Like the running of the bulls in Spain, it’s something you just count on, and this weekend, the 113th version of the Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival will take over the historic Plaza in Sonoma. There will be many great events going on, that you can find out more about elsewhere in this version if the Index-Tribune, so we’re going to focus on the music. Tonight, Sept. 24, brings Bay Area favorites Pride & Joy to patrons night, to be held in the barracks for a celebration that kicks off at 6 p.m. This is the only event of the weekend that requires an entrance fee, and tickets can be purchased at the entrance to the barracks. The weekend music is all free, and kicks off at noon on Saturday, Sept. 25, on the main stage with a group of young musicians called Third Rock. These kids are all between the ages of 11 and 13 years, and really put on a good show. Not staying true to the age-old theory of never following child acts or animals, the Hellhounds bravely take the stage for a set of blistering Chicago and delta blues. 3 p.m. brings on the reggae sounds of Sol Horizon, followed by Terrie Odabi. The Wine stage on Saturday, Sept. 25, will have the sounds of Out of the Blue, Mary Jenson and the Josh Little Quartet. On Sunday, Sept. 26, also at noon, the main stage welcomes hometown favorites the Whiskey Thieves, followed by the California Cowboys and wrapping up the day is the Soulshine Blues Band. The wine stage Sunday, Sept. 26, features Dick Conte, the Carlos Herrera Band and Jazz Gitan. For more info about all the festivities surrounding the Vintage Festival, point your browser to www.sonomavinfest.org.
Saffron Restaurant in Glen Ellen has a special one night only show from a singer-songwriter named Chastity Brown, on Saturday, Sept. 25. Brown tackles issues such as women’s rights, religion and freedom in her songs, themes she has struggled with in her life, and for a woman of only 25 years of age, sings way beyond her time. The show includes dinner and reservations are recommended, as the venue is intimate. More info and reservations can be had by calling 938-4844.
Little Switzerland has the sounds of Western Swing Hall of Famer, Tommy Thomsen and his band for a night of dancing and dining on Saturday, Sept. 25. The band that night includes the queen of boogie woogie, Sonoma native Wendy De Witt, Stogy Horn, Keith Emerson, Trevor Kinsel and the legendary Kirk Harwood on drums. The show kicks off at 8 p.m. and there is a $10 cover.
Right around the corner in downtown El Verano, Ten Foot Tone takes the stage on Saturday, Sept. 25, at the El Verano Inn for a 9 p.m. show. There is no cover for the show.
Jess Petty and Ken Chambers will be at the Ledson Lounge on the Plaza on tonight, Sept. 24, at 6 p.m.
Sebastiani Winery and Vineyards will have the Hellhounds tonight, Sept. 24, at 6:30 p.m.
The Lodge at Sonoma has Dick Conte in the piano lounge tonight, Sept. 24, for a 7 p.m. show
Steiners Tavern will have the Sean Carscaden Trio tonight, Sept. 24, for a show that kicks off at 10 p.m. Carscadden will have his trio of Andrew Emer and J. B. Duff with him that night. Saturday, Sept. 25, will bring the dance grooves of DJ XXXenos to the tavern, for a 10 p.m. show.
The Jon Popenoe Duo will be in the gazebo in the Sonoma Marketplace today, Sept. 24, at 5 p.m.
The Schellville Grill has EZ Kewl for a dinner set tonight, Sept. 24, at 7 p.m.
The Plaza Bistro has the sounds of the Rhonda Benin Trio tonight, Sept. 24, for a night of jazz. Benin is a founding member of Linda Tillery and the Cultural Heritage Choir, an internationally acclaimed vocal ensemble performing African American roots music. Benin’s vocals can also be heard on recordings by Mickey Hart, Carlos Santana, Maria Mulduar, Holly Near, and Eric Bibb. There is no cover for the show.
Murphy’s Irish Pub has the traditional bluegrass sounds of the David Thom Band tonight, Sept. 24, for an 8 p.m. show. Saturday, Sept. 25, brings in Adam Traum and the Traumatics, and they will have David Thom sitting in with them, also for an 8 p.m. show. Sunday, Sept. 26, Sean Carscadden and Marty O’Reilly will entertain the crowd at the pub for an early show that goes off at 6 p.m. There is no cover for any of the shows.
Dick Conte will be warming up for his slot at the Vintage Festival tonight, Sept. 24, with a gig at the Lodge of Sonoma for a 7 p.m. show.
The Hellhounds have un-seated EZ Kewl as the hardest working band in the Valley this week, with two additional shows out of town to go with the ones penned above. The bluesmen will be at Uva Trattoria in Napa on Saturday, Sept. 25, for an 8:30 p.m. show, and then on Sunday, Sept. 26, the boys will be at DeLormier Winery in Alexander Valley for a 2 p.m. show.
The Shop will have a great show for the teens in the Valley on Saturday, Sept. 25, with local favorites and winner of the Sonoma Valley Battle of the Bands, Burning Broadway on Saturday, Sept. 25. Opening the night will be Grandfathers Paradox and Fire Child, from Petaluma. On a personal note, we used to play in a band with the dad of one of the members of Fire Child way back in the day, called, and wait, the Gothic Warlords. Glad to see the tradition carries on. Showtime is 7 p.m.
Reader’s Books will have a weekly open-mic, starting on Saturday, Sept 25, for a show called “Random Acts.” The weekly event will allow any performer, musician, poet, mime, magician, their five minutes of fame. The evening gets underway at 5 p.m.
Landmark Winery and Vineyards will have Adam Traum doing a solo shoe on Saturday, Sept. 25, at 1 p.m.
Imagery Estate Winery will have the sounds of the Jami Jamison Band on Sunday, Sept. 26, for a 1 p.m. show.
Jacuzzi Family Winery will be presenting another edition of “Taste and Twirl,” where dancers can taste wine and learn dance moves all at the same time on Sunday, Sept. 26. Hosted by choreographer and dance instructor Cynthia Glinka, guests will be guided through a series of dance styles, including the fox trot, swing dances, rumba and the tango. The event gets underway at 3 p.m. and is free to all under 15 years of age.
The Cork Pullers will be on the road to Etude Winery in Carneros on Saturday, Sept. 25, for a 2 p.m. show.
The Jon Popenoe Blues Band will be at Downtown Joe’s in Napa on Saturday, Sept. 25, at 9 p.m.
The fabulous local vocal group Vox Populi will be doing a show in Mill Valley at the historic Throckmorton Theatre tonight, Sept. 24, for one show only. The vocal group will be doing its performance of the Beatles “Abbey Road.” Showtime is 8 p.m.