Every Sunday from June 14th until August 16th you can find music, merriment, and mature people sitting in folding chairs in Stern Grove at the 78th season of the Stern Grove Festival. Free as ever, this year's lineup hails from near and far. Here's a brief overview of the acts, though some need no introduction.
All concerts begin at 2 p.m. at the Sigmund Stern Grove, found at 19th Avenue and Sloat Boulevard in the Sunset/Parkside district.
June 14
THE DOOBIE BROTHERS "Listen to the music" from the San Jose-founded American rock band once beloved by the Hells Angels. Formed in 1970, the lineup has changed a lot over the years, but you can count on seeing Tom Johnston who's been there since the beginning.
The California Honeydrops These Bay Area boys started busking in an Oakland BART station and play a variety of high-energy American styles.
June 21
PACIFIC MAMBO ORCHESTRA with Special Guests Sheila E., Marlow Rosado and Salsamania Also known as PMO, this 20-piece, San Francisco-based musical group won a Grammy last year for their leading role in the renaissance of Latin Big band Sound.
June 28
RANDY NEWMAN The much-maligned singer-songwriter credits Ray Charles as his inspiration. Eventually, with "Sail Away," hemade his way into his idols repertoire
Hot Club of San Francisco The country's longest-lasting, "swingingest and most daring" gypsy-jazz ensemble.
July 5
SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY Director of Summer Concerts Edwin Outwater and featured vocalist Shara Worden, the voice behind indie-rock band My Brightest Diamond, "explore the connection between orchestral music and the beauty of nature."
July 12
AMY HANAIALI’I GILLIOM with the Stern Grove Festival Orchestra Well-loved for her spectacular vocal range and control, Amy Hānaiali‘i remains the top-selling female vocalist in Hawai’i. Sharing the stage with her will be the Stern Grove Festival Orchestra conducted by Matt Catingub.
*Halau ‘o Keikiali’i Led by kumu hula Kawika Alfiche, San Francisco’s own Halau ‘o Keikiali‘i performs hula kahiko and the ancient dances of Hawai’i.
July 19
tUnE-yArDs Oakland residing Merril Garbus is a loop master, combining lots of genres for upbeat, bubbly and powerful pop tunes. Her alto voice is particularly strong.
DakhaBrakha From Kyiv, Ukraine, DakhaBrakha is a self-described “ethnic chaos” band, a quartet with "astounding" vocal range.
July 26
SAN FRANCISCO BALLET Under Artistic Director Helgi Tomasson the Ballet performs a selection of works from their current repertory including Lambarena, Excerpts from Theme and Variations, and more to be announced.
August 2
MARY CHAPIN CARPENTER Five Grammys, 13 albums, and more than 13 million records sold. “Passionate Kisses” and “He Thinks He’ll Keep Her" will probably stand as her most requested.
Bhi Bhiman Local sing-songwriter with clever lyrics who credits Woody Guthrie, Nina Simone, and Bill Withers as influences.
August 9
MORRIS DAY AND THE TIME Remember Purple Rain? Familiar with funk? Enjoy "Jungle Love"? These are the responsible funkmasters.
Con Brio A San Francisco-based group that's a self-described “testament to the power of soul.”
August 16
TALIB KWELI Beloved for his work with Mos Def in the rap duo Black Star, Kweli is often cited as the conscious of hip hop and is a frequent lecturer.
Zakiya Harris feat. Elephantine Bay Area based "soulful electronica and Afro-beat music."
