You may have seen the full band at one of the shows over the years in the amphitheater at B. R Cohn Winery, and if so, you know how good these two guitarists play. Now is your chance to see them up close and in an acoustic setting. Fred Tackett and Paul Barrere of Little Feat will take the stage at the Ramekins Event Center on Saturday, March 27, at 8 p.m. for one night in Sonoma Valley. The band has been performing since 1969, with Barrare joining the ranks in 1972, playing guitar beside the late Lowell George, co-founder of the band, who passed away in 1979 which essentially broke up the act. Tackett entered the fold in 1987 when the remaining members decided to put the band back together and the two have been playing together ever since. The duo will be playing songs from the Little Feat catalog of songs stretching all the way back to the inception of the band and will also be touching on the Americana songbook as well. The event is expected to sell out but tickets can be purchased by pointing your browser to www.ramekins.com, or at the door the night of the show, if still available.
The Alexander String Quartet will be in town on Sunday, March 28, for an afternoon of classical music at Burlingame Hall that kicks off at 3 p.m. The quartet will be performing the works of Brahms, Mozart and Beethoven, some of which will be played using the original score. The quartet is in its 29th year and routinely travels the country, so getting them to the Valley is a real coup for the Sonoma Classical Music Society. Tickets can be purchased online at www.sonomaclassical.com, or at the door the day of the event.
The Parent Hospital Association is having a fundraising dinner at Cline Cellars on Saturday, March 27. The event, being billed as “Heroes with Heart – An Evening in the Emerald Isle” features a live and silent auction, dinner and an appearance by the Rowan Brothers. Funds raised at the event will help support special projects, specialized equipment, entertainment and other activities of direct benefit to the residents of the Sonoma Developmental Center. For tickets and more info, point your browser to www. www.parenthospitalassociation.org.
BackTrax rock band will be doing a night of classic rock and dance music at Little Switzerland on Saturday, March 27, that showcases songs from the ‘60s to the ‘90s. Showtime is 8 p.m.
Cynthia Tarr and the Guys will be at Olive and Vine in Glen Ellen tonight, March 26, for a 7:30 p.m. show.
Steiners Tavern will have music tonight, March 26, from the Undo Coverband for a show that starts at 10 p.m. Saturday, March 27, brings DJ XXXeno to the tavern for a 10 p.m. start time as well. Sunday, March 28, brings Adam Traum and his full band, the Traumatics to the stage for an early show that starts at 6 p.m. Traum and the boys play a variety of songs, some originals and some covers, focusing on the Americana, folk and country genres. There is no cover for that show, or any of the shows at the tavern.
The Plaza Bistro will have jazz tonight, March 26, in the back room with an interesting bill. The marquee bills the show as Amedola vs Blades, in what sounds like a duel. The duo takes on big band era classics and covers them with just the two of them, using the versatility of the Hammond B3 organ to mock the sound of a whole band, a common occurrence during the ‘40s and ‘50s. The idea came about when the duo tried to cover Duke Ellingtons “Far East Suite,” and when it worked, they took the show on the road. The show starts at 7 p.m. and there is no cover.
Imagery Estate Winery will have music both days this weekend featuring local acts, starting Saturday, March 27, at 1 p.m. with the Maldonado Brothers. The brothers step over the line from time to time when they deliver their brand of classic rock covers with an original or two dashed in for flavor. Sunday, March 28, brings the jazzy gents of the Valley, EZ Kewl, to the fountain patio for an afternoon of “jazziness” that gets under way at 1 p.m. There is no cover either day and guests are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch, and enjoy a glass of wine as well.
Murphy’s Irish Pub has traditional bluegrass tonight, March 26, for a night with local favorites, the David Thom band. Thom and the gang play bluegrass classics and play them the traditional way, all sharing one mic and stepping up for individual solos. The foot stompin’ kicks off at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 27, the Perfect Crime lays down folk, blues and ballads, also at 8 p.m. Sunday, March 28, brings an early show featuring Sean Carscadden and Marty O’Reilly in for a show that kicks off at 6 p.m. There is no cover for any of the shows.
Mondo American Beer Garden has Rhythm and Vine on Saturday, March 27, for a night of Motown and rhythm and blues. Showtime is 7 p.m.
The El Dorado Kitchen has the French barrel organ sounds of Michel Saga tonight, March 26, for a 6 p.m. show.
The Barking Dog in Boyes Hot Springs has the Joe Chaplain band on Saturday, March 27, for their monthly soiree into the coffee shop, and this month the theme is “Spring Fever,” where the guys will be playing spring inspired tunes. The show is early, at 6 p.m. and the entire family is welcome.
Landmark Winery and Vineyards will have the classical guitar sounds of Eric Cabalo on Saturday, March 27, for an afternoon show that starts at 1 p.m. The show is free and open to the public.
The Hellhounds are on the road to Napa on Saturday, March 27, for a show at Uva Trattoria that kicks off at 8 p.m.
Turning Point is also on the road tonight, March 26, all the way out to Pt. Reyes for show at the historic Old Western Saloon. The saloon is a step back into time, with old photographs and billiards and, allegedly, the best tasting beer in the county. The band takes the stage at 9 p.m.