Tuesday Tunes with a Twist: Summer Concerts in Front of Bankhead Theater Return

The popular summer concerts in front of the Bankhead Theater are coming back to downtown Livermore. A family-friendly weekly concert and performance series “Tuesday Tunes with a Twist”, will be produced by the Livermore Cultural Arts Council (LCAC) in conjunction with The Bankhead Theater, on the Shea Homes Stage in front of the Bankhead Theater, 2400 First Street in Livermore.

The first concert will kick off Tuesday, July 22 at 6:45 p.m. with a performance by Suzanna Spring & The Surly Jack@sses, a group of amazing and versatile Bay area players: Paul Schimmelman on bass, Art Thompson from Guitar Player magazine on electric guitar, with drummer Joe O’Loughlin, pedal steel player John Gay, and violinist Jim Hurley. The band adds groove, grit, killer solos and harmonies to Spring’s brooding lyrics and earworm melodies. Suzanna Spring & The Surly Jack@sses were featured performers on the Sony City stage in 2013 at the South by Southwest Music Festival in Austin, and continue to bring their roots rock / California jangle pop sound to festivals, clubs and places where cool original music is appreciated.

Catherine Ndungu-Case, LCAC’s volunteer manager of the schedule comments, "Everybody I have talked to is so excited about getting these concerts going again. It has been hard work for our team but I think it will be well worth the effort."

Absolutely no alcohol will be allowed outside of the permitted restaurant areas because the Livermore Police Department is now strictly enforcing the ordinance on public alcohol possession and consumption through its alcohol safety and awareness program.

"Tuesday Tunes with a Twist" will bring you 11 presentations, including groups that performed last year and added groups that feature some of Livermore’s own cultural arts organizations. There is a an eclectic mix of cultural programming from LCAC groups, ranging from an interactive African drum circle (Cheza Nami), folkloric dance from the Hispanic Heritage Center, a six-piece jazz band (Secret Tattoo) featuring Livermore-Amador Symphony Nick James on bass and a concert from the Pleasanton Community Band directed by Bob Williams.

Returning bands include LunaFish with a Woodstock rock sound, Audio Illusion mixing rock, blues and pop tunes from the past and the smooth jazz music of Azure Affinity. New groups include the exciting and colorful Japanese drum group Eden Aoba Taiko and a Hawaiian cultural preservation group Halau Makana Lani. The series ends September 30.

Patrons are encouraged to pick up dinner to-go from one of the many Downtown Livermore restaurants and bring it with them to the Plaza. ABC Music, Last Word, Patxi's and The Independent are sponsors of “Tuesday Tunes with a Twist.”

—Information submitted by Cheza Nami Foundation