Boot stomping to bluegrass in a 1920s 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 month.
Now in its 36th year, the festival sounds off once again at the South Shore’s lake front Heller Estate with performances, improv comedy, theatre productions and iconic arts and culture experiences, now through Aug. 26.
The festival offers a dynamic festival lineup this month, with Carson City acts also making appearances:
Me and Bobby McGee, a duo of vocalist June Joplin and pianist Bob Reid, will perform numbers from the Great American jazz song book at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 15. Joplin performs regularly at Comma Coffee in Carson City.
“On Golden Pond,” a 1979 play by Ernest Thompson, will be presented Thursday through Sunday and July 16-18 under the direction of Ethan Niven.
The lawn outside Valhalla’s Grand Hall will become the venue for a free concert from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, when Carson City favorites CW and Mr. Spoons will perform rag time, old time and jug band music. Attendees are welcome to bring a picnic and lawn chairs.
The festival is also showcasing art, including natural subjects in acrylic from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 13-19 at the Viking Gallery in the Grand Hall.
Tahoe Improv Players will use audience suggestions to create a comedic scene in a comedy improv event at 7:30 p.m. July 13 and 27 at Valhalla Boathouse Theater and at the same time on July 20 at Valhalla Grand Hall.
Preferred seating tickets are available and offer early entry to the Boathouse Theater and a drink before the show.
Tickets and more information are available at ValhallaTahoe.com.