Nigel Armstrong brings his quartet to Jacuzzi Family Winery on Sunday, May 9, for what will be an afternoon of blistering strings and moving classical music moments. Armstrong will be performing on violin with the Peresson quartet, which will also feature Luanne Homzy on violin, Min-Kyung Sung on viola, and Julian Schwarz on cello. Armstrong is a true home-grown musical success story, having started his career at an early age with local instructor Lita Davis. He has gone on to win accolades in just about every competition he has entered and has performed with some of the finest orchestras in the world, including the Boston Pops Orchestra and the Berkeley Symphony Orchestra. The show, put on by the Sonoma Classical Music Society, goes off at 3 p.m. and has special cabaret seating that even includes a bottle of wine. Tickets will be available at the door, and at the societys website at www.sonomaclassical.org.
The Bell Bottom Bash returns on Saturday, May 8, for a musical trip into the ‘60s and ‘70s as a benefit the Sonoma Relay for Life and the Sonoma Community Center. The event kicks off at 5:30 p.m. in the Community Center and boasts not only two bands, Wildflower Weed and BackTrax, but hair coloring, face painting, barbeque by Finish Line, a performance painter and go-go dancers that will be drawn by raffle and will dance onstage with BackTrax. There will also be a silent auction, raffle drawings for wine and other donated items, grooviest costume awards, hula hoop contest, twist dance contest and even a photo booth. Whew. Donna Piranha and David Robbins will emcee the event. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door or in advance at Sonoma Valley Music. Period style attire is encouraged.
He is billed as the “Bob Dylan” of Cuba for his socially conscious lyrics and the way his music is moving people here and on the island of Cuba. Carlos Verela will take the stage at Ramekins Event Center tonight, May 7, for a show and dinner that will feature Cuban specialties. You may have caught Varela at his last show at the venue as a solo act, but this time he will have his whole band backing him. Dinner and doors are at 6:30 p.m. Showtime is 8 p.m. For tickets and more info, point your browser to www.ramekins.com or show up at the door, space permitting.
If you’re a fan of classic Bon Scott era AC/DC, then Steiners Tavern has your fix tonight, May 7, as the tribute act High Voltage comes to town, featuring local Bob Taylor as Angus Young. The band entertains audiences all over northern California. Showtime is 10 p.m. Saturday, May 8, has the DJ sounds of DJ Xxxeno for a 10 p.m. start time. Sunday, May 9, brings in the original acoustic rock sounds of John Burdick. Burdick is a passionate player and it shows in his songs. That is an early show that kicks off at 6 p.m. There is no cover for any of the shows.
Imagery Estate Winery will have music from the Nitelites on Saturday, May 8, for a 1 p.m. show. Sunday, May 9, will have a special Mothers day show featuring the Jami Jamison band for a 1:30 p.m. show. There is no cover for either show and guests are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch.
The children of Altimira Middle school and Woodland Star Charter school have teamed up to bring you a show that features the 6th, 7th and 8th grade classes for a production of “The Circle of Life ~ The Music and Story of the Lion King.” There are two shows on Saturday, May 8, in the Altimira Multi-Purpose room, one at 3 p.m. and an evening show at 7 p.m. Admission is free and the public is welcome.
Sonoma Jazz + is one full weekend earlier this year and there are still good seats available for all shows, but they are going fast. The three big shows are next weekend, May 21, 22 and 23, and features rock legends Crosby Stills and Nash, soul pioneers Earth Wind and Fire and a man that is essentially his own genre, Elvis Costello. For tickets and more info, point your browser to www.sonomajazz.org.
Jess Petty and Ken Chambers will be at the Ledson Lounge on the Plaza tonight, May 7, at 6 p.m.
Murphys Irish Pub has local favorites the Sonoma Mountain band tonight, May 7, for an evening of folk, country and bluegrass. Showtime is 8 p.m. Saturday, May 8, brings in Carolina Special for an 8 p.m. show. Sunday, May 9 has the Celtic vibe of Shades of Green for an early show that gets rolling at 6 p.m.
Jon Popenoe is taking over on EZ Kewls gig at Whole Foods in Sonoma in the produce aisle. We have to take a little credit for this. When we were on terrestrial radio, we joked that EZ Kewl would play anywhere, even the produce aisle; within three months they had a gig, in a produce aisle. Popenoe continues the tradition on Saturday, May 8, for a solo slot from 11 a.m. to noon, followed by a duo with Tom Wolfe from 1 to 3 p.m. Then the boys are off to a show at Brixx in Petaluma the same night with their blues band for a 9 p.m. show.
Speaking of EZ Kewl, the jazzy gents are at Larsen Family Winery both days this weekend, May 8 and 9, for shows that kick off at 1:30 p.m.
Mondo American Beer Garden has the sounds of Brian Ruff on Saturday, May 8, for a 7 p.m. show. In addition to the beer selection too numerous to even begin to mention, we’ve heard good things about the new menu as well. There is no cover for the show.
Local Cajun stars Gator Beat is back in town for a show on Saturday, May 8, at Little Switzerland Dance lessons kick off at 8 p.m. and the show follows. The band is famous on the festival circuit and now has Willard Blackwell taking the vocal duties.
The Lodge at Sonoma will have Mike Greensil tonight, May 7, for a 7 p.m. show in the lounge. Saturday brings in John Groves tickling the ivories for a 7 p.m. show as well. There is no cover for either show.
Landmark Winery and Vineyards will have the jazz tunes of Laurant Fourgo on Saturday, May 8, for a 1 p.m. start.
The Plaza Bistro will have Pianist Mark Levine and his Trio in the backroom tonight, May 7, at 7 p.m.
Local Guitarist Michael Hinton has a show tonight at the Highland Dell in Monte Rio starting at 7 p.m. tonight, which will have him playing with the legendary Barry “The Fish” Melton and members of Big Brother and the Holding Company, Peter Albin and Dave Getz.
Natasha James and Pete Olson will be doing a Mothers Day concert in a songwriters circle with Jeff Halford at Sonoma Cellars in railroad Square in Santa Rosa on Sunday, May 9. The event is a benefit for the Sonoma Valley Community Health Center, and will kick off at 3 p.m. For tickets and more info, point your browser to www.cellarsofsonoma.com.
Sabor Latino is also on the road this weekend for a Saturday, May 8, show at Zone Music in Cotati that kicks off at 1 p.m. There will even be a taco truck present.