It’s being called “Dance your way to a Soldiers Heart” and is part of the “Quilts for the Troops” fundraiser organization with Showcase the Band going country and western on Saturday, Sept. 8, at the Moose Lodge. They’re brining in some all-star talent as well, with Carl Green, formerly with Willie Nelson and Freddy Fender, laying down steel guitar for the night. The event includes dinner and dancing and kicks off at 6 p.m. For tickets and more info, call 307-3433.
The El Verano Inn has a full weekend of music, starting tonight, Sept. 7, with Ralph Woodson doing an unplugged show. You may have seen Woodson at the venue doing his Jimi Hendrix tribute act, and in the unplugged version, he stretches it out with some Santana and more. Saturday, Sept. 8, it’s Cadillac Shorty – Mississippi Blues with a New Orleans Twist. The band consists of Roy Blumenfeld on drums and Lucille on guitars. Special guests include Dave Aguilar, Kurt Krauthamer and Judy Slack-Helberg. Shows both nights kick off at 9 p.m. and there is no cover either night.
If you’re a fan of the Michael McDonald version of the Doobie Brothers, then you’re in luck this year. For the first time in six years, McDonald will be joining the Doobie Brothers on stage for the Saturday, Oct. 6, show. Discount tickets for both Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 7, are still available, but both days are expected to sell out. You can get more info by pointing your browser to www.brcohn.com, or stopping by the tasting room in Glen Ellen.
Matthew Edwards and the Unfortunates will be at the Sonoma Springs Brewery on Saturday, Sept. 8, kicking off at 6 p.m. We’re always asking for people to send us as many details as possible about their show, and this kid never disappoints, so here goes. Matthew Edwards and the Unfortunates are a six-piece group based in San Francisco. Edwards, a transplant from England, was formerly the singer-songwriter with Le Grand Magistery recording artists The Music Lovers. The band released three albums and an EP. Edwards dissolved the group in the fall of 2009 and over the following months, put together his new group, the Unfortunates, named after the B.S. Johnson novel of the same name. He enlisted Sasha Bell on piano and organ, cellist-vocalist Adaiha McAdam-Somer, drummer Kristina Vukic and bassist Jefferson Marshall. There is no cover for the show.
The Ledson Hotel welcomes William Russell to the lounge tonight, Sept. 7, for a 6 p.m. show. Russell’s musical style is a combination of Latin smooth jazz, light rock, blues and melodic romantic original compositions, suited for wine tasting, dancing or a quiet dinner. Saturday, Sept 8, the lounge presents Dan Daniels and Joyce Grant, for a 7 p.m. show. Grant has been singing jazz in Bay Area venues for over 20 years and has been described as a “mezzo-soprano with a voice like dark honey.” Her unique shows consist of a blend of jazz, blues, country western, rhythm and blues, and funk. There is no cover either night.
Murphy’s Irish Pub has Shards of Green tonight, Sept. 7, for a night of Celtic, rock and pop, kicking off at 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, it’s Larry Carlin’s mostly, simply bluegrass night, with, well, mostly bluegrass, which also kicks off at 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept 9, it’s local favorites Sean Carscadden and Marty O’Reilly for an early show, kicking off at 6:30 p.m. There is no cover for any of the shows at the pub.
The Sunflower Caffe has its monthly artists reception tonight, Sept. 7, kicking off at 5:30 p.m. with music provided by JoyRide. The featured artist will be Will Combs. There is no cover for the event.
Sebastiani Winery and Vineyards welcomes Adam Traum and the Traumatics to the tasting room for a night of Americana, folk and country picking. There is no cover and the event is family-friendly.
Steiners Tavern has music from Sugarfoot tonight, Sept. 7, kicking off at 10 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 9, the tavern welcomes Showcase the Band for an early show, kicking off at 5 p.m.
The Plaza Bistro presents the Swing Fever Quartet tonight, Sept. 7, kicking off at 7 p.m. Swing Fever has been performing jazz of the ‘30s and ‘40s since 1978. The band has toured and recorded with renowned musicians, including Count Basie, Duke Ellington trumpeter Clark Terry, clarinetist Buddy DeFranco and vibraphonist Terry Gibbs. Saturday, Sept. 8, it’s John Stowell and Mike Zilber, also for a 7 p.m. show. Stowell is critically praised guitarist and continues to tour, record and teach internationally. He has been artist-in-residence at schools in Germany, Indonesia, Argentina, and in the United States and Canada. Zilber is a member of the Jazzschool Institute Quartet, the first faculty group to represent the Jazzschool Institute. He also heads up Weather Wayne, a group of Bay Area musicians dedicated to honoring the music of Wayne Shorters electric period from 1969-1999. There is no cover either night.
The Hellhounds will be in Napa at Cuvee on Saturday, Sept. 8, for a 9:30 p.m. show.
Hot 45s – Shows within a 45 minute drive from the Island
Willie Nelson – Sunday, Sept. 9
Marin Veterans Memorial Auditorium – San Rafael
415-499-6400
Wonderbread 5 – Friday, Sept. 7
HopMonk Tavern – Sebastopol
829-7300
Buckethead – Friday, Sept 7
The Fillmore – San Francisco
415-346-6000
Wine Country Ukulele Festival – Friday, Sept 7
Napa Valley Opera House
226-7372
Jack DeJohnette Trio w/Chick Corea and Stanley Clarke– Sunday, Sept. 9
Napa Valley Opera House
226-7372
Mark Humel Blues Harmonica Blowout – Thursday, Sept 13
Napa Valley Opera House
226-7372
Robert Cray Band– Saturday, Sept. 8
Uptown Theater – Napa
259-0123
Buckethead – Sunday, Sept. 9
Uptown Theater – Napa
259-0123
Blondie – Devo – Monday, Sept. 10
The Warfield – San Francisco.
www.thewrarfieldtheater.com
Fiona Apple – Tuesday, Sept.11
The Warfield – San Francisco.
www.thewrarfieldtheater.com