MONDA LIVE: The Hong Kong Student Association’s annual singing contest is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. today (Oct. 23) in Jackson Hall at the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts.

FLYING CIRCUS OF COMEDY: An Evening with John Cleese, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the Englishman’s “zany and hilarious world of comedy.” Cleese is best known for his starring role in Monty Python’s Flying Circus. 8 p.m. Nov. 7, Jackson Hall.

ALEXANDER STRING QUARTET: The quartet’s first concerts of the 2009-10 season are scheduled for 2 and 7 p.m. Nov. 8 in the Vanderhoef Studio Theatre, with ticket availability limited for both performances.

• 2 p.m. — Beethoven’s String Quartet in F Major, op. 59, No. 1, with commentary by Robert Greenberg, musicologist, author and composer, throughout the concert.

• 7 p.m. — Mozart’s String Quartet No. 17 in B-flat Major, K. 458 (The Hunt); and Beethoven’s String Quartet in F Major, op. 59, No. 1. Followed by an open discussion with the quartet.

Tickets: (530) 754-2787 or (866) 754-2787, or mondaviarts.org.