FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Livermore Valley Arts
Contact: Ruth Egherman (925) 583-2306
Many Treats for Mother’s Day Weekend at The Bankhead
Livermore, CA – (April 20, 2026) – The Bankhead Theater has a fantastic weekend of comedy, music, and celebration planned for Mother’s Day weekend. On Friday, May 8, a sequel 2,000 years in the making, God Is A Scottish Drag Queen 2 will be bringing the laughs to The Bankhead. The next day on Saturday, May 9, lead singer and main songwriter of Toad the Wet Sprocket Glen Phillips will showcase an incredible evening of music and storytelling, followed up on Sunday, May 10 with the critically acclaimed all-female Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea for a joyful Mother’s Day concert, the perfect treat for you and yours (after those Mother’s Day brunches)! All of these performances will take place at the beautiful Bankhead Theater in Downtown Livermore.
God, dressed in a floral power suit, comes down to set the record straight and expound on everything from Pocahontas to the Platypus and answer humankind’s most asked questions in the hilarious and unforgettable sequel God Is A Scottish Drag Queen 2. Loved by Preachers and Atheists alike, this franchise has quickly become one of the most popular one-man shows touring today, and has received critical acclaim for its non-stop, brilliant look at pop culture and humanity through the eyes of a silly, foul-mouthed, and very lovable Scottish Deity. Although comedian Mike Delamont and his previous shows have delighted The Bankhead more than once over the past few seasons, one does not need to have seen the original show to enjoy this standalone sequel! The title character of the show was created in a monthly cabaret called Atomic Vaudeville and was an instant hit. In 2011, Mike Delamont created the very first one-act production of God Is A Scottish Drag Queen and began touring it on the North American fringe circuit. In 2015, the show was developed into a larger-scale, two-act, theatrical production that has now spawned two full-length sequels and a Christmas special. The success of the character is that the show perfectly blends major political topics, biblical history, and silly pop culture, and is told through the voice of a deity who is clearly in on the joke! Do not miss what has become an insanely popular franchise of shows in Downtown Livermore on May 8.
During his almost 40 years as lead singer and main songwriter of Toad the Wet Sprocket, Glen Phillips has helped create the band’s elegant folk-pop sound, with honest, introspective lyrics that have forged a close bond with fans. Alongside his work with Toad, Glen has released acclaimed solo albums and collaborated on projects ranging from Mutual Admiration Society (with members of Nickel Creek) to the experimental Remote Tree Children. “I’ve been playing a songwriting game with Texas folk singer Matt The Electrician for about ten years,” Glen says. “Every Friday, he sends out a title. We have a week to write a song that includes it. The process allows me to write songs I wouldn’t write on my own. I’m always surprised at what comes out.” That sense of curiosity and play continues to fuel his creative life. Coming off a very full year of music, Glen played packed solo shows across the US, toured the Rockies with John Craigie, and hit the road with Toad the Wet Sprocket for a massive summer tour featuring openers The Jayhawks, Sixpence None the Richer, KT Tunstall, and Vertical Horizon. This fall, he heads overseas to tour the UK with Colin Hay, and in October, he hosts his first-ever European river cruise on the Danube, traveling from Budapest to Nuremberg. Glen has also launched a new partnership with Volume, where he’ll be live-streaming at least once a month. These shows give him the chance to connect with fans when he and Toad are off the road, offering a space for community, new songs, deep cuts, and the stories behind the music. “I have a long history of livestreaming, and am excited to start a new chapter with Volume. Their format allows me not just to do livestreams, but also post new material and host online get-togethers.” Looking ahead, Glen plans to begin work on a new solo album in 2026. “I’ll be spending this year writing new material for both Toad and solo projects. There’s also an acoustic Toad album coming out, as well as a side project solo collection of songs. Between that and touring, I’ll be plenty busy.”
Joining Glen Phillips as the opening act, Garrison Starr is the quintessential musical triple-threat: singer, songwriter, Grammy-nominated record producer, and her soon-to-be-released latest full-length album, Garrison Starr and The Gospel Truth, reveals her at the height of her powers.
Starr calls the new collection of songs, “Swamp Gospel Hymns for Humans,” the next chapter in her story of recovery and healing from her Evangelical Christian upbringing. Her previous album, “Girl I Used To Be,” released during the pandemic in March 2021, launched her exploration of deconstruction on the path towards self-love and forgiveness. “Girl I Used To Be” is the story of saying goodbye to what was, and The Gospel Truth is the story of the journey over the bridge to freedom. Starr has been releasing singles from the new record over the last several months, following a number of TV placements on Monarch, Bull, and most recently, Walker: Independence, a consistent pattern for Starr throughout her remarkable career. Starr is a celebrated singer of such remarkable reputation that music icons go out of their way to praise her. Glen Phillips declares, “Garrison’s voice goes straight to the gut. She reminds you of what it means to be human.” Mary Chapin Carpenter adds, “She just writes and sings her heart out. In the American Idolized landscape that constitutes today’s music business, she is someone to be thankful for.” Her frequent collaborations with other artists have been both in the studio and on stage – Starr has toured with the likes of Steve Earle, Emmylou Harris, Bruce Cockburn, Patty Griffin, Mindy Smith, Glen Phillips, and The Indigo Girls, to name a few, logging hundreds of thousands of touring miles across the country and around the world. With new releases forthcoming, Billboard said it best when they described Starr as “One of the strongest voices in town. She is also the author of affecting, emotion-bearing songs that are clothed in attractive, melodic garb.” Be there for these incredible musical talents live in Livermore on May 9.
With a career spanning 24 years, the critically acclaimed all-female Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea specializes in providing professional mariachi music for live concerts, commercials, television, and film recordings. A two-time GRAMMY Award winner, with eight GRAMMY nominations and three Latin GRAMMY nominations, the ensemble continues to expand the scope of mariachi music, delighting audiences from around the world. Founded in 1999 by musical director and trumpet player Cindy Shea, Mariachi Divas is celebrated for its innovative, eclectic musical repertoire, ranging from mariachi classics to jazz and pop. Mariachi Divas is known for its sophisticated, smooth, refined, and elegant musical style. Since 2003, Mariachi Divas has been the official all-female mariachi of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, performing year-round at Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, and Downtown Disney in Anaheim, California. The group is also the official mariachi for Disney Pixar’s Coco-inspired show at Plaza de La Familia/Día de Los Muertos celebration at Disney California Adventure. Mariachi Divas is often sought after to appear in various television, film, and music video projects. They have performed, recorded, and collaborated with artists such as Alejandro Fernández, “Agridulce” on the album Rompiendo Fronteras (2017), Ozomatli, single “Volver, Volver” (2017), Natalia Jiménez of La 5a Estación and Sergio Vallín of Maná, and single “Esa Soy Yo” (2009) to name a few. Additionally, Mariachi Divas has appeared in two music videos with major recording artists: OhNo’s “Suavemente” (2019) and U2’s “Song for Someone” (2016). With an established recording track record, their discography includes nineteen professional full-length album releases co-produced by Cindy Shea through East Side Records. Audiences are invited to spend their Mother’s Day afternoon with this pure-joy of a show on May 10.
Tickets for shows in the 2025—2026 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: God Is A Scottish Drag Queen 2
Date/Time: Friday, May 8, 2026, at 8:00pm Selling Fast
Tickets: $25—$60 ($25 student/military personnel) / Groups of 10 or more save 20%
Show: Glen Phillips (of Toad the Wet Sprocket)
Date/Time: Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 8:00pm Selling Fast
Tickets: $30—$40 ($25 student/military personnel) / Groups of 10 or more save 20%
Show: Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea
Date/Time: Sunday, May 10, 2026, at 3:00pm
Tickets: $45—$75 ($25 student/military personnel) / Groups of 10 or more save 20% Dates, times, and ticket prices for other events available at www.LivermoreArts.org
