If it’s the last full weekend in September, then it’s once again time for the Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival, starting tonight, Sept. 26, to Sunday, Sept. 28.
The festival is the second longest running festival in the state, second only to the Rose Festival and parade in Pasadena. The festival has had many faces over the years, from store window decoration contests, gala evening balls and a “children only” parade. Wine tasting was introduced in the ’70s.
The festival is run by an all-volunteer organization that absorbs all the city fees into the event and presents an opportunity for more than 20 different nonprofits and service organizations to fundraise at the event.
Live music has become a big part of the festival and this year is no different, with Foreverland performing at the Patrons night celebration in the historic Sonoma Barracks, tonight, Sept. 26, kicking off at 7:30 p.m. Foreverland is a 14-piece tribute band, performing a tribute to Michael Jackson and his music. The event is the only ticketed show of the weekend, and tickets can be purchased at the door.
The music continues Saturday, Sept. 27, in the Plaza with Gator Nation starting the day at 11 a.m., followed by Luvplanet, then Danny Click, with the legendary Lydia Pense and Cold Blood wrapping up the day at 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28, the music kicks off at 10 a.m. with the Zins, followed by Frank Bey and Anthony Paule Band and blues legend Charlie Musselwhite wrapping the day, kicking off at 2 p.m. There is no cover for any of the plaza shows. For more info, point your browser to sonomavinfest.org
The El Verano Inn has two tribute acts on Saturday, Sept. 27, with Re-Ignition, a Bad Brains tribute from Seattle and Voodoo Dolly, a Siouxsie and the Banshees tribute act from San Francisco. Showtime is 10 p.m. and there is no cover.
The Sonoma Womans Club is having another fundraiser on Saturday, Sept. 27, when Vox Populi returns for a show called simply “Happy.” The vocal group will be backed by members of Plan Be and the performance will feature “Spinning Wheel,” “Sloop John B,” “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg,” “Pink Cadillac,” “Happy” and more. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. and tickets can be purchased at the door.
The Sonoma Community Center is presenting, in the Rotary Kitchen the continuation of the “Kitchen Concert Series” when Micaelia Randolph takes the stage on Sunday, Sept. 28, at 6:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the door.
Calling all current, past and “wanna-be” hippies! During the youth movement of the late ’60s, Sugarloaf Ridge State Park was a haven for the counter culture generation, providing a common communal space for gypsies, runaways and the like. Saturday, Sept. 27, from 10 a.m. to noon, you can re-live and learn about the history of this counter culture movement in the region, including the “Harmonic Convergence,” which gathered hundreds of people together for in a group meditation at the park in the summer of 1987. Larry Maniscalco will be the speaker at the event, which will be held at the Robert Ferguson Observatory in the park.
Train Wreck Junction will be on the patio behind the Swiss Hotel laying down honky-tonk country music on Saturday, Sept. 27, kicking off at 2 p.m.
Sebastiani Winery and Vineyards presents Five AM in the tasting room playing tonight, Sept. 26. It is also a food truck Friday event. The show kicks off at 6 p.m. The venue is child- and dog-friendly, and there is no cover. No outside alcohol, including beer is allowed, per ABC regulations.
Rossi’s 1906 in El Verano has live music tonight, Sept. 26, with Tommy Thomsen playing Western swing dance music for a 9:30 p.m. show. Saturday, Sept. 27, Z and the Benders make their debut appearance at the dancehall, also for a 9:30 start. Sunday, Sept. 28 it’s an early show on the patio with the Tri Tip Trio, kicking off at 5 p.m.
Burgers and Vine presents DJ Lionize tonight, Sept. 26, kicking off at 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, it’s Sol Seed from Eugene, Oregon, laying down elements of reggae, rock, hip hop, dub, world music and psychedelic jam. It is also an informational night for SMAART, a new organization in Sonoma Valley dedicated to providing creative youths in the Valley with the support they need to pursue their dreams in art, music, photography and more. The informational night kicks off at 8 p.m. with the band starting at 9:30 p.m. There is no cover.
The Annex Wine Bar welcomes Ralph Cetola and Krazy Kat tonight, Sept. 26, for a 7:30 p.m. show. Saturday, Sept. 27, it’s Calvin Ross and Friends, also for a 7:30 p.m. show. There is no cover but the venue is 21 and over only.
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