Mondo American Beer Garden will be hosting its last night of live music on Saturday, Jan. 29, and last night of anything for that matter, as the venue will change hands on Feb. 1. But that’s not stopping Dean Castelli, the proprietor, from going out with a bang. The small brew pub had become a popular place for local live music and also a place for seasoned and burgeoning singer-songwriters to hone their skills. The Riverside Renegades will be playing their debut performance at the swansong for the venue, and will play two sets, kicking off at 7:30 p.m. Uncle Jesse of the Porch Junkies will be handling the introductions and we’ve heard rumors of a local or two stopping to help the place go out with a bang. Thanks for all the music over the years Dean, and good luck on your next venture.
The Mid-Winter Ball will be taking place on Saturday, Jan. 29, at the Vintage House senior center on Saturday, Jan. 29 at 6 p.m., as a benefit for three women who are fighting cancer, one of whom lost her battle last week. Mallory Davenport passed quietly with friends and family after a short battle with lung cancer, but proceeds from the evening will benefit her three children, along with Ginnie Nichols and Sarah Cess, who are still fighting their own battles with the disease. There will be dancing with dance DJ Steve Luther and prizes for the best costumes in a variety of genres. Tickets will be available at the door, of by calling Julie Atwood at 935-0621.
The Native Sons of the Golden West, Parlor #111 will be presenting their annual “Surf and Turf” dinner, now in its seventh year, on Saturday, Jan. 29, at 6 p.m. at the Sonoma Valley Veterans Memorial Building as a benefit for the Sonoma Valley High School scholarship fund. Paul Spadaro, proprietor of Steiners Tavern, and the crew will be preparing Harris Ranch beef, shrimp and a full meal, which includes wine with dinner. After dinner, attendees can dance to the classic rock sounds of BackTrax. Tickets for the event are available at Steiners Tavern, Eraldi’s Mens Wear & Shoes or at the door if still available.
The Mission San Francisco Solano has Fado, featuring Fadista Zelia Freitas and the band Sete Colinas, tonight, Jan. 28, for a 7:30 p.m. show. For tickets and more info, call 484-9552.
The Plaza Bistro has the Jeff Massanari Trio in the back room tonight, Jan. 28, at 7 p.m. Masanari has performed with many San Francisco Bay Area artists including vocalists Denise Perrier, Kenny Washington and instrumentalists Charles McNeil, Vince Lateano, and Jeff Chambers. Tonight, Massanari will have Wayne De La Cruz on the Hammond B3 and Wally Schnalle on drums. There is no cover for the show.
Sue Albano will be celebrating her birthday at Steiners Tavern tonight, Jan. 28, with a performance with her band that includes Mark Dennis and “The Monster” Bob Edmondson. Rumor has it that there may be a special guest or two sitting in with the band. Showtime is 7:30 and there is no cover. Saturday, Jan. 29, the tavern will have the dance grooves of DJ Dave for a 10 p.m. start time.
Murphy’s Irish Pub kicks off the weekend with some red-hot bluegrass from locals the David Thom Band tonight, Jan. 28, at 8 p.m. The band plays in the traditional style of Flatt and Scruggs and all take turns at the mic. Saturday, Jan. 29, has Keeley Valentino; a local singer-songwriter, playing acoustic originals, also at 8 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 30, brings Peter Lamson back to the pub for an early evening of standard cover songs and original songs. That show gets under way at 6 p.m.
Landmark Winery and Vineyards has Eric Symons for an afternoon of acoustic guitar on Saturday, Jan. 29, kicking off at 1 p.m.
The El Verano Inn will have Irie Sounds from DJ Robert Roots on Saturday, Jan. 29, for a no cover dance show that kicks off at 9:30 p.m.
Little Switzerland in downtown El Verano has Showcase The Band who will be playing dance music on Sunday, Jan. 30, for a dinner show that kicks off at 5 p.m.
The Jami Jamison Band will be making their debut performance at the Rancho Nicasio in, of all places, Nicasio, on Sunday, Jan. 30, at 4 p.m. in the Tavern Room There is no cover.
Jazz Legends Mad and Eddie Duran are on the road to North Beach in San Francisco on Saturday, Jan. 29, for a show at Rose Pistola’s that kicks off at 8:30 p.m.