LAKE TAHOE — Get ready for jazz, Celtic, mystery, comedy, bluegrass, percussion and a whole lot more at the Lake Tahoe Valhalla Arts, Music and Theatre Festival. The Festival takes place at the historic Tahoe Tallac site, a 74-acre setting currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places and a 1800’s favorite getaway for Northern California’s elite members of society.  But you don’t have to be an elite member of society to enjoy the variety of affordable and sometimes even free events at the Valhalla Festival.

Here’s the line-up for August and for tickets, please call (530) 541-4975. You can also find the schedule at www.valhallatahoe.com.

August 4, 7:30 p.m.:

New World Jazz Project appears at the Boathouse Theatre…a contemporary sound with the saxophone of Niall McGuinness and Soul, Latin, and Afro-jazz music. With an affinity for World music, the musicians endeavor to keep the spirit of creativity alive. Tickets: $15/$12/$5

August 5, 7 p.m.:
Murder Mystery Dinner at the Grand Hall is an authentic Tahoe-based radio play celebrating the Roaring Twenties' South Shore
lifestyle. Wine and hors d'oeuvres are included in the ticket price of $30 for adults and $15 for kids 12 and under.

August 10, 7:30 p.m.:
Tahoe Improv Players at the Boathouse Theatre will deliver spontaneous, hilarious, improvised comedy as they’ve been entertaining audiences for 15 years. Tickets are $10/$5.

August 11 at 7:30 p.m.:
Bison performs at the Boathouse Theatre as partof the "Locals Only" series. Bison is a five-piece bluegrass band that mixes original folk and american roots music with new takes on traditional bluegrass tunes and covers from all genres for some serious foot-stomping fun. Tickets are $10/$5.

August 12 at 7:30 p.m.:
Durga takes the stage at the Boathouse Theatre. Durga celebrates the story of the drum and acknowledges rhythm as a universal language. This multi-media show combines spirited performance, captivating film and thought provoking narration by Liz Broscoe. Reaching beyond the stereotypical boundaries of race and gender, Liz performs on Native American, Middle Eastern, Afro-Cuban, African and American drums. Tickets are $15/$12/$5.

August 13-19, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Kit Knight — Artist in Residence at the Twin Cabins and free of charge.

August 15, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.:
Gatsby Tea Party on the Valhalla Grand Hall Lawn is a Sunday afternoon hosted by the Tahoe Heritage Foundation serving tea, Gatsby era sweets and savories. The highlight of the afternoon is the fashion show of vintage clothing; themes have ranged from "pack for a cruise" and "summer at the lake" to "wedding trousseau." Tickets for the tea are available through the Tahoe Heritage Foundation and generally sell out early at $35 per person. Call (530) 544-7383.

August 17, 7 p.m.:
Bare Bones Open Mic at the Boathouse Theater with a variety of music, comedy, and spoken word. The Bare Bones Open Mic Nights is a series providing a creative stage for musicians, writers, comedians, and all other performing artists wanting to be seen and
heard. It’s a free event and there’s plenty of room in the audience too (for the non-performing types!).

August 18, 7:30 p.m.:
Gypsy Fire with Russel Ketenjian at the Boathouse Theatre. Experience the power of the earliest complex stringed instrument...the ancient Oud. Ride a Magic Carpet through time as Ketenjian's melodies of Greece, Armenia, Turkey, Persia and the Anatolian region weave a delicate thread that create a tapestry that shall live for eternity. Tickets are $10/$5.

August 19, 7:30 p.m.:
Men of Worth grab the stage at the Boathouse Theatre as James Keigher (Ireland) and Donnie Macdonald (Scotland), blend their voices with harmony and support their collection of songs with their varied selection of instruments. They have a very simple approach to their presentation, and in keeping with tradition, remain true to the Gaelic/Celtic music and stories. Their show is a unique combination of humor, exciting tunes, and soulful, heartfelt ballads. Tickets are $18/$15.

August 20 – 26, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Dee Manning - Fine Art Paintings at the Twin Cabins. Free of charge.

August 20, 7:30 p.m.:
Golden Bough at the Boathouse Theatre, a popular group and 2010 marks the 30th Anniversary for this internationally acclaimed Celtic trio. Margie, Paul and Kathy back their pristine vocals on an array of instruments; Celtic harp, violin, octave-mandolin, guitar, penny-whistle, accordion, viola and bodhran. Tickets are $15/$10.

August 22, 2 p.m:
Gordy Ohlinger - "The Banjo-ologist" at the Boathouse Theatre transcends the cartoon stereotype of the banjo to reveal an instrument of full emotional subtlety. As an internationally touring multi-instrumentalist, he’s recognized as the only musician accomplished in all the banjo styles from its 19th century African/Yankee roots to the present. A musical Mark Twain with a thread of happiness through the decades. From minstrel show to
vaudeville, Gordy shares a heritage you can hear, with his movable museum of vintage instruments. $15/$10.

August 23 – 29, Monday through Saturday. 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.:
’Talking With’ by Jane Martin at the Boathouse Theatre is a unique collection of 11 monologues by 11 marvelous characters who come together in an
unforgettable evening of theatre. Even when their challenges and crises appear larger than life, the characters embody universal issues: unbearable loneliness, crises of confidence, bereavement, loss of hope and struggles with faith. $18/$15.

August 26 at 6 p.m.:
Wine Tasting and ‘Talking With’ by Jane Martin at the Boathouse Theatre. The Wine Tasting is sponsored by Après Wine Bar and the cost is $50 per couple and $28 per person (includes play ticket). Tickets are also available without the wine tasting.

August 27 thru Sept. 5:
Jim Stamates — Artist in Residence at the Twin Cabins presents his images of award-winning wildlife. Free of charge,

This season, the Valhalla parking lot will be available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Parking will be limited to two hours to allow visitors to visit the cultural art store, view the Valhalla Grand Hall and the Boathouse Theater or to buy tickets for upcoming events. Limited parking is available for all scheduled events and we encourage car-pooling. There is no public beach access from the Tahoe Tallac site.

The Boathouse Theatre is a structure that dates back to the turn-of-the century distinguishing it as one of Tahoe’s earliest preserved buildings. For festival line up, visit http://www.valhallatahoe.com/ or call 530-541-4975. The annual Valhalla Arts, Music and Theatre festival is in its 31st season with a summer through fall entertainment series including theatrical presentations, an entire series of Classical, Jazz, Celtic, ethnic, and popular music; the return of the Wa She Shu It Deh Native American Festival. Guests to the site will find visual arts exhibits; an artists-in-residence, children’s art workshops, youth theatre camps and a Cultural Arts Store.

— The Tahoe Tallac Association was formed in 1979 as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization with the goal of assisting the Forest Service in
restoring the three estates on the Tallac Historic Site, developing the site as a historic center, and sponsoring/producing the Valhalla
Arts & Music Festival held annually on the Heller Estate of the Tallac Historic Site.