In Norse mythology, Valhalla is a magnificent hall where Viking warriors arrive to the afterlife for one final battle alongside the gods. Having braved the worst of the pandemic, Tahoe’s heroes of art and music will now gather once more at Valhalla Tahoe for the triumphant return of summer programming to the beautiful Heller Estate at South Lake Tahoe.
“We really believe that the performing arts are important for our community members’ mental health. The events we put on are part of a community tradition. We’re looking forward to being able to celebrate with people again.”
–Michelle Morton, Valhalla Tahoe
“We are so thrilled to be able to fulfill our mission again,” says newly promoted executive director Michelle Morton. “We really believe that the performing arts are important for our community members’ mental health. The events we put on are part of a community tradition. We’re looking forward to being able to celebrate with people again.”
When coronavirus struck, Valhalla Tahoe, like virtually every summer series in the region, went dark. It postponed all weddings and public events, cut seasonal staff and lost 90 percent of its annual revenue. Morton worked only 10 hours a week. Now, as Lake Tahoe resurfaces to the world, the renowned arts, music and theater festival is born anew.
When the season kicked off on June 15 with James Garner’s Tribute to Johnny Cash, the lawn was awash with smiling concert enthusiasts eager to reconnect with old friends.
“I really believe that people are social creatures,” says Morton. “One of the things we learned from the pandemic is that it’s hard to go a long time without social interaction. Our overall happiness suffers. So, to be able to offer that opportunity again is really special. I think people will enjoy events more now that we’ve experienced a year when we weren’t able to do those things.”
A Safe Summer of Music, Comedy and Theater
Valhalla’s annual summer play runs July 6 through 9 in the historic Boathouse Theatre, which festival proceeds help to preserve. Peter Gordon’s “Murdered to Death” is a spoof of Agatha Christie-style mysteries. Set in a country manor house in the 1930s, the play features an amusing cast of characters: Bunting the butler, an English colonel with the prerequisite stiff upper lip, a shady French art dealer and his high-society lady friend, the bumbling local inspector and a well-meaning local sleuth who seems to attract murder wherever she goes. As everyone becomes caught up in the escapades, a murder occurs — but it seems the murderer isn’t finished yet. The only question is whether the cast or the audience will die laughing first.
Tahoe Improv Players resume their 28th year of antics on July 26 when they turn audience suggestions into sidesplitting improvisations. Both Tahoe Improv Players and “Murdered to Death” will be held in the Boathouse Theatre at 50 percent capacity with mask requirements for all audience members.
“Murdered to Death”
July 6-9 | Boathouse Theatre | 7:30 p.m.
Tahoe Improv Players
July 26, Aug. 3 & 10 | Boathouse Theatre | 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday Night Concerts
Heller Estate | 4:30 p.m.
July 21 | Achilles Wheel
July 28 | The Tom Rhodes Band
Aug. 10 | Grateful Bluegrass Boys
Aug. 18 | Earles of Newtown
25th Anniversary Fundraiser w/Dirty Cello
Sept. 6 | Boathouse Theatre | 7:30 p.m.
Visitors to the Wednesday night outdoor music will not have to wear masks. However, audience groups will be seated at separate tables to maintain social distance.
“We defer to our performers and ask them what their comfort level is,” says Morton. “We have always put the safety of our patrons and performers at the forefront and will continue to do so.”
Featured Wednesday night acts include Grass Valley jammers Achilles Wheel, the acoustic hippie love of Grateful Bluegrass Boys, the soulful songs of The Tom Rhodes Band and an electric, gypsy, jazz octet the Earles of Newtown.
The season will be capped by the Boathouse Theatre 25th Anniversary Celebration, a joyous event aimed at raising money to replace antiquated lighting and sound systems in the building. This year’s concert will feature the bluesy twang of Dirty Cello along with singer-songwriters Claudia Russell and Bruce Kaplan.
Valhalla Tahoe was formed in 1979 as a nonprofit organization with the goal of assisting the U.S. Forest Service in restoring the Pope, Baldwin and Heller estates on the Tallac Historic Site.
“I think our patrons would tell you that we are utilizing this property in basically the same way the original owners did in the 1920s,” says Morton. “The house was more like a hotel than a home. We still like to have parties and cultural events at the Heller Estate. Our guests come here for the old Tahoe style, the historic experience and the amazing views of the lake. There is truly no other venue like this. We are a hidden gem on the southwest shore.” | valhallatahoe.com
