Music Fun Week of Aug. 27-Sept. 3 [sort of]

The World is too much with me of late -- that is, the world of responsibilities other than Music and Dance!  Making preparations for my annual trip to Pennsylvania to tend to brother Jay, and finding it challenging to complete some deferred maintenance around the house before I go.  (Staining deck lots of fun.  Thanks for the major help, Carlos!) 

Therefore, I'm afraid my Music Calendar has to take a back seat for a bit.  The fun part of my trip will be attending my 50^th high school reunion in Atlantic City!!  Yes, you read that right.

I've put together a modified list, and included events in the Mark Your Calendars section that I know will take place in my absence ...

Carlos & Ellen with Fenton Coolfoot & The Right Time

Some brief shoutouts for last week’s phenomenal music:  Eric McFadden with some phunk punk, and the bewitching Delphine (and Lantz  Lazwell & The Vibe Tribe—who played the keys as if it were a guitar) at Hopmonk;  Fenton Coolfoot & The Right Time at 19 Broadway – I’ve been wanting to hear him for a year, and I want more!  And the always groovy Soul Satellites with super-talented friends Frank, Lloyd, Timm, Ted and Dave at an outdoor party on Sunday.

Looking forward in more ways than 10 to a musical weekend.  Friday night we’ll head to Seahorse for James Moseley Dance Band.  There’s also bound to be fun at Hopmonk with Miracle Mule and Buck Nickels & Loose Change; as well as Mitch Woods at Fenix, Honeydust at 19 Broadway, The Sorentinos at Twin Oaks, etc. etc.!  (oh, and Nostalgia Days & Kustom Car Show in Novato Friday and Saturday.)

Saturday we’ve got Zydeco Flames at Fenix; Chime Travelers at Trek Winery; Jake Baker with Tommy Thomsen at Rossi’s, and as usual music in the Beer Garden at Hopmonk (Fri. eve. and Sunday as well) -- for a sample of what’s offered right here in Marin!

Sunday there’s Magnolia Terrace for Johnny Cash & Patsy Cline tributes (and another special 2-for-1 offer for fans of ellenjanesmusic! But singles $20 OK, singles $12.50 :-), and then to Danny Click and the Hell Yeahs at Creek Park San Anselmo.  Also Lumanation at Sweetwater, and a host of other offerings, including Sausalito Art Festival on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

Wish I could do it all!!!

Music Fun Week of Aug. 20-27 (Wed. to Wed.)

More losses for our community this week:  Steve Gannon, local blues guitar phenom; and Lex Hutchinson, imp, artist, one-of-a kind human.  Sorry you had to leave …

Blessings to all of us still here!

The past week in review:  a very busy week for Ellen & Carlos!  Beginning Thursday evening, with a quick run to Costco looking for eyeglass frames, and while we were there, the Vintage Oaks “Off the Grid” food truck experience, with music from Flowtilla (upbeat danceable jazz); and then on to Mill Valley for a Preview show at Marin Theatre Company:  Fetch Clay, Make Man.  A fascinating look at the interactions of Mohammed Ali and Stepin Fetchit—they really did have a relationship!—set in 1965, with video flashbacks and even some Motown music for me.  Check it out:  http://marintheatre.org/

Friday Petty Theft at Northgate Mall – and I think the largest crowd ever!  Woot woot!  After that a drive to Fairfax and Peri’s for the incredible Ms. Bonnie Hayes and Soul Satellites!  Can it get any better? Fairfax was jumpin’ on a beautiful summer night, with Danny Click and the Hell Yeahs next door at Sleeping Lady (and both he and Don Bassey sat in with Bonnie and the boys), as well as The Mermen at 19 Broadway. 

On to Saturday for a GREAT evening with Doc Kraft Dance Band at Presidio Yacht Club.  A packed house, new faces and the regulars kicking up heels, enjoying the music, the views, and each other.

Sunday we ended up at Twin Oaks in Penngrove for Stax City, a rousing Memphis soul band with horns from Santa Rosa -- and a wild time was had by all.

Petty Theft at Northgate, up close & personal

The week to come:  Friday night?  Again, a ridiculous number of good times to be had!  Zydeco Flames at Rossi’s 1906 in Sonoma (formerly Little Switzerland); Eric McFadden at Hopmonk Novato; Eldon Brown Band at Presidio Yacht Club; The Purple Ones (Prince tribute) at Fenix; Reckless in Vegas at 19 Broadway … and much more.

On Saturday, we’re enticed by the Novato Theater Summer Festival (afternoon), headlined by Lovefool.  For the evening, there’s Fenton Coolfoot at 19 Broadway; Dan Brown & Full Steem at Redwood Cafe; Vinyl at Sweetwater; Ray Charles Project at Fenix; Alseep at the Wheel at Rancho; lots of other great music.

For Sunday:  oh, for heaven’s sake!  So much!  Lots of free summer concerts still happening.  Perhaps we’ll get back to Twin Oaks for Blues Defenders and roadhouse-folk watching (and dancing!) … [Oh, how could I forget? We've got a wonderful party to attend.  YOU should check out Twin Oaks!]

Lots of other wonderful musical events on the calendar below. Go get yourself some fun!  ♫♪♫♪ 

Wednesday, Aug. 20 – Happy Birthday, Lorraine B!  Happy Birthday, Deborah W!  

Music Fun Week of Aug. 13-20 (Wed. to Wed.)

It’s been a week … Laura Mae is home; Robin Williams is not.  A year since Johnnie Jean Daniel’s passing.  RIP Robin and JJ -- but more likely they are partying! ;-)
And I am very tired.  Guess I cannot sweet-talk myself into being completely healed.  However, I know I’m good for some dancing come the weekend!

To some, at least, Laura Mae was the Toast of the Town.  Here is her friend Peter’s blog post about it:  laura-mae-why-cant-you-stay

Here is Laura’s initial brief offering:  home-sweet-home

And here at Chez Ellen, Tino was a perfect guest!

Carlos & I did make it over to the Marinwood Park for Cosmo Alleycats on Friday evening.  An enthusiastic crowd, and a few fabulous swing dancers who weren’t deterred by the grassy lumpy field!  After that we headed to Presidio Yacht Club for The 7^th Sons (and a Daughter!).  Sorry Mark Banning not with them, but they have honed their chops and are sounding better than ever!

Saturday burnin’ down the house at the Fenix with the James Moseley Band!!

Sunday-- I guess I just can’t keep up with myself … There was Unity, and some excellent SUPER-MOON-WATCHING.

Celebrating with James Moseley at Fenix

This coming weekend?  Friday night oh boy oh boy – Petty Theft closes out the Northgate Concert Series, and we’ll be there!  After that, either head to Fairfax and Peri’s for Soul Satellites and Ms. Bonnie Hayes (Birthday Girl)! Or Sweetwater and The Unauthorized Rolling Stones.  There’s also Creation at Pacheco Plaza; Danny Click and the Hell Yeahs! at Sleeping Lady; LUMANATION at Seahorse; Soul Power at Fenix; The Mermen at 19 Broadway; and another 10 or so events I’ve listed … AAWWW … another Friday with too many riches in Marin.

Saturday Likely will find Carlos & Ellen at Presidio Y.C. again, for Doc Kraft Dance Band.  [Our beloved PYC will change one of these day, thanks to the Nat'l Park Service, and become another posh destination ala Cavallo Point – so get yourselves here if you cherish the funky vibe.]  And there’s Danny Click again at Sleeping Lady; Miles Schon at Fenix; Irie Fuse at Hopmonk; and another 10 or so musical happenings on the calendar below.

On Sunday … Once again I’ll have to wait and see!  “So much to do, so little time.” ♫♪♫  

Wednesday, Aug. 13 – Happy Birthday, Patricia S!  Happy Birthday, Rebecca G!  

Music Fun Week of Aug. 6-13 (Wed. to Wed.)

WHEW!  Just kissed my darlin’ daughter Laura Mae good-bye at the Airporter, bound for SFO and JFK!  Her first vacation as “an adult”, and first time on an aircraft for about a dozen years!  BON VOYAGE, LAURA MAE!  Adventures and culture, fashions and friendships await …  Of course, I get to caretake my grandpup Valentino (aka Tino) until she returns next week. 

I loves ya, Grandma, but where's my Mom?

Happy to be at Northgate for Caravansarei last Friday, with Carlos and all of you!  Afterwards a little get-together nearby, then Carlos & I did get up to Hopmonk – but missed Junk Parlor, who went on earlier.  But we DID get to dance along to This Old Earthquake—a group from Bolinas, with plenty of shakin’; I’d hear them again.

Saturday Carlos & I did something different – went to the Marin Shakespeare production of As You Like It.  Plenty to like, the evening was balmy, the jokes were fast, actors fun to watch.  My favorite part:  the 5 “goats”!

Sunday we were at Magnolia Terrace again for The Boys of Summer (Eagles tribute).  If you’ve been you know what a beautiful venue this is, and a good crowd was there to enjoy.  We expended enough energy that it was impossible to make the drive out to Rancho to take in Danny Click and the Hell Yeahs, including Lynn Asher – but I hear it was an awesome show – Hell Yeah!  Afterwards, fun with Larry & Sue—thanks you two!

Coming up?  Thinking about Marinwood Park on Friday evening for the Cosmo Alleycats for some swing and soul.  After that looks like our best bet is The 7th Sons (and a Daughter!) at Presidio Yacht Club for some rockin' & rollin'.   perhaps -(REVOLVER NOT AT PYC, incorrect info on PYC website.)  There’s also Volker Strifler at Fenix, Zydeco Flames at Eagles, and more.

Saturday DEFINITELY going to Fenix for JAMES MOSELEY DANCE BAND!!  Lots of other choice choices too – scroll down.

On Sunday … I dunno!  The calendar below is bulging with great music ♫♪♫  Get out and enjoy some!

Wednesday, Aug. 6 – Happy Birthday, Linda S! Happy Birthday, Betty T! Happy Birthday, Jeanne S!