LVPAC Presents Performances


It is with great pleasure that we share with you the 2008-09 Season of LVPAC Presents! There is something extraordinary about the shared experience of a live performance, especially in the unique confines of our beautiful Bankhead Theater. All of us at LVPAC invite you to share your energy and enthusiasm with the artists and entertainers of our 2008-09 season, including Tommy Tune, The Smothers Brothers, Ottmar Liebert, American Ballet theatre II, Rickie Lee Jones, Asleep at the Wheel, Punch Brothers featuring Chris Thile, and many more. 
 
LVPAC presents 2008 - 2009 season

 

American Ballet Theatre II

American Ballet Theatre II

Sunday, September 21, 2008 at 2pm

BUY TICKETS $45/$40/$35/$30/$12 students

ABT II, directed by Wes Chapman, is a small classical company of thirteen young dancers of outstanding potential, handpicked from around the world. The company’s varied repertoire mirrors the traditions of American Ballet Theatre; and, while it is firmly rooted in classical ballet, it also premieres contemporary choreography. The New York Times describes ABT II dancers as “Well-trained and willing. They perform with an appealing blend of freshness and individual presence,” while The Newark Star-Ledger says, “…ABT II delights audiences with its youthful vigor and panache. These dancers are firecrackers!”

For information, visit www.abt.org

 

 

Rickie Lee Jones

 

Rickie Lee Jones

Wednesday, October 1, 2008 at 8pm

BUY TICKETS $55/$40/$35/$30/$12 students

Over the span of her amazing career, two-time Grammy Award winner Rickie Lee Jones experienced significant commercial success, but a restless creative spirit -- combined with a stubborn refusal to fit comfortably into any one musical niche -- seals her ultimate destiny as a highly regarded cult heroine. With lots of creative sparks Rickie’s music transcends all of its historical touchstones, taking the elements (“Wind, fire, water, laughter,” explains Ms. Jones) to create something that sounds totally new--full of grace, soul and adventurous sonic textures.

For information, visit www.rickieleejones.com

 

 

The Smothers Brothers

 

An Evening with the Smothers Brothers

LVPAC’s Fall Gala
Friday, October 3, 2008 at 8pm

BUY TICKETSTickets $125/$115/$105/$95

Masters of timing and practitioners of timeless comedy, the Smothers Brothers legendary career surpasses all other comedy teams. LVPAC is thrilled to present them and their unique take on the American political landscape in this landmark presidential election year.

A primetime comedy series, guest appearances on numerous television programs, and headliners in Las Vegas, Reno and Lake Tahoe, comprise just a few of their well-deserved claims to fame. Tom and Dick have had twelve top-selling albums, a successful video and continuous coast-to-coast concert tours and performances with symphony orchestras. These irrepressible brothers have made a sweeping impact on diverse generations of fans with their intuitive humor, natural warmth, and superlative showmanship..

In addition to Tom and Dick’s hilarious performance, the gala evening, a fundraiser for LVPAC, will feature complimentary wine, sumptuous desserts and coffee at a festive reception in the theater lobby immediately following the performance. We hope you will join us for a spectacular evening to remember.

For information, visit www.smothersbrothers.com

 

 

Kyle Eastwood

 

Kyle Eastwood

Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at 8 pm

BUY TICKETS $50/$35/$30/$25/$12 students

As someone who has had a myriad of opportunities to shine, Kyle Eastwood has truly carved his own path as a musician. Having dabbled on electric bass as a teenager, he now also plays the upright, acoustic and double bass. Kyle’s second album “Paris Blue” resonates with swing, groove, and funk overtones. Kyle says, “My roots remain in jazz but I like adding all kinds of different flavors.” The album climbed to #1 on the French Jazz charts. Kyle has composed music for the Academy Award winning films, “Mystic River” and “Million Dollar Baby.”

For information, visit www.kyleeastwood.com

 

 

Keyboard Conversations - Jeffrey Siegel

 

Keyboard Conversations®
Concerts with Lively Commentary

JEFFREY SIEGEL, PIANIST

BUY TICKETS $45/$40/$35/$30/$12 students

Tuesday, November 18, 2008 at 8 pm

CHOPIN FOR LOVERS! Romantically inspired, stirring compositions by one of music's most popular composers. The heroic “Polonaises,” the vivacious “Waltzes,” stormy “Preludes,” fiery “Scherzos,” and dreamy “Nocturnes.”

Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at 8 pm

THE LONGEVITY OF THE SHORT PIECE Byte-size musical jewels and gems - masterpieces in miniature. Mendelssohn “Songs Without Words,” Grieg “Lyric Pieces,” Brahms “Rhapsodies,” Schubert “Impromptus,” and Tchaikovsky “Nocturnes.”

Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at 8 pm

MUSICAL PICTURES Inspiring sights in glorious sound! The sonic splendor of Rachmaninoff's “Etudes Tableaux,” Debussy's colorful and exotic “Preludes,” and Mussorgsky's astonishing gallery of “Pictures at an Exhibition.”

For information, visit www.keyboardconversations.com

 

 

The Four Freshmen

 

The Four Freshmen Celebrate New Year’s Eve

Wednesday,  December 31, 2009 at 7 pm

BUY TICKETS $95/$80/$70/$60

Join LVPAC favorites, The Four Freshmen, for a gala New Year’s Eve Party complete with champagne and dessert in the Bankhead lobby following the performance. Count down to a New York midnight and fireworks at 9pm with community-wide revelers on the SheaHomes stage directly outside the theater.

Famous for pioneering a new style of close-harmony vocals built on the barbershop tradition, and often accompanying themselves on guitar, trumpet, trombone, bass, and drums, The Four Freshmen have entertained audiences worldwide. Current members Brian Eichenberger, Curtis Calderon, Vince Johnson and Bob Ferreira continue the vocal tradition set by the original group, while adding new repertoire.

For information, visit www.4freshmen.com

 

 

Irvin Mayfield and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra

 

Irvin Mayfield and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra All Stars

Friday, January 16, 2009 at 8 pm

BUY TICKETS $55/$40/$35/$30/$12 students

The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra All Stars is a spirited, swinging, 6-piece band steeped in the tradition of New Orleans jazz, blues, swing and spirituals. Founder and Artistic Director Irvin Mayfield is a Grammy nominated, Billboard Award winning trumpeter and composer and the official Cultural Ambassador for the City of New Orleans. The group’s lively performance will evoke the wondrous blues sound, the incredible food, the magnificent architecture, the creative literary spirit and the celebratory joie de vivre of New Orleans.

For information, visit www.thenojo.com

 

 

The Best of Doo Wop

 

The Best of Doo Wop

Thursday, January 29, 2009 at 8pm

BUY TICKETS $55/$40/$35/$30/$12 students

It’s a blast from the past with music of Doo Wop legends and Rock and Roll Hall of Famers. The Best of Doo Wop with original Coaster Leon Hughes, the Vibrations and tribute groups playing the hits of the Drifters and Del Vikings is a musical extravaganza of swing, rhythm and blues of the 50’s and 60’s. Get ready to tap your toes and snap your fingers to favorites “Under The Boardwalk,” “Poison Ivy,” “The Watusi” and “Come Go With Me.”

 

 

Punch Brothers

 

Punch Brothers

Featuring Chris Thile

Sunday, February 15, 2009 at 8 pm

BUY TICKETS $55/$40/$35/$30/$12 students

The acoustic bluegrass Punch Brothers formed by mandolin player Chris Thile of Nickel Creek fame, serve up bluegrass with modern classical composition. Thile’s youthful, prodigiously gifted band-mates are among the most in-demand performers in the worlds of bluegrass, folk, and traditional music. The quintet includes Thile, Gabe Witcher on fiddle, Noam Pikelny on banjo, guitarist Chris Eldridge and bassist Greg Garrison. The quintet performs to sold-out audiences across the U.S. playing selections from “Punch,” their latest album.

For information, visit www.punchbrothers.com

 

 

Tango Fire

 

Tango Fire

Wednesday, February 18, 2009 at 8 pm

BUY TICKETS $55/$40/$35/$30/$12 students

Founded in 1996 by the distinguished Argentine ballerina and choreographer, Carolina Soler, Buenos Aires’ Estampas Portenas is a tango company with a performance that is simultaneously rhythmic, technical and erotic.“Tango Fire is the real deal -- sensuous twists and turns, lightning sharp interaction between a pair of dancers, great music, sexy costumes and glamorous performers make Tango Fire a show that is full of adrenalin and good humor.”

For information, visit www.tango-fire.com

 

 

Tribute to Glenn Miller and Gene Krupa

 

Tribute to Glenn Miller and Gene Krupa

Featuring The Tex Beneke Orchestra

Saturday, February 21, 2009 at 8pm

BUY TICKETS $55/$40/$35/$30/$12 students

 

Experience the 13-piece Tex Beneke Orchestra’s dazzling showcase of big band classics from Glenn Miller’s “In The Mood” and “Tuxedo Junction” to Gene Krupa’s “Sing Sing Sing” and “Don’t Be That Way.” The evening also stars Mary Lou Metzger, a featured singer and dancer on the acclaimed Lawrence Welk television series and the recent host of several music specials on PBS. The award winning String of Pearls group rounds out the show, performing some of the memorable big band vocal numbers such as “Chatanooga Choo Choo” and “Kalamazoo.”

 

 

Jil Aigrot

 

Jil Aigrot

Monday, March 16, 2009 at 8pm

BUY TICKETS $55/$40/$35/$30/$12 students

This famous French songbird inhabits the role of one of her country’s most celebrated songstresses, Edith Piaf. Previously an actress, Jil Aigrot has recently thrown herself into the performance that brought her to the big screen in the first place—releasing “Words of Love,” a collection which includes Aigrot’s interpretations of nearly 20 of Piaf’s most noteworthy songs.

For information, visit www.spot-onentertainment.com

 

 

Aquila Theatre Company

 

Aquila Theatre Company

William Shakespeare's "The Comedy of Errors"

Monday, March 23, 2009 at 8 pm

BUY TICKETS $45/$40/$35/$30/$12 students

Aquila’s production of Shakespeare’s tale of two sets of identical twins whose lives get turned upside down before they are finally put in order relies not only on slapstick comedy, but also on wonderful performances and imaginative staging. The Aquila Theatre has taken on the challenge of mixing American and British actors to do an excellent job with this confusing, funny and touching farce. Founded in London in 1991 by Peter Meineck, Aquila is now based in New York City.

For information, visit www.aquilatheatre.com

 

 

Ottmar Liebert

 

Ottmar Liebert

Friday, March 27 at 8:00 pm

BUY TICKETS $55/$40/$35/$30/$12 students

Like his music, Liebert is respectful, creative and open-minded; a thoughtful artist who likes to begin albums with a concept and structure, even if it’s an untraditional one. With his band Luna Negra, Liebert has taken many of his best-loved tunes to incredible new places. His debut album, “Nouveau Flamenco,” sold double-platinum making it the biggest-selling guitar album of all time marking Liebert as one of the most talented, influential and creative guitarists and performers to surface in years.

For information, visit www.ottmarliebert.com

 

 

Beppe Gambetta and Dan Crary

 

Beppe Gambetta and Dan Crary

Friday, April 3, 2009 at 8pm

BUY TICKETS $35/$25/$20/$20/$12 students

 

From his unique roots developing as an Italian musician in love with American country and bluegrass as well as the music of his native country, Beppe Gambetta has travelled the world to dazzle and charm music enthusiasts everywhere. Beppe’s musical journey is one of light heart and curiosity whose destination is not totally defined because it is beautiful to find ourselves where we never would expect to be.

Musical legend Dan Crary is a master of the guitar and one of the few artists whose work transcends boundaries of style and genre. Dan’s versatility prevails as his music ranges from Mozart to Anglo-American fiddle tunes to moody, evocative original compositions. “Jammed If I Do,” with guests Tony Rice, Doc Watson, Norman Blake, and Beppe Gambetta, was hailed as one of the decade’s great gatherings of guitarists, and his albums have garnered awards and rave reviews.

For information, visit www.dancrary.com and www.beppegambetta.com

 

 

Arlo Guthrie

 

Arlo Guthrie

Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at 8pm

BUY TICKETS $55/$40/$35/$30/$12 students

Arlo Guthrie, born with a guitar in one hand and a harmonica in the other, gave his first public performance at age 13 and quickly became involved in the music that was shaping the world during the 1960s. The release of “Alice's Restaurant” helped foster a new commitment among the '60s generation to social consciousness and activism. In addition to playing the piano, six and twelve-string guitar, harmonica and a dozen other instruments, Arlo is a natural-born storyteller, whose tales and anecdotes figure prominently in his performances.

For information, visit www.arlo.net

 

 

 Marcus Roberts Trio

 

Marcus Roberts Trio

Thursday, April 9, 2009 at 8pm

BUY TICKETS $55/$40/$35/$30/$12 students

The Marcus Roberts Trio’s imagination and quick musical reflexes project a style that is powerful, rhythmic, and free. Traditionally the piano is the focus of jazz trios, yet Roberts prefers all musicians share equally in shaping the music by changing its tempo, mood, texture, or form with musical cues. Roland Guerin and Jason Marsalis possess immense talent both individually and as a unit. Roberts’ highly innovative piano style as well as his philosophy of jazz improvisation merges his love for great music with his creative imagination to create a thoroughly modern sound.

For information, visit www.marcusrobertts.com

 

 

An Evening with Tommy Tune 

An Evening with Tommy Tune

LVPAC’s Spring Gala
Saturday, April 18, 2009 at 8pm

BUY TICKETS $125/$115/$105/$95

Pulling out all the stops for an evening of first-class entertainment, Tommy Tune and the Manhattan Rhythm Kings will fill the Bankhead Theater with the smooth musical sound you’ve always loved. With the depth of his creative expression it’s not surprising that Tommy received the highest honor for Artistic Achievement, The National Medal of Arts. In addition to singing, dancing, and acting, Tommy has garnered nine Tony Awards for Broadway musicals such as The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine, and Nine. On his unique talents as a director, choreographer, singer, dancer and actor, the New York Times has proclaimed, “Mr. Tune has reshuffled the elements of the traditional Broadway musical into state of the art.”

In addition to a show-stopping performance, the gala evening, a fundraiser for LVPAC, will feature complimentary wine, sumptuous desserts and coffee at a festive reception in the theater lobby immediately following the performance. We hope you will join us for an exciting evening to remember.

For information, visit www.tommytune.com  

 

 

Asleep at the Wheel

 

Asleep at the Wheel

Saturday, June 13, 2009 at 8pm

BUY TICKETS $55/$40/$35/$30/$12 students

Can a wheel reinvent itself while it's still rolling? Sounds like an impossible task -- but you never want to say "impossible" to Asleep at the Wheel. Led by guitarist and vocalist Ray Benson the band has not only been entertaining audiences with its own genre-busting music for nearly four decades, but has never been afraid to try something new -- including a reinvention, inspired by the past, that rolls joyously toward a long and shining future. This legendary outfit is riding a wave of success with its Western swing, boogie, and roots-music.

For information, visit www.asleepatthewheel.com

 

 

THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE

 

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Sponsored by Wells Fargo

 

Saturday, June 6, 2009 at 3 & 8pm
Sunday, June 7, 2009 at 2 & 7pm

BUY TICKETS $75/$65/$45/$35

How do you spell H-I-T? In the Broadway play and Tony-Award winning new musical comedy THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, six young people in the throes of puberty, overseen by grown-ups who barely managed to escape childhood themselves, learn that winning isn’t everything and that losing doesn’t necessarily make you a loser. SPELLING BEE has been hailed by the Wall Street Journal as “perfect in every possible way – that rarity of rarities, a super-smart musical that is also a bona fide crowd pleaser.”

For information, visit www.spellingbeethemusical.com

 

THREE EASY WAYS TO ORDER

 

One: in person at the Box Office, Tuesday through Saturday, 12 noon to 6 pm. Handling fees waived when purchased in person.

Two: on Website, www.livermoreperformingarts.org

Three: by Phone at 925.373.6800