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Music of Bernstein, Duke Ellington and others at Mondavi Friday

Pianist Lara Downes, who also directs the Mondavi Center Young Artists Competition (April 26-28), and vocalist Theo Bleckmann, will present a duo cabaret showcasing the music of Leonard Bernstein, Duke Ellington and Kurt Weill on Friday at the Mondavi Center.

A window into the lives and music of these composers as they captured the quickly changing world of the 1940s, In Our Time is nostalgic yet timeless, and infused with the magnetic charisma for which Downes and Bleckmann are recognized. Inspired by Downes’ recent tribute album For Lenny, the evening will feature works by Bernstein and his fellow travelers through mid-century America: Marc Blitzstein, Charlie Chaplin, Duke Ellington, Morton Gould, Erich Wolfgang Korngold and Kurt Weill.

More about the show, tickets and Downes' work follows .

Friday’s show is at 8 p.m. in Jackson Hall.

Coming up: Picnic Day April 13

One of the most popular events of the hundreds offered on Picnic Day is the fashion show.

Design students’ creations hit the runway this year in  on Picnic Day, April 13. The shows at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. always sell out, so get your tickets now by going to the link above.

For more attractions this week, see this week’s Lunchable Arts Blog Column, where I offer exhibits to take in during a lunch or other break.

For performing arts: catch Capital Culture List

For performing arts throughout the region, including "Legally Blond," Ballet, and even choral music, read the Capital Culture List blog or listen to the podcast below: