WALNUT CREEK – The debate between the Beatles and the Rolling Stones has been going on ever since they first crossed paths on the charts 54 years ago. The argument at the time, and one that still persists, was that the Beatles were a pop group and the Stones were a rock band: the boys next door vs. the bad boys of rock. So who’s better? These two legendary bands will engage in an on-stage, throw down – a musical ‘showdown’ if you will – on February 17 at the Lesher Center courtesy of tribute bands Abbey Road and Satisfaction – The International Rolling Stones Show. The Abbey Road band has performed to capacity audiences at the Lesher Center in the In My Life – A Musical Theatre Tribute to the Beatles production.

Taking the side of the Fab Four is Abbey Road, one of the county’s top Beatles tribute bands. With brilliant musicianship and authentic costumes and gear, Abbey Road plays beloved songs spanning the Beatles’ career. They face off against renowned Stones tribute band Satisfaction – The International Rolling Stones Show, who offer a faithful rendition of the music and style of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and the bad boys of the British Invasion.

Where did the idea for the show come from?

“Music fans never had a chance to see the Beatles and the Rolling Stones perform on the same marquee,” said Chris Legrand, who plays “Mick Jagger” in the show.

“Now, music aficionados can watch this debate play out on stage.”

The Walnut Creek show is part of a 125-stop tour of the U.S., Australia and Canada and has been touring since 2011.The show also performs long term residencies for a number of the Harrah’s Casino properties. The production includes some of the more popular songs from the two rock pioneers and covers the scope of their musical careers, although the set list for Satisfaction usually includes Rolling Stones songs up to the 1980s.

“They certainly have more pop songs but we’re a really great live show. The fans are in for an incredible night of music,” says LeGrand.

During the two-hour show, the bands perform three sets each, trading places in quick set changes and ending the night with an all-out encore involving both bands. The band members have their outfits custom-made, since avid fans know exactly what the Beatles and Stones wore onstage during different time periods in their careers. There’s a lot of good-natured jabbing between the bands as well.

“Without Beatlemania, the Stones might still be a cover band in London,” said Chris Overall, who plays “Paul”.

“There’s no question that the Beatles set the standard.”

The audience naturally enjoys top shelf tributes to two legendary bands in the same evening. Like The Idaho Statesman said: “If you see only one tribute show, see this one…smart and loads of fun.”

“It’s just a fun time and a cool back-and-forth nonstop show,” Overall said.

“We’re going to bring it all. It’s going to be an evening of high-energy music,” said LeGrand.

Calendar: Beatles vs. Stones – A Musical Showdown comes to the Lesher Center for the Arts on Monday, February 17 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $45/$55/$65 and may be purchased at the Center Ticket Office, by phone at 925.943.7469 or online at www.lesherartscenter.org. The Center Ticket Office is located adjacent to the main entrance of the Walnut Creek Lesher Center for the Arts at 1601 Civic Drive. The show is appropriate for all ages.

The California Symphony kicks off 2019 with two performances of A TANGO WITH MOZART at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek on Saturday, Jan. 19 at 8pm and Sunday, Jan. 20 at 4pm. Music Director Donato Cabrera leads a free, 30-minute pre-concert talk for ticketholders, starting an hour before each show.

In selecting the music for this program, Music Director Donato Cabrera explains that all three pieces are a nod to the past: “In the case of Le Tombeau de Couperin, each movement was written in remembrance of a friend that Ravel lost during World War I. For Four Seasons of Buenos Aires, these pieces are a reflection of not only Vivaldi’s Four Seasons (Piazzolla’s Seasons even follow the same structure of movements as Vivaldi – fast/slow/fast) but also are a reflection of the tango and its importance and relationship to the city of Buenos Aires. And the Mozart symphony is the first of his three last symphonies that are influenced by Mozart’s fascination with the music of J. S. Bach and the dance forms that were popular during the Baroque era.”

Mozart’s Symphony No. 39 was written with break-neck speed in June of 1788, right before No. 40 which was delivered in July, and No. 41—his final symphony—in August. After the death of his father in 1787, Mozart’s correspondence (our primary source of information) becomes sparse, and it is unknown whether the composer lived to hear the work performed before his premature death in 1791 at the age of 35.

Argentinian composer Piazzolla is famous for fusing tango and jazz influences in his compositions. His Four Seasons of Buenos Aires comprises works composed between 1965 and 1970, each evoking a different season, but it was the genius of Russian composer Desyatnikov that pulled it all together as a suite for solo violin with string orchestra and harpsichord, adding in familiar references to Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. (And as the seasons are reversed in the southern hemisphere, the arranger even playfully takes elements from Vivaldi’s Winter and places them in Piazzolla’s Summer.)

For Concertmaster Jennifer Cho, the concert marks a return to center stage with the California Symphony after her solo turn playing Ravel’s Tzigane in March 2017. This is her first performance as featured artist since being appointed to the role of Concertmaster in August 2017.

Of the collaboration, Cabrera says: “The first time Jenny and I performed together as soloist and conductor was with Piazzolla’s Four Seasons.  We are both very excited to be returning to this masterpiece and sharing it with our Walnut Creek audience.”

Be Ready to Get Merry at ‘Tis the Symphony – Performances at 4:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m.

With a full program of holiday favorites plus mulled wine and cocoa available to sip at your seat, ‘Tis the Symphony is the perfect way to get into the spirit of the season. Performed by the California Symphony, Matinee (almost sold out) and evening shows take place Saturday, Dec. 22, at the Lesher Center in Walnut Creek. Tickets start at $42 / $20 for students aged 25 and under.

Featured artists include Music Director, Donato Cabrera and the Pacific Boychoir Academy.

THE PROGRAM

Anderson—A Christmas Festival

Holiday Selections featuring the Pacific Boychoir Academy

Tchaikovsky—Selections from the Nutcracker Suite

Blake—The Snowman (Film viewing with score performed live)

Various—Audience Sing-Along

Anderson—Sleigh Ride

Running Time: approx. 1 hour 50 minutes, with one intermission

WHAT’S INTERESTING ABOUT THIS CONCERT

• The Snowman is an animated short film about a young boy and the snowman he builds, who comes to life. The audience watches on the big screen as the California Symphony and the Pacific Boychoir Academy perform the soundtrack live.
• Nominated for an Academy Award in 1983, The Snowman lost out to Tango. (No, we’d never heard of it either.)
• Featuring an audience sing-along and festive favorites, the holiday concerts are the most popular of the year—perfect for all ages looking to get into the spirit of the season.
• Come early for mulled wine, cocoa, and free activities in the Hoffmann Lobby starting one hour before curtain, including the Instrument Petting Zoo.

To purchase tickets online click here, or purchase them at the ticket window today between noon and 7:30 p.m. or call (925) 943-SHOW (7469). The Lesher Center for the Arts is located at 1601 Civic Drive in Walnut Creek.