Once again, set to coincide with Veterans Day, the Dance for the Troops benefit is set for Saturday, Nov. 12. The evening has a variety of activities and music, and the Sonoma Valley Veterans Memorial Building will be decorated to take you right back to the flavor of a USO dance hosted in the 1940s. The music will be provided by the big band sounds of the Moonlighters and the Fondettes. Costumes or period-specific uniforms are encouraged as there will be prizes for the best costume. There will also be a live and silent auction. The evening includes dinner and a no-host bar as well. All proceeds from the event will go to providing holiday gift packages for our men and women serving in the military overseas. Advance tickets can be purchased at Steiners Tavern, the Town Square and Eraldi’s Menswear. For more info, call 935-9426.
Were you in third grade in Sonoma Valley? If so, you probably got a free dictionary from the Kiwanis Club of Sonoma Plaza. On Sunday, Nov. 13, the group is holding a fundraiser to help with that project and more, with an evening of music from the band Cloudfire. The event gets underway at 6:30 p.m. at Jacuzzi Winery and the price of admission also includes desert and a glass of wine. For tickets and more info, call 939-8456.
Western Swing Hall of Fame member Tommy Thomsen is back in town at Little Switzerland on Saturday, Nov. 12, with another all-star band. With him that evening will be folks that have been in bands with the likes of Commander Cody, Charlie Musselwhite, John Lee Hooker, Bob Willis and the Texas Playboys and more. The show gets underway at 8 p.m.
A former Sonoman, Les Cordoza, will be hosting a benefit for his alma mater, St. Vincent’s High School in Petaluma on Saturday, Nov. 12. Cordoza and many Sonoma Valley residents attended St. Vincent’s over the years, and the evenings proceeds will benefit the St. Vincent’s performing arts department. The evening will be held at Tillman Hall on the St. Vincent’s campus which features Cardozas band, the Face Cards, and gets underway at 8 p.m. Tickets will be available at the door.
The Plaza Bistro will have the Terrence Brewer Trio tonight, Nov. 11, for a 7 p.m. show. Brewer has worked with many musicians in and out of the jazz genre. Saturday, Nov. 12, the bistro welcomes Rolando Morales, also for a 7 p.m. show. The jazz events at the Plaza Bistro are presented in-part by the Sonoma Valley Jazz Society, which recently granted the Sonoma Music Arts School with $700 to help further the musical education of Sonoma Valley youth. We say congrats on all accounts.
Whole Foods Market in the Sonoma Marketplace seems to be becoming a regular music venue, with Michael L. Castle appearing in the market for the shoppers enjoyment today, Nov. 11, at 5 p.m., and the Cork Pullers showing up early in the morning (for musician standards) at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 12.
The Grist Mill Bar and Grill in Glen Ellen welcomes back Plan Be tonight, Nov. 11, for a 7 p.m. show.
Shiso Sushi, in its new location in the Maxwell Village Shopping Center, has the Sean Carscadden Duo on Saturday, Nov. 12, for an 8:30 p.m. show.
The Blue Moon Saloon presents Tudo Bem in the bar on Saturday, Nov. 12, at 9:30 p.m. There is no cover.
The Kathmandu Corner welcomes Paper Dolls tonight, Nov. 11, for an 8 p.m. show. Saturday, Nov. 12, brings in the Bell Boys, also for a 8 p.m. show. There is no cover.
Centre du vin in the Ledson Hotel has Amber Gougis on Saturday, Nov. 12, for a 6:30 p.m. show.
Murphy’s Irish Pub has local bluesmen the Hellhounds tonight, Nov. 11, for an 8 p.m. start. Saturday, Nov. 12, the pub welcomes Larry Carlin’s Mostly Simply Bluegrass, which also features Dr. Elmo, the author on one of the most infamous Christmas songs of our time, “Grandma got run over by a Reindeer,” also for an 8 p.m. start time. Sunday, Nov. 13, brings in Sean Carscadden and Friends for an early show that kicks off at 6:30 p.m. There is no cover for any of the shows at the pub.
HopMonk Tavern Sonoma has Buscar Ban tonight, Nov. 11, for a 9 p.m. show. Saturday, Nov. 12 brings in the Farallons, also for a 9 p.m. show.