Music Fun Week of Aug. 12-19

Chubby Checker's The Twist -- with a Twist
  

Two minutes of funny fun.  Clips from the early 60s. My take:  Where'd they get all those skinny gals?  And best shot of the Beaver!

LIVE YOUR LIVES, Find Your Bliss, Be Kind.

Attended another Memorial service this week, for David Brewer.  I was not part of David’s inner circle, but our orbits crossed at Unity and on the music scene.  He was a co-founder of the Hamilton Forum, and engaged his capable mind and efforts in many other projects.  The Community and the World lost David far too soon, at a very young 68 years old.  He leaves a beautiful legacy of Bringing People Together.  Blessings to David and to all those he touched, who were lucky enough to know him!

Also, this coming Sunday August 16 a service (at Unity in Marin, 1:30pm) for Norlin Merritt – another friend from Unity and the Music World of Marin.  Norlin practiced Chiropractic in Terra Linda, lent his awesome musical talents to Unity, and was a beautiful man with a positive outlook.  We sang together with the Marin Symphony Chorus.  Only 61 years old.  How can it be?

Who to thank for this week’s music?

Friday the gang at Sunnbolt/ Bandworks, for our monthly Friday Night Jam!  Great party, warm host Seth; always welcome Knut on sound; smiling friends old & new; great dancing and listening music from The Original Hillbillies country-rock, Janie & The Reformers rock & roll, Quorum – and the Jam!  Best to come and check out the fun for yourself next month.

Saturday Doc Kraft Dance Band– like old times, good boogying music, lots of dancers, old friends and new faces.

Sunday Revolver at Creek Park in San Anselmo—joyful noise!  After that headed to Sweetwater for the Jerry Garcia tribute film “Move Me Brightly” – feeling nostalgic, having lived in Stinson in the 70s, spending plenty of time at Jerry’s & Mountain Girl’s home on the hill, seeing Sunshine & Annabel as little ones, and then as adults in the film …  

Hopmonk after that for the last bit of Ridgeway Space Station‘s party—and plenty of wonderful 20-year-olds having a ball.

What’s coming, recommendations:

Thursday I’ll be with Laura at the Ross Valley Players’ production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance – an old favorite, getting rave reviews, and I know plenty of the cast – looking forward to a fun evening while seated. The show was cancelled last week due to illness of the lead female – a wonder this doesn’t happen more often in community theatre!

Friday of course I’ll be at Northgate for Eagles tribute Boys of Summer – and probably a high percentage of you who get my blast will be there as well!  After that show, likely head to Hopmonk for Dgiin – who bring a classy element to gypsy jazz, flavored with their French folk style – and very probably working the crowd into a frenzy (as they did last time I heard them).  Junk Parlor opens the show.

Novato has Nostalgia Days Custom Car Show, and a Sock Hop at Trek Winery (no word on who’s performing—maybe a DJ?).

Saturday night DANNY CLICK AND THE HELL YEAHS at Hopmonk Novato – my place to be!

More picks? The Right Time & Fenton Coolfoot at 19 Broadway; Swing Fever at Fenix; The Mighty Groove up at Redwood Café; and in the afternoon Nostalgia Days continues in Novato, with Hot Rod Jukebox and the Deadlies for your musical pleasure.

Sunday the Memorial for Norlin Merritt at 1:30pm, after the Unity service.

Lots of afternoon outdoor music all around the county.  In the evening, back to HOPMONK for Full Moon Swing Dance lesson & party.

ENJOY YOURSELVES – Life can be so fragile. 

Music Fun Week of Aug. 5-12, 2015

CECIL the LION -- In Memoriam

What happened in my Music World this week?

Thursday at the Marin Art & Garden Center the Schrammtastics put on a wonderful show in this beautiful setting.  Got to applaud Erik, Ken, Kevin, Tal & Tracy!   I didn’t make it to Zodiac’s for Bonnie Hayes & Tim Eschliman with Mystery Dance – for lack of a ride.  Boo hoo L.

Friday caught The Van Animals at Tam Valley Creekside.  Very enjoyable, I’d definitely like to see them again.  But as someone who does not much care for dirty feet, this venue is pretty rough.  Then on to Seahorse for Firewheel – great show, good dancing to be had; these guys & gals mix it up and have their chops down.  And I always have a great time at the Seahorse J

Saturday Points North at Hopmonk, was an eye-opener!!  Indie-rock-fusion, took on new meaning.  Fantastic to watch their antics as well – but solid musicianship … and another of those bass players (Uriah Duffy) who did things I’ve never seen.  Before them, The Devil in California – solid fun heavy metal.

Sunday I missed all the music!!  But there is the music of my mind … ;-0

Here are some picks coming up:

Thursday I’ll be at the Ross Valley Players’ production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance – an old favorite, getting rave reviews, and I know plenty of the cast – looking forward to a fun evening while seated. If I were out for dancing, I’d head to Hopmonk for Bedrock Radio + The Theory + Domestic Harmony; or Tommy Odetto at Fenix; or take at look at all that other good stuff!

Friday again there’s a whole lot of choice.  Most probably be at the Sunnbolt/ Bandworks Friday Night Jam – our own little speakeasy with some great music from the Original Millbillies, Janie & The Reformers, local favorites, and of course the JAM.  BYOB & join the party!  Also happening: Before the Bang at Presidio Y.C., Rick Kelly of Chime Travelers at Trek Winery; Void Where Prohibited at Seahorse; and more of course.

Saturday Sausalito beckons:  Doc Kraft Dance Band at Presidio Y.C., and Richard Habib’s Mid-Summer Night’s Dream Party at the Seahorse!  Also available:  Plene Libre at Osher Marin JCC, and WOW! Take a look at all the listings.

Sunday there’s Ridgeway Space Station, with Roseberry Jam opening at 7:30, at the Hopmonk.  And I’m conflicted, because I want to get to Sweetwater for “Move Me Brightly”, the film celebrating Jerry Garcia at 7pm.  Might have to show late for the dancing at Hopmonk …  In the afternoon, Magnolia Terrace at Elks has Dan Martin & Noma Rocksteady; Revolver is in San Anselmo; Lorin Rowan & Linda Imperial in Mill Valley (very short concert!), and more.

I’d love to get up to Rossi’s on Wednesdays for the Jitterbug/ East Coast Swing dance instruction!  Anyone interested?

As usual, a wealth of goodness available in our Miraculous Marin.  Have a look-see. ♫♪♪

Music Fun Week of July 29-Aug.5

A Simpler Time

Was I dreaming?  Hard to believe I heard this much live music in the past 7 days, but here are my THANKS!

Last Wednesday the Fenix Blues Jam, with Special Guest Rudi Colombini.  Woo hoo to Roscoe, Michael W, Larry V, Rich Armstrong, Marlon Green, Scott Sherman, Martin Scott—among others!

From there to Peri’s TwangFest with The Treble Makers: Frank, Jeb, Kevin, Erik, along with Lloyd, Scott O, Michael, Danny Uzi and more.  Fantastic twang, funky rockin’ blues and soul.

Thursday Rudy and the Unauthorized Rolling Stones at Sweetwater.— played to a packed and enthusiastic house.

Friday the R&B All Stars with Elena Keating at Pacheco, followed by the JAMES MOSELEY Dance Band at Fenix! LOVE me that R&B music.

Saturday Tribe of the Red Horse at Hopmonk – first Neil Young & Crazy Horse tribute I’ve heard. 

Sunday another outdoor afternoon concert at Magnolia Terrace at the Elks, with Key Lime Pie.  And following that MOJO RISING at Piccolo Pavilion in Corte Madera.  YES I feel it!

Tuesday to Sweetwater for Stymie & The Pimp Jones Luv Orchestra also with Fenton Coolfoot & The Right Time!

That just might hold me for a few days …

Very sorry to have missed another Fenix Blues Jam—this one celebrating Buddy Guy (whose birthday is July 30—along with quite a few others!!

Thursday this week some specials:  Schrammtastics at the Marin Art & Garden Center.  Then those guys will pack up and head to Zodiac’s to play with Bonnie Hayes & Tim Eschliman with Mystery Dance – and Bonnie’s only performance that I’ve heard about while she’s back here from Boston.

Friday has Firewheel at Seahorse, The Van Animals at Tam Valley, Linda Imperial at the Cruising Club …

Saturday there’s Freddy Clarke at Seahorse, Points North at Hopmonk, Kevin Brannan at Cruising Club.

Sunday there’s free music outdoors at Corte Madera, San Anselmo, Mill Valley – and the Hopmonk Beer Garden.  In the evening I’d love to catch Whiskey Pills Fiasco at Peri’s – heard him play with Jinx Jones at Sweetwater a couple of weeks ago – boy can he slap that bass!  Also another free show at Sweetwater:  Miles Schon (followed by The Highway Poets—interesting lineup).  Hopmonk has their Reggae Sunday show.

Go ahead and check out this week’s dance opportunities!  ♫♫♪

Remember to check my VENUES page.

Music Fun Week of July 22-29

MOJO RISING Debut at 19 Broadway

(Was that really in March?)

Fun with JOSH & TEAL, Denise, Tommy & John

Stay tuned ...

Mmm mmm.  The MUSIC I danced with this past week:

The BLUES BURNERS at Northgate!!  The Pulsators at Hopmonk!  A GREAT BIRTHDAY party!  The Great American Blues & BBQ with Austin DeLone, Nick Gravenitis, Roy Rogers, Miles Schon, Jimmy Dillon, Kevin Hayes, Erik McCann, Keith Crossan, and MORE!  Plenty of BLUES.  Hot hot hot!

Comin’ up:

Tonight TWANGFEST at Peri’s with my pals The Treble Makers!  That’s the late show … If I can get out of the house early enough I’ll begin at Fenix Blues Jam, with Special Guest Rudi Colombini.

Thursday Rudy and the Unauthorized Rolling Stones at Sweetwater.

Friday can you guess?  JAMES MOSELEY Dance Band at Fenix!  Can’t be 2 places or I’d be at Terrapin for Danny Click & The Hell Yeahs!  Or 3 places for Doc Kraft at Seahorse.  There are the earlier outdoor shows at Pacheco and at Marinwood; and good music also at Hopmonk (Vintage Grass); Sweetwater (Mustache Harbor), Trek Winery (Chime Travelers), Presidio (Swing Fever), and more.

Saturday likely Tribe of the Red Horse at Hopmonk – or Wall Street at Fenix, or IrieFuse at Sweetwater … also Lady Crooners at JCC.

Sunday another outdoor afternoon concert at Magnolia Terrace at the Elks, with Key Lime Pie.  And a little later MOJO RISING is at Piccolo Pavilion in Corte Madera!  Hopmonk has their Sunday Cookout Series.with Matt the Electrician & Bobby Jo Valentine.

Tuesday next:  Stymie & The Pimp Jones Luv Orchestra with Fenton Coolfoot & The Right Time in a free show at Sweetwater!

Remember to check my VENUES page for additional details, some 35 VENUES.

Music Fun Week of July 15-22

Looks like another Phenomenal week of Musical Pleasure coming up!  Get it while you can.

But first I must give credit where it is due, for the past week’s music on Planet Marin …

Wednesday the Big Band Dance in Corte Madera—“See you in September”.  Very cool music, plenty of room to dance … How do I bring the crowd they deserve?

Thursday tried Line Dancing at Hopmonk – hey! There’s a lot to this, more than my freestyle brain could grab.  And way more than “country”—there was funk and rock and blues tunes as well.  I’ll give it another try sometime …

Friday stopped at Marinwood for Con Brio—and the amazing lead singer Ziek—who had all the right moves.  Followed that with the monthly Friday Night Jam at Sunnbolt/ Bandworks studios.  Our own little speakeasy and some awesome rock and blues.

Saturday was the San Rafael Rocks Block Party on 4^th.  Got there in time for some fun with The Four Teardrops, and Todos Santos.  The crowd really got going for San Geronimo, who brought up Danny Uzi, Danny Click, then Josh Zee and Teal Collins of Mojo Rising – those guys were the icing on the cupcake, and Teal the cherry on top!

Saturday night I revived enough to go to the Seahorse for DJ Richard Habib’s party. This was his best yet, with a Motown theme, and 3 go-go girls on stage egging on the dancers!  You had to be there!!  Thanks, Richard, for all your work, sharing the glory, and bringing joy to so many.

Sunday back to Hopmonk for another reggae-rock-pop-soul double-bill:  Stranger from San Diego opened; then Thrive from Santa Cruz.  Each band, though with their own personality, exhibited a high level of musicianship and the kind of earnestness that reaches out, grabs you, resonates and lifts you up. Lots of love in the room.

My favorite neighborhood Oleander

To come:

Friday’s double-bill – My friends The BLUES BURNERS at Northgate, then The Pulsators at Hopmonk.  Also Doc Kraft is at the Presidio Yacht Club, Petty Theft at Fenix, Zydeco Flames at Eagles …

Saturday afternoon a Birthday Party.  Nighttime possibilities include Before the Bang at Presidio Y.C., Sunshine Garcia Band at Hopmonk, Petty Theft at Twin Oaks, Hapa at the JCC …

Sunday:  The Great American Blues & BBQ on 4^th St., of course—with Austin DeLone’s Little Big Band—a great lineup.  Plenty more to choose from as well, as usual!

I think I can handle it  :-D

Remember to check my VENUES page for additional details, and a lot more VENUES.

MUSIC FUN Week of July 8-15 (that's right!)

LOTS more coming, I promise.  Gratitude to All who’ve expressed their support for my endeavor!  Your appreciation has given me new energy, and a realization that I can still forge ahead with a reduced (and easier on me) scope.  Sorry I have not been able to answer each of you individually …

Me conducting Fireworks at Marin County Fair!
(Thanks, Kristi!)

Meanwhile, I want to point out a new feature of this blog:  a new VENUES page (tab) – like my Videos and Photos and Contact Me pages.  On a desktop, it’s right along the top menu bar. If you’re on a phone or tablet, you automatically see the Home page, and must click on the arrow to the far right to select VENUES.  Each Venue is a link to its own website, so you can do your homework and check what’s playing at your favorite Venues.

I’m taking it easy on myself and only spotlighting a few events every day – as well as shouting out the fabulous music I’ve heard!

A week to reflect, a HUGE, L O N G Holiday Weekend of music and fun, SO MANY responses (I think about 140, so I haven’t had a chance to personally respond to each of you) – and here it is Wednesday again.

I birthed this baby, so she’ll be sticking around awhile longer.  The gist of my message last week was that I was giving up in the form it was—much too much work, too many hours for me with all the details – so I’m SIMPLIFYING and making life easier on myself, and still putting forward some ideas for your musical entertainment.  Hope I will continue to be relevant in your lives!!

And it wouldn’t be my blog without my shoutouts for all the excellent music of the week preceding:

Last Wednesday July 1 at Sweetwater:  Jinx Jones & The King Tones (and Whiskey Pills! on bass), opening with Mad Mama and the Bona Fide Few.  Unusual! And I’d happily see both of them again.

Thursday Revenant and their driving rock at Hopmonk; Friday Marshall Tucker Band at the Fair.  No more dancing in front of the stage!  But I managed to solo dance my way across anyway, to the congratulations of many.  Somebody had to do it.  And I know the musicians on stage appreciated it!  Also caught the Chinese Acrobat show –1^st time ever!

Saturday July 4 at the Presidio Yacht Club for the awesome Cathey Cotton & Elliott’s Evil Plan!

Sunday Reggae at Hopmonk with Roots Underground.

What’s in store?

Heading to Corte Madera tonight for the Big Band Dance – last one until September.

Thursday would like to try the Country Line Dance at Hopmonk.  There’s also Stymie & Pimp Jones Love Orchestra at 19 Broadway—high-energy show!  And Miracle Mule at Maria’s PYC event.

Friday I am determined to see Con Brio at Marinwood series.  Watched their video, and want more.  Alfter that quite a choice:  Sunnbolt Friday Night Jam, 7^th Sons at Presidio; Lucky Drive at Seahorse; Jamie Clark at Peri’s …

Saturday Seahorse for DJ Richard Habib’s Motown, rock, Latin dance party.  And we’ve got Doc Kraft at Presidio Y.C.; Hot Buttered Rum at the JCC; the daytime San Rafael Rocks Block Party.

Sunday Danny Click is out at the Rancho; the Sunday cookout series with Megan Slankard in the Hopmonk Beer Garden; Migrant Pickers at 19 Broadway …

Lotsa good stuff! 

MUSIC FUN Week beginning JULY 1

Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys & Girls,

I've decided not to continue with my blog--at least not right now, and not in its present form.

ellenjanesmusic has been my pleasure, privilege, responsibility, worthy endeavor, addiction -- and a lot of work!

This week's nature encounter, this elegant Great Egret, just above my backyard!

What began in early 2010 as an email to about 40 or 50 friends (taking up where my late friend Johnnie Jean left off, and greatly inspired by her), alerting them to weekend, and then the entire week's music in Marin, along with "my musings" about life  -- morphed into my website, a complete Marin County music calendar, and a platform for my messages.

By mid-2010 I was sending to over 100 people, and now it's over 1,000--only those I have met in person.  I continually prune my list to stay at that number so I don't have to pay a service -- and then each weekend I meet and add more interested folks.

I get about 6,000 hits on the website each month -- so I know I've been relevant for many of you!

In 2011 I got my domain name, and in January 2012 began to post to my "new" website.

I've continued to confide in you, using you as a sounding board about my life, sharing news about my trials with my dear brother, my joys as a proud mother, and many of the ups and downs--the turmoils and the triumphs--that we share in the human experience.  It's been fun to do all the Birthday Shout-outs, and Full Moons (tonight 7:20pm), and significant calendar events. 

But mostly my aim has been to encourage and promote MUSIC and MUSICIANS for our continued dancing and listening pleasure.

You can continue to use the website, as all the Venues I list are websites.  It's just that now you have to do the work.  And my June 8 blog post of Summer Series & Festivals is still relevant, so you can keep referring back to it. 

I've met so many wonderful people through this endeavor, and hope to continue to see you out enjoying yourselves.  I will continue to communicate, but perhaps not weekly.  For now ... there's a Mark Your Calendars section, and list of Venues with links.  Please bookmark my site if you haven't already.  

I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST!!  

Ellen Jane ♫♪

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www.ellenjanesmusic.com