Broadway Under the Stars
Enjoy an outdoor concert experience with Transcendence Theatre Company’s Broadway Under the Stars, located in the open-air ruins of Jack London State Historic Park this summer. “It’s hard to imagine summer in Sonoma without Broadway Under the Stars,” says Amy Miller, artistic director for Transcendence.
This summer’s line up of musical concerts runs from June 16 to September 10. “Every year we love surprising our audiences, and in addition to the magical atmosphere of the event, the Broadway talent, and our planned surprises, we’re especially excited for our first show this summer, where we’ll explore the challenges and triumphs of our last 10 years of building Transcendence,” adds Stephan Stubbins, performer and co-executive director. Each evening begins with pre-show picnicking on the great lawn, alongside the vineyards at the park, and concludes with a Broadway-inspired musical concert, weaving in popular songs, too, for a one-of-a-kind experience. Food and wine are available for purchase, and local wineries are on hand pouring their finest vino.
Summer of Love, 50 Years Later
Fifty years ago, in 1967, an estimated 100,000 young adults converged in San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury District. They were outsiders, activists and dreamers, who became a global beacon of free spirits embracing the principles of peace, love and compassion. They rejected conformists, materialist values and mostly opposed the Vietnam War.
This social phenomenon became known as the “Summer of Love.” Currently, a group of cultural, civic, social service and health advocacy organizations are joining forces to commemorate and celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love. Some of the participating organizations include the American Conservatory Theater, the California Historical Society, Pier 39, and the San Francisco Botanical Gardens. A special event was planned for June 4, but is being rescheduled for either September or October. For more information, go to www.50thsummeroflove.com.
Tunes Abound at Railroad Square
The third annual celebration of The Railroad Square Music Festival, a free day of music in Santa Rosa’s Railroad Square, will be held June 11. A project of The North Bay Hootenanny—a nonprofit that provides opportunities for artists and enhances public appreciation of music—the festival has three main aims: to expand the local music community by creating accessible music experiences; to show the world that the North Bay is a vibrant arts hub; and to send a message to local performers to shoot for the stars.
“I’m excited about this year’s festival because it is starting to feel like a natural part of the North Bay landscape,” says Josh Windmiller, festival director.
“This year we have expanded our footprint and are working with local shopkeepers, cafes, and restaurants to bring music to every nook and cranny of Historic Railroad Square. I believe Santa Rosa is a key part of the West Coast arts scene. Railroad Square Music Festival exemplifies this and provides a free and easy way for anyone to access the wealth of music we have around us,” he says.
“This festival is particularly exciting because it is so locally-focused in terms of talent and partners,” says Bryce Dow-Williamson, marketing director for Second Octave, a booking, management, production, marketing agency for musicians and music lovers in Sonoma and Marin counties. “It’s all about shining a light on the creative wealth we have in Sonoma County and providing something that speaks to young people in the area.”
This year will feature more than 15 performers, including David Luning Band, John Courage, La Gente, and Lungs and Limbs, among others.
www.railroadsquaremusicfestival.com
