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The next ������Ƶ Downtown Conversation, “Simplicity, Wonder and Wisdom: Reflections on Alexander McCall Smith’s “No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency,” by ������Ƶ Provost Shirley Mullen begins at 5:30 p.m. May 3 at the University Club, 1332 Santa Barbara St. The event is free and open to the public. No reservations are necessary.

������Ƶ musicians will showcase their skills at the spring concert for the Wind Ensemble and Chamber Orchestra at 8 p.m. April 29 in Deane Chapel on the lower campus. Admission is free and the concert is open to the public.

������Ƶ’s annual Spring Choral Concert featuring the College Choir, Chamber Singers and Vox Lumina Women’s Chorale will take place 8 p.m. April 22 at Trinity Episcopal Church, 1500 State St. at Micheltorena. A free-will donation will be requested.

A highlight of the evening will be “And Can it Be, that I Should Gain?” a group of well-loved hymn arrangements by ������Ƶ’s composer-arranger and Professor Emeritus John Lundberg, who taught and directed music at ������Ƶ from 1947 to 1979.

The ������Ƶ Jazz Ensembles, directed by adjunct music professor Ron McCarley, will perform 8 p.m. April 15 in Deane Chapel on ������Ƶ’s lower campus. Admission is free.

Three combos and a big band will treat the audience to a variety of pieces ranging from jazz standards to original compositions. Students Elizabeth Woodruff, Mary Patterson and Ben Banner will perform solos.

The Jazz Ensembles will also play in the courtyard of Restaurant Nu, 1129 State St., 7-10 p.m. April 5.

The ������Ƶ theatre arts department presents unique performance art at the Fringe Festival 8 p.m. April 21 and 22 in Porter Theatre. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $5 for children, students and seniors.

The festival brings together senior students with theatre and dance faculty showcasing original theatre, dance, performance art and film. Fringe festivals usually refer to alternative productions with promises of younger, more adventurous performance art. The event replaces the “New Works Festival” that ������Ƶ hosts each spring.