The Sonoma Music Arts School will be presenting their spring concert Saturday, April 24, showcasing their students in performances of vocals and piano and will also feature two rock bands from the school. Under the direction of Brett Carillo, the bands Happy Tuesdays and Pooof will take the stage and lay down some original rock tunes. Also on the bill is a band from the Sonoma Valley Academy music program called the Action Figures, who will be playing rock covers from the ‘50s to the present day. The event is a fundraiser for the school, and proceeds will go to the Sonoma Music Arts School’s tuition assistance program, which helps students that might not have the financial means to still be able to get music education. The event kicks off at 2 p.m. at the Sebastiani Theatre and tickets will be at the door, or in advance at the school or Sonoma Valley Music. For more info, call 996-7661.
The Sonoma Valley Education Foundation is also having a fundraiser on Sunday, April 25, at the Sonoma Valley Veterans Memorial Building, billed as ‘Are you smarter than a Sonoma Valley 5th grader?” There will be a game show like contest with over 20 local celebrities going up against a select group of 5th graders from Sonoma Valley schools. The game gets underway at 4 p.m. There is also a dance after the event that will feature Backtrax that starts at 7 p.m. You can purchase tickets for the game and the dance or just the dance itself. Food and beverages will be available and there is a special price for children, and families are encouraged to come out to the show. For tickets and more info, call 938-9566.
Although it’s not the best kept secret in the Valley any longer, but still one of those “in the know” events, is the Sunday night jam at the Blue Moon Saloon that gets rolling each and every Sunday about 9 p.m. Guitarist extraordinaire Isaac Carter and vocalist Phil Herrschaft are joined by some top-notch talent, and the addition of the new house bass player is no exception. Stuart Sperring has a tidy list of credentials, including playing in the Bammie award winning act out of Marin County, Lee Press on and the Nails. All local players are welcome to join in for a song or two, just show up and talk to Carter or Herrschaft.
Friends of Michael J. Kelley are putting on a benefit for him at the Grange Hall in Boyes Hot Springs on Saturday, April 24, at 1 p.m. Scheduled to play short sets are Tommy Thomsen, Ten Foot Tone, the Whiskey Thieves, Bob Taylor and friends and more. The show will be emceed by local crooner Jeff Gilbert. Kelley was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident over a year ago and is still recovering. There is no charge for the benefit, but donations will be accepted.
Showcase the Band will be playing the 5th annual Sock Hop at Little Switzerland on Saturday, April 24, at 8 p.m. There will be rock and roll trivia and other fun games.
Garen Patterson will be performing his tri-lingual folk opera on Saturday and Sunday, April 24 and 25, titled “Martas Inferno” which will be sung in English, Italian and Spanish. In addition, Lambeth Sterling will be performing “Love & Sex in the Earth’s Spin Cycle,” a comedy on dating, relationships, and the South. The shows and are a benefit for the Andrews Hall seating project at the Sonoma Community Center. Show times for both nights are 7:30 p.m. and for tickets and more info, call Garen at 337-2313.
Sonoma Springs Brewery will have the hippie mountain sounds of Wildflower Weed on Saturday, April 24, at 7 p.m.
The Lodge at Sonoma will have jazz both nights this weekend, kicking off tonight, April 23, with Mike Greensil on piano. Saturday, April 24, has Jonathan Alford tickling the ivories in the lounge. Shows both nights start at 7 p.m. and there is no cover.
The Plaza Bistro also has jazz tonight, April 23, with the Mads Tolling quartet. Tolling, Mike Abraham, George Ban-Weiss and Eric Garland came together through the eclectic San Francisco jazz scene. Tolling is an internationally renowned violinist, violist, and composer, is a two time Grammy award winner. He is currently a member of the Turtle Island quartet and soloist with bassist Stanley Clarkes band. Showtime is 7 p.m. and there is no cover.
Mondo American Beer Garden will have the popping sounds of the Cork Pullers on Saturday, April 24, at 7 p.m.
Steiners Tavern has music all weekend starting tonight, April 23, with the Sean Carscadden Trio. Carscadden will have with him tonight Andrew Emer on bass and J.B. Duff on the drums. Showtime is 10 p.m. Saturday, April 24, has the DJ sounds of Xeeno for a 10 p.m. show. The Big Easy hits the stage on Sunday, April 25, for an early show, kicking off at 6 p.m. There is no cover for any of the shows.
Murphy’s Irish Pub also has music all weekend, starting tonight, April 23, with the Two Rock Ramblers at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 24, brings High Country to the pub for an 8 p.m. show and Sunday, April 25, brings the Celtic sounds of Greenhouse for an evening show that kicks off at 6 p.m.
The El Dorado Kitchen has Sean Carscadden and Marty O’Reilly in the fireplace lounge on Saturday, April 24, for a 6:30 p.m. show.
Olive and Vine has music from Cynthia Tarr and the Guys tonight, April 23, for a 7 p.m. show. It’s rumored that there will be cake involved, but don’t quote us.
Imagery Estate Winery has EZ Kewl by the patio fountain on Saturday, April 24, for an afternoon of “jazziness” starting at 1 p.m. Sunday, April 25, brings the acoustic ‘70s sounds of the Sharks, also at 1 p.m. Folks are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the music. There is no cover.
Jon Popenoe will be at Landmark Winery and Vineyards on Saturday, April 24, for an afternoon of blues that goes off at 1 p.m.
Adam Traum will be at the Black Rose Pub in Santa Rosa tonight, April 23, for an 8 p.m. show.
The Hellhounds are on the road all weekend stating Saturday, April 24, with a show at Uva Trattoria in Napa that kicks off at 8:30 p.m. Sunday, April 25, the bluesmen are off to Seghesio Winery in Healdsburg for a 1 p.m. start time.