Venue Preview – Sonoma Valley Regional Library
One would typically expected to be “shhhhhsd” at the library for making noise, but not at Sonoma Valley Regional Library on the days when the library turns into a local music venue. Library manager Lisa Musgrove claims to not be able to take credit for the idea, but she certainly can take credit for doing it here in Sonoma. After a life-changing event, Musgrove landed in Sonoma about two and a half years ago, and as a former librarian in Port Angeles WA, she had seen music acts draw people to the library. Amazed with the sheer amount of musical talent not only in Sonoma Valley but in the 50 miles or so surrounding us, she thought she’d give it a try. The events have been very successful, and Musgrove claims it’s the non main-stream acts that actually draw the largest crowds, with anywhere from 50 to 70 folks attending the shows.
“Part of the mission of the library is to enhance peoples lives in addition to books, but by music and other cultural events, events and music that people would not normally be exposed to…” said Musgrove. “It’s nice to be able to provide free music and in addition, to actually pay the musicians, as we all know it’s tough to make a living as a musician.” Musgrove points out that the events would not be possible without the support of the “Sonoma Valley Friends of the Library” providing financial support.
The next event is scheduled for Saturday, May 30, when 3 on a Match will lay down Delta blues in the intimate setting. The shows all start at 2 p.m. and are free and open to all who wish to attend. Donations are welcome but not mandatory. Some of the other upcoming events scheduled are appearances by the Sonoma Mountain Band, Hula Mai, Pickled Beats, Tone Bent and even an appearance and talk from Jonah Raskin.
For more information, point your browser to sonomalibrary.org.
Pick of the Week – Woodland Stock – Boyes Hot Springs
They’re calling it Woodland Stock. It’s a small Woodstock,but much smaller, or maybe a small Coachella, like real small, or maybe it’s a gathering of the local music tribes, but whatever it is, it will be happening on Saturday, May 30, kicking off at 4 p.m. The brain-child of Laela French, a parent of Woodland Star Charter School, each year the school has an auction fundraiser and one of the items in the auction is a dinner or cocktail party and French thought, why not try to kick it up a notch and put on a music festival? So she did. “We have so many great and emerging musicians in the school and in the community that it just seemed to make sense” said French.
She put out the call for musicians, all of who will be volunteering their time, and put together a nice local line-up that features the Trees, Kit Kraft, David Bingham, Shameless, Dale Henry Geist, Wildflower Weed, Winoceros and John Arntz and friends.
The event is a fundraiser for Woodland Star Charter School, a public Waldorf-methods school that runs Kindergarten thrugh eighth grades. The education model is built on a strong academic foundation which incorporates the arts, also brings forth creative imagination, critical thinking, self-confidence, and a sense of delight, wonder and respect for nature and humanity.
The festival will have dinner, adult beverages and games as well, with Amanda and Phil Brumme, who formerly cooked at Paul Prudhomme’s in New Orleans preparing a “Picnic Feast,” local beer donated by Sonoma Springs and Ernies Tim Barn, wine donated by local vintners and games like jumbo Jenga and more.
Tickets can be purchased at the door and there are two levels, one that includes just admission and beer and wine, and another that includes dinner. The venue is at 17480 Sonoma Hwy. The event is for those 21 and over only, as no children will be admitted. For more info, call Laela at 815-6987.
Set List – The Rundown
The Sonoma Speakeasy and American Music Hall
452 First St. E. ste. G. Sonoma – 996-1364
Tonight, May 29, Motordude Zydeco – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 30, Left Coast Syncopaters– 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 31, Diva Singer Night and Community Jam with Dallis Craft and Karla Downey – 7:30 p.m.
Monday. June 1, Graceland Unplugged with Dallis Craft – 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, June 2, Big Chief with Lou Rodriguez
Annex Wine Bar
865 W. Napa St. Sonoma – 938-7779
Tonight, May 29, Craig Corona – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 30, Calvin Ross and Friends – 7:30 p.m.
Epicurean Connection
122 W Napa St. Sonoma – 935-7960
Tonight, May 29, Loralee Christiansen – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 30, Jon Emery– 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 31, Ben Weiner – 1 p.m.
Murphy’s Irish Pub
464 First St. E. Sonoma – 935-0660
Tonight, May 29, Dan Martin & Noma Rocksteady – 8 p.m.
Sunday, May 31, Doug Adamz – 7:30 p.m.
Sebastiani Winery and Vineyards
389 Fourth St. E. Sonoma – 933-3230
Tonight, May 29, BackTrax – 6 p.m.
Plaza Bistro
420 First St E. Sonoma – 996-4466
Tonight, May 29, Pamela Rose Trio – 7 p.m.
Saturday, May 30, Dr. Nancy Briggs – 6 p.m.
Rossi’s 1906 Dancehall
401 Grove St. El Verano – 343-0044
Tonight, May 29, DJ Hi-C – 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 30, Gator Nation – 8:30 p.m.
HopMonk Tavern
691 Broadway Sonoma – 935-9100
Tonight, May 29, Anthony Bello – 5 p.m. – Deluxe – 8 p.m.
Saturday, May 30, Dan Goldfus – 1 p.m. Matt Bolton – 8 p.m.
Sunday, May 31, Quiles & Cloud – 1 p.m.
Sunday, May 31, Listening Room – Mother Hips – 8 p.m.
B&V Whiskey Bar and Grille
400 First St. E. Sonoma – 938-7110
Tonight, May 29, DJ Isak – 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 30, Prezident Brown, Midnight Sun Massive, DJ Lionize – 9:30 p.m.
B. R. Cohn Winery
15000 Sonoma Hwy. Glen Ellen – 800-330-4064
Sunday, May 31, JMB and the Big O – 2 p.m.
Schug Winery
602 Bonneau Road, Carneros – 939-9363
Saturday, May 30, John Kelly and Friends – 1 p.m.
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park
2605 Adobe Canyon Road, Kenwood- 833-6288
Tonight, May 29, Funky Friday’s with Ragtag Sullivan – 6:30 p.m.
The Lodge at Sonoma
1325 Broadway Sonoma – 935-6600
Saturday, May 30, Chi McClean
Sonoma Valley Woman’s Club
574 First St. E. Sonoma
Saturday, May 30, Vox Populi – 7 p.m.
Sonoma Valley Regional Library
755 W. Napa St. Sonoma – 996-5217
Saturday, May 30, 3 on a Match – 2 p.m.
Woodland Stock
17480 Sonoma Hwy. Boyes Hot Springs – 815-6987
Saturday, May 30, the Trees, Kit Kraft, David Bingham, Shameless, Dale Henry Geist, Wildflower Weed, Winoceros, John Arntz and Friends – 4 p.m.
Olde Sonoma Public House
18615 Sonoma Hwy. Boyes Hot Springs – 938-7587
Sunday, May 31, Karaoke – 7:30 p.m.
Blue Moon Saloon
19380 Sonoma Hwy. Sonoma – 996-3055
Saturday, May 30, Karaoke – 9 p.m.
Sunday, May 31, Blues Jam – all welcome – 10 p.m.