Inara George Presents a Tribute to Burt Bacharach and Hal David 9/5

Pack a picnic and head for the hills for an afternoon of eclectic, al fresco music. Indie singer-songwriter Inara George invites special guest John C. Reilly and some of L.A.'s most inspired performers to play hits from the prolific songwriting duo Burt Bacharach and Hal David. The line-up includes Justine Kragen, Eleni Mandell, Sara Melson, Philip Littell, Charlie Wadhams, Mike Andrews, Alex Lilly, JuliAnna Raye, Becky Stark, Michael Bonnabel, Wendy Wang, Dan Bern, Bryony Atkinson, Mike Viola, Erica Canales, Juliette Commagere, Molly Bryant and James Combs.

If you've listened to the radio between 1960 and now, you've no doubt heard the work of Burt Bacharach and Hal David, the songwriting team who left an indelible mark on the past half century of pop music. Together they produced twenty two Top-40 hits including "The Look of Love," "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on my Head," "Always Something There to Remind Me" and "I Say a Little Prayer." Their songs have been recorded by Aretha Franklin, Tom Jones, Dionne Warwick, Cher and Isaac Hayes, to name a few.

George's popular tribute concerts are a Topanga summer tradition and for the past six years, she has offered these shows as a fundraiser for Theatricum's repertory company and theatre arts education programs. Each year's concert honors a different artist. Past concerts have taken on the repertory of Neil Young, Bessie Smith, Leonard Cohen and Dolly Parton. George says that her fellow musicians help her to decide whose music to feature. "After every show the musicians always give me suggestions. So last year Molly Bryant suggested Bacharach and I thought it was a nice idea."
A native of Topanga, George has played many roles on Theatricum's stage including the title role of Juliet, in Romeo and Juliet. As a singer/songwriter, her work reflects a wide range of musical tastes. She is a member of The Living Sisters with Eleni Mandell and Becky Stark, and one half of the duo The Bird and The Bee with Greg Kurstin, recording on the Blue Note label. George has also recorded ‘An Invitation,' a CD of original tunes set to the lush accompaniments of Van Dyke Parks.

Tickets for the Labor Day concert are $40 for Lower Tier; $25 for Upper Tier. Tickets are available through the box office at (310) 455-3723,Tuesday - Friday, 11am - 6pm and Saturday and Sunday, 11am - 7:30pm. Tickets are also available online at www.theatricum.com. Advanced ticket purchase is recommended.

The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum is located at 1419 North Topanga Canyon Blvd. in Topanga, midway between Pacific Coast Highway and the Ventura (101) Freeway. The amphitheaters are terraced into the hillside, so audience members are advised to dress casually (warmly for evenings) and bring cushions for bench seating. Picnickers are welcome on the grounds before or after the performances.

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