Spotlight – Music Festival – Huichica – Gundlach Bundschu Winery
It’s back for its sixth year, and bigger than ever with three stages and a plethora of new and emerging acts. It’s time for Huichica at Gundlach Bundschu Winery, kicking off today, June 13 at 3 p.m. and continuing on Saturday, June 14, at 11:30 a.m. We’ve said it before, rarely have we heard of any of these acts, and that’s exactly the way promoter-winemaker Jeff Bundschu wants it. “I’ve always liked to introduce people to new music, and the festival gives us that opportunity” said Bundschu. “We really want to introduce acts to Sonoma as we do are wine, in an approachable intimate setting with no pretense.” The festival has been embraced by the music community and acts will clear their schedules just to come play the venue. “The acts are just as happy to see each other play as they are to play themselves” continued Bundschu. In addition to the hillside stage, the venue has added the cave stage and the redwood barn is back in action after an earthquake retrofit. “While the barn was out of commission, we had so many intimate performances on the cave stage, we knew we had to incorporate it into the festival” said Bundschu.
The 2-day festival features a number of acts, but only one will be playing both days. Allah-Las will be headlining both days, with support acts scattered throughout both days. Acts include Atlas Sound, Amen Dunes, Jessica Pratt, Shannon and the Clams, Sonny and the Sunsets, Gap Dream, the Fresh and Onlys, EDJ, Pure Bathing Culture, the Tyde, GospelbeacH, the Donkeys, Ryley Walker, William Tyler, Mariee Sioux, Kacey Johansing, Trummors and DJ Andy Cabic. Who is Bundschu excited to see? “well, I like all the acts or I wouldn’t have booked them, but the Allah-Las and Shannon and the Clams are going to be really exciting and keep your eyes out for Ryley Walker, a young and upcoming singer-songwriter.”
Tickets for the festival can be purchased at the door and the event is all-ages. Food and beverages will be available for purchase and no outside alcohol is allowed at the venue. For more info and to check out sound samples of the acts, point your browser to huichica.com.
Pick of the Week – Double Bill – Sebastiani Theatre
It’s a big time double bill this weekend at the historic Sebastiani Theatre, but we’re not talking movies. The venue has two top-notch music shows with the Blue Rose Ball happening on Saturday, June 13, followed by John McCutcheon on Sunday, June 14. The Blue Rose Ball is a benefit for the Blue Rose Foundation, whose mission is to “provide equal access to educational resources that start children on an early pathway to success, and thereby further strengthen families and communities. By awarding preschool scholarships to children from economically disadvantaged families, the Blue Rose Foundation fosters a life-long love of learning and provides children with the tools to reach their full potential.” The evening starts guitarist John Oates from the blockbuster ‘70s duo Hall and Oates, along with Kelly Williams, granddaughter of the legendary Hank Williams. The evening also includes performances by James Maddock, Nicole Atkins, Kelly Fitzgerald, the T Sisters, Brothers Keeper and Jono Manson with Jason Crosby. The evening is presented in memory of James Spanfeller, Sr. Tickets will be available at the door or the Sebastiani Theatre box office prior to the show, and there are a number of packages to choose from. Doors are at 8 p.m.
Sunday, June 14, it’s an encore performance from John McCutcheon. McCutcheon is not just a singer-songwriter but a storyteller as well. He wrote his first song when he was 15 and it won him a prize in the high school talent contest. Since then, his 36 albums have garnered six Grammy nominations. His songwriting has been hailed by critics around the world and his song “Christmas in the Trenches” is considered a classic and was recently named one of the top-100 Essential Folk Songs. For this show, McCutcheon will be playing the role of labor activist-songwriter Joe Hill, calling the show “Joe Hill’s Last Will.” Hill was a Swedish immigrant to the United States who, like so many others, worked at a variety of trades, trying to make his way in this new country. He was also a musician, a writer, a man of wit and insight, who knew how to craft songs that informed, inspired, and inflamed. He created a template for songwriting that was used by Woody Guthrie and by the Civil Rights Movement, taking well known melodies and crafting new words that made the songs leap to life in a new and changing world until his untimely death in Utah, where he was executed. Doors are at 7:30 and tickets will be available at the door or before at the Sebastiani Theatre box office or Readers Books.
Set List – The Rundown
The Sonoma Speakeasy and American Music Hall
452 First St. E. ste. G. Sonoma – 996-1364
Tonight, June 12, Ron Dubin and the Rosetown Ramblers – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 13, Caroline Dahl, Tim Eschliman and Luis Rodriguez – 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, June 14, Diva Singer Night and Community Jam with Dallis Craft and Karla Downey – 7:30 p.m.
Monday. June 15, Graceland Unplugged with Dallis Craft – 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, June 16, Big Chief with Lou Rodriguez
Annex Wine Bar
865 W. Napa St. Sonoma – 938-7779
Tonight, June 12, the Bee Rays – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 13, Tony Gibson and Dawn Angelosante – 7:30 p.m.
Epicurean Connection
122 W Napa St. Sonoma – 935-7960
Tonight, June 12, Rovetti and Meatballs – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 13, Deluxe – 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, June 14, Adam Traum and the Kids – 1 p.m.
Murphy’s Irish Pub
464 First St. E. Sonoma – 935-0660
Tonight, June 12, Teleblasters – 8 p.m.
Saturday, June 13, Blythdale Canyon– 6 p.m.
Sunday, June 14, Olivia Davis – 7:30 p.m.
Sebastiani Winery and Vineyards
389 Fourth St. E. Sonoma – 933-3230
Tonight, June 12, Rett Hamer Blues Band – 6 p.m.
Plaza Bistro
420 First St E. Sonoma – 996-4466
Tonight, June 12, Rhonda Benin – 7 p.m.
Saturday, June 13, Dr. Nancy Briggs – 6 p.m.
Rossi’s 1906 Dancehall
401 Grove St. El Verano – 343-0044
Tonight, June 12, DJ Hi-Isak – 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 13, Train Wreck Junction – 8:30 p.m.
Sunday, June 14, 3 on a Match – 3 p.m
HopMonk Tavern
691 Broadway Sonoma – 935-9100
Tonight, June 12, Folias Flute and Guitar Duo – 5 p.m. – Clay Bell – 8 p.m.
Saturday, June 13, Dan Martin – 1 p.m. Anthony Presti – 8 p.m.
Sunday, June 14, Pat Hull – 1 p.m.
B&V Whiskey Bar and Grille
400 First St. E. Sonoma – 938-7110
Tonight, June 12, Analog Us with Alex Garcia – 9:30 p.m.Saturday, June 13, DJ Isak – 9:30 p.m.
B. R. Cohn Winery
15000 Sonoma Hwy. Glen Ellen – 800-330-4064
Sunday, June 14, Don Trotta – 2 p.m.
Schug Winery
602 Bonneau Road, Carneros – 939-9363
Saturday, June 13, Otis Ruch – 1 p.m.
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park
2605 Adobe Canyon Road, Kenwood- 833-6288
Tonight, June 12, Funky Friday’s with Gator Nation – 6:30 p.m.
Sonoma Valley Regional Library
755 W. Napa St. Sonoma – 996-5217
Saturday, June 13, Hula Mai – 2 p.m.
Sebastiani Theatre
476 First St. E. Sonoma – 996-9756
Saturday, June 13, Blue Rose Ball with John Oates – 8 p.m.
Sunday, June 14, John McCutcheon – 7:30 p.m.
Gundlach Bundschu Winery
2000 Denmark St. Sonoma
Today, June 12, Huichica Music Festival – 3 p.m.
Saturday, June 13, Huichica Music Festival – 11 a.m.
Jacuzzi Family Winery
24724 Arnold Drive, Sonoma – 931-7575
Sunday, June 14, Voices – 5:30 p.m.
Muscardini Cellars
9380 Sonoma Hwy, Kenwood – 933-9305
Tonight, June 12, Acoustic Soul – 5 p.m.
El Verano Inn
705 Laurel Ave. El Verano – 935-0611
Saturday, June 13, Nott the Hoople – 9 p.m.
Olde Sonoma Public House
18615 Sonoma Hwy. Boyes Hot Springs – 938-7587
Sunday, June 14, Karaoke – 7:30 p.m.
Blue Moon Saloon
19380 Sonoma Hwy. Sonoma – 996-3055
Saturday, June 13, Karaoke – 9 p.m.
Sunday, June 14, Blues Jam – all welcome – 10 p.m.