Sonoma International Film Festival moves to its own soundtrack

The Sonoma International Film Festival rolls into town this coming Wednesday, March 27, to start its 22nd year of presenting quality films to a North Bay audience. Begun in 1997 by Carolyn Stolman and Jerry Seltzer, and run since 2009 by Kevin McNeely, the festival has evolved into one of the region’s best-regarded film festivals. This year 134 films, short and full length, will be presented.

Seven venues will be used to screen the chosen films. The so-called Backlot Tent will be the home of the off-screen festivities: the food, the drink, and the music.

Music has been a big part of movie making ever since the advent of “talkies” with “The Jazz Singer” in 1927. Music will be a big part of the film festival next week, too, with several films being shown about music, notably “Blue Note Records: Beyond the Notes,” directed by Sophie Huber.

Using archival footage, current recording sessions and interviews with Blue Note artists, the documentary centers on the history of the iconic jazz record label. Blue Note Records has been home to such groundbreaking artists as Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane, Bud Powell and Art Blakey, as well as present-day luminaries like Robert Glasper, Ambrose Akinmusire and Norah Jones.

The film screens Friday, March 29 at 4:15 p.m. and Sunday, March 31 at 9:15 a.m., both at Burlingame Hall.

The tent will be the site of a Bollywood salute when “Bollywood comes to Sonomawood” unspools Friday night. It will be a night of Hindi-inspired music and food from the Bollywood Bar and Clay Oven and Delhi Belly. A dance performance from the Mona Kahn Company will precede a tribute to the late Ray Charles, featuring the Ray Charles Project. Former Santana lead singer Tony Lindsay is featured vocalist in the band.

Additional music in the Backlot Tent over the course of the five-day event will include many local and regional musicians and bands. Glen Ellen’s Rich Little Band will perform at the opening night reception on Wednesday.

Son of a Veach and Tony and Dawn perform Thursday in the Backlot Tent. Friday will have Keith Andrews and local Adam Traum perform for the attendees relaxing before the night begins.

Ari Eisenberg and Chris Estes will play Saturday in the tent, as well as Graham Edwards’ new band Funk Fatale from 7:30 to 10 p.m. On Sunday, music will be provided by local band the Cork Pullers and singer/songwriter/luthier Chris Hanlin.

The festival After Party will be held at El Verano’s the Reel, with music starting at 8:30 p.m. Riefuse and AngelX will perform their brands of reggae and funk, as new owner Kevin Kress and his team welcomes the Hollywood crowd to their new business endeavor.

The festival will roll its credits at Murphy’s Irish Pub at 8 p.m. on Sunday night. The wrap party will be the time to gather and discuss the daily rushes, eat some nibbles, and listen to the songs of Ari Eisenberg.