Montalvo Arts Center's 18/19 Carriage House Series Launches This Fall
By: Stephi Wild May. 17, 2018
Art lovers of all kinds gathered this evening at Montalvo Arts Center's historic Villa to hear the Silicon Valley venue announce its 2018-2019 Carriage House Theatre Concert Series launching in October. The offerings span from music to theatre to comedy and more; among the exciting headliners announced were Grammy Awards nominees and winners performing jazz, bluegrass, pop, rock, classical, new age, folk, and Hawaiian music, as well as top comedy productions, theatre events and others. For more information or to purchase tickets the public can visit montalvoarts.org or call 408-961-5858.
The season kicks off October 14, with a fall lineup that includes: Hawaiian slack key guitar headliners Led Kaapana and Mike Kaawa (Oct. 14), Irish/Bluegrass performers We Banjo 3 paired for a Celtic night with Scottish music stars Skerryvore (Oct. 17), musical hit-maker/Songwriters Hall of Famer JD Souther (Oct. 18), rock legend Jim Messina of Loggins & Messina, Poco, Buffalo Springfield (Nov. 1), two-time Grammy nominee guitarist and raconteur Lee Kottke (Nov. 5), premier piano group Saint Michael Trio with "Warning: May Cause Mood Swings" (Nov. 11), the Ultimate Queen Celebration featuring Freddie Mercury doppelgänger Marc Martel (Nov. 15), and pianist David Benoit's "Christmas Tribute to Charlie Brown" with Vivace Children's Choir (Dec. 16).
The new year kicks off with critically acclaimed singer/songwriter Kat Edmonson (Jan. 19), Grammy Award-winning bluegrass band Steep Canyon Rangers (Feb. 7), the return of Saint Michael Trio with its "Child Prodigies!" tribute to works by wunderkind composers including Mozart, Beethoven, and current 12 year-old sensation Alma Beutscher (Feb. 10), two-time Grammy winning jazz-fusion band Yellowjackets (Feb. 21), world music group Banda Magda (Feb. 23), mentalist duo and "America's Got Talent" stars The Clairvoyants (Feb. 28), and actor David Payne starring in the one-man show "An Evening with C.S. Lewis" (Mar. 14).
Spring takes flight with noted Grammy Award-winning guitarist Will Ackerman (Mar. 27), the Saint Michael Trio with a tribute to the Father of Czech music in "Smetana Uncovered" (Mar. 31), musical comedy theatre troupe Four Bitchin' Babes (Apr. 5), former DC staffers turned comedians The Capitol Steps with "Make America Grin Again" (Apr. 14), iconic folk group The Kingston Trio (Apr. 18 and 19), Hawaii's top-selling female artist of all time Amy H?naiali?i Gilliom, (Apr. 25), hysterical improvised musicality by "Broadway's Next Hit Musical" (May 3), a showcase of female composers in Saint Michael Trio's "Tribute to Women" (May 5), the American folk and blues artist Tom Rush (May 8), tribute band "Live From Laurel Canyon - Songs and Stories of American Folk Rock" offering a retrospective of music and stories (May 10), and the triumphant return of wildly popular Hawaiian musician Willie K (May 16).
In chronological order, Montalvo Arts Center's Carriage House Theatre Concert Series 2018/19 season is as follows:
Led Kaapana & Mike Kaawa
7pm, Sunday, October 14, 2018
Premier: $52, Reserved: $47
Hailed for their "boundless imagination for improvisation" by The Seattle Times, Kaapana and Kaawa are both masters of the distinctly Hawaiian style of music known as slack key guitar. Kaapana, a three-time Grammy Award winner, is a Hawaiian musical legend whose tremendous skill extends to multiple instruments-including the ukulele and the autoharp-and a vocal range from baritone to Hawaiian falsetto singing (leo ki'e ki'e). He was honored with an NEA National Heritage Fellowship in 2011. Kaawa is known as Hawaii's finest 12-string guitar player, with a robust sound which he has dubbed "Hawaiian with attitude." Performing together for nearly 20 years, the two have developed a musical rapport that is spellbinding to watch.
We Banjo 3 & Skerryvore
7:30pm, Wednesday, October 17, 2018
Premier: $48, Reserved: $43
Twice winners of Scotland's Traditional Music 'Live Act of the Year' Award (2016 & 2011), Skerryvore has been on a meteoric journey that has taken them from the remote Isle of Tiree on to international tours that have included performances in New York's Central Park and the Shanghai Expo in China. Their sound is a thrilling fusion of folk, trad, rock, and pop, steeped in the vibrant personalities and upbringing of the eight band members. Ireland's We Banjo 3 finds common ground between old world tradition and authentic Americana by plying their banjo, fiddle, guitar, and mandolin in an innovation fusion of styles that they dub "Celtgrass." Taking the stage together, they will electrify audiences.
An Intimate Evening with JD Souther
7:30pm, Thursday, October 18, 2018
Premier: $56, Reserved: $50
An architect of the Southern California sound, JD Souther has had an enormous influence on modern songwriting. He has penned some of the Eagles' greatest hits including "Victim Of Love," "New Kid In Town," and "Best Of My Love," and the likes of Linda Rondstadt, Don Henley, and the Dixie Chicks have also recorded his songs. Over the course of his musical career, he has received numerous accolades including Grammy nominations, Academy of Country Music Awards, American Music Awards, and ASCAP performance awards-and in 2013, Souther was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Jim Messina
7:30pm, Thursday, November 1, 2018
Premier: $65, Reserved: $60
An undisputed expert in the fine art of making hit music, Messina's legacy of musical prowess spans five decades, three acclaimed rock supergroups, a vibrant solo career, as well as a dizzying array of game-changing producing and engineering credits including such luminaries as The Doors, Lee Michaels, and Herb Alpert. As one half of Loggins & Messina; co-founder of the country-rock band Poco; and band member and key contributor to Buffalo Springfield, he has left an indelible footprint on rock music.
Leo Kottke
7:30pm, Monday, November 5, 2018
Premier: $48, Reserved: $43
American musical icon Leo Kottke is unique, charming, brilliant, and one of the most important and influential guitarists of our time. A two-time Grammy nominee, Kottke's fingerpicking style draws on blues, jazz, and folk music, and incorporates syncopated, polyphonic melodies. Known for his compelling original compositions as well as his arrangements of cover songs, he boasts an extensive musical catalogue and has inspired countless guitarists. In concert, he will intersperse humorous monologues with vocal and instrumental selections from throughout his career, played solo on his 6- and 12-string guitars in a performance called "captivating, charming" by NPR Music.
Saint Michael Trio - "Warning: May Cause Mood Swings"
3pm, Sunday, November 11, 2018
Premier: $38, Reserved: $20 Student
The Saint Michael Trio reprises the approach that made their second album so popular: a program of music alternating between the profound and playful. This performance probes the dark depths of 19th-century Russian masters like Anton Arensky, and ricochets the next instant to Stevie Wonder. Can it possibly hang together? Audiences say absolutely!
Ultimate Queen Celebration
7:30pm, Thursday, November 15, 2018
Premier: $68, Reserved: $64
In a performance that has to be heard to be believed, singer Marc Martel not only sounds dead-on like Freddie Mercury, but also embodies the heart-and-soul Freddie poured into every song. After hearing Martel's astonishing audition video-a cover of "Somebody to Love," which has since garnered 13 million views on YouTube-Queen's Roger Taylor and Brian May handpicked the singer to take on lead vocals for this Queen tribute tour. The "Ultimate Queen Celebration" features dozens of songs that Queen made famous, including "Killer Queen," "Radio Gaga," "Bohemian Rhapsody," and more.
David Benoit: "Christmas Tribute to Charlie Brown"
5pm, Sunday, December 16, 2018
Premier: $58, Reserved: $54
More than 50 years after the classic animated special first aired, piano maestro David Benoit-who has been the composer for the new Peanuts TV specials for over a decade-pays tribute to Charlie Brown with his own Christmas originals along with the beloved Vince Guaraldi classics. Benoit will be joined on stage by Vivace Children's Choir of San Jose. A holiday tradition at Montalvo, this family-friendly holiday concert is expected to sell out early.
Kat Edmonson
8pm, Saturday, January 19, 2019
Premier: $38, Reserved: $34
Hailed as "one of the greatest I've ever heard" by The Boston Globe, critically acclaimed vintage pop singer/songwriter Kat Edmonson has played major stages around the world, appeared in major motion pictures, performed on radio and television, and released three groundbreaking albums to date. The genre-defying artist memorably appeared in Woody Allen's 2016 period film Café Society as a 1930s jazz singer, and is highlighted on the official soundtrack performing her rendition of "Mountain Greenery." Edmonson's live performances are hailed as intimate and intoxicating.
Steep Canyon Rangers
7:30pm, Thursday, February 7, 2019
Premier: $69, Reserved: $65
Winners of the Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album in 2013, the Rangers have spent nearly two decades bending and shaping the bluegrass aesthetic, wedding it to elements of pop, country, and folk rock to create something original. Their smooth vocals, smart songwriting, ferocious instrumentals, and jaw-dropping harmony have affirmed their place as one of the most versatile bands in contemporary American music. This foot-stomping, roof-raising, breathtaking performance will include fan favorite hits as well as selections from their newest album, Out in the Open.
Saint Michael Trio - "Child Prodigies!"
3pm, Sunday, February 10, 2019
Premier: $38, Reserved: $20 Student
In this program The Saint Michael Trio presents music by composers who were (and are) other-worldly child prodigies. Audiences can compare earliest compositions to mature ones, and judge for themselves whether genius came fully-formed or grew with time. Works by Mozart, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Chopin. and the current 12-year-old sensation Alma Deutscher will be explored.
Yellowjackets
7:30pm, Thursday, February 21, 2019
Premier: $69, Reserved: $62
Noted as "melodically seductive" by All About Jazz, the two-time Grammy winners and Jazz-Fusion band Yellowjackets was hailed by JazzTimes as a "perfectly combustible electric-acoustic outfit whose smart, often challenging and unpredictable compositions draw from fusion, postbop, and contemporary jazz." Throughout their storied 35-year history, the Yellowjackets have recorded 22 albums, received 17 Grammy nominations, and performed countless sold-out tours, enjoying worldwide critical acclaim and commercial success.
Banda Magda
8pm, Saturday, February 23, 2019
Premier: $44, Reserved: $39
Led by Greek-born composer, orchestrator, singer, and accordionist Magda Giannikou (Kronos Quartet, Louis CK), Banda Magda musically moves from samba to French chanson, from Greek folk tunes to Colombian cumbia and Afro-Peruvian lando. Drawing on the band's global background (Greece, Argentina, Japan, Colombia, USA), the group combines South American rhythms with jazz improvisation, cinematic arranging, sophisticated audience participation, mid-century classics and world "chansons" sung in six languages.
The Clairvoyants
7:30pm, Thursday, February 28, 2019
Premier: $59, Reserved: $53
This duo, Amélie van Tass and Thommy Ten, were both born and raised in Vienna, Austria, and have been developing their "second sight" act for more than five years. Appearing world-wide in a variety of venues, even winning the title World Champions of Mentalism at the Championships of Magic in 2015, it was their jaw-dropping appearance on the 2016 season of "America's Got Talent" that catapulted them to global awareness.
"An Evening with C.S. Lewis"
7:30pm, Thursday, March, 14, 2019
Premier: $45, Reserved: $40
The year is 1963 and British author C.S. Lewis is in his twilight years. The novelist, poet, essayist, academic, literary critic, and broadcaster has agreed to host a group of curious Americans in his simple house outside Oxford. What ensues is an enthralling performance that has captivated audiences worldwide. Performed by renowned actor David Payne, this dramatic solo show is full of humor, offering a fascinating and highly entertaining insight into the man who penned more than 30 works including The Screwtape Letters, The Space Trilogy, and The Chronicles of Narnia.
Will Ackerman, The Gathering, 4 Guitars
7:30pm, Wednesday, March 27, 2019
Premier: $54, Reserved: $48
Noted for his "uncanny gift of melodic invention" by Billboard, Grammy Award-winning guitarist Will Ackerman is universally recognized as the preeminent pioneer in the new age music movement. The founder of Windham Hill Records, Ackerman's career spans more than three decades of remarkable vision, single-minded determination, fervent business savvy, and "a thorough love of the mystery of making music." He will perform with three other accomplished acoustic guitar players: Trevor Gordon Hall, Todd Mosby, and Todd Boston, providing an evening of innovative acoustic gold.
Saint Michael Trio - "Smetana Uncovered"
3pm, Sunday, March 31, 2019
Premier: $38, Reserved: $20 Student
Bed?ich Smetana is regarded in his homeland as the father of Czech music and a pioneer of the "nationalist" movement in Eastern European music. Using their patented "informance" format, the Saint Michael Trio will explore one of Smetana's most sophisticated compositions, a work rooted in personal tragedy: the remarkably expressive "Piano Trio in G minor."
Four Bitchin' Babes
8pm, Friday, April 5, 2019
Premier: $50, Reserved: $45
Billboard declared, "The Babes stir the heart as well as the funny bone." Accomplished musician/comediennes, the Four Bitchin' Babes create a tour de force of musical comedy theatre. Playing their own guitars, bass, piano, and more, this hilarious group of gal pals has been performing together for more than 25 years, charming audiences with their whimsical songs and original stories offering poignant views and unbridled comedic commentary on the joys and dilemmas of everyday life.
The Capitol Steps: Make America Grin Again
3pm & 7pm, Sunday, April 14, 2019
Premier: $60, Reserved: $55
The Washington Post calls The Capitol Steps "an oasis of good-natured ribbing in a fiercely partisan world." Congressional staffers turned comedians, The Steps have slayed the country with their hilarious send-up of the people and institutions that once employed them. Their sketch and improvisational comedy offers a mix of song and standup, lampooning modern political leaders, and taking on the major issues of the day. No issue and no public figure, Democrat or Republican, escapes the satire.
The Kingston Trio
7:30pm, Thursday, April 18, 2019 & 7:30pm, Friday, April 19, 2019
Premier: $54, Reserved: $49
Celebrating 60 years of extraordinary entertainment, the Kingston Trio emerged in 1957 from San Francisco's North Beach club scene to take the country by storm, bringing the rich tradition of American folk music into the mainstream. The Trio enjoyed unprecedented record sales and worldwide fame, influencing the musical tastes of a generation. Through changing times, they have played on, remaining popular as new audiences discover the tight harmonies and folk renditions, and older fans return to hear music they remember so well.
Amy H?naiali'i Gillom
7:30pm, Thursday, April 25, 2019
Premier: $53 | Reserved: $48
Singer/songwriter Amy H?naiali'i Gillom has achieved the rank of Hawaii's top selling female vocalist of all time. Her success is evidenced by a multitude of awards and acknowledgements, including five Grammy nominations and 18 N? H?k? awards. She has played for sold-out crowds in Europe, Japan, China, all across America, and French Polynesia, both as a solo artist and alongside legends including Earth, Wind & Fire, Carlos Santana, Boz Scaggs, Diana Krall, Joe Cocker, and many more. Driven by a profound sense of cultural responsibility, she has worked tirelessly to elevate awareness of Hawaii's music community and fans. With classical training, powerhouse vocals, and honor for her ancestral responsibility, Gillom is dazzling in live performance.
Broadway's Next Hit Musical
8pm, Friday, May 3, 2019
Premier: $65, Reserved: $59
The hysterical "Broadway's Next Hit Musical" is the only unscripted theatrical awards show. A group of master improvisers-some of New York's finest, who have been honing their craft for more than 15 years-gather made-up hit song suggestions from the audience and create a spontaneous evening of music, humor, and laughter. The audience votes for their favorite song and watches as the cast turns it into a full blown musical-complete with memorable characters, witty dialogue, and plot twists galore. Hailed as all-improvised and all-funny, this evening is indeed a one-of-a-kind experience.
Saint Michael Trio - Tribute to Women
3pm, Sunday, May 5, 2019
Premier: $38, Reserved: $20 Student
In honor of Mother's Day, and all women, Saint Michael Trio will present a lively concert and commentary highlighting the music of female composers. Works by Fanny Mendelssohn, Clara Schumann, Cecile Chaminade, Mary Finlayson and others will be presented. (Men will be admitted to this show, but only if accompanied by a wife, daughter, sister, or mother-in-law.)
An Evening with Tom Rush
Accompanied by Matt Nakoa
7:30pm, Wednesday, May 8, 2019
Premier: $43, Reserved: $38
A gifted musician and performer, Tom Rush's impact on the American music scene has been profound. Attributed by Rolling Stone as shepherding the era of the singer/songwriter, the American Folk and Blues artist is known for his own hit compositions such as "No Regrets," as well as introducing songs by Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, Jackson Browne, and many others, helping to gain recognition in their early careers. He helped shape the folk revival in the '60s and the renaissance of the '80s and '90s, and his music has left its stamp on generations of artists to follow. His distinctive guitar style, wry humor and warm, expressive voice have made him both a legend whose shows are filled with the rib-aching laughter of terrific story-telling and the passion of gritty blues. He takes the Montalvo stage with guitarist Matt Nakoa.
"Live from Laurel Canyon"
Songs & Stories of American Folk Rock
8pm, Friday, May 10, 2019
Premier: $56, Reserved: $51
Similar to other legendary rock 'n' roll neighborhoods like Haight Ashbury or Greenwich Village, Laurel Canyon in the Hollywood Hills hosted an enclave of artists in the decade between 1965 and 1975 who would forever change the look, sound, and attitude of American pop music. Members included The Mamas and The Papas, The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, The Doors, James Taylor, Carole King, Joni Mitchell, and the Eagles. More than a tribute act, "Live from Laurel Canyon" performs beloved music, but also shares the stories that inspired these iconic moments in music history.
7:30pm, Thursday, May 16, 2019
Premier: $49, Reserved: $44
When the Honolulu Pulse wrote, "Willie K can play or sing almost anything an American audience might ask for," it wasn't hyperbole. He can play anything from indigenous acoustic Hawaiian music to jazz, reggae, rock, country, and even opera-and leave audiences slack-jawed in astonishment. His impassioned vocals and blistering guitar licks won him multiple N? H?k? Awards and legions of devoted fans, including performing artist Prince and President Barack Obama.
For nearly 60 years, Montalvo Arts Center's Carriage House Theatre Concert Series has presented world-class talent in an intimate indoor setting, becoming a treasured series for performing arts fans in Silicon Valley. Housed in the 316-seat Claire Loftus Carriage House Theatre, the series features a diverse array of artists from a variety of genres from classical to jazz to R&B, rock, plus theatre, comedy, and more. Some events include the opportunity to dine pre-show at Bistro Montalvo with a prix-fixe dinner served in the elegant historic Villa Montalvo, catered by ModernTaste ($60 per person and offered at select performances).
Montalvo Arts Center is a donor-supported nonprofit institution, whose mission is to engage the public in the creative process, acting as a catalyst for exploring the arts, unleashing creativity, and advancing different cultural and cross-cultural perspectives. Located in Silicon Valley's Saratoga Hills, Montalvo occupies a Mediterranean-style Villa, built in 1912 by Senator James Duval Phelan, surrounded by 175 stunning acres. Senator Phelan bequeathed the Villa and grounds to the people of California for the encouragement of art, music, literature, and architecture, a mandate Montalvo has carried forward ever since its founding. The grounds include the campus of the Sally and Don Lucas Artists Program (LAP), the Claire Loftus Carriage House Theatre, and the Lillian Fontaine Garden Theatre, as well as miles of hiking trails, terraces, gardens, and other picturesque public areas.
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