Stern Grove returns with stellar lineup
Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Ledisi, Thundercat, Perfume Genius and more are part of the musical lineup at the Stern Grove Festival, which plans to host inperson entertainment again this summer at its namesake Sunset District park, organizers announced.
The schedule, from June 20 to Aug. 29, ranges from gospelinflected soul to punk to electronica to classical, with Bay Area DJs part of the mix for the first time.
The festival is set to open with Oakland Grammy winner Ledisi, the Bay Area sixpiece band known as the Seshen, singer and San Francisco native La Doña, and Bay Area DJ LadyRyan. The Sunday series continues June 27 with indie pop musician Perfume Genius, electronic music producer Madame Gandhi, “RuPaul’s Drag Race” alum Honey Mahogany and a return of LadyRyan.
Next month features the San Francisco Symphony led by conductor Edwin Outwater ( July 4); electronic group Thievery Corporation, rapper Dessa and DJ Shortkut (July 11); the backtoback performances of soul bands St. Paul & the Broken Bones and the Dip, along with a set by DJ Omar ( July 18); and legendary punk rock bands X and the Avengers, with DJ Omar once again on the turntables ( July 25).
August brings Joan Jett & the Blackhearts (Aug. 1); Grammywinning singersongwriter and bassist Thundercat, multiinstrumentalist Cassowary and DJ Shortkut (Aug. 8); pop outfit Fitz & the Tantrums, soul singersongwriter Devon Gilfillian and DJ Omar (Aug. 15); and finally the festival’s annual Big Picnic fundraiser, with performances by Oakland’s own Tower of Power, rapper Too Short and DJ Shortkut (Aug. 29).
For its first few dates, the festival plans to admit audiences at 30% capacity, or about 3,000 guests, with hopes of increasing as the summer progresses. Though the series is free, guests must reserve spots in advance at www.sterngrove.org beginning 12 days before each show; picnicking is still welcome.
Stern Grove Festival also plans to livestream each event, in partnership with the online concert venue StageIt.