It’s a little something for everyone this weekend in Sonoma County, from a blues legend, to rock and blues in a classic roadhouse. Bluegrass, biker rock and even the symphony round it all up. Typically the last non-rainy weekend of the year, so get on out and have some fun, Sonoma-style.
Friday Nov. 2 – B. B. King
Seriously, what can you say about B. B. King that hasn’t been said. His reign as King of the Blues has been as long as that of any monarch on earth. And, King continues to wear his crown well. At age 86, B.B. King is still singing and playing the blues with relentless passion, thrilling audiences and influencing generations of guitarists to come. Anyone who gets his guitar, Lucille, its own seat on the plane when he travels is OK by us.
Venue – Wells Fargo Center – Santa Rosa – 707-546-3600
Friday, Nov. 2 – Poor Man’s Whiskey
These guys are actually the opening act for this show, so get there on time. As one of Northern California’s premiere bluegrass acts, the band has a reputation for high-energy live shows and an incomparable fusion of old-school bluegrass, southern rock, and jam band to the stage. Billing the shows as a “High-Octane Hootenanny,” the act promises a foot-stompin good time. The act has released six albums, including a bluegrass interpretation of the Pink Floyd classic “Dark Side of the Moon”
Venue – Mystic Theatre – Petaluma – 707-765-2121
Friday, Nov. 2 – Moonshine Bandits
We’ve yet to see this act, but just from the description, this sounds like a heck of a show. From the bands website: “When you add the ingredients of women, whiskey, 4 wheel drives, a twist of Johnny Cash meets the Beastie Boys, shake well and pour over ice , you get the Moonshine Bandits. California’s favorite blue collar outlaws, known as the Moonshine Bandits, have taken their outlaw brand of country hip-hop to the next level” The California-based act tours the country playing over a dozen shows this month alone, that will take the act from North Carolina to California.
Venue – Mavericks – Santa Rosa – 707- 544-1562
Saturday, Nov. 3- Crossfire
Crossfire is a big dance band in the classic format, and plays rhythm and blues, classic soul, Motown, classic rock, ‘70s Disco and more. The band can lay down a range of grooves from smooth jazz for the cocktail-dinner set to the full blown house rockin’ show band with choreography and special effect lighting. Expect to be dancing long before the show ends.
Venue – Flamingo Hotel – Santa Rosa – 707-545-8530
Saturday, Nov. 3 – Brothers of Siren
Even though there is a “sister” in the act, the Brothers of Siren will lay down rock and blues with a passion. According to the band, “Finding the right combination of musicians, great original music, and heart, is not always an easy find. This band seems to have it all. Hailing from Sonoma County, all the members have mad music running through their veins and would love nothing more then to share it with you.”
Venue – Tradewinds – Cotati – 707-795-7878
Saturday – Sunday, Nov. 3 – 4 – Santa Rosa Symphony Ensemble
This will be the American premiere of De Tiempo y de Metal, a work composed for solely brass instruments by living French composer Martin Matalon. Pianist Jean-Philippe Collard takes on the concerto that even challenged Saint-Saëns himself, with technical bravura as dazzling as the compositional craftsmanship. Berlioz’s fanatically colorful Symphonie fantastique uses the concert hall’s acoustics to maximum effect as the crowning touch to this thrilling, energetic program from France.
Venue – The Donald and Maureen Green Music Center – Rohnert Park – 866-955-6040