One of the great things about writing for a newspaper is that people send you stuff. You end up on lists somehow and things just arrive. We’ve yet to crack the list that our esteemed colleague Daedalus Howell is on, where bottles of wine just show up at your door, but we’re working on it. Typically, for us, it’s a CD from a local musician, a promo package from someone coming to town, or even a hastily scrawled note on the back of a Red Grape napkin announcing an upcoming show. This time was different. We got the message from our Editrix, Emily, that a package had arrived for us, and after we determined that it was not, in fact, ticking, we swung by the office to pick it up. It was big, maybe videos…vinyl? No, it was four loaves of bread. Not just any bread, but “Dave’s Killer Bread.” Why did the music columnist get delivered bread? Maybe it’s because several of the 15 different varietals of bread are music related; “Blues Bread, Rockin’ Rye” and even the logo has an image of Dave playing a guitar. Was Dave a musician? Not hardly, but his story is an interesting one, one that you can find out more about at www.daveskillerbread.com. So did the PR stunt of sending bread to the music columnist work? Apparently; we’re talking about it. And how is the bread? Since we’re at the age where whole grain and fiber are more exciting than the latest version of the Reeses Peanut Butter Cup, it’s pretty darn good, although Miss Susan described it as “… pretty busy for bread.” You can find Dave’s bread at Sonoma Market and Safeway.
A huge shout-out goes to Bruce Cohn, winemaker and philanthropist here in Sonoma Valley for not only bringing world class musical acts to the Valley, acts that fill stadiums in many cities, but last week he wrote checks that totaled $400,000 to benefit local Sonoma Valley and Sonoma County non-profits and charities. That brings the total of what Cohn has donated to over 6 million dollars in the last 25 years of the annual fall charity concert event, held on the grounds of his estate winery. This years local beneficiaries include the Redwood Empire Food Bank, Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance, Sonoma Valley Education Foundation, Glide Memorial, Santa Rosa Memorial Trauma Center and Sonoma Developmental Center. Cheers Bruce!
The Vintage House senior center will be presenting “Vintage Holiday 2011” on Saturday, Nov. 19, starting at 5:30 p.m. The evening starts with mixologist Shane McKnight sharing special cocktails and followed up with a dinner presented by Chef Catherine Venturini from Olive & Vine. After the meal, guests will be entertained by Jackie Ryan, backed by the Larry Vuckovich Trio. For tickets and more info, call 996-0311.
Community Barn Dance is back at the Grange Hall in Boyes Hot Springs on Saturday, Nov. 19, kicking off at 8 p.m. Dance caller Tom Thoreau will walk everyone through the dance and accordion player Art Peterson will play as Thoreau keeps calling. All are welcome and will enjoy the reels and circle mixers. For more info, call 939-9999.
The Plaza Bistro welcomes back the Dana Land Trio tonight, Nov. 18, for a 7 p.m. show. Saturday, Nov. 19, brings in the Roberta Donnay Trio, also at 7 p.m. There is no cover for either show.
Andrews Hall in the Sonoma Community Center has the Joe Chaplian Band with their 5th annual tribute to Neil Young on Saturday, Nov. 19. The previous years shows have been held at the Barking Dog in Boyes Hot Springs, but the show has outgrown the old venue. This year, Sheila Whitney and Monica McKey will join in with the band. The show kicks off at 7 p.m. and for tickets and more info, call 938-4626.
Cuban Jack’s Smoke Shop in Boyes Hot Springs, formerly the Pipe Pirates, is offering local musicians a space to sell their CD’s in the store, along with a listening area, much like record stores used to have (remember those?). According to owner Mark Burton “the talent in Sonoma needs to be recognized.” The space in the store is free to all local musicians. For more info, call Mark at 637-3162. Cuban Jack’s Smoke Shop is at 18332 Sonoma Hwy in Boyes Hot Springs.
The WildKats are back at the Grist Mill Bar and Grill in Glen Ellen at the Jack London Village on Saturday, Nov. 19, for an evening of rock and blues. The show kicks off at 7 p.m.
The Kathmandu Corner has Liz Brown tonight, Nov. 18, for an 8 p.m. show. Saturday, Nov. 19, welcomes Sean Carscadden and Marty O’Reilly to the corner, also for an 8 p.m. show. There is no cover, but a two-drink minimum applies.
Murphy’s Irish Pub welcomes the Cork Pullers tonight, Nov. 18, for an evening of folk music debauchery, kicking off at 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, the pub has the Perfect Crime, also at 8 p.m. E. Z. Kewl is back for an early show on Sunday, Nov. 20, kicking off at 6:30 p.m.
Jess Petty takes over centre du vin inside the Ledson Lounge on Saturday, Nov. 19, for a solo performance. Showtime is 6:30 p.m. and there is no cover.
HopMonk Tavern Sonoma has the Courtney Janes tonight, Nov. 18, for a 9 p.m. show. Saturday, Nov. 19, the inside stage welcomes Spark & Whisper, also at 9 p.m.
Whole Foods Market, in the Sonoma Marketplace has Michael L. Castle entertaining shoppers at 5 p.m. today, Nov. 18.
The Jon Popenoe Blues Band will be at Uva Trattoria in Napa tonight, Nov. 18, for an 8 p.m. show.
The Whiskey Thieves will also be in Napa at Vinoce Winery on Saturday, Nov. 19, for a 3 p.m. show. The event is free for wine club members, but an admission charge applies to all others.
Hot 45s – Shows within a 45 minute drive from the Island
Y & T – Friday, Nov. 18.
Mystic Theatre – Petaluma
765-2121
Chris Isaak – Wednesday, Nov. 23.
Wells Fargo Center – Santa Rosa
546-3600
The Crux – Friday, Nov. 18.
HopMonk Tavern – Sebastopol
829-7300
Lucinda Williams – Friday – Saturday, Nov. 18 – 19.
The Fillmore – San Francisco
415-346-6000
Chris Cain – Saturday, Nov. 19.
Biscuits & Blues – San Francisco
415-292-2583
Foreverland – Michael Jackson Tribute – Saturday, Nov. 19.
George’s Nightclub – San Rafael
415-226-0262
Miracle Mule – Saturday, Nov. 19.
Southern Pacific Smokehouse – Novato
415-899-9600