By Sue Fagalde Lick
Programs for all ages and tastes are planned for Villa Montalvo's 1996 performing arts season, announced March 6.
Many new acts, as well as returning favorites, are featured along with increased emphasis on classical programming.
The season opens with Spaulding Gray on April 26 and 27 and closes with pianist Marina Grin on Oct. 24.
Other headliners this year include John Handy, Jose Greco, Alison Krauss, Keiko Matsui, the Temptations and Tower of Power, Dave Brubeck, Joan Baez, the Texas Tornados, Al Jarreau, Chick Corea, Etta James and Charles Brown, Pam Tillis and Carlene Carter, David Grisman and Marc O'Connor, Boz Scaggs, John Prine, David Benoit, George Benson, Sista Monica and Andrea Marcovicci.
The annual fundraising gala, to be held Aug. 2, will star Johnny Mathis. Proceeds from Mathis' performance and the pre-show gourmet dinner, prepared by Le Mouton Noir, will benefit Montalvo's art programs.
As part of the effort to expand Montalvo's classical programming, this year's lineup includes pianists Andre Watts and Garrick Ohlsson; conductor, composer and vocalist Bobby McFerrin, appearing with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra; the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet; pianist Marcus Roberts with the Academy of the Ascension; the Kronos Quartet with artist Gronk; and the Merola Opera.
Several programs are planned for the whole family. Missoula Children's Theater will return for its fifth consecutive year, presenting Rumpelstiltskin. The ODC Dance Theater will perform its Imagination On-line. Theaterworks/USA will produce four performances of Babar's Birthday. Jim Gamble returns with his puppets. Harry Belafonte's performance will round out the specially priced children's programs.
In the wake of the death of former program director Sam Nuccio, Bruce Labadie has been hired as Montalvo's programming and marketing director. Between 1979 and 1991, Labadie produced shows for the Paul Masson Mountain Winery's summer series. He has also directed the Wente Brothers concerts in the Vineyard, Sunset magazine's Garden Concert Series and San Jose's Music in the Park. He is currently director of the San Jose Jazz Festival and the San Jose America Festival.
Villa Montalvo's performing-arts season is the main fundraiser for Montalvo's arts programs, including the artist-in-residency program and arts outreach programs for youths, seniors and the disadvantaged.
Concerts are held in three venues at Montalvo, which is the former estate of Sen. James Phelan. Outdoor programs take place in the Garden Theatre and on the front lawn in front of the Villa, and indoor programs are presented in the Carriage House.
Villa Montalvo is currently in the midst of a $3 million fundraising campaign to pay for improvements to the Carriage House, including adding heating and air conditioning, as well as adding more cottages for the artist-in-residency program.
Season brochures will be mailed March 25, and tickets for the 1996 season go on sale through the Montalvo box office starting April 14. People on the Villa Montalvo mailing list will be able to buy tickets in advance by mail. To get on the mailing list, send a postcard to Villa Montalvo, P.O. Box 158, Saratoga, 95071. For more information, call 741-3428.
This article appeared in the Los Gatos Weekly-Times, March 13, 1996.
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