Livermore, CA -- Livermore Valley Arts is celebrating the start of the 2022-2023 season with award-winning singer-songwriter, musician, composer, and record producer Ben Folds headlining its annual Brilliance at the Bankhead fundraising gala on Saturday, September 10, 2022. Previously announced headliner Randy Newman will no longer be able to perform at our annual fundraiser as originally planned. Mr. Newman regrets having to miss this important fundraising event and sends his best wishes for a wonderful evening, and Livermore Valley Arts is certain that Ben Folds will delight our audiences at the highest caliber level. Best known as the frontman and pianist of the alternative rock band Ben Folds Five, Mr. Folds is also an accomplished solo artist who is known for performing arrangements of his music with uncommon instrumentation, including symphony orchestras and a cappella groups, and will impress the Tri-Valley accompanied by the Livermore-Amador Symphony at the largest fundraising event of the year for Livermore Valley Arts. Proceeds support activities at both the Bankhead Theater and the Bothwell Arts Center, as well as the independent non-profit organization’s broad educational and cultural arts outreach activities.

Ben Folds is widely regarded as one of the major music influencers of our generation, having created an enormous body of genre-bending music that includes pop albums with Ben Folds Five (best known for 90s singles “Army,” “Underground,” and “Brick”), multiple solo albums, and numerous collaborative records. For over a decade he's performed with some of the world's greatest symphony orchestras, and currently serves as the first ever Artistic Advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center. In 2019, Ben released his first book - a collection of interrelated essays, anecdotes and lessons about art, life, and music - which debuted as a New York Times Best Seller, and he hosted a podcast series spinoff of his book entitled “Lightning Bugs: Conversations with Ben Folds.” In addition to solo rock and orchestral touring, he's also developing a new unscripted tv series with Fred Rogers Productions, continues to appear in various film/tv guest starring roles, and is working on two new albums. An outspoken champion for arts education and music therapy funding in our nation's public schools, Ben has served for over five years as an active member of the distinguished Artist Committee of Americans For The Arts (AFTA), and serves on the Board of AFTA's Arts Action Fund.

This upcoming season marks Livermore Valley Arts’ celebratory 15th anniversary at the Bankhead, and the organization is thrilled to start the party and the season with this impressive music icon. Brilliance at the Bankhead includes gourmet dinner provided by On The Vine, coffee provided by Story Coffee, and live music on the Plaza before the show, as well as an exciting raffle and live and silent auction items. Multiple sponsorships make the event LVA’s biggest fundraising event of the year. About two and a half months in advance of the event, sponsors for the 2022 Season Gala presently include Jean King, Joan & Lynn Seppala, The Independent, Denise Watkins, Fremont Bank, Phillip and Muriel Dean, Jean Shuler, Chestnut Hill Farm, KKIQ, Lance Cavalieri Jewelers, Pleasanton Weekly, Sensiba San Filippo, TopCon, and David Haubert, Alameda County Supervisor, First District. Livermore Valley Arts is still welcoming sponsorships for this glamorous night of entertainment from corporations, media, and individuals. To sponsor this evening, please send a note to the Development Department at [email protected].

Livermore Valley Arts offers wide-ranging programs that provide access to the arts for the Tri-Valley community and beyond. Located in the heart of downtown Livermore, the Bankhead Theater welcomes artists from diverse musical genres, as well as theater, dance, comedy, and other entertainment to suit all ages. The Bothwell Arts Center at 2466 Eighth Street is an arts incubator, offering affordable studio, classroom, rehearsal, performance, and event space. Art exhibits curated by the Bothwell are on display year-round in the UNCLE Credit Union Art Gallery at the Bankhead. Together the Bankhead and Bothwell are home to eight resident performing arts companies and over 40 studio artists and cultural arts instructors. For more information visit livermorearts.org.

Show: Brilliance at the Bankhead starring Ben Folds

Date/Time: Saturday, September 10, 2022 at 5:30pm

Location: Bankhead Theater, 2400 1st Street, Livermore, CA 94550.

Tickets: Sponsorships, VIP & Regular Tickets available now

Dates, times, and ticket prices for other events available at www.LivermoreArts.org