Plays, comedy and music fill Valhalla summer schedule

Boot stomping to bluegrass in a 1920’s boat house turned theater with Lake Tahoe in the background, kicking back at free concerts on a historic lakeshore estate’s grand lawn, and experiencing the Washoe tribe’s ceremonial dances and drumming are some of the many iconic experiences at Lake Tahoe’s Valhalla Arts, Music & Theatre Festival this July. Now in its 36th year, the festival sounds off once again at the South Shore’s lakefront Heller Estate (Valhalla) with highly anticipated performances, improv comedy, theatre productions and iconic arts and culture experiences, now through August 26, 2015. Tickets are on sale at ValhallaTahoe.com.

Just as the families that frequented Valhalla from the late 1800’s through the roaring 1920’s, visitors and locals alike can revel in the venue’s serene locale, framed by historic buildings and pristine Lake Tahoe beachfront. The sounds of waves lapping the shore and mountain air wafting through the towering pines harmonize with a dynamic festival lineup this month:

On Golden Pond: July 2, 3, 5 9-12 and 16-18: The Boathouse Theatre is the ideal venue for ‘On Golden Pond,’ a classic American comedy/drama written by Ernest Thompson. This intimate family drama is laced with humor and explores growing up, growing old and growing closer.

Free Music on the Lawn: For five consecutive Sundays at noon, the sprawling lawn outside Valhalla’s Grand Hall will transform into a free concert haven for all. Bring a picnic, lawn chairs and the whole family to enjoy live music from 12 – 2pm.
July 5 - The Empty Wallets: roots rock, jam band from Tahoe and the Sierra
Foothills
July 12 - CW and Mr. Spoons: western ragtime, cowboy croons and swing
July 19 - New World Jazz Project: a South Tahoe funky favorite of locals
August 2 - The Yolos: jazz, French folk, roots influenced combo from
Sacramento

Artists in Residence: artists create live master pieces during the Festival; a free public event experience during select festival events in July, 11am – 4pm.
July 1-7, John Holland: Commercial muralist and fine artist emphasizing Lake
Tahoe scenery
July 13-19, Michael: natural subjects in acrylic

Comedy Improv: July 6, 13, 20 and 27: Comedy seekers can catch all four shows this summer featuring the Tahoe Improv Players. Audience suggestions are turned into hilarious scenes made up on the spot.

Sourdough Slim: July 8: Step back in time with an authentic vaudeville style cowboy show in the Will Rogers tradition. Sourdough Slim croons Western classics to accordion, guitar and harmonica, dances jigs and lets loose with yippie-ti-yi-yodeling – a rollicking good time for audiences of all ages.

Gina Stowell’s Children’s Art Camps: July 13 – 17, and July 20 – 24: Gina Stowell’s outdoor painting workshops are designed to help children discover the excitement of art in nature and develop painting techniques and the instinctual urge to play with color and shapes.

Me and Bobby McGee: July 15: June Joplin has the voice and the heart for the Great American jazz songbook, a smooth, smoky, passionate style that’s pure sizzle. Bob Reid backs her masterfully with tasteful, soulful accompaniments on piano.

Celebration of Song Featuring Singer Songwriters Audrey Auld and Grant Peeples: July 22: Audrey Auld's heart is in Country, Folk and Roots music and known for captivating venues, including San Quentin Prison where she performed and hosted inmate workshops. Grant Peeples is known for his raucous humor and heart-gigging ballads.

A Midsummer’s Night Dream: July 23-25: “The course of true love never did run smooth," wrote William Shakespeare in his most famous comedy, 'A Midsummer Night’s Dream.' The play will be presented by South Lake Tahoe High Young Adult Theatre students.

Wa She Shu It Deh Festival: July 25-26: The Washoe Tribe’s annual festival features dancing and drumming performances, basket weaving displays and art and food from the original inhabitants of Lake Tahoe; 10am – 5pm, free admission.

Quinn DeVeaux and the Bluebeat Revue: July 29: The modern soul, funk and R&B songs of Quinn Deveaux sung in his sweet tenor over a spare guitar or carried by his band’s bright tones have been thrilling San Francisco’s lovers of early R&B, and a good time, for years.

No matter the performance, arrive at the festival in style. Preferred seating tickets offer early entry to the Boathouse Theater and a complimentary drink to enjoy before the show. Leave the car and cruise the paved bike trails to Valhalla, or paddle in via kayak or paddleboard. Foodie festival goers can bring a picnic or dine nearby