Home-town harmonica hero Junior Boogie has corralled a handful of blues legends and some local players as well to present an all-star band tonight, Oct. 24, at Burgers and Vine that we’re not sure how they’re all going to fit on the stage. Some of these folks have played in legendary bands over the years and are still out going strong. Along with Boogie in the line-up is Rich Kirch of the John Lee Hooker Band, Leroy Bloom from the Blues Project and Seatrain, Bruce Barthol of Country Joe and the Fish, Dave Aguilar, from the Norton Buffalo Band, Lester Chambers from the Chambers Brothers, along with his son Dylan Chambers and locals Codi Binkley, Alex Garcia and Bob McBain. The band will be playing a variety of blues standards and even have some special surprises. Showtime is 9:30 p.m.
On Saturday, Oct. 25, the venue has a collection of DJs calling themselves the Space Cowboys presenting a show called “Burning Man.” The group is a San Francisco-based collective that began its exploration of the cosmos more than a decade ago, as a diverse group who came together in the pursuit of the creation of unique entertainment events, mechanical contraptions and unique art projects. The group consists of members from all walks of life and vocations; engineers, event planners, designers, programmers, musicians, environmentalists, therapists, architects, nurses, video editors, producers, corporate executives, animators and financial advisers. Saturday’s show features Kimmy Le Funk with Soul Phunktion, Murphstar from Seismic, with Kapt’n Kirk and Mancub, both from the Space Cowboys. Showtime is also 9:30 p.m. and there is no cover either night.
Sonoma’s own internationally acclaimed violinist, Nigel Armstrong will perform a solo recital at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26, at Burlingame Hall. Hailed as “an astonishing talent with exquisite technique” and as “gifted” and “blazing” by the Chicago Tribune, Armstrong began his violin studies here in Sonoma at the age of 5 with Leta Davis and made his debut in 2002 with the Baroque Sinfonia.
He has since performed with the Boston Pops and Norwegian Radio Orchestras, the Reno and Burbank philharmonic symphonies; the Berkeley and Downey symphony orchestras and way too many more to mention in this space. This will be Armstrongs’s last appearance in the states before his return to Europe for the year. Armstrong will perform a varied program, including works by Biber, Bach Ysaye, and some surprises. Tickets will be available at the door.
The Sonoma Valley Woman’s Club is getting a jump on the Halloween celebrations by having the first party of the year on Saturday, Oct. 25, that will feature Plan Be for a night of dancing. It’s being billed as the “Haunted House Halloween Happening” and even though there will be a costume contest, folks in street clothes are welcome as well. The night kicks off at 7 p.m. and tickets will be available at the door.
He lived here for years and was never able to land this gig, but now that he’s on the road, Pete Olson is back in town on Saturday, Oct. 25, for a performance at the Sonoma Valley Regional Library. Olson’s performances feature country, folk and rock-and-roll standards with his original ballads and love songs delivered in Olson’s straightforward, easy style. Olson has played on street corners, coffee houses, roadhouses, churches, living rooms, and concert halls across America and around the world and has shared the spotlight with musical greats such as Joan Baez, Country Joe McDonald and Jimmy Ibbotson of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. The show kicks off at 2 p.m. is free and open to all and is funded by the Sonoma Valley Friends of the Library.
The Sonoma Community Center is presenting another show in the “Kitchen Concert Series” on Sunday, Oct. 26, in the Rotary Kitchen at the center. Sunday’s show will feature Kim Hughes. Showtime is 6:30 p.m. and tickets will be available at the door.
Rossi’s 1906 in El Verano has live music tonight, Oct. 24, with Mitch Woods and his Rocket 88’s playing boogie-woogie blues for a 9 p.m. show. Saturday, Oct. 25, it’s local reggae act Dan Martin and the Noma Rocksready Band, also for a 9 p.m. start.
The Annex Wine Bar welcomes Full Circle tonight, Oct. 24, for a 7:30 p.m. show playing songs you know. Saturday, Oct. 25, it’s Ralph Cetola and Krazy Kat also for a 7:30 p.m. show. There is no cover but the venue is 21 and over only.
The El Verano Inn has another epic punk rock show tonight, Oct. 24, with the Gentlemen Soldiers, doing a Pogues tribute, Fang, Bobby Hollywood and the Quitters, Braineaters, doing a Misfits tribute, the Connies and Noma Punx. Showtime is 9 p.m.
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