Zellerbach Hall

While the trio included plenty of flourishes, Mehldau’s unassuming, almost humble approach to performing grounded his set.

On a Sunday afternoon outside Zellerbach Hall, concert-goers of all ages dodged stray skateboards to line up for Berkeley Symphony's season opener “American Kaleidoscope.” The question presumably on the crowd’s mind? How would conductor Joseph Young revamp the program’s 100-year-old centerpiece: George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue?”

The reality is that STEM seems to dictate our careers, our livelihoods and therefore our academics as well. Without these disciplines, I can’t imagine how any of us would exist. But without humanities, arts and social sciences, I don’t think our chances of existence would be any higher.

Butler’s original themes of hope and community in a dangerous world are translated into fiery melodies and assured anthems.

I never expected to love UC Berkeley in the way I do. And there are many other things that defied my expectations coming here.

At the conclusion of this spring semester Robert Reich, the Carmel P. Friesen Professor of Public Policy at UC Berkeley's Goldman School of Public Policy, will officially retire from his teaching position. 

Although the original score was written for an orchestra of flutes, oboes and a variety of other string and wind instruments, Kavakos, Ax and Ma offered a fulfilling rendition of the symphony; the addition of other winds was volitional.

Holding eye contact with someone often provides reassurance that we are seen. But as someone who manifests a version of myself based on that look in the eyes of those I love, I’m terrified I’ll blink and miss what they see in me.

To call “EDEN” simply a rendition of DiDonato’s own album is imprecise — this is because, among other things, “EDEN” is an experience of creation, education and music, culminating into a performance that transcends both time and place.

Seong-Jin Cho’s airline may have lost the luggage carrying his concert suit on the way to Berkeley, but the world-class pianist was no less dazzling on the stage of Zellerbach Hall.