Things are beginning to pick up in Sonoma County this weekend, music-wise anyways, with something for just about everyone. One of the most famous classical musicians of out time comes to town along with some fine dance bands and some eclectic Americana as well.
Friday, Jan. 25 – Pride & Joy
During its 25 years of playing the Bay Area, Pride & Joy has remained one of the most popular bands on the local music scene. The act plays the timeless pop and soul music hits from the ’60s to the ’90s in a show that pulls the audience directly into the heart of their performance.
“It’s always been natural for us to reach out and draw in the audience. We make the people feel they’re part of the performance because they are,” says Pride & Joy founder and bandleader Coleman Burke. Be prepared to dance all night.
Venue: Mystic Theatre, Petaluma, 707-765-2121
Friday, Jan. 25 – Kingsborough
Determined to help revive authentic, soulful rock music, Kingsborough has become one of the North Bay’s most entertaining and fastest rising acts. The band’s influences range from The Allman Brothers and Bill Withers to Rage Against the Machine and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, resulting in a beautiful hurricane of widely diverse original material.
Armed with heart-pounding rhythms, dazzling guitar solos and powerful vocal harmonies, this powerhouse five-piece is living proof that rock n’ roll is still alive and well.
Venue: HopMonk Tavern, Sebastopol, 707- 829-7300
Friday, Jan. 25 – Twang Ditty
If you miss the era of great traditional country music, Twang Ditty will take you back with pure vocals and sparkling guitar licks. The band has been entertaining the Bay Area at numerous venues since winning the Colgate Country Showdown in 2007.
Twang Ditty plays country music of the ’50s through the ’70s, delivering hits by legends like Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard and Waylon Jennings, along with favorites from country queens such as Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette. Their broad repertoire covers musical territory from Nashville to Bakersfield.
Venue: Last Day Saloon, Santa Rosa, 707-545-5876
Friday, Jan. 25 – David Scott and Collaboration
Originally from Australia via Tahiti, David Scott now calls Sonoma County home. He grew up listening to and appreciating the compelling sounds of Louis Armstrong and other New Orleans jazz greats and has the chops show it, playing tenor sax and flute in multiple musical styles, including jazz, zydeco, rock and even big band.
For the past 20 years, Scott has been a lead instrumentalist and vocalist for Sonoma County’s zydeco dance band, Gator Beat. Expect to be wowed by Scott’s command of the saxophone.
Venue: A’Roma Roasters, Santa Rosa, 707- 576-7765
Saturday, Jan. 26 – Yo-Yo Ma with Kathryn Stott
Yo-Yo Ma has recorded more than 75 albums, received more than 15 Grammy Awards, and remains one of the best-selling classical recording artists. Celebrated both as a soloist and chamber musician for his flawless technique and rich tone, he has collaborated with artists across diverse genres, serving to reinvigorate the world of music.
Venue: The Donald and Maureen Green Music Center, Rohnert Park, 866-955-6040
Saturday, Jan. 26 – Dead Set
Dead Set, acoustic duo John Wilson and David Fields, is unlike a Grateful Dead cover act. Well, they do play some Dead songs, but their music is more inspired by the Dead than a cover act. Playing the area since 2003, the act has many original tunes under their belts to keep you entertained. This is an afternoon show starting at 3 p.m.
Venue: Lagunitas Beer Sanctuary and Taproom, Petaluma, 707- 778-8776
Saturday, Jan. 26 – Crossfire
Crossfire is a big dance band in the classic format, and plays rhythm and blues, classic soul, Motown, classic rock, ’70s disco and more. The band can lay down a range of grooves from smooth jazz for the cocktail-dinner set to the full blown house rockin’ show band with choreography and special effect lighting. Expect to be dancing long before the show ends.
Venue: Flamingo Hotel, Santa Rosa, 707-545-8530
