Montalvo Arts Center : Plugged In

Yoga at the Villa

By press on THU, JAN 28TH 2010, 2:26 P.M.

http://montalvoarts.org/events/series/yoga/

The Return of Final Fridays!

By press on THU, JAN 28TH 2010, 11:46 A.M.

http://montalvoarts.org/events/final_friday_climate/

Don't Miss These Concerts in the Carriage House

By press on THU, JAN 28TH 2010, 9:07 A.M.

http://montalvoarts.org/events/series/spring_concerts/

Kids Camps - Sign Up Now!

By press on THU, JAN 28TH 2010, 8:58 A.M.

http://montalvoarts.org/programs/camps/

Don't Miss! "Wildly Funny" Shakespeare Comedy Program Feb. 4! ORIGINAL LONDON CAST

By press on WED, DEC 2ND 2009, 4:28 P.M.

TICKET PRICE(S) : $35/30; Members $31/27

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS or call the Box Office at (408) 961-5858

"One of the most intriguing and significant productions currently found in the USA!" - USA Today

"Brilliant pieces of comic invention. Go see. Buy tickets now!" - BBC

"The funniest act in show business. I laughed my head off!" - Jerry Friedman, ABC Radio

ORIGINAL LONDON CAST! Praised by the Los Angeles Times as “wildly funny” and by the Montreal Gazette as “the funniest show you are likely to see in your entire lifetime," The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) is an irreverent, fast-paced romp through the Bard’s plays, This show was London’s longest-running comedy – 10 years at the Criterion Theatre. All 37 Plays in 97 minutes.

January 10, 2010: Renowned String Trio Performs in the Historic Villa

By press on WED, DEC 2ND 2009, 4:23 P.M.

TICKET PRICE(S) : $30; $25 members; $20 if purchasing three or more of the Villa Chamber Music Series (Available through Montalvo Box Office only).

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS or call the Box Office at (408) 961-5858

From their twos to their 20s, the Albers sisters have been captivating audiences with musical styles as diverse as their distinctive personalities and features. The sisters have performed at such venues as Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center, National Theatre in Taipei, Severance Hall, Weill Recital Hall, and Zankel Hall. Their performances have also been seen and heard on Live from Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center Honors, Japan's NHK, the Washington, D.C., Voice of America and Bavarian Radio.

Violinist Laura is the associate concertmaster of the San Francisco Opera. While attending Juilliard, she toured with the Astor String Quartet and the Wild Ginger Philharmonic and also taught violin at the Diller-Quaile School of Music. In addition to the opera, she performs in the Bay Area with the Broderick Ensemble and the Empyrean Ensemble, as well as the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra in New York City and Sarasota Opera in Florida. She also volunteers for California Pacific Medical Center's Soothing Sounds program, bringing music to patients.

Violist Rebecca, also a graduate of the Juilliard School, currently teaches in the Juilliard pre-college with Ms. Castleman and is a touring member of Mark O'Connor's Appalachia Waltz Trio. As winner of Juilliard's 2002-03 viola competition, she made her solo debut performing the New York premiere of Samuel Adler's Viola Concerto and the Juilliard orchestra in Alice Tully Hall. She has performed with Yo-Yo Ma and Itzhak Perlman, just to name just a few.

Cellist Julie has received various awards including the Grand Prize in South Korea's Gyeongnam International Music Competition and Second Prize in Munich's Internationaler Musikwettbewerbes de ARD. She has performed with the orchestra of Indianapolis, Seattle, Colorado, Syracuse, San Antonio, and Dayton. She is currently in the middle of a three-year residency with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.

Scrambling for Creative Gift Ideas This Season?

By press on WED, DEC 2ND 2009, 4:15 P.M.

Want to get your friends and family a unique, inexpensive gift? How about a Montalvo Gift Certificate?

Available for any amount you'd like to give, Montalvo Gift Certificates are good for:

Carriage House Concerts*
Children's events, including Family Performing Arts Series, after school classes and more
Children's camps, including Winter, Spring and Summer
Adult classes, including yoga, art and poetry classes and more
Plus so much more!

To purchase and for more information: Call the Montalvo Box Office: 408.961.5858. Open Monday - Friday, 10 am - 4 pm.

*Note: Gift Certificates not applicable to Live Nation Summer Concert Series

Dec. 13: A Christmas Suite of Poetry and Song

By press on WED, DEC 2ND 2009, 4:13 P.M.

TICKET PRICE(S) : $15; Members $10

Tickets available through the Box Office, (408) 961-5858

Celebrate the season with Santa Clara County Poet Laureate Nils Peterson in this evening of poetry and song! Performing with the Silicon Valley Symphony Singers, conducted by Elena Sharkova, Peterson brings to life poems by Walt Kelly, T.S. Eliot and his own suite of poems, For This Day. A holiday reception follows the program.

New Exhibition: Grandfather's Incline, Opens Nov. 15

By press on WED, OCT 28TH 2009, 5:25 P.M.

Grandfather's Incline

Sun, Nov 15th 2009 - Sun, Feb 21st 2010

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

THU, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
FRI, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
SAT, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
SUN, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Mingwei Lee is a visual, performance, installation and public artist and he joins frequent collaborator, architect Stephan Freid, in designing a proposal for a permanent public artwork called Grandfather’s Incline (working title). Lee’s vision for Grandfather’s Incline is a narrow, 80-foot long suspended wooden platform that extends beyond the hillside at a slight incline hovering above the nearby Garden Theater and historic Villa. A single potted tree is situated at the far end of the platform providing a shady, contemplative space for hikers to rest, refresh themselves and to experience a unique view of Silicon Valley. If completed, this sculpture will be located at a parting between ancient oak and redwood trees along a popular trail within Montalvo’s communal parklands.

Art in Public Spaces: Artist Mingwei Lee, Architect Stephan Freid and Curator Julie Lazar in Conversation

As part of their project for AGENCY: The Work of Artists, artist Mingwei Lee and architect Stephan Freid discuss their proposal for Grandfather’s Incline and engage in a conversation about the complexities and potential of art in public spaces.

TICKET PRICE(S) : $10 suggested donation

2009 Gala: Thank You to our Guests and Sponsors

By press on WED, OCT 28TH 2009, 5:25 P.M.

Sponsors:

Charmaine and Dan Warmenhoven
Sally and Don Lucas
The Morgan Family Foundation
Jennifer and Phil DiNapoli
Connie and Jerry Held
Sydene and Fred Kober
Roger Schwab and Denise Kupperman
Kathie and Bob Maxfield
J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines

We are especially grateful to the Saratoga High School String Quartet, the Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra, the Sonus Quartet, the Hope Mohr Dance Company and Geoff Gallegos (Double G) for entertaining and delighting us with their performances. Airship Ventures, Smooth Jazz Cruises, Taylor Eigsti, Chris Botti and David Benoit made for an exciting auction.

Introduce Shakespeare to Your Kids!

By press on WED, OCT 28TH 2009, 5:19 P.M.

"To be or not to be -- that is the question."

Set in the medieval court of Denmark, this ghostly mystery tells the tale of a prince whose royal family is disrupted by murder and corruption. Considered to be one of Shakespeare's finest plays, Hamlet features the famous soliloquy – “to be or not to be” – and other familiar text. Beautiful scenery and period costumes conjure up a medieval Danish castle, and a professionally choreographed sword fight is sure to captivate audiences of all ages.

TICKET PRICE(S) : $20 adult/10 children: Members $16 adult/8 children

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS or call the Box Office at (408) 961-5858
Service fees are significantly lower if you purchase through the Montalvo Box Office! Tickets may be purchased on-site at the Montalvo Box Office M-F 10 am to 4 pm or, if available, one hour prior to all shows.

Jazz Greats and Blues Legends This November

By press on WED, OCT 28TH 2009, 4:35 P.M.

Earl Klugh

An Intimate Evening with Earl Klugh showcases the artist's virtuosity at its finest.“For me, solo performances are the most challenging,” says Klugh. “Without a band you have the ability to use your imagination more, change time signatures, key, tempo, style, or anything that comes to mind.The only limitation is your own ability to execute your ideas."

GRAMMY-winning guitarist Klugh's career of more than three decades includes over 200 compositions, more than 30 full-length albums, hosting and producing his own events, work in film and numerous world tours. Klugh’s work has earned him 12 career Grammy nominations, the most recent a 2009 Grammy Nomination for his critically-acclaimed release The Spice of Life. Klugh’s previous Grammy nod honored his 2005 solo release, Naked Guitar, from which he interprets standards and pop classics such as The Night Has a Thousand Eyes, I Want to Hold Your Hand and Moon River.

TICKET PRICE(S) : $40/35; Members $36/31

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS or call the Box Office at (408) 961-5858
Service fees are significantly lower if you purchase through the Montalvo Box Office! Tickets may be purchased by calling or on-site at the Montalvo Box Office M-F 10 am to 4 pm or, if tickets are still available, one hour prior to all shows.

J.C. Smith Presents A Tribute to Howlin' Wolf

Back by popular demand, J.C. Smith once again channels his love of Chicago blues in this tribute. Smith, originally from the Bay Area, is an outstanding performer noted for his energy and charisma. He has shared the stage with some of Chicago's greats – Pinetop Perkins, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith and Eddie Shaw just to name a few. Smith's new album, Defining Cool, is an incredible fusion of old and new blues styles ranging from West Coast Swing and East Bay Funk to raw Chicago. Buy a copy at this amazing event!

Hubert Sumlin (pictured above) was voted No. 65 on Rolling Stone's “The 100 Greatest Guitarist of All Time” list. He crossed the line between impressive to legendary early on with his recordings for Chess Records in the early to mid 60s as the guitarist in Howlin' Wolf's band and for a brief time with Muddy Waters. After Wolf's death in 1976, the band continued on as The Wolf Pack. In the past two years, he has shared the stage with The Rolling Stones, Elvis Costello, Aerosmith and Santana. Sumlin is cited as a major influence by Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimmy Page, Jimi Hendrix and others. His latest release, About Them Shoes, got him nominated for a 2006 Grammy for Best Traditional Blues Album.

Eddie Shaw has been a top Chicago blues act playing venues from Carnegie Hall to the intimate blues clubs in Chicago. Shaw and The Wolfgang was the original back-up for the legendary Howlin' Wolf until Wolf's untimely death in 1976. He also orchestrated the arrangements on The Howlin ' Wolf London Sessions (Chess Records) featuring Eric Clapton and on Muddy Waters' Unk and Funk (GRT) album; and won the 2006 and 2007 Blues Music Award for Instrumentalist-Horn. His newest release, In the Land of the Crossroads, is a sizzling showcase for his blasting horn and commanding vocals.

TICKET PRICE(S) : $40/35; Members $36/31

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS or call the Box Office at (408) 961-5858
Service fees are significantly lower if you purchase through the Montalvo Box Office! Tickets may be purchased by calling or on-site at the Montalvo Box Office M-F 10 am to 4 pm or, if tickets are still available, one hour prior to all shows.

Drawing Montalvo in the Fall: Pen and Ink with Edward Rooks, Starts Oct. 15

By press on THU, SEP 24TH 2009, 4:57 P.M.

Barn Art Studio

Drawing Montalvo is a series of classes that take place over a six-week period. The dates are: Oct. 15, Oct. 22, Oct. 29, Nov. 5, Nov. 12, Nov. 19. The pricing below reflects the entire series.

Autumn at Montalvo provides an abundance of subject matter for this drawing class focusing on California's ancient oaks and the wildlife and plants that interact with them. Oak trunks, branches, bark, leaves, buds, acorns and galls provide interesting details, while the trees and woodlands offer an exciting light and shadow landscape. Join artist Edward Rooks in exploring our natural world through pen and ink, with an introduction to scratchboard techniques. Students will conclude the class with a detailed pen and ink or scratchboard drawing.

TICKET PRICE(S) : $150; Montalvo Members $135

Tickets available through the Box Office, (408) 961-5858

This Sunday, 2 pm: Artist Louis Hock Presents Film Screening and Panel Discussion

By press on THU, SEP 24TH 2009, 4:57 P.M.

Carriage House Theatre

As part of AGENCY: The Work of Artists, Louis Hock screens his new video work Sketches for The American Tapes. The screening is followed by a panel discussion in which the artist, Jaime Contreras, Generation Engage; Angelica Muro, Space 47; and Raj Jayaden, Silicon Valley De-Bug respond to the film and engage in a conversation about immigration as a multi-generational experience.

TICKET PRICE(S) : $10 suggested donation

Friday Oct 2: Tommy Castro kicks off Fall/Winter Concert Series

By press on THU, SEP 24TH 2009, 4:54 P.M.

Montalvo's line-up of Carriage House Theatre shows is its most exciting yet. We have pop, blues, folk, rock - you name it, you'll hear it in the Carriage House. We have old favorites who have sold out shows here int he past and newcomers that we can't wait for you to see.

October 2009

FRI, 2 :: 7:30 P.M.
Tommy Castro Band
THU, 15 :: 7:30 P.M.
An Evening with Roger McGuinn
SAT, 17 :: 6 P.M.
Vienna Teng
SAT, 17 :: 9 P.M.
Vienna Teng
SAT, 24 :: 8 P.M.
Paula Cole

November 2009

SUN, 1 :: 7:30 P.M.
Keola Beamer With Neil Hogan
THU, 5 :: 7:30 P.M.
Earl Klugh
FRI, 6 :: 8 P.M.
Earl Klugh
SAT, 14 :: 8 P.M.
J.C. Smith Presents: A Tribute to Howlin' Wolf :: featuring Chicago Blues Legends Hubert Sumlin and Eddie Shaw

December 2009

FRI, 4 :: 8 P.M.
Richard Thompson - All Request Evening!
SAT, 5 :: 8 P.M.
Richard Thompson - All Request Evening! SOLD OUT!
SUN, 6 :: 7:30 P.M.
Richard Thompson - All Request Evening!

January 2010

FRI, 22 :: 8 P.M.
George Winston

February 2010

SUN, 14 :: 8 P.M.
Masters of Persian Music: Three Generations
THU, 25 :: 7:30 P.M.
An Evening with Bob James - ON SALE NOW!
SUN, 28 :: 7:30 P.M.
Acoustic Alchemy - ON SALE NOW!

Starting October 5: Poetry Classes at Montalvo

By press on THU, SEP 24TH 2009, 4:43 P.M.

Mondays, Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26 :: 6:30 p.m., Cottage 2

Admission: $140; Members $125 for the series, available through the Montalvo Box Office: 408.961.5858

Join us for a poetry class series designed to give an overview of the heritage of California nature poetry and to deepen your understanding and appreciation of the art form. Considering these poets and their times, the class will read the works of early California writers ranging from John Muir to Robinson Jeffers to beat poet Kenneth Rexroth and more. The class will also examine contemporary poets including Gary Snyder, Jane Hirshfield, Brenda Hillman and former U.S. Poet Laureate Robert Hass, and discuss their prevailing poetic and cultural influences, and how the idea of nature changes in their individual work.

About the Instructor

Sally Ashton, MFA, is a Bay Area poet, teacher, and editor of the DMQ Review, an online journal featuring poetry and art. She is author of the collection, These Metallic Days, and her prose poem collection, Her Name Is Juanita, is forthcoming from Kore Press. She is the recipient of an Artist Fellowship, Poetry, from Arts Council Silicon Valley.

Music Honors Montalvo and Plumed Horse Restaurant

By press on WED, AUG 26TH 2009, 1:11 P.M.

Geoff "Double G" Gallegos, one of Los Angeles' most unique musical treasures, conducts the Sonus Quartet for two world premieres of new works commissioned by Montalvo and inspired by his residency at the Lucas Artists Program.

The Sonus Quartet has performed everywhere from the Grammy Awards to late-night television, establishing itself as one of the most in-demand classical quartets in southern California.

Program:
String Quartet No. 2 'Montalvo' 2008-09
String Quartet No. 4 'Plumed Horse' 2009

Double G, who has produced and arranged for many of today's top artists including Outkast, Evanescence and Everlast, sits poised to revolutionize today's musical landscape.

Don't miss this inaugural concert in Montalvo's Villa Chamber Music Series. It is an extremely rare opportunity to see a conductor and renowned quartet perform Montalvo-inspired music.

TICKET PRICE(S) : $30; $25 members; $20 if purchasing three or more of the Villa Chamber Music Series

Tickets available through the Box Office, (408) 961-5858
Tickets may be purchased onsite at the Montalvo Box Office. Box Office opens one hour prior to all shows.

Rare Opportunity with Pandit Chitresh Das, Indian Dance Master

By press on WED, AUG 26TH 2009, 1:08 P.M.

Open Rehearsal with the Chitresh Das Dance Company Directed by Pandit Chitresh Das

Sun, Aug 30th 2009, 1 p.m.

As part of AGENCY, Pandit Chitresh Das and the Chitresh Das Dance Company present an intimate behind-the-scenes experience of a master training his company in the dynamic dance-theater tradition of Kathak.

Born in Kolkata, India, in 1944, Pandit Chitresh Das, based in both San Francisco and Kolkat,a is a leading master of the Kathak tradition—the classical dance of North India that combines storytelling and abstract dance. Trained from age nine by his guru, Pandit Ram Narayan Misra, Pandit Das was schooled in both of the major Kathak traditions. He is a choreographer and artistic director of performing arts schools in the U.S. and India.

TICKET PRICE(S) : $20; Members & Students $18

Tickets available through the Box Office, (408) 961-5858
Tickets may be purchased onsite at the Montalvo Box Office. Box Office opens one hour prior to all shows.

Fall Into Concerts at the Carriage House Theatre

By press on WED, AUG 26TH 2009, 1:05 P.M.

Montalvo's line-up of Carriage House Theatre shows is its most exciting yet. We have pop, blues, folk, rock - you name it, you'll hear it in the Carriage House. We have old favorites who have sold out shows here in the past and newcomers that we can't wait for you to see.

October 2009

FRI, 2 :: 7:30 P.M.
Tommy Castro Band
SUN, 4 :: 2 P.M.
The Saint Michael Trio
THU, 15 :: 7:30 P.M.
An Evening with Roger McGuinn
SAT, 17 :: 6 P.M.
Vienna Teng
SAT, 17 :: 9 P.M.
Vienna Teng
SAT, 24 :: 8 P.M.
Paula Cole

November 2009

SUN, 1 :: 7:30 P.M.
Keola Beamer With Neil Hogan
THU, 5 :: 7:30 P.M.
Earl Klugh
FRI, 6 :: 8 P.M.
Earl Klugh
SAT, 14 :: 8 P.M.
J.C. Smith Presents: A Tribute to Howlin' Wolf :: featuring Chicago Blues Legends Hubert Sumlin and Eddie Shaw

December 2009

FRI, 4 :: 8 P.M.
Richard Thompson - All Request Evening!
SAT, 5 :: 8 P.M.
Richard Thompson - All Request Evening!
SUN, 6 :: 7:30 P.M.
Richard Thompson - All Request Evening!

January 2010

FRI, 22 :: 8 P.M.
George Winston

February 2010

SUN, 14 :: 8 P.M.
Masters of Persian Music: Three Generations
THU, 25 :: 7:30 P.M.
An Evening with Bob James
SUN, 28 :: 7:30 P.M.
Acoustic Alchemy

A Moveable Feast: 2009 Gala :: Sept. 17, 6:30 pm

By press on WED, AUG 26TH 2009, 1:02 P.M.

The Board of Trustees of Montalvo Arts Center and event chairs Dan and Charmaine Warmenhoven invite you to join them for a celebratory evening welcoming Angela McConnell, Montalvo's new Executive Director.

6:30pm :: Cocktails in the Oval Garden
The Double G "String Thing" featuring Sonus Quartet

7:30pm :: First Course in Spanish Courtyard
Saratoga High School String Quartet

8:00pm :: Dinner on the Veranda followed by Live Auction
Performances by Hope Mohr Dance Company, Kathleen Sloan, violin, and Palo Alto Chamber Orchestragenerously underwritten by Sally and Don Lucas

Featured Auction Items

9:00pm :: Dessert and Cognac in the Senator's Library and Villa Solarium
Jazz piano

9:30pm :: Dancing in the Grand Hall
Music by Big City Revue
generously underwritten by The Morgan Family Foundation

Black tie optional

TICKET PRICE(S) : $250

Tickets available through the Box Office, (408) 961-5858
Tickets may be purchased onsite at the Montalvo Box Office. Box Office opens one hour prior to all shows.

Donor Spotlight

By press on MON, JUL 27TH 2009, 1:42 P.M.

Thank You!

Individual Donor :: Steffi Sims

This week's individual donor spotlight is on Steffi Sims, former president of the Montalvo Service Group. Steffi passed away last year in the advanced stages of Alzheimer's disease but before she was ill, she and her late husband Bernie included Montalvo as a beneficiary of their remainder trust. We thank her and her family for their dedication to Montalvo.

Featured Corporate Funder :: The Wells Fargo Foundation

We would like to congratulate Wells Fargo for their exemplary support of community programs across California and thank them for the Foundation’s recent grant of $25,000 to underwrite Montalvo’s Performing Arts Series for Students.

The Wells Fargo Performing Arts Series for Students is an annual series of productions that offers local students exposure to a wide variety of arts disciplines, ethnic cultures, and social concerns. During each academic school year, the series serves approximately 6,000 area K-8 students, many of whom are from underserved and low-income backgrounds and attend the performance free of charge. The series is an integral offering as it is very often the first, and sometimes the only, exposure that children have to professional theatre. Each performance has an accompanying study guide designed to complement the K-8th grade curriculum as outlined in the California State Framework in English/Language Arts, History/Social Science, and the Visual and Performing Arts.

Thank you Wells Fargo for for supporting Montalvo’s quest to make the arts accessible to all!

Free Participatory Artwork :: Are Your Trees Affected?

By press on MON, JUL 27TH 2009, 11:30 A.M.

INTRODUCTORY DESCRIPTION OF O OAKS OH!

DAY OF GATHERING / PUBLIC LEARN IN / RITUAL

by artist Mierle Laderman Ukeles

August 13, 2009

This August 13, 2009 art event has multiple parts that unfold throughout the day and are enacted at highly different locations around Montalvo Arts Center. All elements are part of the total artwork, including the journey of getting from one place to another. A flow will occur that generates a unique daylong immersion public artwork. This flow affects the entire sequence of activities listed in the Program that follows.

Not only do the artwork activities of the day shift from different location to location at Montalvo, but the relationship between members of the audience and experts changes as well. First thing right off the bat, I aim to create an atmosphere of serious public learning at the highest level of quality. During this component of the LEARN IN, there is a clear hierarchical separation between the “experts who teach” and the “audience who receives and asks questions.” Then, this first part of the day is followed by a transformation in the relationships between people: the separation between teachers and receivers is collapsed and morphs into a different kind of non-hierarchical and lateral relationship among all the people. In the next parts of the day, all are invited to become “active participants and witnesses” by enacting a Ritual of Mourning for the Stricken oaks in Montalvo’s 175-acre forest that have the Sudden Oak Death (SOD) disease that then moves to the Front Lawn to enact a Ritual of Celebrating the Future of the Forest with Healthy Oaks.

Why do I pay so much attention to relationships as part of the art? I have a theory. Hopefully, the artwork generates the opening up of a big new kind of space—an airy space that can exist in people’s minds and also in their souls and hearts—so that a spirit of emotional attachment to the oaks can have room to emerge among all present. I believe this is a necessary step before people will work toward transforming a challenged forest into a healthy public place. Before a large number of people can feel empowered enough to get to a level of commitment to stewardship and devotion to maintenance for this public forest, and before a large number of people can become democratically organized to create effective and realistic action plans for this treasured public legacy, we first need to allow ourselves to open up a space within that offers the highest quality of knowledge, then we need to open up a space within where we are welcome to feel a level of awe, reverence, love and passion for the oaks—a space where these feelings can well up and have a home. That is the purpose of the daylong elements that begin with the LEARN IN. That is what the public artwork can do. Then we can be ready to organize for action.

PROGRAM FOR THE DAY

A Day of Gathering / Public Learn In / Ritual
The Beginning of O OAKS OH!
a unique daylong immersion public artwork

10 am to 4:15 pm at Montalvo Arts Center

(Exhibits set out on the Veranda for the whole day from 9am to 4:30pm.)*
* We invite presenters to bring a low-tech exhibit to display throughout the course of the day.

PART ONE: Main Hall, Historic Villa

LEARN / IN: 10:00 am to 10:10 am
Welcome by Montalvo’s Executive Director, Angela McConnell; Director of Programs, Kelly Sicat; Curator of AGENCY, Julie Lazar;and Artist, Mierle Laderman Ukeles

10:15 am to 11:15 am
Individual experts give presentations of 15 minutes each (listed alphabetically):
- Matteo Garbelotto
- Joseph McBride
- David Rizzo
- Tedmund Swiecki

11:15 am to 11:25 am
BREAK

11:25 am to 11:55 am
Moderated discussion with above experts, led by Janice Alexander, Coordinator of the California Oak Mortality Task Force. Janice will have the opportunity to present for 5 minutes before discussion begins.

11:55 pm to 12:35 pm
Q & A from audience moderated by Lindsey Kouvaris, Manager Arts Programs

WORKING BOX LUNCH: Veranda, Historic Villa: 12:35 pm to 1:20 pm
A Very LOCAL Conversation among Three Stewards
Local stewards Rosemary Cambra, Tribal Chairwoman of the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe, and Betty Peck are invited to take 10 minutes each to share personal stories about creating stewardship and maintenance of Montalvo’s wild forest; to discuss details about SOD around Saratoga and at Montalvo; and to address keeping Montalvo’s forest a public place and a treasured Saratoga legacy.

NOTE: All individual experts listed above are asked to be hosts at individual round tables during lunch and to be available to continue discussion with the audience. County officials Don Rocha and Alicia Earle will also be available at individual tables as well. These new hosts will be introduced but they will not present.

1:20 pm to 1:30 pm
ARTIST UKELES: Speaking on the Veranda
- Presentation of the “RITUAL” and description of next steps

1:30 pm to 1:40 pm
All move to the Garden Theatre

PART TWO: Garden Theatre

1:40pm to 2:10 pm
REHEARSAL FOR ALL TO PREPARE FOR “THE RITUAL,” led by Ukeles and Marcus Young, artist/conductor
Beginning of the transformation of the immersion art experience from a state of separation between experts and audience to all becoming “active participants and witnesses”

PART THREE: Moving together from the Garden Theatre to gathering at the “edge,” a threshold of Montalvo’s forest; crossing into the forest together, coming out of the forest, moving to continue and conclude the Ritual on the Front Lawn.

2:10 pm to 3:50 pm
“THE RITUAL OF MOURNING FOR THE STRICKEN OAKS AND OF CELEBRATING THE FUTURE OF THE FOREST WITH HEALTHY OAKS”
Further transformation of all into “active participants and witnesses,” as well as candidates for becoming stewards and maintainers and activists.

UKELES’ OFFERING: The culmination of the Ritual
A Proposal: A Shared Vision for a Public Place: Health and Community Commitment Leading to a “Covenant of Responsibility: Maintaining the Wild Forest at Montalvo”

An invitation to all participants to offer their Covenants and to send them in along with personal stories of “their” tree.

PART FOUR: Veranda

3:50 pm to 4:15 pm
CONCLUSION OF THE DAY: RECEPTION: TEA & ACORN COOKIES with ANNOUNCEMENTS AND HANDOUTS
Dec 2, 2009: Concluding event of O OAKS OH!: Launching VIDEOAK, a video artwork and performance called “The Spirit and the Forest” which will include the acceptance by the Montalvo Arts Center and local stakeholders of the final “Covenant of Responsibility: Maintaining the Wild Forest of Montalvo”

[Reservations handout sheets to sign up for this event passed around.]

On Sale Now: Fall & Winter concerts in the Carriage House

By press on MON, JUL 27TH 2009, 11:28 A.M.

September 2009

SAT, 19 :: 7:30 P.M.
Ramayana Revealed
SUN, 20 :: 3 P.M.
The Double G String Thing featuring Sonus Quartet

October 2009

FRI, 2 :: 7:30 P.M.
Tommy Castro Band
SUN, 4 :: 2 P.M.
The Saint Michael Trio
THU, 15 :: 7:30 P.M.
An Evening with Roger McGuinn
SAT, 17 :: 6 P.M.
Vienna Teng
SAT, 17 :: 9 P.M.
Vienna Teng
SAT, 24 :: 8 P.M.
Paula Cole

November 2009

SUN, 1 :: 7:30 P.M.
Keola Beamer With Neil Hogan
THU, 5 :: 7:30 P.M.
Earl Klugh
FRI, 6 :: 8 P.M.
Earl Klugh
SAT, 14 :: 8 P.M.
J.C. Smith Presents: A Tribute to Howlin' Wolf :: featuring Chicago Blues Legends Hubert Sumlin and Eddie Shaw
SAT, 21 :: 8 P.M.
Ingram Marshall with Jim Bengston

December 2009

FRI, 4 :: 8 P.M.
Richard Thompson - All Request Evening!
SAT, 5 :: 8 P.M.
Richard Thompson - All Request Evening!
SUN, 6 :: 7:30 P.M.
Richard Thompson - All Request Evening!

January 2010

FRI, 22 :: 8 P.M.
George Winston

February 2010

SUN, 14 :: 8 P.M.
Masters of Persian Music: Three Generations

April 2010

FRI, 23 :: 8 P.M.
The Harlem Quartet

Sleep under the stars at Montalvo!

By press on MON, JUL 27TH 2009, 11:27 A.M.

TICKET PRICE(S) : $88 adult / 50 child; Family Package: 2 adults & 2 children = $250; Evening Only: $50 adult/$35 child; Montalvo members 20% off

Celebrate the International Year of Astronomy - and the 400th anniversary of the invention of the telescope - at Montalvo!

Art and astronomy collide at Montalvo's sixth annual Starry, Starry Night: Art & Astronomy Slumber Party. Coinciding with the Perseid meteor showers, Starry, Starry Night invites the community to learn about the vast night skies and the art it inspires. Enjoy stimulating astronomy talks by guest astronomers and hear a storyteller weave tales of the night sky. Explore space through contemporary art installations and films and create art inspired by the heavens. Sleep under the stars on Montalvo's front lawn and wake to breakfast at the Historic Villa.

Additional Information:

Montalvo Culinary Fellow on Etsy!

By press on THU, JUN 25TH 2009, 10:57 A.M.

Read the full article on The Storque.

Join Kitty for a live cooking session on Monday, July 6 at 3:00 pm PST! Just log in to Etsy (it's free) and click on Virtual Labs, Etsy's multi-user chatroom.

Etsy is an online marketplace where artists, craftspeople and collectors can sell their handmade and vintage items. It's also a community where people revel in the handmade lifestyle. Since its launch in June 2005, over 250,000 sellers from around the world have opened up Etsy shops.

Coming soon: Connie Samaras

By press on THU, JUN 25TH 2009, 10:30 A.M.

July 10 - Sept 6, 2009

Montalvo's Project Space Gallery

Enjoy Your Time: Excerpts from After the American Century (2009), Vast Active Living Intelligence System (2005), Angelic States-Event Sequence (1998-2003)

Selections from Samaras' recent photographic series and videos will be on display, including works from Angelic States—Event Sequence which examines the techno-landscaping of U.S. urban spaces in L.A., New York and Las Vegas and, V.A.L.I.S. (Vast Active Living Intelligence system, a National Science Foundation sponsored series of pictures that depict liminal spaces between life support architecture and the extreme environment of the South Pole, Antarctica).

Samaras also premieres a new body of work, After the American Century, which combines photography and a video installation shot in Dubai, Dubai Islands and Jebel Ali. Inspired by sci-fi and speculative literature, this project unpacks the ever-shifting cultural narratives of global hyper-capitalism, trans-nationalism and the future imaginary.

On Sale Now: Concerts all year round!

By press on THU, JUN 25TH 2009, 9:49 A.M.

September 2009

SAT, 19 :: 7:30 P.M.
Ramayana Revealed
SUN, 20 :: 3 P.M.
Double G: String Quartets

October 2009

FRI, 2 :: 7:30 P.M.
Tommy Castro Band
THU, 15 :: 7:30 P.M.
An Evening with Roger McGuinn
SAT, 17 :: 6 P.M.
Vienna Teng
SAT, 17 :: 9 P.M.
Vienna Teng
SAT, 24 :: 8 P.M.
Paula Cole

November 2009

SUN, 1 :: 7:30 P.M.
Keola Beamer With Neil Hogan
THU, 5 :: 7:30 P.M.
Earl Klugh
FRI, 6 :: 8 P.M.
Earl Klugh
SAT, 14 :: 8 P.M.
J.C. Smith Presents: A Tribute to Howlin' Wolf :: featuring Chicago Blues Legends Hubert Sumlin and Eddie Shaw
SAT, 21 :: 8 P.M.
Ingram Marshall with Jim Bengston

December 2009

FRI, 4 :: 8 P.M.
Richard Thompson - All Request Evening!
SAT, 5 :: 8 P.M.
Richard Thompson - All Request Evening!
SUN, 6 :: 7:30 P.M.
Richard Thompson - All Request Evening!

January 2010

FRI, 22 :: 8 P.M.
George Winston

February 2010

SUN, 14 :: 8 P.M.
Masters of Persian Music: Three Generations

April 2010

FRI, 23 :: 8 P.M.
The Harlem Quartet

Food & Wine: A classic success!

By press on THU, JUN 25TH 2009, 9:02 A.M.

A big thank you to our participants for making this event such a huge success.

2009 Participants:

Wineries:

Bernardus Vineyards, Carmel Valley
Black Ridge Vineyards, Santa Cruz Mountains
Calera Wine Company, Mount Harlan
Ceja Vineyards, Carneros
Cooper Garrod Estate Vineyards, Santa Cruz Mountains
Dancing Coyote Wines, Clarksburg
Dashe Cellars, Dry Creek Valley
Duckhorn Vineyards, St. Helena
GENE’s Fine Foods, Saratoga
Goldeneye, Anderson Valley
Hawkes Wine, Alexander Valley
J. Lohr Vineyards and Wines, Arroyo Seco and St. Helena
Kathryn Kennedy Winery, Santa Cruz Mountains
Martin Ranch Winery, Santa Cruz Mountains
Medlock Ames, Alexander Valley
Michaud Vineyards, Chalone, Monterey County
Paraduxx, St. Helena
Red Head Ranch, Paso Robles
Silver Oak Cellars, Alexander Valley
Twomey Cellars, Calistoga and Russian River
Varner Wine, Santa Cruz Mountains and Paso Robles
Windy Oaks Estate Winery, Santa Cruz Mountains

Restaurants:

Arcadia, Marriott Hotel, San Jose
- Daniel Patino, Executive Chef
Cin-Cin, Los Gatos
- Chris Schloss, Executive Chef
Cowgirl Creamery, San Francisco
- Eric Patterson, Cheese Maker
Club XIX, Pebble Beach
- Ressul Rassallat, Chef de Cuisine
Elegant Cheesecakes, Half Moon Bay
- Susan Morgan, Owner
Evvia, Palo Alto
- Mario Ortega, Executive Chef
Farallon, San Francisco
- Ryan Simas, Chef de Cuisine
Il Vigneto, CordeValle Resort, San Martin
- Luca Rutigliano, Executive Chef
Le Papillon, San Jose
- Scott Cooper, Executive Chef
Manresa, Los Gatos
- David Kinch, Owner/Chef
Marinus, Bernardus Lodge, Carmel Valley
- Cal Stamenov, Chef
Plumed Horse, Saratoga
- Peter Armellino, Owner/Chef
Quattro, Four Seasons, Palo Alto
- Alessandro Cartumini, Executive Chef
Red Lantern, Redwood City
- Daniel Sudar, Executive Chef
Saratoga Chocolates, Saratoga
- Mary Loomas, Chocolatier/Owner
Sent Sovi, Saratoga
- Josiah Slone, Executive Chef/Owner
Silks, Mandarin Oriental, San Francisco
- Joshua Nudd, Executive Chef
The Village Pub, Woodside
- Dmitry Elperin, Executive Chef
Trevese, Los Gatos
- Michael Miller, Executive Chef/Owner

Montalvo's new Executive Director!

By press on THU, MAY 28TH 2009, 11:01 A.M.

:: Get to know :: Angela McConnell

She made news in Silicon Valley last week – “Angela McConnell is fired up” said the San Jose Mercury News while referring to her as a “Valley dynamo.”

Montalvo’s new executive director is a Valley favorite. Well-known for her significant contributions to the San Jose Museum of Art and the Community School of Music and Arts, Mountain View, Angela McConnell arrives at Montalvo at an exciting point of potential growth as the organization expands its portfolio of programming. Historically known as a concert and wedding venue, and for its internationally recognized artist residency program, over the last few years Montalvo has tailored its mission and artistic programs to foster community engagement through the creation and presentation of multidisciplinary art. This year, Montalvo has partnered with Live Nation to bring a series of popular music concerts to the renowned Garden Theatre.

In 2012 this venerable institution will celebrate its centennial marking its imprint as an arts legacy in Silicon Valley. Angela will be charting the course for Montalvo’s significant journey into its next century. “Montalvo is an historic national resource with an extraordinary legacy, a compelling and valuable artistic mission, and loyal, generous constituents,” she said. “It is absolutely a privilege for me to serve this dedicated board and committed staff by providing leadership and vision to ensure Montalvo’s vibrant and promising future.”

As she settles in to her second week of work at Montalvo, Angela has already infused the institution with a sense of dynamism and energy. Her enthusiasm is infectious, her vision is strategically inclusive and her passion is compelling. She is excited about the opportunities that exist to make Montalvo more engaging, inspiring and fun. “My vision,” says Angela, “ is to present regular exhibitions, performances and events that are inspired by national and international artists, and to offer regular opportunities for our community to learn about the process of art making and the important contributions that artists make in helping us to understand compelling and challenging issues that shape our lives.”

How will she lead Montalvo to accomplish that vision?

Angela wants to explore collaborations with Silicon Valley organizations, grow thematic arts programs out of Montalvo's Lucas Artists Residency Program, welcome the community, and encourage long-time and new friends to engage their passions at Montalvo. Even as the arts center turns to the diverse communities it serves and urges people to discover what about Montalvo resonates with them, she is poised to offer a range of channels for community engagement. Her strokes are broad and include: art camps and family concerts for kids, chamber music concerts for those who are passionate about great chamber music, horticulture tours for the garden enthusiast, popular concerts, art exhibitions, and Lucas Artists Residency open studio receptions for collectors, scholars, artists and benefactors.

How would she like the community to support Montalvo’s present and its future?

“Become a member and be engaged in all that's happening here! Find what excites you at Montalvo, and embrace and support it with passion.”

What are five things that Angela would like people to know about her?

1. She sees the glass as always half-full.

2. She’s a native New Yorker.

3. She loves to sing and practice yoga, but someday she knows she’s going to have to learn to cook.

4. She’s been married to her husband for 19 years, has three children and a new yellow lab puppy.

5. She just installed a ship’s bell at Montalvo that she’s going to ring when we get a major contribution!

We invite you to join us in welcoming Angela. Help her ring that bell! Consider a Montalvo membership or a gift to Montalvo today at www.montalvoarts.org/give

Your open invitation: Visit Montalvo

By press on THU, MAY 28TH 2009, 9:40 A.M.

Did you know Montalvo is open to the public seven days a week*? You can hike our 2.5 miles of hiking trails, or bring your friends for a small group picnic on the Front Lawn. Take your dog for a walk (make sure he stays on a leash though) or visit our beautiful Italianate Garden.

We want you to come up to Montalvo any time you’d like – not just for concerts or events. Enjoy the scenery and relax as you take in this beautiful setting, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Or visit our gallery – no admission!

We also have free events year-round. Artist talks, open studios, film screenings and more. Check out our events page to learn about everything happening at Montalvo.

Consider this your open invitation. So when will you visit?

*except when we have private events. But signs are always posted in advance.

Tonight! Free film screening and audience discussion

By press on THU, MAY 28TH 2009, 9:36 A.M.

Thursday, May 28, 7:30 pm

$10 suggested donation at the door

Poet Bill Berkson screens this film by sculptor Jan Henle and Vivian Bettencourt. He then leads lead an interactive discussion with the audience about the film. Berkson will also share his own thoughts and his experience with Henle and his work. In addition, Berkson will read some of his own poetry -- some pieces that relate more directly to Jan's work and some that do not.

Learn more about Jan Henle and his film through the words of AGENCY: The Work of Artists writer-in-residence Ariel Swartley.

Jan Henle: Art-Work/Work-Art

By Ariel Swartley

You may not notice the man at first. For a long time at the beginning of Jan Henle’s film, Con el Mismo Amor, he isn’t there. Then suddenly he is, walking at a steady clip up a trail that cuts diagonally across the slope that’s gradually been coming into view out of the darkness. The slope, located in the mountains near Maricao in southwest Puerto Rico, is part of a three-acre sculpture Henle created over an eight year period beginning in 1999. The figure—it’s the artist himself—helps us appreciate the size of the piece. Those pebbles are boulders. Or perhaps not. We needn’t be certain to marvel at the pattern of their scattering or the way their pale intrusions punctuate the hillside’s curve. In Henle’s film the fractal quality of landscape is brilliantly evident. Plot or plantation, the natural forces that carve them are the same. The variable that intrudes is us.

Where does art-making end and the artwork start? In Con el Mismo Amor answers proliferate like the tropical greenery. Maricao’s mountains are themselves a work-in-progress, created by the collision of tectonic plates and subject to continuing atmospheric manipulations. More recently they’ve been shaped by economic and political forces. The area’s particular constellation of latitude, altitude, and mineral-laced soil attracted coffee planters in the 19th century, and they, with the help of tenant farmers, made Maricao beans a prized European commodity. After Puerto Rico became a U.S. territory, trade agreements and job opportunities changed; landowners pursued more easily harvested crops or moved to countries with cheaper labor. When Henle acquired the property it was abandoned, and local vegetation—its growth made rampant by the moist climate—blanketed the hill.

Sculpting can be a deductive process, a matter of chipping away excess substance that blocks the view of an imagined form. To clear the greenery and uncover the hillside beneath, Henle worked alongside jibaros. The term, often translated as “mountain men,” refers to inhabitants of Puerto Rico’s back country, many of them descendents of the tenant farmers employed by the Spanish planters. Henle grew up in St. Croix before moving to Puerto Rico and worked in his stepfather’s landscaping business, so the terrain of his piece in both its physical and social aspects is home ground. Work on the hill was accomplished with traditional hand tools—machetes, pickaxes—and techniques handed down from grandfather to grandson, but Con el Mismo Amor is not a reclamation project. The historical context is both there and not there.

That doubleness is central to Henle’s work. What is insistently present in this piece seems to be the hill-in-itself: its mounding but delicate contours, the incised line of the footpath, the vivid red earth that clumps and can be raked apart. Yet we experience it in two dimensions and at one remove, through images: this is hill as the artist wants us to see it. What Con el Mismo Amor also shows is the hard, repetitive, collaborative labor of clearing the ground and carefully planting new hardwoods. For Henle, sculpting and sculpture are not easily divisible. To form a respectful fellowship with nature and to practice working, as he says in the film, “without reason, without thinking, that you know what you are doing because you live in a certain manner,” are as important as the landscape that results. What is being cleared and cultivated in Con el Mismo Amo is not just the physical ground but a kind of consciousness. Where does man begin and nature end? To approach a boundary from both sides is to begin to see it as permeable. And as arbitrary.

Montalvo's Food & Wine Classic VI: Indulge yourself with a spectacular culinary experience this Sunday

By press on THU, MAY 28TH 2009, 9:30 A.M.

Montalvo's annual Food & Wine Classic VI celebrates some of the most prestigious restaurants and wineries in the region. Guests enjoy a rare opportunity to sample delectable culinary creations and the finest vintages, while mingling with top chefs and vintners. Join us for this exclusive gourmet experience, set against the beautiful backdrop of the historic Villa at Montalvo. Proceeds from Food & Wine VI support Montalvo's arts and education programs.

Watch two Food & Wine chefs on The View From The Bay!

Tickets are $175; $150 for Montalvo members. Available at Montalvo’s Box Office: 408.961.5858

Preview our exciting auction packages!

Enter our 'Staycation' chance drawing!

Montalvo Teaching Artist Fellow Celebrates Work With Culminating Event

By press on FRI, APR 24TH 2009, 11:15 A.M.

Friday, May 8, 6:30 p.m.
Hoover Theatre
1635 Park Avenue
San Jose, CA 95126
408.535.4747

Sophia Torres is the co-founder and artistic director of Psophonia Dance Company, and has been in-residence at Montalvo for the past 16 weeks as part of its Teaching Artist Fellowship. She ends her residency with a culminating event that features performances by some of the students and teachers she worked with at Downtown College Prep for the past four months.

During her residency, Sophia accomplished so much and worked with many different students. She created a dance club; worked with advanced Spanish students, discussing the history, art and culture of Cuba, then choreographed dances from Cuban poetry; worked with the drama class; and with teachers in areas of professional development and arts integration.

NOW: Your Gift Counts Twice Help us Meet the Hackworth Challenge

By press on FRI, APR 24TH 2009, 10:20 A.M.

If you contribute to our Music & Performance programs or sign up for membership, your contribution will be doubled thanks to the Hackworth Challenge grant. Make a gift today.

Montalvo Announces Fall Music & Performance Series on April 27

By press on FRI, APR 24TH 2009, 8:54 A.M.

Ticket and On-Sale Information for Fall Music & Performance Events

Montalvo member pre-sale: May 4 – 6

Not a member yet? Visit out membership page to see all the perks to becoming a Montalvo member!

General on-sale: May 11

Tickets for fall Music & Performance events are available either through Ticketmaster.com or Montalvo’s Box Office: 408.961.5858. You can also stop by the Box Office any time between 10 am and 4 pm Monday through Friday, or one hour before most performances (noted on our website).

Grammy Winner Tim O'Brien Brings Bluegrass to Montalvo

By press on FRI, APR 24TH 2009, 8:52 A.M.

Learn more about Tim O’Brien!

At a point in his career where you'd think he'd be charging at full speed toward the next big thing, Tim O'Brien confounded expectations by doing something else: he took time--and plenty of it--to create the next small thing. Chameleon is an intimate project that, in its blend of virtuosity, wit and warmth, is unmistakably his. And this time around, it's literally his alone.

"Back in January of 2006, I said to myself, I've got to do something different than flying every which way all year," O'Brien recalls. "And when I got the Grammy award in February, it sort of woke me up. It was so validating, because I'd already been feeling that pushing was not getting me anywhere, that I was just getting worn out and disillusioned--and when you get disillusioned doing what I do, something's wrong, because it's a great job. So winning the award was like hearing that I have been doing something, that I've got a body of stuff to rest on. And by June, I was telling people that no, I'm not going to be doing as much next year."

Of course, even at his most relaxed, the veteran O'Brien continued to be more productive than most. He still offered occasional performances, both on his own and in various configurations, and he worked on the acclaimed Blind Alfred Reed tribute, Always Lift Him Up, both performing Reed's best-known song and sharing in the album's production. But mostly he wrote, both on his own and with collaborators--and, in August of last year, he began work on Chameleon with award-winning engineer Gary Paczosa.

"Every time a recording comes around, I think about doing a solo record," O'Brien says, "but when I get to the time where I really have to decide, I juggle a bunch of concepts around, and when one falls into place the others just fall away, and doing it solo always wound up falling away. On several records, like Fiddler's Green, I've done a solo track or two, but this time I thought, it's just time to finally do it all on one record. If I'd done it the last time, it would have been a traditional record, but this time it was a songwriter record."

Though he first won renown as a member of one of bluegrass's premiere bands, Hot Rize, O'Brien's been doing solo performances for a long time, and pressed for antecedents, he offers up figures like James Taylor and Joni Mitchell. "The folksinger with a guitar is a sort of an unassailable icon," he says with a laugh. "Dylan, Woody Guthrie--what can you say. And I remember that when I heard the first Doc Watson album, I thought, what does he need a band for? This guy has got it all. But what happens is that when you go into the studio, you can play with a band and get the juices flowing and maybe do things that you might not be able to do on the road. So there's a temptation to go that way. But this time, I thought, let's just bring it inside."

Chameleon rambles from the autobiographical to the whimsical, and themes emerge, whether it's the nods to tradition found in the appearance of hoary lyric phrases in "Where's Love Come From" and the sly quotation from Bill Monroe in "Hoss Race," or the wry political observations in a trio of songs ("This World Was Made For Everyone," "When In Rome" and "World Of Trouble") planted in the back half of the collection.

"Right toward the end of the time when I was writing and getting ready to record, I wrote 'Get Out There And Dance,'" he notes. "That's one of my favorite songs I've ever written, and it's totally fun. I really liked the idea: if you want to live life, you'd better get in it. And it's in 'The Only Way To Never Hurt,' too, which comes right before it: 'If you don't get on the floor and dance/You can't hope to win the game of love.' I used to lean toward ballads more with my writing, and when I tried to write funny things, it didn't work--but now I'm finding ways to do it, and it's nice."

Pippi Longstocking Shares her Wild Adventures at Montalvo

By press on WED, MAR 25TH 2009, 12:30 P.M.

Sun, Mar 29th 2009, 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Pippilotta Delicatessa Windowshade Macrelmint Ephraim’s Daughter Longstocking – or Pippi for short – lives by herself with a horse and monkey in an old abandoned villa. Her father is a pirate, her mother is in heaven, and she is the strongest girl in the world. Pippi’s life is full of adventure: exploring the carnival, defending her home from thieves, and eluding Mrs. Prysselius and the Child Welfare Board. But, when her father Captain Longstocking returns from his voyage, will Pippi choose to stay in the villa alone, or to join her father on the pirate ship? American Family Theater’s production of Astrid Lindren’s popular children’s story brings this most outrageous redhead to life in an enjoyable performance for the whole family.

All ages, especially recommended for ages 5 and up.

Additional Information:

TICKET PRICE(S) : $10 children/20 adults; Members $8 children/16 adults

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS or call the Box Office at (408) 961-5858
Tickets may be purchased onsite at the Montalvo Box Office. Box Office opens one hour prior to all shows.

Iron Chef America Winner David Kinch at Montalvo Arts Center on May 31

By press on WED, MAR 25TH 2009, 12:19 P.M.

Spend the afternoon at Montalvo sipping on the finest of wines and tasting the most delectable dishes, all in the name of arts education.

TICKET PRICE(S) : $175/$150 members
Tickets available through the Box Office, (408) 961-5858

Premiere Grand Cru Package:

$2,500: 10 tickets, private wine tasting at 5:00 pm, chauffeured limousine service to and from one location to the event.

To be an event sponsor, visit our Food & Wine VI sponsorship opportunities page.

If you are interested in contributing an auction item, please visit our Auction Donation page.

2009 Participating Wineries

Bernardus Vineyards, Carmel Valley
Black Ridge Vineyards, Santa Cruz Mountains
Calera Wine Company, Mount Harlan
Ceja Vineyards, Carneros
Cooper Garrod Estate Vineyards, Santa Cruz Mountains
Dancing Coyote Wines, Clarksburg
Dashe Cellars, Dry Creek Valley
Duckhorn Vineyards, St. Helena
GENE’s Fine Foods, Saratoga
Goldeneye, Anderson Valley
Hawkes Wine, Alexander Valley
J. Lohr Winery, Arroyo Seco and St. Helena
Kathryn Kennedy Winery, Santa Cruz Mountains
Martin Ranch Winery, Santa Cruz Mountains
Medlock Ames, Alexander Valley
Michaud Vineyards, Chalone, Monterey County
Paraduxx, St. Helena
Red Head Ranch, Paso Robles
Silver Oak Cellars, Alexander Valley
Twomey Cellars, Calistoga and Russian River
Varner Wine, Santa Cruz Mountains and Paso Robles
Windy Oaks Estate Winery, Santa Cruz Mountains

2009 Participating Restaurants

Arcadia, Marriott Hotel, San Jose
Daniel Patino, Executive Chef
Cin-Cin, Los Gatos
Chris Schloss, Executive Chef
Cowgirl Creamery, San Francisco
Eric Patterson, Cheese Maker
Club XIX, Pebble Beach
Ressul Rassallat, Chef de Cuisine
Elegant Cheesecakes, Half Moon Bay
Susan Morgan, Owner
Evvia, Palo Alto
Mario Ortega, Executive Chef
Farallon, San Francisco
Ryan Simas, Chef de Cuisine
Il Vigneto, CordeValle Resort, San Martin
Luca Rutigliano, Executive Chef
Le Papillon, San Jose
Scott Cooper, Executive Chef
Manresa, Los Gatos
David Kinch, Owner/Chef
Marinus, Bernardus Lodge, Carmel Valley
Cal Stamenov, Chef
Montalvo Arts Center, Saratoga
Culinary Artist-in-Residence, Katherine Greenwald
Plumed Horse, Saratoga
Peter Armellino, Owner/Chef
Quattro, Four Seasons, Palo Alto
Alessandro Cartumini, Executive Chef
Red Lantern, Redwood City
Daniel Sudar, Executive Chef
Saratoga Chocolates, Saratoga
Mary Loomas, Chocolatier/Owner
Silks, Mandarin Oriental, San Francisco
Joshua Nudd, Executive Chef
The Village Pub, Woodside
Dmitry Elperin, Executive Chef
Trevese, Los Gatos
Michael Miller, Executive Chef/Owner

TICKET PRICE(S) : $175/150 members

Tickets available through the Box Office, (408) 961-5858

South Bay Premiere! Kevin Puts' Brand New Quartet for Cypress

By press on WED, MAR 25TH 2009, 12:17 P.M.

Sunday, April 5, 3 pm

Historic Villa

TICKET PRICE(S) : $40/32 members

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS or call the Box Office at (408) 961-5858
Tickets may be purchased onsite at the Montalvo Box Office. Box Office opens one hour prior to all shows.

Kevin Puts (b. 1972), Lento Assai (2009)

Commissioned by the Cypress String Quartet in partnership with the Library of Congress, the Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center and the Lied Center of Kansas.

From Kevin Puts:

Lento Assai was commissioned as part of the Cypress String Quartet's ongoing Call & Response project, a program in which composers write works inspired by the timeless masterpieces of string quartet repertoire. The two works presented to me to study and respond to were Mendelssohn’s Op. 13 and Beethoven’s Op. 135. Like Felix Mendelssohn, who drew deep inspiration from the late quartets of Beethoven and in some cases quoted them literally, I have found a wellspring of ideas flowing from the slow movement of Beethoven's Op. 135 (Lento assai, cantante e tranquillo).

Beethoven begins with the introductory building of a D-flat major chord followed by a haunting melody played by the first violin. The first several minutes of my piece can be heard as an expansion of these two ideas. I begin in exactly the same manner and then elaborate on Beethoven’s opening by continuing to build chords of my own in a “glacially” deliberate manner. Once returning to D-flat, my melody begins like Beethoven’s and then takes its own path.

I also managed to work in a curious “dotted-rhythm” idea in the parallel minor of C-sharp. This serves as the middle section of Beethoven’s piece; in mine it forms the accompanimental basis for an angular melody which contrasts the smoothness and scalar nature of the main melody.

As in several of my recent works, my intention— by way of the meditative quality of much of this piece—was to create a kind of musical refuge for the listener, a temporary place of peace and tranquility. I suspect my continuing desire to pursue this type of expression led me toward this particular moment in a Beethoven masterpiece of many great moments.

Lento Assai was commissioned by the Cypress String Quartet in conjunction with the Lied of Center of Kansas, the Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center and the Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge Foundation in the Library of Congress. It was premiered at the Library of Congress, Washington D.C., on February 6, 2009.

Try and Stop Him: Guitarist Leo Kottke Performs in the Carriage House

By press on WED, MAR 25TH 2009, 12:15 P.M.

Thursday, March 26, 7:30 pm

Carriage House Theatre

TICKET PRICE(S) : $40/30; Members $32/24

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS or call the Box Office at (408) 961-5858

Try and Stop Me. The title of Leo Kottke’s 2004 album encapsulates the spirit of the man himself — profoundly original, a little cantankerous, a deep talking Midwestern raconteur whose quick wit is matched by his astounding virtuosity on the six and 12 string guitars. The Los Angeles Times said, “The never-complacent acoustic guitarist Leo Kottke has been a work in progress for 30 years.”

He is widely known for his innovative finger-picking style, which draws on influences from blues, jazz, and folk music, and his syncopated, polyphonic melodies. Kottke has overcome a series of personal obstacles including partial loss of hearing and a nearly career-ending bout with tendon damage in his hand to emerge as a widely-recognized master of his instrument.

Focusing primarily on instrumental composition and playing, Kottke has sporadically moved in a vocal direction, singing in an unconventional yet expressive baritone. In concert, Kottke intersperses humorous and often bizarre monologues with vocal and instrumental selections from throughout his career, played solo on his signature 6- and 12-string guitars.

Don't miss Boolean Valley before it leaves Montalvo

By press on FRI, FEB 27TH 2009, 3:28 P.M.

Boolean Valley is a room-sized installation comprised of 380 clay objects glazed in a striking compound of cobalt blue, black and silicon carbide. The use of Boolean logic in Tehrani’s architectural practice influenced the artists’ choice to cut the cones in one of 10 places, as well as to compute precisely how the resulting pieces would spread across the floor into an interlocking, landscape pattern. This intriguing piece is currently installed in Montalvo’s Project Space.

Curator Julie Lazar explained the artists’ purpose for the materials used. “Silverman's use of clay refers to the area's agricultural history that becomes more apparent when visitors ambulate around the sculpture. Interestingly, the cobalt blue chemical coloring half the cone and hoop shaped objects is mined in Iran where Terhani was born. The use of silicon as a glazing base alludes to the Valley's role in computer chip innovation. The black and blue motif may comment on both artists' sensitivity to the painful wars being fought in the Middle East. The resulting installation resembles the fluctuating hills and valleys of Montalvo's campus as much as it exploits the design parameters of the arts center’s Project Space gallery.”

Boolean Valley was commissioned to inaugurate a series of 17 contemporary art projects under Montalvo’s newest art-based initiative, AGENCY: The Work of Artists. The initiative is curated by Julie Lazar, an independent curator and director of the International Contemporary Arts Network, and founding curator, then director of experimental programs at MOCA from 1981 – 2000. AGENCY is a focused, thematic series of newly commissioned and existing art projects that explore the subject of interdependence – life's dynamic, reciprocal interplay – from a variety of approaches including family, immigration, the environment, faith, cultural memory and economic globalism. More than 60 artists were invited to participate in AGENCY because of their sensitive, compassionate investigations into relationships among people, places and systems as well as their skillful production of engaging public art, film, sculpture, photography, literature, performance and architecture. For more information on AGENCY, please visit http://montalvoarts.org/agency.

What's your idea of A Perfect Day?

By press on FRI, FEB 27TH 2009, 3:24 P.M.

Saturday, April 4, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Inspired by painter, dancer, choreographer, theater director and children's book author/illustrator Remy Charlip’s most recent picture book, A Perfect Day (published by Greenwillow Books), includes a range of activities for all families. Enjoy performances by Zaccho and AXIS Dance Companies, book workshops, storytime for kids and hike and picnic on the spectacular Montalvo grounds and trails. The celebration mirrors "a perfect day's" activities lovingly depicted in watercolor paintings on the pages of Remy’s colorful book.

In a rare appearance, Remy Charlip will be present to sign copies of his books.

TICKET PRICE(S) : $20 per car/30 after March 25; $5 person

Tickets available through Montalvo's Box Office: 408.961.5858

No Photography Allowed : Banned photos are focus of next AGENCY Installation

By press on FRI, FEB 27TH 2009, 3:18 P.M.

Julia Meltzer and David Thorne’s installation, In Possession of a Picture (2009), consists of a series of 50 photographic diptychs about incidents in which people have been stopped, questioned, detained or arrested for photographing particular sensitive sites in the United States (such as bridges, casinos, banks, landmarks or tourist attractions) or in which people were detained for other reasons and subsequently found to be in possession of videotapes or photographs of these same sites.

The images in question are not publicly available nor do the artists have access to them; they only have knowledge of where the incidents took place. Each diptych refers to a particular occurrence. The site itself – examples include Disneyland, downtown Atlanta, and the J.P. Morgan Chase building in Dallas – is represented by an image selected from the millions of available pictures circulating on the Internet. The unavailable image – the picture that someone was found to be in possession of – is represented by a vacant rectangle with a simple black border that defines a space into which audiences can project anything.

AGENCY kicks off with Peter Sellars

By press on FRI, FEB 6TH 2009, 7 P.M.

Sellars is renowned worldwide for his innovative treatments of classical material from western and non-western traditions, and for his commitment to exploring difficult human challenges like terrorism, poverty, slavery, genocide and civil war and their aftermaths, and the role of the arts in contemporary society. Through films screened at Montalvo made by directors of seven different nationalities and commissioned for the 2006 New Crowned Hope Festival in Vienna, Sellars gives voice to artists living where "the need is to somehow turn the page of history, and where acts of mercy, imagination, and negotiation are the only hope."

The films from the New Crowned Hope series will be screened every Tuesday from March 10 to April 14 at 7:30 p.m. The seven directors and their films are:

:: March 10 – Garin Nugroho, (Indonesia), Opera Jawa

:: March 17 - Bahman Ghobadi, (Kurdistan), Half Moon

:: March 24 - Apichatpong Weerasethakul, (Thailand), Syndromes and a Century

:: March 31 - Tsai Ming-Liang, (China), I Don't Want to Sleep Alone

:: April 7 - Mahamat-Saleh Haroun, (West Africa), Dry Season

:: April 14 - Paz Encina, (Paraquay), Paraguayan Hammock

:: April 14 - Teboho Mahlatsi, (South Africa), Meokgo and the Stickfighter

Tickets are available through Montalvo's Box Office: 408.961.5858

First Music Jury at Montalvo: A successful and talented verdict on residencies for musicians, composers and sound artists

By press on MON, JAN 26TH 2009, 12:46 P.M.

Music curator and composer Wayne Horvitz organized an accomplished roster of nominators for Montalvo’s first music jury, most of whom are Bay Area locals. It was their responsibility to nominate artists who , at this point in their careers, could benefit professionally from a residency program. Many of the artists nominated were interested in working closely with Montalvo Arts Center in outreach activities, professional master classes and performances. Members of this distinguished jury include Charlton Lee of Del Sol String Quartet; Joan Jeanrenaud, former member of Kronos Quartet and past Montalvo resident; Geoffe Gallegos (Double G), conductor of the daKAH Hip Hop Orchestra in Los Angeles, composer and AGENCY artist; and more.

The jury met for two full days to review the work samples received and in the end selected 24 artists who will receive the award of time in-residence at Montalvo. Winners will be announced in February. Stay tuned!

Slow Food Nation: Montalvo Culinary Fellow Participating in Yerba Buena event in San Francisco

By press on MON, JAN 26TH 2009, 12:43 P.M.

Special Event: Slow Food Nation & Montalvo Arts Center
All In This Tea and Rabbits and Wrinkles Screening & Reception
Sat, Feb 7 6:30 pm :: YBCA Screening Room & Grand Lobby
$20 General / $15 YBCA Members

Slow Food Nation, Montalvo Arts Center and Djerassi Resident Artists Program come together for a “Slow” Film presentation guest curated by Montalvo Arts Center Culinary Fellow Katherine Greenwald. Join Bay Area-based filmmakers Les Blank and Gina Leibrecht for a screening of All In This Tea, a film about China’s rare tea varieties and cultivation. The feature will be preceded by a short film from chef/filmmaker Jessica Theroux's mixed media collection, Rabbits and Wrinkles: A Year in Italian Kitchens, and followed by a conversation moderated by Dale Djerassi, Founding Trustee of the Djerassi Resident Artists Program.

Then enjoy a reception featuring a film-inspired menu designed by Katherine Greenwald and presented in collaboration with Montalvo Arts Center’s former Culinary Fellow Jessie Benthien.

Visit the YBCA website for more information.

Boolean Valley Opens at Montalvo This Friday

By press on MON, JAN 26TH 2009, 12:39 P.M.

:: Opening Reception: Friday, Jan 30, 5:00 - 7:00 pm

:: Project Space at Montalvo Arts Center

Boolean Valley: The Geometry of Clay

By Ariel Swartley

Watching the slide show that Adam Silverman, a potter, and Nader Tehrani, a professor of architecture, presented at the opening of Boolean Valley was a little like watching a bullet train and a handcar speed toward each other on the same track. Images of Tehrani’s airy room-size projects—empyrean geometries worked out in thin-pressed wood or pleated plastic—alternated with close-ups of Silverman’s earthy, hand–thrown pots. Yes, they both trained as architects, but what sort of collaborative construction would meld their skills?

The answer came in a sketch from one of their planning sessions. (Several of these drawings accompany the installation.) Silverman pointed to a line of circular shapes, graduated in height. These, he explained, represented the basic output of a potter’s wheel: platters, bowls, columns. Grouped in a row, their stair-step ascent suggested a curve. Or, as Tehrani put it, there was now a horizon line. Ah. Mud meets mathematics. The windows may not have rattled, but the drawing, like a seismographic record, marks the moment when their allusive Valley took shape.

Their joint effort also introduces AGENCY: The Work of Artists, Montalvo’s yearlong series of pieces and performances exploring the theme of interdependence. Composed of nearly 200 identical clay pots--each sliced into two parts and nowhere more than knee high—Boolean Valley presently occupies a pair of adjoining galleries at the San Jose Museum of Art. From the beginning, then, we too can choose how to approach it. Arriving from the museum’s central hall we promptly encounter the terrain’s darkest and steepest aspect: a glittering headland of black, bullet-nosed spires. Entering from the opposite direction, we see instead its varying contours, the luxuriant interplay of blues and grays. Neither, of course, is the definitive view.

The installation consists of two basic shapes. One thrusts upward, the other spreads outward--the artists call them domes and hoops. Other names could be applied: missiles and craters, males and females, ones and zeros. Like all valleys, this one is formed by a specific arrangement of opposing forces. Slicing the pots at several carefully determined midpoints added another variable: height. Yet despite their derivation from a single prototype—call it a geometric ancestor—the objects before us are a mass of quirky individuation. Swollen, pitted, bubbled, and swirled, the surfaces vary in luster and hue; they show the marks of their manufacture and traces of the weather on the day they were glazed.

From the beginning Tehrani, Iranian by birth, knew he wanted one of the glazes to be cobalt. He responded to it, says Silverman, “because it’s a homeland color.” The mineral has been coloring Persian enamel for 5000 years. Silicon carbide, visible as a dull gray on some of the pots, is another story. As the source material for semi-conductors, its connection with the real Silicon Valley is evident. Recent history might lead us to see the two chemicals as emblems of warring interests, but in Boolean Valley they’re allies. Silverman has long used silicon carbide as an aesthetic wild card. Fired with cobalt or black, it produces his glazes’ distinctive craters and lumps. “When you collaborate,” Tehrani told a questioner, “you don’t want someone like you.” It’s from collisions of minds and methodologies, from unpredictable reactions, from accidents, he was suggesting, that new worlds arise.

About Ariel Swartley

Ariel Swartley lives in Los Angeles and writes about contemporary and uncontemporary culture. Her essays on music, fiction, garden design, comics, art, culinary history, radio, film and ethnobotany have appeared in Los Angeles magazine, Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, Boston Phoenix and Rolling Stone.

The Bad Plus Plays Great Jazz at Montalvo

By press on MON, JAN 26TH 2009, 12:38 P.M.

Don’t miss The Bad Plus with Wendy Lewis at Montalvo’s Carriage House Theatre on Thursday, March 5, 7:30 p.m.

For the better part of a decade, the progressive jazz trio known as The Bad Plus have been stirring up a musical stew that defies easy description. Drawing on sources as diverse as classical, jazz, rock, pop and beyond, they have created a singular aesthetic that forces even the most skeptical listener to rethink the commonly held notions of what differentiates one style of music from another.

Following the release of Prog, described by Billboard as “easily the most likable and listenable jazz album of 2007,” the trio wanted to try some new ideas and broaden their musical concept. To that end, bassist Reid Anderson, pianist Ethan Iverson and drummer David King take a giant step forward with the Feb. 3, release of For All I Care. Simultaneously, Heads Up will release a limited-edition LP including two bonus tracks – a cover of U2’s “New Year’s Day” and an original piece by Anderson entitled “You And I Is A Comfort Zone.”

A mix of highly familiar rock and pop pieces alongside some not-so-familiar 20th century classical compositions, For All I Care represents the band’s egalitarian approach to all forms of music, regardless of source, genre or style. To their way of thinking, quality and integrity can be found at any point along the continuum.

“The 20th century is filled with music by great composers, but it’s a mistake to assume that all of those composers are limited to classical or jazz or other types of music that are commonly considered to be ‘high art,’” says Iverson. “There were rock and pop songwriters of that same period whose work was just as significant as the work of the classical composers. They’re all part of a continuum of great music, and as such, they’re all worthy of recognition and respect. That’s what this record is about – recognizing the value of every aspect of 20th century music, regardless of the genres in which their composers specialized.”

The album also marks the first Bad Plus recording to include a guest vocalist as the fourth instrument in its sonic arsenal. Wendy Lewis, a longtime associate of The Plus and a fixture in the Minneapolis alt rock scene, steps in and takes the trio’s ongoing experimental ride to a new level of exploration and sophistication.

But For All I Care is more than just an album pairing a singer with a backing band. The recording is inspired in part by the collaborative recording by John Coltrane and vocalist Johnny Hartman, released in 1963. “Coltrane’s quartet had already developed a group language, and then they enlisted this incredible singer without changing the language of the band,” says King. “In that same sense, this is still very much a Bad Plus record. We just happen to have a great singer singing the songs with us.”

In the midst of The Bad Plus’ characteristically unconventional approach, Lewis strove to avoid theatrics and let the lyrics and melodies speak for themselves. Paradoxically, her sense of understatement is in fact a solid addition to the band’s sound. “I’ve really kept it sort of simple and straightforward,” says Lewis. “I can do the vocal gymnastics, but for this project, I chose to just sing the songs. We’re all improvisers in our own way, but I’ve always been a fan of Frank Sinatra, because he just sings the song. There’s something about that approach to this record that just felt right. I just let the melodies be what they are. I didn’t have to mess with them to make them exciting.”

Montalvo Welcomes Interim Executive Director Nancy Glaze

By press on WED, NOV 26TH 2008, 1:21 P.M.

Montalvo Appoints Nancy Glaze as Interim Executive Director

SARATOGA, Calif. – Montalvo Arts Center is pleased to announce the appointment of Nancy Glaze as Interim Executive Director starting November 10. Glaze will provide organizational leadership and operational oversight for Montalvo as the organization conducts a search for a permanent Executive Director. She was previously the Arts Program Director at the David and Lucile Packard Foundation and brings a long-standing familiarity with Montalvo’s history and arts programming to this position.

Montalvo’s previous Executive Director, Robert Sain, resigned in September. Sain spearheaded Montalvo’s adoption of a new artistic mission that defined the organization as a regionally significant contemporary arts center. In her capacity as Interim Executive Director, Glaze will work with Montalvo trustees, staff and consulting firm AlbertHall&Associates to establish a sustainable business plan for the organization.

Montalvo’s Board president, Charmaine Warmenhoven stated, “Nancy will be an asset to our organization as we move through this transitional time, helping us stabilize our financial model through a balanced arts program, while providing an experienced arts organization perspective and leadership to our staff and board.”

Nancy holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and education from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington. Nancy is coauthor, with Dr. Thomas Wolf, of And the Band Stopped Playing…The Rise and Fall of the San Jose Symphony. She is on the Executive Committee for Americans for Arts and is a Board member for the San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art.

The Montalvo board of trustees serves as the governing body for Saratoga-based nonprofit Montalvo Arts Center. For a complete list of board members, please see the Trustees page of our Web site.

Plan on shopping on Amazon.com? Click through Montalvo and support Arts Education!

By press on WED, NOV 26TH 2008, 1:18 P.M.

If you're thinking of shopping for the holidays on Amazon.com, please consider making your gifts count twice by making your Amazon purchases through Montalvo's Amazon Associate account. It's free for you, and Amazon will donate up to 15% of your purchase to Montalvo, which will go towards the center's arts education in schools programs.

It's free, it's easy and if you're already going to be on Amazon.com, why not start with Montalvo? Click here for details.

Classic Sundays at the Villa

By press on WED, NOV 26TH 2008, 1:09 P.M.

Click here for tickets to the Dec. 7 performance!

Program information:

Benjamin Lees (1924 - ), String Quartet No.6
I. Measured, dolorous
II. Calm, steady
III. Quiet, eerie
IV. Unhurried

The String Quartet No. 6 was commissioned by the Cypress String Quartet and completed Jan. 29, 2005. The work comprises four movements.

A composer’s fingerprint always remains the same no matter how different one work is from another, nor how many years separate each piece. The genre may range from orchestral pieces to piano concerti to operas. No matter. The fingerprint is there.

In each of the four movements there are unexpected turns and resolutions, as in an O. Henry story. The opening of the first movement is dark, agitated, with no hint of a sudden lyrical subject that seems to appear quite without preparation. A slight development leads to a section that is quite intense, then back again to a quieter episode. The movement gains momentum with sharply accented passages and ends quite forcefully.

Movement Two is introduced with a series of quiet, calm chords. A subject in the cello is picked up by the other three instruments, and the development that follows dissolves into an episode of sharp accents. A somewhat whimsical subject appears, leading gradually to the elements of the quieter opening and then to the calm, sustained chords.

The Third movement, marked Quiet, Eerie is quite short. Sudden outbursts are followed by flecks of pizzicatti. Quick legato passages whiz by in a unison pianissimo, rise suddenly to a fortissimo, and ends the movement on a triple pianissimo played pizzicato by all four players.

Movement Four springs a few surprises. The cello opens with a calm, unhurried statement and is joined by the first violin. An unexpected outburst brings on a restatement of the cello line. Then, another outburst and another restatement, only this time a totally different element appears, a burlesca. All four instruments engage in a prolonged tongue-in-cheek exchange until the broad outlines of the opening statement appear, this time giving way to a somewhat faster call and response exchange. The final outlines of the drive to the end appear in the form of turbulent string passages that gather momentum, becoming motoric, more violent, and finally come to the climax, observing the marking in the score, "as fast as possible."

Ernest Bloch (1880-1959), Paysages and In The Mountains

Paysages (Landscapes)
North
Alpestre
Tongataboo

In the Mountains
Dusk
Rustic Dance

Ernest Bloch was born in Switzerland of Jewish parents and became an American citizen in 1924. He wrote his First String Quartet in 1916 in Geneva, but waited until 1923 to revisit the form. In 1923-24 he wrote two short pieces, “Prelude” and “Night” for Quartet and also two sets of short pieces for Quartet, “Paysages” and “In the Mountains.”

“Paysages” (Landscapes) were written between December 8-13, 1923 in Cleveland, Ohio and were dedicated to “My dear friend Carl Engel.” Engel was a pianist and composer who also served as the Chief of the Music Division of the Library of Congress.

The first of the pieces, “North,” is based on the silent film documentary of Robert Flaherty called Nanook of the North. This 56-minute long, 35-mm film was enormously popular when it was released in 1922 and follows the family of Nanook, an Inuit hunter from the Hudson Bay, through the everyday struggles of the Eskimo. The film shows the austere, unblemished landscape of ice and snow that make up the setting for the story. The second piece, “Alpestre,” is an homage to Bloch’s own “dear mountains of the Alps.” The final piece in the set, “Tongataboo,” is based on the South Pacific Island.

The pieces were premiered in February 1924 in Florida by the Flonzaley Quartet.

In 1924, Bloch again returned to the string quartet form. He composed a sketch entitled “Dusk” in Cleveland on March 30, 1924 and in Santa Fe on November 26, 1924, added a second sketch called “Rustic Dance.” Bloch grouped these two sketches together under the title “In the Mountains” (Haute Savoie). They were dedicated to Bloch’s cousin, Leon Goetschel, and were not premiered until 1937 by the Gordon String Quartet. Bloch did not compose another piece for string quartet again until his String Quartet # 2 in 1945.

95-Year Old Blues Veteran Graces Montalvo's Stage This November

By press on THU, OCT 9TH 2008, 9:30 A.M.

Pinetop Perkins may be the only blues artist alive today who can claim direct lineage to the Mississippi and Chicago blues heritage. Like Otis Spann, whom he replaced in the Muddy Waters band in 1969, Pinetop takes the most European of instruments, the piano, and turns it on its head making it growl and moan as deeply as any guitar or blues harp.

Born Willie Perkins in Belzoni, Mississippi, in 1913, Pinetop started out playing guitar and piano at house parties and honky-tonks, but dropped the guitar in the 1940s after sustaining a serious injury in his left arm. Perkins worked primarily in the Mississippi Delta throughout the 1930s and ‘40s, spending three years with harpist Sonny Boy Williamson on the King Biscuit Time radio show on KFFA in Helena, Arkansas. He also toured extensively with slide guitar player Robert Nighthawk and backed him on an early session at Chess Records. After briefly working with B.B. King in Memphis, Perkins barnstormed the South with Earl Hooker during the early ‘50s. The pair completed a session for Sam Phillips’ famous Sun Records in 1953. It was at this session that Perkins recorded his version of Pinetop Smith’s “Pinetop’s Boogie.”

Still, with the exception of his recent solo successes, Perkins is otherwise best known for holding down the piano chair in the great Muddy Waters Band for twelve years during the zenith of Muddy’s career. Replacing Otis Spann in 1969, Perkins helped shape Muddy’s sound and anchored his memorable blues combo throughout the ‘70s with his brilliant solo work. In 1980, Pinetop and other Waters alumni struck out on their own and formed the Legendary Blues Band. The group recorded two records for Rounder and toured extensively.

Perkins, who had been labeled a sideman throughout most of his career, eventually left the Legendary Blues Band to concentrate on a solo career. Within two years, he made his first domestic recording as a frontman, and maintained an impressive touring schedule. Since launching his solo career, he has been featured on many nationally syndicated news and music shows, and has appeared in numerous movie productions and TV and radio ads. He has also headlined nearly every major showcase room in North America and most of the major festivals around the world.

Ironically, Perkins waited for his eighth decade to blossom as a headliner, releasing fifteen solo records in fifteen years beginning in 1992. Born in the Delta, his Telarc debut, documented an amazing historical figure and offered an abundance of entertainment value for contemporary audiences. On his 1998 release, Legends, Perkins collaborated with master blues guitarist Hubert Sumlin. Together they blended the traditional delta blues sound with modern electric blues rock, showcasing the timeless spirit and energy of this inherently American art form. Both CDs – Born in the Delta and Legends – were nominated for GRAMMY Awards in 1997 and 2000, respectively. These were followed by a 2005 GRAMMY nomination for Ladies Man, released on MC Records.

Other awards and accolades include a National Heritage Fellowship in 2000 from the National Endowment for the Arts. He was a consistent annual winner of the Blues Foundation’s Blues Music Award for Best Piano Player until 2003, when he was retired from the award, which now bears the name Pinetop Perkins Piano Player of the Year Award. In 2005, he was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual GRAMMY Awards. He was featured in the Piano Blues documentary, an installment directed by Clint Eastwood for the Martin Scorsese PBS series, The Blues.

In 2007, still on the road in his 94th year, Pinetop Perkins’ unique life was chronicled in Peter Carlson’s biographical documentary DVD, Born in the Honey. The documentary package includes a live CD with a rare studio outtake track.

In 2008, he recorded Pinetop Perkins and Friends, an album of blues standards that includes numerous guest musicians – Eric Clapton, B.B. King, Jimmy Vaughan, Nora Jean Bruso, and many others. The album was released on June 3, just a few weeks before Perkins’ 95th birthday.

San Francisco Artist Brings Her Work to the Project Space

By press on WED, OCT 8TH 2008, 9:47 A.M.

Susannah Bettag has exhibited her work in New York, Los Angeles and Hong Kong. She has also been featured in 7x7 and Art Ltd magazines and appeared on KQED’s Spark. Now she brings her most ambitious installation thus far to Montalvo's Project Space gallery and you are invited to the opening reception and artist talk!

Drowning Without You features a frequent character in Bettag's paintings - her adorable "Little Boo" doll. The installation features approximately 1,400 vinyl doll Boos spilling from the ceiling in a massive hourglass-shaped swarm.

Join us on Sunday, Oct. 26, from 5 - 7 p.m. at Montalvo's Project Space Gallery for a 30-minute informal lecture on Drowning Without You and the trajectory of her art practice in general, followed by Q&A with the audience. Refreshments and snacks will be served.

Meet Montalvo's Newest Culinary Fellow!

By press on FRI, OCT 3RD 2008, 3:54 P.M.

Montalvo is pleased to introduce Kitty, our 2009 culinary fellow. If you read Real Simple magazine, you'll recognize her name - most recently, she was a recipe developer for the publication. We are thrilled to have her join our residency program and can't wait to see what she cooks up!

Kitty is not only an experienced chef, but has also enjoyed a career as a writer. She has developed and written recipes for a number of publications, including Desktak, a Portuguese daily publication that boasted second-highest circulation in the country; A Volta Ao Mundo/Arroz Pato Real, in which she created and tested Indian-inspired basmati recipes for a travel article; Evasoes, a high-end lifestyle magazine in Portugal, where she created and tested two birthday cake recipes for a Nestle sponsored advertisement, and much more.

Kitty has worked at many restaurants throughout her career, most recently in 2007 as the consulting head chef responsible for orders, menus, records, management, preparation and plating at a restaurant in Lisbon, Portugal. Previous to that she was a visiting cook and pastry chef at a restaurant in France. Kitty has also developed recipes for Destak, a Portuguese daily publication as well as writing an publishing the text of the recipe. Kitty started her career in food with her own catering company in 2003. She also has experience in film and television.

Cypress String Quartet Returns to the Historic Villa!

By press on FRI, OCT 3RD 2008, 11:39 A.M.

Spend your Sundays at Montalvo! Intimate classical concerts in the historic Villa return with another Salon Series from the Cypress String Quartet, a group that is poised at the leading edge of chamber music with uncompromising performances and a commitment to making meaningful connections with audiences. Formed in 1996, the members of the quartet; Cecily Ward, Tom Stone, Ethan Filner and Jennifer Kloetzel have shown an unfailing dedication to exploring the masterworks of the time-honored, classic chamber music repertoire with its unique and refreshingly open sound. This year the series is made up of four concerts dedicated to late Beethoven, exploring the music he wrote during his most trying and inventive creative period; and four "From the Artist's Studio," which takes a closer look at what inspirations drive a composer’s creativity.

Here's the full program:

The Cypress String Quartet
Sundays, 3 pm

The Cypress String Quartet returns to Montalvo for its popular Salon Series. Since its inception in 1996, the Cypress has performed to great acclaim worldwide. Their repertoire ranges from the familiar masterpieces of the Baroque and classical periods to recent works by contemporary composers. The Cypress continues its acclaimed exploration of Beethoven's quartets with the "Late Beethoven Continued" series and looks at how visual art has inspired composers with the "From the Artists Studio" series. The Cypress honors the rich tradition of chamber music by embodying the idealism, integrity and dedication from which the art form was born. Join musicians Cecily Ward and Tom Stone (violins), Ethan Filner (viola), and Jennifer Kloetzel (cello) in this interactive concert.

Late Beethoven Continued:

Oct 26 - Beethoven Quartet Opus 130 with Grosse Fuga
March 15, 2009 - Mozart Quartet K 575
May 17 - Beethoven Quartet Opus 127
June 7 - Beethoven Quartet Opus 135

From the Artist's Studio

Nov 16 - Debussy String Quartet; Jennifer Higdon Quiet Art
Dec 7 - Ernest Block Landscapes; Benjamin Lees Quartet No. 6
Jan 25, 2009 - George Tsontakis Quartet No. 5
April 5 - Kevin Puts: South Bay premiere of brand new quartet written for Cypress

$40/32 members each recital or purchase entire series and receive 20% discount from non-member price!

Click here to learn more and purchase tickets.

Newly Appointed U.S. Poet Laureate Kay Ryan at Montalvo

By press on FRI, SEP 5TH 2008, 9:33 A.M.

Thu, Oct 23, 7:30 pm, Carriage House

This event is free, reservations required through Montalvo Box Office ($10 suggested donation at the door.). Call 408.961.5858 for more information and visit the event site for more information.

Kay Ryan was born in California in 1945 and obtained degrees from UCLA. She has published several collections of poetry including The Niagara River (Grove Press, 2005); Say Uncle (2000); and Flamingo Watching (1994), a finalist for the Lamont Poetry Selection and the Lenore Marshall Prize.

In her poems Ryan enjoys re-examining the beauty of everyday phrases and mining the cracks in common human experience. Unlike many poets writing today, she seldom writes in the first person. She has said, "I don’t use ‘I’ because the personal is too hot and sticky for me to work with. I like the cooling properties of the impersonal." In her poem "Hide and Seek," for instance, she describes the feelings of the person hiding without ever saying, "I am hiding":

It’s hard not
to jump out
instead of
waiting to be
found. It’s
hard to be
alone so long
and then hear
someone come
around. It’s
like some form
of skin’s developed
in the air
that, rather
than have torn,
you tear.

She describes poetry as an intensely personal experience for both the writer and the reader: "Poems are transmissions from the depths of whoever wrote them to the depths of the reader. To a greater extent than with any other kind of reading, the reader of a poem is making that poem, is inhabiting those words in the most personal sort of way. That doesn’t mean that you read a poem and make it whatever you want it to be, but that it’s operating so deeply in you, that it is the most special kind of reading."

Ryan’s poems are characterized by the deft use of unusual kinds of slant and internal rhyming–which she has referred to as "recombinant rhyme"–in combination with strong, exact rhymes and even puns. The poems are peppered with wit and philosophical questioning and rely on short lines, often no more than two to three words each. She has said of her ascetic preferences, "An almost empty suitcase–that’s what I want my poems to be. A few things. The reader starts taking them out, but they keep multiplying." Because her craft is both exacting and playfully elastic, it is possible for both readers who like formal poems and readers who like free verse to find her work rewarding.

Patience

Patience is
wider than one
once envisioned,
with ribbons
of rivers
and distant
ranges and
tasks undertaken
and finished
with modest
relish by
natives in their
native dress.
Who would
have guessed
it possible
that waiting
is sustainable—
a place with
its own harvests.
Or that in
time's fullness
the diamonds
of patience
couldn't be
distinguished
from the genuine
in brilliance
or hardness.

Sonic Youth founder Kim Gordon at Montalvo for independent project

By press on THU, SEP 4TH 2008, 4:17 P.M.

Kim Gordon has been busy! Between her visual arts projects, appearances with her bands and launching a new line of cool clothing for women called Mirror/Dash, she'll be performing at Montalvo one night only for the world premiere of a collaboration with laptop artist Ikue Mori and harp innovator Zeena Parkins plus special guests.

World Premiere! Kim Gordon Meets Phantom Orchard plus guests:

The Song Project featuring Ikue Mori, Zeena Parkins and special guests bassist Trevor Dunn (Mr. Bungle, John Zorn, Fantomas) and drummer Yoshimi (The Boredoms).

Fri, Sept 26, 8pm, Carriage House Theatre

Rich in details. Vital and immediate. Innovative, beautiful and dangerous. The Song Project brings together for the first time the talents of important contributors to the current alternative music scene from the United States and Japan. Kim Gordon collaborates with Phantom Orchard: laptop artist Ikue Mori and harp innovator Zeena Parkins to create and premiere in concert a set of new songs. The artists are developing the project in part as fellows of Montalvo Arts Center’s Lucas Artists Programs residency. Check out Kim Gordon's recent video interview with Nylon Magazine, where she discusses her career, creativity, limitations, dreams and fascination with visual art and how it inspires her creatively. Tickets & Video...

Enjoy Family Theatre at Montalvo!

By press on THU, SEP 4TH 2008, 2:57 P.M.

Montalvo’s family theatre series continues this season, with six new shows in the intimate Carriage House Theatre. Bring your children to witness the adventures of Pippi Longstocking, hear a family concert by Trout Fishing in America, and see exciting puppetry in The Velveteen Rabbit, Beyond the Beanstalk (The Jack Tales), and Two Tales of Beatrix Potter.

Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia: The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Other Eric Carle Favourites

Sun, Nov 2, 1 pm & 3 pm, Carriage House

Closely following the books from which they were adapted, these charming vignettes tell the tale of Eric Carle’s most beloved characters, including the wonderful story of The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s metamorphosis into a beautiful butterfly; the fanciful account of Little Cloud’s travels through the sky; and the Mixed-up Chameleon’s discovery of his own unique nature. Enchanting readers for generations, these whimsical tales combine Eric Carle’s colorful collages with masterful puppetry and music, creating a truly memorable event for audience members of all ages.

All ages, especially recommended for ages 4-7.

The Velveteen Rabbit

Sun, Nov 30, 1 pm & 3 pm, Carriage House

"When a child loves you for a long, long time...then you become real." So says the Horse to the Velveteen Rabbit in Margery Williams' famous and much-loved literary classic. A plush rabbit, given as a gift to a young boy, yearns for the day the boy will choose him as his special playmate so that he can become real. This innovative production combines the theatrical magic and signature style of Enchantment Theatre with the musical magic of Tony, Emmy and Grammy Award-Winning Composer/Arranger Don Sebesky. With an original musical score, life-sized puppets, masks and magic, Enchantment Theatre Company brings to life this charming tale of love and devotion, creating an unforgettable theatrical experience for the whole family.

Trout Fishing in America

Sat, Feb 7, 2009 11 am & 1 pm, Carriage House Theatre

Trout Fishing in America’s sophisticated and infectious mix of folk/pop and family music is tempered by the diverse influences of reggae, Latin, blues, jazz and classical music. Inspired by daily occurrences – from an ice-cream man who will “fill the cup all the way to the bottom,” to the similarities between playing at a day-care center and a prison, from odes to friends whom we love despite the fact they talk to much, to alien nose invasions – Keith Grimwood (bass) and Ezra Idlet (guitar) use humor to animate the acoustic folk tradition, creating songs “so fresh they practically wiggle.” – Disney’s Family Fun magazine

Two Tales of Beatrix Potter: Jemima Puddle-Duck and The Story of a Fierce Bad Rabbit

Sun, March 8, 1 pm & 3 pm, Carriage House Theatre

Absent-minded Jemima Puddle-Duck takes flight on a fine spring day in search of a place to lay her eggs, and meets a handsome foxy-whiskered gentleman who invites her to lay her eggs in his shed. She travels back and forth for many days and nights, laying eggs in the gentleman's hovel. One day, the foxy-whiskered gentleman suggests that they should have dinner together and sends her shopping for some herbs and an onion. Little does she know he is planning to have duck soup for dinner! In The Story of A Fierce Bad Rabbit, the Fierce Bad Rabbit and the Nice Gentle Rabbit argue over the ownership of a carrot. The Fierce Bad Rabbit takes the carrot without even saying please! After a brief skirmish with a Hunter, the Fierce Bad Rabbit lives to regret his bad manners. Hudson Vagabond Puppets uses larger-than-life bunraku-style puppets to bring to life these cherished tales by Beatrix Potter.

American Family Theater: Pippi Longstocking

Sun, March 29, 1 pm & 3 pm, Carriage House Theatre

Pippilotta Delicatessa Windowshade Macrelmint Ephraim’s Daughter Longstocking – or Pippi for short – lives by herself with a horse and a monkey in an old abandoned villa. Her father is a pirate, her mother is in heaven, and she is the strongest girl in the world. Pippi’s life is full of adventure: exploring the carnival, defending her home from thieves, and eluding Mrs. Prysselius and the Child Welfare Board. But, when her father Captain Longstocking returns from his voyage, will Pippi choose to stay in the villa alone, or to join her father on the pirate ship? American Family Theater’s production of Astrid Lindren’s popular children’s story brings this most outrageous redhead to life in an enjoyable performance for the whole family.

Das Puppenspiel Puppet Theatre: Beyond the Beanstalk (The Jack Tales)

Sun, Apr 26, 1 pm & 3 pm, Carriage House Theatre

Das Puppenspiel takes a step beyond the familiar Jack and the Beanstalk to present a series of tales handed down by storytellers over many years. Originating in England and later coming to the Appalachian region of America, The Jack Tales feature simple but clever Jack, who lands himself into all kinds of adventures in his travels. Large, beautifully crafted bunraku-style puppets and traditional folk music by professional folk musician and musicologist John Kirk combine to bring new life to this storytelling tradition. Come and be a part of the magic and fun as Beyond the Beanstalk re-introduces audiences to the American folk tradition.

TICKET INFORMATION

$20 adult/10 child; members $16 adult/8 child

Call the Montalvo Box Office at 408-961-5858, Mon-Fri, 11am-4pm or visit ticketmaster.com

Montalvo Announces 08-09 Performance Season!

By press on THU, SEP 4TH 2008, 1:05 P.M.

With 19 shows to choose from, Montalvo's new season kicks off in the Carriage House Theatre on Oct. 2 with a performance by award-winning blues musician Charlie Musselwhite. The season rolls out from there with Richard Thompson, Leo Kottke, Tim O'Brien, Eric Bibb and blues legends Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, James Wheeler and Pinetop Perkins. Plus...The Bad Plus returns after last year's stellar show as does the Cypress String Quartet, with their popular Salon Series in the main hall of the Villa. The upcoming season is a can't-miss!

Here's the full line-up.

2008-09 Performing Arts Series

Charlie Musselwhite

Thu, Oct 2, 7:30 pm, Carriage House
$35/25; Members $28/20

With 22 Blues Music Awards to his credit and eight Grammy nominations, harmonica virtuoso Charlie Musselwhite has truly earned legendary status as one of blues music’s most important artists. Over the years, Musselwhite has released dozens of albums and has contributed to countless others including guesting on Bonnie Raitt's Grammy award-winning Longing In Their Hearts, The Blind Boys of Alabama's Grammy-winning Spirit of the Century, Tom Waits' Mule Variations and even playing the driving harmonica on INXS' Suicide Blonde. His brash, blues/rock rebel vibe was Dan Aykroyd's inspiration for his Elwood Blues persona, and has earned him the admiration and respect of his own heroes: Howlin' Wolf, John Lee Hooker and Muddy Waters.

Benefit! David Benoit Celebrates Montalvo w/ Opener Dan St. Paul

Fri, Oct 3, 6:30 pm dinner & live auction, Villa
Concert 8:30 pm, Carriage House
$250 ($200 tax-deductible)

Pianist and composer David Benoit, who has been called a “passionate musical innovator,” performs a gala benefit concert at Montalvo in support of its arts and education programs. His latest record, Heroes, pays tribute to those who have inspired him, and Montalvo announces this performance as a way to pay tribute to its heroes – the long-time supporters of the organization. The program features fresh, exuberant spins on classic songs by legendary pop, rock and jazz artists and original compositions. Benoit is a friend of the arts center – he has performed here numerous times and is a fellow of the organization’s artist residency, including its education program. Comedian Dan St. Paul opens.

Poetry Center San Jose & Montalvo present Poet Laureate Kay Ryan

Thu, Oct 23, 7:30 pm, Carriage House
Free, reservations required through Montalvo Box Office ($10 suggested donation at the door.)

Montalvo welcomes the Library of Congress' 16th Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry Kay Ryan to its Carriage House Theatre for an evening of poetry readings, a question and answer session, and book signing. Ryan was born in California in 1945 and obtained degrees from UCLA. She has published several collections of poetry including The Niagara River (Grove Press, 2005); Say Uncle (2000); and Flamingo Watching (1994), a finalist for the Lamont Poetry Selection and the Lenore Marshall Prize. Her awards include the Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize, a Guggenheim fellowship, and four Pushcart Prizes, among others. Her work has been selected four times for The Best American Poetry and she was elected a Chancellor of the Academy of American Poets in 2006.

The Cypress String Quartet

Sundays, 3 pm, Historic Villa
$40/32 members/each recital or receive 20% off the non-member price for entire series (sold through the Montalvo Box Office).

LATE BEETHOVEN CONTINUED
Oct 26 - Beethoven and his epic will: Beethoven Quartet Opus 130 with Grosse Fuga
March 15 - Returning to Beethoven’s roots: Mozart Quartet K 575
May 17 - Freemasonry and the political ideals of Beethoven: Beethoven Quartet Opus 127
June 7 - Ending the comedy of life: Beethoven’s final quartet, Opus 135

FROM THE ARTISTS STUDIO
Nov 16 - Intersection of Music and Visual Art: Debussy String Quartet and Jennifer Higdon Impressions
Dec 7 - Musical Landscapes: Block Landscapes and Lees Quartet No 6
Jan 25 - Montalvo’s January Composer-in-Residence: George Tsontakis Quartet No 5
April 5 - South Bay Premiere: Kevin Puts’ newly commissioned work for the Cypress Quartet
May 17 – Beethoven Quartet Opus 127

The Cypress String Quartet returns to Montalvo for its popular Salon Series. Since its inception in 1996, the Cypress has performed to great acclaim worldwide. Their repertoire ranges from the familiar masterpieces of the Baroque and classical periods to recent works by contemporary composers. The Cypress continues its acclaimed exploration of Beethoven's quartets with the "Late Beethoven Continued" series and looks at how visual art has inspired composers with the "From the Artists Studio" series. The Cypress honors the rich tradition of chamber music by embodying the idealism, integrity and dedication from which the art form was born. Join musicians Cecily Ward and Tom Stone (violins), Ethan Filner (viola), and Jennifer Kloetzel (cello) in this interactive concert.

Laurel & Hardy films with live original scores by Steven Bernstein's Millennial Territory Orchestra

Fri, Nov 7, 8 pm, Carriage House
$35/25 & $20/16 Members

When the orchestra takes the stage and Laurel & Hardy hit the screen, hilarity, along with some astonishing musical invention, ensues. Films: Sugar Daddies, 1927; Double Whoopee, 1929; Wrong Again, 1929.

JC Smith presents The Young Guns featuring Chico Banks, Michael Wheeler and 13 year-old guitar phenomenon “Little Chris”

Fri, Nov 14, 8 pm, Carriage House
$35/25; Members $28/20

2006 Bay Area Blues Society West Coast Blues Band of the Year award-winner JC Smith is an outstanding performer noted for his energy and charisma. Prior to playing guitar, he was the drummer for the Back to Back Blues Band. In 2000, he emerged from behind his drums, armed with a Gibson 335 and has been a force in the Blues world ever since. Guitarist, singer and songwriter Chico Banks is part of the new generation of Chicago blues players who are expanding the boundaries of this often maligned, misunderstood music. For the past decade Michael Wheeler has been making a serious mark in Chicago and the international blues scene. Whether he's playing in Chicago, on television or in Europe, Wheeler plays his heart felt music to the crowd with raw enthusiasm. “Little Chris,” 13 year-old guitar phenomenon, has already shared the stage with legendary performers including Buddy Guy, Ronnie Baker Brooks, The Kinsey Report, Billy Branch and the Sons of Blues - Steepwater Band, Howard and the White Boys, and Funky MojoDaddy. He has performed at the Blues Festival in Chicago, Rosas lounge in Chicago, Leroys Bar and Grill in Porter, Indiana, Buddy Guys Legends in Chicago, and the Shoreline Brewery in Michigan City, Indiana.

JC Smith presents the Legends of Chicago Blues featuring Willie “Big Eyes” Smith,

James Wheeler and Pinetop Perkins
Sat, Nov 15, 8 pm, Q&A 6:30 pm, Carriage House
$40/30; Members $32/24

2006 Bay Area Blues Society West Coast Blues Band of the Year award-winner JC Smith is an outstanding performer noted for his energy and charisma. Prior to playing guitar, he was the drummer for the Back to Back Blues Band. The Back to Back Blues Band released two CDs that were well received by Blues lovers and critics alike. In 2000, he emerged from behind his drums, armed with a Gibson 335. At the tender age of 17, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith ventured to Chicago where he heard Muddy Waters for the first time. Willie was hooked on the blues and the attraction to the music persuaded him to stay in Chicago. Since then he has established his own niche within the tradition of the Delta Blues Sound by co-founding the Legendary Blues Band with Pinetop Perkins, Louis Myers, Calvin Jones, and Jerry Portnoy. James Wheeler never even played an instrument until he moved to Chicago in 1956 at the age of 19, and since then has become a force in the Chicago blues genre, playing with the likes of Otis Clay, the Impressions and Buddy Scott. 95-year old Pinetop Perkins may be the only blues artist alive today who can claim heritage to the direct lineage of Mississippi and Chicago blues. Like Otis Spann, whom he replaced in the Muddy Waters band in 1969, Pinetop take the most European of instruments, the piano, and turns it on its head making it growl and moan as deeply as any guitar or blues harp.

Richard Thompson: Two Very Special All-Request Evenings

Fri, Dec 12, 8 pm; Sat, Dec 13, 8 pm, Carriage House
$40/30; Members $32/24

Named one of the top 20 guitarists of all time by Rolling Stone Magazine, this British folk-rock legend has been an innovative musical force for over 40 years. USA Today called his songs “emotionally complex” noting “[his] guitar work is even more so, by turns sharp and tender, subtle and direct.” Thompson's body of work includes over 60 albums that combine musical virtuosity with poignant, award-winning songwriting. “On electric guitar he's merely brilliant; on acoustic he does things that don't seem humanly possible,” says the San Francisco Chronicle. These shows are acoustic performances.

Richard Thompson: Worksongs, Ballads and Rallying Cries

Sun, Dec 14, 7:30 pm, Carriage House
$40/30; Members $32/24

Richard Thompson presents a program of contemporary and historical songs about the working man and woman, social injustice, and political unrest. This show is unlike anything Richard has ever done anywhere before, anywhere in the world! Wayne Horvitz, Montalvo's Guest Music Curator says, "Richard performs at Montalvo tonight as part of Montalvo's Work, Worries & Revolution series, which explores the intersection of American music - be it blues, songwriters, jazz, classical or experimental forms - with the stories of everyday life and the history of American politics."

The Bad Plus

Thu, March 5, 2009, 7:30 pm, Carriage House
$35/25; Members $28/20

This critically acclaimed jazz trio returns to Montalvo with their intrepid explorations and penchant for humor that defy conventional notions of what jazz should sound like: SF Gate calls the trio “one of the few modern music groups that digs deep beneath the surface of idioms and styles and taps into core aesthetics of both jazz and rock, eschewing ‘fusion’ in favor of something more fundamental and organic.” Rolling Stone magazine noted of their music: "By any standard, jazz or otherwise, it is moving, mighty music...bad to the bone, hot players with hard-rock hearts."

Leo Kottke

Thu, March 26, 7:30 pm
$40/30; Members $32/24

Try and Stop Me. The title of Leo Kottke’s most recent album encapsulates the spirit of the man himself — profoundly original, a little cantankerous, a deep talking Midwestern raconteur whose quick wit is matched by his astounding virtuosity on the six and 12 string guitars. For the past three decades, Kottke has been indefatigable in his pursuit of a unique musical vision that has placed him among the foremost acoustic guitar stylists of our time. The Los Angeles Times said, “The never-complacent acoustic guitarist Leo Kottke has been a work in progress for 30 years.”

Tim O’Brien

Fri, May 1, 8 pm, Carriage House
$35/25; Members $28/20

Tim O’Brien is a Grammy Award-winning American country and bluegrass musician. As co-founder and lead vocalist of Hot Rize, O'Brien served as a bridge between the traditional sounds-of-the-hill country and the modern styles of bluegrass in the 1980s. Since the band's breakup, O'Brien has continued to expand the music's borders as a soloist, a duo partner with his sister Mollie, and with his band, the O'Boys. In addition to singing, he plays guitar, fiddle, mandolin, bouzouki and mandocello. To date, he has released more than 10 studio albums and Billboard Magazine calls him “one of the spearheads of contemporary bluegrass.”

Eric Bibb

Thu, May 14, 7:30 pm, Carriage House
$40/30; Members $32/24

Already enjoying success in Europe, Grammy nominee Eric Bibb is becoming a familiar face - and voice - in the U.S. Nominated for nine W.C. Handy Blues Music Awards and winner of the Best Newcomer title in the British Blues Awards, Bibb has been appropriately described as “discreetly awesome” and “a total original.” As his popularity escalates, earlier comparisons to legendary greats Ry Cooder and Taj Mahal are being replaced by quotes that speak to Bibb's ability to “use standard blues ingredients to cook up something all his own.”

TICKET INFORMATION

Call the Montalvo Box Office at 408-961-5858, Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm or visit ticketmaster.com

Bay Area "jewel" performs in Divide Light

By press on TUE, JUN 3RD 2008, 10:51 A.M.

Bay Area "jewel" performs in Divide Light

The Choral Project is featured in Divide Light, the new opera commissioned by Montalvo, with its premiere on Aug. 13 in the legendary Garden Theatre. The San Jose-based, 48-voice choir has developed an outstanding reputation for performing high-level choral literature and bridging the gap between text and music, singer and spectator. The award-winning ensemble has performed throughout the world in concert performances, receiving rave reviews and standing ovations. The San Jose Mercury News hailed the choir as “a Bay Area jewel,” and says “there is nothing subtle about why this is one of the best choirs you will ever hear.”

Divide Light is the culmination of artist Lesley Dill's life's work and includes many collaborators, sure to make this an evening of unforgettable music and visual art. The Choral Project, joined by the Del Sol String Quartet and three operatic voices, take the audience on a journey of the soul by embodying the sound, the voice and the character of Emily Dickinson, as conceived by visual and performance artist Dill and by composer Richard Marriott. The Choral Project's very own Daniel Hughes (pictured above) serves as the music director for this exciting production. Here's what Lesley Dill had to say about working with The Choral Project:

“As an artist I feel incredibly lucky to work with Daniel Hughes on Divide Light,” said Dill. “His direction of The Choral Project brings a whole new element to the production and his vision for melding opera and multi-voice chorus inspires everyone involved to create a performance unlike anything seen at Montalvo.”

TICKETS: $55/35/20-Student (Members: $44/28/15-Student)

For more information on Divide Light, please visit the Divide Light webpage.

Sleep Under the Stars at Montalvo!

By press on TUE, JUN 3RD 2008, 10:48 A.M.

Montalvo’s annual Starry, Starry Night: Art & Astronomy Slumber Party is open to the community. Coinciding with the beginning of the Perseid meteor showers, this family-friendly event invites you to learn about the vast night skies and the art it inspires. Explore space through contemporary art installations and films, and create art inspired by the heavens with your family, then sleep under the stars on Montalvo's front lawn and wake tobreakfast at the historic Villa.

For all ages, 6 and up
Children under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult
Montalvo members receive 20% off ticket prices

“Round ‘bout 12:30 a.m., I was standing on the lawn, surrounded by sleeping people, listening to them breathe, watching spots of red light thread through the darkness. It was like a beautiful art happening. Maybe it was.” – Steven

“Thanks for letting me and my dad participate this year. It was a really special thing we could do together and we had a great time. I know everyone else did too.” – Nick

“We had a GREAT time and we got to participate in many of the activities. I loved the talks on astrobiology and the 3D sun - The whole thing was just a great experience!” – Bevin

TICKETS: Montalvo Members: $70 adult/40 child/200 family (2 adults & 2 children); Public: $88 adult/50 child/250 family

See the Starry, Starry Night web page for more information!

Imagination Runs Wild at Theatre Camps

By press on TUE, JUN 3RD 2008, 10:20 A.M.

Imagination Runs Wild at Theatre Camps

Children shine during Montalvo's summer Missoula Children's Theatre: Performing Arts Day Camp for youth ages 6-15. Registered youth rehearse their roles throughout the week with professional directors from the country's preeminent children's theatre touring company. Youth gain confidence both on stage and off while participating in age-appropriate performing arts workshops led by local teaching artists. Workshops include voice, dance, set design and drama; all skills are taught throughout the historic Villa and on the Montalvo grounds.

This year’s camps:

Hansel & Gretel, Monday, June 23 - Friday, June 27
Rumpelstiltskin, Monday, July 28 - Friday, August 1

• Ages: 6 (entering First Grade) to age 15
• Tuition: $275 per child
• Montalvo's Family Membership levels and above are eligible for registration in our popular performing arts day camp. Space is limited!

Each week culminates in a public performance in Montalvo's Garden Theatre on Friday at 7pm.

"This was my second year at MCT camp. I came back because last year was so much fun! The improv workshop was the best!” – Avery, age 10

“The children are so fortunate to have this experience in such an exquisite setting. As a teacher of language arts and a parent, I believe wholeheartedly in the value of theatre arts (and the arts in general) in fostering confidence in expression in young people.” – Rebecca, mother of camper

For more information or to register, please call the Montalvo Box Office at 408.961.5858, Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm or email learn@montalvoarts.org.

Not a Montalvo Member? Join today.

Teens Collaborate with Renowned Trumpeter on Evolution 101

By press on TUE, JUN 3RD 2008, 10:15 A.M.

Teens Collaborate with Renowned Trumpeter on Evolution 101

For trumpeter Steven Bernstein, working with the Gunn High School Jazz Band on a world premiere commission was “inspiring.” The Berkeley High School alum wrote Evolution 101 for the Gunn band and rehearsed with them in late spring. Commissioned by Montalvo, the three-part piece incorporates a blend of influences, from early Ray Charles, to Big Band and early swing, to John Coltrane, with a “touch of Nirvana for spice,” he says. Montalvo caught up with Bernstein during a European tour to find out about his Gunn experience.

Montalvo: Can you tell me a little bit about yourself? How did you become interested in music?

Steven Bernstein: I grew up in Berkeley, California. There was a jazz program started at the elementary school I attended by Dr. Herb Wong, Phil Hardymon and Dick Whittington. Mr. Hardymon and Mr. Whittington wrote arrangements to be played by 4-6 graders, and taught improvisation by ear. At the end of 6th grade I joined Peter Apfelbaum's band...we are still playing together.

M: How would you describe your musical style?

SB: Omnivorous…From Louis Armstrong to Sly Stone to Tito Puente to Howling Wolf to Phil Spector and everything in between, to the side, behind, and in the future.

M: You were approached and asked to write a new piece that will be performed at Montalvo by the Gunn High School Jazz Band. Can you tell me what attracted you to the project?

SB: Any writing project attracts me. They say watch out what you wish for, you might get it...I always thought it would be great to get paid to think about music and then put a pencil on score paper. I just bought 6 pencils in Amsterdam yesterday – I’m ready for more.

Also, I have been thinking about jazz education a lot lately, what I could bring to it. And I thought it would be great to introduce the kids to important elements of the jazz tradition that they might not get to experience in the commercially-available arrangements but that I feel are essential to the music…and most importantly, give them room for expression.

M: Can you tell me a little about the piece that you wrote?

SB: The piece is called Evolution 101. It’s in 3 parts. The first is a mix of New Orleans horns, country blues, and early Ray Charles band. The second part is a blend of early Count Basie and the Dizzy Gillespie Big Band as well as a blend of early swing and the swing/be-bop meeting place. The third part is a mix of 12-tone writing with a [John] Coltrane/Woody Shaw-style modal harmony. All building with a good old [Stan] Kenton-style big band climax…with a touch of Nirvana for spice. Each section has some inter-related compositional elements, and there are little unexpected musical devices to keep the students on their toes.

M: What was your experience like working with the teens?

SB: They were as excellent as I expected. But, the students who are in the combo really blew me away – their intensity and knowledge is inspiring.

M: Did the students inspire you or surprise you in any way?

SB: I was surprised and encouraged by the number of female musicians in the band...maybe the world IS getting better.

M: Have you ever had the opportunity to work on a project similar to this?

SB: No, this was my first experience like this.

M: Would you consider taking on a project like this again in the future?

SB: In a New York minute!! But next time I would like to have more time at the high school and I would like see more outreach concerts.

M: Do you have any words of wisdom for the high school students that you worked with or for any other aspiring musicians out there?

SB: I would tell them that you can make a living being a creative human being, that there are no guarantees in life, so follow your dreams. There is no guarantee that you can make a living as a musician, but If you don’t try, it DEFINATELY will not happen. Practice, listen, keep your eyes and ears OPEN. The answer is usually in front of you.

Interview by Lindsey Wylie. Evolution 101 will receive its world premiere this summer. Date and location to be announced. Watch the Montalvo website for information.

Montalvo at 2nd Biennial 01SJ Global Festival of Art on the Edge

By press on THU, MAY 29TH 2008, 9:08 A.M.

See three amazing artist groups straight from Montalvo's Sally and Don Lucas Artists Programs residency at this year's 01SJ Global Festival. As part of FUSE, a research residency initiative between Montalvo and SJSU's CADRE Laboratory for New Media, Red76; Harwood, Wright, Yokokoji, and bulbo premiere art incubated in Silicon Valley at this unique five-day festival in Downtown San Jose. Montalvo Artist-in-Residence Michael Herrman also premieres a new architectural work, Urban Observatory.

Red76; Harwood, Wright, Yokokoji, and bulbo are revolutionizing the way we interact with our communities and the world. These artist groups are a result of Montalvo's partnership with San Jose State University's CADRE Laboratory for New Media. The partnership, named FUSE, began earlier this year - the artists work with CADRE students and have stayed in residence at Montalvo.

Red76 is a Portland-based group that creates atmospheres enabling the public to become highly aware of their immediate surroundings and their day to day activities. Their project, Tool Shed Days, began as an exploration of the possibilities of Second Life as a platform for investigations into radical social histories and the often invisible roles that these histories play within society as a whole. Several projects were developed that resulted in virtual tools for the investigation of various emerging and established social histories. These virtual tools translate to real-life platforms that can be used to stage various acts of resistance.

Harwood, Wright, Yokokoji is an internationally recognized artists group specializing in digital media. Their installation, Tantulum Memorial, is a telephony based memorial to the people who have died as a result of the "coltan wars" in the Congo, which have resulted in 3.8 million deaths and hundreds of thousands of Congolese refugees. Much of this exodus has been caused by political oppression and civil wars over control of the area's natural resources, one of which is coltan. The mineral is mined for the metal tantulum - an essential component of mobile phones that is now more valuable than gold. This work weaves together the ambiguities and consequences of globalization, transnational migration, refugees and the impact of society’s addiction to constant communication. Harwood, Wright, Yokokoji’s work forms a sculptural presence to memorialize the coltan wars by reconstructing a bank of redundant Strowger switches and using them to count the 3.8 million war victims up to the present day.

bulbo is a Tijuana-based collective that explores the possibilities of exchange and collaboration while using broadcast media with constructive aims. Their project focuses on working with at-risk youth in San Jose communities to create a permanent digital media outlet for youth to tell their stories, concerns and ideas, helping better their communities. Bulbo has partnered with CommUniverCity San Jose – an organization collaborating with San Jose State University and communities Five Wounds/Brookwood Terrace to successfully establish priorities and goals for the residents, which include improving quality of life, building community, and engaging all participants in civic life.

See the 01SJ schedule for more information.

Montalvo's New Quest

By press on WED, MAY 7TH 2008, 4:11 P.M.

Montalvo’s Board of Trustees adopted a new mission for the institution in March. The new mission evolved from last summer’s Futures Panels, an unprecedented series of public panels that examined the role of contemporary arts organizations in the 21st century. Funded by the Irvine Foundation, the series of six panels featured representatives from international arts organizations including Guggenheim Museum, New York; the Serpentine Gallery, London; the Walker Art Center, Minneapolis; and Bay Area-based organizations. Click here for the new mission

Supreme Bach Keyboard Exponent Vladimir Feltsman

By press on WED, MAY 7TH 2008, 4:07 P.M.

Vladimir Feltsman’s immense range and insight make him recognized as one of the most imaginative and constantly interesting pianists of our time. The New York Times called him an artist who “has become a master at reinventing himself...his articulation [is] clean and precise and the music’s spirit [comes] through clearly.” PROGRAM: Bach/English Suite #2 in A minor, BWV 807; Beethoven/Sonata in C minor, Op. 13 “Pathetique;” Mussorgsky/Pictures at an Exhibition. Special ticket offer...

Plugged In Readers! Take advantage of a special 2-for-1 ticket offer for pianist Vladimir Feltsman’s recital, Wed, May 14. Offer good through May 14 at 4pm and only through Montalvo’s Box Office: (408)-961-5858, Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm. Just mention “Plugged In” to receive the offer.

Vladimir Feltsman, Piano

Wednesday, May 14 :: 7:30pm
McAfee Performing Arts Center, Saratoga

Tickets and Info

Diamonds are Forever

By press on WED, MAY 7TH 2008, 4:02 P.M.

Be dazzled by Shara Worden’s polymorphic musical odyssey My Brightest Diamond, May 23 in the Carriage House. The Onion says “My Brightest Diamond plays passionate pop with classical leanings… sometimes fragile, sometimes blazing, always emotive." Worden channels Kate Bush, Nina Simone and the gothic pop of Portishead. Singer-songwriter Noe Venable opens the show. Venable has honed her skills on San Francisco’s rich experimental and jazz music scenes and has been called “the freshest voice in San Francisco.”

MY BRIGHTEST DIAMOND WITH SPECIAL GUEST NOE VENABLE

Fri, May 23 :: 8PM :: Carriage House

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Jazz History Never Sounded Sweeter

By press on WED, MAY 7TH 2008, 3:55 P.M.

Heir to the Thelonious Monk tradition, Jason Moran’s IN MY MIND: Monk at Town Hall 1959 returns to the Bay Area for one night at Montalvo’s Garden Theatre, June 18. Based on Monk's legendary Town Hall concert, IN MY MIND incorporates live performance by an eight-piece ensemble, video projections including W. Eugene Smith’s documentary work, and recorded samples of Monk rehearsing his band for the performance. This full-length original piece commemorates the 90th anniversary of the legendary composer-pianist’s birth.

Monk has long played a vital role in Moran’s musical development and career: when he was 13 years old, he heard Monk’s solo rendition of “’Round Midnight,” a revelatory experience that inspired him to change course from classical piano to Jazz studies. Later, Moran was signed to Blue Note Records at the tender age of 22. Perhaps the foremost stylistic heir to Monk, Moran has earned his own reputation for being “the most provocative thinker in current jazz” (Rolling Stone) over the course of seven albums for Blue Note.

This summer, Moran is "paying it forward" by playing a vital role in the lives of local young jazz players, with renowned trumpeter and arranger Steven Bernstein. The award-winning Palo Alto Gunn High School Jazz Band is opening for Moran with the world premiere of a new composition for jazz orchestra by Bernstein. This is an unprecedented commission by Montalvo Arts Center, and one that puts Bernstein in the classroom: he was here at the end of April, leading workshops and rehearsing with the band in anticipation of the world premiere.

JASON MORAN
In My Mind: Monk at Town Hall 1959 and Gunn High School Jazz Band with special guest Steven Bernstein

Wed, June 18 :: 7pm :: Garden Theatre

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Chop, Dice and Slice: Meet Culinary Fellow Jessie Benthien

By press on WED, MAY 7TH 2008, 3:49 P.M.

“When I cook, I must start from a strong and good place,” writes Jessie Benthien, Montalvo’s current Culinary Fellow. Jessie arrived in September at Montalvo’s Sally and Don Lucas Artists Programs residency and is gaining experience running her own kitchen. and developing repertoire, cooking dinner five days a week for a handful of resident artists. In her interview here with Montalvo staffer Lindsey Wylie, Jessie talks about her work, her experience and her plans for the future.

Montalvo: Can you tell me about your time here at the Lucas Artists Programs residency?

Jessie Benthien: It has been wonderful. It’s interesting being the culinary fellow. It is a different kind of residency because I feel constant while everyone else is coming and going so I experience some things differently than the other residents. I feel lucky to be able to have so much creative freedom. I must remind myself that it’s up to me to make [my residency] what I want it to be. It is very different from being in a restaurant, where you serve a function. Here, it’s like “what’s my style?”

M: How did you become interested in cooking?

JB: I became interested in cooking seriously when I was in college. I was studying comparative religion and I was interested in how people of different religions relate to their environment, practice sustainable agriculture, etc. During summers I interned on farms, one of which was attached to a restaurant. I had always loved cooking; it was a great pastime. I had been interested in food from a nutrition standpoint. But then, walking through the kitchen with a basket of lettuce at the farm I was like “this is where I want to be.” For me, cooking is a tangible way to live my values – sustainability, integrity.

M: This year you are one of the featured chef’s at Montalvo’s fifth annual Food & Wine event. Can you share any secrets about what will be on your menu?

JB: I am planning to do something with beef, perhaps some sort of braise. I don’t want to say too much because I don’t want to box myself in! The menu for Food & Wine will tie in to my own food and art event, which each culinary fellow [at Montalvo] does. For that I’ll be tracing the source of the meal – where the cow came from, things like that.

M: You’re talking about food and art. Do you think of yourself as an artist?

JB: That’s a good question. I am still trying to figure that one out. There are elements of cooking that are very much art. When you have real confidence with the materials at hand and the ways of using them, you get surprising outcomes. But there’s also a lot of craft and hard work in cooking. I am still working it out. I do think of myself as a chef now. I didn’t use to, but running a kitchen and planning menus has helped change that.

M: You’ve worked with Alice Waters in the past. Do you have any thoughts about your experiences with her or things that you learned from her?

JB: She is amazing and uncompromising. She has a vision and really pulls people together through her actions, which I find impressive. What she has been doing with the Berkeley school district is wonderful [Waters established The Edible Schoolyard in 1994]. I admire how she has been a restaurateur. The Chez Panisse community is really taken care of.

M: A co-worker of mine once asked a chef what three things she should always have in her pantry. What three ingredients would you recommend everyone keep on hand?

JB: Kosher salt, and another type of salt, but maybe that’s nit picking. So, Kosher salt, a decent olive oil, and some sort of wine vinegar. I guess I went very basic on that.

M: You may have, but I think it is helpful. I realized that I don’t have Kosher salt in my pantry.

JB: Kosher salt is good because it doesn’t have any additives. And it’s cheap. It’s good for cooking, not for finishing, but for cooking.

M: Will you share a quick and easy recipe for hors d’oeuvres?

JB: I think caramelized onions are great. To make them, you cook down thinly sliced onions for half an hour to an hour in butter and olive oil so that they get sweet and melt-y. They’re wonderful on toasted bread with a slice of feta, a little dressed arugula, and black pepper.

LW: After you leave Montalvo, do you know what’s next on your horizon?

M: I’ll definitely keep cooking. The culinary program here has given me the opportunity to get some distance from the restaurant world and to pursue my passion. Cooking is loaded with history, economics, agricultural practice…

M: Do you think you’ll ever go back to restaurants or do you have other plans?

JB: I would like to return to the restaurant world at some point. One of my favorite things about cooking is the camaraderie, but [at Montalvo] this is a solitary position. I like to be able to bounce ideas off of people and feed off of their energy. I still have a lot to learn. My experience at LAP will be great to bring to a new place.

Find out why Jessie cooks.