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The aloha breeze blows into Sonoma

Sonoma Valley's Live Music Scene

Sonoma will have a day-long celebration of Hawaiian music, dance, crafts and culture on Sunday, Feb. 17, at Vintage House senior center, starting at 12:30 p.m. and continuing until 9 p.m. Ka Nohona Hawai‘i, which means “the Hawaiian way of life,” features renowned teachers and leaders from California’s Hawaiian community and will include workshops in Hawaiian lore, history, hula, chant, lei making and beginning and advanced ukulele. The day starts with “talk-story” sessions led by well-known kumu hula (hula master), Loea Naomi Leina‘ala Kalama of Sacramento and Kumu Kau‘i Peralto of Antioch. These master teachers delight audiences with personal stories drawn from a lifetime of knowledge and study of Hawaii’s customs, language and values.

  Then it’s a chance for anyone to learn ukulele with international educator, author and musician Kalani or join Del Medina and Rick Creelman for a more advanced session of finger picking and ukulele technique. A classic Hawaiian plate dinner of kalua pork and island chicken is included in the $35 ticket, and in true Island style, the evening wraps up with everyone joining in an authentic Kanikapila; a lively Hawaiian jam session of music and hula.

  Tickets can be purchased at the event or before at the Sonoma Valley box office at the Sonoma Community Center or svbo.org.

  Monday, Feb. 18, has a folk-punk band from San Francisco gracing the Happy Walls of Jack London State Historic Park for a 6 p.m. show. Vagabondage plays songs of heartbreak and hope that have been rousing crowds throughout the Bay Area since 2008. Part of their first video, “Raise Your Glass,” was filmed at Heinolds First and Last Chance Saloon in Oakland’s Jack London Square, a bar London frequented so often that it is called “Jack London's Rendezvous.” So it is fitting that Vagabondage will rock the walls of the House of Happy Walls creating just the sort of event that Jack London would have had during the time he hosted parties when the park was his home. The show has two sets with an intermission, which includes refreshments. Tickets are available online at jacklondonpark.com/vagabondage.html or at the museum store prior to the event. For more info, call 938-5216.

  The Sonoma Classical Music Society is presenting the Italian Saxophone Quartet at Vintage House senior center on Saturday, Feb. 16, kicking off at 6 p.m. The quartet will present an eclectic program entitled “Europe Meets the Americas,” with music ranging from Bach and Scarlatti through Samuel Barber, George Gershwin, Astor Piazzolla, Nino Rota and more. The quartet was founded in 1982 by four saxophone soloists, Federico Mondelci on soprano sax, Marco Gerboni playing alto sax, Mario Marzi on tenor sax and Massimo Mazzoni playing baritone sax; all close friends determined to join together to perform chamber music for saxophone at the very highest artistic level. Tickets are available from Readers’ Books and Pharmaca in advance, from the society’s website, sonomaclassical.org and at the door.

  The newly formed Sonoma String Orchestra will be giving its debut performance on Sunday, Feb. 17, in Burlingame Hall, kicking off at 4 p.m. The group is lead by Leta Davis, local violinist and director of Little Fiddlers. The orchestra will be joined by another of Davis’ groups, Shameless, a band of return-to-music adults who play and sing folk rock and bluegrass, together, they will play the Bach Concerto for two violins featuring soloists Adrienne Valavanis (13) and Sophie Curlee (12) as well as a Lady Gaga piece. Tickets are available at the door.

  Murphy’s Irish Pub has the Perfect Crime tonight, Feb. 15, kicking off at 8 p.m. for a night of folk, blues and ballads. Saturday, Feb. 16, it’s Tony Gibson and Friends. That show also gets underway at 8 p.m. There is no cover for any of the shows at the pub.

  The Fremont Diner presents Sean Carscadden and Cliff Hugo on Sunday, Feb. 17, for an afternoon show that goes off at off at 3 p.m.

  Olive & Vine in Glen Ellen welcome the John Burdick Band on Sunday, Feb. 17, as part of the Sunday Supper Club. The band will be featuring Burdick’s original songs as well as blues. Showtime is 6 p.m.

  The barn dance is back at the Sonoma Grange Hall this weekend on Saturday, Feb. 16, for a 7 p.m. start. Napa winemaker Celia Ramsay runs dancers through the moves before the music begins, and continues after the Irish and bluegrass music starts, this month provided by the band Whimsical. It’s recommended that attendees wear comfortable shoes. There is a donation payable at the door, but folks under 21 are admitted free.

  The Gristmill Bar and Grill in Glen Ellen welcomes the Alan Early Trio on Saturday, Feb. 16, for an evening of jazz standards, kicking off at 6 p.m.

  The Kathmandu Corner presents 2 Friends and a Benz tonight, Feb. 15, for an 8 p.m. show. Saturday, Feb. 16, it’s Rhys Wade and John Arntz, also at 8 p.m.

  The Annex Wine Bar has 4 Trax, featuring members of BackTrax tonight Feb. 15, kicking off at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16, it’s Joe Chaplain for a show that also gets underway at 7 p.m. There is no cover either night.

  The Eric James Tasting Room welcomes Macy Blackman and the Praline Trio tonight, Feb. 15, for a 7 p.m. start time. Saturday, Feb. 16, it’s an all-star line-up called 3 Guys names Mo, that features Tim Eschliman, Kevin Zuffi and “Snakebite” Jacobs, also for a 7 p.m. show.

  HopMonk Tavern Sonoma has the Dave Hamilton Trio tonight, Feb. 15, starting at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16, the tavern presents Nate Lopez for a night of 7-string guitar, also for an 8:30 p.m. show. There is no cover either night.

  The Sonoma Springs Brewery presents InThereOutThere tonight, Feb. 15, for a 5:30 p.m. show.

  The Epicurean Connection has Wildflower Weed tonight, Feb. 15, for a 7:30 p.m. show, that will also feature a set from John Wilson of Dead Set. There is no cover.

  The Plaza Bistro has John Stowell on guitar tonight, Feb. 15, for a 6:30 p.m. show. There is no cover for the show.

  The Blue Moon Saloon presents the continuation of the Sunday night blues jam on Sunday, Feb 17, commencing at 10 p.m.

  The Moose Lodge welcomes Showcase the Band on Sunday, Feb. 17, for a late afternoon show starting at 5 p.m.

  The Tonewoods will be at the Aqus Cafe in Petaluma on Saturday, Feb. 16, for a 7 p.m. show.

  Adam Traum will be at Black Stallion Winery in Napa on Saturday, Feb. 16, for a show that goes off at noon.

  Sean Carscadden and Marty O’Reilly will be in Santa Rosa on Saturday, Feb. 16, at the Arlene Francis Center, for a 6:30 p.m. show.

  If your gig isn’t in my column, you didn’t tell me about it. Hit me up at jmberry@sonomamusic.com.

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  J. M. Berry knows the local music scene. He also knows website services and social media marketing. Check out his other skills at 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.

Hot Buttered Rum – Friday, Feb. 15; 19 Broadway – Fairfax; 415-459-0293

Marty O’Reilly Band – Friday, Feb. 15; HopMonk Tavern – Sebastopol; 829-7300

Sol Horizon – Saturday, Feb. 16; HopMonk Tavern – Sebastopol; 829-7300

Los Lobos – Saturday, Feb. 16; Uptown Theater – Napa; 259-0123

Pride and Joy – Friday, Feb. 15; George’s Nightclub – San Rafael; 415-226-0262

Los Lobos – Sunday, Feb. 17; Sweetwater Music Hall – Mill Valley; 415-388-3850

David Bromberg – Sunday, Feb. 17; Mystic Theatre – Petaluma; 765-2121

Davey Pattison – Luv Planet – Saturday, Feb. 16; Last Day Saloon – Santa Rosa; 545-2343

Wendy DeWitt- Sunday, Feb. 17; Rancho Nicasio – Nicasio; 415-662-2219

Camper Van Beethoven – Sunday, Feb. 17; HopMonk Tavern – Novato; 415-892-6200

Wynonna and the Big Noise – Wednesday, Feb. 20; Wells Fargo Center – Santa Rosa; 546-3600

Jason Bodlovich – Sunday, Feb. 17; Lagunitas Tap Room and Beer Sanctuary – Petaluma; 778-8776