Heart, The Four Tops, Nick Offerman, Joshua Bell, SYLVIA and More Set for Wells Fargo Center's Fall 2014 Season

After a year of performances in the newly renovated Ruth Finley Person Theater, Wells Fargo Center for the Arts kicks-off the fall season with a rich array of performers, speakers and family programming. The line-up features music legends like Steve Winwood, Heart, The Temptations and The Four Tops as well as unforgettable comedians Cheech and Chong and Nick Offerman. Families will enjoy the annual free Fiesta de Independencia and the first performance of the Clover Stornetta Family Fun Series: Schoolhouse Rock Live! In October, the Santa Rosa Symphony presents violinist Joshua Bell in concert, as well as the first of the Symphony Pops Series, The Way They Were: A Tribute to Hamlisch and Streisand.

Tickets for all performances are available by calling 707.546.3600, at wellsfargocenterarts.org or in person at 50 Mark West Springs Road in Santa Rosa.

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Le Mejor Presents Amanda Miguel y Diego Verdaguer

Saturday, August 2, 2014 at 8 p.m. - $85, $75 and $65

Two of Latin America's most successful pop artists, Amanda Miguel and Diego Verdaguer, married since the late 1970's, continue to lend support to each other's million dollar-selling recordings. Verdaguer recorded such hits as "Yo, Pescador de Amor," "Yo Quisiera Que Tu," and "The Pasadiscos" in the '70s; "Usted Que Haria," "La Ladrona," "Coco Loco," "Nena," and "Corazon de Papel" in the '80s; "Venecia Sin Ti," and "Al Olvido Borron y Cuenta Nueva" in the '90s; and "Voy a Conquistarte," and "Quien de Los Dos Sera" among his more recent. Amanda found success with her debut album, El Sonido. Released in 1981, the album sold more than five million copies. Her long list of fan favorites include; "El Me Mintio," "Que Me Das," "El Pecado," Mi Buen Corazon," and "El Gato y Yo". Meeting in Buenos Aires in the mid-'70s, the couple performed together when she first accepted an invitation to join Verdaguer's group, Mediterraneo, as a backup singer.

Steve Winwood

Saturday, August 9, 2014 at 8 p.m. - $115, $75 and $65

Celebrated composer, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Steve Winwood, who began at the age of fifteen as the driving force of the Spencer Davis Group, presents his extraordinary portfolio of music at the Center. Known for his extensive and diverse career, Winwood's legacy includes a string of chart success with classic songs by Spencer Davis Group, the eclectic style and superbly crafted songs by Traffic, a record with Cream, which was dubbed rock's first supergroup - with guitarist Eric Clapton and drummer Ginger Baker, and landmark solo albums. Winwood has nurtured a restless creative spirit, mining rich musical traditions such as Delta blues, English Folk, R&B, and West African calypso and merging these influences within his own unmistakable sound.

Jennifer Nettles: That Girl Tour 2014

with special guest Brandy Clark

Thursday, September 11, 2014 at 8 p.m. - $75, $55 and $45

Jennifer Nettles, lead vocalist for international super duo Sugarland, has become one of the most popular singer-songwriters in music today. Since Sugarland exploded onto the music scene they have worldwide sales of over 22 million (albums and singles) to date, have achieved eight No. 1 singles and have won numerous awards including trophies from the Grammys, AMAs, ACM Awards, CMT Music Awards and CMA Awards. Nettles has won five ASCAP awards for her songwriting abilities, and in 2008 individually received a Grammy Award, ACM Award and CMA Award for penning the emotionally charged, platinum-selling No. 1 hit "Stay." Her reputation with her fans soars as Nettles continues to deliver memorable, heartfelt performances.

Fiesta de Independencia

Saturday, September 13, 2014 at 1 p.m. - Free

Celebrate a taste of Mexico in this Sonoma County tradition! All are welcome free-of-charge at this campus-wide festival presented by the Center's Latino Advisory Council. Enjoy live music and dancing, including Ballet Folklórico and Mariachi, piñatas and arts & crafts, an art exhibit, and salsa tasting contest and authentic food.

Heart

Thursday, September 25, 2014 8 p.m. - $115, $75 and $65

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees Ann and Nancy Wilson first showed the world that women can rock when their band, Heart, stormed the charts in the '70's with hits like "Crazy on You," "Magic Man," "Barracuda," "Straight On," and so many more. Not only did the Wilson sisters lead the band, they wrote the songs and played the instruments too, making them the first women in rock to do so. Heart continued topping the charts through the '80's and '90's with huge hits like "These Dreams," "Alone," "What About Love," "If Looks Could Kill," "Never," and a string of other hits that showcased the sisters' enormous talents as musicians and singers.

Cheech & Chong: Still Smokin' Tour with special guest Shelby Chong

Friday, September 26, 2014 8 p.m. - $69, $59 and $49

Successful beyond their wildest dreams, the iconic comedy duo Cheech & Chong defined an era with their hilariously irreverent, satirical, counter-culture, no-holds-barred comedy routines. Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong's phenomenal success began on the stand-up comedy circuit, which led to 9 hit comedy albums and 8 hit films, breaking box office records, shattering comedy album sales, garnering multiple Grammy nominations and mesmerizing fans for more than a decade.

39th Annual San Francisco Comedy Competition Semi-Finals

Saturday, September 27, 2014 8 p.m. - $44.75

The San Francisco Comedy Competition is one of the most prestigious comedy contests in North America--launching the careers of people like Ellen DeGeneres and Robin Williams. It's an outrageously funny evening where you will see the comedy stars of tomorrow competing for their chance at fame and fortune. Many talented comedians have since emerged from this annual event to become major stars. It could be argued that The Comedy Competition helps turn them into diamonds as it is a true contest that develops its contestants by forcing them to adjust to a variety of audiences--in comedy clubs, colleges, casinos and theaters--while enduring the strain of an extended road trip.

Nick Offerman: Full Bush

Friday, October 3, 2014 8 p.m. - $55 and $40

Nick Offerman is today best known for the role of Ron Swanson on NBC's hit comedy series "Parks & Recreation," in which he stars with Amy Poehler, Rashida Jones and Rob Lowe. For his work on the show, Offerman won a Television Critics Association Award for Achievement in Comedy in 2011, having earned his first nomination in 2010. He also received two Critics' Choice Television Award nominations for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.

North Bay Stage Company Presents Sylvia

Friday, October 3, 2014 8 p.m. - $26

East Auditorium

In a play by A.R. Gurney, empty nesters Greg and Kate have moved back to Manhattan after twenty-two years in the suburbs. As Kate tells Greg: "The dog phase of my life is definitely over." But life has a way of giving you what you think you don't want. Greg finds Sylvia, a street-smart lab/poodle mix, and brings her home. She promptly becomes a bone of contention between Greg and Kate, testing their marriage to hilarious and touching effect.

Clover Stornetta Family Fun Series:

Schoolhouse Rock Live! by Childsplay

Friday, October 10, 2014 6:30 p.m. - $21 Adult, $16 Child

NOW: Season ticket packages on sale, Individual Tickets on sale in August

A pop culture phenomenon returns to the musical stage! Based on the hit Saturday morning cartoon series, the show that taught history, grammar, math, and more explodes onto the stage with songs updated for a whole new generation! Academic subjects will never seem boring again when presented through megahits like "Conjunction Junction," "Just a Bill," "Interplanet Janet" or "Three is a Magic Number."

Experience Hendrix

Wednesday, October 15, 2014 8 p.m. - $99 and $79

The celebrated Experience Hendrix Tour is back by popular demand! This special event performance represents an ongoing tribute to the music and legacy of Jimi Hendrix. The tour brings together a diverse group of musical greats paying homage to the abiding genius of Jimi Hendrix. This year's line-up ranges from metal legend Zakk Wylde [Ozzy Osbourne/Black Label Society], blues icon Buddy Guy, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Doyle Bramhall II and Eric Johnson, Mato Nanji [Indigenous], and more to be announced! The rhythm section, as always, includes bassist Billy Cox, the only player, apart from Jimi Hendrix himself, who was part of both the Band of Gypsys and the Jimi Hendrix Experience and Chris Layton, the drummer who, along with the late Stevie Ray Vaughan, was a founder of Double Trouble.

The Temptations and The Four Tops

Thursday, October 23, 2014 8 p.m. - $85, $65 and $45

Thanks to their fine-tuned choreography, and even finer harmonies, The Temptations became one of the most successful acts to record for Motown Records. During the group's five-decade career, these Grammy winners have charted numerous #1 hits including "My Girl," "Ain't Too Proud to Beg," "Get Ready," "Just My Imagination," and "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone," among many others.

The Four Tops teamed up in high school and spent over four decades without a single personnel change to become one of Motown's most consistent hit makers. "Baby I Need Your Loving," "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)," "Reach Out (I'll Be There)," and "Ain't No Woman (Like the One I've Got)" are just some of their well-known hits.

Santa Rosa Symphony Presents Joshua Bell in Recital

Special Symphony Benefit with Alessio Bax on piano

Friday, October 24, 2014 8 p.m. - $200, $150, $100, $55

Joshua Bell's restless curiosity, passion, universal appeal, and multi-faceted musical interests have earned him the rare title of "classical music superstar." Often referred to as the Poet of the Violin, Joshua Bell is one of the world's most celebrated violinists and he continues to enchant audiences with his breathtaking virtuosity, tone of sheer beauty, and charismatic stage presence.

*Special dinner/concert package: $500. Meet Joshua Bell at the after-party!

Tickets for this special event are only available through the Santa Rosa Symphony: santarosasymphony.org or 54-MUSIC (707-546-8742).

Symphony Pops: The Way They Were: A Tribute to Hamlisch and Streisand

Sunday, October 26, 2014 3 p.m. - $80, $61, $50 and $37

Beginning with their first meeting on the 1964 Broadway production of Funny Girl, Marvin Hamlisch and Barbra Streisand were fast friends and immediate collaborators. From The Way We Were to conducting Barbra's 1994 legendary comeback tour, right up until Marvin's untimely passing in 2012, these two legends created some of the world's most memorable musical moments. Led as always by Maestro Michael Berkowitz, Marvin's friend and longtime music director, this show is a true celebration of the joy and laughter and the music that made him a legend, plus the music of Barbra Streisand, sung by the amazing Haven Burton, star of Broadway's Shrek, Legally Blonde The Musical, and Rent.

*FREE PRE-CONCERT TALK with Principal Pops Conductor Michael Berkowitz one hour prior to performance

About Wells Fargo Center for the Arts - A 501(c)(3) non-profit arts and events center, Wells Fargo Center for the Arts is home to world-class performances, nationally recognized education programs, contemporary visual art, and many popular civic events. The Arts Center is located in the heart of the Sonoma wine country and ranked among California's top performing arts presenters. Together with its resident companies, the Center presents more than 100 performances in music, dance, theater, renowned speakers, and comedy; provides education programs serving 30,000 children and adults; and hosts more than 1,000 community events a year. Owned and operated by the Luther Burbank Memorial Foundation, the Center relies on charitable community donations to achieve its mission - to enrich, educate, and entertain. www.wellsfargocenterarts.org

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