SAN JOSE, Calif. — People just seemed so delighted to be back.

It had been less than two years for some, maybe longer for others. And, of course, there had to be a few who were visiting for the first time.

Yet, everyone seemed to be in agreement that this is a spot that lovers of the arts will want to keep returning to for many years to come.

And we were all able to celebrate that enticing possibility during opening night of the new 1,000-capacity Siesta Valley Bowl, which takes over the beloved Orinda performance space that was known as Cal Shakespeare Theatre’s Bruns Amphitheater for decades. Locals were distraught once Cal Shakes declared bankruptcy and called it quits in 2025, leaving so many questions and worries about what would become of one of the Bay Area’s most fabulously beautiful and scenic venues.

That question was answered once the East Bay nonprofit The Siesta Valley Foundation entered into a 15-year lease with landowner East Bay Municipal Utility District to run the amphitheater.

Jonathan Richman served as the entertainment at this Friday’s (June 5) opening-night gig, which followed a soft-launch show on May 30 featuring Talking Heads tribute band Burning Down the House and two other Bay Area acts.

Singer-songwriter-guitarist Richman — known equally for being the founder of the early-’70s proto-punk group Modern Lovers and for his decades of quality solo work that have followed — did a fine job kicking off the 2026 concert season at this venue that rests in a grove of eucalyptus and redwood trees in the Oakland Hills.

Now 75, but looking more like 35, Richman was accompanied by trusty pal Tommy Larkins on drums as they delivered an equally economic and entertaining hourlong main set that included such favorites as “You Can’t Talk to the Dude,” “That Summer Feeling,” “Pablo Picasso” and — continuing with Richman’s ongoing art history lesson — “No One Was Like Vermeer.” (I really wish Richman would’ve completed the triplet and played “Vincent Van Gogh,” which might just be the finest song in his entire catalog.)

Richman dedicated an appropriately large portion of the setlist to his excellent latest album, 2025’s “Only Frozen Sky Away,” delighting the 500 or so fans in attendance with alternately fun, insightful and endearing takes on “The Dog Star,” “I Was Just a Piece of Frozen Sky Anyway,” “But We Might Try Weird Stuff,” “O Guitar” and — one of the most interesting Old Testament pop songs to come around in quite some time — “David & Goliath.”

Audiophiles will be happy to know that the new sound system is top-notch, benefiting, one would think, from the natural acoustics of this amphitheater setting. Equally important, the stage design is wonderfully bare bones, maximizing the main selling point of this space — the majestic views of the woods and hills in the background.

There are (at least) 12 upcoming shows booked at the venue. And expect more to come, since the venue is being booked by talent buyer extraordinaire David Lefkowitz — of the Blue Note Entertainment Group — who has a great ear for music and a long history of putting on shows in the Bay Area. And he’s most definitely excited about booking such an exceptional new concert venue.

“The Bay Area has always been one of the most important music markets in the country,” Lefkowitz says. “There’s a sophistication and appreciation for live music here that’s unmatched. Siesta Valley Bowl gives us the opportunity to create something really special — an intimate venue with festival-quality production in one of the most beautiful natural settings you’ll find anywhere. Artists are going to love performing here, and audiences are going to love experiencing music in this environment.”

Recommended upcoming shows include groove masters The Breaks (featuring guitarist Eddie Roberts of The New Mastersounds, drummer Stanton Moore of Galactic and organist Robert Walter of The Greyboy Allstars) and The Headhunters (led by percussionist Bill Summers and drummer Mike Clark) on July 2; jazz bass legend Stanley Clarke on July 25; ukulele master Jake Shimabukuro on Aug. 7; and Grammy-winning jazz vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant on Sept. 22.

For tickets and other information, visit siestavalleybowl.com.

Here are five things to know for those planning on attending an upcoming gig at the Siesta Valley Bowl:

1. Bring a jacket — It can get cold there at night, so definitely bring layers of warm clothing with you to the show. That’s true even on those occasions when it’s really hot during the day in the rest of the Bay Area.

2. On-site parking is not free — Cal Shakes fans were used to just pulling up and parking for free at the venue. That was the case for this opening night, but it won’t be going forward. There will be a $30 charge for on-site parking.

3. BART may be the answer — There will be a complimentary shuttle going back and forth between the Orinda BART station and the concert venue. The shuttle runs every 10 minutes or so, although it’s unclear, at this point, the exact hours of operation on show days. Also, free parking is available at the Orinda BART station.

4. No outside food or drink allowed — This one will be a big bummer for longtime Cal Shakes fans, who just loved bringing their own deli favorites and bottles of wine to pre-show picnic on the grounds. That’s a no-no for Siesta Valley Bowl, which is, however, offering food and drink on-site. The menu is pretty concise — burgers, hot links, pretzels, candy, etc. — but hopefully will grow to add at least hot drinks and pastries (like those yummy ones Cal Shakes used to sell). I tried the Siesta Burger, with white cheddar on a really fresh and soft brioche bun, and it was solid.

5. Don’t bring your own chairs — Siesta Valley Bowl has brand new stadium seats for guests. So, leave those lawn chairs at home, music lovers.

For more details on these kinds of things, go to siestavalleybowl.com/plan-your-visit.

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