An Evening with Spencer Day - Carriage House Theatre Performing Arts Series

Presented by Montalvo Arts Center at Montalvo Arts Center

February 11, 2012

Vocalist-songwriter-pianist Spencer Day brought down the house when he last performed at the Carriage House Theatre in February 2011. His voice inspires comparisons to that of Harry Connick Jr. and his compositions to those of Cole Porter, Paul Simon and Rufus Wainwright. His latest release, Vagabond, demonstrates Day’s eclectic taste and remarkable ear for music.

California Guitar Trio, Montreal Guitar Trio - Concert

Presented by Montalvo Arts Center at Montalvo Arts Center

April 22, 2012

This double bill of two stellar guitar trios is perfectly matched for guitar aficionados. The California Guitar Trio (Bert Lams, Hideyo Moriya and Paul Richards), performs everything from unique originals to dazzling interpretations of jazz, classical, and even surf rock. The Montreal Guitar Trio (Glenn Levesque, Mark Morin and Sebastian Dufour), was nominated for Concert of the Year at the prestigious Prix Opus 2002, celebrating musical excellence in Quebec.

Eddie Palmieri and the Brian Lynch Jazz Quartet - Piano Masters Series

Presented by Montalvo Arts Center at Montalvo Arts Center

February 12, 2012

A nine-time Grammy winner, Eddie Palmieri is known for his distinctive blend of jazz piano and instrumental solos with Latin rhythms. Referred to as the “Sun of Latin music,” Palmieri’s mark on the history of Latin music goes unquestioned. Brian Lynch is a Grammy-winning, New York-based jazz trumpeter, who’s collaborated with jazz artists such as Benny Golson, Toshiko Akiyoshi, and Charles McPherson; Latin music icons as diverse as Hector LaVoe and Lila Downs; and...

Finian's Rainbow

Presented by South Bay Musical Theatre at Saratoga Civic Theater

January 28-February 18, 2012

Brilliantly tuneful, romantic and original, Finian's Rainbow is one of the most beloved classics of American musical theater. Enter the enchanting world of an Irish father and daughter who come to America in search of a better life, and find themselves among honest sharecroppers in the mythical state of Missitucky. But wait—there’s a magical twist to their story... a pot of gold and a leprechaun in hot pursuit!

Featuring some of the best-known musical theater songs...

Gold Medal Winner (Piano) of Tchaikovsky Competition - Concert

Presented by Montalvo Arts Center at Montalvo Arts Center

February 18, 2012

Held every five years, the highly acclaimed International Tchaikovsky Competition has been regarded as one of the major events in the global music community for more than fifty years. The gold medal winner of the piano section, picked from 122 competing musicians from twenty-five countries, will perform for an exclusive engagement at Montalvo one night only.

Joyce Yang - Piano Masters Series

Presented by Montalvo Arts Center at Montalvo Arts Center

April 15, 2012

Joyce Yang’s career was launched in 2005 when she became the Silver Medalist of the 12th Van Cliburn International Competition. As the youngest contestant, she swept two additional awards as an all-around winner, receiving the Steven De Groote Memorial Award for Best Performance of Chamber Music with the Takàcs Quartet, and the Beverly Taylor Smith Award for Best Performance of a New Work.

Critically acclaimed as “the most gifted pianist of her generation,”...

Laugh Out Loud Tour - The Second City

Presented by Montalvo Arts Center at Montalvo Arts Center

March 10, 2012

Second City is back by popular demand for the second consecutive year. From the company that launched the careers of famous comedians such as Stephen Colbert, Tina Fey, Steve Carell, Bill Murray, Gilda Radner, and John Belushi to name a few, comes the next generation of the comedy world’s best and brightest in an evening of hilarious sketch comedy and Second City’s trademark improvisation.

Masters of Venice - Art Appreciation Series

Presented by Saratoga Foothill Club at Saratoga Foothill Club

January 11-February 22, 2012

This series highlights Renaissance paintings of power and passion, and will be presented by Professor Fran Rushing, M.A., lecturer, educator and art historian.

Nixon in China by John Adams - Opera Lecture Series

Presented by Saratoga Foothill Club at Saratoga Foothill Club

May 29, 2012

Speaker Stephen Hinton will discuss President Nixon's historic trip to China in 1972 which was the basis for Nixon in China, one of the operas being performed by San Francisco Opera this season.

Philip Glass - Piano Masters Series

Presented by Montalvo Arts Center at Montalvo Arts Center

April 7, 2012

Philip Glass is widely considered to be one of the most — if not the most — influential composers of the late 20th century. Through his operas, symphonies and compositions for his own ensemble, and his wide-ranging collaborations with artists ranging from Twyla Tharp to Allen Ginsberg, Woody Allen to David Bowie, Philip Glass has had an extraordinary and unprecedented impact upon the musical and intellectual life of his times.

Saratoga Farmers' Market

Presented by California Farmers' Markets Association at West Valley College

October 22, 2011 - Ongoing

Every Saturday morning, approximately fifty-five growers and food producers bring their healthy and delicious wares to West Valley College for this event.

Simone Dinnerstein - Piano Master Series

Presented by Montalvo Arts Center at Montalvo Arts Center

February 26, 2012

American classical pianist Simone Dinnerstein’s 2007 release, Bach’s Goldberg Variations, ranked number one on Telarc and the Billboard Classical Chart in its first week, as did her follow-up album, The Berlin Concerta. Her latest release, Bach: A Strange Beauty, debuted at number one on the Billboard Classical Chart in January 2011.

A graduate of Julliard, Dinnerstein’s performance schedule includes debuts at The Kennedy Center,...

Taj Mahal and The Trio - Concert

Presented by Montalvo Arts Center at Montalvo Arts Center

April 6, 2012

A two-time Grammy winner, Taj Mahal is one of the most influential American blues and roots artists of the last fifty years. A self-taught composer and multi-instrumentalist, Mahal has helped reshape the definition and scope of blues music over the course of his long career by distilling countless musical traditions from multiple sources. Maestro, his latest CD, was nominated for a Grammy in 2009.

The Coulter/Phillips Ensemble - Concert

Presented by Montalvo Arts Center at Montalvo Arts Center

May 6, 2012

The Coulter/Phillips Ensemble is an instrumental ensemble from Santa Cruz which performs traditional folk music from the Celtic, Scandinavian, and American folk music traditions. The group plays guitar, cello, flute, harp, oboe, English horn, and tabla. All members of the CPE have classical training on their instruments and apply that training to their vituosic performances and chamber music style arrangements of traditional folk music.

The tunes range from poignant slow airs to...

The Rivers of Chocolate Festival

Presented by EHC LifeBuilders at The Mountain Winery

April 29, 2012

Please join us for an afternoon of fine wine, chocolate, and savory tastings while enjoying live music, bidding on live and silent auction items, and helping a good cause. On April 29, 1:00 pm until 5:00 pm at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga, CA for Rivers of Chocolate, the premier wine, chocolate and savory tasting event.

Rivers of Chocolate benefits the programs of EHC LifeBuilders--one of the leading provider of shelter and services for homeless adults, families and...