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Are you a Monty Python fan? Or perhaps “Fawlty Towers” or Harry Potter are more your bag?
Do you want to hear a Grammy winner who made hay from the land “Down Under”? Or another who made his mark recounting his memorable night “Walking in Memphis”?
Maybe you’ve always wanted to see “Shipoopi”, or a Mozart opera, or Mexican ballet, or Jim Henson characters, or Bollywood choreography performed on the stage in your lifetime. Or learn more about the rise and fall of the Sex Pistols, or one of the most infamous abductions of this century, or the experience of being an “American Idol” runnerup.
Or just looking to go to the theater “Because the Night” is calling you?
“When we say we have something for everyone, we kind of do,” said Ruth Egherman, director of marketing for Livermore Valley Arts.
The nonprofit organization, which operates the Bankhead Theater and Bothwell Arts Center in Livermore, this week unveiled the 2024-25 season lineup for its marquee venue in downtown — led by its trademark “Bankhead Presents” series while also highlighting performances coming up for the Bankhead’s resident troupes like Tri-Valley Theatre Company and Livermore Valley Opera.
“This season is a love letter to our community,” LVA Executive Director Chris Carter said in the season launch press release.
“I so often receive notes or calls requesting return visits from a group or artists that have wowed audiences from the Bankhead stage,” Carter added. “This season is a wonderful mix of genres that will not only continue to bring high-quality arts programming to the Tri-Valley but will also bring back many much-demanded return visit artists from over the years for the delight of our patrons.”
The scheduling process begins about 18 months in advance, according to Carter. He said after giving first priority to its resident companies, whose dates are often reserved several years out, LVA focuses on Bankhead Presents with an eye toward Friday through Sunday slots for about four to seven shows a month. (Remaining dates are opened up to renters and other inquiries, he noted.)
“I work with about 30 different agencies representing thousands of touring artists. It’s important to have good relationships with the agents so that they can learn more about our space and audience,” Carter told Embarcadero Media Foundation.
“We have several conversations where I review their rosters of artists, and I inquire about certain ones and they also make suggestions. Much of it depends on what we feel will be a good fit based on our audience and size,” he said.
“A typical offer includes a guaranteed fee along with some kind of agreement about their rider — additional needs like meals, backline equipment, travel, hotel, etc. Our ticket structure is based on that fee. Sometimes we include bonuses or ticket splits. Every agreement is a little different,” Carter added, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the booking process.
The hard work seems to have paid off. The stacked list of 2024-25 Bankhead Presents performances (at approximately 40 acts so far) speaks for itself.
The season kicks off on Sept. 7 with singer and actress Katharine McPhee, who finished in second place on “American Idol” in 2006, headlining the Brilliance at the Bankhead fundraising gala.
During the next week, the annual Rae Dorough Speaker Series starts with British singer John Lydon (aka Johnny Rotten, of groups including the Sex Pistols) telling stories of his life and career on Sept. 13.
It’s an eclectic mix for the RDSS in the year ahead, with appearances set to include English comedian and actor John Cleese (Nov. 17), science journalist James Nestor (Jan. 23), teenage kidnapping survivor turned activist through her namesake foundation Elizabeth Smart (March 30) and “Star Trek” universe science adviser Erin Macdonald, Ph.D. (May 4).
Cleese, an alumnus of the Monty Python and Harry Potter series as well as a range of other well-known film and television roles, is among the acts Carter is particularly thrilled to see come to Livermore in the new season.
“I’m excited about all the shows, but I’m probably most looking forward to Colin Hay who was the frontman for Men at Work, one of the biggest bands in the world in the ’80s,” he said. “Other new shows that I’m really pumped about are John Cleese, The Jayhawks, 10,000 Maniacs and comedian Gary Gulman. Oh and definitely Fraggle Rock Live.”
Egherman echoed the sentiment about Grammy winner Hay. “A solo acoustic set in the intimate Bankhead? That’s a no-brainer,” she told Embarcadero Media Foundation.
“I’m also excited to have Selected Shorts returning — it was so much fun last year, and I look forward to a whole new crop of actors reading us great short fiction,” she said. “I’m also a self-proclaimed theatre geek; I’m looking forward to the return of L.A. Theatre Works and their new production, ‘A Room with a View’, based on E.M. Forster’s novel.”
Another new standout on the schedule, according to LVA officials, is “Cosmic Odyssey: Immersive Encounters with the Universe”, which will offer an outer space experience on the Bankhead stage on select dates in October and November.
“One will be able to find themself surrounded by a vast 360-degree projection of the universe, bringing iconic NASA images to life with unprecedented realism and inspiring narration, witnessing the majestic swirls of distant galaxies, the fiery birth of stars and the serene beauty of our own Earth from orbit,” LVA reps said. “In truly an unprecedented type of event at Livermore Valley Arts, our stage will become the portal to the cosmos, immersing viewers in the wonders of space exploration.”
The next season serves to embody LVA’s mission to “engage, enrich and inspire our diverse community” — especially at a time when entertainment could be extra-well embraced, according to Egherman.
“As stress levels rise due to another contentious and bitter presidential election, Livermore Valley Arts is bringing comfort,” she said. “We are offering command performances of some of our favorite artists, such as Marc Cohn, Funny Women of a Certain Age, God is a Scottish Drag Queen, Rita Rudner, International Guitar Night, Selected Shorts and Syncopated Ladies: Live!”
Nostalgia will play its role too, with acts like Forever Motown: So Good for the Soul (Sept. 20), Karla Bonoff & JD Souther (Sept. 27), Big 80s Live (Nov. 24), Doo Wop Project Holiday Show (Dec. 8), John Denver Tribute starring Jim Curry (Jan. 4) and Classic Albums Live — Stevie Ray Vaughan (Jan. 31).
Other notable shows will include the SF Comedy Competition on Sept. 19, “The Office Trivia with Todd Packer” starring David Koechner on Oct. 11, Ballet Folklorico Mexicano de Carlos Moreno on Oct. 20, the U.S. Air Force Holiday Band on Dec. 9, Tres Souls — Boleros De Navidad on Dec. 16, Texas Tenors on Jan. 17 and Rhythm India: Bollywood and Beyond on Feb. 16.
The Bankhead is also home to a handful of resident companies who will fill the stage with their creative talents in the upcoming year.
Livermore Valley Opera is performing “Daughter of the Regiment” in the fall and Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” in late winter.
Tri-Valley Theatre Company will present its rendition of “The Music Man” in July, as well as a yet-unnamed production in January, according to Egherman.
“Del Valle Fine Arts has a full lineup beginning in October that includes Jon Nakamatsu and The Moanin’ Frogs,” she said. “The Livermore Amador Symphony has four concerts planned for their regular season that include Festive Fairy Tales and their season closing event is called Celestial Sounds.”
“Pacific Chamber Orchestra has four concerts planned from September to June of 2025, including their popular Handel’s Messiah. Finally, Valley Dance Theatre will be in the theater for a large part of December with their Nutcracker, and every spring, they have a mixed repertory program,” Egherman added. “The resident companies really showcase the talent right here in our community.”
Encouraging and cultivating local creativity is an important part of LVA’s programming each year, particularly with classes and workshops at the Bothwell Arts Center such as the familiar painting and drawing for kids and adults, along with jewelry-making sessions, piano lessons and a comedy workshop, according to Egherman.
“We’re not just about what’s on stage; we’re also about what’s on the walls, what’s happening at The Bothwell, what are kids in the art camps creating and whether they feel inspired,” she said, adding:
“At the same time, our vision is to be the catalyst of a dynamic and vibrant arts region. We work hard to collaborate and work with other venues, artists, educational institutions, wine growers, and travel and tourism organizations to help make the Tri-Valley a destination and a place brimming with arts and culture. I know it sounds cheesy, but that’s what gets us up in the morning.”
Tickets for the 2024-25 Bankhead Presents series are on presale for LVA members only now through May 1, when sales are opened to the general public starting at noon that day. Learn more at livermorearts.org.
