They’re calling it “La Belle Musique” and it will be an afternoon of French choral music for the Valley of the Moon Chamber Ensemble’s Spring Concert, to be held on Sunday, May 1, at 3 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church. The ensemble will feature the Faure Requiem and Cantique de Jean Racine, both by composer Gabriel Faure. Other lyrical selections will be from Debussy, Ravel and Poulenc. The group members include Dr. Brian Sebastian’s chamber singers, which features Dr. Suzannah Bozzone, Beth Carter, Greg Grabow, Erick Larson, Dr. Brian Sebastian, Jessica Short, Dr. Jerome Smith and Sheila Whitney, with John Burke on piano and organ. Special guests include Leta Davis on violin and Bertina Mitchell on harp. There is no cover for the show, which benefits the “Friends of Music at Trinity Episcopal Church.” But donations will be accepted at the door.
Over 250 student performers will take the stage at various times on Friday, April 29, as part of the annual Sonoma Valley Unified School District Concert, to be held in Pfeiffer Gym at Sonoma Valley High School at 7 p.m. The high school acts will include the Concert Choir, the Madrigals, the Concert Band and the Jazzberries. Those groups just returned from their March trip to the Heritage Music Festival in Anaheim, in which they received 3 silver and one bronze awards, plus the Spirit of Anaheim trophy. The show will also showcase many acts from the middle and elementary schools, including a of young guitarists group sponsored by Little Kids Rock and directed by Craig Madison. The show is also sponsored in part by the contributions of the Sonoma Jazz Plus concerts, this year to be held the weekend before Memorial Day on May 20 – 22. If that wasn’t enough, the evening will honor outgoing High School Music Director Barbara McElroy, who is retiring after 36 years of teaching children music in almost every school in Sonoma Valley. McElroy has won numerous awards during her tenure, including the 2004 Teacher of the Year Award from the Masons and being named 2010 Director of the Year by the Northern California Band and Choir Director’s Association. Donations for the show will be accepted at the door. All proceeds will go towards enhancing music education in our schools.
Murphy’s Irish Pub will have the debut performance of Vitamin Girl tonight, April 29, featuring the father-daughter duo of Ralph and Aria Cetola for a show that kicks off at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 30, the pub will not be having music due to a private event. Sunday, May 1, will bring in a double header, with Savannah Blue taking the stage at 3:30 p.m. and Edge of Town following at 6:30 p.m.
Sebastiani Winery and Vineyards has BackTrax in the tasting room tonight, April 29, for a night of classic rock as part of the monthly “Food Truck Friday” event. The food trucks will circle in the parking lot and there will be wine specials as well. The event kicks off at 6 p.m. with the music starting at 6:30 p.m.
Rolando Morales will be filling the back room at the Plaza Bistro with Afro-Cuban grooves tonight, April 29, kicking off at 7 p.m. Morales is a composer, vocalist and guitarist as well, and brings in an all-star band, some whom have played with the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, Tower of Power, Spearhead, Rubén Blades and Carlos Santana. There is no cover for the show.
The Sonoma Music Arts School has announced its Summer Camp 2011 schedule. Not really like camping, the “camps” are a one – two week immersion in a type or style of music, open to all children between sixth and 12th grades, all leading up to the big ensemble performance to be held in August, 2011. Some of the camps are “Music Improv Camp,” where campers will play some of the most fun music in the world and learn how to play a solo in a Jazz Ensemble.
Another is “Summer of Rock Camp,” where campers are assigned to bands according to age, experience and preferences to prepare and rehearse songs for the Summer Concert. Yet another is “Classical Music Camp,” where participants will play material ranging from Mozart to Frank Zappa, and is open to all classical string instruments. For info on all the camps, dates and pricing, point your browser to www.sonomamusicarts.com.
Jon Popenoe will be in Napa tonight, April 29, for an 8 p.m. show at Uva Trattoria.
Showcase the Band will be out of town all weekend, starting tonight, also in Napa at the Sons of Italy dance in the Elks Hall for an 8 p.m. show. Sunday, May 1, has the band in Calistoga at Pioneer Park as part of the Tamale Festival. That show kicks off at noon.
Hot 45s – Shows within a 45 minute drive from the Island
Moonalice– Friday, April 29.
19 Broadway – Fairfax
415-459-0293
Jamie Clark Band – Friday, April 29.
Peri’s – Fairfax
415-459-9910
Stone Foxes – Friday, April 29.
HopMonk Tavern – Sebastopol
829-7300
Psychedelic Furs – Thursday, May 5.
Uptown Theater – Napa
259-0123