The Red and White Ball returns this year, and in a new venue at the Sonoma State Historic Park across from the Plaza. Chef, musician and all-around nice guy Joey Altman and his Backburner Blues band will be providing the music for the event. We met up with Altman a couple years back when he was in town for patrons night at the Vintage Festival, and were impressed by not only his chef skills but by the band as well. Altman is the real deal, musically and culinary-wise, and when we met with him during a break, he was not only approachable but just a down to earth guy. It was nice to see that fame, on more than one level, hasn’t gotten to him. The event is a fundraiser for a variety of Sonoma Valley organizations and this year the beneficiaries are La Luz Center and Vineyard Worker Services. The organization has raised over $850,000 for local charities over the past 20 years, along with putting on one great party. This years event will be Saturday, July 17, at 6 p.m. For tickets and more info, call 996-3885, or just show up at the door.
Western Swing Hall of Famer Tommy Thomsen is back at Little Switzerland for a night of boogie-woogie and western swing on Saturday, July 17, kicking off at 9 p.m. The band will also feature local Wendy DeWitt on keyboard. DeWitt is known as the queen of boogie-woogie around the Bay Area. There is a $10 cover.
The El Verano Inn welcomes back a favorite son on Saturday, July 17, with the triumphant return of Junior Boogie. Boogie, known locally as Jeremy Heinemann, played harmonica with the Rock Bottom Blues band, now known as the Whiskey Thieves, and has been holding court in clubs around Santa Cruz for the last few years. Boogie’s set kicks off at 9 p.m. and there is no cover.
Steiner’s Tavern has music all weekend, kicking off tonight, July 16, with BackTrax playing classic rock and dance songs. Saturday, July 17, brings in the sounds of DJ Dave for a 10 p.m. show. Glenn Carter wraps up the weekend on Sunday, July 18, for an evening of acoustic music featuring original songs and a few cover tunes. That show kicks off at 6 p.m.
Murphy’s Irish Pub will be presenting the Cork Pullers tonight, July 16, for an evening of classics from the ‘60s and ‘70s starting at 8 p.m. Saturday, July 17, brings in the Perfect Crime, playing folk, blues and ballads. Sunday, July 18, brings in the jazzy tunes of EZ Kewl for a 6 p.m. show.
EZ Kewl wil be at the Schellville Grill tonight, July 16, at 7 p.m. for a dinner show and then Saturday, July 17 at Quarryhill Botanical Gardens in Glen Ellen for a 5 p.m. show.
Sebastiani Winery and Vineyards will have the Mary Jenson trio that will feature local Stephanie Ozer tonight, July 16, at 6:30 p.m. inside the tasting room. Sunday, July 18 has the jazz vibes of David Prescott for an afternoon show that goes off at 1 p.m.
The Lodge at Sonoma has Wayne De La Cruz in the lounge starting at 7 p.m. tonight, July 16. Saturday, July 17, brings in Jonathan Groves to the lounge for a 7 p.m. show as well.
Olive & Vine in Glen Ellen will have the Rett Hamer Blues Band tonight, July 16, for a 7 p.m. show. The band wil be showcasing the vocals of Adana Song.
Lokal will bring in Jon Popenoe playing solo guitar for a 7 p.m. show tonight July 16. If you miss Popenoe tonight, you can catch his blues band on Saturday, July 17, at Downtown Joes in Napa.
Jess Petty and Ken Chambers will be at the Ledson Lounge on the Plaza tonight, July 16, at 6 p.m.
Saddles at Mac Arthur Place will have jazz from Jason Bodlovich on Sunday, July 18, for an afternoon show that kicks off at 4 p.m.
Adam Traum will be at Landmark Winery and Vineyards for an afternoon show on Saturday, July 17, at 1 p.m. Traum is a true Americana artist and plays blues, folk, country and is a fine finger-picker as well.
The Plaza Bistro has music tonight from the Terrence Brewster trio tonight, July 16, in the back room. Tonight, Brewster will have with him Tim Campbell on organ and Suria Patri on drums. Brewster has established himself as one of the busiest people on the jazz circuit, with over 2,000 shows in the last seven years. Showtime is 7 p.m. Saturday, July 17, brings a local act to the backroom at the Bistro when the Cabernet Jazz band will be laying down jazz standards and some Latin tunes. That show is also at 7 p.m. and there is no cover for either show.
Kevin Never Talks is the name of the act playing tonight, July 16, at 8 p.m. at the Phoenix Theater in Petaluma. Why is that news? The band has spent the last few years playing in Los Angeles, but most of its members are originally from Sonoma. They are kicking off their summer 2010 tour tonight as well. Opening the show will be Body or Brains.
AC/DC tribute act High Voltage will be on the road this weekend to Pacifica on Saturday, July 17, for a show at the Winters Tavern. Showtime is 9 p.m.