The Golden State Valkyries are bringing a distinctly Bay Area soundtrack to the WNBA Finals.
Goapele, Rita Moreno and Larry June are set for different performance slots around Game 1 on Saturday, Oct. 17, at Chase Center. Alanis Morissette, Too Short and LaRussell will do the same for Game 2 on Monday, Oct. 19.
The Valkyries, in just their second season, will face the Atlanta Dream in the best-of-seven Finals, with the first two games in San Francisco.
The entertainment lineup gives fans at the first two Finals games a mix of longtime Bay Area favorites and artists with deep ties to the region.
Goapele, the Oakland R&B and soul singer, is slated to perform the national anthem before Saturday’s opener. Moreno, the EGOT-winning actor and longtime Berkeley resident, will handle the pregame drum duties, while June, a San Francisco rapper, is scheduled for the halftime performance.
For Game 2, Morissette will sing the national anthem. The singer, who has called the Bay Area home for several years, is best known for her 1995 breakthrough album, “Jagged Little Pill.”
Oakland rap pioneer Too Short will handle the pregame drum duties Monday, followed by a halftime performance from Vallejo rapper LaRussell.
Golden State swept the defending champion Las Vegas Aces in the semifinals to reach the Finals for the first time.
Game 1 is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Chase Center, with NBC and Peacock carrying the game. Game 2 tips at 5 p.m. Monday, with USA Network and Peacock carrying the broadcast.
The series then moves to Atlanta for Games 3 and 4.
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This article originally published at Valkyries bring Bay Area music stars to WNBA Finals.