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June 2018
Antsy McClain and the Trailer Park Troubadors
$20 Online | $25 Phone & Box Office
Doors open 7PM | Show starts at 8PM
Singer/songwriter Antsy McClain brings his buddies along for the ride for this unique style of entertainment combining all-original songs, storytelling and a hilarious slide show to create an evening you won't soon forget.
Goin’ Goin’ Gong Show 2018 by VCAF
$15 Online | $20 Phone & Box Office
Seniors/Students/Veterans: $12 Online/$15 Box Office
Doors open 7PM | Show starts at 8PM
All proceeds to benefit VCAF's Youth Summer Arts Camp
Wacky and Zaney is the only way to describe the Vallejo Community Arts Foundation's 2018 Goin' Goin' Gong Show. Enjoy a flash from the past with VCAF's version of the retro 1970's hit t.v. series as this year's Youth Summer Arts Camp Fundraiser/Talent Show.
Come and enjoy both the outrageous and traditional acts by artists of all ages, including vocalists, musicians, dancers, mimes, and even a "Rappin Granny"! The price of your admission will go to support youth as they discover and grow in their own visual and performing arts talents this summer.
Open to all ages.
Wednesday Night Live in the Lounge
Chris Cole Quartet with special guest saxophonist John Douglas
General Admission: $10
Doors open 6:30PM | Show 7:30PM to 10PM
Happy Hour 6:30PM to 7:30pm
This unique quartet is made up of 4 touring professionals, all based in the bay area. Singer Chris Cole, pianist Wayne Fettig, bassist Aaron Germaine and percussionist Gerry Kennett make up this ensemble. They bring a new energy and sound to classic tunes as well as their own original arrangements.
Film Club – The Beaver Believers
Tickets: $10 | Free for Film Club Members
Event at 7PM
The Beaver Believers is a story of passion and perseverance in the face of climate change. It follows an unlikely cadre of activists - a biologist, a hydrologist, a botanist, a psychologist, and a hairdresser - who share a common vision: restoring the North American Beaver, that most industrious, ingenious, furry little engineer, to the watersheds of the American West. The Beaver Believers encourage us to embrace a new paradigm for managing our western lands, one that seeks to partner with the natural world rather than overpower it. As a keystone species, beaver enrich their ecosystems, creating the biodiversity, complexity, and resiliency our watersheds need to adapt to climate change. Beavers can show us the way and even do much of the work for us, if only we can find the humility to trust in the restorative power of nature and our own ability to play a positive role within it.
Purple Haze – Jimi Hendrix Tribute | Opener: Tommy Odetto Band
Purple Haze - Jimi Hendrix Tribute
Opener: Tommy Odetto Band
$20 Online | $25 Phone & Box Office
Doors open 7PM | Show starts at 8PM
The premier tribute to the guitar player that changed rock music forever! Purple Haze performs Hendrix like no other – all the classics (Foxy Lady, Hey Joe, All Along the Watchtower, etc.) plus some of the more obscure songs (Hear My Train A’Comin, Angel, Pali Gap). Fantastic showmanship and musicianship make this the best Hendrix tribute around! Behind the back! With the teeth! Costumes!
Jimmy Smith Band
Jimmy Smith Band
$20 Online | $25 Phone & Box Office
Doors open 7PM | Show starts at 8PM
Jimmy Smith Band After almost a decade of great live music and 3 recordings the Jimmy Smith Band bids farewell to the Bay Area with an exciting "Good Bye" Show, June 30th at the Empress Theater. With lot's of surprises and special guests it's a do not miss show. Plenty of great music, dancing and of course the amazing Empress Theater beautiful surrounds and sounds will make this a night to remember!
July 2018
The Journey of A Thousand Songs featuring Cecile Azarcon & Tim Pavino
The Journey of a Thousand Songs
PAVISON Worldwide Enterprises is proud to present to you CECILE AZARCON & TIM PAVINO in 'The Journey of A Thousand Songs' (A Musical Tribute to the Timeless Classics & Hidden Treasures of Cecile Azarcon-Inocentes). TIM PAVINO, singer/songwriter, stage actor/director, product model/endorser, host, semi-finalist of the Voice of the Philippines Season 2, ABS CBN/Star Music recording artist and the Philippines' Premier Pop Balladeer, performs to give tribute to the 38 years of beautiful music of MS. CECILE AZARCON
Bee Gee’s Gold
Bee Gee's Gold
$25 Online | $30 Phone & Box Office
Doors open 7PM | Show starts at 8PM
John Acosta as Barry Gibb has performed in Bee Gees Tributes all over the world. His portrayal of lead singer Barry Gibb is with a zest for detail, like no other. From the look to the falsetto you will close your eyes and say its Barry! John Acosta’s Bee Gees Gold tribute Is the ultimate salute, and experience of seeing the Bee Gees in their prime, LIVE ONCE AGAIN! With the detailed vocal stylings of John Acosta (Barry) , Daryl Borges (Robin) , Jeff Celentano (Maurice) as the brothers Gibb, there is a sensation that will make you blurt out , Wow.. I just seen and heard the Bee Gees! Backed by a live band, the Vegas Bee Gees tribute recreates the look and sound of the Bee Gees from the 60's to the late 70's, with their unique falsettos that made them legends.
Super Soul Bros
Based in San Jose, the Super Soul Bros deliver an explosive performance of live & funky video game music. Formed in 2012 by keyboardist Robbie Benson, the Super Soul Bros have gained renown for their dynamic musicianship, improvisation, and high-energy shows—something like cramming a James Brown record into a Super Nintendo. The Super Soul Bros feature some of the bay area’s top budding talents, its members having performed with Aretha Franklin, Tony Lindsay (Santana), Ron E Beck (Tower of Power), Napoleon Murphy Brock (Frank Zappa) and many others.
Find out more
West Coast Songwriters Competition
July 2018
$10 General | $5 Empress Members | Performers are free with WCS membership
Registration open 7PM | Show starts at 7:30PM
West Coast Songwriters (WCS) - Vallejo competition will be held every second Monday of the month at the Empress Theatre, 330 Virginia St in downtown Vallejo.
Anyone may attend, but only WCS members may compete for prizes. Online membership registration is available. There are 2 winners of the Songwriting Competition each month for Best Song and Best Performance. Winners receive 3 hours free recording time, generously sponsored by 25th Street Recording in Oakland along with an invitation to compete at the Location Playoffs for Best Song of the Year on August 13th.
Special Wednesday Night Live Featuring Katchafire with E.N Young & Imperial Sound plus special guests Notis Heavyweight Rockaz
Special Wednesday Night Live Featuring Katchafire
with E.N Young & Imperial Sound plus special guests Notis Heavyweight Rockaz
$25 Online | $30 Phone & Box Office
Doors open 7PM | Show starts at 8PM
Hailing from the mighty H-Town (Hamilton), Aoteoroa (New Zealand), KATCHAFIRE, have become a global roots reggae phenomenon. The all Maori Reggae band, bring their pure classic sound to music lovers worldwide, delivering one of the most authentic Reggae shows around today.
Film Club – The Beatles’ Yellow Submarine
Film Club – The Beatles’ Yellow Submarine
Tickets: $10 | Free for Film Club Members
Event at 7PM
The Beatles’ Yellow Submarine in Theaters Across North America This July To Celebrate The 50th Anniversary
Yellow Submarine, based upon a song by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, is a fantastic tale brimming with peace, love, and hope, propelled by Beatles songs, including “Eleanor Rigby,” “When I’m Sixty-Four,” “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds,” “All You Need Is Love,” and “It’s All Too Much.” When the film debuted in 1968, it was instantly recognized as a landmark achievement, revolutionizing a genre by integrating the freestyle approach of the era with innovative animation techniques.
Rex Navarette Summer Comedy Show
Rex Navarette Summer Comedy Show
$25 Online | $30 Box Office & Phone
Doors open 7PM | Show starts at 8PM
Rex Navarrete has had the distinction of becoming the most celebrated stand-up comic to perform to multiple sold-out shows in Manila, Hong Kong, Singapore and Australia since 2002. He regularly returns to Manila which has become fertile ground for his style of stand-up, inspiring the growth of an emerging local stand-up comedy scene.
Navarrete remains to be a one of the hardest working, relatively unknown American comedians today though he’s performed alongside notable national headliners as George Lopez, DL Hughley, Paul Mooney, among others.
Cream Of Clapton and Kings Of The World
Kevin Russell salutes Eric Clapton, B.B. King, Albert King and Freddie King Kevin Russell guitarist extraordinaire and vocalist pays homage to Eric, BB, Freddie and Albert's great songbooks. Kevin is spellbinding as he brings to life these wonderful songs!
Featuring:
Matt Pinder bass & vocals (son of Rock n Roll Hall of Fame's Mike Pinder - Moody Blues)
Ronnie Smith drum & vocals ( Marie Maldur, Tommy Castro etc).
Wednesday Night Live in the Lounge
Complicated Animals
General Admission: $10
Doors open 6:30PM | Show 7:30PM to 10PM
Happy Hour 6:30PM to 7:30pm
Complicated Animals is an indie band consisting of Brazilian American vocalist and songwriter Mônica da Silva, and musician and producer, Chad Alger.
While creating their new track, Monica da Silva & Chad Alger were inspired by their recent move to Los Angeles, the music of the 80s, a love for lush, dreamy pop songs, and all things David Lynch. The Brazilian American duo say that although their track has an electronic, synth-based feel, the lyrical subject matter was based on organic, human emotion.
Justin Kawika Young, Melissa Polinar, Lea Love, Melvin Gutierrez – Island Acoustic Sessions
$15 pre-sale special until July 1st | General Admission: $25 Online | $30 Phone & Box Office
VIP Add-on: meet and greet with autograph poster: $10
VIP Meet & Greet 6PM | Doors open 7PM | Show starts at 8PM
Wednesday Night Live in the Lounge
James Zeller Trio
General Admission: $10
Doors open 6:30PM | Show 7:30PM to 10PM
Happy Hour 6:30PM to 7:30pm
The group is lead by James Zeller who supplies heartfelt vocals and tasteful trombone. Additional members include pianist John Wood, multi-instrumentalist Daniel Nickerson on guitar, accordion, piano and saxophone, Lee Phillips on upright bass and Shane Fox on drums.
The Field Effect Live Experience
The Field Effect Live Experience
Tickets: $25
Doors open 7PM | Show starts at 8PM
Tota is bringing The Field Effect Live Experience to Vallejo, CA for his first ever live performance.
Tota’s “The Field Effect” is a politically driven ode about the mentality oppression and racism has created within the black community. It is an open discussion shedding light on the ugly truths of how systemic racism from slavery days, subsequently affects black people now. Tota uses this project to narrate the experiences and trials he and many other inner-city youths have and still face till this day.
August 2018
Wednesday Night Live in the Lounge – Red’s Blues Band
Wednesday Night Live in the Lounge – Red's Blues Band
General Admission: $10
Doors open 6:30PM | Show 7:30PM to 10PM
Happy Hour 6:30PM to 7:30pm
Red’s Blues has a finger-poppin’ attitude—straight outta the golden years when blues, R&B and swing all meshed together and dance floors every night were filled with snake hips and slow drags. Beth, with her sensual, southern voice and classy behind-the-beat phrasing is more a Julie London or Bobbie Gentry-styled singer: smoky with languid, sexy sophistication.
Vallejo Jazz Society Presents The Hot Licks – The Music of Dan Hicks
$20 General | $10 VJS Members | Up to two students free with adult ticket purchase
Doors open 5PM | Show starts at 6PM
"The King Of Folk-Swing"
The Hot Licks perform classic gems written by the Man himself as well as songs that Dan Hicks loved to cover in his own original style. A blend of Gypsy Jazz, Folk and Swing. The Hot Licks, Dan’s final band, toured for over 10 years with “Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks”. They are dedicated to preserving the original sound and spirit of the group and continue to carry the banner for folk-swing and gypsy jazz, with his particular sound, style and harmonies that have inspired so many others.
Featuring:
Roberta Donnay, Vocals/Percussion/Guitar
Daria, Vocals/Percussion/Melodica
Paul Robinson, Guitar/Vocals
Benito Cortez, Violin/Mandolin
Simon Planting, Bass
2018 Gala Fundraiser – Hot Havana • Save the Date
Saturday, August 11
Hot Havana Gala is an elegant fundraising event to support the Empress Theatre. The Gala will be held at the Eagle Vines Golf Club in Napa Valley on Saturday, August 11th at 5:30 pm. Event includes a fabulous meal, and live music. Dress: black tie or formal. Find out more
San Francisco International Piano Festival – North Bay | Night One
San Francisco International Piano Festival - North Bay | Night One
$20 Online | $25 Phone & Box Office
Doors open 6:30PM | Show starts at 7:30PM
Full Circle Bach - Art of the Fugue (selections) and English Suite no.6 in D minor Chopin- 24 Preludes op.28 Owen Zhou, piano Igor Lipinski, piano The San Francisco International Piano Festival kicks off its midweek run at the Empress with an evening of compelling, gorgeous piano music by Bach and Chopin
San Francisco International Piano Festival – North Bay | Night Two
San Francisco International Piano Festival - North Bay | Night Two
$20 Online | $25 Phone & Box Office
Doors open 6:30PM | Show starts at 7:30PM
Piano Illusions Igor Lipinski returns to present his show Piano Illusions, a unique combination of music and magic. Seamlessly blending his marvelous pianism and mystifying illusions, Igor welcomes the audience into a magical world of fun, humor, and insights into the music.
After the break, pianist and artistic director Jeffrey LaDeur introduces Concert Confidential, a behind-the-scenes look at life as a pianist, the classical music world, and tragicomic encounters with travels, pianos, and people. Don't miss this extraordinary evening with world class musicians breathing new life into their art form.
San Francisco International Piano Festival – North Bay | Night Three
San Francisco International Piano Festival - North Bay | Night Three
$20 Online | $25 Phone & Box Office
Doors open 6:30PM | Show starts at 7:30PM
The San Francisco International Piano Festival closes its Vallejo run with a dazzling evening of virtuosity and poetry, juxtaposing classics and future classics. Eunmi Ko will present the US premiere of "Timeless is Forever" by Girolamo Deraco, selections from Tyler Kline's "Orchard", and Vera Ivanova's "Deep Heart's Core" for piano and visual projection, before closing her portion of the program with Beethoven's heavenly Sonata op.109.
After intermission, Jiyang Chen offers a tour-de-force, all-Liszt program including favorites like Liebestraum, Sonetto de Petrarca 104, Vallee d’Obermann, and the 12th Hungarian Rhapsody. Jiyang and Eunmi brought the house down at Berkeley's Freight and Salvage last year, and they are excited to share their music with the audience in Vallejo!
Comedy Night with Rocky LaPorte, featuring Sammy Obeid, and host Michael Pritchard
Comedy Night with Rocky LaPorte, featuring Sammy Obeid, and host Michael Pritchard
$20 Online | $25 Phone & Box Office
Doors open 7PM | Show starts at 8PM
Finalist, Last Comic Standing, and winner of the national “Club Comic of the Year” awards in Las Vegas and winner of the Johnnie Walker National Comedy Search. Guest appearance on “The Tonight Show” and did a short-lived “Rocky LaPorte Show.” Films include “The Shaggy Dog” with Tim Allen and “The Godfathers of Comedy."
House of Floyd
$25 Online | $30 Box Office & Phone
Doors open 7PM | Show starts at 8PM
House of Floyd returns to the Empress for an end of Summer Concert at the Historic Empress Theatre.
The S.F. Bay Area’s HOUSE OF FLOYD performs the music of Pink Floyd, and has gained a strong following for their unique ability to enthuse both the hard-core fans of the early adventurous Floyd and those who enjoy the songs and soundscapes that later brought them widespread appeal. They capture the essence of each of the various Pink Floyd eras from the formative Syd Barrett days, through the 70’s and the final post-Waters era.
House of Floyd is a 7-piece band that includes 2 bookend multi-instrumentalists that double on saxophone, keyboards and guitar, and 2 excellent female background vocalists. House of Floyd has been performing in concert venues for over 11 years in the U.S. and abroad including a recent month long tour of India.
In the Pink Floyd tradition, a HOUSE OF FLOYD concert incorporates sound effects, screen projection, moving lights & state of the art laser show. The set lists on any given night might be from an actual Pink Floyd concert, or a custom HOUSE OF FLOYD mix.
September 2018
Clown In The Prayer Closet
Clown In The prayer Closet
Clown In The Prayer Closet This story takes you on a mental journey of life, puppy love, sex, drugs, and dysfunctional family life told through the eyes of a sixteen-year-old young lady named Denise. An ageless story of Love, Rebellion, Denial & Redemption. Great for all ages. Starring Derriecia Maxon as Denise Alecia Hightower as Millie Ann Marc Thomas as Henry Teniah Traylor as Mona
UPTOWN FUNK – Bruno Mars Tribute
UPTOWN FUNK - Bruno Mars Tribute
$20 Online | $25 Phone & Box Office
Doors open 7PM | Show starts at 8PM
UPTOWN FUNK features an amazing Bruno Mars impersonator and a group of dynamic musicians who bring the talent and technology necessary to replicate the Bruno Mars Live experience!
October 2018
The Trouble With Scott Capurro – Comedy Night
The Trouble With Scott Capurro - Comedy Night
$20 Online | $25 Phone & Box Office
Doors open 7PM | Show starts at 8PM
The Trouble With Scott Capurro Scott Capurro is the one of nature’s great raconteurs. Challenging, sometimes outrageous, but intimate too and most shockingly occasionally full of doubt. In The Trouble With…Scott wrangles with rich friends, worthy yoga and the miseries of home ownership. Capurro shows that every silver lining is attached to a rather imposing cloud, spinning yarns that are meant to resolve issues, but which oddly have the opposing effect.
“Comic equation: Larry Grayson x (Lenny Bruce + Chris Rock) = Scott Capurro.” - The Guardian