Valhalla Art, Music and Theater Festival at Lake Tahoe offers multiple venues through summer

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:

A Midsummer’s Night Dream – One weekend Only – July 23-25 at 7:30 pm: “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 with a Tahoe Twist by Tahoe South's acclaimed young adult theatre and promises to keep you in stitches. Director Nannette Niven has a cast of 20 including Bjorn Hedqvist, Stephanie Hernandez, Zoe Greco, Tyler Martin, Steve Huerta, Zane Brady, Hunter Turney and Jered Stowell.

Quinn Deveaux & the Blue Beat Review – July 29 at 7:30 pm: The modern soul songs of Quinn Deveaux, sung in his sweet tenor over a spare guitar or carried by his band’s bright tones, evoke old images aplenty—from those gutbucket barrooms where rock-n-roll was born, to the pine-walled shacks, nearby, where its gospel-forebears rent their souls. But this artist’s singular sound, making old tones new, is Quinn’s alone. His acclaimed Blue Beat Review has been thrilling San Francisco’s lovers of rollicking early R&B, and a good time, for years. And now, with two LPs of his own fresh tunes set to drop this fall, the Bay Area’s best-kept secret is stepping out. Get on board: he’ll take you there, wherever you’ve got to go.

Comedy Improv, July 20: Comedy seekers catch all four the Tahoe Improv Players. Audience suggestions are turned into hilarious scenes made up on the spot.

Free Music on the Lawn: 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.
August 2: Richie Lawrence and the Yolos

Artists in Residence: At the Viking Gallery in the Grand Hall 11am – 4pm.
July 7-16: Kit Night, still life and plein aire paintings in oil

August Concerts in the Boathouse Theatre – Shows at 7:30 pm
— August 5: Susie Glaze & the Hilonesome Band plus Houston Jones
— August 12: Jimmy LaFave & the Night Tribe
— August 19: Citywater
— August 26: James Garner’s Tribute to Johnny Cash

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 at the Beacon Bar & Grill or Evan’s Gourmet Café.

About the Valhalla Arts, Music & Theatre Festival:
The Valhalla Art, Music & Theatre Festival is a unique celebration of music, theatre and the visual arts. Since 1979, the festival is set against the magnificent backdrop of Lake Tahoe and the Tallac Historic Site. Valhalla Tahoe is a non-profit organization based in South Lake Tahoe. Visit www.ValhallaTahoe.com for more.