‘Boogie Woogie’ and Beatles battle for audiences in Sonoma on March 25

Two hot shows on Saturday night.|

The “Queen of Boogie Woogie,” Wendy DeWitt is back in town for a show at HopMonk Tavern in Sonoma this Saturday, March 25.

Born in San Francisco but raised in Sonoma, one of DeWitt’s early inspirations was listening to Tommy Thomsen playing shows at the Rustic Inn in Glen Ellen, which existed on the site where the Glen Ellen Market sits now. (It’s said that was Jack London’s hangout when he lived in the Valley.) DeWitt would listen to the songs off her balcony and later, Thomsen, who was a friend of her fathers, would come over and play some more.

DeWitt has presented the “Queen of Boogie Woogie” concerts at Yoshi’s in Berkeley for the last 15 years, and has featured Deanna Bogart, Sue Palmer, Dona Oxford, Lisa Otey, Lady Bianca and Annieville Blues to name a few. Kirk Harwood, long-time drummer, who sometimes works with DeWitt as a duo, has said, “Her left hand is as good as any bass player I’ve ever worked with…” and he would know, having worked with the legendary Marin County band Clover, which was the backup band for Elvis Costello’s “My Aim Is True” album; members of Clover went on to join Huey Lewis and the News, Tommy Thomsen, Norton Buffalo, Roy Rogers and more. Showtime is 8 p.m.

Just up the road... After a wildly successful show in February at the Sonoma Valley Woman’s Club, which featured an entire night of all the Beatles number one hits, the local Beatles tribute act Rubber Soul has returned for an encore performance on March 25, with an entirely new show which will showcase many dance songs. The act has learned over seven albums of Beatles material. The show is a celebration of National Woman’s Month and proceeds will benefit the Woman’s Club. In addition, students from Sonoma Valley High School will prepare and present small hot bites, along with sweet treats. Donations will be accepted to support the students’ summer trip to Nicaragua with the Seeds of Learning organization to work with the people of Nicaragua to build schools, a health center, and community facilities.

The doors open at 6:30 p.m. with show time at 7:30 p.m.

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