FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Livermore Valley Arts

Contact: 

Ruth Egherman (925) 583-2306 

regherman@lvpac.org

Anne Giancola (978) 852-6333 

agiancola@lvpac.org

A Unique New Gallery Exhibit (And You’ll Like It) at Livermore Valley Arts

Livermore, CA – (May 9, 2023) – A special new exhibit, “It’s Only Rock n’ Roll (But I Like It),” will be on display this spring and summer at the UNCLE Credit Union Art Gallery from April 25 to July 9, 2023. This gallery exhibition showcases the art of rock n’ roll, featuring guitars, album covers, photography, and more. Individuals and groups can take a visual tour of the history of rock n’ roll in the Gallery: acoustic guitars, solid and hollow body guitars, amps, pedals, album covers, posters, photographs, and other accouterments from the world of rock n’ roll will be on display for visitors to relish in, reminisce, and recall greats of music history. As part of enhancing the public’s experience, LVA will also be hosting a number of events around this unique kind of exhibit: there will be an official Opening Reception on Saturday, May 20, a Rock n’ Roll Roadshow where visitors can learn more about a vintage or unique guitar in their possession on Saturday, June 3, and an Air Guitar Contest on the Bankhead stage on Thursday, June 8. The public is invited to experience this exciting free exhibit and surrounding events at the UNCLE Credit Union Art Gallery at the Bankhead Theater in Downtown Livermore now.

 

Rock n’ roll emerged in the United States in the late 1940s and early 1950s, blending elements of rhythm and blues, country music, and other genres. The electric guitar played a crucial role in the sound of rock n’ roll, with pioneers like Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley bringing its twangy, distorted tones to the forefront of the music. As rock n’ roll evolved throughout the decades, the guitar continued to be a staple instrument in the genre, with iconic players like Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and Eddie Van Halen pushing the limits of what could be done on the guitar. The collection of guitars and accessories presented at The Bankhead represent a partial history of the evolution of the guitar and its contribution in the evolution of rock n’ roll music. The public is invited to take part in this exciting exhibit and gain a new appreciation and perspective of the guitar and of listening to one’s favorite music.

 

In addition to this exciting exploration of music history at the UNCLE Credit Union Art Gallery, LVA will be hosting a Rock n’ Roll Roadshow on Saturday, June 3. For anyone with a unique, vintage, or interesting guitar seeking to know more about it, experts Michael Ferrucci and Joe McNamara will be on hand to answer questions about all things guitars. Michael Ferrucci has been a local businessman in Livermore for over 40 years and an avid guitar player since the mid-60s, taking his love of music and the guitar and making it into a career. Early on, he opened one of the first professional recording studios in the Tri-Valley area, Audio Voyage. Additionally, Michael also owned and operated Fine Fretted Friends, a community music store and studio in Downtown Livermore that specializes in vintage and handmade acoustic and electric guitars. He provided music lessons and band instrument rentals for the Livermore school district. He was responsible for creating the Livermore Rotary’s Music Scholarship Fund, raising money through guitar performances by touring professional artists, and benefiting young Livermore students interested in pursuing a career in music. Most of the instruments and items on display in this exhibit are from Ferrucci’s personal collection. (Several other items are from the collections of Arthur and Christine Thompson and LVA’s Executive Director Chris Carter.) Joe McNamara is a musician and “lifer in the guitar biz.” He started playing guitar after The Beatles appeared in 1964, joined his first band that same year, and bought and sold guitars for fun and profit at 15. After high school and Berklee College of Music, he began his retail guitar sales career in 1974, eventually working up from floor salesman to the owner of this vintage storeSF’s “Real Guitars,” an internationally recognized source for vintage and collectible instrument expertise.

 

Another fun supplemental event, LVA, will host an Air Guitar Contest on Thursday, June 8, on the Bankhead stage. A free event for the public, contestants are encouraged to “grab” their air guitars, squeeze into some leather pants and fringed vests, and submit a winning song! A grand prize winner for this fun evening will be awarded two (2) tickets to five (5) Bankhead Presents shows, as well as five (5) guitar lessons with Seeds of Music Academy, with other exciting prizes also being given for second and third-place winners.

 

The UNCLE Credit Union Art Gallery is in the lobby of the beautiful Bankhead Theater at 2400 First Street, Livermore. “It’s Only Rock n’ Roll (But I Like It)” is free and open to enjoy by ticketed patrons during performances and by the general public Thursdays through Sundays, 1 pm-5 pm, now through Sunday, July 9. Besides the previously mentioned extra events, there will also be an official Opening Reception on Saturday, May 20th, from 1 pm-3:30pm, where Arthur Thompson, editor of Guitar Player magazine. Mr Thompson will entertain with anecdotes and personal stories of interviews with some of rock n’ roll’s greats from 1 pm-2 pm.  The public is invited to share in this special exhibit at The Bankhead, to witness an exciting visual journey through music and music history right here in the Tri-Valley.

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Livermore Valley Arts is an independent 501(c)3 non-profit offering wide-ranging programs that provide access to the arts for the Tri-Valley community and beyond. The Bankhead Theater and Bothwell Arts Center are home to eight resident performing arts companies and over 40 studio artists and cultural arts instructors. LivermoreArts.org

 

Exhibit:  It’s Only Rock n’ Roll (But I Like It)

Dates/Times: Thursdays-Sundays, 1pm-5pm, April 25July 9, 2023

  • Opening Reception: 1pm-3:30pm, Saturday, May 20, 2023
  • Rock n’ Roll Roadshow: 1pm-3pm, Saturday, June 3, 2023
  • Air Guitar Contest: 7:30pm, Thursday, June 8, 2023

Tickets: Free and open to the public; $20 contestant entry fee for Air Guitar Contest only

Dates, times, and ticket prices for other events available at www.LivermoreArts.org