Ending the Friday night music at Olive & Vine in Glen Ellen to move to more of a formal dining experience for the venue was a tough decision for Chef Catherine Venturini and Sommelier John Burdick. Now that months have past and the sit-down restaurant has been a smashing success, the couple, now engaged by the way, has started a Sunday night music series, different from the Friday night events, with more of a focus on listening to the singer-songwriters. Slated to be a twice-monthly event, the “Sunday Songwriter Sessions” will present mainly acoustic and original songs, with Burdick acting as the emcee. Some months there will even be a “in the round” format, with three to four players taking turns presenting their songs. Burdick couldn’t have picked a better performer to kick off the event this Sunday, Nov. 27, with the multi-talented Jon Williams, singer and songwriter for Ten Foot Tone, and special guests as well. The afternoon show kicks off at 4 p.m., with doors opening at 3 p.m. For reservations and more info, call 996-9150.
The David Thom Band will be having a CD release party tonight, Nov. 25, at Murphy’s Irish Pub. The disc, produced by Grammy-award winner Laurie Lewis, will be available at the show.
Saturday, Nov. 26, the Pub has the Timothy O’Neil Band, also for an 8 p.m. start. Sunday, Nov. 27, welcomes back Dave Aguilar and Peter McCauley for an early show that kicks off at 6:30 p.m.
BackTrax is playing an acoustic show at the Olde Sonoma Public House tonight, Nov. 25. The band has added some classic rock acoustic favorites to their repertoire and will be showcasing them tonight. The show starts at 7:30 p.m.
If you haven’t worked off enough of the Thanksgiving turkey after the BackTrax show, you can catch the Whiskey Thieves at Steiners Tavern tonight, Nov. 25, kicking off at 10 p.m. The show will wrap up with Blessed Coast Sound laying down dance grooves. There is no cover.
El Verano Inn has Dubstep set from DJ BACCHUS, RNR set from PERSISTENCE, DMC & WIGZ tonight, Nov. 25, at 9 p.m. There is no cover.
The Kathmandu Corner welcomes back the Paper Dolls tonight, Nov. 25, for an encore performance. The show starts at 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26, JoyRide will be laying down two sets at the Corner. That show is also at 8 p.m.
The Plaza Bistro welcomes Jonathan Poretz tonight, Nov. 25, at 7 p.m. Poretz blends the swinging vocal styling of Frank Sinatra, Mel Torme, Tony Bennett and Bobby Darin, as he lays down his own brand of jazz standards. Tonight., Poretz will have with him Shota Osabe on piano and Jeff Neighbor on bass. Showtime is 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26, the Bistro welcomes J. Kevin Durkin, also for a 7 p.m. show.
If you miss Jonathan Poretz tonight, you can catch him Saturday, Nov. 26, at centre du vin inside the Ledson Hotel for a 6:30 p.m. start.
HopMonk Tavern Sonoma welcomes Dan Martin to the inside stage tonight, Nov. 25, at 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26, has Matt Bolton, also for a 9 p.m. start. There is no cover either evening.
The Olde Sonoma Public House has karaoke with Cat on Sunday, Nov. 27, for a 7 p.m. start time.
The Blue Moon Saloon also has karaoke this weekend, on Saturday, Nov. 26, kicking off at 9 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27, the popular Sunday night blues jam continues, starting at 10 p.m. Players are welcome to stop in and sit in, you don’t even need to bring anything.
The Tonewoods are on the road on Saturday, Nov. 26, to Gaia’s Garden in Santa Rosa, for a show that starts at 7:30 p.m.