Highlights Include Indigo Girls, OK GO, Vicki Lawrence and More
Manhattan Transfer
LIVERMORE, CA – (May 25, 2017) – The Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center (LVPAC) has announced the 2017-2018 season at the Bankhead Theater. The regular season officially begins on Saturday evening, September 9, 2017 at the “Brilliance at the Bankhead” gala featuring Grammy Award-winning folk rock duo the Indigo Girls. Other notable highlights among the three dozen events scheduled through June 2018 are viral-video pop hit makers OK GO, comedian Vicki Lawrence, known for her character “Mama” from The Carol Burnett Show, and the return of The Manhattan Transfer’s smooth harmony vocals.
In keeping with LVPAC’s commitment to providing audiences of all ages with a wide variety of entertainment, this season includes music representing genres from rock, blues and pop, to world and traditional swing, as well as world-class dance, comedy, and theater. Folk balladeer Tom Rush makes a welcome return, as does Marc Cohn touring with The Blind Boys of Alabama. Among artists making their first appearance at the Bankhead will be Los Lonely Boys, Lisa Loeb, and the Irish group Danù in a special St. Patrick’s Day concert.
OK GO
LVPAC’s Executive Director Scott Kenison says that in programming the season, the team kept a tight focus on maintaining a balance. “We are always happy to welcome big name artists and returning favorites, shows we know will meet a receptive audience, but we believe it is also important to introduce local audiences to artists such as African Guitar Summit and R. Carlos Nakai Trio,” he said. “It’s particularly exciting to be able to bring to the Bankhead entertainers such as OK GO or Catapult that people may have only seen on television or online. These shows, as well as the return of Olate Dogs, DLux Puppets and others, appeal to all ages. With our student ticket price of just $17, we encourage families to come out and enjoy a show together,” Kenison added.
Marc Cohn
This season is particularly rich with comedic talent. In addition to Vicki Lawrence and Mama, Rita Rudner and Dave Coulier will keep audiences laughing with their solo stand-up routines. The San Francisco Comedy Competition, Second City and Capitol Steps all return to the Bankhead and the Reduced Shakespeare Company will present “William Shakespeare’s Long Lost First Play,” a hilarious mash-up of characters, famous lines, and unexpected plot twists.
The Bankhead stage is not just for professionals. Next May, local celebrities will spend a week practicing with a professional ballroom dance partner before demonstrating their newfound skills in pursuit of the Mirrorball Trophy in “Dancing with the Tri-Valley Stars.” The evening includes a professional dance showcase by national champions, The Utah Ballroom Dance Company.
In addition to LVPAC Presents shows, the Bankhead Resident Companies, including Del Valle Fine Arts, Livermore-Amador Symphony, Livermore Valley Opera, Pacific Chamber Orchestra, Rae Dorough Speakers Series, Tri-Valley Repertory Theatre, and Valley Dance Theatre, offer nearly 50 performances and events of their own during the season.
The 2017-2018 Season at the Bankhead follows the previously announced Summer Series which begins in July with the already sold out evening with Paula Poundstone on July 7th. Six other shows including The Lettermen, Robert Cray, New Christy Minstrels, Derik Nelson and Family, JD Souther and Keiko Matsui run through August.
A “High Five” package allows any five LVPAC Presents shows, purchased at the same time, to be combined for a discount. Tickets for the “Brilliance at the Bankhead” Gala with the Indigo Girls are available now. All other shows will be on sale to the public beginning June 14, 2017. Members of LVPAC are eligible for priority ticket purchase now and receive a discount on LVPAC Presents tickets year-round. For more information or to become an LVPAC member, contact the Development Department at 925-373-2304.
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The Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center offers wide-ranging programs that provide access to the arts for the Tri-Valley community and beyond. The Bankhead Theater, which houses the Livermore Visitor’s Center and Gallery, together with the Bothwell Arts Center, are home to nine resident performing arts companies and over 40 studio artists and cultural arts instructors. The Bankhead Theater ticket office at 2400 First Street in Livermore is open Tuesday through Saturday from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. On performance days the ticket office is open from two hours before to 30 minutes after the scheduled start of each show. Tickets are also available by calling (925) 373-6800, or online at www.lvpac.org
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