Music Fun Week of May 14-21

Happy night at Hopmonk, with Pop Fiction, Carlos & Trish!

Lovely surprise to see you, Trish!

Wrapped up another fun weekend, and a heap of thanks for Pop Fiction at Hopmonk on Friday, then Rudy Colombini and the Unauthorized Rolling Stones at Sweetwater on Saturday!  Great to cheer on new personnel Kevin Russell and Cole Tate, with Rudy, Kenny Crampton, Eddie Berman and Mike Davis holding down the fort and making for some explosive fun.

Hope you had a Happy Mothers’ Day!

I’m afraid I’ll be missing the Big Band Dance tonight in Corte Madera – as I’ve developed another case of HIVES!  This time I have no idea what caused it – no new lotion at least.  I think that episode in March over-sensitized me, and now my auto-immune response to allergens is overblown.  So is it the pollen?  the kitty? the shellfish? or my neighbor’s toxic stinky dryer sheets??  Face swollen again, and I’m in no hurry to get to the doctor when they’ll again put me on prenisone.  Trying power of positive thinking (without too much luck so far—but I’ll keep hoping).

I know I’ll be better by Friday:  Hoping to travel north to Twin Oaks in Penngrove to get it on with our friends The Mighty Groove.  There’s also Doc Kraft at Presidio Yacht Club; Kevin Russell at Fenix; and rock group Factor 11 at Trek Winery; and the triple-header in Fairfax, fundraiser for Deb Hubsmith (who’s battling Acute Myeloid Leukemia) at 19 Broadway, Peri’s, and Sleeping Lady.

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Saturday: REVOLVER at Fenix; Danny Click & The Hell Yeahs at 142 Throckmorton; Zydeco Flames at Eagles in Alameda; Chime Travelers at TREK Winery;  Afrofunk Experience at Hopmonk – and of course all the other music I’ve listed in the calendar below!

Sunday?  I don’t know yet … Remember, there’s free music now in the Hopmonk Beer Garden on Friday evenings, Saturday afternoons, and Sunday afternoons.  (I’ve listed below.)  Always a musical treat available—how lucky are we!

Scroll down to see all the music events listed for this week!  ♫♪♫

Music Fun Week of May 7-14, 2014

Meet my friend and neighbor, Jacques.  Actually, he’s a stand-in, since I never have my iPhone ready to snap when Jacques is around. Plenty more like him in my ‘hood.

Another very full and wonderful week has passed.  Carlos and I didn’t get out until Friday night, and chose the Elks Club for The 7^th Sons and Shima’s birthday party.  Well-played!  We missed out on the fun at Sunnbolt and at Hopmonk (heard Sambada was sinfully good), but enjoyed the band and the folks celebrating Shima’s shindig.

Saturday found us at a friend’s Tres de Mayo party in the San Rafael hills, where we met many more new friends looking for a chance to dance.  After that we wandered over to Hopmonk for some jam.  We only heard the last number of THUGZ (The Hippie UnderGround Zone), then Boris Garcia Band – a trumpet joined them and turned the jam into jazzy funk!  Crazy!  Never know what fun we’ll find at the Hopmonk!

On Sunday we boated to Angel Island with new friends from the party.  Beautiful afternoon on the Island, and some music from Victor and Penny—20s-style swing with uke & guitar.  Of course I danced along.  A chance to be Silly!

We’ve got Mothers’ Day coming on Sunday, and a FULL FLOWER MOON on Wednesday.

Ellen & Carlos have big weekend plans:  Friday:  Hopmonk: Pop Fiction!  Get your party on and join us!  There’s also Doc Kraft at Seahorse, and rock group Factor 11 at Trek Winery, and all of that other good stuff below.

Saturday: Sweetwater:  Unauthorized Rolling Stones with Rudi Colombini, and featuring Cream of Clapton's Kevin Russell!  This may very well be a sellout, so get your tix in advance if you can.  (We’ll miss the big Fairfax event put on by Cathey Cotten for St. Rita’s, with Pacific Mambo Orchestra, as well as Cathey’s Atomic Beat Society and more– sure to be a fabulous event.)

It’s also the final weekend for the Marin Open Studios—check it out Sat. & Sun. below for link to what’s offered.

Scroll down to see all the music events I’ve listed!  ♫♪♫

Music Fun Week of April 30-MAY 7, 2014

May Day! May Day!  That’s the way I felt last night and today, struggling to guide my challenged brother in PA with his leaking windows. 
And so a Repeat, meant especially for me (and some of you will no doubt relate) ... One of Life’s Lessons:  When something’s going on that you can’t change … maybe you can change your attitude about it.  ♫♪♪

Too many choices last week, as usual, on a Friday night!  Carlos and I made it to the remarkable happening at the Fenix with the James Moseley Dance Band – a real party and full of fun and frolicking dancers.  Thank you James, Jack, Carrie, Hailey, Steve, Jean, Marina, John and Doug!  ♫♪♫

Saturday we made it to the fabulous Preview Gala for Marin Open Studios, hosted by Erma and Daniel of Murphy Productions.  Our little taste of Hollywood (well, not quite, but sure was fun) at Bon Air Center in Greenbrae!  Two weekends of Open Studios coming up … see Calendar below.

After that, on to TREK Winery for some fun with The Chime Travelers; then to Hopmonk for Sorentinos – a night of rock & roll.

On Sunday we headed to The Rafael for “The Wrecking Crew” – but (as I had forewarned)—they were sold out!  Friends Larry & Sue, Peter & Patricia were also shut out, so we all had a drink at Broken Drum.  Bet it was fun!

Coming up?  I don’t know – the World is full of Possibilities!

Music Fun Week of Apr. 23-30, 2014

The last full week of April!  Will you find some time to celebrate?   Plenty of suggestions follow … 
  

Laura Mae in a sweet spring frock

(soon to be posted at LauraMaeDesigns.com)

Every Day is EARTH DAY!
I try to be brief, but it’s not in my vocabulary, and I have to give my shout-outs for those who made my music last week! 

On Friday, Z and the Benders (with Eric Engstrom on drums, and a guy I used to work with—Athan Pasadis on keys) at the Elks Club:  great jazzy dancey tunes.  From there to Hopmonk for Jay Buckaroo Bonet—and a surprise to find Horacio S adding a groove on congas, along with Tony Saunders on bass, and lovely Hanne Andersen on drums.  A nice mix of fun, blues, and rockabilly!  They’re the house band at George’s on Wednesday nights.

Saturday Carlos & I headed for the Presidio Y.C. and Doc Kraft, where we knew there would be a party.  We preceded that with a friend’s celebration where I became food-intoxicated, and I knew I had to dance heartily to use up some of those calories!  So I did.

Sunday I was exhausted and we didn’t even get to Unity, nor to an Easter Egg Hunt!  But sometimes nice to hang at home …

I don’t get out regularly on Wednesday and Thursday, but for those of you who do—lots of fine choices.

Another crazy Friday coming up with too much good stuff! … James Moseley Dance Band at Fenix; Frobeck at Hopmonk; Danny Click at Sleeping Lady; Doc Kraft at Seahorse; Cathey Cotton & Atomic Beat Society at Peri’s; 7^th Sons at PYC, and all that other great music I’ve listed below.

Saturday?  A good excuse to get to Whole Foods Novato for their Earth Day Birthday Party; then Marin Open Studios Preview Gala at Bon Air Center; then Chime Travelers at Trek; Sorentinos & Black Cat Bone at Hopmonk; and there’s Danny Click back at the Lady; Olive & The Dirty Martinis at Seahorse; Lavay Smith at Fenix; Mighty Groove up in Cotati, and on and on—see complete list below!

Sunday?  A George Sumner Birthday art show at Trek; the Hopmonk Beer Garden; “The Wrecking Crew” Film at the Rafael; and the rest of the calendar! 

Music Fun Week of April 16-23

Just for Fun (taxes are done):  Naughty Dogs -- guaranteed to make you laugh out loud – thanks, Jeff!

http://pansypanda.com/30-naughtiest-dogs-youll-lol-when-you-find-out-what-they-did/

 Lots more silly stuff on the link!

Les’see … this week we indulged in:  Corte Madera Big Band Dance on Wednesday—excellent time.

Friday Carlos & I danced to Notorious at Hopmonk – wicked party band fun, nonstop energy from these guys & a gal.

Saturday we began at Trek Winery for The Chime Travelers, then made our way to Hopmonk for AZ/DZ.  Always fun to get in some head-banging entertainment, and these wild ones did not disappoint!  Did not know that Monroe Grisman and Adam “Bagel” Berkowitz of Petty Theft were on board—acting up as their bad selves! 

Sunday we appeared at Sweetwater for Moonalice – felt like a kind of homecoming, with so many friends enjoying the show and the outdoors!  Couldn’t tear ourselves away to make it to PYC for Lonestar Retrobates, though that would have been a great scene as well.

Upcoming:  Shout-out to Greg Johnson, performing tonight with Fenix Band! 

Hope to hear Tommy Odetto at Hopmonk tomorrow (Thursday).

Friday is another of those when I’d like to be in 5 places … Danny Click is at Fenix; Z and the Benders (a jazzy R&B group) at San Rafael Elks; Gary Vogensen & His Ramblers at Rancho; Lumanation at Peri’s; Fenton Coolfoot at The Lady; Buckaroo Bonet at Hopmonk – to toss around a few names.  Chances are we’ll try out Elks for a bit, and then enjoy the scene at Hopmonk.

Saturday?  Doc Kraft at Presidio Y.C.; Cole Tate at Peri’s; California Honeydrops at 19 Broadway; and for our northern cousins, Johnny Z and Medicine Man (along with a female country line dancing troupe) at Twin Oaks in Penngrove – as well as all those other bands I’ve listed.

Sunday?  HAPPY EASTER! … and 420!  Lots going on in Fairfax, as expected.  I’ll find out if Hopmonk Beer Garden music is happening this Sunday.  (Beer Garden music begins this Friday and Saturday!)

Enjoy!! ♫♪♫

Music Fun Week of Apr. 9-16, 2014

Marin Symphony Spectacular Success! 

 

Before my Tuesday performance with Marin Symphony Orchestra & Chorus

And a new Creation from Laura Mae (soon to be posted at LauraMaeDesigns.com )

The highlight of my week was singing Carmina Burana and Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms with the Marin Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, on Sunday and Tuesday.  Many rehearsals (and all day Saturday), but the result was MAGNIFICENT!  Nothing like being a part of an experience like this.  Happy to have a foot (or a voice) in this world.

Other musical gratitude this past week for:

Thursday Hopmonk:  7^th Sons & Debra Clawson.

Friday Sunnbolt—James Moseley Dance Band, wowza; then to Hopmonk for final number of Honeydust!

Saturday Presidio Y.C.—Tie Dye Blues Band and friend Dave R.

And last night (Wednesday) the monthly Ray Simpson Big Band Dance in Corte Madera—marvelous fun.

For this week:  Corte Madera Big Band Dance! On Wednesday. Did that!

Thursday would love to be at Fenix for Rumors Band debut.  There’s also the College of Marin Big Band at Seahorse, Dustbowl Revival at 19 Broadway, San Rafael Farmers Market, and more.

Friday Notorious at Hopmonk – heard them New Years Eve, and party band they are.  Also on Friday Stompy Jones at Rancho, English Beat at 19 Broadway … look at all the listings below!

Saturday we’ll begin at Trek Winery for The Chime Travelers, then perhaps make our way down to Hopmonk for AZ/DZ.  Revolver is at Rancho; English Beat at 19 Broadway; Shana Morrison at Fenix; and another dozen events listed for Sat.

Sunday hope to make it down to Sweetwater for Moonalice – and there’s Lonestar Retrobates at PYC, and more.

NEXT weekend there’s too much good music happening [see Mark Your Calendars]!

Music Fun Week of April 2-9, 2014

This Week’s Wisdom?  Life is complicated. 

Feeling better.

With Carlos, at Hopmonk, after Volker Strikler.

Yeah. Much better. Thank you very much!

Recap and shout-outs:

Friday night Hopmonk, Volker Strikler Band (with Chip Roland on Hammond), Jessa’s first full day of retirement!  Great music, great company!  

Saturday Seahorse for Rolando Morales & Carlos Reyes.  Musical gods must smile.  Somehow feels like coming home when I show up there.  I’ve got way too much energy.  Then up to Hopmonk for last number of Lovefool.  Dancing on the ceiling.  Play some more!  Will I sleep?  (I did.)

Sunday Unity in Marin; rehearsal with Marin Symphony Chorus; then Foxes in the Henhouse back at Hopmonk.  Not a dancing crowd, but packed—and we did work one in.  And one can always wiggle on the sidelines.  Sweet and salty tunes.  How can audience sit still?

Monday night & Tuesday night choral rehearsals, then all day this coming Saturday, preparing for SUNDAY and TUESDAY concerts.

Coming up:  BIG DEAL Singing with Marin Symphony for a SPECTACULAR experience!  Orff’s Carmina Burana—tribute to hedonism; and Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms.  That’s my focus this week.

Definitely showing for SUNNBOLT 1^st Friday Jam, for James Moseley Dance Band!  After that hope to stop by Hopmonk for some Honeydust.

Saturday all day singing.  Night may find us at Presidio YC to check out friend Dave’s band:  Tie Dye Blues Band.  A benefit for Rex Foundation.

Up early Sunday for a final rehearsal before our 3pm performance!  Repeat on Tuesday night.

Wednesday next remember to come to the Corte Madera Big Band Dance!