solutions for humanity’s survival in a world in climate crisis. Today, many federal environmental commitments that were birthed in the same era as the Village Homes neighborhood - the Environmental Protection Agency, the Clean Air Act, and renewable energy programs - are being dismantled by the current administration. 

Building on the momentum from the "Village Homes: A Radical Plan" exhibition at the �鶹��ý Design Museum, the university is hosting a half day symposium on May 2 entitled “Building Communities that Work: What Village Homes Can Teach Us Today.” This symposium seeks to examine the lessons of Village Homes and to inspire local environmental action and community building.

This event, co-sponsored by the Davis Humanities Institute, the �鶹��ý Design Museum, and the Departments of Design, History, and American Studies, will feature remarks from scholars and community leaders who understand Village Homes from a range of perspectives. Panelist and audience discussion time, as well as breakout sessions, will provide opportunities to apply collective knowledge to address current environmental and social concerns.

The symposium will begin with opening remarks from author Kim Stanley Robinson. Panelists will share their perspectives from human ecology, community development, cooperatives and common space; geography and inclusivity; public policy; architecture and landscape design; environmental history; and sustainable transportation. This is a forward-looking, action-oriented symposium for community members, scholars and students interested in building livable and sustainable communities. 

9 a.m. 

Exhibition preview "Village Homes: A Radical Plan"

10 a.m.- 2 p.m.

Opening remarks by Kim Stanley Robinson

Documentary Film Screening (30 minutes)

Reflections and conversations among civic leaders, scholars, and audience

Catered lunch and coffee provided

Please register at arts.ucdavis.edu/design for this free community event.

For additional information please contact villagehomes50@gmail.com

By Michael G. French

At the Mondavi

Lucía Latin folk/jazz tradition in concert Saturday — plus participatory fandango beforehand 

7:30 p.m., Jackson Hall, "Lucia"

Lucía blends jazz with the rich traditions of Latin folk to create a sound that is entirely her own.

Born and raised in Veracruz, Mexico, her musical journey began at the age of two, performing alongside her parents—Laura Rebolloso and Ramón Gutiérrez—as part of the renowned Son de Madera ensemble. Immersed in the rhythms of fandangos and son jarocho, Lucía developed a deep-rooted connection to her heritage that continues to shape her artistry today.

In 2022, she made history as the first Mexican finalist—and eventual winner—of the prestigious Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition. Her debut album, Lucía, released in May 2025, is a soulful fusion of American jazz and Latin folk, weaving together bolero, son jarocho, and soulful jazz standards.

With a soulful voice and captivating stage presence, Lucía brings a deep respect for tradition to the forefront of her music—reimagined through a contemporary, genre-blending lens that celebrates the global evolution of jazz. 

Billy Elliot the Musical May 1-16 at Woodland Opera House

The Woodland Opera House will present Billy Elliot the Musical, an inspiring and deeply moving story about resilience, identity, and the courage to follow your passion. Featuring music by Elton 

John and a book and lyrics by Lee Hall, this Tony award-winning musical has captivated audiences around the world.

Set against the turbulent backdrop of the 1984-85 UK miners' strike, the story follows Billy Elliot, a young boy in a working-class community who stumbles into a ballet class and discovers a love for dance that will change his life forever. As his family and town grapple with the harsh realities of a changing world, Billy must navigate their expectations and his own fears as he embarks on a journey of self-discovery.

“This story holds a very special place in my heart,” says director Andrea St. Clair. “At its core, Billy Elliot is about discovering who you are at a pivotal moment in life, and having the courage to stay true to that, even when the world pushes back. It’s also about the people who shape us, and what it takes to support someone when their path doesn’t look like what you expected.”

Rarely produced and widely celebrated, Billy Elliot resonates across generations with its enduring message about the transformative power of art. Audiences are invited to experience this unforgettable production and support the magic of live theatre in their community. If the story of Billy inspires you, share it: bring a friend, start a conversation, and celebrate the courage it takes to be yourself.

It is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.mtishows.com

Performance Schedule (12 Performances):
Week 1: Friday & Saturday at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday at 2 p .m.
Week 2: Thursday & Friday at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday at 2 & 7:30 p.m.; Sunday at 2p.m.
Week 3: Thursday & Friday at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday at 2 & 7:30 p.m.

The show runs approximately 2 hours, 30 minutes with one 15-minute intermission. Due to mature themes, intense subject matter, and explicit language it is recommended for ages 13 and up.

For more information and to purchase tickets, and get directions, visit their . You may also contact the Woodland Opera House Box Office at (530) 666-9617.