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Animal theme for concert

Babar of storybook fame is among a herd of elephants coming to the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts, in a family concert by Artist-in-Residence Lara Downes.

The pianist’s whimsical program, “Babar and the Elephants,” features Francis Poulenc’s Story of Babar, Claude Debussy’s Children’s Corner, Camille Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals, Henry Mancini’s Baby Elephant Walk and JoAnne Brackeen’s Pink Elephant.

Two performances are scheduled: 1 and 3 p.m. March 8 in the Studio Theatre. (Ticket availability is limited for the 3 p.m. concert; check with the box office.)

A Mondavi Center artist in residence since 2004, Downes also serves as director of the �ٺ���Ƶ ArtsBridge program and the Mondavi Center Young Artists Competition.

The mother of two small children, Downes is strongly committed to introducing classical music to students, presenting a full range of outreach activities ranging from advanced master classes to introductory kindergarten through 12th-grade programs in conjunction with her concert appearances.

Downes is the founder and president of the 88 KEYS Foundation, which provides pianos to K-12 public schools.

�ѱ�Ի��������dz��’s Elijah

The �ٺ���Ƶ Symphony Orchestra, University Chorus and Alumni Chorus, for their joint production this year, chose Felix �ѱ�Ի��������dz��’s oratorio Elijah — in celebration of the bicenennial year of the composer’s birth. The March 8 concert features Robin Fisher, soprano; Catherine Cook, mezzosoprano; Joseph Palarca, tenor; and Eugene Brancoveanu, baritone. D. Kern Holoman conducts at 8 p.m. in Jackson Hall at the Mondavi Center.

Mondavi Center tickets: (530) 754-2787 or (866) 754-2787, or .

Video and dance event

Spark; I Am Strange; They Are Strange, a collaboration between �ٺ���Ƶ video arts students and the Linda Bair Dance Company of Davis, is scheduled for presentation to the public at 7 p.m. Feb. 24 at the Veterans Memorial Center, 203 E. 14th St., Davis. Admission is free.

The Vagina Monologues

�ٺ���Ƶ students and community members are presenting The Vagina Monologues as a fundraiser for Women’s Resources and Research Center gender education resources and the V-Day international campaign in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Performances are set for 7 p.m. Feb. 27 and 28 at the Veterans Memorial Center, 203 E. 14th St., Davis. Tickets at the women’s center and Armadillo Music, 205 F St., Davis.