Musicians turned winemaker. It happens a lot more than you think, and we have one of the most eclectic in the business this weekend, and of course he’s a Sonoma County resident. A classic bay Area rock act that never made it as big as they should have does a 2-night stint, and there’s big dance, small acoustic and classical music as well. A little something for everyone this weekend.
Friday, Nov. 16 – Tonewoods
The Tonewoods are a Sonoma county acoustic trio, playing and singing a mix of Americana, British, and classic folk, ragtime and more. The band loves songs that tell stories and their music has been described as vibrant, fun, rhythmic, soulful, with rich harmonies, and touches of humor here and there. The band has been entertaining Sonoma County for over six years and are always well received. If you like the sounds of Richard Thompson, Tom Waits, Tom Russell, Townes van Zandt, Robert Earl Keen, Steve Earle and that ilk, then you’ll love this act.
Venue – A’Roma Roasters – Santa Rosa – 707- 576-7765
Friday, Nov. 16 – Unauthorized Rolling Stones
Yep, you’ll know all the words and the act is a pretty good representation of the real band. Frontman and founder, Rudy Colombini, is regarded as one of the most visually accurate “Micks” in the business and is also an accomplished original artist, having two of his recordings reach top 40 status in the Adult Contemporary category.
Venue – Mavericks – Santa Rosa – 707- 544-1562
Friday – Saturday, Nov. 16 – 17 – Y & T
Y & T is a legendary Bay Area band that arguably never managed to translate its electric on-stage intensity into its studio albums. Originally formed as Yesterday & Today in San Francisco, around 1973, Y&T stood within reach of the Grail of rock and roll stardom many times in their long career, but through a series of mistakes, bad timing, and sheer bad luck, the ultimate prize always seemed to elude them in the end. Years and many musical genres came and went, but 2004 saw founding members Dave Meniketti and old sparring partner Phil Kennemore resuming touring across America as Y&T, with the help of guitarist John Nymann and drummer Mike Vanderhule. (Portions contributed by Eduardo Rivadavia, All Music Guide)
Venue – Mystic Theatre – Petaluma – 707-765-2121
Saturday, Nov. 17, – 4th Annual Claypool Cellars Purple Pachyderm Pre-Bird Bonanza
You may remember Les Claypool from the local eclectic prog-metal act Primus, or his re-creation of Pink Floyd’s classic album Animals from a live show at the Great American Music Hall, which later turned into a live album, or the bizarre appearance at Woodstock ’94, where the band was pelted with mud. Claypool claims to still have mud in some of his speakers. Like many rock icons, Claypool has turned into a winemaker, first for himself, then into commercial production, and this show is a combination of a gig and an extreme wine tasting. Frankly, you never know what to expect from a Claypool show, but it’s never boring.
Venue – HopMonk Tavern – Sebastopol – 707- 829-7300
Saturday, Nov. 17 – Pride & Joy
During its 25 years of playing the Bay Area, Pride & Joy has remained one of the most popular bands on the local music scene. The act plays the timeless pop and soul music hits from the ’60s to the ‘90s in a show that pulls the audience directly into the heart of their performance.” It’s always been natural for us to reach out and draw in the audience. We make the people feel they’re part of the performance because they are,” says Pride & Joy founder and bandleader Coleman Burke. Be prepared to dance all night.
Venue – Last Day Saloon – Santa Rosa – 707-545-5876
Sunday, Nov. 18 – Navarro Chamber Players
Led by two icons of the North Bay chamber scene, Marilyn Thompson and Carol Menke, the players lay down dynamic juxtaposition of vocal and instrumental chamber pieces including “Three Tangos” by Brian S. Wilson and “the Piano Quintet” by Robert Schumann, “a fiendish pianistic challenge as well as a masterpiece of the genre” claims The Observer.
Venue – The Donald and Maureen Green Music Center – Rohnert Park – 866-955-6040