Northern California’s premier Santana tribute band headlines another week of free summer entertainment in El Dorado Hills with a night of Latin rock classics
EL DORADO HILLS — The unmistakable sound of Carlos Santana will take center stage this Thursday as Live on the Boulevard continues its summer concert season with an evening dedicated to one of rock music’s most influential and enduring artists.
Performing July 9 at the Town Center Amphitheater, Viva Santana will bring its acclaimed tribute to the legendary guitarist and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, recreating the music that helped define the fusion of rock, blues and Latin rhythms for generations of music fans.
Since exploding onto the national music scene in the late 1960s, Carlos Santana has become one of the world’s most recognizable guitarists, blending soaring guitar melodies with Afro-Cuban percussion and soulful vocals to create a sound that remains instantly recognizable decades later. Thursday’s performance celebrates that musical legacy through a high-energy production featuring many of Santana’s biggest hits.
The Viva Santana show is built around the timeless songs that helped make Santana a household name. From the opening percussion rhythms to the signature guitar solos, audiences can expect an evening filled with classics including “Black Magic Woman,” “Jingo,” “She’s Not There,” “Oye Como Va,” “Smooth” and many more. With congas, timbales, drums, smooth vocals and faithful recreations of Santana’s signature guitar tone, the performance captures the energy and spirit that has made Santana’s music popular across generations.
Leading the production are guitarist Michael Hernandez and lead vocalist and bassist Steve Garland, two musicians whose connection to Santana’s music dates back to the artist’s rise to fame during the late 1960s. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area as Santana was emerging onto the national stage, both Hernandez and Garland were inspired by the groundbreaking blend of Latin music and rock that would shape their own musical careers.
Over the years, the pair worked to faithfully recreate Santana’s distinctive sound, from the expressive guitar work to the layered vocals and percussion that became hallmarks of the band’s recordings. Their shared passion for Santana’s music eventually led to the creation of Viva Santana, a production dedicated to honoring both the music and the Latin heritage that inspired it.
Viva Santana was born from Hernandez, Garland and members of The Rhythm Vandals, a longtime Sacramento favorite that had already established itself as one of the area’s premier live bands. Since officially launching in 2008, Viva Santana has become one of Northern California’s most respected tribute productions, performing concerts, festivals, casinos, clubs and community events throughout the region.
The band has shared stages with legendary acts including WAR, Los Lobos, Eddie Money and Malo while earning a reputation for delivering one of the most authentic Santana experiences in the country. Thunder Valley Casino has even referred to the group as “Northern California’s No. 1 Santana Tribute Band.”
Still fronted by founders Michael Hernandez and Steve Garland, the current 10-piece lineup also features an accomplished group of musicians including Gig Garcia, Victor Aguila, Selwyn Jones, Greg Burch, Dave Schuler and occasional guest guitarist Lare Garcia. Completing the production is The Bad Axe Horn Section under the direction of Ron Davis, adding the powerful brass arrangements that helped define many of Santana’s biggest recordings.
Thursday’s performance continues another season of Live on the Boulevard, a longtime summer tradition that has become one of El Dorado Hills’ signature community events. Held each Thursday evening at the Town Center Amphitheater, 4364 Town Center Blvd., the free concert series draws residents and visitors together for live music in a relaxed outdoor setting.
The event has become a favorite summer routine for many families and music lovers. Gates open at 5 p.m. for chair setup, allowing concertgoers to reserve their spots before enjoying dinner at one of the Town Center’s restaurants. The amphitheater opens at 5:30 p.m., giving attendees time to dine, shop and socialize before the evening’s entertainment begins.
An online waitlist for early chair setup opens at noon on concert days. One registrant may bring up to four people, and participants are asked to line up by 5:15 p.m. in numerical order at the corner of Brickyard and Holiday Inn before entering the amphitheater.
Wine, beer and spirits are available for purchase inside the venue. Organizers remind guests that outside alcohol, beverages and ice chests are prohibited due to ABC regulations.
Following this week’s Viva Santana performance, the concert series continues July 16 with Top Shelf Classics, bringing Motown, classic soul, R&B and dance favorites to the amphitheater. Super Bad follows July 23 with its crowd-pleasing mix of dance hits spanning multiple decades.
One of the biggest events of the summer arrives July 3 when Town Center hosts its annual Fireworks and Freedomcelebration. Separate from the weekly concert series, the event returns for its 15th year and has attracted approximately 31,000 attendees in previous years.
The Independence Day celebration features live music in two locations throughout Town Center. Hip Service performs in the amphitheater while another band entertains audiences in Theatre Plaza. Fireworks are launched from three separate locations, including both sides of the lake and the top of the Regal Theatre, creating a spectacular multi-location display visible throughout Town Center.
The event runs from 6 p.m. until 11 p.m. and also features a dedicated kids area with bounce houses, face painting, shaved ice, balloon artists and a DJ. Following the fireworks show, Hip Service returns to the amphitheater stage for a dance set that continues until 11 p.m.
Country music takes center stage July 30 during a special double-bill performance featuring Cynthia Renee and Cripple Creek, giving audiences two complete country concerts in one evening.
Renee has earned national recognition through her Top 100 singles “Working on a Hangover” and “Good on Me,” while her latest release, “The Way God Made Me,” has continued to receive award recognition. Cripple Creek has spent more than a decade performing throughout the West Coast, appearing at major festivals including Sacramento’s Golden Sky Festival while sharing stages with Toby Keith, Morgan Wallen, Lainey Wilson and Dustin Lynch.
The season concludes with Journey Unauthorized on Aug. 6, celebrating the music of Journey, before The Spazmaticsclose out another successful Live on the Boulevard season Aug. 27 with their energetic tribute to the music of the 1980s.
Concert organizers remind attendees that while admission is free, venue guidelines remain in place. Bags must be clear plastic or smaller than 8-by-6-by-1 inches, and all bags and coolers are subject to search. Blankets, personal tables, barbecues and roped-off seating areas are not permitted.
Remaining 2026 Live on the Boulevard Schedule
July 3 — Hip Service (Fireworks and Freedom Special Event)
July 9 — Viva Santana
July 16 — Top Shelf Classics
July 23 — Super Bad
July 30 — Cynthia Renee and Cripple Creek
Aug. 6 — Journey Unauthorized
Aug. 27 — The Spazmatics
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