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Oktoberfest at Little Switzerland

The Veterans of Foreign Wars, Bear Flag Post 1943, will be sponsoring an Oktoberfest on Sunday, Oct. 2, at Little Switzerland, kicking off at 4 p.m. In addition to "beers and brats," there will be a dance contest, live music by Showcase the Band and an appearance by the Jagermeister Girls. Ticket prices vary from just the dance to a full buffet meal, and there is a children's meal as well. For tickets and more info, call 938-9990.

Meadowcroft Winery at Cornerstone in Carneros is celebrating its first anniversary on Saturday, Oct. 1, with a cajun barbecue and some of the items will be flown in from Louisiana just for the occasion. Live music will be provided by Liz Brown, a unique singer-guitarist known for her "swampbox" guitar.  Brown began her professional singing career at the age of 3, performing in a cowgirl costume at her grandparents' gas station in New Jersey. She got her first guitar at age 14 and taught herself to play from a Joan Baez songbook. In the early '70s, she moved to San Francisco singing the blues with Bay Area musicians such as Paul Butterfield and Taj Mahal. The day kicks off at noon and for reservations or more info, call 934-4090.

Sebastiani Winery and Vineyards returns with the monthly food vendor event in the parking lot tonight, Sept. 30, with several local and out-of-town vendors providing a variety of food options, starting at 6 p.m. Inside the tasting room, Azure Moon will be providing the music. There is no cover for the event, but patrons are advised to get there early, as the night is usually a sell-out for food.

The Whiskey Thieves will be recording a video to go with their song "The Stars Above" from the album "Almost Time." The shoot will be in and around Sonoma this weekend, Sept. 30 to Oct. 2. There are a limited number of spaces that can be had for extras that may land you in the video. For more info, email Linda@thewhiskeythieves.com.

The Old Adobe School will be having a fundraiser to benefit the school's scholarship fund with an appearance by Tim Cain and the popular Beatles tribute act the Sun Kings on Sunday, Oct. 2. There will also be food, beverages, raffles and more. The day kicks off at 2 p.m. and for more info, call 938-4510.

Murphy's Irish Pub has the traditional bluegrass sounds of the David Thom Band in the Snug tonight, Sept. 30, kicking off at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, brings in Tony Gibson and Dawn Angelosante for a duet that also kicks off at 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2, welcomes Magnolia Row for their debut appearance at the pub. The band, based out of Colorado, plays bluegrass and folk music. The evening kicks off early, at 6:30 p.m. There is no cover for any of the shows at the pub.

The Kathmandu Corner has no live music tonight, due to a private function, but music resumes on Saturday, Oct. 1, at 8 p.m. with Amber Lee Baker. Monday, Oct. 3, welcomes reggae artist Jah Bami for a 6:30 p.m. show.

Jess Petty and Ken Chambers return to the centre du vin inside the Ledson Hotel tonight, Sept. 30, for a 6:30 p.m. show.

The Plaza Bistro welcomes the Lori Carsillo Trio to the back room tonight, Sept. 30, starting at 7 p.m. The trio tonight will feature Andrew Emer and Jay Stapleton. Saturday, Oct. 1, the bistro has the Jonathan Poretz Duo, also for a 7 p.m. show. There is no cover for either night.

Whole Foods market in the Sonoma Marketplace has Michael L. Castle tonight, Sept. 30, beginning at 4:30 p.m.

The Jon Popenoe Jazz Trio will be at the Harvest Fair in Santa Rosa on Sunday, Oct. 2, at noon on the Park stage.

The Hellhounds are back on the road this weekend, starting tonight, Sept. 30, at Cuvee in Napa for a 9:30 p.m. show. Saturday, Oct. 1, the boys are at the Penngrove Pub for a 9 p.m. start time.

Adam Traum will be in Berkeley tonight, Sept. 30, at Chester's Bay View Cafe. The show kicks off at 7:30 p.m.

If your gig isn't in my column, you didn't tell me about it. Hit me up at the address up by the picture.

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J. M. Berry knows the local music scene. Listen to his weekly radio show at www.sonomamusic.com. He also knows website services and social media marketing. Check out his other skills at www.jmberry.com.

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Editor's Note: While there is no shortage of great concerts in Sonoma, sometimes it is fun to get out of the Valley. Here's what you can hear within 45 minutes of fair Sonoma.

Mitch Woods and his Rocket 88s - Sunday, Oct. 1; Rancho Nicasio - Nicasio; 415-662-2219

Mark Hummel Blues Blowout - Saturday, Oct. 1; Mystic Theatre - Petaluma; 765-2121

Young Dubliners - Friday, Sept. 30; Last Day Saloon - Santa Rosa; 545-2343

Saxon - Saturday, Oct. 1; Last Day Saloon - Santa Rosa; 545-2343

Gillian Welch - Sunday, Oct. 2.; The Fillmore - San Francisco; 415-346-6000

Merle Haggard - Friday, Sept. 30; Uptown Theater - Napa; 259-0123

John Lee Hooker Jr. - Friday, Sept. 30; Biscuits & Blues - San Francisco; 415-292-2583

It's a Beautiful Day - Friday, Sept. 30; George's Nightclub - San Rafael; 415-226-0262

Barry "The Fish" Melton  - Saturday, Oct. 1; George's Nightclub - San Rafael; 415-226-0262

The Jayhawks - Friday, Sept. 30; Slim's - San Francisco; 415-255-0333