Livermore Shakes celebrates 400 years of Shakespeare at local brewery

2016 commemorates 400 years since the death of William Shakespeare and the world over will be celebrating his legacy. In Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare’s Birthplace Trust will open a major new heritage landmark at New Place, Shakespeare’s family home. The Shakespeare Theater Association is producing “We Are Shakespeare,” a digital video festival, and “400 Dreams,” an interactive map of Shakespeare performances and readings, in every populated time zone in the world.

Livermore Shakespeare Festival, known for producing the Bard’s works in local vineyards the past fourteen summers, is celebrating this milestone year by venturing into the local craft beer world. Livermore Shakespeare Festival will present ShakesBEER on Shakespeare’s birthday, Saturday, April 23rd at Eight Bridges Brewery in Livermore. Producing Artistic Director, Lisa A. Tromovitch, says “We have been looking for the right opportunity to partner with the budding beer industry, and Eight Bridges Brewing Co. invited us to their space to try a new way of sharing what we love with our community.”

Admission is free and open to the public. A portion of the beer and food proceeds will benefit Livermore Shakespeare Festival’s in-school literacy program, which currently operates in all of Livermore’s public school second grade classrooms. Guests can enjoy local brews and the revelry of Livermore Shakespeare Festival’s original sketch comedy “Drunken Shakespeare”; a short performance starring Livermore Shakes’ actors and adapted by Tromovitch. The show features Shakespeare’s most famous drinking scenes and his beloved “tipsy” characters. There will be games for kids, a raffle, and door prizes. The event is sponsored by First Street Ale House. Tromovitch states, “The local pubs and ale houses were the community centers in Shakespeare’s time. It is fitting that Livermore’s own ‘home away from home’, First Street Ale House, is supporting a celebration of the bard and local brews and that it’s taking place in a brewery with hand-crafted brews. Shakespeare would have felt right at home!”

ShakesBEER will be held on Saturday, April 23rd from 12-7pm at Eight Bridges Brewing Co., 332 Earhart Way in Livermore. Admission to ShakesBEER is free. Livermore Shakespeare Festival will produce The Tempest and Jane Austen’s Persuasion at Wente Vineyards Estate Winery and Tasting Room from July 7 to August 7, 2016. For more information visit LivermoreShakes.org or call (925) 443-BARD. Tickets available in mid-March.