Andrew Emer Archives - Sonoma Music Scene

David Thom All-Star Band at the Moose Lodge

The Moose Lodge is quickly becoming a live music venue, and it’s no accident. Billy Bragg and the boys have been improving the venue and making it a nicer place for their members and the general public as well. The tradition of playing live music in fraternal organizations dance halls goes way back, where local bands would get their first chance to play live at the local Elks Club, Eagles Hall or at the IOOF Hall. Certainly not his first show, David Thom has been making big waves in the bluegrass circles as of late, with his latest CD release, “That Old Familiar,” which was produced by Grammy Award-winner Laurie Lewis getting rave reviews, to his appearances at the legendary Freight and Salvage in Berkeley to appearing with Grandpa Banana it numerous shows around the Bay Area. Tonight, at the Moose Lodge, Thom has put together an all-star bluegrass line-up, calling themselves the Hardly Strictly Mash-up Boys, that features himself on mandolin, Kyle McCabe on the upright bass, Riley Hill on guitar and Isaac Cantor on banjo. The show kicks off tonight, July 13, at 8 p.m. and tickets will be available at the door.

It’s a Dixieland band extravaganza on Saturday, July 14, at Cline Cellars Winery on the great lawn at the venue. The all day event will feature 13 Bay Area Dixieland jazz acts, including Black Diamond Blue Five, Devil Mountain Jazz Band, Golden Gate Rhythm Machine and more. Wine, beer and food will be available for purchase, and guests can bring a picnic. Live ragtime and blues piano will be played on tasting room deck with big band and swing in the barrel room. The day kicks off at 11 a.m. and tickets can be purchased the day of the show. For more info or reservations, call 940-4025.

The Plaza Bistro has Noam Lemish tonight, July 13, for a show that will include George Marsh on drums and Jim Kerwin on bass. Lemish released his first album, “Yes And” in Fall of 2008, which is a collaboration with master drummer George Marsh. Recently completed recording projects set to be released in the near future include an album of piano solo improvisations and a forthcoming second release with George Marsh. Showtime is 7 p.m. Saturday, July 14, the bistro welcomes Andrew Emer on bass and Chris Pimental on guitar, also for a 7 p.m. start. There is no cover either night.

There is no music at Sebastiani Winery and Vineyards tonight, July 13, due to a private event on the property. Live music returns next week.

JoyRide brings their act into Steiners Tavern for an early show that kicks off at 7 p.m. tonight, July 13. Sitting in with the band on saxophone will be Keith Ridenhour, of the Jami Jamison Band and the Whiskey Thieves fame. There is no cover for the show.

Murphy’s Irish Pub welcomes in local bluesmen the Hellhounds tonight, July 13, for an 8 p.m. show. Saturday, July 14, it’s Larry Carlin night and he has with him the Penny Hens, also for an 8 p.m. show. If you have not seen this act, then it’s time. We were very impressed with these two young ladies the last time we saw them at the pub. Sunday, July 15, it’s an early start at 6:30 p.m. for Shards of Green. There is no cover for any of the shows at the pub.

Sonoma Springs Brewing Company welcomes Michael L. Castle to the brewery for an acoustic show on Saturday, July 14, at 7 p.m.

The Ledson Lounge has William Russell tonight, July 13, for a night of acoustic guitar. Russell received a Bachelor’s Degree in Music from the Boston Conservatory and a Masters Degree in Music from Florida State University. As well as being a classically trained musician, he is also an established composer and arranger. Expect a performance with a blend of original compositions, music from the classical guitar repertoire, contemporary arrangements, traditional Christian Hymns, along with a touch of Chet Atkins. Showtime is 6 p.m. Saturday, July 14, it’s Dan Daniels and Joyce Grant. Grant has been singing jazz in Bay Area venues for over 20 years and has been described as a “mezzo-soprano with a voice like dark honey.” Her unique shows consist of a blend of jazz, blues, country western, rhythm and blues, and funk. Showtime Saturday is 7 p.m. There is no cover either night.

Chateau St. Jean Winery in Kenwood has a Bastille Day celebration that will feature the sounds of the Haute Flash Quartet on Saturday, July 14, kicking off at 11 a.m.

The Hellhounds are on the road to Cuvee in Napa on Saturday, July 14, for a 9:30 p.m. start.

Hot 45s – Shows within a 45 minute drive from the Island

Modern English – Saturday, July 14
19 Broadway – Fairfax
415-459-0293

Reverend Horton Heat – Sunday, July 15
Mystic Theatre – Petaluma
765-2121

Toots and the Maytals – Tuesday, July 17
The Fillmore – San Francisco
415-346-6000

Ray Davies – Thursday, July 19
The Fillmore – San Francisco
415-346-6000

Festival del Sol – Sunday, July 15
Napa Valley Opera House
226-7372

Tangerine Dream – Friday, July 13
Uptown Theater – Napa
259-0123

Willie Nelson – Wednesday, July 18
Uptown Theater – Napa
259-0123

Hoo Doo Rhythm Devils – Friday, July 13
George’s Nightclub – San Rafael
415-226-0262

Earth Wind and Fire– Friday, July 13
Wells Fargo Center – Santa Rosa
546-3600

Fundraiser for Japan at the Moose Lodge

Once again, the folks in Sonoma Valley show their generosity when it comes to disasters half-way across the earth. Soon after the events in Japan, local mom Karen Stern started calling for a benefit and needed a location. Penny Byrd (Popo the Clown) got wind of it and between them and a host of others; the “Love to Japan from Sonoma” event was born. The event will be Sunday, March 27, at the Moose Lodge at 20850 Broadway from noon to 6 p.m. and features live music, a pasta feed, raffles and auctions and, as Popo claims “…even NASCAR.” Kicking off the live music at 12:30 p.m. will be Isaac Carter and Jason Bodlovich, who have an incredible acoustic duo, having recently checked them out opening for Joe Satriani. Next up is the Emer and Barrett Trio that will feature the young Barrett brothers and Mad and Eddie Duran. Following that act will be the Choro Quintet, featuring Aldo Mosca, Andrew Emer, Mad Duran and the young Barrett brothers playing Brazillian music. Noche Tropical and “Los Differentes del Ritmo” will take the stage next and the evening is wrapped up by Tudo Bem. There will be jumpers for the children and DJ music between the live acts. All the proceeds will go to the Red Cross to help benefit Japan. Entrance to the event is a donation of any size, no matter how large or small.

Noche Tropical is doing a double-header on Sunday, March 27. After playing and packing up at the Japan benefit, the band heads off to La Luz for La Copa Cesar Chavez soccer tournament awards ceremony at 6 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

The El Verano Inn welcomes back home town harmonica hero Junior Boogie and his band tonight, March 25, for a night of blues and rock, starting at 9:30 p.m.

The Olde Sonoma Public House has Tudo Bem tonight, March 25, for a 7:30 p.m. show.

Sebastiani Winery and Vineyards has BackTrax in the tasting room as part of the “Food Truck Friday” event tonight, March 25, at 6 p.m. The food trucks will be in the parking lot. The band will be by the fireplace.

The Cadillac Converters will be at the Sonoma Community Center tonight, March 25, entertaining guests of the Chili Bowl Express. For tickets and more info, call 938-4626, ext.1.

Sue Albano, Mark Dennis and Bob Edmondson have finally decided on a name for their act. From now on, or until they change the name, they will be the Magnets and you can catch them at Steiners Tavern tonight, March 25, for a 7 p.m. show.

Murphy’s Irish Pub has the traditional bluegrass sounds of the David Thom Band tonight, March 25, at 8 p.m. in the snug. Saturday, March 26, brings in Out of the Blue, with their own style of swing music, also for an 8 p.m. start. Sunday, March 27, has an early 6 p.m. start for Dave Aguilar and Peter McCauley, who will have just bugged out of the Japan benefit. Sonoma Springs Brewery has the debut of Hunter Germano on Saturday, March 26, for a 7 p.m. show. Rumor has it that Hunter Germano was the name of their high school gym teacher, but we haven’t been able to confirm or deny that. There is no cover for the show.

Little Switzerland has the dance and blues sounds of the Rett Hamer Blues Band on Saturday, March 26, as part of the continuing “No Cover Saturdays.” The venue is trying out a series of local acts that have good followings and eliminating the standard cover charge to give the locals access to the largest dance floor in the Valley. Showtime is 7 p.m. and there is, no cover.

The Plaza Bistro has the jazz sounds of the Andrew Emer Trio, tonight, March 25, and this week the trio includes drummer Greg Wyser Pratt and Michael Parsons on piano. The show kicks off at 7 p.m. and there is no cover.

The Big 3 Diner in Boyes Hot Springs welcomes Josh Little to the room on Monday, March 28, for a 7 p.m. dinner show.

Uva Trattoria in Napa has Sonoma Valley acts all weekend, kicking off tonight, March 25, with the Jon Popenoe Blues Band for an 8 p.m. show. Saturday, March 26, the trattoria welcomes that blues sounds of the Hellhounds, also for an 8 p.m. show.

Hot 45s – Shows within a 45 minute drive from the Island
Volker Strifler Band – Saturday, March 26.
Rancho Nicasio – Nicasio
415-662-2219

Robben Ford – Friday, March 25
Mystic Theatre – Petaluma
765-2121

Pride & Joy – Saturday, March 26.
Mystic Theatre – Petaluma
765-2121

Sol Horizon – Friday March 25.
HopMonk Tavern – Sebastopol
829-7300

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy – Friday, March 25.
Uptown Theater – Napa
259-0123

Taj Mahal – Sunday, March 27.
Uptown Theater – Napa
259-0123

Songwriters in Sonoma at Cornerstone Gardens

The “Songwriters in Sonoma” series at Cornerstone Gardens in Carneros continues on Thursday, March 24, at 7 p.m. with a trio of singer-songwriters. John Burdick, Pete Olson and Lucy Billings will all be taking turns entertaining the crowd inside the tasting room at Meadowcroft Winery. For tickets and more info, call 934-4090.

Murphy’s Irish Pub has the debut performance of Border Radio on Thursday, March 24, at 7 p.m. in the snug. The band plays what they describe as “prairie swing.”

BackTrax will be laying down two acoustic sets at the Olde Sonoma Public House, located in the Fiesta Plaza in Boyes Hot Springs on Thursday, March 24, for an 8 p.m. show. There is no cover.

There will be an open jam, hosted by the Tri Tip Trio at Little Switzerland on Thursday, March 24, that goes off at 8 p.m.

The Plaza Bistro has the Andrew Emer Trio in the back room on Friday, March 25, at 7 p.m.

Murphy’s Irish Pub has the traditional bluegrass sounds of the David Thom Band on Friday, March 25, at 8 p.m.

Sebastiani Winery and Vineyards has BackTrax in the tasting room as part of the “Food Truck Friday” event on Friday, March 25, at 6 p.m.

The Cadillac Converters will be at the Sonoma Community Center on Friday, March 25, entertaining guests of the Chili Bowl Express. For tickets and more info, call 938-4626, ext.1.

The El Verano Inn has the blues grooves of Junior Boogie on Friday, March 25, for a 9:30 p.m. show. There is no cover.

Sue Albano, Mark Dennis and Bob Edmondson will be playing as the Magnets at Steiners Tavern on Friday, March 25, for a 7 p.m. show.