Wine, jazz, and stellar performers hit the valley this weekend
The much-anticipated April in Carneros is this weekend, April 18 and 19, with over 25 wineries in Napa and Sonoma having open houses. At three of those, you can catch some splendid musical entertainment. The beautiful and spacious Jacuzzi Family Vineyards on Arnold Dr. will have the historic barrel organ playing for the entire weekend. Roam the property while sampling tastes of Europe and Lagrein direct from the barrel. Ceja Vineyards in Napa will have a spicier celebration with Orquesta Borinquen, one of the busiest salsa bands in the Bay Area. Aside from the festival wine tastings, members of their wine club will also be able to sample their award-winning reserve wines for free. At Truchard Vineyards, also in Napa, guitarist and vocalist Richard Bolmen will perform. For a day spent out of doors, this may be the choice for you with a stroll through the vineyards. For information on these as well as the complete list of stops in the celebration, visit carneroswineries.org.
Tonight, April 17, another fundraiser for the 2nd Annual Sonoma Valley Green Music Festival is happening at Rocket Café on Highway 12. Superior Sounds with Saucy-1 turns the café into a reggae/top 40 dancehall. There is no cover for the event and Rocket has created a special menu for the night. The event is from 8 p.m. to midnight. For more info call 707.939.8612.
Friday night, April 17, seems to be the night for jazz in the valley. At El Dorado Kitchenette, the smooth Keith Andrew will perform at 6 p.m. Chris Amberger and his stand up bass are performing again this week with the Akira Tana Trio for “Jazz in the Back” at the Plaza Bistro. Randy Vincent rounds out the trio and that show begins at 7 p.m. The third Friday of every month, which is in fact tonight, Schellville Grill will house the jazz trio Con Brio. Fast and light, the trio is Michael Karath, Richard Neisson, and Cyril Penn. Their showtime is 7 p.m. and the grill is found at 22900 Broadway.
The sultry and talented Kim Nalley of San Francisco will perform Saturday, April 18 at Bartholomew Park Winery. This is indeed a treat for the valley. With numerous CDs to her name and having performed all over the globe, she will sing a mix of blues, jazz, and swing. Included in admission will be complimentary appetizers and of course, Bartholomew wines for purchase. For tickets or VIP package information, call 707.939.2274.
At the other end of the spectrum, why not enjoy some Cajun dance music from Andre Thierrey and Zydeco Magic? If you want to learn a dance beforehand, there is a lesson with Sheila and Carlos beginning at 8 p.m. Zydeco has a fast rhythm and evolved from Louisiana Creole music. The music can be integrated into almost any dance form, which is why Little Switzerland is the perfect venue for it. Show starts at 8:30 p.m. and there is a cover. Call 707.938.9990 for more details.
The acoustic duo Jaydub and Dino will perform at Olive and Vine in Glen Ellen tonight, April 17, at 8 p.m. The musical pairing consists of Jeff Falconer and Dennis Cordellos who first played together as teenagers in 1968. Together again in Sonoma, they play their original music with some comic relief. 14301 Arnold Dr. No cover.
And of course, Murphy’s Irish Pub always has an excellent musical line up. This weekend begins with a trio called Blue House with a mix of rock and folk on Friday, April 17. Saturday, April 18 brings the return of The Perfect Crime with some folkie blues. Both of those shows begin at 8 p.m. with no cover. Sunday, April 19, at 6 p.m., a popular band on the Friday edition of Mornings in Sonoma, The Green String Farm Band will play their light hearted and sometimes comical Americana.