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The dance troupe MOMIX is set to close Cal Performances’ 2026-27 season with “Botanica” May 7-9, 2027.<\/p>\n
Cal Performances<\/p>\n
Cal Performances centers on introspection with its 2026-27 season, challenging audiences to embrace vulnerability and reflect on the life experiences that have shaped them.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The UC Berkeley presenter is focusing on the theme of \u201cInnocence & Experience\u201d\u00a0 for its 120th anniversary, spotlighting six performances under the concept, according to its announcement released Tuesday, April 28.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cInnocence and experience, they\u2019re often treated as oppositional, but they feed into each other. They\u2019re intertwined forces and they transform one another and influence our understanding of the world,\u201d Cal Performances Executive and Artistic Director Jeremy Geffen<\/a> told the Chronicle. \u201cAs our life experience develops, we start to challenge the assumptions that were made when we were younger. In a way, experience is the deepening of our life understandings.\u201d<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n The forthcoming season opens with the North American premiere of Tony Award-winning choreographer Christopher Wheeldon\u2019s \u201cOscar,\u201d performed by the Australian Ballet from Sept. 25-27. The piece, which explores the life and accomplishments of Irish author and poet Oscar Wilde, will be performed at Zellerbach Hall.\u00a0<\/p>\n Other acts that lean into the overarching theme \u201cMere Mortals<\/a>\u201d Canadian choreographer Aszure Barton<\/a> and Oakland jazz trumpeter and composer Ambrose Akinmusire<\/a>\u2019s \u201cA a | a B : B E N D\u201d (Dec. 4-5), a dance and musical performance that explores the principle of unlearning; Compagnie Herv\u00e9 Koubi\u2019s \u201cSol Invictus\u201d (Feb. 5-6); and the West Coast premiere of South African artist William Kentridge<\/a>\u2019s \u201cThe Head & the Load\u201d (Nov. 12-15).<\/p>\n San Francisco Chronicle Logo<\/p>\n Make us a Preferred Source to get more of our news when you search.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Add Preferred Source<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Geffen said that he is particularly excited for Kentridge\u2019s work, noting that it\u2019s \u201cby far the biggest undertaking in our season.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n In addition to thematic programming, Cal Performances is offering more than 50 shows ranging in discipline from jazz, orchestra and chamber music to dance and theater.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Performances will take place at various East Bay venues, including Hertz Hall, Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts and First Congregational Church.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Australian Ballet is set to perform Christopher Wheeldon\u2019s “Oscar” Sept. 25-27.<\/p>\n Cal Performances<\/p>\n Additional season highlights include a rare West Coast appearance by Grammy Award-nominated musician Mitsuko Uchida, who\u2019s set to perform a piano recital on Jan. 29; American music legend Judy Collins<\/a>\u2019 farewell tour (Oct. 18); \u201cSt. Matthew Passion,\u201d performed by the Monteverdi Choir and English Baroque Soloists, conducted by Masaaki Suzuki (Feb. 21); a presentation of Academy Award-winning Oakland filmmaker Ryan Coogler<\/a>\u2019s Marvel blockbuster \u201cBlack Panther<\/a>\u201d accompanied by a live performance of its score (Jan. 31); and the Vienna Philharmonic\u2019s three-show engagement with conductor Yannick N\u00e9zet-S\u00e9guin, featuring guest soloists Yuja Wang, Christiane Karg and El\u012bna Garan\u010da (March 2-4).<\/p>\n The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is also set to return for its annual spring <\/a>residency (April 6-11).\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Musical programs honoring the works and legacies of American composers Steve Reich (Oct. 24), Philip Glass (Nov. 20) and Berkeley\u2019s own John Adams<\/a> (Feb. 28) are also scheduled throughout the season.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n \u201cIt means a great deal to be able to celebrate artists during their lifetime,\u201d Geffen said of special events. \u201cEspecially to be able to celebrate artists whose careers we have tracked for the entirety of their trajectory.\u201d<\/p>\n The American performance troupe MOMIX, known for its \u201cdancer-illusionists,\u201d will wrap up the season with \u201cBotanica\u201d (May 7-9, 2027) at Zellerbach Hall.\u00a0<\/p>\n Geffen added that the organization is \u201ctaking a pretty significant step towards younger audiences this coming year\u201d by expanding its Golden Bear Circle program, which offers UC Berkeley students a limited number of tickets for just $10.\u00a0<\/p>\n Launched in 2022, it offered students subsidized entry to 10 to 15 performances each year. The program will now provide discounted tickets to students for up to 40 shows in Cal Performances\u2019 forthcoming season.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Tickets can be purchased online, by phone or in person at Zellerbach Hall.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n