The Cascade Theatre recently completed its 2009-10 Cascade Theatre/Jefferson Public Radio Performance Series, and here’s an advance look:
(Scroll below to read some of my thoughts on the series.)
JULY
21 Jonny Lang $32/$36/$39/$42
AUGUST
14 Bruce Hornsby $35/$39/$42/$45
15 Linda Regan Bott Sings Martinis with Santa $15/$19/$32
SEPTEMBER
16 Los Lonely Boys $39/$43/$46/$49
OCTOBER
4 SF Opera HD Cinema Series -Madama Butterfly $20
5 Pink Martini $39/$43/$46/$49
10 Ingrid Michaelson $25/$29/$32/$35
16 Joan Osborne, the Holmes Brothers & Paul Thorn $30/$34/$37/$40
NOVEMBER
1 SF Opera HD Cinema Series -Don Giovanni $20
7 House of Floyd $26/$30/$33/$36
14 Riders in the Sky -The Cowboy Way! $25/$29/$32/$35
27-28, A Cascade Christmas $10 (17 and under) $15/$18/$25
Dec.3-5 A Cascade Christmas
DECEMBER
10 Los Lobos $34/$38/$41/$44
13 A Celtic Christmas $22/$26/$29/$32
JANUARY
10 SF Opera HD Cinema Series -Samson and Delilah $20
16 I’m Still Standing Comedy Tour $29/$33/$36/$39
FEBRUARY
4 TAO: The Martial Art of Drumming $29/$33/$36/$39
19 Suzanne Vega $25/$29/$32/$35
26 Moscow Circus $28/$32/$35/$38
MARCH
6 A Touch of Classical Piano $10 (17 and under)/$18/$25
7 Oscar Night Party $12
14 SF Opera HD Cinema Series – La Rondine $20
19-20, 26-27 The Dance Project’s Steppin’ Out! $10 (17 and under) $15/$18/$25
APRIL
20 The Punch Brothers featuring Chris Thile $25/$29/$32/$35
JUNE
1 The Four Bitchin’ Babes – Diva Nation $22/$26/$29/$32
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Overall, it’s a strong series for the Cascade — a nice mix of quality returning acts, fresh new artists and an excellent blend of genres and styles.
Most of the returning groups I can get excited about seeing again:
• Bruce Hornsby . Here’s a guy who gets it both from a technical virtuoso aspect and a soul aspect. I hope he heads into his “Spirit Trail” album again, which I think is his best.
• Los Lonely Boys . These three brothers deliver the Texas blues with a wallop. Strat master Henry Garza pretty much channels Stevie Ray Vaughan, and in this case, it’s a good thing. The brothers have incredible vocal harmonies. Jojo is a monster bass player. They really gave of their time to the Plus One mentoring program last time they were here.
• Riders in the Sky . They get around, I tell you. But when you go see them, it’s always entertaining.
• Los Lobos . They could book these guys every year and it wouldn’t be a problem for me. One of my favorite groups. Loved their version of The Dead’s “Bertha” last time around.
• Chris Thile . He was here with Nickel Creek last time, but this act, the Punch Brothers, might be more his comfort zone and passion. Should be some good bluegrassin’.
A few thoughts on the new music faces coming in:
• Jonny Lang . Played Win-River not that long ago and won some converts there. Big voice and big guitar blues player and beyond.
• Linda Regan Bott. Local talent and former Dean Martin Gold Digger sings Martinis with Santa in August. Kind of has a nice ring to it.
• Pink Martini. Everyone tends to come away impressed with this great group. Could be one of the best shows of the series.
• Ingrid Michaelson. One of the few artists to really launch big off MySpace. Don’t know much about her, but her story is intriguing.
• Joan Osborne, the Holmes Brothers & Paul Thorn. This is probably my pick of the series. Joan Osborne has a huge voice and is an amazing talent. I LOVE the soulful Holmes Brothers. My ear’s been bended for years about Paul Thorn’s set at Strawberry that I missed. I love that the Cascade booked this kind of show.
• House of Floyd . Hey, if you’re gonna hire a tribute act, it might as well be one covering Pink Floyd.
• Suzanne Vega. I know she’s a lot more than her hits “Luka” and “Tom’s Diner,” but I just don’t know her music very well. I’m looking forward to exploring it.
• The Four Bitchin’ Babes — Diva Nation . I bet they are pretty bitchin’.
Beyond Music:
The Dance Project is back with its popular “A Cascade Christmas” and spring show “Steppin’ Out.” It’s always nice to see James Santos’ group locked into place on the series.
A comedy show with Gary Gulman, Iliza Shlesinger and Rich Vos looks like a good night out. Opera fans are getting a filmed-in-high-definition series from the San Francisco Opera .
TAO: The Martial Art of Drumming is a big night of heart-thumping Japanese Taiko drumming.
Major acrobatics and Russian clowns will be the feature for The Moscow Circus .
I’ve given a few of my thoughts, I’m anxious to hear yours…
