Series: $117/$98/$79{3 Events}<strong>2010</strong>- <strong>2011</strong>Director’s ChoiceDirector’sJackson HallStandard SeatingOrchestra LevelPL 1PL 2StageVanderhoef Studio TheatreCabaret SeatingStagePL 1PL 3LicensedSeatsStew and The Negro ProblemThe Negro Problemwith Heidi RodewaldTuesday–Wednesday, October 26–27, <strong>2010</strong>8PM VSTregular $49add-on & cyo $42Singer-songwriter Stew’s career took anunexpected turn in 2006. After a successfulcareer fronting his two critically acclaimed bands,Stew and The Negro Problem, with collaboratorHeidi Rodewald, he transformed his life story intothe musical Passing Strange. The show, whichdebuted at the Berkeley Rep, won a Tony Awardfor “Best Book of a Musical,” and two Obies. Afour-time Tony nominee, Stew returns to his rockand roll roots for this double shot of shows.ChoiceStew and“Wringing heart fromhard truth, beauty fromcooked curls, joy fromconcern.”—L.A.Weekly on StewFilm Screening | Passing StrangeMonday, October 25, <strong>2010</strong> | 7PM VSTFREEWatch Spike Lee’s film version of Passing Strange,of which The New York Times said, “A shownot simply preserved by Mr. Lee’s camera, butbrought, somehow, to its fullest, strangest, mostelectrifying realization.”“The most elegantkind of Pop-Music.”—San Francisco Chronicleon Max RaabeKronos QuartetKronos QuartetMusic of Sigur RósThursday, December 9, <strong>2010</strong> | 8PM JHregular $49 $37 $25add-on & cyo $42 $31 $21For more than 30 years, Kronos Quartet haspursued a singular artistic vision, combining aspirit of fearless exploration with a commitmentto expanding the range and context of thestring quartet. The group’s exploration of theambient, ethereal music of Icelandic band SigurRós underscores the narrow distance betweencontemporary classical music and instrumentalrock. The program also features music fromKronos’s contribution to the soundtrack of DarrenAronofsky’s film The Fountain.Film Screening | HeimaMonday, December 6, <strong>2010</strong> | 7PM VSTFREECombining both the biggest and smallest showsof Sigur Rós’ career, Heima is an unconventionalconcert film that provides a unique insight into oneof the world’s shyest and least understood bandscaptured live in their natural habitat during theIcelandic summer.Max Raabe &Palast OrchesterWednesday, April 13, <strong>2011</strong> |8 PM JHregular $49 $37 $25add-on & cyo $42 $31 $21Slick, nostalgic, and unmistakably modern,Berlin-based Max Raabe & Palast Orchesterbring Weimar-era cabaret to life, channelingthe high style and musical glory of the 1920sand 1930s with uncanny precision, drama, andhumor. Playing a mix of German and Americanstandards, the elegant, ironic Raabe and histalented 12-piece band provide an unparalleled,unexpected evening’s entertainment.Each season it is my pleasure to put together a Director’s Choice series. For <strong>2010</strong>–<strong>2011</strong>, I’mpleased to present an eclectic mix of performers that range from Weimar cabaret to Art Rock.Some of these performers may be unknown to you, but I believe they are among the mostinteresting artists working today.Author and star of his autobiographical rock happening Passing Strange, Stew is about assmart as rock gets these days. Hearing him in the intimate Vanderhoef Studio Theatre will be areal treat. Speaking of smart rock, Kronos Quartet returns to the <strong>Mondavi</strong> <strong>Center</strong> with an amazingprogram that features Icelandic rock group Sigur Rós’s beautiful and atmospheric instrumental rockmusic. My final Director’s Choice is the droll and fantastic Max Raabe and Palast Orchester. Like theTrockadero ballet company we presented in <strong>2010</strong>, Raabe’s Weimar Republic cabaret performancescombine absolute virtuosity (yes, there’s that word again) with the ability to make you laughas well, with the occasional Britney Spears cover. I hope you join me for Director’s Choice—performances that I believe will be well enjoyed and long remembered.—Don RothMax Raabe & Palast Orchester4 | Prices subject to change<strong>Mondavi</strong>Arts.org 530.754.2787 | 866.754.2787 (toll-free) | 5