Music Fun Week of Apr. 29-MAY 6, 2015

PLANET MARIN!  (Did someone say Disneyland is the happiest place on earth?  I guess they haven’t been here!)

Thanks!

Last Friday I actually made it beyond the county line, to Alameda and Eagles Hall for the phenomenal ZYDECO FLAMES!  Thanks, Fellas, glad to get me some zydeco state of mind!

Came home in the welcomed rain storm.

Then on Saturday there was an Emergency Preparedness Fair at our community clubhouse … I’m looking at earthquake bracing for my mobile home ...

After that the Marin Open Studios Gala at Bon Air – WOW!  Actually I got the time wrong and showed up early, which gave the opportunity to actually look at all the wonderful artwork – and was free to schmooze at the Gala ;-)

Then to Fairfax for a listen to the Shut Your Von Trapp Family carrying on at 19 Broadway.  Lively, driving rock cover band with plenty of dancing – but, truth be told, after being on my feet all day, had to leave by 11:30!

Sunday a beautiful gathering of friends honoring and celebrating Ted O’Connell.  Happy Birthday, Teddy!

Marin Open Studios Gala
Claudia, Erma, Ellen

Comin’ up: 
FULL FLOWER MOON!  
Cinco de Mayo!  
The JAMES MOSELEY BAND at Seahorse on Saturday night!!  Yes, I’m excited …

And also:

Thursday there’s Linda Imperial Band at Hopmonk; Talley Up at 19 Broadway; Bubba’s Taxi at PYC.

Friday REVOLVER is at Hopmonk; and the Sunnbolt Friday Night Jam is happening; and Lumanation is at Presidio Y.C.; and Cheeseballs at Fenix, and …

Saturday we’ve got May Madness on 4^th St. with Blue Diamond Fillups, the Fenix House Band, and REVOLVER for some dancing in the streets (and the Car Show & Parade).

The Marin Open Studios continues Saturday and Sunday this weekend and next!  This weekend primarily in Southern & Central Marin, next weekend North & West Marin.  And the gallery at Bon Air is open until May 10 as well.

Saturday Night I’ll be movin’ and groovin’ with James Moseley and the gang at Seahorse!  Also playing: Doc Kraft Band at Presidio Y.C.

Sunday:  want to catch HowellDevine at Rancho.  Friend and awesome blues guitarist John Maxwell has highly recommended them!

Wednesday next (and 2 weeks later) The Right Time [& Fenton Coolfoot] do their thing at 19 Broadway.  Catch them if you can.

Here you go!

Music Fun Week of April 22-29, 2015

“Honor the Earth and All of Life” … (from Unity Daily Word)

On this Earth Day and every day!

Reduce your carbon footprint as a matter of daily habit:  REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE!  And enjoy some MUSIC! ;-)

Fenix:  Unauthorized Rolling Stones!
Vito, Carlos, Ellen, Mark

Made an unexpected visit to Hopmonk last Thursday night for “Jazz at the Monk”.  James Harman Band was scheduled as the 2^nd act, and I KNOW he is good, but when we arrived he was just finishing the first set.  We can catch him at the Novato Music Art & Wine Festival coming up in June.  Stayed for the next 2 sets and was absolutely excited by Stacks with Sanford Barnett, and then Miles Ahead, with some of the same personnel.  Wow!  GREAT jazz, took me back to Philadelphia, when I was really into it.

Friday night it was Soul Jah Family Band at Hopmonk for some fun reggae roots hip-shakin’. Did not make it up to Twin Oaks for MOJO RISING, so I didn’t get to wish a big Happy Birthday to Teal in person …J

How was the show at Fenix, with Van Animals and Cosmo’s Factory?

Saturday night the big party was at Fenix with The UNAUTHORIZED ROLLING STONES!  Mighty fine, mighty fun – they’ll be back!

Highlights coming up: 

Friday there’s Fenton Coolfoot & The Right Time opening for La Gente at 19 Broadway; Zydeco Flames at Eagles in Alameda; The Chime Travelers at Trek Winery; The Grain at Peri’s, and more…

Saturday at Fenix there’s Aja Vu and Stealin’ Chicago—should be a hot show.  Also the Marin Open Studios Preview Gala at Bon Air; Zydeco Flames at Ashkenaz; Daycaring fundraiser at Peri’s including Tom Heubner’s The Real Deal; Volker Strifler at Rancho; CERES FUNdraiser at San Rafael Yacht Club with Buck Nickels & Loose Change; look at the calendar—too much to call out!

Whole lot of opportunity out there to hear some tunes, and shake your tailfeathers if you so choose! ♫♪♪

Music Fun Week of Apr. 15-22

MUSIC is REDEMPTION!  ♫♪♪

And there’s lots of both available.

What’s happened??  Who to thank? 

The monthly Ray Simpson Big Band Dance in Corte Madera last Wednesday—and one of the best turnouts we’ve had in awhile (as far as fun dancers).

Thursday a docent talk at Corte Madera Library for the Costume exhibit at Legion of Honor with Laura Mae.

The Friday Night Jam at Bandworks/ Sunnbolt – began and ended too early, but they will adjust and get it right next month.  Some of my favorite folks showed up!

Continued on to Hopmonk for Sambada – incredible musicians, world-class sounds and dancing girls -- all the Zumba dancers had a chance to show off their stuff.

Saturday a rehearsal with the MARIN SYMPHONY Orchestra; a wedding party celebration (congrats John & Zoe!); and an exhilarating Zodiac celebration dance party with DJ Richard Habib and dancers at the Sausalito Seahorse!

Sunday:  a final rehearsal, then my performance with the Marin Symphony Orchestra & Chorus!

Monday The Wrecking Crew film at Smith Rafael Theatre.  You have another week to catch this witty and nostalgic documentary.

Tuesday evening another Marin Symphony Orchestra & Chorus performance, and Wrap Party at Gaspari’s to congratulate ourselves!

After-Symphony Party at Gaspari's
Friends Marty, Nikki, Angela & Art

To come:  Friday night it’s either MOJO RISING at Twin Oaks, or Soul Jah Family Band at Hopmonk – or maybe both?  More good music at Seahorse for Jimmy Presta & the All Stars; and at Fenix a couple tribute bands Van Animals and Cosmo’s Factory.

Saturday the big party is at Fenix with The UNAUTHORIZED ROLLING STONES!  There’s also Tommy Castro & The Painkillers out at Rancho; Lumanation at Peri’s; Soul Section at Twin Oaks … and a whole lot more goin’ on.

Plenty of fun available, so find something to tickle your fancy ♫♪♪♫

Music Fun Week of Apr. 8-15, 2015

A vow of Happiness … Not always easy, but worth pursuing! ♫♪

My shoutouts for this past week:

Roseberry Jam at Hopmonk last Thursday—young, enthusiastic, with the talents of many MSA (Marin School of the Arts) graduates—including Patrick Pollack, who does a mean Barry White!

Back at Hopmonk Friday night with a good crowd for Pop Fiction (sorry to have missed Mojo Rising at Rancho, Doc Kraft at PYC)

Saturday, 19 Broadway with Eric McFadden—awesome, awesome.  Blew us away! Began with solo Americana stuff, added a few musicians for what felt like a hootenanny, then brought it all with some powerful funky psych-rock, ala Hendrix … (missed Revolver at Fenix)

Sunday back in Fairfax for Joey Davis B’Day at Peri’s – fun gathering of bright spirits!

Laura Mae's pretty new frock
Click for her website lauramaedesigns.com 

Coming up?  Top of mind are my two eclectic concerts with Marin Symphony!!  Sunday afternoon and Tuesday night.  I’ve already purchased discounted tickets (30% off) for quite a few of you – and encouraging the rest of you as well!  This will be a concert unlike any other, with Strauss’s Don Juan opening the program, then Sibelius’ Finlandia, with the Youth Orchestra performing alongside their Symphony counterparts. After intermission is the Poulenc Gloria, in which I perform with about 90 fellow choristers; and THEN Mason Bates’ Mothership—an exciting work by this 38-year old who has worked with Michael Tilson Thomas, incorporating electronics and dynamic guest soloist improvisations, and light show!  My discount code is MSCM—and use my name at Box Office.

Also on my radar, the film The Wrecking Crew has been extended once again, until April 15.  I MUST get to this—either Monday the 13^th, or closing night.

Tonight (Wed.) I make my way to the Big Band Dance at Corte Madera Community Center.

Thursday evening there’s a lecture at Corte Madera Library for the current FAMSF costume exhibit, that I plan to attend with Laura.

Friday most probably headed for Sambada at Hopmonk; and if I can get out early enough, head over to the Bandworks/ Sunnbolt Friday Night Jam for a bit to start the evening.  Also recommended: Danny Click & The Hell Yeahs! at Sleeping Lady (also on Sat. night); Strange Angels with Randy Rood at Presidio Y.C. (Before the Bang had to cancel); Jose Neto at 19 Broadway …

Saturday there’s again a feast from which to choose:  DJ Richard Habib’s Zodiac event at Sausalito Seahorse—always an incredible treat for the senses: auditory, visual with special Samba dancers (and perhaps for your taste buds if you dine).  We could begin early at Trek Winery with The Chime Travelers.  Also with high recommendation:  Doc Kraft Dance Band at Twin Oaks; Danny & the HYs at The Lady; Ridgeway Spacestation at Hopmonk … and the list goes on.

SUNDAY it’s MARIN SYMPHONY!  And Tuesday next as well! (with the Wrap Party afterwards)

And then we do it all again ;-)

Music Fun Week of April 1-8, 2015

This week? … FULL PINK MOON early Saturday morning [aka Full EGG Moon—perhaps that’s more apropos this week]; Passover; Easter Sunday, and …

Lots of MUSIC!! ♫♪♪

Shoutouts for the past week:

The 85s at Hopmonk rocked us, Chime Travelers at Trek Winery always fun; Mono Music Showcase at Hopmonk—esecially Mojo Rising with Josh & Teal!  And “Crooked”—hope to hear more of them.  Swung by Finnegan’s after that for Kevin Brennan—the Van Morrison “double” everyone has been mentioning—and we were not disappointed!

On Sunday Paul Smith’s solo piano recital at College of Marin:  Beethoven, Schumann, Lizst – performed beautifully, masterfully!  Bravo, Paul!

Also saw the new Cinderella last week with daughter Laura – a visual treat (and sweet story)!

My picks for this week: 

Hope to be there for Roseberry Jam and others at Hopmonk’s 33-1/3 Thursday night;

on Friday there’s Pop Fiction at Hopmonk, MOJO RiSING with Teal & Josh at Rancho Nicasio; Doc Kraft at Presidio Y.C.. 

Saturday has REVOLVER at Fenix; Eric McFadden at 19 Broadway; Joe Tate & The Blue Monday Band making their debut at Presidio Y.C.

Sunday?  AfroZep at Sweetwater entices … and Joey Davis is hosting her B’Day party at Peri’s in the afternoon.

Wednesday the 8^th will find the monthly Ray Simpson Big Band Dance at the Corte Madera Community Center.

Ongoing:  The Wrecking Crew has been extended at the Smith Rafael until April 9 – have to work that into the schedule!

Now my plug for the Marin Symphony:  I’m performing with the Marin Symphony Chorus in this final concert of the season: Sunday Apr. 12 at 3pm, Tues. Apr. 14 at 7:30pm.  The program is sure to please – I am having a ball singing the Poulenc Gloria – plus there are pieces by Strauss, Sibelius, and a new one from Mason Bates.  The Youth Orchestra will play alongside their counterparts in the Sibelius piece.

Discount tickets if you contact me soon (I have to pick up at the Marin Center Box Office):  $21 instead of $30, $38.50 for the $55 seats, and $49 for the $70 seats.  There are pre-concert talks from Maestro Alasdair Neale an hour before the performances, and on Tuesday night a Wrap Party at Gaspare’s.  Please join us at one of these concerts!