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Laura Anglade is coming to the Bankhead Theater on Oct. 30, 2026 as part of the new Club Bankhead jazz series. (Photo by Nic LaFrance / Courtesy LVA) 
Al Jardine & The Pet Sounds Band on Oct. 24, 2026. (Photo by Steven Rood / Courtesy LVA) 
The Branford Marsalis Quartet is in concert Oct. 2, 2026. (Photo by Yvonne Schmedemann / Courtesy LVA) 
The Wailin’ Jennys. (Photo courtesy LVA) 
Tara Lipinski headlines the 2026-27 Rae Dorough Speaker Series. (Photo courtesy LVA) 
On Feb. 5, 2027, there will be a screening of the movie “Black Panther” accompanied by a live orchestra at the Bankhead Theater. (Photo by Matt Kennedy © 2017 MVLFFLLC. TM © 2017 Marvel. Courtesy LVA) 
Mads Tolling and John R Burr will lead a double-bill concert night in Club Bankhead in January 2027. (Photo courtesy LVA) 
Ralphie himself, actor Peter Billingsley, will be on hand for a Q&A and special screening of “A Christmas Story” in December 2026. (Photo courtesy LVA)
Livermore Valley Arts is bringing the music for its milestone 20th season, both concerts designed to rock the whole house and intimate sets showcasing jazz with the audience right on the stage.
Sprinkle in some comedy acts, an Olympic gold medalist, a leg lamp, a panel with “The Sopranos” alumni, modern magicians, unique ballet shows, original MTV VJs and more, and LVA has its recipe for 2026-27 at the Bankhead Theater in downtown Livermore.
“I wanted to bring forward that feeling of discovery. Art can bring that about, and art will never let you down as you search for it,” CEO Chris Carter said in announcing the Bankhead Presents series April 22.
“LVA wants to be your home for discovery,” Carter said. “For example, as America heads towards its 250th birthday, we are bringing many distinctly American types of talent to The Bankhead stage. The new Club Bankhead Series will showcase jazz, that distinctly American form, and talents like original Beach Boys member Al Jardine, along with The Pet Sounds Band, will bring Americana to life.”
“We still have world offerings as well, such as Ladysmith Black Mambazo and International Guitar Night, and I encourage you to ‘discover’ new unforgettable moments through the arts, and even step out of your comfort zone to catch a show or five that you would never see normally,” he added.
The season kicks off on Aug. 7 with Marty Isenberg’s “Wes Anderson Playlist”, the first of the nine jazz acts booked throughout the next year for the debut Club Bankhead Series that will see audience members sitting on the stage – and an actual bar right there too – to give the theater a jazz club vibe.
The jazz series continues with “Sinatra Saloon: A Tale & A Tune” on Sept. 4, Laura Anglade on Oct. 30, Gabrielle Cavassa on Nov. 20, the double bill of Mads Tolling & John R. Burr Ramblin’ and Matt Finders & Friends on Jan. 2, LP and The Vinyl on Feb. 6, Skylar Tang on April 2 and Ethan Lipton & His Orchestra on May 14.
Beyond jazz, the Bankhead will welcome a variety of performers and genres in concert throughout its 20th season.
As previously announced, Grammy winner Lyle Lovett will headline the “Opening Night at The Bankhead” fundraiser Aug. 29.
October will bring two of the biggest acts: “Branford Marsalis & Dianne Reeves Celebrate John Coltrane” on Oct. 2 and Al Jardine & The Pet Sounds Band on Oct. 24.
February 2027 will feature Ladysmith Black Mambazo (Feb. 12), International Guitar Night (Feb. 19) and The Wailin’ Jennys (Feb. 26), plus a screening of the movie “Black Panther” accompanied by a live orchestra performing the Oscar-winning score Feb. 5.
Other original acts include Big Bad Voodoo Daddy on Sept. 11, Canadian Brass on Nov. 22 and Five For Fighting (with strings) on Jan. 22. Cover shows include “The Carole King Tribute: Home Again” on Jan. 9, Sounds of Laurel Canyon on Nov. 21 and Forever Motown on Sept. 19.
Music will also be the centerpiece of the six performances during the winter holiday season.
Pleasanton native Jeff Bordes and his band start it off with “A New Orleans Christmas” on Nov. 28, followed by Charo in concert on Dec. 4, the music and stage presence of Mostly Kosher on Dec. 7, “Holiday Swingin’!” with Kat Edmondson on Dec. 16, “Campana Sobre Campana: Christmas in Mexico” on Dec. 22, and a special screening of the film “A Christmas Story” and a moderated live discussion with star Peter Billingsley on Dec. 21.
Kings Return is performing its concert on Jan. 30, rescheduled after a cancellation during the previous season. Matthew Morrison also has a rescheduled concert, with his “Show Up” on Sept. 17. Morrison’s former “Glee” co-star Jane Lynch is due back after an illness postponement too, with her comedy show “The Trouble with Angels” with Kate Flannery set for Aug. 21.
Comedians dot the Bankhead’s calendar, including Paula Poundstone returning to Livermore on Sept. 5, San Francisco Comedy Competition on Sept. 18, and standup Gabriel Rutledge on Oct. 17.
Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, an all-male ballet parody troupe, is known for its humor as well, coming Feb. 4. Ballet Folklorico Mexicano de Carlos Moreno will be back at the Bankhead on Oct. 25.
Masters of Illusion will bring magic to the stage on Aug. 22. Original MTV VJs Mark Goodman and Alan Hunter will host “Neon Nostalgic Presents 80s Music Television” on Sept. 12. And “A Night with the Cast of The Sopranos” is set for Jan. 8.
U.S. Olympic gold medal-winning figure skater Tara Lipinski is headlining the annual Rae Dorough Speaker Series, with her appearance set for March 18.
The speaker series starts Sept. 10 with Albert Lin’s “Exploring Human Frontiers” and is followed by “The Ghosts of Pompeii” with Caitie Barrett on Nov. 19, actor and comedian B.J. Novak (“The Office”) on Dec. 6 and “Exploring Nature’s Hidden Worlds” with Anand Varma on Jan. 21.
LVA typically fills in more Bankhead Presents acts for its bill as the season progresses.
The Bankhead’s resident companies also announce their annual performance lists in spring or summer – groups like CYT Tri-Valley, Del Valle Fine Arts, Livermore-Amador Symphony, Livermore Valley Opera, Pacific Chamber Orchestra, Tri-Valley Theatre Company and Valley Dance Theatre.
For tickets and more information on LVA’s 20th season, go to livermorearts.org, call 925-373-6800 or visit the theater’s box office at 2400 First St. from noon to 6 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays.
