The Sacramento Bee
Surreal & awe-inspiring
The Sacramento Bee
Surreal & awe-inspiring
Descend 16 stories underground inside California’s largest cavern and experience a marriage of light in sound and depth in darkness.
This season’s artist
Clarice Jensen is a New York–based composer and cellist and a Juilliard graduate. As a solo artist she improvises and layers her cello through shifting loops and electronic effects to build rich, drone-based sound fields that are pulsing, immersive, and marked by restraint and hallucinatory clarity. She has released four critically acclaimed LPs on Miasmah and FatCat/130701; her 2025 album In holiday clothing, out of the great darkness, inspired by the Suites of J.S. Bach, was named one of NPR’s 12 best albums of 2025 across all genres. A versatile collaborator, she has recorded and performed with Jóhann Jóhannsson, Max Richter, Björk, Stars of the Lid, Nico Muhly, Taylor Swift, Michael Stipe, the National, and many others, and as founder and artistic director of her ensemble ACME she has helped bring to life landmark works of modern classical music by Philip Glass, Steve Reich, Terry Riley, and Gavin Bryars.
Held inside Moaning Caverns, Vallecito, California · the largest cavern in the state
If you have any medical conditions, mobility limitations, or other circumstances that could make the associated physical movement difficult based on the required activities to attend the concert, please carefully consider your ability to participate. The cave access includes stairs, narrow passages, and elevation changes that may be physically demanding or not recommended for some individuals.
The descent from the cave entrance to the bottom of the cavern and performance stage takes approximately 15–20 minutes, and covers 180 vertical feet. The descent begins with a stairway through the cave’s crevice, leading onto a small plateau and the entrance into the enclosed spiral staircase that exits at the bottom of the cavern and performance floor.
For those who experience claustrophobia, please consider that the Crevice Staircase section is narrow. Whereas the descent has narrow sections, the cavern and performance area itself is very spacious. For those who experience a fear of heights, be aware that the Spiral Staircase is enclosed but overlooks 80 feet of vertical open space.
Attire: Please wear shoes that have good traction (sneakers or hiking boots), as well as a light jacket.
Cave climate: The cave maintains a temperature of 61°F.
Seating: Seating is provided.
Rock formations: Please refrain from touching any rock formations inside the cave to help protect their natural beauty.
Personal items: Purses, bags, food, and beverages are not allowed inside the cave. If you require water, please notify a staff member and we will be happy to assist you.
Medical needs: If you have medication or medical items that you need to keep on you during your visit, please inform a staff member so we can accommodate your needs.
Child carriers: Baby backpack carriers are permitted; however, they must be front carriers for safety reasons.
Photography: You are welcome to take photos and videos; however, please refrain from using flash.
