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The world-renowned “Violins of Hope” program is making its return to the Tri-Valley starting this week with two concerts and a gallery exhibition featuring stringed instruments once used by Jewish musicians during the Holocaust.
After a successful and impactful run at the Bankhead Theater in 2023, the East Bay Holocaust Education Center has organized another appearance at the performing arts venue in downtown Livermore to celebrate the music and share the emotional stories embodied by the restored violins, violas and cellos.
“These instruments have survived pogroms, ghettos, concentration camps and long journeys, and represent remarkable stories of injustice, suffering, resilience and survival,” EBHEC officials said in a press release. “The restorations were carefully done by famous Israeli violin maker Amnon Weinstein and his son Avshi. Avshi will be speaking at each concert to tell stories of some of the violins.”
Larry Lagin, president of the EBHEC, described the concerts as a “unique journey through time and music” – one set as a matinee on Sunday (Oct. 18) and the second an evening show Monday (Oct. 19).
“We are incredibly honored to have the opportunity to bring the Violins back to the East Bay area and we hope you will join us at the Bankhead Theater in Livermore for an unforgettable musical experience as Lindsay Deutsch and her trio Take3 bring enchanting sounds of Violins of Hope to life once again,” Lagin said. “Enjoy uplifting concerts featuring captivating pieces by contemporary composers such as Paul Simon, Neil Diamond, Leonard Cohen and more.”
Accompanying the concerts, a “Violins of Hope” exhibition will be on display in the lobby of the Bankhead Theater from now through Nov. 5, offering visitors the chance to view the instruments up close. The Bankhead will open up most afternoons for people to check out the exhibit for free, noted Chris Carter, CEO of Livermore Valley Arts, which operates the venue.
“The stories behind these beautiful instruments, and how they survived the most tragic episode in our human history, are important to share,” Carter told the Pleasanton Weekly. “We are very honored that the East Bay Holocaust Education Center has chosen the Bankhead as the site for this exhibit once again.”
For concert tickets and more information, go to livermorearts.org.
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