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Red and White Ball benefits education

To many in Sonoma Valley, the Red and White Ball is just another event in the Plaza that goes on and makes money for something or someone, but most really aren’t sure what. It’s much like the Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival, coming up at the end of September and helps raise money for more than 20 different nonprofit organizations in Sonoma Valley.

  But the Red and White Ball is even more focused, and since 1990 has been raising money for a variety of things the community has been able to enjoy, such as the historic Plaza itself, the Sebastiani Theatre and more. After taking a couple years off, the event is back in full swing and has one benefactor, the Sonoma Valley Education Foundation. Not a week goes by without some headline about government cutting school budgets, and the foundation has raised and donated more than $3 million to local education.

  The event, which goes off on Saturday, Aug. 18,  features the always popular Dave Martin’s House Party Band for dancing, after a dinner prepared by local chefs using all locally produced food, including some from the school gardens, which the event has helped fund. The Cork Pullers will be providing the musical entertainment during dinner. You can join in the fun and support the schools for as little as a $25 Dance Only ticket, with other upgraded tickets available that include dinner and wine. The evening kicks off at 6 p.m. and for tickets and more info, point your browser to www.svgreatschools.org, or call 935-9566. All proceeds go to Sonoma Valley schools.

  The Jack London State Historic Park welcomes the Transcendence Theater Company back for two nights of music and performance, tonight and Saturday, Aug. 17 and 18, for a show called “What a Wonderful World” kicking off at 8 p.m. in the winery ruins at the park in Glen Ellen. Scheduled to perform are Brooke Tansley, who starred as Belle in “Beauty and the Beast” and was in the original Broadway cast of “Hairspray;” Peter Porte, who recently starred as Ricky Williams on “The Young and the Restless;” and J. Austin Eyer, who was on Broadway in “How to Succeed.” Can’t see it this weekend? The show repeats next week, Aug. 24 to 26. For tickets and more info, point your browser to www.transcendencetheatre.org/tickets.

  It’s time once again for the annual Cur-ville Dog Days Festival held in Kenwood on Saturday, Aug. 18, at the Rockin’ Ranchito. The line-up this year is Woody Guthrie inspired, with performances by Adam Traum, Dale Henry Geist and the Strays, Festival of Friends, Johnny Harper and the Hard Times Choir, Doug Blumer and Bohemian Highway, Lindalou and Michael and more. The show kicks off at 1:30 p.m. with gates opening at noon. For tickets, directions and more info, point your browser to www.cur-ville.com.

  The next in the series of Musical Markets at the Moose Lodge is coming up soon, on Saturday, Aug. 25, that will headline Prezident Brown and more, including the local act Traffic Jam and tickets are going fast. For tickets and more info, point your browser to www.themusicalmarket.com.

  Speaking of Traffic Jam, we’re giving a shout out to the local kids for winning the Battle of the Bands last weekend at the Sonoma County Fair. Good job guys and congratulations!

  Sebastiani Winery and Vineyards has the Hellhounds tonight, Aug. 17, kicking off at 6 p.m. and along with the band, there will be a Chevrolet Corvette showcase from members of Diablo Valley Corvettes and Corvettes of Sonoma County. There is no cover for the evening.

  The Moose Lodge has the Scallywags for an 8:30 p.m. show tonight, Aug. 17. Tickets will be available at the door.

  Murphy’s Irish Pub presents the Cork Pullers tonight, Aug. 17, for an 8 p.m. show. Saturday, Aug. 18, it’s the Perfect Crime, also for an 8 p.m. show. Sunday, Aug. 19, it’s an early show with Thick Soup, kicking off at

6:30 p.m.

  The Plaza Bistro welcomes Le Jazz Hot Trio tonight, Aug. 17, for a 7 p.m. show. The trio features Paul Mehling on guitar, Isabelle Fontaine on rhythm guitar and vocals and Jeff Magidson on bass and vocals. Mehling is the leader of Hot Club of San Francisco, and the man dubbed the godfather of American gypsy jazz. He discovered the music of Django Reinhardt and the quintet of the Hot Club of France in grammar school. Showtime is 7 p.m. and there is no cover. There is no jazz scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 18.

  The David James tasting room, in the Mercato next to the Chocolate Cow, features Macy Blackman for an evening of jazz tonight, Aug. 17, at 8 p.m.

  The Ledson Lounge has Jess Petty on Saturday, Aug. 18, for a night of trumpet and flugelhorn, and sings in a strong jazz vocal style that is his own. Showtime is 7 p.m. and there is no cover.

  BackTrax, the local classic rock tribute act, will be on the patio behind the Swiss Hotel on Sunday, Aug. 19, for a show that kicks off at 3 p.m. The venue is family and dog-friendly and there is no cover.

  Wildflower Weed will be in the Olde Sonoma Public House on Saturday, Aug. 18, for an evening of hippie mountain music, kicking off at 7 p.m. There is no cover.

  The Blue Moon Saloon has a Misfits tribute band, the Braineaters, tonight, Aug. 17, for a 9 p.m. show. Opening the night will be Bite. Saturday, Aug. 18, it’s Dan Martin and the Noma Rocksteady Band, also for a 9 p.m. show. Sunday, Aug. 19, the Sunday night blues jam continues, kicking off at 10 p.m. There is no cover for any night.

  Sonoma Springs Brewery welcomes Tom Martin to the brewery tonight, Aug. 17, for a 5 p.m. show.

  It’s barn dance time again at the newly air-conditioned Sonoma Grange Hall in Boyes Hot Springs on Saturday, Aug. 18, kicking off at 8 p.m. Caller Mike Fynan will teach circle mixers and reels starting with easy moves and leading beginners to intermediate steps in a few fun hours. Plaid Menagerie will play Scottish music. A $5 to $7 donation is requested, but dancers under 26 are free.

  The Epicurean Connection has Kat Jones on Saturday, Aug. 18, for a 7:30 p.m. show.

  St. Andrew Presbyterian Church has members of the Carrtunes sitting in with the choir on Sunday services, at 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.

  The Hellhounds will be on the road to Napa at Cuvee on Saturday, Aug. 18, for a 9:30 p.m. show.

  Mad and Eddie Duran will be in San Francisco this weekend, tonight, Aug. 17, at Savanna Jazz, for a 7:30 p.m. show and Saturday, Aug. 18, at Rose Pistolas, for a 9 p.m. show.

  Brewnel will be at the Twin Oaks in Cotati tonight, Aug. 17, for a 9 p.m. show.

  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.

English Beat – Saturday, Aug. 18; 19 Broadway – Fairfax; 415-459-0293

Zydeco Flames – Friday, Aug. 17; Peri’s – Fairfax; 415-459-9910

Steve Kimock – Thursday, Aug. 23; Mystic Theatre – Petaluma; 765-2121

Tainted Love – Saturday, Aug. 18; Last Day Saloon – Santa Rosa; 545-2343

Michael Bolivar – Friday, Aug. 17; HopMonk Tavern – Sebastopol; 829-7300

Manhattan Transfer – Friday, Aug. 17; Uptown Theater – Napa; 259-0123

Cherry Poppin’ Daddys – Saturday, Aug. 18; Uptown Theater – Napa; 259-0123

Dr. John – Friday, Aug. 17; The Independent – San Francisco; 415-771-1421