|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Holiday shows that welcome the season are returning, courtesy of Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center. But this year the variety of musical entertainment will be enjoyed virtually since the Bankhead Theater and Bothwell Arts Center remain closed.
“The performing arts offer moments of joy and beauty that are precious in our world, especially right now,” LVPAC Executive Director Chris Carter said. “Virtual events aren’t the same, but they still have the power to entertain and allow artists to share their talents.”
The performers, which local audiences have loved in the past, include Oregon-based band Pink Martini and Canadian master fiddlers Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy.
Pink Martini, affectionately called “Everyone’s Favorite Little Orchestra,” quickly sold out its single performance at the Bankhead Theater in 2015. This year the troupe will offer two virtual shows, “Home for the Holidays: a Pink Martini Spectacular” on Dec. 17, and a New Year’s Eve extravaganza appropriately titled, “Good Riddance 2020.”
Pink Martini was filmed in front of the 35-foot Christmas tree at its World Headquarters in Portland, and the show presents fan favorite numbers as well as holiday classics old and new.
“A Celtic Family Christmas” on Dec. 19, features MacMaster, Leahy and their talented children, in a lively performance from their home in Nova Scotia on fiddles, keyboard and drums, accompanied by their tap-dancing feet. Their songs, dancing and family frolics were a hit last month when they closed the “Best of the Bankhead” Virtual Benefit. They also have appeared several times on the Bankhead stage.
“Eleanor’s Very Merry Christmas Wish — The Musical” tells the story of a rag doll who lives in the magical world of the North Pole; the family-friendly production is recommended for ages 3 and up. A party-box show package can be purchased that includes a copy of the book, an ornament and letter-to-Santa stationery. Tickets for the show can be ordered and watched for any 48-hour period from now through Dec. 27.
For three weekends, Valley Dance Theatre, a resident company of the Bankhead Theater, will offer a virtual on-demand performance of their 2019 production of “The Nutcracker.” The company typically presents eight public and two school performances each December involving as many as 100 dancers of all ages as well as the orchestra members. Tickets to see the 2019 virtual on-demand performance are free, although donations in support of Valley Dance Theatre can be made when registering online or during the performance.
Tickets for “The Nutcracker” are available through the Bankhead box office by calling 373-6800 or visiting LivermoreArts.org. Tickets for Pink Martini, “A Celtic Family Christmas” and “Eleanor’s Very Merry Christmas Wish” are available on the website through links that direct a portion of sales back to benefit Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center.
“We are glad to help promote these events and appreciate the share in ticket revenue they offer, which will help support our return to live performances in the future,” Carter said.
