FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Livermore Valley Arts
Contact: Ruth Egherman (925) 583-2306
Travel the Globe from the Comfort of the Tri-Valley, This Spring at The Bankhead
Livermore, CA – (February 25, 2025) – Reflecting our amazing global community, The Bankhead has a powerful selection of upcoming performances that will take the Tri-Valley around the world in the coming weeks, right from the comfort of Livermore. From a St. Patrick’s Day celebration Bankhead-style at Téada on Monday, March 17, to a dynamic and fierce performance from Yamato—The Drummers of Japan on Wednesday, March 19, the spring will be welcomed in with some truly electrifying performances. A stunning return visit from Ronstadt Revue ft. Gesenia: The Ultimate Celebration of Linda Ronstadt, w/ Special Guest, John Beland, will carry on an amazing musical legacy on Sunday, March 23, followed up by some joyful aloha with Daniel Ho Quintet on Saturday, March 29, and a vibrant journey of dance and celebration at Rhythm India: Bollywood & Beyond on Wednesday, April 2. Whether it be Ireland or Japan, Hawaii or India, songs in English and Spanish, the coming weeks will truly take audiences on a thrilling and moving celebration of music and dance, storytelling and nostalgia. The Bankhead is elated to bring these talented groups and artists from around the world right to the Tri-Valley; all of these amazing performances will take place right at the beautiful Bankhead Theater in Downtown Livermore.
A traditional band with a truly worldwide reach, Téada has appeared as a frequent headliner at major music festivals throughout the US, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Africa, Russia, the Middle East, and Australia. Highlights include a 30,000-capacity stadium concert in Brittany, along with performances at Penang World Music Festival in Malaysia, Edmonton Folk Festival in Canada, Harare International Festival of the Arts in Zimbabwe, and Rainforest World Music Festival in Borneo. In 2014, the band performed to 40,000 people during an extensive 7-week tour of Japan and Taiwan, and continues to have a strong touring presence in the United States, where Téada has toured actively since 2001. May of 2022 brought the release of the band’s new album on the
Gael Linn label, featuring an exciting vocal collaboration with Hollywood actor and singer John C. Reilly, in addition to the band’s customary re-energising of rare tunes from the tradition. Legendary Kerry singer and accordionist Séamus Begley, Téada’s vocalist since 2012, sadly passed away in January 2023, a great loss to Téada and the entire musical community. Notable festival appearances in recent years included Savannah Music Festival, Montana Folk Festival, Festival Interceltique de Lorient (Brittany), Irish Festival of Oulu (Finland), and Dublin Irish Festival (Ohio). “Arguably the most vibrant and hard-working traditional Irish music ensemble in the world today” (Jim Morekis, The Savannahian), Livermore Valley Arts is so excited to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on March 17 with this remarkable group. The performers of Téada are:
Oisín Mac Diarmada (Fiddle)
A graduate in Music Education from Trinity College Dublin/RIAM, Oisín Mac Diarmada began playing fiddle at a young age in Co. Clare, subsequently moving to Co. Sligo and developing a deep interest in the playing style of the North Connacht region. Oisín is also a regular solo performer, appearing as guest soloist with the Southern Georgia Symphony Orchestra in 2007 and maintaining a busy schedule of teaching activity throughout the world. Oisín was appointed Director of SCT, the Traditional Irish Music Examination System administered by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, during 2012.
Paul Finn (Button Accordion)
Paul Finn from Co. Laois is one of the finest button accordion players in Ireland. Known for a pulsating and rhythmic performance style, his playing featured prominently in major international touring dance productions, as well as in the indigenous session scene in Ireland, prior to his joining Téada in 2003. He is a member also of the All-Ireland winning Innisfree Céilí Band and is a popular teacher at workshops including Irish Music Gathering in Tocane, France.
Damien Stenson (Flute)
Hailing from the rich musical environment of Co. Sligo, Damien Stenson is noted for his extensive repertoire and flowing style of playing, honed by many years of extensive musical activity. In addition to performing with Téada, he has recorded on a number of albums including
the compilation “Wooden Flute Obsession Vol. 2,” an album featuring bodhrán-player Junior Davey, and appeared on RTÉ television series ‘The Reel Deal’ during June 2009. Teaching activity has included flute tutoring at Celtic Week – Swannanoa Gathering.
Seán McElwain (Guitar / Bouzouki)
Seán McElwain from Monaghan brings a strong string dimension to Téada through his dynamic contributions on guitar and bouzouki. In recent times, touring performances have seen Sean gaining growing accolades for his accompaniment and melodic skills from many quarters. He is actively involved in the organising and running of an annual weekend of music ‘Scoil Cheoil na Botha’ in his native county Monaghan, and is currently completing PhD research studies on the music of his local area.
Tristan Rosenstock (Bodhrán)
Tristan Rosenstock is from Glenageary, Co. Dublin. He started playing the bodhrán at the age of 11, and prefers a subtle, sympathetic approach to accompaniment. A graduate of Early & Modern Irish in Trinity College, Dublin and later Film & Television Studies in DCU, he currently presents the weekly arts series ‘Imeall’ on TG4, Ireland’s Irish language television station.
Samantha Harvey (Piano / Dance)
Samantha Harvey is an award-winning step dancer, pianist, and accordionist. She has performed throughout the world. Samantha performed in RTÉ’s Centenary 2016, broadcast live from the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in Dublin and with both Omaha & Nashville Symphonies in A Celtic Journey.
YAMATO is a Japanese Taiko drumming group based in Asuka-mura Nara Prefecture, which is well known by Japanese people as the hometown of Japan. “YAMATO, the Taiko drumming group that travels all over the world,” has given more than 4,500 shows across 54 countries around the world since their formation in 1993. They have performed in theaters, schools, all types of events, and even held workshops and Taiko lessons. They are spending a half year on a Japan tour and a half year for their current world tour. Their motto is “We go everywhere when somebody needs YAMATO! And bringing energy to the people living in the world!” YAMATO’s
Taiko work cannot be fully described by the word “performance.” They bring joy to the world. On stage, they are standing with more than 40 Taiko drums, all of them having different characters. For example, their largest drum called “Odaiko,” produced from a huge tree over 400 years old, is approximately two meters in diameter and weighs 500 kg. All other Taiko drums are different sizes and have different sounds; the members of the group have trained their bodies to the limit to beat these massive Taiko drums, the acoustic pressure far surpassing what one could imagine. They do not simply make their Taiko drums explode with sound; they produce delicate music that provides the listener with a palette of meticulously crafted sound. This is why YAMATO’s original performances are known as “physical music,” and continue to receive high acclaim all over the world. YAMATO is sometimes intense, sometimes sad, sometimes comforting, and in the next moment comical on stage. The audience too is more than a group of bystanders at their performances: the audience is engulfed in the sound of the Taiko, and sweat, cry, and laugh; they become one with the performers. All types of people gather around the sound of the Taiko, interweaving their lives, and feeling the power of each other’s inner passion and heart. They come together, audience and performer, to create an instant in which they truly feel alive, and they will do so in an electrifying way in Downtown Livermore on March 19.
Up next at a special performance on March 23, a musical legacy will be living on in Ronstadt Revue ft. Gesenia: The Ultimate Celebration of Linda Ronstadt, w/ Special Guest, John Beland at The Bankhead. Linda Ronstadt, an 11-time Grammy winner who sold over 100 million albums in country, rock, Latin, Motown, and even Broadway music, is no longer performing publicly, yet millions of her devoted fans still long to hear the beloved songs that made up the soundtrack of their lives, including “You’re No Good,” “Blue Bayou,” “When Will I Be Loved,” “Perfidia,” “Different Drum,” “Heat Wave,” and so many more. Fortunately, Ms. Ronstadt’s musical legacy now lives on through the stunning talents of Gesenia and her Ronstadt Revue. Ronstadt Revue shows, performed in painstaking detail in both English and Spanish, span every musical genre of Ms. Ronstadt’s 40+ year career; their performance is so authentic that two of Linda Ronstadt’s own band members are currently co-producing and featured on the upcoming Ronstadt Revue album, and one of them, John Beland, will appear in Livermore as their Special Guest. Mr. Beland was Ms. Ronstadt’s band director during her prime years, and he later went on to country-rock fame as a member of the legendary Flying Burrito Brothers. His
Ronstadt stories and musical collaborations in this show are not to be missed; catch them and more at The Bankhead at this matinee performance.
Daniel Ho is a six-time GRAMMY Award-winner and ‘ukulele virtuoso. Known for his genre-transcending collaborations and innovative spirit, Daniel’s music journey spans Hawaiian Music, Contemporary Jazz, World Music, and beyond. Complete with beautiful choreographies by acclaimed Kumu Hula Kealiʻi Ceballos, audiences are invited to visit The Bankhead for an unforgettable evening of sublime sounds and abundant aloha on March 29. Always on the move, Daniel is an American Cultural Ambassador, with tours completed to Japan, Thailand, Brunei, and Australia. In infinite pursuit of new musical adventures, he is also the designer of the Romero Creations Tiny Tenor ‘ukulele, and Ohana Bongolele and Shakerlele. Daniel’s Spalted Mango Tiny Tenor ‘ukulele is on exhibit at the GRAMMY Museum in Los Angeles.
Celebration. Jubilation. Bollywood. Rhythm India takes you on a journey of dance and celebration through Bollywood & Beyond! Tri-Valley audiences are invited to experience the vibrant costumes, dynamic music, and soulful rhythms of the “ghungroo” dancing bells from the echoing heartbeats of royal palaces and sacred temples to the swaying voices of desert villages and modern stages. Created by World Choreography Award Nominee & Telly Award Winning director & choreographer Joya Kazi, raised in the Bay Area, and featuring the company dancers of Joya Kazi Unlimited as seen on screens from Bollywood to Hollywood, this is a must-not-miss show. A Universal Dance Award Nominated multi-hyphenated artist, choreographer, actress, dancer, educator, and entrepreneur having founded her company at just sixteen years old, Joya’s work has earned her a spot on the DissDash list of Coolest South Asians, and Joya is featured on a public mural at the Artesia Library of Los Angeles County representing the city’s South Asian influence of art & culture. She is a member of the Emmys/Television Academy, has served on the SAG (Screen Actors Guild) Awards Nominating Committee, and has also served on countless judging panels including at the World Choreography Awards. Behind the camera, she represents and casts the finest South Asian dance talent and consults on productions from stage to screen worldwide. Don’t miss this vibrant celebration onstage at The Bankhead on April 2.
Tickets for shows in the 2024-2025 Bankhead Presents season are available online, by calling 925-373-6800, or at the box office windows. For a complete list of events, visit LivermoreArts.org.
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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, over 40 studio artists, and cultural arts instructors. LivermoreArts.org
Show: Téada
Date/Time: Monday, March 17, 2025, at 7:30pm
Tickets: $25—$60 ($25 student/military personnel) / Groups of 10 or more save 20%
Show: Yamato—The Drummers of Japan
Date/Time: Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at 7:30pm
Tickets: $25—$85 ($25 student/military personnel) / Groups of 10 or more save 20%
Show: Ronstadt Revue ft. Gesenia: The Ultimate Celebration of Linda Ronstadt, w/ Special Guest, John Beland
Date/Time: Sunday, March 23, 2025, at 3:00pm
Tickets: $25—$55 ($25 student/military personnel) / Groups of 10 or more save 20%
Show: Daniel Ho Quintet
Date/Time: Saturday, March 29, 2025, at 8:00pm
Tickets: $25—$80 ($25 student/military personnel) / Groups of 10 or more save 20%
Show: Rhythm India: Bollywood and Beyond
Date/Time: Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at 7:30pm
Tickets: $25—$90 ($25 student/military personnel) / Groups of 10 or more save 20%
Dates, times, and ticket prices for other events available at www.LivermoreArts.org
