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The Bankhead Theater in Livermore is ushering in the start of summer with a jam-packed schedule of performances and events at the downtown venue.
Whether offerings from its operator Livermore Valley Arts, resident companies or outside promoters, the bill at the Bankhead certainly turned my head as I looked at its online calendar for its “slower” season. And it starts in the days ahead.
The youth performers of CYT Tri-Valley are taking audiences on a journey down the yellow brick road all weekend with its production of “The Wizard of Oz”. The play inside the theater will coincide with the free public Juneteenth Festival outside it, organized by Tri-Valley for Black Lives from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
On Tuesday, the Dublin Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring an appearance by Tulsi Gabbard, the former Democratic congresswoman turned independent political pundit who is now rumored to be on the short list for Donald Trump’s vice presidential running mate.
The emotion and spirit of the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir will fill the theater next Friday, and the Livermore Valley Vintners Collective wine tasting event will take over the Bankhead lobby that Saturday.
The following week is a crowded one headlined by the already nearly sold-out concert of Jake Shimabukuro on June 28, part of his “Tradewinds & Rainbows Tour” with special guests Henry Kapono and Jeff Peterson.
There will also be Bil Lepp’s Comedy & Chronicles at The Stage Door Lounge on June 26, CYT’s “Meet Me at the Emerald City” special event on June 27, familiar tribute band Fleetwood Mask on June 29 and the Pacific Chamber Orchestra concert with Broadway star Franc D’Ambrosio on June 30.
As the calendar turns to July, the Bankhead will be transformed into River City, Iowa as Tri-Valley Theatre Company presents a three-weekend run of “The Music Man”.
But that won’t be the only show during the month. Most notably, Grammy nominee Joan Osborne will be live in concert on July 26 on a tour in support of her recent album “Nobody Owns You”. Audiences can also check out “The Best of SF Comedy Competition” on July 19 and the free admission ComicCon Livermore on July 20.
August will have a familiar feel, whether acts returning to the Bankhead or recognizable sights and sounds making their first stop in Livermore.
Contemporary pianist Keiko Matsui will be performing on Aug. 2, followed by Freddy Jones Band (on tour celebrating the 30th anniversary of their hit “In a Daydream”) on Aug. 9, “Toby: A Tribute to Toby Keith” on Aug. 16, “Whose Live Anyway?” (live renditions with improv stars and “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” alumni like Ryan Stiles and Greg Proops) on Aug. 17 and 18, “Piano Men: Generations” on Aug. 22 and magic and illusion with “Mike Super 2.OH!” on Aug. 23.
Not to be forgotten: Inside the Bankhead until Aug. 4 are two artistic exhibits: “Faces of Our Community: Tri-Valley Non-profits through Photography” in the UNCLE Credit Union Art Gallery and “Community II” in the Founders Room featuring black-and-white acrylic paintings of local homeless folks by John Iacono.
And outside the venue weekly through Aug. 20, the Livermore Cultural Arts Council is holding its Tuesday Tunes family concert series with acts such as Sacred Fire (Santana tribute) next Tuesday, Death & Taxes Swing Band on July 2, Jeff Bordes & Friends on July 30 and The Hurricane Band as the closer. See the full schedule at lcac.org.
The end of the summer slate will lead into Brilliance at the Bankhead gala on Sept. 7 starring singer and actress Katharine McPhee, which will kick off the 2024-25 Bankhead Presents lineup and the rest of the programming at the theater for the new season.
Among the long list of shows ahead is the annual Rae Dorough Speaker Series, which just opened up individual sales for its installments with comedian and actor John Cleese, science writer James Nestor, kidnapping survivor turned activist Elizabeth Smart and scientist Erin Macdonald, Ph.D.
The June 1 announcement also revealed that the fifth speaker John Lydon (aka Johnny Rotten), who was originally set to open the RDSS in September, is now off the bill as he’s canceled the North American leg of his Q&A tour. LVA officials say they’re exploring replacements for later in the season as we speak.
For more information on the summer shows at the Bankhead, as well as the upcoming 2024-25 season, go to livermorearts.org.
Editor’s note: Jeremy Walsh is the editorial director for the Embarcadero Media Foundation’s East Bay Division. His “What a Week” column is a recurring feature in the Pleasanton Weekly, Livermore Vine and DanvilleSanRamon.com.
