Music Fun Week of Nov. 26-Dec. 3, 2014

THANKSGIVING?  Each of us has something to be thankful for!  For me, one thing is having connected with each of you, because connections (especially, for me, via music!) are what the human experience is all about.  Add some love and laughter and there you go!

Attended a Memorial on Saturday for Les Lizama RIP – and heard about a life well-lived, and these apt words, from Maya Angelou:

“My mission in life is not merely to Survive, but to Thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”  I found this website and kept reading for many more pearls.  If you’d like, check it out:  Maya Angelou quotes

And whither did I wander, with Carlos at my side?  THANKS for the music from Groovtown at the Seahorse Friday night:  GREAT crowd enjoying the 60s R&B from Craig Caffall, Philip “Roscoe” Gallo, Robin “Nigel” Zickel, Steve Evans and Julie Medeiros—wild woman vocalist!  Plenty of action on the dance floor …they rocked it for us!  I heard that Lost Dog Found at Hopmonk was also a lively event …

On Saturday our lovely community Thanksgiving dinner, then down to Presidio Y.C. for the Eldon Brown Band party … plus a Bulgarian a cappella women’s chorus, as well as 2 more bands—Retro Rockets was one, putting out the classic rock and keeping the dancers happy …  

Hoping to get to Fairfax tonight (Wed.) for the Soul Satellites—Frank Bohan, Lloyd Meadows, Timm Walker, Ted O’Connell, Dave Burns—and who knows who else will show up!  These guys are always totally groovy and put me in the dance zone!

Thanksgiving with Friends, sharing the bounty, praying for those less fortunate.

Friday the intent is to check out Mustache Harbor at Hopmonk.  And there’s Fenton Coolfoot & The Right Time at Sleeping Lady, as well as Lumanation, Zydeco Flames, Band of Gypsies and so much more.

Saturday there’s a couple of Browns I’d like to hear:  Dan Brown with Country Steem at Twin Oaks, and Eldon Brown Band at the Old Western.  Doc Kraft is out that way too, at Penngrove Pub.  Petty Theft is at Sweetwater (sure to sell out), Jose Neto Band at 19 Broadway, and crazy Bud E Luv at Rancho – plus all them other goings-on!

And for you?  Many Thanksgiving Blessings! ♫♪♪

Music Fun Week of Nov. 19-26, 2014

What’s new?

Shoutouts, kudos, gratitude for the past week’s musical joys:  Ray Simpson Big Band at Corte Madera on Wednesday evening; the College of Marin Big Swing Band at Seahorse on Thursday, enjoying vocals by Vicki Marinko & others, and swing dance lesson from Al & Mary; James Moseley Band—James, Jack, Carrie, Haley, Marina, John, KC, Marlon—at the fab Fenix on Friday; the eccentric, eclectic, and very entertaining magic carpet ride from David Lindley at the JCC on Saturday, thanks to Murphy Productions' Erma, Daniel--and Larry the Hat; Sunday at the West End Celebration with Danny Click, San Geronimo, Pop Rocks … yeah, it was a pretty full week!!

It takes a few days of resting up after that.  Last night Carlos & I took in Birdman – what did you think??

Coming up, perhaps Hopmonk on Thursday for Instru-Mental, James Harman, and Stacks – not too far a hop for us.  Looking forward to a new band: GROOVTOWN at the Seahorse on Friday, playing 60s R&B; however that means I’d miss Lost Dog Found at Hopmonk , California Honeydrops at 19 Broadway, Zydeco Flames at Rossi’s … And on Saturday we have a community dinner, after which we may get to Presidio Y.C. for the Eldon Brown party or what follows … or try out another new-to-us band at Hopmonk: Kingsborough. And there’s Revolver at the Rancho, Wonderbread 5 at 19 Broadway, etc. etc.!  Sunday? We’ll get there!

Have a good week—enjoy yourselves, and I’ll try too ♫♪♪

 From the Sublime to the Ridiculous -- for your enjoyment!

http://player.vimeo.com/video/58611141?autoplay=1

Ode to Joy, rock version, Ana Rucner cello

Parliament Funkadelic -- Dr. Funkenstein

Music Fun Week of Nov. 12-19, 2014

Good to be Alive! ♪♫♪

The week in review, and kudos:

Carlos & I doubled up (well, on Saturday quadrupled-up) on Friday -- began at Elks Club with Flanelhed for some head-banging at its finest.  You just gotta feel it once in a while – a great release!  And then back north to Hopmonk for Pop Rocks, plenty of energy on the dance floor, and a young man who picked me up onto the stage to join several good-lookin’ young women.  Of course I just had to go with the flow, carry on with the show … heh heh.

On Saturday it was Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride.  Rode with Larry & Sue up to Twin Oaks for Soul Section—excellent 8 or 9-piece band with horns.  A little surprised to arrive to an over-capacity crowd of probably 300 squished into every square foot of space, including out on the patio.  Hot, crowded, but FUN!  When they finished up, Larry took us over to Penngrove Pub for another band Four Bye Four for some country rock.  Then headed back to Novato and made it in time for some Blue Bandits at Brown’s Binyerd, with friends George (aka DJ Hewy Dawg) leading the pack, and Chris Carpiniello on drums—more FUN.  Never heard of Brown’s – but NOW I KNOW!  And while there, since I had never set foot in the Viking, we scoped it out—and I have to say it did not meet my expectation of degradation. :-0

On Sunday Carlos and I made it to Unity, but laid low for the rest of the day …

Twin Oaks, Soul Section, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride

And what’s coming?  Looks to be a busy week.  Some highlights:

Tonight, Wednesday, must go to Corte Madera for the Ray Simpson Big Band Dance.  This is an undiscovered, under-appreciated monthly gift to the community.  Great tunes, plenty of room to move, friendly crowd.  Give it a try next month (2^nd Wed.)!

Thursday hope to get down to Seahorse for the College of Marin Big Swing Band.

Then comes Friday, and WAY TOO MUCH CHOICE!  James Moseley Dance Band at Fenix is in the lead; and there’s also Linda Imperial Band at Elks, Dennis Johnson & The Mississippi Ramblers at Hopmonk, The Mighty Groove at Presidio Y.C., and early in the evening The Chime Travelers at Trek Winery.  Whew!  That’s not to mention all the other great music I’ve listed below for Friday.  Who knows how this one will play out!

Saturday plans? Not yet committed—but there’s Danny Click at Rancho, David Lindley at the JCC, The 7^th Sons (and a Daughter) at Redwood Café … and another 20 or so musical events listed.

Sunday:  plenty going on, like the West End Village Celebration, John Korty film (Benefit for Novato Theater) at Trek Winery, Tri-Tip Trio at Rossi’s … and so on!

Take care of each other, embrace your humanity, and have a great week! ♫♪♪

Music Fun Week of NOVEMBER 5-12, 2014

Shifting Focus …

Attempting to allow the forces of good to outweigh the other stuff.  For me it’s about trying harder to overcome the frustration/ despair I feel when trying to problem-solve for my “challenged” baby brother.  Perhaps next time you ask how I’m doing I will not launch into what difficulties I had today with Jay.

As always, Keep Breathing.  Aaahh … And on with the Show! ♫♪

Hope you had a Happy Halloween – at the very least an amusing one.  And basking in the Afterglow of The Giants triumph!  This is actually the first year I’ve ever been involved.  Happy for their previous 2 World Series, but this time truly participated.  Unfortunately it has meant that I’ve been compelled to also read the Sports pages … as if I have time.

Friday night it was Hollywood  at Hopmonk with Pride & Joy!!!  Killer show, crowded of course—but that’s part of the party.  Sorry we couldn’t make it to all the Halloween wonderfulness all over the county!

 

Saturday night Carlos & I returned to Hopmonk for Dgiin – and their Dia de Los Muertos show.  Magical gypsy vibe, much of the music sung in French.  A group of French folks there, dancing free and wild, just how I like it. (Of course I joined them.)  And also Eden, the Fan Dancer – WOW!

Sunday a wonderful service at Unity, then later to Sweetwater for the Barbara Borden documentary film, and some live drumming.  Wonderful that they sponsor such events (this one for Mill Valley Village, to benefit seniors in the community, and supported by Mill Valley Rotary).

What’s comin’?

Friday there’s Pop Rocks at Hopmonk, Flanelhed at Elks Club, 7^th Sons (and a Daughter) at PYC – and another baker’s dozen musical events nearby.

Saturday we’ve got Soul Section (with Rich Armstrong & Ray Clement) at Twin Oaks, Cheap Therapy with Dan Brown at PYC, Olive & The Dirty Martinis at Seahorse, Lane, Uzi, Korty at 19 Broadway – and again, another dozen options.

Sunday there’s Lonestar Retrobates at PYC, Chime Travelers at Rickey’s, San Geronimo at Rancho, Blues Defenders at Twin Oaks, and on and on!

Check the calendar below for all my listings.  And I hope you Dance ♫♪♪

Music Fun Week of Oct. 29-Nov. 5, 2014

So HOW ABOUT THEM GIANTS?!  Wowza!  I’ve seen more baseball in the past 2 weeks than I’ve seen in my entire life! Guess we can call that Giant Fever.  We watched Games #1, #5, and #7 with Friends – all winners for The Giants and MadBum.  What do you do after a performance like that?  Has he peaked at 25?  Just sayin’ … Hope he can stay humble.  GO GIANTS!

How the week went:  

Inn Marin last Thursday.  Collected on the comp night prize I won at last year’s Halloween DJ Dance at Rickey’s.  Great location, quaint, cozy, clean, eco-friendly, super-comfy bed, generous continental breakfast, great Keurig coffee in room & lobby.  The luck of the draw: a neighbor who talked & coughed all night long.  Turns out the walls are thick, but ceiling is not, and somehow neighbors’ noise came through.  The Innkeepers are great folks – they will make it up to me at some point in the future.  I shall return (with earplugs, just in case)! 

Thanks to Doc Kraft & Band for last Friday’s fun at Presidio Yacht Club – always know there will be friends for a Doc party.

And on Saturday night Carlos & I were in for some bewitching entertainment at an over-the-top Halloween party at A & K’s haunted manse.  Apparently the guests out-do each other each year, preparing frightful and silly costumes for the occasion.

After that we headed to Finnegan’s for The Dead League, including Peter Harris.  Music now back on the schedule there every Saturday night.

On Tuesday evening a Mother-Daughter Night at the Marin Symphony, Beethoven concert.  Nothing quite like hearing a full Symphony performing Beethoven’s Symphony #5 – emotional and dazzling!  Pianist Navah Perlman also a hit, though Concerto #3 not my personal favorite.  And afterwards, the usual suspects at the Wrap Party at Gaspari’s – love this neighborhood tavern.

What’s comin’ up?

Halloween!!  Carlos & I will head to Hopmonk for PRIDE & JOY!  It WILL sell out, so if you want to be there, best get your tix in advance.  There are so many awesome parties that night, check out the listings.

Saturday? Sunday?  We shall see what lies ahead.

Meanwhile, friend, musician, creative genius Greg Johnson, along with Glass Brick Boulevard (Paul Hanson, Rob Fordyce, Celso Alberti) and Carlos Reyes have an Indiegogo thing happening, to fund production of a CD from their Epic Performance of February 22, 2014 at the Fenix.  Carlos & I were there, and it was indeed joy-filled and extraordinary!  Go here:  https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/greg-johnson-glass-brick-boulevard-carlos-reyes#pledges to find out more.

Music Fun Week of Oct. 22-29, 2014

“Always in a hurry for a duck.”

That’s what Mrs. [Elizabeth] Terwilliger taught us all those years ago.  I was a Terwilliger Nature Guide when Laura was a youngster.  “Never in a hurry for a seagull, always in a hurry for a duck” has to do with how much they have to flap their wings to keep aloft.

Well, I’m feeling like a duck, always in a hurry to do this, finish that, get on to the next thing.  Mind-boggling how much there is to accomplish (or not) in one day.  Must … slow … down …  Keep breathing.  Aaahh …

So what keeps me going?  Of course! that’d be the FUN in the Music, Dancing, and Friendships! Just like for you, no doubt.

This past week we enjoyed the overwhelmingly FUN music of the James Moseley Band at the Presidio Yacht Club on Friday night.  James, Jack, Carrie, Haley, Jean, Marina, John, Doug, and Marlon – you sure know how to rock my world!  Get down on it, and boogie oogie oogie!

Carlos & I took ourselves to Hopmonk on Saturday night for a first-time with Bayonics—a 10-piece “Latin funk reggae hip hop” Bay Area Band – and I can recommend them highly.  Not enough of a crowd, though … where were you on Saturday night?

Sunday—didn’t get out to party, but had a great walk in the neighborhood.

Last night caught the action with friends:  GO GIANTS!

To come?  More GIANTS! 

Friday night more Presidio Yacht Club for Doc Kraft Dance Band—sure to be some merrymaking.  One of these days I'll catch Gary Vogensen's Ramble (this Friday at Rancho).  Saturday there’s a Halloween party to attend, so not likely to get over to Trek for Chime Travelers; and there’s a Danny Click Special at 142 Throckmorton; and Cathey Cotton & Company at 19 Broadway; and much more.

Sunday more GIANTS! if there’s not a shut-out.

The Marin Symphony Beethoven concert is Sunday before the possible game, but more likely will go to the Tuesday evening performance.

Check it all out below.

‘Til we meet again, take care of yourselves and each other, and get out and move it – and if you can’t, have fun inside your head! ♫♪♪

Music Fun Week of Oct. 15-22, 2014

Keeping My Cool, the Week in Review …

A phenomenal turnout for the S.F. Presidio Officers’ Club Dance on Saturday night, with the Royal Society Jazz Orchestra, and hosted by Cynthia Glinka (“If you can walk you can dance”)!  This re-opening of renovated Moraga Hall, with its ballroom, museum, bar, and many corridors/galleries was attended by probably about 500 eager visitors, enjoying the 30’s style music!

If you’d like to see another such dance, please let them know:  email Mira Bieler, Program Director, at mbieler@presidiotrust.gov.  I for one would like to return.

Here are a few videos from the evening:

So Long But Not Goodbye

Zonky

Irving Berlin Waltz Medley

Carlos & I also enjoyed dancing to LOVEFOOL at Hopmonk on Friday night; and on Sunday drove out to Rancho to finally hear San Geronimo – another great conglomeration of musical talent (Jeremy D’Antonio, Darren Nelson & Friends).  Highly recommended!

Big highlight for this week will be the major PARTY on Friday night at Presidio Yacht Club for the debut of the James Moseley Dance Band!  ♫♪

And I want to give a special shout-out to Erma Murphy and Daniel Patrick of Murphy Productions, who will be honored on Sunday evening at the 20^th Annual Milley Awards, for their contributions to the Marin art and music scene.

A little brain-dead at this time after many phone calls and emails back East on behalf of Jay, so don’t really know what else I have planned this week for my Music Therapy!  ;-)  But trusting that it will revive my Spirits ♫♪