Its strictly locals this weekend at Murphy’s Irish Pub, starting tonight, Sept. 21, with the David Thom Band, kicking off at 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, welcomes the Jami Jamison Band to the snug for an 8 p.m. show. Sunday, Sept. 23, it’s an early show with Dave Aguilar and Peter McCauley, kicking off at 6:30 p.m.
Sebastiani Winery and Vineyards welcomes the classic rock tribute act BackTrax tonight, Sept. 21, for what might be the last show of the year for the band. Still contemplating a Halloween show, but after a busy summer season, the band is looking at taking a little time to re-load. The band has added Lawrence Behrs, a new player in town, on saxophone for the evening. There is no cover for the show that kicks off at 6 p.m.
Quarryhill Botanical Garden presents the Whiskey Thieves for a show to benefit the gardens on Saturday, Sept. 22, kicking off at 5 p.m. If you’ve not been, the gardens are amazing. The story goes like this: A fire swept through the Mayacamas Mountains foothills in 1964, creating an environment ripe for the knob cone pines that quickly repopulated the land. Four years later, Jane Davenport Jansen purchased more than 40 acres of the nascent thicket, taming it with vineyards planted on the open valley floor. In 1987, Jansen began cultivating a garden along the rocky, steep hillsides, which were pocked with the remains of abandoned rock quarries. Heavy rains and natural infiltration of waters created a group of ponds, creating a serene natural environment that Jansen soon planted with seedlings, flowers, and plants from seeds collected on more than 25 annual Asian expeditions. For tickets and more info, call 996-3166.
The El Verano Inn has an epic local punk rock show tonight, Sept. 21, with Static People headlining. The band has been achieving critical acclaim and had their most recent video ‘Toxic Overload,” nominated for two awards from the Los Angeles Music Awards. Also on the bill is Paulie Hips and the Childbearers and opening the show will be the Dark Lord Byron. There is no cover for the show that kicks off at 9 p.m.
The Sonoma Hometown Band is set to begin rehearsals for the winter season. New and returning players will gather on Sundays, at 6 p.m. starting on Sunday, Sept.30, and rehearsals will be held in the music room of Sonoma Valley High School. Doors to the music room will open at 6 p.m. and the downbeat will fall at 6:15 p.m. from conductor Justin Enright. All are welcome to participate.
If the band isn’t your thing, maybe Hula is. You can still get in on the beginning hula classes with Hula Mai, Sonomas hometown Hawaiian and dance group. Classes are on Friday mornings at the Vintage House senior center. For more info, call 996-0311 or point your browser to www.hulamai.org.
Sonoma Springs Brewery has Wildflower Weed and friends along with a bevy of other performers on Saturday, Sept. 22, kicking off at 6 p.m. Opening the show will be the Trees, followed by Poison Oak, a Wildflower Weed duet then the band itself. There is no cover for the show.
Annex Wine Bar, located next to the Community Cafe on West Napa Street is beginning to have live music, starting on Saturday, Sept. 22, with Jon Williams, kicking off at 5 p.m. There is no cover for the show and small plates will be available from Community Cafe. The wine bar is looking at doing live music Wednesdays and Fridays as well. Stay tuned for more details.
HopMonk Tavern Sonoma welcomes Michael L. Castle fort an acoustic show on Sunday, Sept. 23, in the beer garden kicking off at 1 p.m.
Larsen Family Winery is the place for the Future Farmers of America and the Sonoma Valley High Ag Program fundraiser on Saturday, Sept. 22. The Rich Little Band will be providing the music and there will be a silent and live auction, as well as dinner. For more info, call 529-6085.
The Plaza Bistro welcomes the Fiveplay Jazz Quintet to the backroom tonight, Sept. 21, for a 7 p.m. show. Saturday, Sept. 22, it’s the Willie Adams Blues and Soul Review, for a show that kicks off at 8 p.m. There is no cover either night.
The Sonoma Mission Chapel has another of its concert series tonight, Sept. 21, featuring the Mark Taylor Flamenco Trio. Taylor has played guitar in the classical style for many years, and has studied Flamenco guitar in Madrid, Granada and Seville. Upon returning to the United States, he formed the Aire Flamenco Dance Company and the Mark Taylor Flamenco Quartet as well as the Mark Taylor Trio. Tickets are available at the Mission San Francisco Solano and for more info, contact Liz Kane at 484-9552.
Chateau St. Jean Winery in Kenwood welcomes the Mariachi Festival on Sunday, Sept. 23, kicking off at 2 p.m. Two of Northern Californias highly-regarded traditional arts groups, Mariachi Zacatecas of Sacramento and the Ballet Folklorico Compania Mazatlan Bellas Artes, are headlining the event. For tickets and more info, call 833-4134.
The Ledson Lounge welcomes Dan Daniels and Jack Pollard to the fireplace lounge on Saturday, Sept. 22, at 7 p.m. Pollard brings a lifetime of experience to the stage. His silky baritone and impeccable vocal interpretation brings to life a repertoire of songs which span decades of hits from the ‘30s to the ‘80s. His shows encompass jazz, blues and more to bring you a varied palette of songs with something to please everyone. There is no cover for the show.
The Hellhounds are at Cuvee in Napa on Saturday, Sept. 22, for a 9:30 p.m. show.
Mad Duran will be at the Jazzschool in Berkeley on Sunday, Sept. 23, for a 4:30 p.m. show.
Hot 45s – Shows within a 45 minute drive from the Island
Pride and Joy – Friday, Sept. 21
Marin Veterans Memorial Auditorium – San Rafael
415-499-6400
Crosby Stills & Nash – Sunday, Sept. 23
Marin Veterans Memorial Auditorium – San Rafael
415-499-6400
Moonalice – Friday, Sept. 21
HopMonk Tavern – Sebastopol
829-7300
Gov’t Mule – Friday, Sept. 21
The Warfield – San Francisco.
www.thewrarfieldtheater.com
Tommy Castro and the Pain Killers – Sunday, Sept. 16
Rancho Nicasio – Nicasio
415-662-2219
A little bit of Nashville comes to Sonoma Valley tonight, Aug. 12, when veteran singer-songwriter Joe Scutella comes to the Meadowcroft tasting room at Cornerstone in Carneros for a 7 p.m. show. Scutella is a 20-year veteran of the Nashville music business, having written songs for country artists such as Rhett Akins, George Ducas and Melodie Crittendon, as well as folk artists Donal Hinely, Ross Falzone and Peter Vesth. Scutella has recorded and released two albums of his own, 1998’s “Love Is a Train” and 2010’s “Hang In There.” He has twice been a finalist at the prestigious Kerrville Folk Festival in Texas in 1998 and 2010, as well as a New Folk finalist in the Napa Valley Wine and Music festival in 1999. For tickets and more info, call 934-4090.
ceremony in Sicily, Italy, where a street will be dedicated to jazz legend Joe Pass. Pass was one of Novas mentors, and the two have shared the stage together many times. After the ceremony, Nova will be off to Paris, France for a couple shows. Nova has also been doing some recording for Concord records on Arturo Sandoval’s upcoming album due out in the fall and on Japanese superstar Seiko Matsuda’s new album at Capital Records. He has also been sitting in with the likes of Tom Scott, Kurt Elling, Mark O’Connor, Clint Black, Gordon Goodwin and many others this summer. Nova will be back in town in early September.
The Katmandu Corner has Uni and her Ukelele tonight, Aug. 12, for a 7:30 p.m. show. Saturday, Aug. 13, the corner welcomes Marty O’Reilly, also for a 7:30 p.m. show. There is no cover either night.