On Sunday, June 8 at historic Herbst Theatre, the San Francisco Pride Band says a fond farewell to its longest-tenured Artistic Director, Pete Nowlen, as he conducts his last concert for the Official Band of San Francisco. As the theme of the concert suggests, Pete is definitely leaving the Band “…On a High Note” as he moves on to enjoy retirement.
The concert will feature a captivating program of pieces that are familiar and brand new, including a World Premiere: “American Epic” was commissioned from composer Carlos McMillan Fuentes under the Band’s Black, Indigenous, Person of Color (BIPOC) Composition Program. This piece vividly paints a picture of the Band through the decades, from the inception of the band in 1978 – as the first openly LGBTQ+ musical organization in the world – to the present day.
The bookend featured work on this concert will be George Gershwin’s famous “Rhapsody in Blue,” featuring pianist Carlos McMillan Fuentes, composer of “American Epic.”
The remainder of the diverse pieces were hand-chosen by Pete Nowlen to round out a complete farewell concert that will entertain audience members of all ages, including: “Chamak” (Reena Esmail), “To a Liberator” (George Fredrick McKay), “Tundra” (Nubia Jaime-Donjuan, conducted by Mike Wong), and “Monkey Business” (David Lovrien).
Don’t miss this opportunity to help say farewell to Artistic Director Pete Nowlen while enjoying a great afternoon of music in the historic setting of Herbst Theatre.
Nowlen (right) and Fuentes (left) at a rehearsal for …On a High Note in April 2025.
Tickets
Tickets are open seating: $23 general admission, $18 for students and seniors.
Online
Purchase your tickets online from City Box Office.
In Person
The box office at Herbst Theatre will be open 60 minutes prior to the performance for in-person sales! (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and cash only).
Getting There
Herbst Theatre is located at 401 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94102.
Parking
Herbst Theatre recommends booking convenient and affordable parking in advance through SpotHero, the nation’s leading parking reservation app. Other parking options are suggested below:
- Performing Arts Garage—Entrance at 360 Grove (between Franklin and Gough)
- UC Hastings College of Law Garage—Entrance on Larkin (between McAllister and Golden Gate)
- Civic Center Plaza Garage—Entrance on McAllister (between Polk and Larkin)
- Opera Plaza Parking Garage—Entrance on Golden Gate (between Van Ness and Franklin)
Public Transit
Herbst Theatre is a short walk from the Civic Center BART and MUNI stations as well as the Van Ness MUNI station. MUNI’s 49 bus line runs along Van Ness and passes directly by the theater; the 5 bus runs along McAllister and passes the theater.
Health and Safety Information
The San Francisco Pride Band takes Covid-19 seriously. See the band’s full Health & Safety Plan for more information.
For this performance, the Band follows CDPH guidance for the current community transmission level at the venue. At time of writing, recommendations are as below; they are subject to change as the situation and guidance evolves.
- Masking. It is strongly recommended that all audience members are vaccinated against COVID and up-to-date per eligibility criteria for COVID vaccination. Audience members can wear a mask based on personal preference, informed by their own personal level of risk. Members of vulnerable populations should consider masking with a mask that provides the best fit and filtration.
- Symptom status. Prospective audience members who are symptomatic are asked to stay home until 24 hours have passed since resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications.
- Post-Concert Notification. Audience members are encouraged to notify the Band at covid@sfprideband.org if they experience COVID-like symptoms or test positive for COVID within 7 days after attending.