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Thomsen celebrates the big ‘65’ at Olive & Vine

Sonoma Valley's Live Music Scene

 

Tommy Thomsen is a true Sonoma musical treasure and legend all rolled up into one. Inducted into the Western Swing Hall of Fame in 1995, during the course of his career, Thomsen has been able to share the stage with some of the legends of country and western swing. He has also performed with many of the finest local musicians around, and on Sunday, Jan. 27, many are coming to Olive & Vine to jam with him in honor of his 65th birthday. Names such as Gary Vogensen who played guitar for Etta James and Elvin Bishop, San Francisco blues legend Ron Hacker, Grammy Award-winner Ken Emerson, the local “Queen of Boogie-Woogie” Wendy DeWitt, Kirk “The Madman” Harwood who was Norton Buffalo’s original drummer, Sean Allen, Helen “Honey” Mead and more will all be in the intimate setting of the supper club in Glen Ellen. Showtime is 6 p.m. and doors open at 5:30. An early arrival is suggested to get a seat.

  The Sonoma Community Center presents Finding Your Voice #8 tonight, Jan. 25, and Saturday, Jan. 26, and will showcase many from the vocal classes offered at the center by Chythia Tarr. Performers will include Ilene Briggin, Kathy Clendenen, Sue Frye, Margaret Hatcher, Jessica Horsey, Kim Hughes, Theresa Lawless, Nica Love, Ann McShane, Tina Metelmann, Ms. Jean, Debbie Mulcahy, Jennie Nourse, Roxy Phillips, Hannah Porter, Cathie Powell, Steve Quintana, Suzanne Shonbrun, Mary Sue Ulven-Rank, Sammy Yuriar and Mary Ziegler. Showtime both nights is 7:30 p.m. and for tickets and more info, call 938-4626, ext. 1.

  The Sonoma Theatre Alliance is presenting “Midwinter’s Eve Celebration” on Saturday, Jan. 26, in Burlingame Hall where the troupe will showcase some of the offerings of the upcoming season. Among the many singers and actors will be local Ellen Toscano, who has played and sang in “Beach Blanket Babylon.” The show kicks off at 3 p.m. and for tickets and more info, call 206-1668.

  The Native Sons of the Golden West Sonoma Parlor #111 present the ninth annual Surf and Turf Dinner on Saturday, Jan. 26, at the Sonoma Valley Veterans Memorial Building. The evening kicks off at 6 p.m. and will feature dinner and dancing to BackTrax as well as a raffle and live auction, all to benefit the Sonoma Valley High School Scholarship Fund. Tickets will be available at the door or at Steiners Tavern or Eraldi’s Menswear before the show.

  The Sonoma Valley Regional Library has a special presentation from Los Gui’achis on Saturday, Jan. 26, kicking off at 2 p.m. The band takes their name from the Gu-Achi Fiddlers, who resided in the town of Gu-Achi in southern Arizona. There they developed a unique musical sound utilizing violins, guitar and drums playing polkas, two-steps and mazurkas. Violin player Barbara Arhon discovered the music, much of which had been preserved on wax cylinders, and formed Los Gu'achis in 2008. This program is sponsored with funding from the Friends of the Sonoma Valley Regional Library and is free and open to the public.

  The Grist Mill Bar and Grill in Glen Ellen welcomes the Alan Early Trio on Saturday, Jan. 26, for an evening of jazz standards, kicking off at 6 p.m.

  The Kathmandu Corner welcomes 2 Friends and a Benz tonight, Jan. 25, for an 8 p.m. show. Saturday, Jan. 26, it’s Dave Aguilar and Peter Mccauley from the band Tudo Bem, also at 8 p.m.

  Murphy’s Irish Pub has the Tonewoods tonight, Jan. 25, kicking off at 8 p.m. for a night of traditional bluegrass. Saturday, Jan. 26, there is no live music but comedy night, with two shows at 6 and 9 p.m. Tickets, if available, can be purchased at the door. Sunday, Jan. 27, it’s Jack Benny Dinner Theater, which kicks off at 5:30 p.m. For tickets and more info about the weekend, call 935-0660.

  The Annex Wine Bar has Billy Mader tonight, Jan. 25, kicking off at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26, its Chris Hanlin for a show that also gets under way at 7 p.m. There is no cover either night.

  The Ledson Lounge in the Ledson Hotel welcomes Dan Daniels and Nicky DePaola on Saturday, Jan. 26, starting at 6 p.m. Daniels and DePaola have entertained all over the Bay Area, with a sound described as “jazz with a smidge of Motown.” There is no cover.

  The Eric James Tasting Room welcomes Stevie Zurr and Tim Eschliman tonight, Jan. 25, for a 7 p.m. start time. Saturday, Jan. 26, it’s Charlie Hickox and Ken “Snakebite” Jacobs, also for a 7 p.m. show.

  HopMonk Tavern Sonoma has Adam Traum tonight, Jan. 25, starting at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26, it’s the David Thom Band, also for an 8:30 p.m. show. There is no cover either night.

  The Sonoma Springs Brewery presents the Machiavelets tonight, Jan. 25, for a 5:30 p.m. show. From the band: “Childhood friends and faithful bassist chart new musical territory in a blaze of jazzedelic glory.” There is no cover.

  The Plaza Bistro has the Dave Rocha Trio tonight, Jan. 25, for a 6:30 p.m. show. There is no cover for the show.

  A New Leaf Gallery/Sculpturesite at Cornerstone in Carneros welcomes Sean Carscadden for a solo show on Sunday, Jan. 27, kicking off at

2 p.m.

  The Epicurean Connection has Tom Martin tonight, Jan. 25, for a 7:30 p.m. show. Saturday, Jan. 26 it’s the triumphant return to Sonoma Valley of Vitamin Girl, featuring Aria and Ralph Cetola, also for a 7:30 p.m. show.

  The Blue Moon Saloon has the Sunday Night Blues Jam, on Sunday, Jan. 27, commencing at

10 p.m.

  Crossfire will be in Santa Rosa at the Flamingo Hotel on Saturday, Jan. 26, at 9 p.m.

  Dan Martin will be at the Redwood Cafe in Cotati tonight, Jan. 25, kicking off at 9 p.m.

  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.

Zydeco Flames – Saturday, Jan. 26; Peri’s – Fairfax; 415-459-9910

Kingsborough – Friday, Jan. 25; HopMonk Tavern – Sebastopol; 829-7300

Wonderbread 5 – Friday, Jan. 25; George’s Nightclub – San Rafael; 415-226-0262

Eric Martin – Saturday, Jan. 26; George’s Nightclub – San Rafael; 415-226-0262

Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks – Friday, Jan. 25; 142 Throckmorton – Mill Valley; 415-383-9600

Pride & Joy – Friday, Jan. 25; Mystic Theatre – Petaluma; 765-2121

Twang Ditty – Friday, Jan. 25; Last Day Saloon – Santa Rosa; 545-2343

Ron Thompson and the Resistors – Saturday, Jan. 26; Rancho Nicasio – Nicasio; 415-662-2219

Dead Set – Saturday, Jan. 26; Lagunitas Tap Room and Beer Sanctuary – Petaluma; 778-8776

Yo-Yo Ma – Saturday, Jan. 26; Donald and Maureen Green Music Center – Rohnert Park; 866-955-6040