Spotlight – Jud Goodrich farewell concert
It all began with a piano, but not just any piano, this one happened to be a 1901 Steinway bought in 1910 by Jack London himself for his wife Charmain, who was an accomplished pianist. The sounds of Charmain’s playing graced the “House of Happy Walls,” which was built by Charmain and Eliza Shepard, Jack London’s step sister, after London’s death in 1916. Designed to be a museum as well as Charmian’s home, Charmain lived in the house from 1934 until her death in 1955 and today the House of Happy Walls includes, along with Charmain’s piano, displays in many rooms, with a complete set of first-edition books penned by Jack London, in addition to many unique crafts and mementos Jack and Charmian collected in their travels around the world.
But the Happy Walls fell silent to the sounds of the piano up until 1988, when then park rangers Greg Hayes and Matt Atkinson decided it should be played again. Park Volunteer Leslie Goodrich suggested her husband, Jud, start a piano club to play the historic instrument and the Jack London Piano Club was born. Starting with a core group of five volunteer pianists, the club has blossomed over the years to now have 25 different pianists who regularly provide musical entertainment for visitors, including the founder, Jud Goodrich. The group has presented piano concerts over the years and since 2011 and has raised more than $15,000 to benefit operations at the Park.
Goodrich will be playing his final concert on Saturday, Aug. 19, at 2 p.m. and all that have enjoyed his performances over the last 26 years are invited to come and sing-along with him one last time. The event is free but there is a parking fee at the park. For more information, point your browser to jacklondonpark.com/retirement-concert.html or call 938-5216 for tickets, as limited seating is available. The venue is accessible by stairway only. For information about special access, call 938-5216.
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Set List – The Rundown
B&V Whiskey Bar and Grille, 400 First St. E. Sonoma, 938-7110
Tonight, Aug. 18: DJ Cal. 9 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 19: DJ Willie. 9 p.m.
B. R. Cohn Winery, 15000 Sonoma Hwy. Glen Ellen, 800-330-4064
Sunday, Aug. 20: the Cork Pullers. 2 p.m.
El Verano Inn, 705 Laurel Ave. El Verano, 935-0611
Saturday, Aug. 19: the Last Resort and Mid Life Krysis. 8:30 p.m.
The Flamingo Lounge, 2777 4th St, Santa Rosa, 545-8530
Saturday, Aug. 19: Crossfire reunion show. 8 p.m.
Friday Farmers Market, Depot Park, 270 First St W. Sonoma
Today, Aug. 18: Stewart Degner. 9:30 a.m.
Hood Mansion Lawn, 389 Casa Manana Rd. Santa Rosa, 833-6288
Tonight, Aug. 18: Funky Fridays with the Soulshine Blues Band. 7 p.m.
HopMonk Tavern, 691 Broadway Sonoma, 935-9100
Tonight, Aug. 18: Forest Bailey. 5 p.m. Shelby, Texas. 8 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 19: Hilary Scott. 1 p.m. Timothy O’Neil 8 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 20: Matt Bolton 66. 1 p.m.
Jack London State Historic Park, 2400 London Ranch Rd, Glen Ellen, 938-5216
Saturday, Aug. 19: Piano recital with Jud Goodrich. 2 p.m.
Larson Park, 329 DeChene Avenue, Sonoma, 539-8092
Sunday, Aug. 20: Springs Farmers Market with Dave Hamilton. 4 p.m.
Madrone Estate Winery, 777 Madrone Rd. Glen Ellen, 939-4500
Sunday, Aug. 20: Michael Hantman. 1 p.m.
Muscardini Cellars, 9380 Sonoma Hwy, Kenwood, 933-9305
Saturday, Aug. 19: “Simmer Down Saturday” with the Bee Rays. 6 p.m.
Olde Sonoma Public House, 18615 Sonoma Hwy. Boyes Hot Springs, 938-7587
Tonight, Aug. 18: Ryan Tatarian and Matt Silva. 6:30 p.m.
Sebastiani Theatre, 476 First St. E. Sonoma, 996-9756
Saturday, Aug. 19: Richard Howell and Sudden Changes. 7:30 p.m.
Sebastiani Winery and Vineyards, 389 Fourth St. E. Sonoma, 933-3230
Tonight, Aug. 18: the Blues Burners. 6 p.m.
Sonoma Plaza, 1 Broadway, Sonoma
Tonight, Aug. 18: Sonoma City Party with N’Rumba, Junior Boogie and Friends and Riptide. 5:30 p.m.
Sonoma Speakeasy and American Music Hall, 452 First St. E. ste. G. Sonoma, 996-1364
Tonight, Aug. 18: Bruce Gordon and Friends. 6:30 p.m. Jim Caroompas. 8 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 19: the Marks Brothers. 5 p.m. John Allair and Julia Harrell. 8 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 20: Brandon Eardley 5 p.m. Acoustic Blues Jam. 8:30 p.m.
The Starling Bar, 19380 Sonoma Hwy. Sonoma, 996-3055
Tonight, Aug. 18: En Canto. 9 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 19: Peace of G. 9 p.m.
Sonoma Valley Regional Library, 755 W. Napa St. Sonoma, 996-5217
Saturday, Aug. 19: Los Gu’achis. 2 p.m.
Swiss Hotel, 18 W Spain St. Sonoma, 938-2884
Sunday, Aug. 20: Train Wreck Junction. 2 p.m.
Viansa Winery, 25200 Arnold Drive, Carneros, 995-4740
Saturday, Aug. 19: Blue Noiz. 12 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 20: Clay Bell. 12 p.m.
If your gig isn’t in my column, you didn’t tell me about it. jmberry@sonomamusic.com