The Last Match

July 23, 2019 - September 1, 2019
Theatre Series

MAINSTAGE SERIES

It is the semifinals of the U.S. Open and rising Russian tennis player Sergei faces the former six-time champ, aging All-American Tim Porter. In Anna Ziegler’s incendiary play, we witness the entire match through the minds of these fierce warriors. As each point is played, we learn what goes on in the heads of the players, the relationships and life decisions that focus them to win or cause them to stumble. In this exciting and whip smart play, the tennis match becomes more than just a game and becomes an insight into the mind of the elite athlete.

Upstairs at The B Presents – Maximum Occupancy

August 25, 2019
Other Entertainment Series

Company Members Dave Pierini, Tara Sissom, Stephanie Altholz and guests perform classic long-form improvisation for a late-night audience. Coming out of Chicago’s comedy scene, the Harold has been used by famous improv groups like Second City which developed comedic talent such as Stephen Colbert, Steve Carell and Tina Fey. Based off an audience suggestion, performers will create a one-night-only improvised play, so every performance will be unique! As an exciting caveat, if we do achieve “maximum occupancy” aka a sell out show, we buy everyone pizza!

Upstairs at The B Presents – New Play Brunch

August 25, 2019
Other Entertainment Series

Join us for brunch, drinks and a play reading! Food will be provided complimentary.
CHRISTMAS SERVICE
by Tate Hanyok
We all know that iconic scene where Scrooge calls to the boy on Christmas morning- “Is the Christmas goose still hanging in the window? Go and buy it and if you hurry back there’s a pound in it for you!” What a heartwarming story, right? But what about that sucker who has to work at that shop and actually sell that goose on Christmas morning? No one eeeever thinks about him. So here’s a tale of six millennials whose lives intertwine through the hustle and bustle of the gig economy on Christmas Eve.

Upstairs at The B Presents – The Lost Wayne

August 27, 2019
Music Series

The Lost Wayne is the recording alias for actor/singer-songwriter Hunter Hoffman, who is currently playing Sergei in THE LAST MATCH at B Street Theatre. Known for his heartfelt lyrics and strong vocals, The Lost Wayne has been compared to other artists such as Joshua Radin, City and Colour, and Ray LaMontagne. Based out of New York City, Hunter is ecstatic to have his first official West Coast gig Upstairs at the B.
www.thelostwayne.com

SBL Entertainment Presents – Popa Chubby

August 30, 2019
Music Series

Popa Chubby, born Ted Horowitz, has been hard rocking the blues in his fierce and soulful way for more than 25 years. Over the course of a career that dates back to 1994, he has been a force of to be reckoned with on the guitar, and his tempestuous, soulful playing has never been more powerful. An imposing figure with a shaven head, tattooed arms, a goatee and a performance style he describes as “the Stooges meets Buddy Guy, Motörhead meets Muddy Waters, and Jimi Hendrix meets Robert Johnson,” Popa Chubby is an endearing character who is one of the genre’s most popular figures.

SBL Entertainment Presents – Antsy McClain & The Trailer Park Troubadours

August 31, 2019
Music Series

Antsy McClain is a Nashville-based singer/songwriter and humorist with 18 albums under his belt. Hailing from Pine View Heights, the little trailer park that time forgot, Antsy combines his unique mix of masterful storytelling and catchy, unforgettable songs with a warm, self deprecating sense of humor. Master musicians like Lindsay Buckingham and Tommy Emmanuel have shared the stage with Antsy McClain or played on his albums, and lent their support in immeasurable ways. Tommy Smothers, who has performed on stage with Antsy, appearing on his albums, etc., has said, “Antsy McClain is one of America’s great poets. We may not realize that til after he’s dead, but he’s a great poet.”

McClain has toured for twenty years with the California-based Trailer Park Troubadours, a band of friendly outlaws who play to the beat of a different drum, blending humorous antics with masterful musicianship and creating a carefree and fun-filled experience for all ages.

Upstairs at The B Presents – Cocktails & Jazz featuring The Arlyn Anderson Quartet

September 5, 2019
Music Series

Start your night out right with jazz and cocktails. Upstairs at the B presents an hour and a half of live jazz music and drink specials.

Arlyn Anderson is a professional guitarist based in Sacramento, CA. While studying jazz and classical music at SJDC and CSUS, he shared the stage with many famous musicians. Arlyn has been performing professionally for over 20 years throughout Northern California and more. Playing a variety of music styles, he currently performs solo, with his own trios, quartets, and various other groups, including R&B and big bands.

The Arlyn Anderson Quartet will be performing a variety of classic jazz standards along with some modern original works and arrangements.

SBL Entertainment Presents – Mads Tolling & Jeff Massanari – Masters of Jazz Violin

September 6, 2019
Music Series

Two-time Grammy Award-Winning violinist, Mads Tolling is a former member of Turtle Island Quartet and bassist Stanley Clarke’s band. Mads has performed with Chick Corea, Ramsey Lewis, Paquito D’Rivera and Leo Kottke, and his own projects have received glowing reviews in SF Chronicle, Washington Post and DownBeat Magazine. Mads has teamed up with guitarist Jeff Massanari for a night of unforgettable jazz. After extensive tours around the US the two will pay tribute to the greatest jazz violinist of all time, including Stephane Grappelli, Jean-Luc Ponty, Stuff Smith and Svend Asmussen.

The duo will present new takes on American standards that were recorded by some of Mads’ violin heroes growing up. Tunes like “Honeysuckle Rose," “Stardust" and “It Don’t Mean a Thing” are part of the setlist, and so are compositions by Danish jazz icon Svend Asmussen and gypsy jazz masters Stephane Grappelli and Django Reinhardt. Mads was in close contact with Asmussen, who gave Mads much of his personal sheet music collection, before he passed away at age 100 two years ago. The duo will pay a special homage to Asmussen this evening.

SBL Entertainment Presents – Majickat – A Tribute to Cat Stevens

September 7, 2019
Music Series

George Papailias and band recreate the music of Cat Stevens. George has performed Cat's music since seeing him perform in Berkeley, CA in July 1971. Band members include: George Papailias ("Cat Stevens", vocals and guitar), Shayne Sutton (2nd Guitar), Jill Ferreter (Keyboard), Louis Rebello (cellist), Nick Docous (bass, bouzouki, vocals), Bud Chatterley (drums, guitar, vocals).

Upstairs at The B Presents – Seekers of The Strange

September 8, 2019
Other Entertainment Series

Seekers of the Strange is a fictional, paranormal investigation team that embarks on a perilous and sanity-sapping foray into the unknown each month. Based on the model of tabletop role-playing games like Dungeons and Dragons, company member John Lamb and other familiar faces bring live role playing to the stage. Part game, part improvisational storytelling, and all strange, the Seekers invite the audience to help them navigate a supernatural mystery. Whether you want to be an observer or create a character and become an active participant, Seekers of the Strange offers a truly unique theatre experience every month. Perfect for those who enjoy HarmonQuest or classic RPGs.

SBL Entertainment Presents – HighTime Irish Band w/ McKeever School of Irish Dance

September 10, 2019
Music Series

This fresh new trio from the heart of Connemara, Ireland combines Irish music and an intriguing blend of modern folk influences to produce a rich sound and exciting experience to delight listeners.

Featuring an unusual line-up of flute, whistles, harp, bodhrán, guitar and vocals (with some Irish dancing steps thrown in!), HighTime make a youthful and energetic statement.

Equal measures of music and tradition from old Ireland coupled with bold new arrangements make for a tasty platter of story, music, song and dance from these three young men; All hailing from the village of Ardmore on the rugged west coast.

Ciarán Bolger - Guitar and Vocals
Conall Ó Flatharta - Flute, whistle & vocals
Séamus Ó Flatharta - Celtic Harp, whistle, bódhran drum, Irish dancing & vocals

A Stand Up Guy

September 10, 2019 - October 20, 2019
Theatre Series

MAINSTAGE SERIES

For years the B Street Theatre audiences have come to know Jack Gallagher. In his previous one man shows, Jack has covered all parts of his history and life except the one that he made his name on: his experiences as a professional stand-up comedian. In his new show, A Stand Up Guy, Jack will dive deep into his past and present. After 40 years as a professional comedian, Jack has some stories to tell…

SBL Entertainment Presents – Funky Feat

September 13, 2019
Music Series

Paul Barrère and Fred Tackett have been working as an acoustic duo since 1999, when little feat had down time. This is where the Funky Feat started when they decided to add Feat friends Kenny Gradney and Gabe Ford. Kenny of course shares the same pedigree as Paul with 47 years of playing together in Little Feat, as well as working on other recording projects with the likes of Chico Hamilton, Bob Weir, and lately with Paul Brown. And Gabe Ford was asked to join up with Little Feat when Ritchie Hayward passed away. Gabe fit the bill nicely having teched for Ritchie for many years. His family are all musicians really, his uncle Robben Ford has used him on numerous tours. Now they crank it up a notch going from all acoustic to electric and acoustic !!! The four players make up Funky Feat, and everything they do gonna be funky.

SBL Entertainment Presents – Rick Estrin & The Nightcats

September 14, 2019
Music Series

Wildly fun, musically fearless and bursting with bravado, 2018’s Blues Music Award-winning Band Of The Year Rick Estrin & The Nightcatshave created one of the blues’ most instantly recognizable sounds and no-holds-barred styles. Featuring the world-class talents of harmonica master, songwriter and vocalist Rick Estrin, guitar wunderkind Chris “Kid” Andersen, keyboard wizard Lorenzo Farrell and dynamic drummer Alex Pettersen, Rick Estrin & The Nightcats serve up sharp and incisive original blues and gritty roadhouse rock ‘n’ roll. With his wily and unforgettable original songs and his hipster, street-smart vocals, no one on the blues scenewrites or sings like Rick Estrin. DownBeatsays, “Rick Estrin sings and writes songs like the brightest wiseguy in all of blueslandand blows harmonica as if he learned at the knee of Little Walter.” Live, the band is simply unbeatable. They deliver a high-energy show capable of bringing any audience to its feet. Rick Estrin & The Nightcats’ latest Alligator album, Groovin’ In Greaseland, features 13 original songs, 11 by Estrin (including one co-written with Andersen), and one each by Andersen and Farrell. The band’s dazzling performances bring the songs to life as richly detailed characters spill their secrets and share their stories. The Chicago Sun-Timessays, “These are serious musicians having a hotter than hot good time. It’s tough to stay in your seat when Estrin and his musical cohorts get cooking.”

SBL Entertainment Presents – Adrian Belew w/ Saul Zonana

September 16, 2019
Music Series

Adrian first appeared on the guitar-world radar when he toured with Frank Zappa who later said, "Adrian reinvented electric guitar." Adrian's signature tones, unique use of effects and whammy bar remains completely different, and his techniques continue to be a huge influence on today's guitarists. He was guitarist, songwriter and frontman Progressive Rock Powerhouse King Crimson for over 30 years. "Discipline," Adrian's first record with King Crimson, is listed among the most important rock records ever made.

Adrian has had a career that commands both awe and respect from fellow musicians and loyal fans, from his first solo record "The Lone Rhino" to the Atlantic Records hit album "Mr. Music Head" or any of his other 20 plus solo records that push sonic boundaries while maintaining artistic integrity. Adrian shreds on guitar but also writes beautiful songs that will make you cry. Yes, Adrian has taken his fans on a wild ride through countless world tours and albums with David Bowie, Talking Heads, Laurie, Anderson, and Paul Simon. He truly is the Twang Bar King!

SBL Entertainment Presents – Herb Alpert & Lani Hall

September 19, 2019 - September 20, 2019
Music Series

A legendary trumpet player, Alpert's extraordinary musicianship has earned him five #1 hits, nine GRAMMY® Awards, the latest from his 2014 album, "Steppin' Out," fifteen Gold albums, fourteen Platinum albums and has sold over 72 million records. Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass propelled his sound into the pop music limelight, at one point outselling the Beatles two to one. In 1966, they achieved the since-unmatched feat of simultaneously having four albums in the Top 10 -- and five in the Top 20. Herb Alpert also has the distinction of being the only artist who has had a #1 instrumental and vocal single.

Some of Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass' fourteen Top 40 singles include; The Lonely Bull, Mexican Shuffle, Spanish Flea and the GRAMMY®-winners "A Taste Of Honey" and "What Now My Love," and the #1 hits "This Guy's In Love With You" and "Rise." Shout! Factory recently released deluxe re-masters of the entire TJB catalogue plus Lost Treasures, a compilation of vintage rarities, and Rewhipped, featuring hot remixes of every track from Whipped Cream & Other Delights. In all, Alpert has recorded over thirty albums and produced for many other artists, including Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66, Stan Getz, Michel Colombier, Gato Barbieri, and Alpert's wife, GRAMMY winning vocalist Lani Hall, to name a few.

SBL Entertainment Presents – Coco Montoya

September 24, 2019
Music Series

The old Willie Dixon adage, “blues is truth,” perfectly describes the searing, contemporary blues-rock of world-renowned guitarist and vocalist COCO MONTOYA. Taught by the “Master of the Telecaster,” Albert Collins, but with a hard-edged sound and style all his own, Montoya mixes his forceful, melodic guitar playing and passionate vocals with memorable songs, delivering the blues’ hardest truths. He earned his status as a master guitarist and soul-powered vocalist through years of paying his dues as a sideman with Collins (first as a drummer) and then with John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, before launching his solo career in 1993. Five years of constant touring with Collins and ten years with Mayall turned him into a monster player and dynamic performer. Montoya has released eight solo albums—including three for Alligator between 2000 and 2007—and has played at clubs, concert halls and major festivals all over the world. Guitar Player says Montoya plays “stunning, powerhouse blues with a searing tone, emotional soloing, and energetic, unforced vocals.”

SBL Entertainment Presents – Christone “Kingfish” Ingram

September 26, 2019
Music Series

Once a generation, a blues artist comes along who not only reminds mainstream audiences how deeply satisfying and emotionally moving the best blues music can be, but shakes

the genre to its core. With both eyes on the future and the blues in his blood, 20-year-old guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Christone "King sh" Ingram is set to take the music world by storm with the long-awaited release of his debut album, KINGFISH, on Alligator Records. Sprung from the same earth as so many of the Delta blues masters, King sh comes bursting out of Clarksdale, Mississippi, just ten miles from the legendary crossroads of Highways 61 and 49. A student of the Delta's musical history, he is acutely aware of the musicians and the music that emerged from his corner of the world. "I do think I have an old soul, that I've been here before," he says. "I'm moving forward with one foot in the past."

SBL Entertainment Presents – Tommy Castro & The Painkillers

September 27, 2019
Music Series

Blazing soul-blues rocker Tommy Castro’s musical roots run deep. As he unleashes his high-energy music to fans all over the world, Castro is inspired by the sounds he absorbed while coming of age on the rough and tumble side of San Jose, California. During the late 1960s and early 1970s, this was Castro’s home turf—his stomping ground. It was a place where the street-tough Mexican Americans and the counter-culture hippies came together to drink, smoke, laugh, party and listen to tunes—the hippies with their blues and rock, the Mexicans with their soul music. Mixing the blues-rock he loved and the soul music he heard blasting out from the lowriders cruising the streets, along with the socially conscious message songs of the day, Tommy’s own sound was born. He honed his guitar playing to a razor’s edge on the city’s competitive bar scene, where he learned how to capture an audience with his intensely passionate vocals, stellar musicianship and dynamic performances. Almost every major rock and soul act, from Ike & Tina Turner to Janis Joplin to Elvin Bishop to Taj Mahal, toured through the area, and Castro was at almost every show. He saw John Lee Hooker, Albert King and Buddy Guy & Junior Wells at the same local blues bar, JJ’s, where he often jammed, dreaming of one day busting out.

SBL Entertainment Presents – Leyla McCalla

September 28, 2019
Music Series

Leyla McCalla finds inspiration from a variety of sources, whether it is her Haitian heritage, living in New Orleans or dancing at Cajun Mardi Gras. Leyla, a multi-instrumentalist, is a cellist and singer whose distinctive sound is impossible to replicate.

Leyla’s music reflects her eclectic and diverse life experiences, projecting a respect for eloquent simplicity that is rarely achieved. Born in New York City to Haitian emigrant parents, Leyla was raised in suburban New Jersey. As a teenager, she relocated to Accra, Ghana for two years. Upon her return, she attended Smith College for a year before transferring to New York University where she studied cello performance and chamber music. Armed with Bach’s Cello Suites, Leyla moved to New Orleans to play cello on the streets of the French Quarter.

SBL Entertainment Presents – Hot Club of Cowtown

September 29, 2019
Music Series

“This trio’s stylistic genesis–as well as title–stems from the realization that the great heritage of strings (guitars and violins) originates mutually with the Manouche gypsies of France and the no-less virtuosic hillbilly pickers and fiddlers of Oklahoma and Texas….Together for over 15 years and a dozen albums, the threesome of high-heeled violinist Elana James, guitarist Whit Smith and bassist Jake Erwin showed from the beginning that jazz and country music could exist together on the same page, a highly commendable achievement if ever there was one.” – Wall Street Journal

Sacramento Ballet Presents – Mozart in Motion

October 3, 2019 - October 6, 2019
Other Entertainment Series

Mozart’s melodies have captured choreographic imaginations for centuries.

Sacramento native Jodie Gates stages her neo-classical Embellish, described by The New York Times as “fluent and theatrically savvy.” Gates is Vice Dean and Director of USC’s Glorya Kaufman School of Dance, and former artist with the Joffrey and Frankfurt Ballets. We pair this with Seiwert’s interpretation of Richard Maunder’s edition of Mozart’s famously unfinished Requiem. The San Francisco Chronicle praised “…the sheer expansiveness of (Seiwert’s) vision … an intensely focused work.” An added bonus is a joyful world premiere by Princess Grace Choreography Fellowship Award winner Darrell Grand Moultrie (who has choreographed for performers as diverse as Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Beyonce), accompanied by Soprano Carrie Hennessy, flautist Cathie Apple and pianist Jennifer Reason. This will be the third world premiere audience-favorite Moultrie has choreographed on Sacramento Ballet.

Embellish
Choreographer: Jodie Gates
Music: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

World Premiere
Choreographer: Darrell Grand Moultrie
Music: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Accompanied by: Soprano Carrie Hennessy, flautist Cathie Apple and pianist Jennifer Reason

Requiem
Choreographer: Amy Seiwert
Music: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

SBL Entertainment Presents – John Gorka

October 17, 2019
Music Series

John Gorka is perhaps the quintessential iconic singer-songwriter of the 80’s folk scene. Hailing from New Jersey, but forged in the Greenwich Village Fast Folk scene, he honed his craft and persona into an unmistakable image. The shy, wry, insightful, and yes, sensitive singer-songwriter has been copied and parodied. But the old coat he wove still fits, and still suits him well. The old songs ring as true as they ever did, and the new ones are just as good.

The Sword in The Stone

October 19, 2019 - November 10, 2019
Theatre Series

The Arthurian legends begin here. Before he was King Arthur, ruler of the Britons and head of the infamous Round Table, Arthur was a young boy destined for greatness. This adaptation explores the thrilling adventures that made the boy into a man of legend and the powerful sword that only the rightful King could pull from the stone.
Recommended for ages 5 and up.

SBL Entertainment Presents – Deconstructing The Beatles’ Abbey Road (A Multimedia Lecture Hosted by Beatleologist SCOTT FREIMAN Live!)

October 19, 2019
Music Series

Scott's presentation will transport you to Abbey Road Studio with tales of the Fab Four's recording sessions there. You'll experience Abbey Road like you never have before. In Deconstructing Abbey Road, Beatleologist Scott Freiman has created one of his most in-depth “deconstructions.” Scott will take you on a track-by-track journey explaining the inspiration for the songs and their evolution in the studio.

The Beatles’ Abbey Road is a masterpiece filled with classic Beatles songs, such as Come Together, Something, and Here Comes the Sun. George Martin told the Beatles to think “symphonically,”
and they responded by creating the remarkable side two song suite. Abbey Road was the last time that the Beatles recorded together at EMI Studios — soon-to-be- christened Abbey Road Studios after the album’s release. Despite the bittersweet atmosphere that surrounded the recording sessions, The Beatles’ outstanding songs and performances together with George Martin’s orchestrations produced an album that continues to be regarded as one of the best albums ever created.

SBL Entertainment Presents – Beausoleil avec Michael Doucet

October 25, 2019
Music Series

Since forming in 1975, Grammy winners BeauSoleil have claimed their undisputed role as the most esteemed Cajun group in music. BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet take the rich Cajun traditions of Louisiana and artfully blend elements of zydeco, New Orleans jazz, Tex-Mex, country, blues and more into a satisfying musical recipe. From The Grand Ole Opry to Newport Folk, from concert hall to dance floor, the music of BeauSoleil continues to captivate audiences the world over.

SBL Entertainment Presents – Steelin Dan’ (Steely Dan Tribute)

October 26, 2019
Music Series

Steelin' Dan is the recipient of Sacramento Magazine's Best of Sacramento Award: "Best Show Stealers" and multiple SAMMIE awards

"Heads up, Steely Dan fans: Instead of waiting for their next tour, get your fix with local tribute band Steelin' Dan. From the straightforward pop/rock of Reelin’ in the Years to the quirky, jazz-infected Green Earrings, even the most discriminating Dan fans will be hard-pressed to find flaws in Steelin' Dan’s amazingly accurate arrangements and marks manlike musicianship!"- Sacramento Magazine

Steelin' Dan also won the 2011 Sacramento Area Music Award ("SAMMIE" Award) for "BEST COVER BAND" and 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 SAMMIE awards for "BEST TRIBUTE BAND", demonstrating once again the band's tremendous popularity.

Steelin' Dan presents a memorable experience, one that continues to excite fans throughout California and the western states.

SBL Entertainment Presents – Cheryl Wheeler

November 1, 2019
Music Series

Cheryl Wheeler has to be seen to be appreciated. Nothing you read and nothing you hear from her albums prepares you for how entertaining a performer she is. If you’re not already familiar with Cheryl, you have probably heard her music. She is very respected as a songwriter by her peers, which can be seen by how many of them record her songs. Cheryl's songs have been covered by artists as diverse as Dan Seals, Peter Paul & Mary, Kenny Loggins, Garth Brooks, Suzy Bogguss, Melanie, Bette Midler, Maura O'Connell, Sylvia, Kathy Mattea, and Holly Near. From her albums you can tell that she is a gifted songwriter with a beautiful voice. From other people's comments about her you learn that she is a natural storyteller with a fantastic sense of humor. But until you see her in person, you never really believe what you've been told about her. Interestingly enough, almost half of the songs she performs during her shows have never been recorded!

SBL Entertainment Presents – BoDeans w/ Dan Tedesco

November 3, 2019
Music Series

Those who have followed BoDeans’ remarkable 30-year musical career know that their blend of compelling songs and high energy performances have retained an unpretentious rock & roll loyal following like no other.Best known for their catchy single, “Closer To Free,” the band’s accessible adult alternative sound has led to many a milestone, including a Rolling Stone Reader’s Poll for Best New American Band in 1987, and support slots with U2, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Tom Petty, George Thorogood, The Pretenders, David Bowie and numerous others. Appearances at Farm Aid, Summerfest, ACL Festival and others followed, along with TV appearances on “Saturday NightLive,” “Letterman,” “Today,” “Imus,” CNN, and ESPN, to name a few. BoDeans have a permanent installation at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum in Cleveland as part of their Midwest Artists exhibit. After multiple chart-topping radio singles, and TV placements, BoDeans have defined a generation that embraced songs like “Good Things,” “You Don’t Get Much,” “Idaho,” “If It Makes You,” “Closer To Free,” “Stay,” and “All The World.” BoDeans signed their first recording contract with Slash/Warner Brothers Records in 1985 and their debut record, “Love & Hope & Sex & Dreams” was released May, 1986. Since then, they have released 12 studio albums with ten records that hit the Billboard Top 200 Chart, and numerous singles on the Mainstream Rock, Top 40 and Triple A radio charts.

SBL Entertainment Presents – The Subdudes

November 7, 2019
Music Series

Over the course of 25 years and ten albums, the Subdudes have quietly become one of America’s national music treasures.
The New Orleans-formed group is a living encapsulation of American music, a vibrant cauldron of sounds that stirs together meaty grooves and jazzy dynamics, soulful R&B swagger, easy vocal harmonies, cheeky rock ‘n’ roll attitude and folky social consciousness — not to mention some of the sharpest musicianship and ensemble playing you’ll ever hear from any five musicians.
Led by singer/guitarist Tommy Malone and accordionist, John Magnie, The Subdudes draw most of their inspiration from the sounds of their native New Orleans, blending blues, gospel, funk, and R&B with their own harmony vocals; their sound is also notable for the band’s substitution of a tambourine player, Steve Amedée, for a drummer. Tim Cook rounds out the band on bass.

Welcome to Night Vale

November 8, 2019
Other Entertainment Series

WELCOME TO NIGHT VALE is a twice-monthly podcast in the style of community updates for the small desert town of Night Vale, featuring local weather, news, announcements from the Sheriff’s Secret Police, mysterious lights in the night sky, dark hooded figures with unknowable powers, and cultural events.

Turn on your radio and hide.

SBL Entertainment Presents – Susan Werner

November 9, 2019
Music Series

After writing twelve albums of songs in styles ranging from folk/rock to Tin Pan Alley to gospel, country and chamber music, what might a woman deemed by National Public Radio as “The Empress of the Unexpected” try next?
And as audiences will testify, Werner’s been knocking it out of the park – or concert hall – all around the US for twenty years. Renowned as a charismatic performer, she’s known above all for challenging herself to conquer new styles, almost like mountaintops, every few years.
From her 1995 major label debut, the folk/rock gem “Last of the Good Straight Girls,” to her 2004 collection of Tin Pan Alley styled originals “I Can’t Be New,” to her 2007 “agnostic gospel” hymnal “The Gospel Truth”, to 2013’s tribute to agriculture and her Iowa farm roots “Hayseed” to 2018’s Cuban flavored collection “An American In Havana” Werner’s creative restlessness has become her defining characteristic.
“I like concept albums, because they provide a place for the audience and the artist to meet. You may not know me and I may not know you, but we both know something about a farmer’s market, about what it is to sit in a pew at church and wonder what life means, we both know something about falling in love and maybe falling back out again. I like to have a starting point for an evening’s conversation with an audience – it’s a great icebreaker.”
She first arrived on the national stage when her 1995 BMG debut earned her national concert tours with Joan Armatrading and Richard Thompson. In 1996 Werner was featured as part of the “next generation” in Peter Paul and Mary’s PBS special LifeLines. She has performed on NPR’s World Café, NPR’s Mountain Stage, and in 2016 Nebraska Educational Television broadcast “The Land Will Outlive Us All,” a one hour special on Werner, agriculture, and her 2015 concert tour across the state.
Her songs have been recorded by Tom Jones and Michael Feinstein, Broadway stars Betty Buckley and Christine Ebersole, and countless individuals and ensembles. But Werner says she’s just getting started: “I just released an album of songs inspired by a trip to Cuba. And I’ve always wanted to go to Scotland – hey, maybe I could learn the bagpipes. It’s not impossible….is it?”

SBL Entertainment Presents – Kalani Pe’a

November 15, 2019
Music Series

Kalani is a singer of power, sensitivity, and charisma, one of the most promising talents in a new generation of Hawaiian musicians. He has won 2 Grammy Awards for Best Regional Roots album to date, one for each of his two CDs releases, the only Hawaiian artist to win in this category. His first CD also won him a 2017 Na Hoku Hanohano Award (Hawai‘i’s “Grammy”), making Hawaiian music history as the only album to win both a Grammy and Na Hoku. This year, he hit another first - he made his debut appearance at the prestigious Merrie Monarch hula competition, singing one of his original songs for the hula group that went on to take home the top honor at the competition.

Kalani has been praised for Hawaiian language fluency, songwriting skills, and commitment to his Hawaiian roots, as well as a musical range runs from traditional chant to Hawaiian classics to new songs to R&B and a charming and dynamic presence on-stage. He began singing at age 4 to address a stutter as a child, and his natural talent was subsequently recognized in singing competitions from childhood to college years, and has brought him to the forefront of Hawaiian music today.

SBL Entertainment Presents – Al Jardine’s Endless Summer (Original founding member of The Beach Boys)

November 17, 2019
Music Series

Alan (aka “Al”) Jardine, guitarist, vocalist and songwriter, is best known for being one of the founding members of the California-based group The Beach Boys. Al was born in Lima, Ohio, on September 3, 1942 and met Brian, Carl and Dennis Wilson, Mike Love and David Marks after his family moved to Hawthorne, California. They formed The Beach Boys and with their perfect harmonies and original tunes about surfing, beaches, hot rods and California girls, became the rock ‘n’ roll voice of the West Coast. In 2018, Al began playing solo shows on a tour featuring songs and stories from his early days to his most recent solo album A Postcard from California. Al, along with his son Matt Jardine and vocalist/musician Jeff Alan Ross, deliver an intimate show full of hits and rarities combined with never-before- heard stories (and rare pictures and videos) from Al’s amazing career. With rave reviews from fans and critics, it’s truly a show not to be
missed.

SBL Entertainment Presents – Erica Rhodes

November 22, 2019
Other Entertainment Series

Erica Rhodes has appeared on ABC’s Modern Family, HBO’s Veep, Fox’s New Girl, IFC’s Comedy Bang Bang, and recurred on TruTV’s Fameless. She was a regular panelist on Comedy Central’s @midnight and Fox’s Punchline. Her standup TV appearances include the CW’s Howie Mandel Comedy Extravaganza, NBC’s Bring the Funny and Last Call with Carson Daly, SeeSo’s The Guest List, Hulu’s Coming to the Stage, and AXS’ Live at Gotham. Erica has performed at the Just for Laughs Festival (Montreal), San Francisco Sketchfest, the Moontower Comedy Festival (Austin, TX), the Blue Whale Comedy Festival (Tulsa, OK), the Boston Comedy Festival and RIOT L.A. Fest. She also starred in the ABC Digital series The Off-Season, was a semi-regular performer/writer on NPR’s A Prairie Home Companion, and a recurring character on the Audible series, Dr. Katz: The Audiobook. Erica is currently starring in Tour Dates, a pilot for E! Her first album Sad Lemon is set for a June 2019 release.

SBL entertainment Presents – Jen Kober

November 23, 2019
Other Entertainment Series

Jen Kober has been featured on incredible TV shows including Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Middle, The Real Husbands of Hollywood, and most recently appeared on the hit Netflix series Dead to Me. You can spot Kober on several shows coming out later this year including RuPauls’s new Netflix sitcom AJ & The Queen, The Righteous Gemstones for HBO and The Purge on USA.

You may also recognize Jen from her award winning stories featured on NPR’s Snap Judgment. Her Girl Scout Cookie Caper story was named Best Comedic Performance of 2017, and her Skydiving for Love story was named Best Comedic Performance of 2018.

Don’t miss your chance to see fast rising star Jen Kober LIVE on stage as she weaves story after story, engaging her audiences with uproarious events from her real life. Kober is the real deal - funny and down to earth, trying to bring folks together by sharing a laugh.

SBL Entertainment Presents – Rob Bell: An Introduction to Joy

December 6, 2019
Other Entertainment Series

Rob Bell is the New York Times best selling author of Love Wins, What We Talk About When We Talk About God, The Zimzum of Love, How To Be Here and What is the Bible?. His podcast, called the RobCast, is the #1 spirituality podcast and iTunes named it Best of 2015. He’s been profiled in the New Yorker, toured with Oprah, and in 2011 Time Magazine named him one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World. He has a regular show at Largo, the legendary comedy and music club in Los Angeles, where he lives with wife Kristen and their three children.

Wizard of Oz

December 7, 2019 - December 26, 2019
Theatre Series

Dorothy, a young girl from Kansas, finds herself in the magical world of Oz in this adaptation of the classic story we all know and love. The Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion all help Dorothy in her quest to meet the Wizard and find her way home, but the Wicked Witch of the West will do everything in her considerable power to stop her. The B Street Theatre's lauded acting company takes on one of the most adored children's stories just in time for the holidays!
Recommended for ages 5 and up.

SBL Entertainment Presents – John Doyle Duo w/ Mick McAuley

December 7, 2019
Music Series

Impossibly in demand in the studio and on the road, immensely talented and blessed with an acute ear, a wicked sense of rhythm and seemingly endless stream of magic in his playing, composing, performing and producing, John Doyle is solidly establishing himself as one of the most versatile, creative and prolific voices in folk and traditional Irish music.

In 1994 John Doyle brought his brilliant and innovative guitar stylings to the nascent Irish super-group Solas, which soon took the folk and Celtic music worlds by storm. In the years since going out on his own, John has recorded two solo albums, including Wayward Son, which The Irish Edition hailed as “a contender for Album of the Year;” and has become a highly sought-after accompanist and session player for the likes of Joan Baez, Eileen Ivers, Tim O’Brien, Linda Thompson, Seamus Egan, Alison Brown and Kate Rusby; and has developed compelling duo performances, first with fiddler Liz Carroll and more recently with Solas’ co-founding vocalist Karan Casey. Their new CD is Exiles Return.

SBL Entertainment Presents – Monica Pasqual CD Release Party w/ Dear John Love Renee (featuring Renee from Blame Sally)

December 13, 2019
Music Series

Best known for her work in the Bay Area’s female band Blame Sally, of whom rock critic Joel Selvin wrote: “…one of the most powerful word-of-mouth success stories I’ve heard in recent years.”, Pasqual has managed to maintain an impressive solo career both before and during the Blame Sally years. Already the winner of five Independent Music Awards and six Emmy Awards, she currently has two songs from her soon-to-be released album in the finals of the 2019 Independent Music Awards. In 2017 Pasqual’s political song and video "You Can't Kill Light" garnered her radio play and views on stations across the US and Germany and was performed live by Pasqual at the 2018 Bay Area Women's March. Her songs have been used on numerous network television shows and she has composed soundtracks for PBS, The History Channel and National Geographic Television. This fall she is releasing her sixth solo album, also titled “You Can’t Kill Light”. Pasqual will be accompanied by her band, The Handsome Brunettes.

SBL Entertainment Presents – Dirty Cello

December 14, 2019
Music Series

From China to Italy, and all over the U.S., Dirty Cello brings the world a high energy and unique spin on blues and bluegrass. Led by vivacious cross-over cellist, Rebecca Roudman, Dirty Cello is cello like you’ve never heard before. From down home blues with a wailing cello to virtuosic stompin’ bluegrass, Dirty Cello is a band that gets your heart thumping and your toes tapping!
"Dirty Cello’s music is all over the map: funky, carnival, romantic, sexy, tangled, electric, fiercely rhythmic, and textured, and only occasionally classical." Lou Fancher, Oakland Magazine.
"The band plays every style imaginable, and does some fantastic covers. (Their rendition of “Purple Haze” is incredible.) But what is most spectacular about them is hearing the depth of soul in Roudman’s playing—it goes beyond what most people would expect from the instrument. She plays it with so much heart, you’ll wonder why more bands don’t have a cellist." Good Times Santa Cruz
"The group seamlessly careens from blues to bluegrass and rock in a way that really shouldn't make sense but somehow does." LA Times

SBL Entertainment Presents – A Night In Portugal featuring Ramana Vieira

December 20, 2019
Music Series

Take a journey to the world of Fado, often described as the Portuguese version of the blues. This concert presents Fado as interpreted by Ramana Vieira, a northern California native of Portuguese descent who has been described by The New York Times as an American at the forefront of the Fado resurgence. The San Francisco Examiner calls her “the Rising Star in World Music." Her authentic and individual style, brilliant musicality, and colorful heritage appeals to a wide audience. Following her recent performance of the TAP Airlines inaugural flight out of SFO, her performance will reflect her original compositions along with beautiful Fado pieces by Amalia Rodrigues the legendary Fado singer from Portugal. Joining Ramana will be Brad Bivens on guitar, Leslie Thorne on bass and Stephen LaPorta on percussion.

SBL Entertainment Presents – Irish Christmas In America featuring live performance during sets by McKeever School Of Irish Dance

December 21, 2019
Music Series

Produced by Oisín Mac Diarmada of award-winning lrish group Téada, the hugely popular Irish Christmas in America show features top Irish musicians, singers and dancers in an engaging performance rich in history, humour and boundless energy.

SBL Entertainment Presents – Mania! The Live Beatles Experience

January 4, 2020
Music Series

MANIA! is California's Premier Beatles Tribute Band, capturing the imagination of both old and young with their attention to detail: from authentic Beatle instruments and costumes to the way they move, sing and play. Taking the audience from the youthful energy of The Ed Sullivan Show through the majesty of Pepperland and into the final days of the Beatles on the Abbey Road rooftop, MANIA!

SBL Entertainment Presents – I See Hawks In L.A.

January 10, 2020
Music Series

"Hawks With Good Intentions," an all acoustic folk experiment with The Good Intentions from Liverpool, UK has an official release in September 2019 and is already garnering good advance UK/Europe airplay and reviews. 5 stars - MOJO; 8 stars - UNCUT; "I See Hawks In L.A. delivers more timeless twang," -L.A. Times; "Live And Never Learn is a balm for the soul," - Rock & Reel UK.

The Hawks are noted for their lyrical celebrations and lamentations of earth and ecosphere, odes to the endless highway, and wry social commentary. Rob Waller's soulful baritone is augmented by rich three part harmonies, and traditional yet very experimental electric and steel guitar textures from Paul Lacques, layered with fiddle, dobro and accordion. Bassist and vocalist Paul Marshall (Strawberry Alarm Clock, Wanda Jackson), brings a deep understanding of Americana from bluegrass to psychedelic country rock, to the Hawks landscape.

SBL Entertainment Presents – Danielle Nicole

January 11, 2020
Music Series

Founding member, lead singer, and bass player of Kansas City blues-rock band Trampled Under Foot, Danielle Nicole stepped out on her own in 2015 with her debut album “Wolf Den.” In 2018, Nicole returned with a follow-up release via Concord Records.

"I grew up playing the blues, and the blues is still a big part of what I do. But now I'm reaching out more and trying different things. It still sounds like me, but I'm stretching out a lot more than I have previously."

"When I started doing my solo thing," she continues, "someone asked me if I was gonna hire a bass player. No, of course not! I originally picked up the bass to keep Trampled Under Foot a family band, but I really fell in love with it. It was a huge challenge, and it still is. But I really love being part of the groove and getting to sing on top of that. I had learned some stuff on acoustic guitar before I started playing bass, but I never really felt connected to it the way I do with the bass. It's empowering, walking onto a stage full of grown men who can play their asses off, and it's 'OK, I'm gonna play this bass, we're gonna do this, and it's gonna rock.'"

Rounding out her band are longtime Danielle Nicole Band guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Brandon Miller, and her older brother Kris Schenebelen [Trampled Under Foot] on drums.

SBL Entertainment Presents – Josh Vietti

January 17, 2020
Music Series

Josh is definitely a rising star and has been creating a lot of buzz across the country. Recently, Vietti had the opportunity to perform LIVE with Lil Duval in front of 20,000 people at Powerhouse NYC on the line up with Cardi B. Lil Duval initially reposted Josh’s cover of his No. 1 hit “Living My Best Life” on his Instagram page and was seen over one million times in two days after many celebrities and other influencers shared Josh’s video. Additionally, rap superstar French Montana just reposted Josh’s violin cover of his hit song “No Stylist” on his Instagram page going out to 11.9 million followers. He’s now in talks to be featured on French Montana’s upcoming album. Josh is also one of the winners of H-Town for Real Challenge and was featured on a song with Houston Radio Boss Kiotti, Z-Ro, Mista Madd, Paul Wall and Riff Raff. Vietti also just shot a national commercial for Acura with an original Hip-Hop Violin song (see Media/Videos to view the official music video).

Vietti has also performed for Michael Jordan, on the Ellen DeGeneres Show and on ESPN’s NFL Countdown. Additionally, he has performed with jazz artists Rick Braun, Peter White and Marcus Anderson, as well as opening for many major artists, such as Earth Wind & Fire, Lil Wayne, Ne-Yo, Fabolous, David Sanborn, Brian Culbertson, Gerald Albright, B.o.B., Najee and Norman Brown.

SBL Entertainment Presents – Spencer Day

January 18, 2020
Music Series

Spencer Day, the #1 Billboard charting pop/jazz singer and songwriter, has headlined venues from Birdland and Lincoln Center to the Hollywood Bowl and London’s West End. Known for his unique sense of humor and distinctive original songs, his upcoming project “Broadway by Day” celebrates the unlikely friendship between jazz and musical theatre with swinging numbers from “A Chorus Line,” “South Pacific,” “Hello, Dolly!,” and more. Spencer has been called “prodigiously talented” by The Village Voice, "Compelling” from Time Out NY, “Brilliant” by The San Francisco Chronicle, with raves for his “cool jazz sensibilities, cleverly crafted tales” from The Washington Post.

SBL Entertainment Presents – Joe Craven & The Sometimers

February 7, 2020
Music Series

There is no label to accurately describe the music of Joe Craven and the Sometimers. Acid-rockgrass? Jazz fusion Americana? To try to box it in would be to crush the exuberant creative spirit that happens when Craven,
Jonathan Stoyanoff, Bruce MacMillan, Barry Eldridge and Hattie Craven play together. “No genre left behind” is their musical motto, and they accomplish the task with joyful abandon, playing paradigm-shattering free
range music that entices and excites. Joe Craven is a creativity educator and prankster savant and, while a multi-instrumentalist proficient with strings and percussion from mando to canjoe to bongo, he is also a eulogist, wordsmith and fashion insultant.
“Everything Joe touches turns into music” says mandolinist David Grisman, with whom Craven played for almost 17 years. Craven has rubbed creative elbows with Jerry Garcia, David Lindley, Alison Brown, Jason Marsalis, Inga Swearengen, Roy Rogers, Howard Levy and many others. Joe is equally grateful to have also been inspired and furthered by incredible, inspiring souls that most folks have, or perhaps never will, known of. Joe’s creative genius sparks and ignites his fellow musicians, who travel to other worldly musical destinations not explored by many others.

SBL Entertainment Presents – Women Of A Certain Age

February 8, 2020
Other Entertainment Series

Direct from Showtime, Join Carole Montgomery and some of the funniest women in comedy!

Funny Women of a Certain Age is a show straight from the unfettered mouths and uninhibited minds of the funniest, most daring, most experienced people in comedy: the women that have seen it all.

They’ve raised children both on and off the road, having club bouncers watch their babies while onstage. These women have stayed in comedy condos where you don’t want to use a blacklight on anything. They’ve been told women aren’t funny and asked to trade sexual favors for work.
Trust us, they have A LOT to say and they say it hysterically.

“Funny Women Of A Certain Age gives the floor to brilliant, deserving comics who are all too often cast aside by the entertainment industry.” - AV/TV CLUB

“It’s the kind of funny you don’t see very often - raw, smart, no holds barred.” - Evan Shapiro: National Lampoon

Ride Sally Ride

February 8, 2020 - March 7, 2020
Theatre Series

The story of Amelia Earhart and Sally Ride!
In this thrilling story, young Sally Ride is visited by her idol. Amelia Earhart. Together, they explore the history of aviation, the breaking barriers and the role women had in the obliteration of the patriarchy. This electrifying play will illuminate these fearless icons and inspire children of all ages!

SBL Entertainment Presents – Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas

February 13, 2020
Music Series

The musical partnership between consummate performer Alasdair Fraser, "the Michael Jordan of Scottish fiddling", and brilliant Californian cellist Natalie Haas spans the full spectrum between intimate chamber music and ecstatic dance energy. Over the last 18 years of creating a buzz at festivals and concert halls across the world, they have truly set the standard for fiddle and cello in traditional music. They continue to thrill audiences internationally with their virtuosic playing, their near-telepathic understanding and the joyful spontaneity and sheer physical presence of their music.

SBL Entertainment Presents – Mumbo Gumbo’s 30th Anniversary Party

February 14, 2020
Music Series

Mumbo Gumbo is a septet from Sacramento that has been playing together for 30 years! With nine albums they have made a name for themselves mixing rootsy grooves, great songs and powerful playing that you can shake your booty to! This 30th anniversary show serves as both a special Mardi Gras and Valentine's Day event.

SBL Entertainment Presents – Dennis Johnson and the Mississippi Ramblers

February 15, 2020
Music Series

You would say San Francisco native Dennis Johnson is one of the hardest working musicians with a deep passion for preserving and innovating roots music.

Dennis realized at a young age music was his calling. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Dennis heard the music of Chuck Berry and it struck a chord with him. As a teenager, he taught himself the guitar and discovered his passion for slide guitar. He discovered the music of Robert Johnson, Roy Rogers and Norton Buffalo and was hooked. Dennis recalled “seeing Roy play the first time really blew me away. A huge influence on my music.”

Robert Johnson’s approach to guitar was the blueprint for Dennis’ evolution as a guitarist. Dennis explained “Robert‘s guitar playing sounded like two guitars. It’s a blend of rhythm and slide phrases that sound like two guitarists are playing when it’s really one guitarist. I approach guitar in much the same way.”

The road to becoming a professional musician was paved when Dennis met delta blues legend Honey Boy Edwards. “I was at a personal crossroads in deciding whether to be a musician. Honeyboy said 'if you like to play the blues, play the blues!' The eloquence of that statement was in its simplicity. When I shook Honeyboy's hand I felt an energy there. This was a profound moment in my life. It was fate”

Honeyboy's advice turned out to be a risk that paid off. In 2010, Dennis Johnson released his first album Slide Show to critical acclaim. Slide Show rose to the Top 50 blues CDs worldwide and No. 21 on the California Roots Radio Charts.

SBL Entertainment Presents – Ed Asner – A Man And His Prostate

February 22, 2020
Other Entertainment Series

Based on a true-life experience, a man discovers his inner self in more ways than one. A near tragedy is masterfully transformed into a one-man comedy, perfectly portrayed by Ed Asner in his hilarious visit to the hospital in preparation for surgery he doesn’t want.

SBL Entertainment Presents – Tom Paxton and The DonJuans

February 26, 2020
Music Series

Collectively, their songs have been covered by: Harry Belafonte, John Mellencamp, Miranda Lambert, Neil Diamond, Ray Charles, Nancy Griffith, Judy Collins, Pete Seeger, Janis Ian, Kathy Mattea, John Denver, Faith Hill, B.J. Thomas, Blake Shelton, Peter, Paul & Mary and Bob Dylan… just to name a few! Within days of writing and playing together, they knew they were onto something. Now they’re taking it on the road!

SBL Entertainment Presents – Frank Vignola’s Hot Jazz Guitar

February 28, 2020
Music Series

Frank Vignola, born December 30th, 1965, is one of the most extraordinary guitarists performing before the public today. His stunning virtuosity has made him the guitarist of choice for many of the world’s top musicians, including Ringo Starr, Madonna, Donald Fagen, Wynton Marsalis, Tommy Emmanuel, the Boston Pops, the New York Pops, and guitar legend Les Paul, who named Vignole to his “Five Most Admired Guitarists List: for the Wall Street Journal. Vignola’s jaw- dropping technique explains why the new York Times deemed him “one of the brightest stars of the guitar”.

With over 1000 engagements in the last five years alone, Frank Vignola has become one of the most popular and sought after guitarists on the international music scene. His dynamic genre-spanning music has brought him to 14 countries on three continents – and still growing – performing in some of the world’s most illustrious venues, including the Sydney Opera House in Australia, Carnegie Hall, The Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, New York’s Lincoln Center and the world’s oldest indoor concert hall, Teatro Olimpico in Vicenza, Italy.

Often featured on National Public Radio, Frank Vignola has also become a familiar figure on Public Television, featured previously on three popular shows, including the heavily programmed Tommy Emmanuel and Friends. His own PBS special, “Four Generations of Guitar” produced by Peter Berkow, premieres in the 2015 season as part of the forthcoming 13 episode series “Music Gone Public”, where he will be joined by special guests, Vinny Raniolo, Bucky Pizzarelli, Joe Craven and Tommy Emmanuel.

SBL Entertainment Presents – Aubrey Logan

February 29, 2020
Music Series

The media refer to #1 selling artist, Aubrey Logan, as “The Queen of Sass.” And it’s easy to see why. Her concerts are a mix of excellent musicality, jaw-dropping vocals, virtuoso trombone-playing, a breathtaking array of originals and original takes on cover songs and, well…fun! Aubrey Logan loves music, loves performing and loves her fans. And it shows. “My relationship with the audience is the most fun I can legally have!” she says. Very few artists can concentrate so fully on the music and yet be so connected to the people who have come to hear her. And that connection is magic.

Aubrey has seen a lot of recent success, with two albums in the top 10 within the last year. Her debut album, Impossible, immediately shot to the top 10 on the iTunes, Billboard and Amazon charts. And her next appearance on Summer Horns II, from A to Z (as a special guest of Dave Koz on Concord Records) became the #1 selling Contemporary Jazz Album on Billboard. Aubrey has spent more time at the top of the charts lately than she has in an airport, and travel has been a permanent fixture for her in the last couple of years.

SBL Entertainment Presents – Special EFX featuring Chieli Minucci

March 13, 2020
Music Series

Guitarist, composer, and arranger Chieli Minucci is longtime leader of the Grammy-nominated jazz-fusion group SPECIAL EFX featuring Chieli Minucci, a major force on the jazz and world music scene for over 35 years. Chieli recently released his 35th anniversary CD, “Deep as the Night”. The title track, “Deep as the Night”, enjoyed Billboard Magazine’s 2018 top honors, winning best-song-of-the-year.

Besides writing and performing his own music, Chieli shares his guitar brilliance throughout the entertainment world. He has recorded and performed with many top artists, such as Celine Dion, Lou Reed, Lionel Richie, Jennifer Lopez, Jewel, Mark Anthony, Michael Bolton, Eartha Kitt, Eddie Fisher, Anastasia, as well as jazz artists Kirk Whalum, Jeff Lorber, Norman Brown, Bernie Williams, Marion Meadows, Lao Tizer, Mindi Abair, Rick Braun, Gerald Veasley, Omar Hakim, and many others. Although renowned in the jazz and pop world, Chieli is also a gifted television and film composer. He has won 3 Emmy Awards and been nominated 10 times for his eclectic compositional work. His music can also be heard on the soundtracks of the films Bowfinger, Legally Blonde, Panic, and others. Chieli's original scoring work can be heard in live stage productions of Peter Pan, Dora the Explorer, Thomas the Tank Engine, and others.

Joining Chieli on tour will be keyboardist Lao Tizer, bassist Ric Fierabracci, and drummer Gene Coye.

Sacramento Masters Singers Presents – Songs in the Key of Life

March 14, 2020 - March 15, 2020
Music Series

From birth to death, through joy, loss, and sorrow, the Sacramento Master Singers will celebrate our lives, their benchmark moments, their ups and downs, with song. Patrons will be moved by pieces that range from the traditional Spiritual Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child to Szymko’s It Takes a Village. We have a slew of special features for this concert as well: talented guest soloists, a World Premiere of an SMS commissioned piece by Ron Kean focused on the theme of life’s journey. You’ll enjoy audience pleasers such as Cole Porter’s I Get a Kick Out of You arranged by Falker and Fly to Paradise by Eric Whitacre. Join us as for our first performance at the stunning Sofia and hear popular songs such as Stevie Wonder’s Songs in the Key of Life. It’s a concert brimming with musical delights that you won’t want to miss.

SBL Entertainment Presents – Duo Quartet

March 21, 2020
Music Series

Duo Quartet - the truth is, this is a band that wasn’t supposed happen. It started with four old friends thinking, ‘hey, let’s do a couple of shows as a double-bill’: Nina Gerber & Chris Webster in concert with The Pam & Jeri Show (Pam Delgado and Jeri Jones of Blame Sally). Given that all four women already had stellar reputations in the greater Bay Area, it wasn’t hard to book some high profile venues followed by full houses.

At first each performance stuck to the program – one duo followed by the other duo, with a grand finale of all four playing together. The duo part was great, but the quartet thing was downright exciting. Before long the shows featured the four of them playing together, with an occasional duo “breakout” section. Hence the band, and the name “Duo Quartet”.

From an audience point of view there is something richly satisfying in experiencing these four women onstage with a dynamic ranging from tender, ethereal songs to raucous barn-burners. Webster and Delgado sing most of the leads – Chris often expertly playing a washboard while Delgado drives the band with her percussion. But if this were a boxing ring you’d see coming in from opposite corners the dueling energy of Jones and Gerber egging each other on with their guitar-Goddestry – whipping the band and the audience into a veritable frenzy.

With a beautiful set of original music mixed with surprisingly original takes on a few choice covers, Duo Quartet brings to the stage a band that is greater than the sum of its already impressive parts.

Sacramento Ballet Presents – Homegrown: A Festival of New Works

March 26, 2020 - March 29, 2020
Other Entertainment Series

Our inaugural “Homegrown” presents world premieres by a trio of exciting emerging artists: Jennifer Archibald, Nicole Haskins and Isaac Bates-Vineuza.

Archibald, Resident Choreographer for Cincinnati Ballet, was a Choreographic Fellow for Alvin Ailey’s New Directions Choreography Lab. She has choreographed for major dance companies such as Atlanta Ballet, Kansas City Ballet and Stockholm’s Balletakedemien, as well as commercially for Tommy Hilfiger, NIKE and MAC Cosmetics.

Haskins, a Sacramento Ballet alumnus, has graced the Oregon Ballet Theatre’s Choreography XX and the New York Choreographic Institute. She has choreographed for Richmond Ballet and Smuin Ballet, among others.

Finally, Sacramento Ballet artist Isaac Bates-Vineuza further develops After All, his offering from our 2019 Beer and Ballet.

SBL Entertainment Presents – Greg Adams & East Bay Soul

April 4, 2020
Music Series

The sound of Grammy and Emmy nominated trumpeter, arranger Greg Adams is one of the world’s best-known musical signatures. As a founding member of Tower of Power, legendary for his arrangements that made the TOP horn section a sought out entity all its own. With countless collaborations in the studio and live on stage, Adams has made his mark on a broad stretch of today’s musical landscape that includes jazz, pop, rock, R&B,
soul, and funk.
It has been nearly a quarter century since the genre chameleon trumpeter and arranger became a leader in his own right with his ground breaking 1995 debut Hidden Agenda. With Greg Adams’ approach that music is a language... the CONVERSATION continues. You will sense a direct connection with the live feel of the music, the open breath of each note and the collaboration of each player.

A Year with Frog and Toad

April 18, 2020 - May 9, 2020
Theatre Series

Based on the classic stories by Arnold Lobel, A Year with Frog and Toad leaps from the B Street stage! Follow two best friends, the cheerful Frog and the grumpy Toad, as they hop, sing, and dance their way through a year of adventure. As the seasons change from spring to fall, these beloved characters learn lessons about life and the importance of friendship.

SBL Entertainment Presents – Keiko Matsui

April 21, 2020
Music Series

“Creating this album was like going on a soul quest, as I tried to figure out how to express the things I was thinking and experiencing during this past year,” confides pianist, composer and humanitarian Keiko Matsui (pronounced Kay-Koe, meaning ‘happy, celebratory child’ in Japanese). “This music energizes me and I am overwhelmed with emotion when I listen to it. I hope people will allow themselves to go inside the music and become a part of my journey,” says the stunning, profound pianist and world citizen who is celebrating a triumphant 25 years of recording in the US. In the words of Duke Ellington, Keiko Matsui is ‘beyond category.’ The courageous, spiritually-driven and consummate artist who enjoyed the distinction of being an invited guest and performer at the second International Jazz Day, sponsored by UNESCO and held in Istanbul in April 2013, transcends boundary. Her unique melting pot of musical influences have garnered her a devout international following. The eloquent and soft-spoken but yet deliberate musician tours relentlessly and seeks to make a genuine connection with her audience. “Everybody has so many things going on in their lives but my concerts are special for me. The music creates a oneness. The exchange I share with my audience is the root of my energy. It’s like my mission.”

Sacramento Ballet Presents – Fast Forward

May 14, 2020 - May 17, 2020
Other Entertainment Series

Fast Forward highlights the strength and innovation as it features the future of ballet. Three distinct works by highly acclaimed choreographers showcase ballet’s cutting edge.

Sacramento Ballet Artistic Director Amy Seiwert opens the performance seamlessly blending dance with interactive technology developed by software artist Frieder Weiss. The work paints backdrop images matching the dancers’ movement, lending a surreal air to the art. From The San Francisco Chronicle: “Seiwert’s neoclassical vocabulary is seen here at its most elegant.” Val Caniparoli, whose The Bridge was such a poignant hit on Sacramento Ballet’s series last Spring, challenges classical technique and speed with humor and his distinctive choreographic style. Tutto Eccetto il Lavandino, by the way, is Italian for “Everything But the Kitchen Sink.” It’s easy to see why. He also served as guest Choreographic Mentor for Beer and Ballet last season. He will do that again this year. Trey McIntryre, founder of the famous Trey McIntyre Project, explores the iconic sounds of the Fab Four. The Washington Times called A Day in the Life “a thrilling evocation of (the Beatles’) music and its moods.”

This Might Be True
Choreography: Amy Seiwert
Music: Nils Frahm and Anne Müller
Utilizing the interactive technology of Frieder Weiss

Tutto Eccetto il Lavandino
Choreography: Val Caniparoli
Music: Antonio Vivaldi

A Day in the Life
Choreography: Trey McIntrye
Music: The Beatles