The Sonnet Project in the arboretum

The Davis Shakespeare Ensemble plans a return to the arboretum gazebo, this time with "an original love story," The Sonnet Project, based on The Bard's famous sonnets.

The first performance is set for Thursday, March 31, with subsequent performances  through the weekend of April 2-3.

"Told through music, the narrative follows a writer and his beloved as they struggle against the allure of time and the ever-seductive muse," the ensemble declares on its website.

The ensemble is presenting The Sonnet Project in cooperation with the arboretum.

Gia Battista and Steph Hankinson are directing The Sonnet Project. It features original music by Richard Chowenhill.

Showtimes are 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, March 31-April 2, and 2 and 8 p.m. Sunday, April 3.

Tickets: $12 adults, $8 students, $5 children 12 and under. Reservations: davis.shakespeare@gmail.com or (661) 304-4341. More information is available online or by e-mail, davis.shakespeare.gmail.com.

ARTfriends plan bus trip to Picasso exhibition

The Nelson ARTfriends are planning a bus trip to San Francisco's de Young Museum to see an exhibition of Picassos from the permanent collection of Paris’ Musée National Picasso.

According to the de Young, the June 11 to Oct. 9 exhibition will comprise more than 100 works — paintings, sculptures, drawings and prints drawn from every phase of the Spanish artist’s career. The works are available for the exhibition only because of the Paris museum's temporary closure for extensive renovations, according to the de Young. More information on the exhibition.

The Nelson ARTfriends field trip is scheduled for Saturday, June 25, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Participants will be on their own for lunch.

Thirty-five spaces are available. The cost is $50 for current members and $75 for nonmembers. The price is reduced $25 if you are a member of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. The Nelson ARTfriends organization is making five spaces available for students, for $25 each.

Reservations are due by April 28 to Katrina Wong, assistant to the direcor of the Nelson Gallery. Contact here by phone (530) 752-8500 or e-mail, kliwong@ucdavis.edu.