It’s time, once again, for the Bell Bottom Bash, this year to be held at the Sonoma Community Center in Andrew’s hall on Saturday, May 19, kicking off at 6 p.m. The event, now in its sixth year and presented by Valley of the Mooneyhan ProMotions, has decided that this years beneficiary will be the “Rise of the Fallen” memorial project. The project creates “spirit boxes” which are holograms of fallen soldiers from Afghanistan and Iraq, so that more than the soldiers names will live on. This years bash will be dedicated to long-time Sonoman Allen Moore, who lost his short battle with cancer last year. In addition to the fun and silent auction, costume contest and go-go cages, Popo the Clown will be painting faces and there will be line dancing lessons to go with the disco songs. Wildflower Weed will open the night with some influential music from the sixties and then BackTrax will be doing three sets, one each from the ‘60s, ‘70s and wrapping with a set from the ‘80s. The dance music will stretch from Question Mark and the Mysterians, to the Bee Gees all the way to the Cars and Peter Frampton. The event is family friendly but is expected to sell out. There will be food available from Mary’s Pizza Shack and beverages as well. Advanced tickets can be purchased at Sonoma Valley Music and at the door, if available.
It’s being called “Jammin’ for Safe Access” and will be held at the Moose Lodge on Saturday, May 19, kicking off at 5 p.m. The organization works to provide researchers and patients access to medical cannabis for research and therapeutic uses. The evening includes performances from the David Thom Band, Dead Horse String Band, Sycamore Slough String Band, Melody Walker and Jacop Groopman, plus Grandpa Banana’s Band. There will also be a “picking parlor” for those that want to jam. David Thom’s famous pulled pork sliders will also be available. Tickets will be available at the door. For more info about the organization, point your browser to www.safeaccessnow.org.
Larson Family Vineyards will be presenting a benefit for Sonoma Valley Teen Services on Saturday, May 19, called “Cowboy Cab” that will feature Western Swing Hall of Famer, Tommy Thomsen and his band, in addition, there will be vintage wine tasting, a silent auction and hors d’oeuveres from Community Cafe. Showtime is 6 p.m. and advance tickets can be purchased at Mary’s Pizza Shack or at the door.
Tonight, May 18, at the Moose Lodge it’s the Whiskey Thieves and Train Wreck Junction. From what we can tell, it’s not a benefit for anything and just a show to go out and have fun at and enjoy the new set up at the Moose Lodge, as they’re making the venue very music-friendly, with a new enclosed bar area and new stage. Showtime is 8:30 p.m. and tickets will be available at the door.
It’s barn dance time again at the Grange Hall in Boyes Hot Springs on Saturday, May 19, starting at 8 p.m. Music will be provided by the Honeysuckle Sisters. The dances are similar to square dancing, with caller Ken Olcott teaching the reels and circles in advance, then continue calling while the band plays. Dancers under 26 years of age are admitted free.
The Sonoma Community Center will be hosting the student vocal recital of “Find your Voice” tonight, May 18, kicking off at 7:30 p.m. It’s also rumored that there will be an appearance by the Hot Flashes as well. Tickets are available online at www.sonomacommunitycenter.org or at the door.
The El Verano Inn presents Josh and Nelson Kraft on Saturday, May 19, kicking off at 9 p.m. There is no cover.
Murphy’s Irish Pub welcomes the Cork Pullers for their 100th show as a band tonight, May 18, kicking off at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 19, the pub welcomes the Perfect Crime, also for an 8 p.m. show. Sunday, May 20, it an early show for Shades of Green, kicking off at 6:30 p.m.
The Ledson Lounge welcomes back Dan Daniels and Nicky DePaola on Saturday, May 19, for a 6:30 p.m. show that brings jazz with a smidge of Motown. There is no cover for the show.
The Epicurean Connection presents Chris Hanlin on Saturday, May 19, kicking off at 5 p.m. There is no cover for the show.
The Plaza Bistro welcomes Nooo Brass, which is kind of the opposite, as the band is teeming with trumpets, featuring Graham Bruce on trumpet, Chris Amberger on bass, Tim Acosta on trumpet, Chris Barnes on trumpet and Jerry Dibble also on, you guessed it; trumpet. Saturday, May 19, the bistro brings in Jazz Gitan, which features Don Price on lead guitar, Ken Billeci on rhythm guitar with Jane Thompson on bass. The act is an acoustic jazz trio that carries on the tradition of gypsy swing created by Django Reinhardt together with Stephane Grappelli during their domination of the Paris jazz scene in the ‘30s. The music of Jazz Gitan is the swinging jazz of the ‘30s and ‘40s, plus a cross-section of songs from the modern Gypsy Jazz repertoire. There is no cover for either show.
Reader’s Books will have a ‘Meet the Musicians” session on Saturday, May 19, with several jazz musicians available for questions. Bill Moody will talk about his career in jazz, joined by bassist Steve Webber to demonstrate the role of the rhythm section, followed by a reading from Bill’s new book, titled “Czechmate: The Spy Who Played Jazz” and interviews following. The evening begins at 6:30 p.m. and seating is limited. Tickets will be available at the door.
Trinity Church is presenting a concert to honor music director John Burke on Sunday, May 20. Burke has been a prolific composer of choral music. He has particularly enjoyed writing songs for children. During the show, Beth Carter, Choral Director of the First United Methodist Church, accompanied by flautist Nan Perrott, will sing three of the 30 pieces which were published by the duo in past years. The Valley of the Moon Chamber Ensemble, conducted by Dr. Brian Sebastian will sing two Christmas anthems written by Burke, to honor his composing and his long career conducting Bay Area church choirs. Admission is free and the event is open to all, although if you feel like making a donation, there will be places available.
Vox Populi, the local contemporary rock vocal group, will be back at the Sebastiani Theatre on Monday, May 21, at 7:30 p.m. for a show called “PEOPLE GET READY! Vox Populi and Plan Be go eclectic.” This will be their third performance at the Sebastiani Theatre with songs by such popular artists as Jason Mraz, Stevie Wonder, the Temptations, Steely Dan, Michael Jackson, the Beatles, and more. Also, joining Vox Populi and Plan Be this year is “V. P. KIDS,” Vox Populi’s choir for musical children. Tickets will be available at the door.
Ten Foot Tone will be on the road to Cotati on Saturday, May 19, to the Tradewinds for a 9:30 p.m. show.
The Hellhounds will be at the Tradewinds in Cotati tonight, May 18, for a 9:30 p.m. start.
BackTrax will be at Infineon Raceway on Monday, May 21, at noon as part of Pacific Track Times training session.
Stephanie Ozer will be at the Hotel Healdsburg in Healdsburg tonight, May 18, for a 7:30 p.m. show.
Hot 45s – Shows within a 45 minute drive from the Island
BoDeans – Friday, May 18.
Mystic Theatre – Petaluma
765-2121
Canned Heat – Friday, May 18.
Yoshi’s – San Francisco
415-655-5600
Pride and Joy – Friday, May 18
Uptown Theater – Napa
259-0123
Jeff Campitelli, Peppino D’Agostino, VOENA & friends – Sunday, May 20
Uptown Theater – Napa
259-0123
John Lee Hooker Jr. – Saturday, May 19.
Biscuits & Blues – San Francisco
415-292-2583
Sun Kings – Beatles Tribute – Saturday, May 19.
George’s Nightclub – San Rafael
415-226-0262