First, lets just say we can’t recall this many musical events happening on the same weekend in quite a while. Seems summer may finally be here? Here we go…
Named after a type of soil on the property, the Huichica Music Festival comes to Gundlach Bundschu Winery on Saturday, June 5. The show is reminiscent of a “Day on the Green,” which were all day music festivals put on by Bill Graham in the ‘70s. The event showcases six up-and-coming indie rock acts, and will provide entertainment the entire day. The show kicks off at 2 p.m. and doesn’t end until 11 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets and enjoy some complimentary wine tasting, with VIP packages also available that include wine, food and prime seats. The day starts with Tortured Genies, followed by Extra Classic and Tussle. Then the big guns hit the stage with the likes of Citay, Fruit Bats and Vetiver. General admission tickets can be purchased for $30. For tickets and more info, point your browser to www.gunbun.com
“Cruzin for Cody” is the name of the event planned for Saturday, June 5, at the Moose Lodge as a benefit for local resident Cody Cordellos, who has suffered from EB since birth. There will also be a poker run and car show, in addition to four bands that will perform. The afternoon music will kick off with Jody Counter, followed by the Porch Junkies, and then up will be the Scallywags followed by Sonoma’s own the Whiskey Thieves. The event is free to attend, although donations are welcome. The poker run kicks off at 8 a.m. and the car show and music starts at noon at the moose. For more info, call 939-1256.
The Moose Lodge will also be the place to be on Sunday, June 6, with the Sonoma Music Arts School sponsoring “Rockin’ the Moose,” which will feature students from the school and the Sonoma Academy opening for local acts Ten Foot Tone and Tudo Bem. The event is family friendly and will benefit Sonoma Music Arts School’s financial assistance program. For more info, call Aldo at 996-7661.
Cornerstone Gardens in Carneros is also the place for some great live music, with three acts making the scene on Saturday, June 5. This is another in a series of house concerts put on by Drew Pearce. Rose Logue, Brittany Shane and Mister December will all have sets at the Grange Sonoma, a multi-winery tasting room and many wines will be available. The evening kicks off at 7 p.m. For tickets and more info, call Pearce at (415) 706-3800.
The annual “Ox Roast” will be back in town on the plaza on Sunday, June 6, as a fundraiser for the Sonoma Community Center that will feature Rich Little and the Rich Little band from 3 to 5 p.m. No, they no longer roast a real ox, but the tri-tip is usually excellent. The event is free to the public.
“Lights, Camera, Auction” is the name of the fundraising event for Kenwood School to be held on Saturday, June 5, at Imagery Estate Winery, that will feature the Saddle Cats. The band lays down sets of western swing, reminiscent of the golden-era of the genre. In addition, there will be barbecue from Mavericks Barbecue. The evening kicks off at 5:30 p.m. For tickets and more info, call 833-2126.
We’ve often thought LaDee’s Diner would be an excellent place for live music, and on Sunday, June 6, they will be hosting the vocal group Sonoma Song for an event that will benefit F.I.S.H. that will kick off at 5 p.m. There will also be a showcase of classic cars. Tickets will be available at the door. LaDee’s Diner is located at the former Rob’s Rib Shack at 18709 Arnold Dr.
The Lodge at Sonoma will have local favorite John Simon tickling the ivories in the lounge tonight, June 4, for a 7 p.m. show. Saturday, June 5, brings in the Terry Disley Experience. Disley, for lack of a better word, is a monster in the music world, having anchored Acoustic Alchemy for years and recorded with Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger and Bryan Ferry, just to name a few. That show also goes off at 7 p.m. and there is no cover for either show.
Jess Petty and Ken Chambers will be at the Ledson Lounge on the Plaza tonight, June 4, at 6 p.m.
Sebastiani Winery and Vineyards will have the jazzy sounds of EZ Kewl tonight, June 4, for a show that kicks off at 6 p.m. Sunday, June 6, brings music to the courtyard at the winery, with jazz legends Mad and Eddie Duran for an afternoon show kicking off at 1 p.m. There is no cover for the show and guests can enjoy barbecue provided by LaDee’s Diner and wine from the tasting room for both shows as well. Both events are family friendly and there is no cover.
If you miss EZ Kewl at Sebastiani Winery, you can catch them at Benziger family Winery on Sunday, June 6, for a 1 p.m. show or Monday, June 7, for a 5 p.m. show at the Big 3 Diner in Boyes Hot Springs.
Mondo American Beer Garden has the sounds of David Robbins on Saturday, June 5, for a night of acoustic music. Robbins is an avid Bob Dylan and Neil Young fan so expect to hear some of those artists covered in his sets. The show kicks off at 7 p.m. and there is no cover.
Little Switzerland has the blues sounds of the Rett Hamer band on Saturday, June 5, for a night of classic blues. It’s been a while since the band has had a show in the Valley. Showtime is 8 p.m.
The Blue Moon Saloon has karaoke with “Crazy Noisy Music” on Saturday, June 5, kicking off at 9 p.m. As much as we’d like to think karaoke isn’t really live music, we have to say, we’ve seen a singer or two evolve from the karaoke scene to a live act. The saloon also hosts the only open jam in the Valley every Sunday night starting at 9 p.m. and this Sunday, June 6, is no exception. Isaac Carter, Michael Briones and Phil Herrschaft will lay down the groundwork for all that want to jam to sit in. Just show up with your axe (guitar).
Murphy’s Irish Pub has local favorites the Sonoma Mountain Band tonight, June 4, for a night of traditional bluegrass, country and folk. Saturday, June 5, brings in Andrew Freeman from San Francisco. Freeman has been a favorite for years at the pub with his sizzling licks. Both Friday and Saturdays shows kick of at 8 p.m. Sunday, June 6, brings a classic Celtic jam to the pub that goes down at 6 p.m. Bring an instrument to jam along. Showtime is 6 p.m.
The Plaza Bistro has Mel Martin and the Solstice Trio for a night of jazz tonight, June 4, at 7 p.m. It’s Martins birthday and if you guess his age, you get a free CD. There is no cover for the show.
Jewel Mathieson and the Rhythm Ride will take over the Parkpoint Club on Sunday, June 6, for another edition of “Sweat your Prayers.” The class, which is a combination of a performance and dance class, featuring Bob Young on congas and Steve Shain on stand-up bass, goes off at 4 p.m. For reservations in the class and more info, call Jewel at 480-5639.
Many local Sonoma Valley acts are out on the road this weekend, starting with John Burdick heading over to Silos in Napa on Saturday, June 5, for a one-night show that kicks off at 8 p.m.
Eric Barnett and Points North will be opening for rock legend Pat Travers at Pepperbilly’s in Fairfield tonight, June 4, for a 7:30 p.m. show.
Showcase the Band is all the way up in Reno, Nevada for two shows a day on Saturday and Sunday, June 5 and 6, at the Sands Hotel.
The Jami Jamison band will be at the Wild Fox in Novato for a show tonight, June 4, for a set that goes off at 7 p.m.
Stephanie Ozer will be at the Hotel Healdsburg tonight, June 4, for a 7:30 p.m. show.
Jason Bodlovich will be at Bella Winery in Dry Creek Valley for the Taste of Alexander Valley event on both Saturday, and Sunday, June 5 and 6 for shows that start at 11 a.m.