Mondavi savvy

We haven’t seen this many white Russians since Happy Hour.
We haven’t seen this many white Russians since Happy Hour.

As evidenced by its current and past events calendars, the Mondavi Center has made Davis a major player for touring artists, dance troupes, symphonies and speakers. The Grammy Award-winning Russian National Orchestra will hold court at the Mondavi’s Jackson Hall on Monday at 8 p.m., performing selected works from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Dmitri Shostakovich and Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. The event marks the Davis debut of conductor Carlo Ponti Jr., son of Sophia Loren. More importantly, it’s a chance to experience something off the beaten path. Tickets range from $24.50 to $69, and all ages are welcome. The following week, we’ll be treated to a performance by the Helikon Opera of Moscow on March 31. A round of applause for another glorious season! What awaits us in 2007?
(SN&R)