No, we’re not talking about the 1971 film starring Warren Beatty, but a new musical duo that features Alison Levy, formerly of the Sippy Cups and Victor Krumenacher, from Camper Van Beethoven, who will be making their Sonoma debut on Saturday, May 1. Levy and Krumenacher have known and played with each other for years and the time seemed right to put a project together. The duo has a real Americana/folk vibe to them, not the new singer-songwriter thing we hear a lot of these days, but a Gillian Welch-David Rawlings vibe. This is the third in a series of shows being put on at Cornerstone by music writer Drew Pearce, founder of Bay Area House Concerts. Also on the bill that night will be Chris Von Sneidern. The show kicks off at 8 p.m. with doors opening at 7 p.m. For tickets and more info, call Pearce at (415) 706-3800.
There is plenty of music at this years Cinco de Mayo celebration on Sunday, May 2, in the Grinstead Ampitheater in the Sonoma Plaza. Amongst all the other festivities, at noon La Rondalla Patzcuarense of Patzcuaro take the stage. 2:30 p.m. brings the Robert Ramirez Conga Bobby Drum Ensemble, followed by the Carlos Herrera band at 3 p.m. and Plan Be wraps it all up with a set that starts at 4:15 p.m. There is no cover for the days festivities.
Local Violin Virtuoso Nigel Armstrong picked up a new honor this last week, having picked up the Silver Medal in the senior division at the Yehudi Menuhin International Violin Competition in Oslo, Norway. Armstrong also won the Ole Bull and Arne Nordheim prizes. You can welcome Armstrong home at the Sonoma Classical Music Society concert on Sunday, May 9, at Jacuzzi Family Winery, where Armstrongs quartet will be performing. For more info, point your browser to www.sonomaclassical.org.
Larry Vukovich and his trio will be at the Plaza Bistro tonight, April 30. Vuckovich has won acclaim from critics and jazz audiences for his hard-swinging bebop, post-bop, contemporary jazz, and down-home blues. With him tonight will be Chuck McPherson on drums and Michael Zisman on bass. Showtime is 7 p.m. and there is no cover.
The Lodge at Sonoma has jazz in the piano lounge with Mike Greensil tonight, April 30 and Saturday, May 1, with Jonathan Alford. Showtime both nights is 7 p.m. and there is no cover.
Mondo American Beer Garden will have Vitamin Girl on Saturday, May 1, for a 7 p.m. show. The band features Ralph Cetola on guitar and his daughter Aria on vocals.
Imagery Estate Winery will have Jon Popenoe and his blues band on Saturday, May 1, for a 1 p.m. show.
Rue Manoche will be doing a double-header on Saturday, May 1, first at Landmark Winery and Vineyards for a 1 p.m. show then later that evening at the El Dorado Kitchen for a 6:30 p.m. show. That nights show will be the last for the EDK for the season.
Jess Petty and Ken Chambers will be starting their season at the Ledson Lounge on Friday, April 30. Petty sings and plays trumpet while Chambers holds down the piano duties. The duo focuses on jazz and the Las Vegas nightclub sounds of Sinatra and Bennett. They also take requests. Showtime is 6 p.m. and there is no cover.
Sonoma Springs Brewery will have Dan Martin on acoustic guitar tonight, April 30, for an evening of music that kicks off at 7 p.m.
The Maldonado Brothers will be providing the tunes at the gazebo in the Sonoma Marketplace on Saturday, May 1, as part of a benefit for the Relay for Life called “Paint the Town Purple.” The brothers will be laying down blues and classic rock from 1 to 4 p.m. The festivities will continue at Steiners Tavern later that evening at 7 p.m. with the Glenn Carter band.
Jewel Matheson will be back at the Park Point club on Sunday, May 2, for her class called “Sweat Your Prayers.” The class is focused on the 5Rythyms method of expression and movement. Her band the Rhythm Ride will be with her that day. To join the class and more info, call Jewel at 480-5639.
Murphy’s Irish Pub has the Whiskey Thieves tonight, April 30, for a 7 p.m. show. Saturday, May 1, brings in the sizzling licks of Andrew Freeman for a 7 p.m. start. Sunday, May 2, the pub has a classic Celtic pub jam that starts at 6 p.m. There is no cover for any of the shows.
Showcase the Band will on the road to Calistoga on Saturday, May 1, for the Tamale Festival starting at noon. They are back in town on Sunday, May 2, at Little Switzerland for a 5 p.m. show.
Tudo Bem will be on the road to Napa at the Oxbow Public Market tonight, April 30, to entertain the shopping crowd starting at 6 p.m.
The Jami Jamison band will be at the Redwood Cafe in Cotati tonight, April 30, for a 8 p.m. show. There is no cover.
David Thom will be laying down tunes with the rock legend Banana in San Rafael on Sunday, May 2, in the evening at the downtown plaza at 6 p.m. Banana is one of the founding members of the Youngbloods, along with Jesse Colin Young.
Natasha James is on the road to the Presidio Yacht club in Sausalito tonight, April 30, for an 8 p.m. show.