The Tower Theatre celebrates the holiday season
Published 12:00 am Thursday, November 29, 2018
- From left, Will Ackerman, Barbara Higbie and Alex de Grassi will perform at the Windham Hill "Winter Solstice" anniversary concert at the Tower Theatre. (Submitted photo)
If you’re the type who turns on Christmas music as soon as the leftover turkey has been put away, you’re in luck in Bend. The Tower Theatre, no slouch when it comes to the holidays, has three shows coming up fast to kick off your yuletide merry-making:
• Contemporary jazz pianist David Benoit will channel Vince Guaraldi and Charlie Brown — as well as Dave Brubeck — on Thursday. Benoit, who in the 1990s replaced Guaraldi as main music composer for the TV specials based on the comic strip “Peanuts,” will lead a trio plus guest vocalist Sara Gazarek in reinterpretations of the classic themes from the cartoons, as well as a tribute to Brubeck.
David Benoit, with Sara Gazarek: 7:30 p.m. Thursday; $32, $47 or $57 plus theater preservation fee.
• Pianist Jim Brickman, known for championing the romantic pop song form, last brought his Christmas show to the Tower in 2015. Since then, he’s released two more Christmas albums, 2016’s “Comfort & Joy: The Sweet Sounds of Christmas” and last year’s “A Joyful Christmas,” giving him plenty to choose from when he returns to the theater Monday to spread more holiday cheer.
Jim Brickman: 7:30 p.m. Monday; $50, $62 or $73 plus theater preservation fee.
• Guitarist William Ackerman founded Windham Hill Records in 1975 as a haven for instrumental, acoustic music from the likes of George Winston, Michael Hedges and more. The label also became known for its “Winter Solstice” compilations, and Ackerman is taking them on the road this holiday season. The “Winter Solstice” anniversary tour, which hits the Tower on Wednesday, will feature Ackerman; singer, fiddler, pianist and songwriter Barbara Higbie; guitarists Alex de Grassi Todd Boston.
Windham Hill “Winter Solstice” anniversary: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday; $32, $42 or $62 plus theater preservation fee; Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall St., Bend; towertheatre.org or 541-317-0700.