Its taken longer than they thought, and, most likely, cost much more than originally expected, but one of the most historic buildings in Sonoma Valley, the El Verano Inn, has under gone retrofitting and other improvements and will be having a grand re-opening party on Saturday, June 19, with Sonoma Valleys own Ten Foot Tone. The El Verano Inn is a local landmark, built in the late 1800’s and was home to the general store, the post office, several drinking establishments and many other businesses before Richard and Leslie Danon bought the building about 15 years ago. Richard Danon is a semi-retired hippie from the ‘60s and a music aficionado; you can find him at about every music event in the Valley, and has made sure live local music was part of the business plan for the establishment. We’ve been saying on radio and in print for years that the El Verano Inn is the last place you can really rock in the Valley, with the Danons bringing everything from jazz to death metal in to the venue. The event on Saturday will have appetizers and music from not only Ten Foot Tone, but Uncle Jesse and the Porch Junkies as well. Showtime is 9 p.m. The El Verano Inn is at the corner of Bay and Laurel in downtown El Verano.
SonomaSong is back in action on Saturday, June 19, at Gundlach Bundschu Winery and this time it’s a benefit for the Willmar Center. The show features the John Simon band, along with 25 vocalists singing the songs of the ‘60s and ‘70s. The repertoire includes Elton John, Queen, James Taylor and more. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with the show going off at 7 p.m. Tickets are selling fast, but you can find out if any are still available by calling the Willmar Center at 935-1946.
Joe Chaplain and his band are back in action at the Barking Dog in Boyes Hot Springs on Saturday, June 19, with no theme this month, but some new tunes, as Chaplian describes, “…some hard-hittin’ heavy new dance and psych grooves.” Wow. Showtime is 6 p.m. and there is no cover. In addition, there will be a raffle, with free tickets given to folks and there will be winners. There is no cover, although they ask for a donation at the door, and the event is family friendly.
The Shop has a rave and an Open-Mic scheduled for Saturday, June 19, at 8 p.m.
Static People are back in action on Saturday, June 19, at the Mix hosted by the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art. DJ Michel Saga will kick off the evening, which includes special drinks and appetizers. The event is free to museum members, and the price of admission will get you membership, allowing you free entry to the next Mix and other events at the museum. The night kicks off at 8 p.m.
Olive & Vine will have blues from the Rett Hamer band tonight, June 18, and they will have Adana Song on vocals with them. Show time is 7 p.m.
The Cabaret Jazz Duo will be at Rocket Cafe tonight, June 18. The band is comprised of Alex and Diego Garcia. The show kicks off at 6 p.m.
Steiners Tavern will have the Undo Cover band tonight, June 18, at 10 p.m. Saturday, June 19 brings DJ Dave to the tavern, also for a 10 p.m. start.
EZ Kewl will be at the Schellville Grill on Saturday, June 19, for a 7 p.m. dinner show. The jazzy gents then move into winery mode, with a show on Sunday, June 20, at Larsen Family Winery at noon.
Sebastiani Winery and Vineyards will have Debra Winters performing in the tasting room tonight, June 18, at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, June 20, brings jazz to the venue, featuring Dan Goldfus for a 1 p.m. show. There is no cover for either show.
The Plaza Bistro will have Regina Maria Pontillo Quartet in the backroom tonight, June 18, at 7 p.m.
Black Cab will be at Little Switzerland on Saturday, June 19, for an 8 p.m. show. The band features “Detroit” Danny Barbane on guitar and plays classic rock and some originals as well. Showtime is 8 p.m.
Jess Petty and Ken Chambers will be at the Ledson Lounge on the Plaza tonight, June 18, at 6 p.m.
The Lodge at Sonoma will have John Groves tonight, June 18, for a 7 p.m. show in the lounge. Saturday, June 19, the lounge brings in local favorite Dick Conte, also starting at 7 p.m.
Landmark Winery and Vineyards will have the classical acoustic sounds of Eric Cabalo on Saturday, June 19 for a 1 p.m. show.
Vitamin Girl will be making a rare appearance at Mondo American Beer Garden on Saturday, June 19 for a 7 p.m. start. Vitamin Girl features the father-daughter combo of Ralph and Aria Cetola.
Imagery Estate Winery will have Josh Little and the Cal Poly jazz band for an afternoon of music on Saturday, June 19, starting at 1 p.m.
Murphy’s Irish Pub has Out of the Blue for a night of jazz, blues and a touch of western swing tonight, June 18, for an 8 p.m. show. Saturday, June 19, brings in the Perfect Crime, also for an 8 p.m. show. Sunday, June 20, after being in the studio all week recording tracks for their upcoming release, will be the Whiskey Thieves for a 6 p.m. show.
Burning Broadway, winner of the recent Battle of the bands here in Sonoma, will be at the Phoenix Theater tonight, June 18, for a show that kicks off at 8 p.m.
Dave Chavoya of the Hellhounds will be all the way down in Fresno on Sunday, June 20, at the Tower Fathers Day Blues Festival for a 2 p.m. show. He will be backed by the band Deja Blue.
Natasha James is at Rancho Nicasio on Saturday, June 19 for an 8 p.m. show.