Soundbytes – Fünkendänk
“This isn’t your older brothers beer and music festival” say Dean Biersch, one of the principals behind the inaugural event. “I’ve wanted to put together a beer and music festival for quite a while, then when we bought Twin Oaks and met Sheila Groves Tracey, the plan just fell into place.” According to Biersch, there are two kinds of craft beer styles that are taking over the landscape these days, a sour sort of brew, which represents the “funk” in the name, and the big hoppy ones, representing the “dank,” hence the festival name.
The festival is the last event of the SOMO concert series for the year, and held at the venue referred to as the “old Agilent facility” in Rohnert Park, next to Sally Tomatoes restaurant, at 1100 Valley House Dr.
The plan is to have two beer tasting areas, one inside where ratebeer.com has selected over 20 breweries to be represented and the Oktoberfest Biergarten, outside in the redwood grove with additional tastings. In addition, VIP’s will have access to a number of small bites prepared by Chef Mark Stark.
There will also be two full stages of music. Tobias Weinberger brings his gypsy wagon stage to the event and will have the Dixie Giants and Royal Jelly Jive playing between the acts on the big stage, which welcomes Galactic, Pimps of Joytime and Big Sam’s Funky Nation. All the acts have a decidedly “New Orleans” vibe to them and will hit genres of the style from the ‘40s to the modern day twists.
“We’re really hoping to make this an annual event” said Biersch, “and with the weather this weekend we’re hoping for a great turnout.” There are a number of ticket options available from VIP, beer tasting and just music. The event kicks off at 12:30 p.m. for VIP entrance and then at 2 p.m. for general admission. For tickets and more info, point your browser to funkendank.com
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Local Musician Spotlight – Keith Greeninger
Keith Greeninger didn’t seek out being a musician, music kind of found him. Born in Santa Clara, then over the hill to Santa Cruz, Greeninger attended school in Aptos and enjoyed the ‘70s living the Santa Cruz scene. Soon after high school, Greeninger hit the road with his guitar, picking up construction and carpentry skills along the way making it possible to live just about anywhere. During his travels, which he refers to as ‘his own rites of passage” Greeninger discovered he liked small towns and the small town vibe that went with them, along with the wilderness, where he solidified his singer songwriter skills, “wood shedding” in the mountains.
Roll the clock forward a few years and Greeninger found himself back in Santa Cruz raising children, and anxious to share with them what he had growing up, the surf, the redwoods and music. Still traveling the country playing music, Santa Cruz seemed like a good central location for home base.
Greeninger will be at Rossi’s 1906 Roadhouse on Wednesday, Oct. 26, with an all star band of North Bay musicians kicking off at 8 p.m. He will also be sitting in with the Coyote Road on the last Tuesday night market act of the season, on Oct. 25, at 5:30 p.m.
We asked Greeninger the usual six questions. Lets get to know him a little.
1) Many musicians in our generation cite the Beatles on Ed Sullivan as that moment when they knew music was what they wanted to do. When and what was it that made you realize you wanted to be a musician?
KG > It’s funny, as I never really ever thought about being a musician. There wasn’t really music in my house growing up other than the car radio and such that I would sing along to, then one day I woke up and just realized music was just never going to go away, like many of my other hobbies had. But I guess the turning point would have been when I was a teenager in the ‘70s I had an older female cousin come for a visit for the night with her boyfriend and he whipped out a guitar and started singing and playing and I just thought “wow.” That really lit a fire in me.
2) That first instrument you owned. What was it and do you still have it?
KG> No, I don’t have it. Was a cheap nylon string one my folks got me when I was 14 or so. I played that guitar a lot.
3) Who are you’re primary influences in your music?
KG > A lot of soul music actually, Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, and recently singer-songwriters like Jackson Browne, Jim Croce, Van Morrison. But I’ve always really liked soul music the most.
4) What CD or playlist is in your car or your iPod?
KG > Actually, it’s just takes from some of the artists we’re working with in the studio, demo tracks mostly.
5) Tell us about your current acts.
KG > Mostly just myself. I have a solo act that I take on the road and just manage to find musicians here and there and that allows me to really play with some great players. I have a band that I assemble from time to time depending on the venue, which is why I’m really excited about the Rossi’s show as I get to play with some top-notch guys that I don’t get to play with often.
6) If you could have written one song, which one would it be and why?
KG > Oh man. You ask some tough questions. I would have to say “Stand by Me.” To me, I just love what that song has to say. Anyone that has never heard it will be singing along after the first verse.
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Set List – The Rundown
Annex Wine Bar, 865 W. Napa St. Sonoma, 938-7779
Tonight, Oct. 21: Voices in my Head. 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 22: Full Circle. 7:30 p.m.
B. R. Cohn Winery, 15000 Sonoma Hwy. Glen Ellen, 800-330-4064
Sunday, Oct. 23: Wine Club Pick-Up Party with the Mountain Strangers. 2 p.m.
El Verano Inn, 705 Laurel Ave. El Verano, 935-0611
Saturday, Oct. 22: Throwing Rocks, Luke and the Boys, Eric Schlappi, Faulty Lockets . 8 p.m.
Friday Farmers Market, Depot Park, 270 First St W. Sonoma
Today, Oct. 21: Stewart Degner. 9:30 a.m.
HopMonk Tavern, 691 Broadway Sonoma, 935-9100
Tonight, Oct. 21: Clay Bell. 5 p.m. The Mosey Boys. 8 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 22: Billy D. 1 p.m. Ten Foot Tone. 8 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 23: Anthony Presti. 1 p.m.
Kivelstadt Cellars, 13750 Arnold Dr, Glen Ellen, 938.7001
Tonight, Oct. 21: Jigs, Mindogas Bogus, Alex Rather-Taylor, Connor Ross. 6 p.m.
Murphy’s Irish Pub, 464 First St. E. Sonoma, 935-0660
Tonight, Oct. 21: Kevin Russell and his So Called Friends. 8 p.m.
Olde Sonoma Public House, 18615 Sonoma Hwy. Boyes Hot Springs, 938-7587
Saturday, Oct. 22: Karaoke. 7:30 p.m.
Rossi’s 1906 Dancehall, 401 Grove St. El Verano, 343-0044
Tonight, Oct. 21: Brandon and the Bees Knees. 6 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 22: Rubber Soul. 8 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 23: Oktoberfest with the Gruber Family Band. 3:30 p.m.
Schellville Grill, 22900 Broadway, Sonoma, 996-5151
Saturday, Oct. 22: Butch Engle and Styx. 12:30 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 23: Butch Engle and Styx. 12:30 p.m.
Sonoma Speakeasy and American Music Hall, 452 First St. E. ste. G. Sonoma, 996-1364
Tonight, Oct. 21: Iko Ya Ya. 8 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 22: Full Circle. 5 p.m. Acrosonics with Bruce Gordon and players from Stompy Jones. 8 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 23: “Open Mic and Mimosas.” 1 to 7 p.m. Acrosonics. 5 p.m. Blues Jam. 8:30 p.m.
Viansa Winery, 25200 Arnold Drive, Carneros, 995-4740
Saturday, Oct. 22: Organix Duo. 12 p.m.
If your gig isn’t in my column, you didn’t tell me about it. jmberry@sonomamusic.com