It’s time for the American Cancer Society’s annual Relay for Life, held at the track at Sonoma Valley High School. Since 1985, more than 5,000 locations will have their own local version of the relay, many that will their own local flavor. Since its inception, the Relay for Life has raised more than $3.8 billion nationally, and more than $2 million here in Sonoma Valley, money that is used to fund research to find a cure and offer support programs to make cancer easier to cope with. The event is a 24-hour one, kicking off at 10 a.m. on Saturday, August 4, with the survivor lap, a lap that is reserved for cancer survivors, then for the next 24 hours, teams and individuals take turns walking the track for the entire 24 hours. After the opening ceremony, the music begins, with the “Sonoma Sinatra,” Stan Pappas kicking things off at 10:30 a.m. The Maldonado Brothers follow at 11 a.m. with the mmmm bop fundraiser at 11:30 p.m. Noon brings Danny Wirick to the stage, followed by the Cork Pullers at 12:30 p.m. and then Jon Popenoe at 1:30 p.m. 2 p.m. welcomes Elvis and the Flashbacks, followed by Dan Martin at 3 p.m. 3:30 p.m. brings Junior Boogie and his award-winning harmonica to the stage with Tony Gibson at 4:30 p.m. Ian Franklin kicks off the 5 p.m. hour and the Rich Little Band wraps up the live music at 6 p.m. From 7 p.m. on, it’s Karaoke with Cat. There is no cover for the event, but there will be plenty of opportunities to donate and support the cause. We have to say from experience, that once you get to the event, it’s actually hard to leave.
The Jack London State Park will be the scene of another performance from the Transcendence Theatre Company, and this weekend it’s family night. The first show goes off tonight, Aug. 3, with the doors open to picnicking at 5 p.m. and show time at 8 p.m. in the winery ruins in the park. The shows will feature songs and performances from “Mary Poppins,” “Peter Pan,” “Annie,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “the Little Mermaid” and more. The show is performed again on Saturday, Aug. 4, with doors also at 5 p.m. and show time at 8 p.m. A portion of each ticket benefits the Jack London State Park.
Sebastiani Winery and Vineyards welcomes the Jami Jamison Band to the tasting room tonight, Aug. 3, for an evening of swing, blues and jazz. We’ve been saying it for years that Jamison is one of the best undiscovered vocalists in the whole North Bay and longtime Sonoma Valley boy Dennis Cordellos never fails to deliver on the guitar. Barbecue from Mongo’s Barbecue will be available as well as wines by the glass. There is no cover for the show, which kicks off at 6 p.m.
We’re not sure exactly where this fits in, so we’re just going to lay it out there. Sunday, Aug 5, is Farmer’s Day at the Sonoma County Fair. They are kicking off the morning with a sheep drive from downtown Santa Rosa at 10 a.m. The event will be a follow up on last year’s cattle drive and this year will have a 76 – trombone parade and tractor procession. Anyone wanting to participate with a horn instrument, or not, can just show up at Courthouse Square in Santa Rosa on Sunday, Aug. 5, at 9 a.m. All participants will get a commemorative T-shirt and free admission to the fair for the day. For more info, call 545-4200, ext.283. Please, if you attend, take video and send the highlights to us at the e mail above. This should be good.
Murphy’s Iris Pub welcomes Liz Brown and True Grit tonight, Aug. 3, for an 8 p.m. start. Saturday, Aug. 4, it’s a pub favorite, Andrew Freeman, also for an 8 p.m. show. Sunday, Aug 5, it’s an early show with Out of the Blue, kicking off at 6:30 p.m. There is no cover for any of the shows at the pub.
The Ledson Lounge has music tonight, Aug. 3, from William Russell on solo-acoustic guitar, for a 6 p.m. start time.
The Plaza Bistro has jazz tonight, Aug. 3, with the Jeff Massanari Trio, kicking off at 7 p.m. With Massanari tonight will be Tim Campbell on organ and Marshall Gentry on drums. Saturday, Aug. 4, it’s the Real Jazz Quartet, a group that contains local jazz musicians and will feature Max Bonick on piano, Colin McCuen on bass, Miles Tune on drums and Alex Garcia on saxophone, flute and clarinet. That show also kicks off at 7 p.m. and there is no cover either night.
It’s artist reception night at the Sunflower Caffe tonight, Aug. 3, and acoustic music will be provided by Sue Albano and Mark Dennis. The featured artist is Mila Chaname and the event kicks off at 5 p.m.
The Moose Lodge has Showcase the Band on Sunday, Aug. 5, for an early evening of dancing that kicks off at 5 p.m. If you liked dancing at the Little Switzerland before its demise, these Sunday night shows are for you.
The Blue Moon Saloon has karaoke on Saturday, Aug. 4, starting at 9 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 5, the Sunday night blues jam continues, kicking off at 10 p.m.
The Hellhounds are on the road this weekend to Napa, with a show tonight, Aug. 3, at Uva Trattoria, kicking off at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, the bluesmen are at Cuvee, for a 9:30 p.m. show.
Jaydub and Dino have achieved a status achieved by only a few, and that is to be able to play in the produce aisle in a grocery store, and this time it’s on Saturday, Aug. 4, at Oliver’s Market in Cotati.
Local Glen Ellen musician Chris Votek will be in Santa Rosa with his band, Tes Elations, at the Arlene Francis Center on Saturday, Aug. 4, for an 8 p.m. show.
Showcase the Band will be in Santa Rosa at the Odd Fellows Hall on Saturday, Aug. 4, as part of the ICF fundraiser, that kicks off at 8 p.m. For tickets and more info, call 535-0292.
Hot 45s – Shows within a 45 minute drive from the Island
Martina Mc Bride – Tuesday, Aug. 7
Third Eye Blind – Wednesday, Aug. 8
Miranda Cosgrove – Thursday, Aug. 9
Sonoma County Fair – Santa Rosa
www.sonomacountyfair.com
Blame Sally – Friday, Aug. 3
HopMonk Tavern – Sebastopol
829-7300
Ottmar Liebert – Friday – Saturday, Aug. 3 – 4
Yoshi’s – San Francisco
415-655-5600
The English Beat – Saturday, Aug. 4
Bimbo’s 365 Club – San Francisco
415-474-0365
New Riders of the Purple Sage – Wednesday, Aug. 8
Sweetwater Music Hall – Mill Valley
415-388-3850
Soul Asylum – Friday, Aug. 3
The Independent – San Francisco
415-771-1421
David Grisman Bluegrass Experience – Saturday, Aug. 4
The Independent – San Francisco
415-771-1421