San Diego, CA--One of San Diego's favorite blues artists, Earl Thomas, will return to his roots on Friday, March 27, 2015, to perform at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center's second annual live concert series, Rock in the Park.

Earl Thomas presents more than a concert. He's bringing The Blues Cabaret to the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center! Starring San Diego's own Earl Thomas, and written by pianist Dave Fleschner, The Blues Cabaret is an excursion through the highs and lows of a Californian bluesman who considers throwing the stability of his family life away for an old love. Along with feature soloists Billy Mixer and Jimmy Wilcox, this dynamic quartet will perform songs that bring to life the classic blues themes of love, lust, hurt, fear and betrayal and, for one night, transform the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center into an off-Broadway theatre. Combining the grittiest elements of the blues with the sophistication of jazz and the nuance of Broadway, The Blues Cabaret will take the audience on a musical journey through the lowest lows of the blues to its most exhilarating highs.

Set in a small northern California town, the story centers around a married big-city musician who comes back to his hometown for a weekend gig and runs into an old flame. He entertains "what might have been" for the weekend, only to get jilted again. He'll return home a sadder but wiser man and beg his wife to take him back. But will she? The story was written by pianist Dave Fleschner. The production made its 2014 theatrical debut last fall in Portland at The Lake Theatre and was an immediate sensation.

Earl Thomas has gained international attention for his work in the music and film industries. Locally, he won several titles at the San Diego Music Awards, including Album of the Year in 1992 and Best Blues Album in 2002. Several prominent blues icons and contemporaries have recorded Thomas's songs, including Etta James, Solomon Burke, Shemekia Copeland and Will Wilde. Outside his solo work, Thomas regularly plays a monthly residency with his band the Blues Ambassadors at the popular San Francisco club Biscuits & Blues. In the last eight years, Thomas dipped his toes in Hollywood, crafting compositions for a handful of films, including the national blockbuster In the Mix and the Sundance Film Festival award-winner Forty Shades of Blue. Thomas also stood at the helm of Raise the Roof, a concert series devoted to bringing blues musicians around the world together in support of the Blues Foundation.

Listen to Earl sing "I Knew I Had the Blues" from The Blues Cabaret. 

The opening act for the show is Michael Tiernan. He has hung with monks deep in desert monasteries and lived in the Vatican, but he left the seminary for the higher calling of music, and has since racked up several national and international awards for his songwriting. His acoustic blend has a relaxed vibe mixed with a big city sound. Deep in meaning, yet playful in attitude, Michael's music takes you from the temple to the tavern and from the beach to downtown.

Doors open at 7 p.m. Michael Tiernan performs at 7:30 p.m. The Blue Cabaret begins at approximately 8:20 p.m.

Parking is free in the lot at Space Theater Way off Park Blvd. All performances are in the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park. The venue is the Theater Lobby, indoors, standing-room only. 21+ only. IDs will be checked at the door.

There will be beer, wine and cocktails available at the no-host bar, food available for purchase and the Fleet's 100+ hands-on exhibits open for exploration!

Tickets are on sale now! Purchase at the Fleet ticket counter (open daily starting at 10 a.m.), online at http://sandiego.strangertickets.com or by phone by calling the Fleet's Client Services Department at (619) 238-1233 x806. For more information, visit www.rhfleet.org. Come early, get your hands on fun science exhibits, grab a bite to eat, get a beverage and the Fleet will rock you!

Tickets

Advance sales:

$27 general admission

$24 Fleet members, staff and volunteers

Day of show price:

$32 at the door, no discounts 

Ticket Link: http://sandiego.strangertickets.com/events/19387187/rock-in-the-park-presents-earl-thomas

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To schedule an interview or a media appearance, please contact Reuben H. Fleet Science Center Public Relations Manager Nathan Young at 619-685-5743 or nyoung@rhfleet.org.

We can arrange interviews and live on-air performances by the bands involved in the shows.

More about Earl Thomas

Home page: http://www.earlthomasmusic.com/

"What About Me?" - https://youtu.be/GE0dbMiNMjI

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPvZ-TOVbYkmGJzZGjc_n8A
 

More about Michael Tiernan

Home page: http://www.tiernantunes.com/

Bio: http://www.tiernantunes.com/#!story/c161y

Direct Song Links: 

"Inside Your Head - http://www.reverbnation.com/michaeltiernan/song/21682309-inside-your-head

"Run" - http://www.reverbnation.com/michaeltiernan/song/21374648-run

"Never Alone" - http://www.reverbnation.com/michaeltiernan/song/21682439-never-alone 

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About Rock in the Park

The 2015 edition of our popular live concert series features five established local musical acts to entertain and engage. Musical genres include rock, country, blues, folk and soul to ensure that the concert series has something for everybody.

The lineup:

Friday, January 16: Tim Flannery and the Lunatic Fringe

Friday, February 20: Venice

Friday, March 27: Earl Thomas

Friday, April 17: Berkley Hart Selis Twang

Friday, May 22: Steve Poltz

Plus special guest Michael Tiernan opens each show.

Each show features two performances: an awesome opening act and a rockin' headliner. There will also be beer, wine and cocktails available at the no-host bar, food available for purchase and the Fleet's 100+ hands-on exhibits open for exploration!

Doors open at 7 p.m. The first performance is at 7:30 p.m. Parking is free in the lot at Space Theater Way off Park Blvd. All performances are in the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park. The venue is the Theater Lobby, indoors, standing-room only. 21+ only. IDs will be checked at the door.