Keep checking in for updates about LVPAC and our partners.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Anne Giancola
Bothwell Arts Center
2466 8th Street, Livermore, CA
925. 447-ARTS
agiancola@livermoreperformingarts.org
Or skenison@livermoreperformingarts.org
925.583.2301
Art on the Green with Music from Lindy’s Kitchen
LIVERMORE, CA – (August 25, 2015)
Art on the Green comes to the Shea Homes Plaza in front of the Bankhead Theater on Saturday, September 19from 2 pm – 5 pm. Mingle with the artists, watch their demonstrations, and find that special something among jewelry, vintage note cards, photography, and original art work including acrylic, oil, colored pencils, pottery and more, all in Livermore’s beautiful wine country downtown.
One of this month’s artists is Jennie McGregor. Jennie’s photos are renown for their vivid and inspiring colors and many depict local landscapes and landmarks. Seek out the Light of Day jewelry display to find one-of-a-kind jewelry and vintage pieces that glow with shiny objects. “I love owning hand made artwork from local artists,” says Verna Condon of Pleasanton. “It gives a special meaning to the work and its wonderful to meet the makers.”
The beauty of hand made art is found at Art on the Green and is a free event — perfect for groups, individuals and families to wander through and enjoy the art and music, and find unique, hand made treasures. Whether you are an avid art collector or just looking for something different, there will be an outstanding selection of fine art and crafts to browse and purchase as you walk among the artisan displays.
Adding an acoustical treat to the stroll through Shea Homes Plaza is live music by Lindy’s Kitchen. This three-piece band has been described as a true alternative band with a folk-rock style. The members have a warm and personable approach to live music and they play a unique set of rock, pop and country covers spanning the 60s to today.
Art on the Green will take place on the Plaza in front of the Bankhead Theater (Shea Homes Plaza) in downtown Livermore on September 19.
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The Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center provides wide-ranging programs that give access to the arts for the Tri-Valley community and beyond. LVPAC Presents offers a diverse variety of exceptional music, dance and theatrical performances at the Bankhead Theater each year. The Bankhead Theater and the Bothwell Arts Center are home to nine resident performing arts companies and over 40 studio artists and cultural arts instructors. Between them, they have offered more than 500 public activities each year, from classes and workshops, to concerts, festivals and performances, as well as ArtWalk and extensive educational arts outreach. A list of upcoming performances at the Bankhead Theater, as well as activities at the Bothwell Arts Center, is available online at livermoreperformingarts.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Anne Giancola
Bothwell Arts Center
2466 8th Street, Livermore, CA
925. 447-ARTS
agiancola@livermoreperformingarts.org
Or skenison@livermoreperformingarts.org
925.583.2301
California Dreamin’: Rain Dance on the Walls
LIVERMORE, CA – (August 25, 2015)
See it, soak it up, reveal in it. The Bothwell Arts Center and Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center is pleased to announce the opening of Rain Dance, an art exhibition at the Bankhead Theater. This exhibit features six artists’ interpretation of everyone’s favorite California Dreamin’: water.
The art works range from abstract to representational and are executed in a variety of media. The artists featured are Jason Conn, Danielle Eubanks, Kerry McGehee, Linda Ryan, Julie Hayward Trout, and Bernard Weston.
The exhibit opens September 2 and is on display through November 2, 2015. The Bankhead Theater lobby will be open to the public starting onSeptember 5 on Tuesdays through Sundays, 12-6 p.m.
The Artists’ Reception is on Sunday, September 20 from 1–3 pm., and is free and open to the public. Native American dancers from the Indian Education program at the American Indian Center will perform pow wow dancing at the reception. This visual feast for the eyes in art and dance creates an atmosphere of cool water and a celebration of dance and song in pleasing, natural acoustic beats. The perfect opportunity to bring in the Rain.
The Bankhead Theater is located at 2400 First Street in Livermore, CA. Call 925. 447-ARTS for more information about Rain Dance.
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The Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center provides wide-ranging programs that give access to the arts for the Tri-Valley community and beyond. LVPAC Presents offers a diverse variety of exceptional music, dance and theatrical performances at the Bankhead Theater each year. The Bankhead Theater and the Bothwell Arts Center are home to nine resident performing arts companies and over 40 studio artists and cultural arts instructors. Between them, they have offered more than 500 public activities each year, from classes and workshops, to concerts, festivals and performances, as well as ArtWalk and extensive educational arts outreach. A list of upcoming performances at the Bankhead Theater, as well as activities at the Bothwell Arts Center, is available online at livermoreperformingarts.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Scott Kenison or Bernice LaRosa
Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center
925-583.2301
skenison@livermoreperformingarts.org
925.373.6100 x116
blarosa@livermoreperformingarts.org
Chinese Acrobats’ Breathtaking “Peking Dreams” is First of Many World Music and Arts Events at the Bankhead Theater This Season
LIVERMORE, CA – (August 24, 2015) –The National Circus and Acrobats of the People’s Republic of China return to Livermore in September with “Peking Dreams,” a mesmerizing show that combines dazzlingly precise physical artistry with colorful costumes and traditional music. Direct from Beijing, these amazing athletes thrill audiences of all ages with remarkable feats of balance, juggling, contortion, and a gravity-defying ability to fly across the stage. “Peking Dreams” is only the first of more than a dozen events in LVPAC Presents’ ninth season which showcases performing arts from nearly every continent. Upcoming events range from “A Taste of Africa” and “Bollywood Masala Orchestra and Dancers,” to “A Celtic Christmas” and the brilliant flamenco of Paco Peña. “Peking Dreams” will appear at the Bankhead Theater for just one matinee performance on Sunday, September 13, 2015 at 2:00 p.m.
Founded more than six decades ago, the National Circus and Acrobats of the People’s Republic of China is one of the longest running and most distinguished circus troupes in China. Enhanced by spectacular lighting and costumes, their award-winning acts have filled venues worldwide and won over twenty Gold and Silver medals and other awards at international festivals. Considered innovators in the world of circus companies, the National Circus and Acrobats of the People’s Republic of China have perfected such acts as the grand flying trapeze, giant teeterboard, group contortions, as well as a variety of balancing acts using hoops, poles, balls, ladders and cycles. Their early focus on shifting emphasis away from animal acts to dramatic human physical feats, influenced the pioneers of the now well-known “Cirque du Soleil” who sought coaching from them in these special skills during the 1980s.
The ancient Chinese called the circus “the show of a hundred tricks.” Chinese circus acts are a culturally-treasured art form with roots that date back many centuries to early folk entertainers who used objects from daily life to entertain and engage spectators. As circus feats grew in popularity, they were adopted for Imperial performances and became increasingly intricate and complex. As it has always been, circus performance continues to be centered in family tradition, with skills and expertise passed from generation to generation.
This season, more than a dozen events provide audiences at the Bankhead Theater and Bothwell Arts Center with the opportunity to experience and be immersed in the music and performing arts of other countries. Chinese artistry will be offered again in March with the GuGu Drum Group, whose authentic rhythms and dance movements tell timeless and traditional fables and stories with contemporary flair. Representing every continent except Antarctica, the 2015-2016 LVPAC Presents season includes the return of Master of the Sarod Amjad Ali Khan and Sons, as well as the Moscow Festival Ballet, Parisian film favorite “Triplets of Belleville” with live musical accompaniment, a traditional holiday celebration with Ballet Folklorico Mexicano de Carlos Moreno, Dakha Brahka’s contemporary music of the Ukraine, and the wildly entertaining Wellington Ukulele Orchestra of New Zealand.
The Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center is dedicated to offering entertainment for all ages and encourages family attendance by offering student tickets for only $16 at nearly every event. Upcoming family-focused shows include the renowned Stunt Dog Experience, appearing Friday November 6th and two matinee performances in April by the uncrowned queen of kindie rock, Laurie Berkner, on her solo “You and Me Tour.” Tickets for these and all other performances in the 2015-2016 LVPAC Presents series are available now through the Bankhead Theater ticket office, online at www.bankheadtheater.org, or via the new LVPAC mobile app.
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The Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center provides wide-ranging programs that provide access to the arts for the Tri-Valley community and beyond. The Bankhead Theater and 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 is open Tuesday through Saturday from 12:00 noon 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. Subscriptions and single tickets for all shows in the 2015-2016 LVPAC Presents season, as well as resident companies and events at the Bothwell Arts Center are available now at the Bankhead Theater ticket office, 925-373-6800 or www.bankheadtheater.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Scott Kenison or Bernice LaRosa
Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center
925-583.2301
skenison@livermoreperformingarts.org
925.373.6100 x116
blarosa@livermoreperformingarts.org
The Ray Charles Project Opens the Ninth Annual LVPAC Presents Season with the Unforgettable Music of an Undisputed Legend
LIVERMORE, CA – (August 20, 2015)
Celebrating the genius of a musical legend, the elite jazz and blues artists of The Ray Charles Project will offer their take on his unforgettable songs as LVPAC Presents launches its ninth season at the Bankhead Theater on Saturday, September 5, 2015. Started just a few years ago in the Bay Area, The Ray Charles Project has gained widespread attention for both the exceptional tribute it offers to Charles’ music and the impressive credentials of the musicians united on stage. Santana vocalist Tony Lindsay, guitarist Chris Cain, David K. Matthews on keyboards, Glenn Walters on vocals, bassist DeWayne Pate, and drummer Deszon Claiborne deliver their own take on such familiar hits from Ray Charles’ songbook as “Georgia on my Mind,” “Unchain my Heart,” and “Hit the Road Jack.”
Now honored in virtually every music Hall of Fame with awards too numerous to count and a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, Ray Charles was born in rural Georgia at the start of the Great Depression. The loss of his eyesight, which was complete and irrevocable by the age of seven, never held him back. He first learned classical piano while at the Florida State School for the Deaf and Blind, before branching out to the jazz and blues he heard on the radio. Over his long and remarkable career, Charles’ immense talent attracted a broad audience that crossed generations and genres. Effortlessly fusing elements of rhythm and blues, gospel, jazz, pop, rock and roll, and country, his irresistible and versatile musical style earned him loyal fans worldwide.
The connections between the musicians in The Ray Charles Project run deep, with links to many classic rock, R&B and jazz legends. Eleven-time Grammy Award winner Tony Lindsay is best known for his decades as lead vocalist with the Latin rock band Santana, but has also performed and recorded with such artists as Patti Austin, Aretha Franklin, and Steve Winwood. Now the keyboard player for Santana, Dave Mathews joined the funk/soul group Tower of Power as organist when he was just 23 years old, and for decades played keyboards for the Queen of R&B, Etta James. In addition to his acclaimed solo albums, Bay Area blues guitarist Chris Cain performed with such greats as Albert King, Albert Collins, Boz Scaggs, and Willie Nelson. Bassist DeWayne Pate has also worked with Boz Scaggs, as well as Maria Muldaur, Huey Lewis the News, and many others. As part of The Ray Charles Project however, all six powerhouse musicians join together solely to pay tribute to a phenomenal singer-pianist whose musical contributions continue to have an unmistakable influence on the artists of today.
LVPAC Presents showcases a year-round roster of acclaimed performers in music, dance, comedy, and other performing arts. “The 2015-2016 season is one of the broadest and most diverse we’ve ever offered,” said Executive Director Scott Kenison. “From the alluring music of the cosmopolitan band Pink Martini and the signature country sound of Rosanne Cash, to the exciting Aspen Santa Fe Ballet and chilling drama of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, these shows will satisfy and stimulate your senses, whether it’s something you’ve wanted to see for a long time or a show you never expected to attend,” he added. Reaching out to audiences old and new, LVPAC Presents’ ninth season also features artists representing nearly every continent, including the Bollywood Masala Orchestra and Dancers, Christmas with the Celts, the Moscow Festival Ballet, GuGu Drums of China, and New Zealand’s Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra.
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The Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center provides wide-ranging programs that give access to the arts for the Tri-Valley community and beyond. LVPAC Presents offers a diverse variety of exceptional music, dance and theatrical performances at the Bankhead Theater each year. The Bankhead Theater and the Bothwell Arts Center are home to nine resident performing arts companies and over 40 studio artists and cultural arts instructors. Between them, they have offered more than 500 public activities each year, from classes and workshops, to concerts, festivals and performances, as well as ArtWalk and extensive educational arts outreach. A list of upcoming performances at the Bankhead Theater, as well as activities at the Bothwell Arts Center, is available online at livermoreperformingarts.org
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Nancy Mueller
Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center
925-583-2306
nmueller@livermoreperformingarts.org
“Girl’s Night: The Musical” Celebrates Love, Life and Friendship
in a Night of Music and Laughter at the Bankhead Theater
LIVERMORE, CA – (June 22, 2015) – A musical comedy that has entertained audiences across the country, “Girl’s Night: The Musical” delivers a hilarious tell-it-like-it-is view of friendship, woven together with irresistible classic songs such as It’s Raining Men and Girls Just Want to Have Fun. Crafted by British writer Louise Roche, “Girl’s Night: The Musical” reached cult status in England before landing in the United States. The lively show follows the stories of five girlfriends out for a wild and crazy karaoke night as they celebrate the endurance of their friendship through the years. “Girl’s Night: The Musical” will run for four performances at the Bankhead Theater from Thursday, July 9, through Saturday, July 11, 2015.
Described as “Desperate Housewives meets Mamma Mia!” the five women of “Girl’s Night: The Musical” share a touching and comical look at the complexities of love and life: outrageous Carol, blunt Anita, unsatisfied Liza, boring and designated driver Kate, and sassy Sharon, the not-so-angelic angel who just couldn’t resist tagging along. This close-knit group of thirty and forty-something gals are the kind of friends everyone recognizes. Their stories and familiar songs, from the wistful At Seventeen and reflective The Love of My Man, to a show-stopping anthem of women’s resilience, I Will Survive, deliver a night of infectious energy and spontaneous laughter.
Playwright Louise Roche is co-director of Goodnights Entertainment, a professional theater company in Milton Keynes, England, and is a former television researcher, writer and producer. She has written five plays in addition to “Girl’s Night: A Musical” and her book “Glutton for Punishment” was published 1984. Roche says her inspiration for the play was a girl’s night out with her own friends when her children were all under the age of five. After staging it in a small theater that sold out for the entire run, Roche moved the show to a larger venue and, in 2007, “Girls Night: The Musical” crossed the ocean to open in Scottsdale, Arizona. It has been a box office success ever since, selling out venues from coast to coast.
Four performances of “Girl’s Night: The Musical” will be offered at the Bankhead Theater: Thursday, July 9 at 7:30 p.m., Friday, July 10 at 8:00 p.m., and Saturday, July 11 at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $69 or $52 for adults. Student tickets are available for $16 each.
“Girl’s Night: The Musical” follows last summer’s popular multi-night run of “Menopause the Musical” at the Bankhead Theater. Comedy shows are an integral part of the entertainment offered each year by LVPAC Presents, along with music of nearly all genres, dance and other performing arts. The 2015-2016 season includes a night of non-stop stand-up as part of the 40th Annual San Francisco Comedy Competition, “Broadway’s Next HIT Musical,” an impromptu and unique musical comedy created on stage directly from audience input, and Broadway’s longest running solo play, “Defending the Caveman.” In addition, the Bankhead will welcome the return of the inimitable Paula Poundstone, legendary Chicago-based The Second City, and The Capitol Steps, with a taste of political satire in an election year.
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The Bankhead Theater, located at 2400 First Street in Downtown Livermore, is home to the LVPAC Presents series as well as performances by resident companies and touring performing arts groups. Rotating art exhibitions are also presented in the lobby and Founder’s Room throughout the year. The ticket office is open Tuesday through Friday from 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 3:00 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. To purchase tickets call 925-373-6800 or visit www.bankheadtheater.org.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Nancy Mueller
Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center
925-583-2306
nmueller@livermoreperformingarts.org
LVPAC Selects Alameda County Supervisor Scott Haggerty to be Inaugural Recipient of “Arts Champion of the Year” Award
LIVERMORE, CA – (May 28, 2015) – The Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center (LVPAC) announced last night that Alameda County Supervisor Scott Haggerty has been named the inaugural recipient of the “Arts Champion of the Year” Award. The newly-created award will be presented annually by LVPAC to honor individuals who have made significant contributions to supporting the cultural and performing arts in the Tri-Valley. The inaugural “Arts Champion of the Year” award will be officially presented to Supervisor Haggerty at the third annual LVPAC Lobster Clambake on Saturday, September 12, 2015. The organization’s largest fundraising event of the year, the Lobster Clambake is held each fall at Wente Vineyards in Livermore with proceeds going to support both the Bankhead Theater and Bothwell Arts Center.
Last year, Supervisor Haggerty played a key role in the process as LVPAC worked to resolve outstanding debt on the Bankhead Theater and make the transition to an independent theater model. “On behalf of Alameda County, Scott worked closely with LVPAC, the City of Livermore, and the Bank of New York/Mellon to develop a solution that would ensure the Bankhead Theater could remain a vibrant centerpiece for the arts in Livermore and the entire Tri-Valley,” said Denise Watkins, vice president of the LVPAC Board of Directors. “His clear understanding of the contribution the arts makes to a community, and his dedication in keeping the Bankhead a priority, was invaluable during the process and instrumental in helping us reach a successful outcome. As the premier arts organization in the Tri-Valley region, LVPAC is delighted to honor Supervisor Haggerty as our first “Champion of the Arts” in recognition of his support and commitment to strengthening the arts in our community,” Watkins added.
Haggerty was elected president of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors earlier this year. First elected as Supervisor in 1996, he represents the First District which includes Livermore, Dublin, most of the city of Fremont, and unincorporated areas of East Alameda County. Haggerty is active on a number of regional boards and commissions and has extensive experience in traffic and transportation issues, as well as public safety. He represents Alameda County at the National Association of Counties in several leadership capacities, including vice chair of the Large Urban County Caucus.
The new “Champion of the Arts” award was introduced during LVPAC’s annual Season Announcement event on May 27, 2015. The LVPAC Presents 2015-2016 season, which opens at the Bankhead Theater in September, will offer more than four dozen shows across a range of performing arts, including music of nearly every style and genre, as well as theater, dance, comedy, and other events. Presentation of the “Champion of the Arts” Award to Supervisor Haggerty will be a highlight at the Annual LVPAC Lobster Clambake on September 12th. The casually elegant event offers attendees an authentic New England-style menu, award-winning wines, musical entertainment, and both live and silent auctions. For more information regarding sponsorship, table reservations, or single tickets for the event, call (925) 373-6800 or visit www.livermoreperformingarts.org/clambake
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The Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center provides wide-ranging programs that give access to the arts for the Tri-Valley community and beyond. LVPAC Presents offers a diverse variety of exceptional music, dance and theatrical performances at the Bankhead Theater each year. The Bankhead Theater and the Bothwell Arts Center are home to nine resident performing arts companies and over 40 studio artists and cultural arts instructors. Between them, they have offered more than 500 public activities each year, from classes and workshops, to concerts, festivals and performances, as well as ArtWalk and extensive educational arts outreach. A list of upcoming performances at the Bankhead Theater, as well as activities at the Bothwell Arts Center, is available online at livermoreperformingarts.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Nancy Mueller
Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center
925-583-2306
nmueller@livermoreperformingarts.org
Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center to Collaborate with Del Valle High School Culinary Arts Program for Concessions at the Bankhead Theater
LIVERMORE, CA – (April 27, 2015) – The Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center (LVPAC) announced that it will collaborate with the Del Valle High School Culinary Academy to provide specialty food items for performances and events at the Bankhead Theater. The agreement, which is effective immediately, will have the Del Valle Culinary Arts Program providing a range of items from baked goods, such as scones, cookies, cheesecakes and tarts, to cheese platters, fresh fruit cups, specialty nuts and caramel corn. The items will be delivered once per week and offered in the VIP room, as well as sold in the concessions area of the theater before shows and at intermission.
“The collaboration is a win-win project for both Del Valle and LVPAC and we’re excited to put it into motion,” said Scott Kenison, executive director at LVPAC. “It’s a wonderful example of how LVPAC and the Bankhead Theater can play a role in strengthening our community.” Culinary Arts students will not only be able to advance their culinary skills as they prepare the food items in the catering kitchen at Livermore High, they will have an invaluable opportunity to learn about the business of catering and concessions. Students will take part in planning for quantity cooking, and manage customer service, packaging, presentation, marketing and delivery of their finished product. In addition, the program is a fundraising opportunity that provides resources to support all the classes in the Culinary Arts program.
Dianne Russell, culinary arts instructor at Del Valle Continuation High School, is very enthusiastic about the many ways this specialty foods concessions program fits into the school’s overall goals. “The program is an excellent opportunity for students to put skills they have learned in class into action,” said Russell. Working with the Bankhead will also give students a chance to provide a service and give back to their community. As the relationship between LVPAC and Del Valle expands over time, Russell hopes it may be possible to have students placed into internships at LVPAC to learn more about the theater and its concessions program. “All these aspects ultimately support Del Valle High School’s goal: to help students graduate with the skills needed to contribute and thrive in a changing world and give them a positive experience with a sense of accomplishment and pride,” Russell added.
In addition to enhancing the culinary arts program for Del Valle students, LVPAC will benefit by being able to reduce its costs, while offering Bankhead patrons a wider selection of high-quality food products. “Everything will be made locally, not mass manufactured, so the products will not only be fresher, they can be more unique,” said Arthur Barinque, Concessions Manager at LVPAC. According to Barinque, the specialty food concessions program is already in effect with the first deliveries being made this week for performances this weekend. The full transition will be done over time with the goal of having Del Valle Culinary Arts foods available at all events at the Bankhead Theater when the 2015-2016 season begins in September. As the venue approaches its ninth season, other concessions-related changes are also underway. In addition to local wineries, now local breweries and distilleries, including Eight Bridges Brewing, Altamont Beer Works, Working Man Brewing and Sutherland Distilling Company, will be represented in the beverage selection at the Bankhead and drinks from the concession counter may be brought into the theater during events.
Del Valle Continuation High School, located near downtown Livermore, serves more than 150 students within the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District. The school offers an individualized and supportive small-learning environment focused on providing graduates with the skills needed to contribute and thrive in a changing world. In addition to core curriculum classes, electives are offered in art, digital photography, physical education, computer applications, and culinary arts. The Del Valle Culinary Academy was launched in the 2013-2014 school year.
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The Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center provides wide-ranging programs that give access to the arts for the Tri-Valley community and beyond. LVPAC Presents offers a diverse variety of exceptional music, dance and theatrical performances at the Bankhead Theater each year. The Bankhead Theater and the Bothwell Arts Center are home to nine resident performing arts companies and over 40 studio artists and cultural arts instructors. Between them, they have offered more than 500 public activities each year, from classes and workshops, to concerts, festivals and performances, as well as ArtWalk and extensive educational arts outreach. A list of upcoming performances at the Bankhead Theater, as well as activities at the Bothwell Arts Center, is available online at livermoreperformingarts.org.
For Immediate Release
Editorial Contact: Andy Nagle, La Jolla Booking Agency
Ph: (562) 480-7951 Email:andy@lajollabooking.com
Additional promotional photos of Beatles cast available
Orchestra director and string quartet members may be contacted directly at:
Orchestra Director Mark Aubel 925-273-1779 maubel@pleasantonusd.net
Joseph Mo (Violin 1) 925-577-5747josephmo1594@gmail.com
Diane Jo (Violin II) 925-461-2406 dianej527@gmail.comThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.”>
Hannah Scarborough (Cello) 925-202-6466hannahbear5@comcast.netThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.”>
Cynthia Tien (Viola) 925-922-2397cynthia.oddrepublic@gmail.com
Local high school string quartet joins touring Beatles musical
PLEASANTON, CA (04/10/2015) When the touring show “In My Life – A Musical Theatre Tribute to the Beatles” comes to the Bankhead Theatre on May 18, be on the lookout for two quartets — not just one. The Amador Valley (Pleasanton) High School string quartet has the privilege of joining the professional actors on stage to add an element of orchestral texture to the evening.
Here’s the rundown:
The show: “In My Life” is the musical retelling of the Beatles story through the eyes of manager Brian Epstein and featuring the live music of renowned tribute band Abbey Road. The band features Chris Paul Overall (“Paul”), Nathaniel Bott (“John”), Jesse Wilder (“George”) and Axel Clarke (“Ringo”). Brian Epstein is played by Murphy Martin. The production includes multimedia, period costumes and vintage instruments. It has toured for years, with a critic for the Orange County Register at one point declaring, “If you see one tribute show, see this one –smart and loads of fun.” The show is widely considered by industry insiders to be the most unique Beatles show in decades.
The string quartet: Amador senior Cynthia Tien, juniors Joseph Mo and Hannah Scarborough and sophomore Diane Jo will join the band for the songs “Eleanor Rigby,” “Yesterday,” “A Day in the Life,” “Hello Goodbye,” and “Hey Jude.” In a special touch, “Yesterday” is played as a scene in which the Paul McCartney character plays the song for the first time for Beatles producer George Martin, with the songwriter explaining that he envisioned a string-quartet accompaniment.
In addition to playing with the Amador Valley High Orchestra, members of the quartet belong to prestigious area youth ensembles, including the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra, the Oakland Youth Orchestra and the Livermore Pleasanton Youth Symphony Orchestra.
Amador Valley’s other music achievements: The Amador Valley High School Music Department has been recognized as one of the top music programs in California. The department has more than 500 students enrolled in orchestras, choirs, and marching, concert and jazz bands. In 2014 the Wind Ensemble performed at the Midwest National Conference in Chicago and the Orchestra played at the California All-State Convention. Amador groups have consistently scored unanimous superior ratings at California Music Education Association festivals and have performed across the U.S. and several other countries. Their website is at www.amadormusic.org
How the “Beatles” connection was started: The producers of “In My Life” approached AVHS Orchestra Director Mark Aubel looking for a talented ensemble which could hold their own with a rock band in front of an audience. The show commonly uses a local quartet to augment the production while on tour.
The quartet’s Beatles fan: Scarborough is the quartet’s Beatles enthusiast. Her parents played Beatles albums since she was a child. “As a little girl, I loved how quirky the song ‘Rocky Racoon’ was.” “I adore the Beatles because they wrote substantial cello parts for many songs and their music is timeless and so versatile,” said Scarborough. Mo’s favorite Beatles song is “Hey Jude.” “I’m excited we get to perform the song for this show,” said Mo.
The details:”In My Life – A Musical Theatre Tribute to The Beatles” performs Monday, May 18 at 7:30 pm at the Bankhead Theater at the Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $42/$60 and may be purchased online at www.bankheadtheater.org, by phone at 925.373.6800, or at the theatre box office located at the Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center 2400 First Street, Livermore, CA 94550. The box office is openTuesday throughFriday from noon to 6 pm, Saturday from 3 pm – 6 pm and two hours before shows. The show is appropriate for all ages.
PHOTO TAG: “Quartet photo” shows Hannah Scarborough in front with the cello. In the back from left to right is Diane Jo, Joseph Mo, and Cynthia Tien. Photo taken by Mark Aubel. “Sullivanfunniest” shows (l-r) Nate Bott (“John”), Axel Clarke (“Ringo”), Jesse Wilder (“George”) and Chris Paul Overall (“Paul”); “Beatles Chase” shows Overall, Bott, Clarke and Wilder. Photos taken by Michelle Fairless.
And here is some additional information about the Amador Valley High School String Quartet:
Joesph Mo decided he wanted to learn to play the violin 12 years ago when he first heard it being performed at a concert. “I loved the brilliance of the instrument,” said Mo. He also plays the erho, a two-stringed Chinese instrument. Mo is a member of Amador Valley’s Math Club and participates in math and science competitions. He volunteers as a tutor for middle school students and maintains a 4.0 grade point average. The junior aspires to major in engineering in college. Mo’s favorite Beatles song is “Hey Jude.” “I’m excited we get to perform the song for this show,” said Mo.
Diane Jo has been playing the violin for six years. “I enjoy practicing and feeling myself improve,” said Jo. In addition to playing with the Amador Valley High Orchestra, Jo has performed with the Oakland Youth Orchestra for three years. The sophomore is a member of her school’s science club and Interact, a service organization which promotes international understanding. Her favorite Beatles songs are “Yesterday” and “Imagine.”
Hannah Scarborough has been playing the cello for seven years. “I was always drawn to deep, rich sounds,” she said. “The cello is so versatile and there are incredible arrangements for the instrument.”
In addition to performing with her high school’s orchestra, Scarborough plays with the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra. “It’s a honor to play with them,” she said. “It is a lot of time and work but definitely worth the effort. The junior is an editor of her school newspaper and a member of Honors Society and the French Honor Society, a club which focuses on French culture and language. She is vice-president of Music Council, which plans school-wide concerts and events within the music department. “I am drawn to magnitude and depth of sound that an orchestra can produce,” said Scarborough. “An orchestra can reach people in a way that can not be created in any other way.” Scarborough is the quartet’s Beatles enthusiast. Her parents have played Beatles albums since she was a child. “As a little girl, I loved how quirky the song ‘Rocky Racoon’ was.” “I adore the Beatles because they wrote substantial cello parts for many songs and their music is timeless and so versatile,” she said. Scarborough’s favorite Fab Four tunes are “Eleanor Rigby” and “Because.” “I’m so excited we get to perform “Eleanor Rigby” in the show.” She plans to attend college after graduation.
Cynthia Tien has been playing the viola for eight years and is also a pianist. In addition to be a member of the AVHS orchestra, Tien performs with the Oakland Youth Orchestra. She played the viola with the Livermore Pleasanton Youth Symphony Orchestra, which brings classical and patriotic music to local hospices. “I enjoy the collaborative experience of playing in an orchestra and the sense of coordination between talented musicians,” said Tien. Tien volunteers with Science for Youth, which assists elementary school students with science projects. She is a member of her school’s water polo and swim teams. The senior maintains a 3.9 grade point average and plans to major in chemical engineering in college. Her favorite Beatles song is “Blackbird.” “I really like the music the Beatles created,” she said.
And here is some additional information about AVHS Orchestra Director Mark Aubel:
Mark Aubel has been teaching orchestra, choir and band for 28 years. He has taught at San Mateo High School, Pleasanton Middle School, Harvest Park Middle School, and Amador Valley High School. Aubel has been named “Teacher of the Year” twice in his career. He has served the California Music Educators Association as a site host, adjudicator, and the Area III representative. He has directed honor groups throughout the Bay Area and has performed professionally with Lou Rawles, Jamey Aebersol, and Clay Aiken. He is the producer and music director for the PUSD district musical and serves on the board of directors for Pleasanton Schools Educational Enrichment. (P.S.E.E.) Aubel’s philosophy of education is to help students become better musicians and people through the art of music.
And here is some additional information about “In My Life”:
“In My Life: A Musical Theatre Tribute to the Beatles” is the award winning, smash hit musical biography of the Beatles as seen through the eyes of their manager Brian Epstein and featuring the live music of renowned tribute band Abbey Road. This family friendly musical tale is widely considered by industry insiders to be the most unique Beatles show in decades.
“The show delivers!” said the L.A. Times. “If you see one tribute show, see this one – smart and loads of fun,” said the O.C. Register. “This is the ticket for you,” said the Idaho Statesman. “The most original of all the shows on the Beatles,” San Diego Theatre Review.
More than just a Beatles tribute concert, “In My Life” gives the audience a chance to “be there” at pivotal moments in the extraordinary career of the Beatles – from Liverpool’s legendary Cavern Club, to the Ed Sullivan Show, Shea Stadium’s 50,000 + screaming fans and their final live performance on the rooftop of their Apple Corp offices. With manager Brian Epstein serving as Narrator, “In My Life” allows the audience to get a glimpse inside the world of the Beatles from their point of view, as well as hear some of the greatest songs ever written.
“In My Life” takes the audience back to February 1964, when Americans saw the Beatles for the first time on the Ed Sullivan Show, playing I Want to Hold Your Hand. Progressing through their various musical stages, the audience re-experiences the psychedelic era of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, the creation of the haunting Yesterday and the raucous rock and roll of Revolution.