It’s time to break out your vintage apparel from the ‘60s and ‘70s as the Bell Bottom Bash, presented by Valley of the Mooneyhan Promotions, is going off on Saturday, July 9, at the Sonoma Valley Veterans Memorial Building. The event will be headlined by local classic rockers, BackTrax, with the Bubbas from Reno, Nevada opening the show. There will also be DJ music between sets from Pat Gallagher. Bill O’Neal, author of the book “The Sixties,” will speak about a decade that changed America, and even the world. There will be go-go cages for stage dancing, for “hipsters” of all ages. Cash prizes will be awarded for the best dressed costumes. Included in the full-price ticket is dinner and dancing, with a discounted rate available for just the dancing portion of the evening. The evening is a benefit for the local “Relay for Life” put on each year as a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. Tickets can be purchased at Eraldi’s Menswear, Steiners Tavern or at the door.
The Sunflower Caffe has Sue Albano’s JoyRide tonight, July 8, as part of the monthly artist opening. The evening kicks off at 5 p.m.
Landmark Winery and Vineyards has Chi McClean on Saturday, July 9, for a 1 p.m. show in the courtyard. McClean, from San Francisco, is an excellent singer-songwriter, who we managed to catch for a bit at this years Sonoma International Film Festival. In addition, lunches from Girl and the Fig will also be available.
Sebastiani Winery and Vineyards has Adam Traum and the Traumatics tonight, July 8, in the tasting room as part of the Friday night music series. Traum is a wonderful finger-picker on the guitar and the band lays down some great country, folk and bluegrass songs. There is no cover.
The Plaza Bistro has the Mel Martin Band tonight, July 8, starting off at 7 p.m. in the back room. The band plays the jazz styles of blues, Latin jazz originals, and contemporary classical and jazz standards from Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock and Victor Young. Tonight, Martin will have with him Brad Buethe on guitar, Robb Fisher on bass and Michael Barsimento on drums. Saturday, July 9, the bistro welcomes in the Chris Amberger Duo. Shows both nights start at 7 p.m. and there is no cover.
The Katmandu Corner, the back room at the Taste of the Himalayas Restaurant, has Tony Gibson tonight, July 8, for a 7:30 p.m. show. Saturday, July 9, the corner welcomes Dave Aguilar and Peter McCauley, also for a 7:30 p.m. show. There is no cover.
Little Switzerland will be busy on Saturday, July 9, with two shows scheduled. First, at 2 p.m., it’s the San Francisco Starlight Orchestra, a 14-piece novelty orchestra, that plays songs from the 1920’s. The dress code is “casual elegance.” Come dressed to dance the fox trot, Charleston, tango, rumba, waltz, and more. Later that same night at 8 p.m., it’s the annual Richie Domingue Memorial Dance, featuring legendary Cajun band Gator Beat. Domingue was the founder and band leader of Gator Beat until he died of a heart attack in 2005. The band plays on, with a rotating cast of players, all who at one time or another, played with Domingue.
Murphy’s Irish Pub welcomes the Hellhounds to the snug tonight, July 8, for an 8 p.m. show. Saturday, July 9, has bluegrass from Blue and Lonesome, also for an 8 p.m. start. Sunday, July 10, brings Sean Carscadden and Marty O’Reilly back for an early show that kicks off at 6:30 p.m. There is no cover for any of the shows at the pub.
If you miss the Hellhounds tonight, you can catch them bright and early Saturday, July 9 as they’re playing Buena Vista Winery, starting at 11 a.m.
If you follow our radio show at all, you’ve heard us lament about the fact that we’re clearly running out of names for bands. Apparently folks just need to be more creative, as the winner of this weeks band name award goes to IMM!KEBARNES and the Barrio Disco, who will be playing the Sonoma Springs Brewery on Saturday, July 9, at 7 p.m.
Midnight Sun Massive will be at the Barking Dog Roasters in Boyes Hot Springs on Saturday, July 9, for a 6 p.m. show.
Local guitarist Jim Fitzgerald will be part of the 16-piece band, along with singers and dancers at the 39th Kitchen Kut-Ups show at the Spreckles Performing Arts Center in Rohnert Park on Saturday, July 9, 12, 14, and 16, all for 1 p.m. shows. For tickets, hit the box office at 588-3400.
The Jami Jamison Band will be at the Rohnert Park farmers market tonight, July 8, for a 6 p.m. show.
Jon Popenoe and Tom Wolfe will be in St. Helena on Saturday, July 9, at the St. Clement Winery for a 1 p.m. show.
Adam Traum will be playing at what’s being called Woodstock West in Alameda at the Fog and Fiddle on Saturday, July 9. Traums set goes at 8:30 p.m.
Stephanie Ozer wins the traveling the furthest award for the weekend, with a show in Modesto as part of the Global Music Festival. Ozer will be performing with Fabiana Passoni. For tickets and more info, call 209-491-7185.