Red Curtain Addict Top Picks: June 2018
June 1, 2018
It's officially the first month of summer and we are so excited to share our list of must-see performances, music festivals and outdoor concerts throughout the month of June. We are so lucky to have such a rich music community in the Bay Area with so many incredible performing arts organizations to experience - it was hard to choose! But we think you're going to love these top picks for the month.
Scroll below to start exploring...!
June 5-17: SFJAZZ Festival
The SFJAZZ Festival is a globally renowned event that has 44 shows in 13 days in 5 different venues around the city. Key highlights are a Patsy Cline Tribute, a Benny Goodman Tribute and one of the most powerful composers of our time, Philip Glass will be performing in a chamber setting with harpist Lavinia Meijer and cellist Matt Haimovitz!
This is a great time to check out jazz in San Francisco because they squeeze in so many different types of jazz groups into 2 short weeks. You're bound to find something you like!
CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS!
June 8-10: SFDanceWorks, Season 3
If you like new and modern ballet, this production is for you! SFDanceWorks will be performing their 3rd season premiering works of master choreographers from all over the world and brand new works from young artists at Fort Mason.
I had the chance to talk to Artistic Director, James Sofranko (who is also an amazing soloist at SF Ballet) about what makes this company so unique to others... Click here to read the interview! Highlights on the program include world-renowned Spanish choreographer Nacho Duato's 1983 masterpiece "Jardi Tancat" with music by Maria del Mar Bonet, James Sofranko offers a world premiere set to Franz Schubert impromptus played live by pianist Ronny Michael Greenberg and Danielle Rowe's (Associate Artistic Director) world premiere featuring a commissioned score by Alton San Giovanni, played live by instrumentalist David Knight.
CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS!
June 12 - July 1: San Francisco Opera, Ring
If you're a fan of Lord of the Rings, you're in for a treat! San Francisco Opera will be presenting the full Ring cycle three times this month. This opera is only produced in the Bay Area every 10 years or so because of it's complexity, size (both in staging and casting) and cost ($23M!). So it's definitely worth taking advantage of the opportunity to see it while it's here.
It lasts seventeen hours spread out across four days (yes, you read that right) with a grand storyline full of passion, betrayal, and music that has captivating audiences since it's world premiere in 1876. If you have your tickets or your thinking about going, make sure to read our latest article '5 Things You Should Know Before Seeing the Ring Cycle'! We were shocked when we found out #4...
CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS!
June 17 - August 19: Stern Grove
Stern Grove is one of our favorite music festivals in San Francisco because of the unbeatable outdoor venue located in Sigmund Stern Grove. This 10-week long FREE concert series offers an array of performances, such as R&B, Rock & Roll, Blue Grass and you get the opportunity to see San Francisco Symphony (July 22) and the San Francisco Ballet (July 29) perform!
Addict Insider: The concerts start at 2pm but get there early because seating in the concert meadow is first-come, first-served. Also, make sure to bring layers (it can sometimes get a bit chilly).
June 17 - Peabo Bryson and Jeffrey Osborne
This year, the festival is kicking off their 81st season on Father's Day with R&B artists Peabo Bryson and Jeffrey Osborne. You probably best know Peabo from his popular recording of 'Beauty in the Beast' with Celine Dion or his amazing recording of 'A Whole New World' with Regina Belle that won 2 GRAMMY Awards. Jeffery Osborne is best known for his vocals/drumming with the Love Men Ltd., back in the 70's or might know his top 40's hits like 'Don't You Get So Mad' or 'I Really Don't Need No Light'. It's going to be a lot of fun!
June 24 - Ziggy Marley
What's the perfect way to spend the first official Sunday summer? Dancing and listening to reggae music outside at the Grove! GRAMMY(r) and EMMY(r) Award-winning singer, songwriter and humanitarian Ziggy Marley will be taking the stage performing his soulful reggae music mixed with some of the best lyrics of our time. You'll also get to hear Brazillian songstress Flavia Coelho perform her smooth blend of samba and bossa nova. This will truly be the ultimate "Sunday-Funday"! (Don't forget to pack a picnic!)
June 27 - July 22: SHN, School of Rock
Based on the hit film with Jack Black, this hilarious new musical follows Dewey Finn, a wannabe rock star posing as a substitute teacher who turns a class of straight-A students into a guitar-shredding, bass-slapping, mind-blowing rock band.
What makes it unique? Andrew Lloyd Webber wrote 14 new songs for this production and you'll get the chance to see musical theater's first-ever kid rock band playing their instruments live on stage. This is not only a must-see for fans of the movie and Andrew Lloyd Webber - it's also a great outing for families!
CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS!
We hope this quick rundown of our Top Performing Concert Picks for June was helpful! Let us know your thoughts by leaving a note in the comments! Also, feel free to add any performance suggestions and/or questions.
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