I Love Fair Oaks

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Music

Fair Oaks Theatre Festival – Steelin’ Dan in Concert 2019

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Steelin Dan performing at Fair Oaks Theatre Festival in Fair Oaks, CA
Steelin Dan performing at Fair Oaks Theatre Festival in Fair Oaks, CA

The summer of 2019 season of the Fair Oaks Theatre Festival has begun! Kicking off with a sophisticated rock and funky jazz sounds of Steelin’ Dan – the Music of Steely Dan. I enjoyed them so much last summer when they played at the Veterans Memorial Amphitheatre in Fair Oaks, CA.

It was a beautiful evening that began with a colorful sunset. Pinks & violets in the sky would later be an indicator of coming showers. There was this chicken so content with the crowd. Even sitting in laps and on shoulders. It walked through as people danced and also got up on stage and walked around the band as they played before finding a comfy spot to roost. It was the neatest thing.

It rained. There was a flash of lightning in the sky, and Sandford said that if it starts raining, you will see a bunch of musicians running off the stage. Well, it didn’t shower right away, but in the middle of a great set, we started to feel a drop, then another. Still dancing. Nobody wanted to acknowledge it, and the band played on as long as they could. When the drops starting coming down bigger and faster, we knew it was time to call it quits.

The band said that they would have loved being on Fair Oaks Live before the show. So, we did the next best thing. We walked over to Stockman’s in Fair Oaks Village. It was busy, but we found a booth and Sandford joined us. He’s one impressive dude. Wow!

I wish we had more time with the band members. All of them are wonderful and talented. I’m sure they are as exciting too. So often the lead singer gets the attention, and I think that’s why Sandford emphasizes that there are no prima donnas in the band.

Several of the band members also teach music.

Sanford teaches high school English and a culinary arts class to HS seniors. Both of his parents were college professors. He spent about 30 years working in the restaurant business and did well for himself, but he decided that he wanted to offer more by teaching.

The band enjoys playing together and feel like it’s a bonus that people want to pay them to do what they love.

I think you will enjoy listening to the interview and if you stick around to the end, you’ll see the chicken too.

It was a fantastic night! If you get a chance to see Steelin’ Dan perform, do it! Visit the Steelin’ Dan website and find out where they’re playing next. They have an interesting Facebook page with videos and an Instagram page for you to connect with.

What’s next at Fair Oaks Theatre Festival?

Gilligan’s Island! Opening June 14th – July 15th, 2019.

Mamma Mia! Opening August 9th – September 8th

HIGH TIDE
A Tribute to the Beach Boys and Surf Music
July 20,2019

SPECIAL EVENT
The New Christy Minstrels
JULY 28, 2019

CARAVANSERAI
The Santana Tribute
JULY 27, 2019

NIGHT MOVES
A Tribute to Bob Seger and Creedence Clearwater Revival
​SEPT 14, 2019

PAPERBACK WRITER
The Beatles Experience
OCTOBER 5, 2019

See showtimes and buy tickets at the Fair Oaks Theatre Festival.

Boys of Summer Eagles Tribute Comes to Fair Oaks

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From left to right – Richard Berglund, Chris Turbis, Darrel Monson, David A. Williams, and Jimmy Williamson on drums. Chrysti Tovani Photography

We ended the 2018 summer concert series with the most anticipated Boys Of Summer Eagles tribute band at the Fair Oaks Theatre Festival in the historic Fair Oaks Village.

Chrysti Tovani Photography

Tickets were sold out! It was a full house.  I adore hanging out with fellow Fair Oakians! All these familiar faces and people I’ve come to know and love. Fair Oaks is indeed a beautiful town. The crown of the Sacramento Valley. =) For sure!

Chrysti Tovani Photography

I think the Eagles fans outnumbered most other bands that played at the Veterans Memorial Amphitheatre this summer.  Either that or they heard how great the Steelin’ Dan concert was and bought tickets to this one. This photo was taken just before all the dancing started. I got up and stood to the right of the stage to get some pictures. People were having a great time dancing to the classics.

two guys playing guitars
Chrysti Tovani Photography

Well, that was the last of our summer concerts. We’ll surely buy tickets for next year. See what’s on the calendar for the Fair Oaks Theatre Festival by visiting their website. You can even purchase your tickets online which is the best way to make sure you get in before they sell out.

Great Night with Steelin’ Dan at the Fair Oaks Theatre Festival

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Brad and I attended the Steelin’ Dan concert at the Fair Oaks Theatre Festival. This is one Tribute band you don’t want to miss! Sandford Wragg’s vocals and his stage presence will have you hooked. His performance of songs like Reelin’ in the Years was so on point. The whole band is fantastic! These are top notch musicians you’d expect to see at a stadium or large venue.

We were fortunate to have a chance to see them at the Veterans Memorial Amphitheatre and then hang out with them at Stockman’s after the show. I got to talk to Sanford, and he was friendly and humble. Poor guy was probably exhausted, but the fans were pumped about how great the concert was so he and the band stayed awhile and hung out with everybody who went over to the bar. I was too shy to ask to have a photo with him because I REALLY wanted one!  Oh well, I have the memories of a fun night!

Stockman’s bar in Fair Oaks Village, Fair Oaks, California

Steelin’ Dan performing at the 2018 Fair Oaks Theatre Festival.

Streets of Bakersfield in Fair Oaks

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If you haven’t been to a Fair Oaks Summer Concert in the park, you need to go! I thought it would be crowded but there were just the right amount of people and the parking wasn’t too bad. We arrived a little early and I got my keto friendly sandwich at the Fair Oaks Coffee House and Deli.

The village is small so one thing you can do to avoid looking for parking is to take a Lyft or Uber and get dropped off. I do that whenever I have to go downtown.

It’s a real family affair. There are food booths where you can buy pizza and snacks. There’s also ice cream and root beer floats. Kids can run around and play on the slides ans swings. There’s a designated dance floor if you want to get up and move your feet to the beat.  Good times!

Robby James and the streets of Bakersfield band on stage at concerts in the park fair oaks california

Robby James and the Streets of Bakersfield is a tribute band that performs a bakersfield sound with songs by Buck Owens, Merle Haggard and other classic country singer/songwriters. They put on a great show at the Fair Oaks concerts in the park in July 2018.

robby james and the streets of bakersfield concert in fair oaks july 2018

 

 

Journey Revisited Recreating that Classic Journey Sound at Fair Oaks Theater Festival

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us waiting for the concert to begin

The kick off of the Summer Concert Series by the Fair Oaks Theater Festival at Veterans Memorial Veteran’s Memorial Amphitheatre.  We bought tickets to all of the concerts this summer! Starting with Journey Revisited.

This was our first time at the Amphitheatre in years! They have refreshments. You can buy beer and wine just make sure you bring cash or you’ll end up walking to the ATM up the street.

journey revisited band hosted by fair oaks brew pub and fair oaks theater festival may 26 2018 i love fair oaks 4

We were all feeling the music. It was a great show! I love tribute bands that put a lot of heart into the music they love so much. Next up, will be the Steelin’ Dan concert in August. Lovin’ Summer 2018!