Lick Observtory's Music of the Spheres

Lick 36-inch Refractor

2011 Concerts

Dave Rocha Jazz Trio
Saturday, June 25
Doors open: 8:00pm
Start event: 8:30pm
Speaker: Raja Guha Thakurta, UC Santa Cruz
Talk: "Astronomy and Cosmology (not to be confused with Astrology, Gastronomy and Cosmetology)"

The Dave Rocha jazz trio is one of the hottest jazz groups in the Bay Area. Rocha, an accomplished trumpet and flugelhorn player, performs with acclaimed jazz instrumentalists Dan Robbins on the upright bass and Ben Stolorow on keyboards. The trio performs a wide variety of originals, uniquely arranged standards, and music from other genres. From fiery uptempo compositions to jazz waltzes, and from Latin modes to sensitive ballads, this trio will take you to unknown frontiers of the jazz universe.
Virginia Kron, Singing Strings Trio
Saturday, July 9
Doors open: 8:00pm
Start event: 8:30pm
Speaker: Richard Kron, University of Chicago
Talk: "Galaxies Near and Far: A Tour through the Realm of the Nebulae"

The Beauty of a Thousand Stars: Cellist Virginia Kron travels from Southern California with her Singing Strings Trio and a program specifically designed for the occasion. Soprano Mary Rawcliffe and harpist Jennifer Sayre join Kron to perform a variety of music inspired by the starry heavens, from Renaissance classics to Pop tunes.

Kron, daughter of astronomers and sister of lecturer Richard Kron, was born on Mt. Hamilton and grew up at Lick Observatory in the shadow of the great 120 inch telescope. She celebrates her unique childhood by returning to the mountaintop with her cello and trio. Imagine Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata on a summer evening, at the top of the world...
Golden Bough (Celtic)
Saturday, July 23
Doors open: 8:00pm
Start event: 8:30pm
Speaker: Graeme Smith, UC Santa Cruz
Talk: "Two Views of the Moon"

America Bound: During 30 years of touring Golden Bough mined Europe's Celtic regions for their best music. Now, Margie Butler, Paul Espinoza, and Kathy Sierra return to the Music of the Spheres with a new repertoire: the songs of the Irish and the Scottish as they left their homeland for the new world.

In America Bound, Golden Bough performs the music of dreaming about and coming to America, and the Celtic melodies that became America's best-loved folk songs. Join us for an evening of harp, fiddle, accordion, guitar, penny-whistle, percussion, and song as Golden Bough celebrates America's Celtic heritage.

Ancient Future (World Fusion)
Saturday, August 6
Doors open: 7:30pm
Start event: 8:00pm
Speaker: Geoff Marcy, UC Berkeley
Talk: "The First Exo-Earths with the Kepler Space Telescope"

Ancient Future is the first and longest running organization dedicated exclusively to creating world fusion music. The term was coined by bandleader Matthew Montfort in 1978 to describe Ancient Future's unusual blend of musical traditions from around the world. Billboard calls the group "trendsetters" for their early contributions to world fusion.

This concert features elements of the music of Spain, India, and the Arab diaspora, showcasing concepts such as taqsim (an Arabic method of melodic improvisation), tala (the recurring rhythmic cycles of Indian classical music), and compás (the rhythmic structure of flamenco).
Trio Chaskinakuy (Peruvian)
Saturday, August 20
Doors open: 7:30pm
Start event: 8:00pm
Speaker: Alex Filippenko, UC Berkeley
Talk: "The Birth and Early Evolution of the Universe"

Explore the beautiful music of the Andes. Chaskinakuy (pronounced "Chas- kee- NA- kwee") means "to give and receive, from hand to hand, among many." Trio Chaskinakuy lives up to its name, performing a variety of indigenous music from the remote mountain villages of Peru, Ecuador, Argentina, Northern Chile, and Bolivia.

Co-founders Francy Vidal and Edmond Badoux have performed music of the Andes across the continents; Daniel Zamalloa from Peru is considered the expert on violin music from his native village. Enjoy the sound of museum-quality regional wind, string, and percussive instruments, as the trio brings sounds of the Andean mountaintops to Mt. Hamilton.
Daniel Roest & Ian Ethan (Great Guitars!)
Saturday, August 27
Doors open: 7:30pm
Start event: 8:00pm
Speaker: Michael Bolte, UC Santa Cruz
Talk: "The End of the Dark Age of the Universe"

Daniel Roest's Great Guitar concerts have been a favorite of Lick audiences for many years, combining virtuoso performances with fun and informative presentation. Daniel plays the first set, followed by a set by Ian Ethan, making waves with his unique style of music on an 18-string double guitar. While the rare double neck guitar is normally played one neck at a time, Ian Ethan works both necks simultaneously, creating a stunning new world of percussion and layered rhythms and harmonies.
UCO home > Public Information > Music of the Spheres Concerts

Lick Summer Concert Series

Lick Observatory hosts its 32nd season of Music of the Spheres summer concerts in 2012. Concerts feature a wide variety of music--see 2011 musical offerings below. Programs include the concert, a talk by a University of California astronomer about current research, and (weather permitting) viewing through the historic Great Lick Refractor and the Nickel 40-inch telescope. Knowledgeable local amateur astronomers outside the buildings provide additional telescopes and informal astronomy discussions. Concert image courtesy Jeremy Zawodny.

Sign Up on 2012 SVP/Music of the Spheres Mailing List

Jazz Trio In Concert

Ticketing Information

Three types of tickets are available for each concert: General admission tickets, Preferred tickets, and VIP tickets. Details below on each ticket type.

  2012 Tickets will be available (April or May):

See below for more ticketing contact information.

Contact the Lick Observatory Gift Shop at 408-274-5061 or giftshop@ucolick.org if you have further questions about the Music of the Spheres Concerts.

Types of Tickets

Each concert has three types of seating. Service fee will be added. Tickets are non-refundable.

VIP Tickets: $150.00
TBA tax deductible

Additional information about tour (pdf download)

Preferred tickets: $100.00
TBA tax deductible

General tickets: $35.00
TBA tax deductible

Contact the Lick Observatory Gift Shop at 408-274-5061 or giftshop@ucolick.org if you have further questions about the Music of the Spheres Concerts.

Ticket Contacts

UCSC Ticket Office
Phone: 831-459-2159
Fax: 831-459-2159
1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA
(on the UCSC campus)
Hours: Tues. - Sat., 12:00 noon - 4:00 pm

Santa Cruz Civic Box Office
831-420-5260
307 Church Street, Santa Cruz, CA
(downtown Santa Cruz)
Hours: Mon. - Fri., 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Sat - Sun., 10:00 am - 1:30 pm

Directions to Mt. Hamilton

Lick Observatory is located on the summit of Mt. Hamilton in the Diablo Range east of San Jose. To get there from Hwys 101, 280, or 680, take the Alum Rock Avenue exit from Interstate 680. Go east onto Alum Rock Avenue. Turn right onto Mt. Hamilton Road (California Route 130). Allow about one hour from San Jose, and please drive carefully as the road is good, but winding.

From the east, take Interstate 580 west to Interstate 680 south. Then follow the directions above.

Alternatively, you may take take California Route 130 to Mt. Hamilton from the east, but please allow about 1-3/4 hours from Interstate 5 to reach the Observatory. The road is long and winding, but well-maintained. Take the Diablo Grande Parkway exit off Interstate 5, heading west (away from Patterson). Take the first right on Puerto del Canyon Road (toward Frank Raines Park). Look carefully for this turn because there is not much signage. At the Junction Cafe, turn left to stay on California Route 130.

Keep in mind that at 4209 feet, evenings on Mt. Hamilton can be cool, so bring a sweater or coat. We provide wheelchair access to the lectures and to the 36-inch telescope, but not to the Nickel telescope. There is no gas station at the Observatory. Parking is limited so please car pool, if possible.

Area map here courtesy of Mapquest

Print-friendly area map (pdf)

Local map here

Print-friendly local map (pdf)

For more details, call 408-274-5061, between 12:30 and 5:00 pm, or email giftshop@ucolick.org