Little Switzerland will run the musical genre gamut on Saturday, March 12, kicking off at 2 p.m. with the renowned San Francisco Starlight Orchestra. The orchestra was started in 1984 by John Howard as an authentic 1920s “novelty dance orchestra,” with the goal of being true to the full instrumentation and sound of the era. The 14-piece orchestra also features four violins in the string section. The band encourages you to come dressed to dance the fox trot, the Charleston, the tango, rumbas, waltzes and more. There is a cover charge for the show. Later that evening, kicking off at 8 p.m., local classic rockers BackTrax will take over the club and dance floor for three sets of dance music from the ‘60s through the ‘90s. The band will also play one full set from their recent Tom Petty tribute. There is no cover for the BackTrax show and dinner will be served all evening.
There will be a tribute to Ralph Vaughan Williams, considered by many to have been the most important English composer of music in the Twentieth century, at the Trinity Church on Sunday, March 13, at 3 p.m. Performing artists will include clarinetist Clark W. Fobes, who performs regularly with the San Francisco Opera Orchestra, the San Francisco Symphony, the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra and the California Symphony. Sheila Whitney, who is presently the soprano soloist at Trinity Church, and John T. Burke, pianist, will also perform some of Vaughan Williams pieces. Erick Larson will perform “Four Hymns” for tenor, viola and piano, with his wife Barbara, and will be assisted by David Dobrinen, violist. One of Vaughan Williams’ greatest accomplishments was composing many of the finest hymns that are today included in almost every denominational hymnal, and those in attendance will be invited to sing several of them at the beginning and end of the concert. There is no cover for the performance, but donations will be accepted.
FADO is back at the chapel in the Mission San Francisco Solano tonight, March 11, at 7:30 p.m. Sete Colinas will accompany Zelia Freitas in the celebration of Fadista, a musical genre that can be traced back to Portugal in the early 1800s. For tickets and more info, call 938-9560.
Murphy’s Irish Pub will have an encore presentation of the “Beauty Queen of Leanne” tonight, March 11. For tickets and show times, call 996-4359. Saturday, March 12, has the bluegrass sounds of Blue and Lonesome for an 8 p.m. show. Sunday, March 13, brings in the folk, blues and Americana grooves of Sean Carscadden and Marty O’Reilly for an early show that kicks off at 6 p.m. in the new snug.
Gundlach Bundschu Winery will be hosting Dan Martin on Saturday, March 12, for an afternoon show that goes off at 1 p.m.
They describe themselves as “wicked fuzz rock” and now Sonoma Valleys spectral surf rockers Hella Vader have released their debut album, “XVIII” and it is now available for digital download at www.itunes.com, www.amazon.com and www.emusic.com. The album contains 18 guitar-based instrumental, surf-inspired tracks, and may even be released on vinyl. The band has completed one video for the project and has one more in the works. For more info about the band, point your browser to www.reverbnation.com/hellavader.
The Plaza Bistro will have stand up bass monster Chris Amberger and his Hot Dogs tonight, March 11, which will feature the Young Brats with Grant Levin and Lorca Hart. Amberger is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music in Boston and has toured, recorded and accompanied the best musical artists and vocalists in jazz, including Art Blakey, Sammy Davis Jr., Anita O’Day, T. Bone Walker and more. Showtime is 7 p.m. and there is no cover.
The Big 3 Diner will have the romantic pop sounds of Brittany Koop on Monday, March 14, for a 7 p.m. show.
The Hellhounds will visit the Big Valley tonight, March 11, in Napa, for an 8 p.m. appearance at Uva Trattoria.
Ten Foot Tone will be at the Russian River Brewing Company on Sunday, March 13, for a 7 p.m. show.
Stephanie Ozer will be tickling the ivories at the Hotel Healdsburg on Saturday, March 12, for a 7:30 p.m. show. She will have with her Cliff Hugo on bass and Phil Thompson on drums.
Hot 45s – Shows within a 45 minute drive from the Island
The English Beat – Saturday, March 12.
19 Broadway – Fairfax
415-459-0293
Ron Thompson and the Resistors – Saturday, March 12.
Rancho Nicasio – Nicasio
415-662-2219
Hot Tuna – Friday, March 11
Marin Veterans Memorial Auditorium – San Rafael.
415-499-6400
Steve Kimock – Friday and Saturday, March 11 – 12.
HopMonk Tavern – Sebastopol
829-7300
Super Diamond – Friday, March 11.
Bimbo’s 365 Club – San Francisco
415-474-0365
Umphrey’s McGee – Saturday and Sunday, March 12 – 13.
The Fillmore – San Francisco
415-346-6000
Always – Patsy Cline Tribute – Saturday, March 12.
Uptown Theater – Napa
259-0123
The English Beat – Saturday, March 12.
19 Broadway – Fairfax
415-459-0293
Ron Thompson and the Resistors – Saturday, March 12.
Rancho Nicasio – Nicasio
415-662-2219
Hot Tuna – Friday, March 11
Marin Veterans Memorial Auditorium – San Rafael.
415-499-6400
Steve Kimock – Friday and Saturday, March 11 – 12.
HopMonk Tavern – Sebastopol
829-7300
Super Diamond – Friday, March 11.
Bimbo’s 365 Club – San Francisco
415-474-0365
Umphrey’s McGee – Saturday and Sunday, March 12 – 13.
The Fillmore – San Francisco
415-346-6000
Always – Patsy Cline Tribute – Saturday, March 12.
Uptown Theater – Napa
259-0123