Friday, Aug. 24 – Volker-Strifler
Volker Strifler is probably best known as the “other” guitarist in Robben Ford’s band. Though not exactly a household name, Volker Strifler should be. As a longtime associate of the famous Ford brothers (Robben, Patrick and Mark), Strifler had proven his mettle as a guitarist and singer a long time ago. But with his new CD, “Let the Music Rise,” he delivers the complete package in the form of superb lyrics and vocals, as well as skill as a producer, in addition to his accomplished fretwork.
HopMonk Tavern – Sebastopol
829-7300
Frobeck
Saturday, Aug. 25 – Frobeck
This would be my personal Hot Pick of the weekend – One of the hottest funk rock groups of the North Bay, Frobeck has been entertaining audiences with their original funk rock music since 2005. Boasting a full lineup of high octane lead vocals, bass, drums, guitars, keys, replete with sultry backing vocals, Frobeck covers all the bases. Their songs and musicianship have landed them on stage with such acts as Bill Champlin, Booker T, Ozomatli, WAR, Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk, Los Lonely Boys and many others. With the recent addition of the “Frobeck Horn Stars,” the band has entered into the realm of their musical heroes; Tower of Power, the Sons of Champlin, and Stevie Wonder. You can definitely shake you booty to these guys.
HopMonk Tavern – Sebastopol
829-7300
Brandi Carlile
Saturday, Aug. 25 – Brandi Carlile
From her earliest days on Seattle’s coffeehouse circuit, Carlile has demonstrated an uncommon gift for connecting with fans. Her remarkable vocals, by turns nuanced and raw, brilliantly uninhibited and always expressive convey a palpable emotion that seeps through every song.
WellsFargoCenter – Santa Rosa
546-3600
Tuesday, Aug. 28 – Diana Krall
This multi-platinum artist has written a new chapter in acoustic jazz improvisation. Krall has sold more than six million albums in the U.S. and over 15 million worldwide and she is the only jazz singer to have eight albums debuting at the top of the Billboard Jazz Albums. Her latest project has Krall and her band backing up Paul McCartney on his new release, “Kisses from the Bottom.”
WellsFargoCenter – Santa Rosa
546-3600
Saturday, Aug. 25 – Levi Lloyd and the 501 Blues Band
Levi Lloyd is a blues veteran, having played with B. B. King, John Lee Hooker and toured worldwide as the longtime guitarist for the legendary Joe Louis Walker. Lloyds well-worn ’68 Les Paul guitar and lowdown vocals tell it all. The band also won this years North Bay Music Awards for the best blues band.
The Sonoma Valley Chorale, under the direction of David Irvine, presents their annual holiday program at the SonomaValleyVeteransMemorialBuilding, this year titled “Making Spirits Bright” that will be presented three times over the weekend, with new starting times from previous years. The show will feature music by J. S. Bach and Giovanni Battista Pergolesi, as well as modern pieces from Ola Gjeilo and Eric Whitacre. There will also be holiday favorites like Jingle Bells and Deck the Halls. Irvine will be accompanied by associate conductor Barbara McElroy, and JoAnne Connor on Piano. The first show goes off at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10, followed by an evening performance the same day at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, there will be another matinee performance at 2 p.m. Tickets are available at Pharmaca and at the door before the shows. For more info, call 935-1576.
Allen L. Moore
Sonoma Valley lost a friend to all the local arts this week with the passing of Allen Moore after a short battle with lung cancer. Moore came to California in the late ‘60s and eventually landed in Sonoma Valley. Over time, Moore participated in many local productions as an actor and producer. He was also a talented graphic artist, photographer and videographer, creating print and digital media for many local bands and events. Moore had been living in Chicago as of late, but made it out to Sonoma Valley this last July for the Bell Bottom Bash where he re-connected with many friends from the past. Producers of the Bell Bottom Bash, Valley of the Mooneyhan Promotions, have said they will present the 2012 Bash in Moores honor. Services for Moore will be held in Chicago in January, with talk of a memorial tribute in Sonoma Valley as well. Godspeed Allen.
Izzy & the Catastrophics
If you missed Izzy and the Catastrophics last week, all is not lost. The band will be playing the El Verano Inn for an early Sunday, Dec. 11, show that will kick off at 5:30 p.m. There is no cover for the show.
The Ledson Hotel has an interesting show on Saturday, Dec. 10, with local country and folk artist Glenn Carter mixing it up and becoming a crooner, covering songs by Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin, Sammy Davis Jr. and many more from the era. Showtime is 6:30 p.m. and there is no cover.
Murphy’s Irish Pub has a weekend of holiday fun planned. Tonight, Dec. 9, it’s traditional blues, swing and old-time rock and roll with Out of the Blue, kicking off at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, the Pub welcomes the Yule Logs for their annual Christmas show, also at 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, Arann Harris and Farm Band will be playing their own versions of Christmas classics, for an early show that kicks off at 6:30 p.m. There is no cover for any of the shows at the Pub.
There will be caroling around the Plaza tonight, Dec. 9, led by Cynthia Tarr. Interested participants should meet at the SonomaCommunity Center at 7 p.m. to assemble and walk to the Plaza, where the group will serenade the Plaza Merchants. No caroling experience is necessary.
The Grist Mill Bar and Grill in Glen Ellen has a weekend full of local music, starting tonight, Dec. 9, with local favorites Plan Be, kicking off at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, it’s home-town night with the boys from Tudo Bem laying down dance tunes kicking off at 7:30 p.m. There is no cover.
Mission San Francisco Solano has Sete Colinas Trio for one night only tonight, Dec. 9, at 7:30 p.m. The guitarists in the trio Helder Garvalheira, Manuel Escobar and Joao Caradeiro are well known in the Bay Area for their excellence in presenting Portuguese Fado style music. Appearing with Sete Colinas will be Paulo Felipe who is an outstanding Fadista from Toronto, Canada. David Silveira Garcia will be making his second appearance in Sonoma with the Sete Colinas. The concert will be presented by candle light in the Chapel at Mission San Francisco Solano. Tickets are available at the Mission office or at the door.
Dawn Angelosante
Kathmandu Corner in the Taste of the Himalayas has a going away party for Dawn Angelosante tonight, Dec. 9, kicking off at 7:30 p.m. We remember when Dawn rolled into town and had her on the radio a couple times. Seems she is going back to Seattle and is inviting many musicians to sit in with her tonight. Good luck on your journey Dawn! Saturday, Dec. 10, brings in the Timothy O’Neal Band, also for a 7:30 p.m. show. There is no cover either night.
The HopMonk Tavern Sonoma welcomes the Coffis Brothers to the inside stage tonight, Dec. 9, for a 9 p.m. show. Saturday, Dec. 10, has Doug Blumer, also for a 9 p.m. show.
The Blue Moon Saloon has Mad Dog and the Smokin’ J’s in the bar on Saturday, Dec. 10, for one-night only. The band has been taking California by storm the month of December, touring up and down the state, playing over 400 shows worldwide since forming in 2009. The show kicks off at 9 p.m. and there is no cover. The Sunday night blues jam continues at the Saloon on Sunday, Dec. 11, at 10 p.m.
The Plaza Bistro welcomes jazz legends Mad and Eddie Duran tonight, Dec. 9, for a 7 p.m. show. Eddie Duran has been a fixture in the jazz world since the ‘40s, and has played with everyone from Benny Goodman to Barbara Streisand. Since connecting with Mad in 1982, the duo has been a Bay Area favorite. With the duo tonight will be with Nina Ott on piano and Chris Lopes on bass. Saturday, Dec. 10, the Andrew Emer Duo, featuring Chris Pimental on guitar, takes over the back room at the Bistro. Emer hails from New York City, but since landing in Sonoma, has taken the Bay Area by storm. Showtime is also 7 p.m. and there is no cover either night.
The Whiskey Thieves are on the road Saturday, Dec. 10, to Martinez at Armando’s for a n 8 p.m. show.
Jon Popenoe will be at Uva Trattoria in Napa tonight, Dec. 9, for an 8 p.m. show.
The David Thom Band is at the Empress Theater in Vallejo tonight, Dec. 9, for a 6:30 p.m. show.
Hot 45s – Shows within a 45 minute drive from the Island
