The Mondavi Center announces its 2011-12 season.

Don Roth, executive director of the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts, went for a mixture of music and fun for the last Director's Choice selection of the 2010-11 season: Max Raabe and Palast Orchester.

The Berlin-based Raabe and his 12-piece band are world-renowned for their virtuosic performances channeling the high style and musical glory of the Weimar era (1920s and '30s) with uncanny precision, drama and humor. And throwing in the occasional Britney Spears cover for added fun.

“There’s a humor, a timeless humor in these (cabaret) pieces, and a timeless elegence,” Raabe told National Public Radio's All Things Considered.

The concert is scheduled for 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 13, in Jackson Hall

More at the Mondavi

• Branford Marsalis Quartet and Terence Blanchard Quintet — A funny thing happened on the way to the Mondavi Center: Trumpeter Blanchard's quartet (as originally billed) grew to a quintet. It comprises one-half of a jazz concert. The other half: the Branford Marsalis Quartet, led by the saxophone-playing, elder statesman of the musical Marsalis brothers. 8 p.m. Friday, April 1, Jackson Hall.

• Takács Quartet — Twenty-two-year-old Nobuyuki "Nobu" Tsjii, blind since birth, joins the string quarter for this concert. Program: Haydn's String Quartet No. 3 in G Minor, Op. 74; Bartók's String Quartet No. 1 in A Minor, Op. 7; and Schumann's Piano Quintet in E-flat Major, Op. 44. 8 p.m. Saturday, April 2, Jackson Hall. Preperformance talk with Edward Dusinberre, first violinist, and Don Roth, executive director of the Mondavi Center, in conversation, 7 p.m., Jackson Hall.

• Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater — One of the world’s favorite dance companies returns to the Mondavi Center with a mixed repertory program celebrating 50 years of Revelations, a classic that pays tribute to Ailey’s African American heritage. 8 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday, April 5-6, Jackson Hall.

• The Silk Road Ensemble with Yo-Yo Ma — The cellist's concert is sold out. Contact the box office to inquire about the waiting list for tickets that may be returned. 8 p.m. Friday, April 8. Preperformance talk by Henry Spiller, associate professor, Department of Music, 7 p.m., AGR Room, Buehler Alumni and Visitors Center.

• Lara Downes: Long Time Coming — The Mondavi Center's artist in residence offers a poignant reflection on Duke Ellington's enduring legacy, the power of hope in troubled times and the dramatic impact of American music on our nation's history. Downes has more than her piano playing in store for the audience. Indeed, Long Time Coming is a multimedia concert — featuring music, film and spoken word. Downes is set to perform a new solo arrangement of Ellington’s iconic World War II-era New World A-Comin’, and David Sanford's modern-day response. The program also includes guest performers from the Brubeck Institute Jazz Quintet and the poetry of former U.S. Poet Laureate Rita Dove. 8 p.m. Saturday, April 9, and 2 p.m. Sunday, April 10, Vanderhoef Studio Theatre. Preperformance talks, featuring Sanford and Downes, in conversation, 7 p.m. April 9 and 1 p.m. April 10, Vanderhoef Studio Theatre.

• Sarah Silverman — "The most outrageously funny woman alive," as proclaimed by Rolling Stone magazine, makes her Mondavi Center debut. 7 p.m. Sunday, April 10, Jackson Hall.

• China Philharmonic Orchestra — With Long Yu, conductor and music director, and Renaud Capuçon, violin. Program: Berlioz, Roman Carnival Overture; Bruch, Violin Concerto; Alexander Borodin, Polovtsian March from Prince Igor; Giacomo Puccini, Preludio sinfonico; and Maurice Ravel, Boléro. 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 12, Jackson Hall. Preperformance talk by Christian Baldini, assistant professor, Department of Music, and conductor of the UC Davis Symphony Orchestra. 7 p.m., Vanderhoef Studio Theatre.

• Béla Fleck, Zakir Hussain and Edgar Meyer — Three masterful genre-benders perform in the Crossings series. Fleck (banjo), Hussain (tabla) and Meyer (bass) move with ease among the worlds of classical, bluegrass, jazz and world music. 8 p.m. Thursday, April 14, Jackson Hall.

• Gold Coast Trio — In this Department of Music program, Susan Lamb Cook, faculty affiliate in cello, performs with Rachel Vetter Huang, violin; and Hao Huang, piano. Program: Beethoven, Trio in B-flat Major, op. 97 (Archduke); Martinu, Trio in D Minor; Zwilich, Trio; and Brahms, Trio in C Major, op. 87. 8 p.m. Friday, April 15, Vanderhoef Studio Theatre.

Tickets are available online, or by visiting or calling the Mondavi Center box office, (530) 754-2787 or (866) 754-2787. Box office hours: noon-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday.