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Vickie Peterson is a vocalist and guitarist for the hit band, The Bangles. She is also a grateful Nordhoff High School parent.

Peterson is grateful to Nordhoff for being what she calls an "exceptional school" and mentoring her daughter, Tenaya Cowsill, now a senior. Unlike many parents she is able to show it in a big way.

She's bringing The Bangles to Libbey Bowl on May 9 to do a benefit concert for the school Peterson said the band's members want to lend a helping hand to raise funds for the school's art programs.

"All three of us have kids in our lives that are involved in artistic pursuits," said Peterson of her band, which includes her sister, Debbie, and fellow band member, Susanna Hoffs. "We're all dismayed that often, when things are tough, the arts are the first thing to get cut."

"I'm very impressed with the dance and music department," said Peterson. "Tenaya has participated in both and has done two musicals. I've wanted to do something for Nordhoff for a while now."

According to Peterson the band is well aware of the immediate and dire circumstances our schools are facing. She and Kath Smith, a friend and local school administrator, got together and came up with the idea to support Nordhoff.

The Bangles, considered along with Dream Syndicate and the Morlocks one of the founding Paisley Underground acts, originally became known for a string of hits back in the '80s, including "Manic Monday," an ode to the harried times that many identified with.

"Life on the road gets so hectic. In the '80s we'd be on the road for three months at a time," said Peterson. "I sent my family out to take pictures, so I'd know where I'd been."

The Bangles found themselves needing some time off and they took it.

During the band's downtime babies were born and raised and Peterson married John Cowsill, Tenaya's dad, a fellow artist she has known for over 30 years. Peterson said she finally took some time to travel with her husband, a drummer with The Beach Boys, and did some sightseeing of her own.

The band reunited in 2000 and released the album, "Doll Revolution," in 2003, to which The New York Timers raved. "They're skilled enough to revamp garage rock, Byrds-style psychedelia,and hippie folk." They have since toured the United States, Europe and Japan.

Peterson says the performing is not the hard part, it's the traveling. She won't be traveling for this concert; she'll be right at home.

"This concert should be a lot of fun," said the fired-up rocker. "We'll play some standards and a lot of songs from our new CD. Getting the crowd's reaction, that's the fun part. And all the proceeds will go directly to the performing arts at Nordhoff."

According to concert organizer Smith, general admission is $25 in advance or $30 at the door, with Premiere Golden Circle reserved seating for $50.

Concert gates will open at 6 p.m. with no outside food or beverages allowed. Concessions will be available and the music will start at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the Attitude Adjustment Shoppe, in the Vons shopping center.

Smith also said the event is selling sponsorships for $300 which include four Golden Circle tickets and the sponsor's name listed on the even T-shirt. For more information contact the Nordhoff music department at 640-4343, Ext. 1898.

You can see and hear The Bangles online at thebangles.com