The show wrapped up the five-concert summer series presented by Entertainment, Theatre & Culture for Rancho Murieta (ETC) and gave the community a lively kickoff to the Labor Day weekend.

ETC Board President JT Turner said the attendance was strong, with about 850 enjoying the concert. He said the band delivered an outstanding performance. 

“The brought so much, fun, energy and nostalgia to the stage, he said. “The dance floor filled up right away and stayed that way all night.”

 “People didn’t want to leave early, which shows how much fun everyone was having,” he added.

Pre-Concert Program
Before the music began, Turner emceed a lively pre-concert program that included firing T-shirts from a cannon into the hillside crowd and tossing smaller shirts to youngsters gathered near the stage. He also recognized newlyweds, a birthday and a wedding anniversary, and offered thanks to several sponsors.

Turner welcomed title sponsor Karen Hoberg of Rancho Murieta Homes and Land to the stage. 

“I just wanted to say how much I love all of you participating in ETC and supporting our community,” Hoberg said. “I want everyone to have a fantastic time and remember how grateful we all are for being in Rancho Murieta.”

Turner also acknowledged the third appearance of a food truck at an ETC concert. 

“A big thanks to Drewski’s for helping keep us fueled up while we enjoy the music,” he said.

His introduction of the Murieta Dance Company was anything but ordinary. Turner told the audience, “Close your eyes and give them some privacy because we really don’t have a dressing room.” Moments later, Director Doreen Zimmermann unveiled a striking visual effect with dancer Valeriya Koveva, who appeared 10 feet tall thanks to a long, flowing skirt.

Zimmermann said the inspiration struck in the middle of the night. 

“I woke up at 3 a.m. thinking about how to illustrate the song ‘Dance Me to the End of Love’ by Leonard Cohen,” she said. “I kept the thought and started working on the skirt the next day. The idea is to dance on a dance floor in a grand and over-the-top way.”

When it came time to introduce the headliners, Turner built the excitement.

“We’ve got a band that brings all the energy, all the fun and all of the unforgettable hits from the best decade ever,” he said. “Get ready to sing, to dance, to nerd out, because the ’80s show is here.”

The Spazmatics launched into their set with a booming rendition of “No Parking on the Dance Floor.” 

Fans wasted no time rushing forward, quickly filling the dance floor, though with barely enough space, there was more parking than dancing.

Many of those on the dance floor clearly grew up in the ’80s, with some even sporting colorful outfits from the era. 

The musicians topped them, dressed in deliberately nerdy attire from the same decade and pulling off the kind of hijinks fitting for a band called The Spazmatics.

The crowd sang along word-for-word to the band’s playlist, which featured hits like “My Prerogative,” “The Boys Are Back in Town,” “I Can’t Go for That” and “What I Like About You.” The set closed with an over-the-top performance of “Bohemian Rhapsody,” with the audience shouting out lyrics on cue.

After the crowd called for an encore, the band kicked it off with “Play That Funky Music,” then sashayed into disco favorites like “Shake Your Booty” and “Stayin’ Alive” before circling back to their original sound.

The crowd wasn’t the only one having a good time. Drummer Wayne Famous, serving as the band’s spokesman, said afterward, “The concert was overwhelmingly cool. The crowd was very vocal, super enthusiastic and very nice people.”

Turner said this summer’s ETC concert series was a clear success. 

“Each show brought out great crowds, amazing music and a special sense of community,” he said. “We look forward to every summer at the amphitheater. It’s always rewarding to see people dancing under the stars and enjoying the lake backdrop.”

Planning is already underway for next year. 

“The board is exploring bands and ideas to keep building on the energy and momentum we had this year,” Turner said. “Our goal is to always bring top-notch entertainment and create unforgettable community experiences by the lake.”