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Before we get too swept up in the upcoming holiday performance season, the theaters in the Tri-Valley have an intriguing variety of shows outside of the winter/Christmas realm on their dockets in the coming weeks.
Tribute acts are one common theme.
I may have mentioned it in a prior column, but the Bee Gees are among my favorite artists ever. Songs by Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb from throughout their decades-long career remain close to my heart – “Stayin’ Alive”, “Tragedy”, “Our Love”, “One”, “Gotta Get a Message to You”, “For Whom the Bell Tolls” and “Fanny” (which is now “Franny” in my house, after adapting it into a lullaby for my son).
Pleasanton’s Firehouse Arts Center offers the chance to scratch that musical itch next Sunday (Nov. 23) with You Should Be Dancing – A Tribute to the Bee Gees. Here’s hoping they get to some of those tunes from my list.
My favorite all-time song, though? Well, a performer covering that artist’s greatest hits is coming to the Firehouse two nights earlier … but I doubt my No. 1 will be on that setlist.
Billy Nation: A Tribute to Billy Joel will take over the city’s black-box theater in downtown next Friday (Nov. 21), playing the music of the “Piano Man” himself. I won’t take it personally if “Captain Jack” doesn’t make the cut for Billy Nation, but it’s a song that continues to speak to me every time I hear it (especially when I dust off my vinyl version).
The cold cut sandwiched between those two during the Firehouse’s upcoming cover weekend is inspired by a more modern band … that is probably closer to throwback than a lot of us in Gen Y would care to admit. Trouble – The Music of Coldplay takes the stage next Saturday evening (Nov. 22).
Covers will also feature prominently at Pleasanton Youth Theater Company’s Cabaret “Singer’s Choice” on Dec. 5. And early in the new year, “Stealin’ Chicago” courtesy of Aja Vu Band will play the songs of Chicago and Steely Dan on Jan. 9.
In neighboring Livermore, the Bankhead Theater welcomes three tribute acts before the holiday shows kick in, plus one more right in the middle.
Uptown brings to the stage this Friday night (Nov. 14) “top-tier vocals and wall-to-wall choreography … with their blend of contemporary radio hits and classic Motown music”, according to Livermore Valley Arts – which notes only a few tickets remain available.
Two evenings later, Dustbowl Revival and Hot Club of Cowtown are teaming up for a concert celebration of Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson. Curtain goes up at 7 p.m. Sunday.
Then next Thursday, I’d expect to hear songs like “Magic Man”, “Barracuda”, “Crazy on You” and “Alone” belted in the Bankhead during The Ultimate Tribute to Heart.
And next month, the music of Foreigner and Journey will come together with Forejour on Dec. 27.
Come to think of it, familiar music will also feature prominently in four other concerts at the Bankhead this month: Brass Over Bridges this Saturday afternoon, acoustic guitarist Luca Stricagnoli with special guest vocalist Meg Pfeiffer on Saturday night, acclaimed pianist Keiko Matsui returning next Friday and “Pajama Party” with Michael McNevin next Saturday morning.
For jazz lovers, San Ramon offers two concerts to listen to renditions of classics: Lady K and the Kings of Swing – The Best of Big Band Jazz this Sunday afternoon at Front Row Theatre, and Allan Harris – “vocalist jazz meets poetry” – at the city’s Main Library on Saturday night as part of the San Ramon Library Foundation’s Jazz Series 2025. (Chris Cain Band also plays in the library Jazz Series on Dec. 6.)
While not exactly a tribute, songs we’ve worn out in my house will be the centerpiece of a special show at the Bankhead next Wednesday: Disney’s Moana Live-to-Film Concert. If the mere mention of the movie is making the earworms settle in, you’re welcome.
Another Disney animated soundtrack features full volume 14 times in Danville between this Saturday and Dec. 20, as the I Can Do That! youth performance troupe presents “The Lion King KIDS” in the historic Village Theatre downtown.
The Firehouse hosts the final four shows of PYTC’s production of “Beetlejuice JR.” this weekend.
Film nostalgia will also be the vibe at the Bankhead for back-to-back presentations on Black Friday, with The Princess Bride: An Inconceivable Evening with Cary Elwes on the calendar for 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Nov. 28.
Other performances dotting the Tri-Valley A&E calendar are Psychology of Cults next Sunday and opera star Franc D’Ambrosio on Dec. 5, both at the Bankhead; Best of San Francisco Stand-Up Comedy is Dec. 20 at Firehouse; and Nupoor Dances Beyond Bollywood 2025 this Saturday and Kaladhaara Arts Academy Presents Pravaahini next Saturday, both at the Dougherty Valley Performing Arts Center in San Ramon.
The rest appear to be holiday shows through New Year’s. Curious about those? Our 2025 Holiday Happenings feature is scheduled as our Cover Story next week, so look for it then. Don’t forget to remember.
Editor’s note: Jeremy Walsh is the associate publisher and 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.
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