We were in a quandary wondering which show to headline this week, but after reading the back-story of the Fishtank Ensemble, presented tonight, June 10, by Sneaker Jones in Andrew’s Hall, it became clear this was the show. Named such as the band used to rehearse on the ground floor of a building with many windows, and passer-bys would peer in and the band felt like they were in a fishbowl. The first weekend the band rehearsed, they spent the weekend learning an entire repertoire of Romanian folk music, but it wasn’t until they landed their first gig and were asked the name of the band, vocalist Ursula Knudson burst out with “Fishtank.” The ensemble was added later. Many of the musicians in the act were accomplished on other instruments, and felt drawn to learn other ones, even with common sense asking themselves “…why?” The first trek the band went on brought them across Europe. Violinist Fabrice Martinez had actually hitchhiked to Istanbul to collect obscure instruments, busking illegally to make enough money to get home with them all. Once home in Paris, he heard an old many playing a solo violin in a theater. Inspired, he immediately sold all his instruments and resurrected a family violin and the tradition as well. Guitarist Doug Smolens had a different but just as unique experience, after playing drums in the Los Angeles rock scene in the ‘80s and hanging out with folks like Slash and Billy Idol, he found himself drawn to the flamenco guitar. “I tried to resist for years,” Smolens laughs, “but in the end, I had to learn to play flamenco guitar. It grabbed a hold of my heart.” Along the way, the trio grabbed up Serbian bassist Djordje Stijepovic, who “literally wrote the book on upright slap bass and has lent his trademark slapping style to some of the best rockabilly, gypsy, bluegrass, and blues acts around the world.” Now based in California, the act is trekking around the U. S. Showtime tonight is 8 p.m. and Tickets are available at www.sneakerjones.com, or at the door.
Vox Populi, the popular rock and roll choir, is back in action on Monday, June 13, at the Sebastiani Theatre for one night only. That night, the choir will be backed by local band Plan Be and will be performing songs by Paul Simon, Van Morrison, Joni Mitchell, and Crosby, Stills, and Nash. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. and tickets can be purchased at the Sebastiani Theatre box office prior to the show or at the door that night, if available.
The Bear Flag Celebration, presented by the Native Sons of the Golden West, is in the Sonoma Plaza on Sunday, June 12, and will include barbecue chicken, a micro-brew beer festival, a re-enactment of the Bear Flag revolt in the amphitheater at 1 p.m. followed by music from BackTrax at 2 p.m. There is no cover for the event.
Hopmonk Tavern Sonoma will have two local acts on Saturday, June 11, kicking off with Dan Goldfus at 5 p.m. and followed by the Tonewoods at 8:30 p.m. There is no cover for the show.
Olde Sonoma Public House in Boyes Hot Springs has Tudo Bem on Saturday, June 11, for a 7:30 p.m. show.
The San Francisco Starlight Orchestra, a 14-piece, 1920s novelty orchestra, returns to Little Switzerland on Saturday, June 11, for a 2 p.m. show. Guests are also invited to view the rehearsal, which kicks off at 12:30 p.m. and is included with the price of admission. Come dressed to dance the fox trot, Charleston, tango, rumba, waltz, lindy, one step, two step, carioca, and more. Reservations are suggested by calling 938-9990.
Sebastiani Winery and Vineyards will have BackTrax in the tasting room tonight, June 10, for a 6:30 p.m. start. Community Cafe will be catering the event and available will be pulled pork sliders and brined chicken. There is no cover.
Steiners Tavern welcomes back local bluesmen the Hellhounds tonight, June 10, for a 7 p.m. show.
Murphy’s Irish Pub has the Gentlemen Soldiers performing a tribute to the Irish band the Pogues, tonight, June 10, in what drummer J. B. Duff calls “an attempt to actually get some Irish music back at the Irish pub.” Showtime is 8 p.m. Saturday, June 11, brings in Larry Carlins Mostly Simply Bluegrass, also for an 8 p.m. show. Sunday, June 12, the pub welcomes back Sean Carscadden and Marty O’Reilly for an early show, kicking off at 6:30 p.m.
Tonight, June 10, you can catch Sean Carscadden performing solo across the alley from the Pub at the Katmandu Corner, in the back of the Taste of the Himalayas restaurant, for a show that goes off at 7:30 p.m.
Little Switzerland has a special night planned on Monday, June 13, with the debut of Nick Kardum’s much-anticipated act, Trainwreck Junction. The night is kind of an open rehearsal, but the public is invited to have a peek at the new, up and coming local country act. The show kicks off at 7 p.m.
Sue Albano and Mark Dennis, known for singing classic rock songs with the Magnetics, will get back to their roots by performing as a duo. The show goes off Saturday, June 11, at 9 p.m. at Lokal.
Whole Foods in the Sonoma Marketplace will be hosting the Cork Pullers outside on Saturday, June 11, for your shopping pleasure, kicking off at 11 a.m.
Landmark Winery and Vineyards will have Adam Traum in the courtyard on Saturday, June 11, for a 1 p.m. show.
The lobby in the Sonoma Mission Inn will have a solo performance by pianist Stephanie Ozer tonight, June 10, for a 6:30 show.
The Plaza Bistro continues with jazz this weekend, starting tonight, June 10, with the Gloria Calamee Trio. The jazz vocalist has been performing since the ‘70s around the world and as an actress, even appeared in shows like “Barney Miller” and “the Rockford Files.” Showtime is 7 p.m. Saturday, June 11, the bistro has bassist Andrew Emer, also for a 7 p.m. show. There is no cover for either show.
The Blue Moon Saloon has Crazy Noisy Karaoke on Saturday, June 11, kicking off at 9 p.m. Sunday, June 12, the weekly blues jam continues, going off at 10 p.m.
Jon Popenoe and Corey Jennings will be performing as a duo on Saturday morning, June 11, at 10:30 a.m. in Petaluma at Aqus Cafe.
Sonoma’s Sinatra, Stan Pappas takes his Frank Sinatra tribute act on the road tonight, June 10, to Novato at Rickey’s Restaurant for a 7 p.m. show.
The Hellhounds are on the road to Napa on Saturday, June 11, to Cuvee for a 9:30 p.m. show.
Mad and Eddie Duran are in San Francisco at Bird and Becket on Sunday, June 12, for a 4:30 p.m. show.
Jason Bodlovich is everywhere but Sonoma this weekend, kicking off today, June 10, at the Lagunitas Tap Room for a show with the Jason Bodlovich Group at 4:20 p.m. Saturday, June 11, has Bodlovich doing a solo performance at Bella Vineyards in Healdsburg, starting at 11 a.m. followed by a show the full band at Brixx in Petaluma the same day at 8:30 p.m.
Hot 45s – Shows within a 45 minute drive from the Island
The Harmony Festival – Friday – Sunday, June 10 – 12.
Santa Rosa Fairgrounds
www.harmonyfestival.com
Vinyl – Saturday, June 11.
19 Broadway – Fairfax
415-459-0293
Ronnie Montrose – Friday, June 10.
Mystic Theatre – Petaluma
765-2121
Wonderbread 5 – Saturday, June 11.
Last Day Saloon – Santa Rosa
545-2343
Petty Theft – Friday, June 10.
George’s Nightclub – San Rafael
415-226-0262
The Edge – Saturday, June 11.
George’s Nightclub – San Rafael
415-226-0262
Alvon – Saturday, June 11.
Southern Pacific Smokehouse – Novato
415-899-9600