Valley Cultural Center’s First Annual Jazz Festival

June 3, 2012 | 4 to 8 PM

Features Freddie Ravel’s TuneUP to Music Celebration and other featured artists

Launching our 2012 summer season is keyboardist extraordinaire, FREDDIE RAVEL featuring stellar guest artists and a world-class ensemble.

The L.A. Times writes: “Ravel masterfully blends jazz textures, rock energy & tropical rhythms,” acknowledging a career that spans two decades across six continents with such icons as Earth, Wind & Fire, Sergio Mendes, Madonna, the Boston Pops and Rock legend, Carlos Santana.

Universal Music released the L.A. native’s three top-charting solo albums including the #1 hit in America, “Sunny Side Up” while his upcoming book “If Music Could Speak”, and subsequent CD are to be released Fall 2012.

This “TuneUP to Music Celebration” will also feature the sultry saxophone master, Everette Harp, the renowned, 12-piece band, BERN, and CSUN’s Enderman Quintet. Don’t forget your dancing shoes.

Everette Harp

From  his TV appearances on the  ”TONIGHT Show”, ”American Idol” and the ”GRAMMY Awards Show”  to his recordings with such iconic artists as Quincy Jones, Babyface, Carole King, Billy Joel, Michael Bolton and Alicia Keys, Everette Harp’s brilliant saxophone playing always leaves listeners entranced with his unmistakable soulful signature sound.

BERN

BERN, a 12-piece supercharged funk band, was created out-of a desire to emerge from the studio and get out and play groove music live in public. With four lead vocalists boasting strong harmonies, and leads, a tight horn section and a fat & ferociously groovin’ rhythm section made up of some of the edgeiest players the city has ever heard,  BERN has become a scorching 70’s funk musical phenomenon that is taking the city of Los Angeles by storm.  Utilizing the same fervor, they also merge other genres of music, mixing that funk with rock and latin edges, while always bringing a strong blend of nostalgia and “now”!

Endermen

Endermen is a 5 piece band composed of some of the finest “young lions” on the west coast jazz scene. Their music is highly creative and easily approachable while including all musical genre’s in their creative process. Endermen believes strongly in a “group identity” and that the group is only possible when all members are present, this concept has allowed the group to become unbridled and unbounded by categorization.

Salute to our Armed Forces

June 10, 2012 | 6 PM

Featuring the 300th U.S. Army Band

Hailing from Southern California, the 300th Army Band travels coast-to-coast performing in a wide variety of settings, including military ceremonies, formal public concerts, school assemblies, educational outreach programs, festivals, and radio and television appearances.   Performing a diverse repertoire of marches, classical band literature, overtures, popular music, patriotic selections, and instrumental and vocal solos, the 300th Army Band consists of multiple performing components, including the Concert Band, Classic Rock Band, Ska Band, Brass Quintet, Woodwind Trio, and Percussion Ensemble.

Ticket To Ride (a BEATLES Tribute)

June 17, 2012 | 6 PM

The Beatles influenced countless generations, defined the British Invasion of the ‘60s, and opened the floodgates to a new style of music.  Ticket To Ride creates an incredible rendition of The Beatles from their first hit to the songs from their final album, Let It Be. A rock ‘n roll evening not to be missed, Ticket To Ride not only brings you back it invariably turns into a sing-a-long concert the whole family will enjoy.

The Official Blues Brothers Revue

June 24, 2012 | 6 PM

Wayne Catania and Kieron Lafferty a.k.a. Jake & Elwood are the most dynamic and authentic Blues Brothers show to ever hit the stage. The duo got their start in the award winning Las Vegas show “Legends in Concert” performing in showrooms and theatres from coast to coast. A chance meeting with film maker Paul Jay led to the acclaimed A&E docudrama “Lost in Las Vegas”: The story of two performers trying to survive and raise families in a city whose only value is making money. The A&E film caught the attention of Victor Pisano and Judy Belushi Pisano who asked them to audition for the stage musical The Official Blues Brothers Revival. This live concert show combines the comedy and the hits from the original movie and pays homage to Chicago’s rich history of blues, gospel and soul music. Performed with the passion and precision that is the trademark of the original Blues Brothers Band.

Beach Party in the Park

July 1, 2012 | 6 PM

SURFIN’ SAFARI®, the Ultimate Tribute to The Beach Boys celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the group with a stop at Warner Park for a Beach Party!

SURFIN’ SAFARI®….is unrivaled in their sound, presentation, and professionalism. They are a faithful recreation of The Beach Boys live, in concert, in their prime with the incomparable beauty of their vocal harmonies, the crashing back beat of Dennis Wilson’s drums, the soaring surf guitar of Carl Wilson, and the genius of Brian Wilson’s music. The uniband choreography, the Fender guitar line up, the famous custom striped shirts, right down to the black suede Beach Boy boots, it’s all here. SURFIN’ SAFARI®… a great show, a great time, and fun, fun, fun till our Daddy takes the T-Bird away!

Councilman Dennis P. Zine’s July 4th Fireworks Extravaganza

July 4, 2012

Concert begins at 6 PM with Fireworks at 9:08 PM

Featuring Horace Heidt Jr. Band & Friends

Horace and Friends will be performing classic “Big Band” tunes to help celebrate our nations’ birthday with your favorite patriotic melodies.  Horace Heidt, Jr.’s musical achievements include performing at the U. S. O. Christmas Tour of Korea in December 1975; member of the Board of Directors of the U. S. O. and President of HORACE HEIDT PRODUCTIONS, offering expertise in entertainment to Fortune 500 companies.   He was the Musical Director for the LOS ANGELES RAIDERS from 1982-1994 and played for PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN’S, 50th AMERICAN PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURAL BALL in 1985.

No concert on July 8th

Patty Smyth and Scandal

July 15, 2012 | 6 PM

Patty Smyth, both with her hit band Scandal and as a solo artist, has always been, at heart, a rock and roll chick, and that’s no truer today for the mother of six, now back on the road and raring to play for fans new and old. She’s also earned both Oscar and Grammy nominations, recorded a series of hit singles and albums and enjoyed a successful reunion on VH1’s Bands Reunited series. Spurred by an impromptu reunion with her old Scandal mates at the end of 2004 on VH1’s Bands Reunited, the band has regrouped, with two original members in Keith Mack and Benjy King and a new rhythm section, bassist Tom Welsch and drummer Eran Asias. With new songs in the can like “Make It Hard ” and “End of the Girl,” Patty plans to return to the studio to record the new material.

Kenny Metcalf as Elton

July 22, 2012 | 6 PM

“For any Elton John fan that likes to take a trip down memory lane and visit Elton’s music of the 70’s (and beyond) this is the show to see! It brought back some fun memories for me as one who was there from the beginning!” – Caleb Quaye, Original Elton John Band Guitarist.

“Elton” as portrayed by Kenny Metcalf has the voice and appearance of Elton John when he was young; from rhinestones to sequins, every detail has been meticulously recreated. For those desiring to step back in time to experience the sights and sounds of this amazing artist, Kenny Metcalf as Elton delivers.

The PettyBreakers

July 29, 2012 | 6 PM

The PettyBreakers are the nation’s premier “Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers” tribute act. Based in Southern California, this act is comprised of veteran musicians with decades of experience performing in top tribute acts and recording and performing with international bands like THE REMBRANDTS and THE GIN BLOSSOMS. The PettyBreakers put on a show that recreates the sights, sounds and live experience of a Tom Petty concert.

Bruce in the USA – The World’s #1 Tribute to Bruce Springsteen and the E St. Band

August 5, 2012 | 6PM

Bruce In The USA is much more than just another tribute.  It is a high-energy musical experience and a note-perfect, visually accurate recreation of a Bruce Springsteen & The E. St. Band show.  Matt Ryan, from the world famous Legends In Concert, played Springsteen for eight years in the “full scale” Las Vegas show. His great success with Legends evolved naturally into Bruce In The USA. His amazing portrayal of “The Boss” (not to mention his jaw-dropping resemblance) makes you feel like you’re experiencing the real thing in concert. Backed by the sounds of Clarence “The Big Man” Clemence and a smokin’ handed “Little Stevie,” Bruce In The USA takes this genre of performance art to a whole new level, making it the world’s #1 tribute to the E St. Band’s legacy.

The Music of ABBA-Arrival from Sweden

August 12, 2012 | 6PM

The Music of ABBA
with ARRIVAL From Sweden
and original ABBA musicians.

Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Benny Andersson, Bjorn Ulvaeus and Agnetha Faltskog formed ABBA during the early seventies and soon established themselves as a musical force with record sales exceeding 350 million.

Arrival From Sweden was founded by Vicky Zetterberg in Gothenburg, Sweden and soon became one of the world’s most popular and best selling ABBA show bands. Since 1995, the band has toured over thirty-five countries and appeared on television and radio shows around the world. Arrival From Sweden, as part of the production of The Music of ABBA, tours the world with ABBA’s original musicians. This show is not to be missed!

Also Appearing

Marina V

Russian-born singer/songwriter Marina V is a young and charismatic pop artist with an incredible life story and a “hauntingly beautiful” sound (L.A. Times).

“Woodland Hillstock” Featuring Jefferson Starship

August 19, 2012 | 4 – 8 PM

Jefferson Starship

PAUL KANTNER, along with MARTY BALIN founded JEFFERSON AIRPLANE in 1965. In 1974 Mr. KANTNER created JEFFERSON STARSHIP and again with Mr. BALIN, enjoyed chart-topping success. PAUL, MARTY & JEFFERSON AIRPLANE were inducted into The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1996 and in 2005 they celebrated their 40th anniversary, playing 21 countries on their world tour. In 2007 they headlined “The Summer of Love 40th Anniversary Celebration” and performed at The Monterey Pop commemorative on the exact same stage as the historic landmark rock festival of 1967.

JEFFERSON STARSHIP, the name created by PAUL for his 1971 solo debut “Blows Against The Empire” recording has endured 37 years as rock music’s premier “political science fiction” themed band. That recording was the first and only to ever be nominated for literary science fiction’s Hugo Award…a stellar achievement.

Also Appearing

Dennis Jones

Blues guitar heroes are like a major hurricane that blows down everything in their path, changing the musical landscape. Since Stevie Ray Vaughan perished tragically in 1990, the winds of change have been brief squalls at best – until now. Dennis Jones, with his third release, Pleasure & Pain on Blue Rock Records, has the explosive guitar power, voice and songs that makes the break out sound all audiences adore.

Shoemaker Brothers

The Shoemaker Brothers hail from the Pacific Northwest, the progeny of Celtic and Nordic roots, they look like a mix between Viking athletes and merry men of ancient lore but sing like angels and play rock music with a classical musician’s touch.

DSB (a JOURNEY Tribute)

August 26, 2012  | 6 PM

DSB has been highly revered by fans as the “next best thing” to Journey. They have captured the lush and signature sound of renowned vocalist Steve Perry and Journey in their prime. Complete with a band of world-class Los Angeles musicians, DSB remains true to Journey’s musical legacy and delivers the nostalgic concert experience that will keep you Believin’.