Preview: Shawn Colvin Solo Acoustic Concert August 1

Shawn Colvin in a Solo Acoustic Concert
August 1, 8pm
$35, all ages
@ Napa Valley Opera House

Shawn Colvin’s Solo Acoustic Show
Moving Melodies at the Napa Valley Opera House

Folk-pop musician, Shawn Colvin may be best known for her Grammy-award winning single “Sunny Came Home,” but over the course of her nearly thirty-year career, the talented singer/songwriter has produced a remarkable body of hauntingly insightful work. She’ll bring her collection of original tunes and clever covers to the Napa Valley Opera House stage Friday August 1 at 8pm.

Colvin’s original songs mine her personal (and often painful) life experiences. In them, she weaves her vivid stories with her well-crafted and unpredictable melodies on the guitar. In concert, Colvin draws audiences into the worlds of these songs, singing and playing with conviction, charisma and compassion.

Colvin, who began playing the guitar at age ten, has much to sing about. She’s battled alcoholism and clinical depression, raised a daughter, split with her management, and divorced two men. Her work, which is heavily influenced by Joni Mitchell, James Taylor and Jackson Browne is not, however, all angst, gloom and doom. Her tone is strong and graceful yet tenacious.

In “These Four Walls,” Colvin’s first release of original work since 2001, she is able to build on the magic she has consistently created with long-time collaborator John Leventhal over the years. While she continues to deal with personal themes of regret, abuse, depression and addiction, this album is her most self-assured and compelling to date. Embedded in the songs is a pensive sense of moving on. She describes the work as "a coming-of-age record…performed from the vantage point of someone who’s had a chance to glance back somewhat ruefully at where she’s been.” And she’s been all over. After her mega hit, “Sunny,” Colvin has kept busy, though just under the radar of the mainstream limelight. In the ultimate test of “coolness,” she’s voiced a character on The Simpsons. She’s also penned the theme song to Brooke Shields’ sit-com Suddenly Susan and performed at various Lilith Fair music festivals.

Colvin is also extremely skilled at interpreting other artists’ material. She’s released two albums devoted solely to cover songs, producing her take on artists from the Bee Gees and the Beatles, to the Police, Dire Straits, and Talking Heads. Her most recent spin on Gnarls Barkley’s ubiquitous “Crazy” was released in 2007 and is currently a tour staple.

Don’t miss the chance to see Shawn Colvin share her beautifully gritty songs and poignant stories in the intimate setting of the Opera House.

Quick Reviews: Cole Porter's Out of this World and Shawn Colvin's Solo Acoustic Show

I had the chance to check out two shows recently at the Opera House: Cole Porter's "Out of this World" presented by 42nd Street Moon on July 11 and Shawn Colvin's "Solo Acoustic Show" on August 1.

The Cole Porter show was a fun romp with a talented ensemble cast. The premise is hilarious: Greek Gods (with Roman names) descend on Athens and mingle with Hollywood movie types. The Gods and the stars are like peas and carrots, with their soap opera lifestyles of pomp, intrigue, backstabbing and secret trysts. The songs are catchy and subversive, and are performed with just the balance of bravado and tongue-in-cheekiness. The Opera House audience was alternately in tears (from the laughing) and wild with applause.

Shawn Colvin has a beautiful voice, and the intimacy of the Opera House seemed to be a perfect match for her, alone on stage with her acoustic guitar. Colvin mixed old songs with new and obliged the audience's request to play "Sunny Come Home". The concert was pretty mellow, punctuated with the appearance of Colvin's biggest fan - a little girl in a nightgown who got on stage and sang a song her mother had written. Colvin ended the too brief evening with her wistful cover of Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy".

Preview: Pete Escovedo & Sons, August 16

The Family that Plays Together…

Legendary percussionist Pete Escovedo & his sons will fill the Napa Valley Opera House with their powerful and infectious blend of Latin, Jazz, Soul and Pop

For Pete Escovedo, making music has always been a family affair. Born in Pittsburg, CA in 1935, and raised in an Oakland household drenched in music, Escovedo developed a taste for jazz at a young age while accompanying his father and siblings to see the big bands of the day as they passed through town. He began playing the saxophone at sixteen then discovered his love for percussion and the rhythms of Cuban and Latin jazz soon after that.

His siblings caught the music bug, too. Pete and his brothers, Coke and Phil formed the Escovedo Brothers Latin Jazz band, which became one of the most popular Latin jazz combos in California. International recognition came when Carlos Santana hired Pete and Coke to join his hugely popular group in the late 1960s. “That was our entry into the Latin rock scene,” Pete says.

In 1970, after touring with Santana for three years, Pete and Coke formed Azteca, an ambitious 14-piece Latin big band. Azteca toured with Stevie Wonder and The Temptations and recorded “Azteca” and “Pyramid of the Moon” with Columbia Records. These showcases of the band’s jazz, soul, rock and funk fusion are now considered collectors’ items.

Throughout his three-decade long career, Pete Escovedo has focused on a vision of contemporary Latin jazz filtered through a pop-tinged prism. His versatility as a percussionist is evidenced by the long and distinguished list of artists with which he has worked. In addition to Carlos Santana, Escovedo has recorded with Tito Puente, Herbie Hancock, Bobby McFerrin, Boz Scaggs, Al Jarreau, Dionne Warwick, Barry White, Chick Corea, and Prince to name a few.

And, the music making legacy of the Escovedos continues today. Pete’s daughter Sheila E is a popular singer and percussionist, most well known for her collaborations in the 1980s with Prince. She and her father have recorded two albums together. His son, Juan, a percussionist and songwriter brings a touch of R&B to the Escovedo brand of Latin jazz. Juan has toured and recorded with many popular artists such as, Prince, Tony, Toni, Tone, Patti LaBelle, Lou Bega, MC Hammer, En Vogue, El DeBarge, and Barry White. His other son, Peter Michael, (known to some as the biological father of Nicole Richie) is not only a percussionist, but a producer, singer, songwriter, and television personality. He is the Emmy nominated Musical Director/Producer of the "Wayne Brady Show".

Sheila, Juan, Peter Michael and daughter Zina all play on Pete’s latest album, “E Street”. “The fact that my kids play, is probably the most rewarding and proudest thing in my life,” Pete says. “I try to include the kids on most of my CDs, because the Escovedo sound is the Escovedo family, and that’s what makes it all worth it for me.”

Escovedo has built quite an extended family as well. He believes in the healing power of music and donates his time to numerous charity events to help children around the world by teaching them the importance of music.

Napa Valley audiences will be treated to the unique and powerful sound of the Escovedo family when Juan and Peter Michael join their legendary “pop”, Pete Escovedo and his band on Saturday August 16 at 8pm at the Opera House. Latin, jazz, soul, pop, African, and Brazilian sounds will mix to produce a feast for the senses.

Preview: Sara Juli's The Money Conversation

Performance Artist Sara Juli Bets Her Bottom Dollar in “The Money Conversation” @ Napa Valley Opera House, Saturday July 29^th 8pm

If someone offered you $1, would you take it? What about $10? $100? $1000? Too good to be true? Here’s the catch: If you walk away with the money, you’ll have to live with yourself knowing that you’re walking away with someone else’s life savings. Still worth it?

New York-based performance artist, Sara Juli challenges audience members with these questions and many more in “The Money Conversation,” playing at the Napa Valley Opera House Tuesday July 29^th at 8pm.

In her tour-de-force, one-woman show, Juli confronts her worst fear: losing all her money. Over the course of the evening, Juli will give away her life savings of $5000 to various members of the audience. She figures, “If you risk losing everything, you stand to gain so much more in return”. Sometimes she will hand over the money directly, and other times, the audience members will have to fish through her pockets (or toes) for it. The money is real, and so is the possibility of walking away with it. No one will know but you. Will you pocket the cash, or give it back?

Juli premiered the show in 2006 after performing several “test runs” where she gave away $1000 at a time. At some performances, she gets it all back (via anonymous “give back boxes” at the back of the theater), and at others she doesn’t. She’s learned to accept either possibility. Sometimes, however, the audience surprises her by reciprocating her generosity and giving back more than they’ve taken collectively. The show is a nervy exploration of trust, permission, desire, honor and sympathy. And it’s paid off - if not in money, then in acclaim. Juli has received rave reviews from audiences and newspapers across the country, including The New York Times, The New York Post and The New Yorker.

Don’t be fooled, though, the show is far from a one-stunt pony. At its core, Juli’s work is deeply personal – it was inspired by the dreaded “money conversation” she had with her then-fiancé when planning their financial future. But as she creates a dialogue with the audience each night, her inquiry becomes universal. By examining her own relationship to money, she dares each of us to re-assess ours. How you react to her physical antics and her probing questions will reveal how you view and value money in your life.

A trained dancer, choreographer, actor and anthropologist, Juli commands the stage with her physicality as she interacts with her money and with the audience. Her comedic timing recalls Lucille Ball, while the poignant subject matter gives the show dramatic weight.

Don’t miss this rich and thought provoking work by the young and multi-talented Sara Juli. The Money Conversation plays one-night only at the Napa Valley Opera House. Saturday July 29^th 8pm

Post note: Unfortunately, I wasn't able to make this performance, but I remember when I lived in New York and Sara played at PS122 - my friends all gave her rave reviews. Kudos for bringing this thoughtful and funny show to the Opera House!

Preview: Soul Street Dance, July 26th

Fly Boys: Soul Street Dance Company
Performance: Tuesday July 26^th 7pm
Workshop: July 22-July 26
@ Napa Valley Opera House

The virtuosic and genre-defying Soul Street Dance Company will pop, lock, flip and spin onto the Napa Valley Opera House stage Tuesday July 26^th at 7pm with their unique blend of Hip-Hop, Breakdancing, House, Capoeira, and classical choreography.

Soul Street was created when several principal dancers from the nationally touring, Fly Dance Company spun off to create their own distinctive vision for street dance and hip hop. The four-man Soul Street crew has since performed across the U.S. and Europe in prestigious theaters, at NBA events and in schools for students of all ages. They have been widely praised for their charismatic energy, their mind-blowing body articulations, their high-powered stunts and their comedic presentation. Plus, their high energy show is set to an impressively eclectic soundtrack ranging from Debussy and Vivaldi to B.B. King and James Brown.

Bring the whole family to this remarkable display of physical bravura, spontaneity and body control. These soulful dancers dare you to not be entertained!

If you or someone you know is 8-15 years old and itching to do more than just watch the action, there are still available spaces in the Soul Street Dance Workshop July 22-26. Participants will learn exciting moves and tricks from the company’s repertoire and will perform a piece of choreography in the “opening act” of Soul Street’s show at the Opera House. Contact evy@nvoh.org for details.

Post Note: Audiences raved about the virtuosity of the Soul Street dancers and their generosity with the kids. Great job to all the workshop participants!

Introduction

I am a Marketing Associate at the Napa Valley Opera House this summer and have been seeing, reading and writing about our Summer and Fall Shows.

I've opened this blog account for several reasons. First, I'd like to share our season with those of you who live in Napa and haven't had a chance to see any of our performances. Maybe you'll realize the a gem in your backyard and come see a show next time you're downtown. But I'd also like to share some of our performances with those of you who don't live in the area but are curious about what we are producing. Maybe you've seen one of our shows in a theater near you and want to comment on it. Or maybe, next time you make a trip to Wine Country, you'll make it a point to catch a show at our theater.

If you've come to any of the shows, please post comments. I hope this can be a forum for discussing performances and art, in general.

Thanks,
Christine