Benefit for fallen motorcyclists at the Moose Lodge

It was Thursday, Oct. 4, when Heath Hunter and Angelica Gonzalez left town for Petaluma on Hunter’s Harley Davidson. They didn’t make it. The crash is still under investigation, but something went awry close to the intersection of Watmaugh Road and Arnold Drive. Hunter did not survive the crash and Gonzalez was left with serious injuries and a long recovery time ahead of her. Hunter’s cousin, William Kizer, has put together a benefit music festival slated for Saturday, Nov. 10, at the Moose Lodge kicking off at 5 p.m. to raise money for the Gonzalez and Hunter families. On the bill is Refuge, Failed Sanity, the Wind Up Monkeys, Paulie Hips and the Child Bearers and Amongst Reason. The day is billed as a family event and there will be a raffle for prizes and hot dogs and hamburgers available from the grill. “There’s only going to be about 300 tickets sold and I hope we sell out,” said event organizer William Kizer. For tickets and more info, call 933-6620.

The Kathmandu Corner is back in full swing this weekend with 2 Friends and a Benz tonight, Nov. 9, for an 8 p.m. show. The act consists of “The Monster,” Bob Edmondson, Eric Joost and Katie Benz. Benz is a recent graduate from University of California at Berkeley and a former student of Edmondson, who is an educator at Sonoma Charter School. Saturday, Nov. 10, it’s Tom Martin, also for an 8 p.m. show. Sunday, Nov. 11, the corner welcomes Rhys Wade for an early show kicking off at 6:30 p.m.

The Annex Wine Bar has music all weekend, starting tonight, Nov. 9, with Tony Gibson, for a 6 p.m. show. Saturday, Nov. 10, it’s Dave Hamilton, fresh off his latest CD release party, also at 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 11, it’s an early show, kicking off at 4 p.m. with the incomparable Jon Williams. There is no cover for any of the shows at the annex, and food and wine are available for all shows as well. The venue is dog-friendly, but you must be 21 years or older in human years to attend.

Murphy’s Irish Pub has local bluesmen the Hellhounds tonight, Nov. 9, for an 8 p.m. show. Saturday, Nov. 10, it’s Larry Carlin’s Under the Radar, playing traditional bluegrass, also for an 8 p.m. show. Sunday, Nov. 11, there is no music, but Jack Benny Dinner Theater. For tickets and more info, call 935-0660.

Sonoma Springs Brewery has Pete Olson tonight, Nov. 9, for a 7 p.m. show. There is no cover.

The Blue Moon Saloon welcomes bluesmen Levi Lloyd and the 501 Blues Band on Saturday, Nov. 10, for a 9 p.m. show. 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. There is no cover for the show. Sunday, Nov. 11, it’s the regularly scheduled blues jam, kicking off at 10 p.m.

Olive and Vine in Glen Ellen welcomes the Carlos Herrera Trio, laying down two sets of Latin fusion on Sunday, Nov. 11, kicking off at 6 p.m. Don’t be surprised if John Burdick jumps in for a tune or two. The venue also has a special bistro menu planned for the evening.

The Plaza Bistro has the Dick Conte Trio tonight, Nov. 9, for a 6:30 p.m. show. Conte is somewhat of a local legend in jazz, with his contributions to the Bay Area jazz radio scene stretching back 40 plus years. Tonight, Conte will have with him Steve Webber on bass and Bill Moody on drums. There is no cover.

The Epicurean Connection welcomes Becky Alter tonight, Nov. 9, for a 7:30 p.m. show.

The Whiskey Thieves are on the road to Petaluma on Saturday, Nov. 10, to the Lagunitas Taproom and Beer Sanctuary for a 3 p.m. show.

Dick Conte at the Plaza Bistro

The Blue Moon Saloon has DJ Saucy 1 with special guests tonight, Nov. 6, at 9 p.m.

Murphy’s Irish Pub has Open-Mic plus on Thursday, Nov. 8, kicking off at 7:30 p.m. and will feature the lovely and talented Kathryn DelChiaro. For a slot, call Steve T. Ney at 287-7109.

The Annex Wine Bar welcomes Adam Traum on Thursday, Nov. 8, starting at 6 p.m.

The Plaza Bistro presents the Dick Conte Trio on Friday, Nov. 9, kicking off at 6:30 p.m.

Murphy’s Irish Pub has the Hellhounds on Friday, Nov. 9, for an 8 p.m. show.

The Annex Wine Bar welcomes Tony Gibson on Friday, Nov. 9, for a 6 p.m. show.

Music happenings in and around Sonoma County – 9/27 – 9/30

There’s a whole lotta’ blues goin’ down in Sonoma County this weekend, with some of the finest local acts and a blues legend as well. Is country music your thing? There’s a full day of it in Windsor, with plenty of beer. Even thought it’s harvest time here in wine country, any winemaker will tell you it takes a lot of beer to make good wine. There’s also a little afternoon bluegrass in Petaluma. Get on out and enjoy some of the most beautiful days here in Sonoma, and take in some live music as well.

 

Friday, Sept. 28, – the Hellhounds

Saturday, Sept. 29, – Levi Lloyd and the 501 Blues Band

 

The Hellhounds

It’s a blues weekend at the Tradewinds in Cotati. Both these acts will take care of your blues “jones” and more. The Hellhounds are known for their Chicago and delta-style blues, with frontman “Cadillac” Phil Ajoka on guitar and Dave “Shuv” Chavoya on harmonica. The band has been playing in some form or another for almost 20 years, and the groove and tightness of the act shines. Levi Lloyd has played with B. B. King, John Lee Hooker and toured worldwide as the longtime guitarist for the legendary Joe Louis Walker, and brings more of a straight-forward blues sound to the stage, with a little rock and soul.

Venue – Tradewinds – Cotati – 707-795-7878

 

Saturday, Sept. 29, – the David Thom Band

 

The David Thom band

The David Thom Band  is quickly becoming one of the top bluegrass acts in the North Bay and beyond, hot off a successful CD release at the legendary Freight and Salvage in Berkeley, the band has been playing the region pretty much non-stop in support of the disc. Thom, a renaissance man of sorts, has given up all his other pursuits to focus on playing music. The band plays in the style of Bill Monroe, with the whole band playing around one microphone. This is an afternoon show, kicking off at 3 p.m.
Venue – Lagunitas Tap Room and Beer Sanctuary – Petaluma707- 778-8776

 

 

Saturday, Sept. 29, – Unauthorized Rolling Stones

 

Unauthorized Rolling Stones

Yep, you’ll know all the words and the act is a pretty good representation of the real band. Frontman and founder, Rudy Colombini, is regarded as one of the most visually accurate “Micks” in the business and is also an accomplished original artist, having two of his recordings reach top 40 status in the Adult Contemporary category. Colombini’s original act will be opening the show.

Venue – Last Day Saloon – Santa Rosa707- 545-5876

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday, Sept. 29, – Country Music and Beer Festival

 

An all day event featuring two stages and over 10 hours of music from local and regional country music acts, childrens activities and over a dozen different beers. The acts include James Otto, Frankie Ballard, the Boot Band, Erin McKinney, Tom Drinnon, Blue Rock Country, Paulie’s Garage, Twang Ditty and Austin Lynn. Whew!

Venue – Keiser Community ParkWindsorwww.countrymusicbeerfest.com

 

Sunday, Sept. 30, – Jimmie Vaughan

 

Sometimes over-shadowed by his younger brother, the late Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimmie and the Fabulous Thunderbirds had been enjoying some commercial success while Stevie was still David Bowie’s guitar player. Jimmie has been touring and recording since the mid-sixties, even opening for Jimi Hendrix, where the story goes that Hendrix broke Jimmie’s wah-wah pedal. In 1989, he connected with his younger brother to record the only album they played on together, “Family Style” and unfortunately, Stevie never got to hear it. The blues legend died in a helicopter crash on Aug. 27, 1990. The album was released the next day. Jimmie has played continued to play on, and his last solo effort, “Plays Blues, Ballads and Favorites” was nominated for a Grammy in 2011.

Venue – Mystic Theater – Petaluma707- 765-2121

Jammin’ in the vineyards at Little Vineyards

The Tuesday night market has the Pacific Mambo Orchestra in the Grinstead Amphitheater, presented by the Sonoma Valley Jazz Societytonight, Sept. 11, starting at 6 p.m.

The Blue Moon Saloon has DJ Saucy 1 with special guests tonight, Sept. 11, at 9 p.m.

Murphy’s Irish Pub presents the after party with Tony Gibson tonight, Sept 11, after the Tuesday night market.

Murphy’s Irish Pub has Open-Mic Plus with the special guest being Dawn Angelosante on Thursday, Sept. 13, kicking off at 7:30 p.m. For a spot in the festivities, call Steve T. Ney at 287-7109

Little Vineyards in Glen Ellen has “Jammin’ in the Vineyards” on Thursday, Sept. 13, starting at 5 p.m. The band that night consists of Rich Little, Dave Ronconi, Bill Nelson and Josh Little, plus special guests. There is no cover for the evening and food and wine will be available.

Sebastiani Winery and Vineyards welcomes the Rett Hamer Band on Friday, Sept. 14, kicking off at 6 p.m.

Murphy’s Irish Pub presents the Hellhounds on Friday, Sept. 14, for an 8 p.m. show.

The Plaza Bistro welcomes the John Kalleen Group on Friday, Sept 14, kicking off at 7 p.m.

The Moose Lodge has a bluegrass extravaganza with Snap Jackson and the Knock on Wood Players, the David Thom Band and Windy Hill on Friday, Sept. 14, and the show is a no cover night. It all goes down at 8 p.m.

The Sonoma Springs Brewery welcomes Tom Martin on Friday, Sept. 14, for a 7 p.m. show.

Epic blues artists at Sonoma Community Center

The Tuesday night market has Ten Foot Tone tonight, Aug. 28, under the palm tree at 5:30 p.m.

The Blue Moon Saloon has DJ Saucy 1 with special guests tonight, Aug. 28, at 9 p.m.

Murphy’s Irish Pub presents the after party with Rag Tag Sullivan tonight, Aug. 28, after the Tuesday night market.

The Sonoma Community Center presents a benefit for Pets Lifeline with an all-star line-up of players on Wednesday, Aug. 29, opening with Sean Carscadden and Marty O’Reilly, followed by Talk That Talk that features Roy Blumenfeld of the legendary Bluesbreakers and members of the late John Lee Hookers band, and the evening ends with the Rett Hamer Band. For tickets and more info, point your browser to www.sonomacommunitycenter.org

Murphy’s Irish Pub has Solid Air on Thursday, Aug. 30, for a show that kicks off at 7:30 p.m.

Sebastiani Winery and Vineyards welcomes BackTrax on Friday, Aug. 31, kicking off at 6 p.m. The night is also a food truck Friday event, with plenty of off the grid snacks available.

Murphy’s Irish Pub presents Larry Carlin and Mostly Simply Bluegrass on Friday, Aug. 31, for an 8 p.m. show.

The Plaza Bistro welcomes the Dan Zemelman Trio on Friday, Aug. 31, for a 7 p.m. start time.