East Bay Concert Guide

More than a dozen musical legends are performing in the region this month. Take Diablo’s quiz to find out which concert is right for you.

By Virginia Shannon

Published: July 26, 2019

Start

How many acts do you want to see in one show?

One Headliner

What’s your preferred musical genre?

Photo courtesy of “Weird Al” Yankovic.

A. Parody pop, with a classical twist.
A symphony orchestra accompanies the incomparable “Weird Al” Yankovic on August 9 at Berkeley’s Greek Theatre. thegreekberkeley.com.

B. Modern jazz, with a hint of funk.
Pioneering pianist Herbie Hancock descends upon the Greek Theatre on August 23. thegreekberkeley.com.

C. Southern rock, with a bluesy edge.
Get transported to “Sweet Home Alabama” as Lynyrd Skynyrd’s farewell tour stops at the Concord Pavilion on August 24. livenation.com.

D. R&B and soul, with a horn section and local ties.
Oakland’s own Tower of Power brings down the house at their hometown Fox Theater on August 24. thefoxoakland.com.

Photo by Scott Robert Ritchie.

E. Classic pop/rock, performed by a member of the most famous rock band of all time.
Catch the one and only Ringo Starr on August 28 at the Paramount Theatre. paramounttheatre.com.

F. Art pop/rock, with a flair for fashion.
Roxy Music frontman and style icon Bryan Ferry plays the Fox Theater on August 31. thefoxoakland.com.

Photo courtesy of The Temptations. Photo courtesy of The Four Tops.

Photo by James O'Mara.

Co-Headliners

Which era do you feel more connected to?

A. 1960s and ’70s Motown.
Sing along with The Temptations and The Four Tops atLivermore’s Wente Vineyards on August 6. wentevineyards.com.

Photo by Scott Schafer.

B. Late 1970s and ’80s new wave.
Alt-rock progenitors Elvis Costello and Blondie share the stage at the Concord Pavilion on August 8. livenation.com.

The More, The Better

How old are you?

Photo by Sakuri Toshi.

A. Over 40.
In celebration of its golden jubilee, the 50th Anniversary Concord Jazz Festival lights up the Concord Pavilion on August 3, with performances from musical icons including Chick Corea (pictured), Poncho Sanchez, and The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra—as well as more recent jazz greats, such as Dave Koz and Grammy Award winner Esperanza Spalding. livenation.com.

Photo by Mary Ellen Matthews.

B. Under 40.
Mingle among millennials at San Francisco’s Outside Lands music festival on August 11 to witness headliner Paul Simon (right)—who’s currently on his Homeward Bound farewell tour—play classic hits such as “Graceland” and “The Sound of Silence.” Kacey Musgraves, Leon Bridges, and Mavis Staples also take the Golden Gate Park stage that day. sfoutsidelands.com.

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Faces

Once Upon a Time at Fairyland

Guests dressed up in storybook attire and experienced a magical evening at Children’s Fairyland in Oakland. At the 24th annual gala, attendees appreciated enchanting decor, a delicious dinner, delectable desserts, and various auction items. This year’s sold-out event was the theme park’s most successful bash yet, raising more than $25,000. All proceeds help Children’s Fairyland continue to provide children with a place that fosters imagination, encourages creativity, and prompts a desire to learn.

Berkeley Rep's Ovation Gala

In celebration of Berkeley Repertory Theatre’s outgoing artistic director, Tony Taccone, 475 Bay Area arts supporters gathered at the Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco for a memorable evening. The festivities honored Taccone’s 22 years with the nonprofit as a visionary leader, and more than $1 million was raised in support of the theater’s artistic endeavors and programs. Bob the Drag Queen performed “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” and Rita Moreno sang “This Is All I Ask” from Rita Moreno: Life Without Makeup, which Taccone wrote.

Night at the Library

The Lafayette Library and Learning Center Foundation (LLLCF) hosted its annual fundraiser, where book lovers had the chance to roam the library after hours with friends and family. Filled with revelry, dancing, and dessert, the event raised $450,000 for the library and much-needed improvements to the Children’s Area deck.

Growl, Meow, and Wine

The East Bay SPCA’s benefit celebrated the many donors and members of the community who take part in helping animals. Guests toured the Oakland facility and met animals that are up for adoption, while savoring an array of food, craft beer, and wine. All proceeds from the auctions went toward the SPCA’s services.

Nourish Gala

At this yearly black-tie event benefiting the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, attendees gathered at the Diablo Country Club for a delightful evening and enjoyed a three-course dinner, drinks, dancing, and a live auction. All proceeds went directly to the Food Bank, which has been providing food to one in eight residents in Contra Costa and Solano counties for more than 40 years.

LL COOL J at Making Waves Academy

Richmond’s Making Waves Academy welcomed two-time Grammy Award winner LL COOL J to the school to have a discussion with the students. The recording artist spoke about the importance of education, his path to becoming an entertainer, and the impact his upbringing had on his success. At Making Waves, 5th- to 12th-grade students receive a rigorous, holistic education to prepare them for college and beyond.

Pure Muir Gala

In honor of its 30th anniversary, the John Muir Land Trust hosted a very special incarnation of its annual gathering. Conservation leaders and thousands of supporters came together at the John Muir National Historic Site in Martinez to celebrate with live music, fine wine, gourmet food, and an auction.

Notes and Words

This one-night-only fundraiser at the Fox Theater in Oakland ultimately raised more than $3 million for UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, thanks to its all-star lineup of performers and speakers, which included Ryan Tedder of One Republic and actress Helen Hunt.

Swing to Freedom Gala

The Rotary Club of Lafayette hosted a benefit for the nonprofit New Day for Children. The Alamo-based organization works to aid the recovery of American girls rescued from sex trafficking through a variety of services, including psychological, educational, and other restorative programs. The fundraising event included a cocktail reception, a sit-down dinner, and a live auction.

Faces of Wildlife

Fans of the Lindsay Wildlife Experience got wild at the museum and wildlife hospital’s annual soiree. Held at Danville’s Blackhawk Museum, the night saw some of Lindsay’s animal ambassadors join the mix as guests danced to music by The Cheeseballs following a full dinner catered by Scott’s Seafood Walnut Creek and both live and silent auctions. Funds from the event support Lindsay’s goal of connecting people with wildlife by saving animals’ lives and providing up-close animal encounters for visitors.

Concord: Stronger Together Gala

For the past 18 years, Concord’s Monument Impact has been a force in the city, serving its vulnerable immigrant and refugee communities. Recently, the nonprofit center hosted its Stronger Together gala to celebrate the work that volunteers, local businesses, unions, and others have done to support immigrants in the East Bay. Among those honored for their contributions were volunteer English tutor (and onetime San Francisco Giant) Rob Andrews, former board member Margaret Hanlon-Gradie, and John Muir Health.

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