It’s that time of year, for the fourth annual horseshoe tournament, barbecue and music festival all to benefit Cody Cordellos, a young man here in Sonoma that suffers from Epidermolysis Bullosa, also known as EB. EB is a genetically inherited skin disease that makes the skin so fragile, that even a casual touch can cause severe blistering or worse. The money raised from the day will go to help Cordellos with living and hospital expenses. The event kicks off Saturday, Feb. 18, at noon and the live music goes on all day with Mike Barnes and Bario Disco, Uncle Jessie and the Porch Junkies, the Scallywaggs, Phil Herrschaft and friends, JoyRide followed by the Whiskey Thieves. The event is family friendly and food and drinks will be available all day.
Meadowcroft Winery and tasting room in Carneros will have their annual Mardi Gras celebration on Saturday, Feb. 18, starting at noon. The party will have music by San Francisco-based St. Gabriel’s Celestial Brass Band, a ten-piece band back for a second year, who is billed as the only authentic jazz, funeral, Mardi Gras, strolling, marching band west of New Orleans. Members of the band will lead a Second Line parade around the Cornerstone shops and gardens, returning to the Pavilion directly behind the tasting room where the Krewe of Meadowcroft party will continue. Also returning will be the Dancing Cajuns from Eunice, Louisiana. The food this year will feature authentic red beans and rice, French bread, salad, and King cake. Additionally, the pièce de résistance will be a whole smoked pig. “We set the bar pretty high for ourselves with our inaugural Mardi gras last year,” said Tom Meadowcroft, owner and winemaker of Meadowcroft Wines. “It was a complete success and it is now becoming a tradition of its own with excellent Louisiana-style music, food and fun.”
If you’ve been missing the Sunday afternoon dances that used to be held at Little Switzerland, we’ve been told that the event has been moved to the Moose Lodge with the same set of bands and the same starting time. This Sunday, Feb. 19, Showcase the Band takes the stage at 5 p.m.
Static People have been making noise in the press and online lately with their latest release “The Late Projectionist” with Somjo magazine in the UK saying “Static People are destined to be your next favourite band. They combine distorted greatness, old school punk vibes and a touch of noisy indie – you need them in your life.” The band is also taking the unusual step of avoiding distribution by iTunes, CDBaby and other online services, and only offering the disc on their website, www.staticpeople.com.
Even though he released his new solo CD titled “That Old Familiar” locally a couple weeks back, David Thom will be having his official CD release party on Sunday, Feb. 19, at the Freight and Salvage in Berkeley. Also on the bill is Windy Hill from Menlo Park and the David Thom Band. Showtime is 8 p.m.
The barn dance is back at the Grange Hall in Boyes Hot Springs on Saturday, Feb. 18, and according to spokesperson Lauren Ayers “…our last dance was a big success…50 people and most stayed until the end. One man even brought his birthday party.” This time, it’s Thomas Angell on fiddle, Mike Lewinski on banjo, with Ric Goldman doing the calling. The night kicks off at 8 p.m. and all ages are invited and youth are encouraged, with anyone under the age of 25 getting in for free.
The El Verano Inn has the hard rocking sounds of MotoGruv on Saturday, on Saturday, Feb. 18, kicking off at 9:30 p.m. There is no cover.
The Ledson Lounge welcomes back Jonathan Poretz on Saturday, Feb. 18, for a 6:30 p.m. show.
The Sonoma Community Center has the Young Emerging Artist Series and tonight, Feb. 17, will feature Sarah Summers, starting at 6:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at www.sonomacommunitycenter.org or at the door.
The Plaza Bistro welcomes the Leo Vigil band tonight, Feb. 17, for a 7 p.m. show. Tonight, the drummer will have with him Greg Rahn on keyboards and Dan Feiszli on bass. Saturday, Feb. 18, the bistro presents vocalist Kim Prevost and guitarist Bill Solley, also for a 7 p.m. show. There is no cover either night.
Murphy’s Irish Pub welcomes Timothy O’Neil tonight, Feb. 17, for an evening of folk, blues and hand-clapping rock, kicking off at 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, the pub welcomes the Perfect Crime for a night of folk, blues and ballads, also for an 8 p.m. show. Sunday, Feb. 19 has an early start for Arann Harris and the Bad Farmers, kicking off at 6:30 p.m.
The Olde Sonoma Public House has the Gentlemen Soldiers playing a tribute to the Irish band the Pogues on Saturday, Feb. 18, at 7:30 p.m.
The Blue Moon Saloon has karaoke on Saturday, Feb. 18, kicking off at 9 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19, the weekly blues jam continues, starting at 10 p.m.
JoyRide will be in Santa Rosa tonight, Feb. 17, at Christy’s on the Square for a 6:30 p.m. show.
The Whiskey Thieves will be at Peri’s in Fairfax on Sunday, Feb. 19, for a 10 p.m. show.
Ten Foot Tone will be in Novato at Ghiringhelli’s Pizzeria tonight, Feb. 17, for a 10 p.m. start.
Hot 45s – Shows within a 45 minute drive from the Island
Miles Schon– Friday, Feb. 17.
19 Broadway – Fairfax
415-459-0293
Leo Kottke – Saturday, Feb. 18.
Mystic Theatre – Petaluma
765-2121
Norman Greenbaum – Saturday, Feb. 18.
Last Day Saloon – Santa Rosa
545-2343