Roots & Branches Conservancy is pleased to announce a 2017 grant of $75,000 to Mount Tamalpais State Park in the wake of Sound Summit, its annual music festival to help support the mountain. The grant represents a 25% increase over its 2016 gift of $60,000, resulting in a three-year total of $175,000 from the Bay Area non-profit.

Sound Summit, staged at the Mountain Theater overlooking San Francisco Bay on September 9th of this year, featured Grateful Dead founding members Phil Lesh and Bob Weir, Jim James of My Morning Jacket, New Orleans’ Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Bay Area groups The Stone Foxes and Vetiver, and Marin County-based Printz Dance Project. The acts performed to a joyful sold-out crowd under sunny late-summer skies.

“Sound Summit continues to gain traction, both as a festive and resonant community event and a sustainable annual source of revenue to Mount Tam via a very brief footprint on the mountain.” says Sound Summit producer and Roots & Branches Conservancy president Michael Nash. “We look forward to sitting down soon with local State Parks officials to determine where this year’s grant funds are most meaningfully allocated on the mountain.”

Once determined, details of those allocations will be posted on Sound Summit’s website, as will information about Sound Summit 2018, scheduled for September of next year.

Sound Summit returns to the slopes of Mount Tamalpais for another festive and eclectic day of music high above San Francisco Bay.

Jazz legend and musical icon Herbie Hancock will be topping a bill that includes stellar rock vocalist Grace Potter, rising country star Nikki Lane, energetic funk and soul ensemble Con Brio, and special guest Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead. DJ Andy Cabic of Vetiver, will be spinning tunes throughout the day. Charismatic Bay Area radio personalities Murph & Mac (aka Brian Murphy and Paul McCaffrey) return as the day’s dynamic Masters of Ceremonies.

Produced as an annual celebration of and fundraiser for Mount Tamalpais State Park by Roots & Branches Conservancy, the annual one-day festival has raised $175,000 for Mount Tam in just its first three years. Last year, San Francisco Magazine named Sound Summit as Best Festival of the North Bay in its annual Best of the Bay issue, citing its quality and intimacy.

Sound Summit is staged at the historic Mountain Theater, a 4000-seat natural stone amphitheater with stunning views of San Francisco Bay and the Pacific. The same venue was the site of the Fantasy Fair and Magic Mountain Festival in the summer of 1967, the Summer of Love, a week before Monterey Pop. Over 30 bands including Jefferson Airplane, The Doors, and The Byrds played over two days to a buoyant and colorful crowd and unknowingly birthed a tradition that’s still thriving a half-century later. In that respect, Sound Summit is treading on hallowed musical ground and keeping the vibe alive for a resonant cause.

“Sound Summit continues to fulfill what we’d envisioned – a spirited community gathering in a stellar location with a great soundtrack,” says executive producer Michael Nash. “It’s also throwback to a more grassroots, time-out-of-mind experience. There’s a certain synergy in the amphitheater between the artists and the audience, an intimate gathering amidst an expansive landscape.”

Previous acts have included Wilco, Phil Lesh & Bob Weir, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Jim James, Los Lobos, Dr. John & The Night Trippers, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Bill Frisell, The Mother Hips, and many more.

Nash feels strongly that Sound Summit remain an eclectic music experience for its audience, where quality takes precedence over genre or preconceived notions of what kind of festival it is.

“We like to mix it up,” he adds. “Personally, I’m thrilled to have an iconic artist like Herbie Hancock headlining Sound Summit. His career has had an incredible arc and his artistry has influenced so many diverse musicians and continues to do so, both from his own generation and those that have followed. How cool is that?”

Tickets for the daylong festival go on sale Friday, July 27th at 10:00 am and are $110 for adults and $55 for youth 12 and under; children 2 and under are admitted free. To purchase tickets and for more information, visit SoundSummit.net.

Fans variously make the journey up to the mountain venue by foot, bike, car, and bus. Gates open at 10:00 am; music from 11:00 am – 7:00 pm.

Sound Summit’s stellar lineup features musical performances by the following artists:

Herbie Hancock

Herbie Hancock is a true icon of modern music. Throughout his explorations, he has transcended limitations and genres while maintaining his unmistakable voice. With an illustrious career spanning five decades and 14 Grammy™ Awards, including Album of the Year for River: The Joni Letters, he continues to amaze audiences across the globe.

There are few artists in the music industry who have had more influence on acoustic and electronic jazz and R&B than Herbie Hancock. As the immortal Miles Davis said in his autobiography, “Herbie was the step after Bud Powell and Thelonious Monk, and I haven’t heard anybody yet who has come after him.”

Grace Potter

Described by Spin as “one of the greatest living voices in rock today,” and by SF Weekly as “the whole package,” Grace Potter continues to impress both critics and audiences with her musical achievements and captivating live shows. Heralded as one of today’s best live performers, Grace Potter has played every major music festival from Coachella and Lollapalooza to Bonnaroo and Rock in Rio. She’s had the honor of sharing the stage with artists such as Willie Nelson, Robert Plant, The Allman Brothers, Neil Young, Mavis Staples, and The Roots to name just a few. Most recently, she was given the honor of performing, along with Sheryl Crow, a tribute to the late Glenn Frey at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. For an artist who has built a devoted fan base through her electrifying live show, Potter seems hell-bent on breaking out of the box when it comes to studio work.  She refuses to be defined by a single genre. Over the last three years, she has seamlessly transitioned from collaborating with the Flaming Lips for a Tim Burton film, to songwriting and producing for soundtracks and theme songs for film and TV, to multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated country duets with her friend Kenny Chesney, to most recently joining The Rolling Stones on stage for an inspired rendition of  “Gimme Shelter.”

Bob Weir

Bob Weir is one of the founding members of the legendary Grateful Dead, which received a GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007. The band has also appeared on Forbes’ list of top-grossing entertainers and in the early ‘90s were the highest-grossing concert attraction in the U.S. Since establishing the band in 1965, Weir has become one of rock’s finest and most distinctive rhythm guitarists. Earlier this year he received the inaugural Les Paul Spirit Award. Weir is currently a member of Dead & Company and has also performed with many other acts including The Other Ones, Kingfish, Bob Weir Band, Bobby and the Midnites, Scaring the Children, RatDog and Furthur, co-led by former Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh. His first solo album, Ace, was released in 1972. 

Nikki Lane

Nikki Lane’s stunning third album Highway Queen sees the young Nashville singer emerge as one of country and rock’s most gifted songwriters. Co-produced by Lane and fellow singer-songwriter, Jonathan Tyler, this emotional tour-de-force was recorded at Matt Pence’s Echo Lab studio in Denton, Texas as well as at Club Roar with Collin Dupuis in Nashville, Tennessee. Blending potent lyrics, unbridled blues guitars and vintage Sixties country-pop swagger, Lane’s new music will resonate as easily with Lana Del Rey and Jenny Lewis fans as those of Neil Young and Tom Petty. 

Con Brio

Named for an Italian musical direction meaning with spirit, Con Brio is a San Francisco Bay Area seven-piece that plays energetic soul, psych-rock and R&B that’s as fresh and freethinking as the place they call home. With charismatic singer Ziek McCarter bringing “the dance moves, splits and all, of James Brown” (KQED) and a tight, veteran band that “comes across like a party punk version of Sly and the Family Stone” (Consequence of Sound), Con Brio is known to convert anyone who sees their electric live show.

About Roots & Branches Conservancy

Roots & Branches Conservancy is a San Francisco Bay Area-based non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of natural resources, both physical and cultural. The broad arc of our efforts ranges from regional environmental and educational work to the preservation and evolution of artistic and cultural traditions – musical, narrative, and beyond. Wherever possible, we aim to create intersections between the environment and the arts to their mutual benefit.

Towards those ends, our programs entail three key facets – grantmaking, education, and experience. As such, our interests lie in producing resonant community experiences at our events, providing educational components in our programming, and making meaningful contributions to worthy beneficiaries.

We at Roots & Branches feel strongly about both preserving and celebrating treasured Bay Area cultural and environmental resources and evolving others we hope will become equally treasured. Implicit in our name is the concept of connection – past and future, foundation and growth, root and branch – that guides and inspires our goals, our programs, and our development.

The Well Known Strangers are proud to announce their upcoming show at the Sweetwater Music Hall in Mill Valley on Sunday, September 15 in celebration of the release of their new album TMI. The Well Known Strangers revel in the country soul genre and feature Amber Morris (special guest) on vocals; Mick Hellman (The Go To Hell Man Band) on drums and vocals; Joshua Zucker (The Jones Gang, Rowan Brothers, Poor Man’s Whiskey) on bass; Austin de Lone (Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, The Fabulous Thunderbirds) on keys; David Noble (Poor Man's Whiskey) and Rob Anderson on guitars.

The evening will be a celebration of the past and future and, along with great music, guests will be treated to buffet of delicious Sweetwater fare. The new album TMI is inspired by the information age giving way to the too-much-information age. From life's journey to a simple sunset; from a random bar room encounter to the love of a lifetime; from a long day at work to the tribulations of a generation. It all combines and intertwines, lurching backwards and then inching forward, painting a picture of who we are individually and collectively.  Vinyl and CD copies of the new album will be available at the show.

Doors will open at 4:30 pm; buffet at 5:00 pm; music at 6:00 pm. Tickets are free and open to the public. Sweetwater Music Hall is located at 19 Corte Madera Avenue in Mill Valley.

WHAT:                   The Well Known Strangers record release party

                                  an evening of country soul and good times

WHERE:                 Sweetwater Music Hall, 19 Corte Madera Avenue, Mill Valley

WHEN:                   Sunday, August 15; Doors 4:30 pm; Buffet 5:00 pm; Music 6:00 pm

FEATURING:

Amber Morris (Souljah Family Band, Mark Karan, Michael Carabello) on vocals

Mick Hellman (The Go To Hell Man Band) on drums and vocals 

Joshua Zucker (The Jones Gang, Rowan Brothers, Poor Man’s Whiskey) on bass

Austin de Lone (Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, The Fabulous Thunderbirds) on keys

David Noble (Poor Man's Whiskey) on lead guitar, vocals

Rob Anderson on guitars

TICKETS:              Free, All-Ages 

INFO:                     Please visit SweetwaterMusicHall.com

ALBUM DETAILS

Olivia Hellman sang lead vocals on the album and now resides in Nashville where she is busy writing songs, recording music and playing live. The album was produced by Austin de Lone and The Well Known Strangers. It was recorded and mixed by Tyler Crowder at 25th Street Recording in Oakland; mastered by Ken Lee. Executive producer is Mick Hellman; management and booking by Colleen Gallagher and album art by Patrick Sean Gibson.

Enjoy a groovin’ Sonoma autumn afternoon when The Well Known Strangers bring their brand of country soul to close out the Twin Oaks Backyard BBQ Summer Concert Series on Sunday, October 20. Revelers can enjoy a late afternoon of live music, craft beer and top-notch barbecue straight off the grill – a perfect way to enjoy a warm fall afternoon. Doors open at 3 pm for the 4 pm, all-ages show. Tickets are $10 for concert only or $25 with barbecue and a beer and available online at Hopmonk.com/twin-oaks.

On the heels of the release of their new album TMI, The Well Known Strangers feature special guest Amber Morris (Tim Hockenberry, Eric Martin Band, Mark Karan Band) on vocals; Mick Hellman (The Go To Hell Man Band) on drums and vocals; Joshua Zucker (The Jones Gang, Rowan Brothers, Poor Man’s Whiskey) on bass; Austin de Lone (Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, The Fabulous Thunderbirds) on keys; David Noble (Poor Man's Whiskey) and emerging talent (and repeat world champion cyclist) Rob Anderson on guitars. For additional information on the band, photos, videos and a list of upcoming gigs, please visit TheWellKnownStrangers.com.

WHAT:

The Well Known Strangers play Twin Oaks Backyard BBQ Summer Concert Series

WHERE:

Twin Oaks Roadhouse, 5745 Old Redwood Hwy., Penngrove, CA

WHEN:

Sunday, October 20; Doors 3 pm; Music 4 pm

FEATURING:

Amber Morris (Tim Hockenberry, Eric Martin Band, Mark Karan Band) on vocals

Mick Hellman (The Go To Hell Man Band) on drums and vocals 

Joshua Zucker (The Jones Gang, Rowan Brothers, Poor Man’s Whiskey) on bass

Austin de Lone (Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, The Fabulous Thunderbirds) on keys

David Noble (Poor Man's Whiskey) on lead guitar, vocals

Rob Anderson (emerging talent and repeat world champion cyclist) on guitars

TICKETS:           $10 General Admission; $25 Show and BBQ 

                                $2 fee at door

INFO:                   Please visit hopmonk.com/twin-oaks

The Well Known Strangers are excited to announce their debut gigs at historic Rancho Nicasio in West Marin on Sunday, January 12 and local hotspot Peri’s Bar in downtown Fairfax on Friday, January 31. Fresh off of the thrill of their new album TMI, The Well Known Strangers have been entertaining audiences throughout the Bay Area with their celebrated style of country soul. The band features Amber Morris (Tim Hockenberry, Eric Martin Band, Mark Karan Band) on vocals; David Noble (Poor Man's Whiskey, Pardon The Interruption) on lead guitar, vocals; Joshua Zucker (The Jones Gang, Rowan Brothers, Poor Man’s Whiskey) on bass; Austin de Lone (Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, The Fabulous Thunderbirds) on keys; Mick Hellman (The Go To Hell Man Band) on drums and vocals Rob Anderson (emerging talent and repeat world champion cyclist) on guitars.

The new album TMI is inspired by the information age giving way to the too-much-information age. From life's journey to a simple sunset; from a random bar room encounter to the love of a lifetime; from a long day at work to the tribulations of a generation. It all combines and intertwines, lurching backwards and then inching forward, painting a picture of who we are individually and collectively.  Vinyl and CD copies of the new album will be available at the shows. The list of upcoming shows include:

The Well Known Strangers at Rancho Nicasio Restaurant & Bar 

WHEN:                Sunday, January 12, 4 – 6 pm

WHERE:              Rancho Nicasio, 1 Old Rancheria Rd, Nicasio, CA

TICKETS:           Free

The Well Known Strangers at Peri’s Bar

WHEN:              Friday, January 31, 9 pm – 2 am       

WHERE:            Peri’s Bar, 29 Broadway Blvd, Fairfax, CA

TICKETS:          $10 cover charge, 21+                                                                                               

For further information on The Well Known Strangers, their upcoming shows, or to listen to tracks from TMI, please visit https://www.thewellknownstrangers.com

Expect plenty of picking-and-grinning when music-loving friends and family join forces for the Hellman Winter Stomp at Sweetwater Music Hall on Sunday, February 23. The evening of American roots music will feature musical members of the Hellman family along with a host of special guest musicians, a deliciously prepared buffet from the Sweetwater café and lots of merriment.

The Hellman Winter Stomp players consist of three generations of siblings, offspring and grandchildren of Warren Hellman (the late financier that founded the annual, free Hardly Strictly Bluegrass music festival). The evening will be a blend of the Hellman bands, including The Well Known Strangers, Marco and the Polos, Nancy and the Lambchops, Purple Glaze, Coyote Rose and include their musical cohorts who have played with Elvis Costello, Elvin Bishop, Bonnie Raitt, The Waybacks, Poor Man’s Whiskey, and many more.

Doors will open at 4:30 pm with special buffet for the first 100 guests at 5 pm. The music starts at 6 pm. Tickets are $20 per person and include the buffet. Sweetwater Music Hall is located at 19 Corte Madera Avenue in Mill Valley.

WHAT:          Hellman Winter Stomp

                        An evening of excellent music, local fare and good times

WHERE:        Sweetwater Music Hall, 19 Corte Madera Avenue, Mill Valley

WHEN:          Sunday, February 23; Doors 4:30 pm; Buffet 5:00 pm; Show 6:00 pm

WHO:            Band members will include:

·      Nancy Hellman Bechtle

·      Katie Gibbs

·      Ruthie Gibbs

·      Tricia Hellman Gibbs

·      Avery Hellman

·      Frances Hellman

·      Judith Hellman

·      Laurel Hellman

·      Mick (Marco) Hellman

·      Andy Allen-Fahlander

·      Rob Anderson

·      Stevie Coyle

·      Austin de Lone

·      Caroline de Lone

·      Amber Morris

·      David Noble

·      David Zirbel

·      Joshua Zucker

TICKETS & INFO: Tickets are $20. Tickets & info, SweetwaterMusicHall.com.

Spring has sprung in Marin and The Well Known Strangers are celebrating with a spate of local shows, including three gigs in their favorite west Marin haunts in as many weeks - Iron Springs Brewery in downtown Fairfax on Wednesday, March 18, then on to Rancho Nicasio in West Marin on Friday, March 27 and finally, the Papermill Creek Saloon in Lagunitas on Saturday, April 11. They will also be branching out into new territory as they open for psychedelic roots-rock band, Full Moonalice, at Odd Fellows Hall in Auburn on Saturday, March 21 and a solo show at The Bistro in Hayward on Friday, April 10.

Fresh off a successful winter run and the buzz of their new album TMI, The Well Known Strangers have been entertaining audiences with their celebrated style of California Country Soul. Featuring powerhouse vocalist Amber Morris (Narada Michael Walden, Tim Hockenberry, Eric Martin Band, Mark Karan Band); David Noble (Poor Man's Whiskey, Pardon The Interruption) on lead guitar and vocals; Joshua Zucker (The Jones Gang, Rowan Brothers, Poor Man’s Whiskey) on bass and vocals; Austin de Lone (Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, The Fabulous Thunderbirds) on keys; Mick Hellman (The Go To Hell Man Band) on drums and vocals; Rob Anderson (emerging talent and repeat world champion cyclist) on guitar.

The new album TMI is available on a variety of streaming services.  Vinyl and CD copies of the new album will be available at the shows.

The list of upcoming shows include:

Iron Springs Brewery

WHEN:                 Wednesday, March 18, 8 pm                           

WHERE:               Iron Springs Brewery, 765 Center Blvd, Fairfax, CA

TICKETS:            Free

Full Moonalice THC Review featuring Moonalice, T Sisters and the New Chambers Brothers with opening band The Well Known Strangers

WHEN:               Saturday, March 21, 7 pm                    

WHERE:               Odd Fellows Hall, 1226 Lincoln Way, Auburn, CA

TICKETS:            $18-$20, available online at Eventbrite

Rancho Nicasio Restaurant & Bar

WHEN:                 Friday, March 27, 8 pm

WHERE:               Rancho Nicasio, 1 Old Rancheria Rd, Nicasio, CA

TICKETS:            Free

The Bistro

WHEN:                 Friday, April 10, 9 pm 

WHERE:               The Bistro, 1001 B St, Hayward, CA

TICKETS:            Free

Papermill Creek Saloon

WHEN:                 Saturday, April 11, 9 pm 

WHERE:               Papermill Creek Saloon, 1 Castro St, Lagunitas-Forest Knolls, CA

TICKETS:            $5

For further information on The Well Known Strangers, their upcoming shows, or to listen to tracks from TMI, please visit https://www.thewellknownstrangers.com.

Ismay is celebrating the release of Songs of Sonoma Mountain, their first full-length album, at Sweetwater on Sunday, March 29. In an evening of indie folk music rooted in nature and reflective of the freedom of the outdoors, the Ismay album and podcast release party will open with special guests Kelly McFarling and Erisy Watt. Doors open at 6:00pm; the show begins at 7:00pm.

Songs of Sonoma Mountain marks the first full-length record from Ismay. Representing the work of singer/songwriter Avery Hellman and recorded in a 100-year-old sheep barn at a Sonoma ranch, the album immerses the listener closer to nature through the world of Sonoma Mountain. Co-produced by Robert Cheek (Band of Horses, Chelsea Wolfe) and Avery Hellman, Songs of Sonoma Mountain features live performances that draw out the character of the space; telling stories from the perspective of the mountain, its animals and Ismay themselves to examine gender identity, loss and a search for belonging. Glide Magazine calls the album, "An enchanting composition that reflects the storybook wistfulness of Aldous Harding and Weyes Blood. Ismay helps usher in an era of mystical folk that is both incisive and playful and somewhat mysterious."

The record interweaves field recordings with intricate songwriting and experimental production. To accompany this production, Ismay has also compiled a series of narrative documentary stories to be released as a podcast: Where the World Begins.

Named after a town of 19 in the Northern Great Plains, Ismay represents the work of singer/songwriter Avery Hellman. Ismay explores how the places we live change us and how the natural world provides deeper meaning. For Ismay, a life lived in rural California connects them to the landscape, providing a freedom to express gender identity and the space to create music. Mystical lyricism, ethereal vocals and dynamic fingerpicking on guitar are the defining features of the music. With works covering from wild horses to wildfire, Ismay’s sound is unmistakably connected to their native landscape.

Opening for Ismay are special guests Kelly McFarling and Erisy Watt. McFarling is an Atlanta-born, San Francisco-based songwriter who plays banjo and acoustic guitar. Her work is reflective of the wilderness and its navigation and transitions. When she’s not working solo, she plays Telecaster for The Home Team, her band with pedal steel guitarist Tim Marcus, drummer Nick Cobbett, bass player Oscar Westesson and other Bay Area artists.

Erisy Watt is a Nashville-raised folk artist based in Portland who is regularly lauded as the next in line to Joni Mitchell or Norah Jones. Watts’ brand of contemporary folk complements the theme of the evening. Inspired by her time living along the central coast of California and her travels in remote Thailand, Indonesia and Nepal, her music invites listeners to rejoice in the beauty and freedom of wilder places. She released her a debut album in July 2019, and has performed several US and international tours over the past years.

Doors open at 6:00pm; the show begins at 7:00pm. Tickets are $17 in advance and $20 at the door. Tickets can be purchased online here. For more information, visit SweetwaterMusicHall.com.

WHAT: Ismay’s Songs of Sonoma Mountain Album & Podcast Release Party     

WHERE: Sweetwater Music Hall, 19 Corte Madera Avenue, Mill Valley

WHEN: Sunday, March 29; Doors 6:00 pm; Music 7:00 pm              

FEATURING:

Ismay

Kelly McFarling

Erisy Watt

TICKETS: $15 Advance; $18 Day of Show

INFO: Please visit SweetwaterMusicHall.com

Sound Summit, the intimate annual music festival presented by Roots & Branches Conservancy atop Mount Tamalpais in Marin County scheduled for September 12th this year, is postponing the event until 2021.

“Sadly, but not surprisingly, and like so many other musical gatherings planned for 2020, we need to reschedule Sound Summit for the Fall of 2021 and are working with optimism towards a brighter outcome next year,” said festival producer Michael Nash.

"In the meantime, we’re also at work on plans to video stream past Sound Summit performances in service to a Roots & Branches Bay Area Musicians Relief Fund for local artists who for the past several months have been unable to go out and bring us the joy that live music provides and who may well not be able to do so for some time,” added Nash. "Stay tuned, stay safe."

Follow Sound Summit on social media – @tamsoundsummit #tamsoundsummit – and visit SoundSummit.net for all of the latest updates.

GLIDE and the GLIDE Legacy Committee join GLIDE President and CEO Karen Hanrahan in welcoming all to the first-ever virtual edition of the GLIDE Legacy Gala and in announcing the winners of this year’s GLIDE Legacy Awards. The 11th Annual GLIDE Legacy Gala, A Virtual Gathering, will bring supporters together online for an evening of joy and community during these challenging times on Saturday, August 15 and will feature a panel discussion and live Q&A with the 2020 honorees culminating with a digital dance party set to irresistible beats by DJ KingMost.

Each year, the GLIDE Legacy Awards honor individuals for their impact in their communities, innovative leadership, and passion. This year’s Reverend Cecil Williams Legacy Award will go to musician/activist Michael Franti,while the Janice Mirikitani Legacy Award will go to poet, activist and change-maker Amanda Gorman. Franti is a globally recognized musician, humanitarian, activist and award-winning filmmaker revered for his high-energy live shows, inspiring music, devotion to health and wellness, worldwide philanthropic efforts and empowering optimism. Twenty-two-year-old Gorman is heralded as “the next great figure in American poetry.” She made history in 2017 when she became the first-ever National Youth Poet Laureate in the United States. Both awardees will take part in the evening’s panel discussion and live Q&A.

In addition to presenting this not-to-be-missed virtual gathering, the GLIDE Legacy Committee also aims to raise $100,000 to help support GLIDE's critical work in San Francisco like providing thousands of free meals a week, harm reduction outreach, behavioral health counseling, rental assistance, spiritual community, and more.

“It is incredibly inspiring to see the spirit and passion of the next generation of change makers and all the supporters of the GLIDE Legacy Gala,” said GLIDE President and CEO Karen Hanrahan. “The enthusiasm and generosity will help ensure that GLIDE continues to provide important essential services to individuals, families, and children in need during this unprecedented public health crisis. GLIDE remains committed to addressing some of the most pressing issues of our time including racial and social injustice, poverty, housing insecurity, drug use disorder, and food insecurity.”

A donation of any amount (suggested minimum donation of $25) will grant attendees access to the 11th Annual GLIDE Legacy Gala livestream, featuring a virtual panel discussion and live Q&A with 2020 honorees, and a dance party set to irresistible beats by DJ KingMost. A donation of $100 or more includes exclusive entry to the Legacy Gala VIP rooms featuring a SnapFiesta photo booth, improv classes hosted by Speechless, a bartending demo from Tonic Go, and more.  A donation of $1,000 or more includes VIP room access and a custom Legacy Gala Kit complete with exclusive GLIDE swag, all the fixings for custom cocktails from Tonic Go and Tres Agaves, and delectable treats from a number of San Francisco’s most beloved eateries, including 25 Lusk, Pa’ina Restaurant & Lounge and  Petit Crenn. Sponsorships begin at $2,500.

Past Legacy Award honorees have included The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Mpumi Nobiva, Lateefah Simon, Alicia Garza, Jeremy Affeldt, Renel Brooks-Moon, Chip Conley, Vernon Davis, Dave Eggers, Chris Gardner, Kamala Harris, Chinaka Hodge, Felicia Horowitz, Van Jones, Ronnie Lott, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, Shaka Senghor, Shiza Shahid, Andres Torres, and Kristi Yamaguchi.

Sound Summit, the intimate annual music festival set in a stunning venue atop Mount Tam in Marin County will stream performances from its 2016 event to help raise funds for Sound Effects, its relief effort for Bay Area musicians who have not been able to gig since the pandemic took hold and will likely not be able to do so for some time. Powered by Nugs.net, the Sound Effects stream will take place on Sunday, September 27th from 7:00 – 9:00 PM (PDT). Viewing options available at soundsummit.net

The stream will feature performances from Wilco, Los Lobos, Bill Frisell, and Bay Area locals The Stone Foxes and Matt Jaffe, all of whom have graciously allowed use of their 2016 Sound Summit footage for this endeavor. Roots & Branches Conservancy, the non-profit that produces Sound Summit, is partnering with Sweet Relief, who will handle the applications for and distribution of grants to musicians. The stream is free to watch and 100% of donations raised will go to musicians, not to Sound Summit or Roots & Branches.

“In the absence of being able to hold Sound Summit this year, we just wanted to do our small part in trying to lend a hand to local musicians whose livelihoods have been seriously compromised since coronavirus dramatically altered the landscape,” said festival producer Michael Nash.

Held in an intimate venue set amidst an expansive landscape, Sound Summit is a musical gathering like no other in the Bay Area and has donated $200,000 to Mount Tam to date. The festival is staged at the historic Mountain Theater, a 4000-seat natural stone amphitheater with breathtaking views of San Francisco Bay and beyond.

WHAT:

Sound Summit Presents Sound Effects: SF Bay Area Musicians Relief

WHEN:

Sunday, September 27th • 7:00 – 9:00 PM (PDT)

WHO:

Wilco

Los Lobos

Bill Frisell

The Stone Foxes

Matt Jaffe

WHERE:

Viewing options available at soundsummit.net

The stream is free to watch and 100% of donations raised will go to musicians

INFO:

For more info, please visit SoundSummit.net

Drinks at the neighborhood pub in Shasta led to a close encounter with the State of Jefferson, a freight train, and the secret alien colony in the mountain. The first single off the Well Known Strangers’ forthcoming full-length collection celebrates the bohemian splendor and brash eclecticism of their home state of California and all of the terrestrial life forms therein.

Written by lead vocalist Amber Morris and lead guitarist/vocalist David Noble, “The Mountain Song” will delight fans of The Well Known Strangers’ debut LP “TMI” while also forging into new and more adventurous musical and lyrical territory. What does it all mean? “Go ask the mountain.”

The Well Known Strangers’ celebrated style of “California Country Soul” features powerhouse vocalist Amber Morris (Narada Michael Walden, Tim Hockenberry, Eric Martin Band, Mark Karan Band); David Noble (Poor Man's Whiskey, Pardon The Interruption) on lead guitar and vocals; Joshua Zucker (The Jones Gang, Rowan Brothers, Poor Man’s Whiskey) on bass and vocals; Austin de Lone (Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, The Fabulous Thunderbirds) on keys; Mick Hellman (The Go To Hell Man Band) on drums and vocals; Rob Anderson (emerging talent and repeat world champion cyclist) on guitar.

Stream here: https://ffm.to/themountainsong

The Well Known Strangers second song from their forthcoming full length album salutes those people who shine brighter than the sun, inspiring and spreading their undeniable energy to everyone around them. Now more than ever the world needs those who naturally lift us up.

“Sun State” is an unstoppable force hurling through the cosmos — bluesy, groovy and upbeat with just a pinch of attitude.

The Well Known Strangers’ celebrated style of “California Country Soul” features powerhouse vocalist Amber Morris (Narada Michael Walden, Tim Hockenberry, Eric Martin Band, Mark Karan Band); David Noble (Poor Man's Whiskey, Pardon The Interruption) on lead guitar and vocals; Joshua Zucker (The Jones Gang, Rowan Brothers, Poor Man’s Whiskey) on bass and vocals; Austin de Lone (Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, The Fabulous Thunderbirds) on keys; Mick Hellman (The Go To Hell Man Band) on drums and vocals; Rob Anderson (emerging talent and repeat world champion cyclist) on guitar.

\

Stream it on most music platforms here: https://ffm.to/sunstatetwks 

GLIDE’s Annual Holiday Jam: Rise Up For Change is going virtual for the fist time ever on Thursday, November 19th and will feature a joyful, star-studded evening of music, celebration and community benefitting GLIDE’s programs and services. The evening will bring together GLIDE’s supporters and community members virtually, for a special program of live-streamed performances intermingled with archival footage of outstanding moments in Holiday Jam history. The list of artists participating includes India.Arie, Joan Baez, Lisa Fischer, Michael Franti, Goapele, Tom Johnston, Ledisi, and D'Wayne Wiggins, GLIDE Church’s Marvin K. White and the GLIDE Ensemble and The Change Band. Renel Brooks-Moon will return as the evening’s emcee.

In the face of the extreme public health, economic and racial justice crises of 2020, GLIDE has continued to support the city’s most marginalized residents every day on the frontlines of poverty and need. The 2020 GLIDE Annual Holiday Jam:Rise Up for Change will celebrate the spirit of this collective action in this moment in which so many are speaking out for the voiceless and for social progress. The program will highlight GLIDE’s hands-on role in driving systemic change to address poverty, homelessness, and racial and social inequities.

“Now, more than ever, it is important to come together and lift up marginalized voices by demanding racial justice and social progress,” said GLIDE President and CEO Karen Hanrahan. “We look forward to an evening of soulful music, powerful spoken word and celebration to raise awareness of GLIDE’s life-saving work and leadership in fighting injustices.”

Each year, the GLIDE Annual Holiday Jam raises funds for GLIDE’s integrated comprehensive programs that address some of society’s most pressing issues, including poverty, housing and homelessness, and racial and social justice. GLIDE continues to serve San Francisco’s most vulnerable residents by providing three free meals daily (up to 15,000 a week), counseling, harm reduction programs and other essential services not only on-site at GLIDE but across the city.

The GLIDE Annual Holiday Jam will be virtual, and there is no cost to join. RSVP at glide.org/holidayjam for all the latest updates. GLIDE asks that viewers consider making a donation or becoming a sponsor to help support GLIDE’s life-saving and life-changing services. In addition to promotional benefits, sponsors of this year’s Holiday Jam will receive special access to a pre-event VIP Virtual Reception as well as hand-delivered Gala Kits (limited to the Bay Area) or mailed Gala Swag Bags. Each Gala Kit serves 4 guests and will include custom cocktails, gourmet treats, GLIDE merchandise and more. Gala Swag Bags will include GLIDE merchandise and party treats. For a detailed description of sponsorship levels and benefits, click here.

For further information, please visit glide.org/holidayjam, call (415) 674-6145 or email [email protected].

GLIDE is the correct name for the organization at 330 Ellis Street that organizes and provides the Daily Free Meals and other GLIDE social services programs. The church, historically called Glide Memorial Church, is one of several programs operated by GLIDE. When referring to GLIDE social services and programs, please use the correct name; GLIDE Foundation, or simply GLIDE, rather than the historical name of the church.

WHAT:  GLIDE Annual Holiday Jam: Rise Up For Change —Featuring a mix of musical performances, spoken word, and celebration of GLIDE’s social justice work. The evening will benefit GLIDE’s programs and services.

WHERE: Online only. Visit glide.org/holidayjam for more information

WHEN: Thursday, November 19, 2020; Pre-show with the GLIDE Ensemble and The Change Band at 6:45 pm (PST); Show begins at 7:00 pm (PST)

WHO: The list of artists participating includes India.Arie, Joan Baez, Lisa Fischer, Goapele, Michael Franti, Tom Johnston, Ledisi, D'Wayne Wiggins and GLIDE Church’s Marvin K. White and the GLIDE Ensemble and The Change Band. Renel Brooks-Moon will return as the evening’s emcee.

TICKETS/INFO:

The GLIDE Annual Holiday Jam is free to stream, but GLIDE asks that viewers consider donating or sponsoring to help support GLIDE’s life-saving and life-changing services.

For more information and to purchase tickets and sponsorships, please visit glide.org/holidayjam, call (415) 674-6145 or email [email protected].

About GLIDE:

GLIDE is a nationally recognized center for social justice dedicated to fighting systemic injustices, creating pathways out of poverty and crisis, and transforming lives. GLIDE’s integrated comprehensive services, advocacy initiatives, and inclusive community empower individuals, families, and children to achieve stability and thrive. GLIDE is on the forefront of addressing some of the most pressing issues including racial and social injustices, poverty, housing insecurity, drug use disorder, and food insecurity.

San Francisco Bay Area thalassophiles The Well Known Strangers celebrate the release of their highly-anticipated EP King Tide on Friday, March 5. The new EP is a collection of “California Country Soul” songs that are an analysis and reflection of the awesome, tumultuous time we live in - - one of drastic polarization and vast upheaval (much like the king tide), reshaping the very earth beneath our feet.

The Well Known Strangers is a collective of seasoned Bay Area session musicians and friends, featuring powerhouse vocalist Amber Morris (Narada Michael Walden, Mark Karan Band); David Noble (Poor Man's Whiskey, Pardon The Interruption) on lead guitar and vocals; Joshua Zucker (Rowan Brothers, The Jones Gang) on bass and vocals; Austin de Lone (Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, The Fabulous Thunderbirds) on keys; Mick Hellman (The Go To Hell Man Band) on drums and vocals; Rob Anderson (emerging talent and repeat world champion cyclist) on guitar.

The album will be available to stream and download on most music platforms here, beginning March 5:  https://ffm.to/kingtide.

Sun State: The Well Known Strangers’ homage to their home state of California, to the beach, and to those who shine brighter than the sun. Video

The Mountain Song: A celebration of the bohemian splendor, brash eclecticism, and wild diversity of humanity (and the aliens in the volcano). Our strength is in our differences. Video

Down To the River: There’s always room for a good old-fashioned revival! A favorite from the live set written and originally performed by War and Treaty. Video

American Man: Not as much a political statement as a reflection of who we are collectively as Americans in the eyes of the world. It’s time to take a long hard look and decide whether this is who we want to be. Video

I’m the President (live bonus track): A whimsical commentary on the former commander in chief. This one almost didn’t make the cut because they weren’t sure it would remain relevant pending the outcome of the election. Needless to say, it did. Video

A few times each year the forces of the moon and the sun combine, and the tide draws out unusually far exposing a network of tidepool wonder that is normally inaccessible to terrestrials. But don’t linger too long, this is only the calm before the storm when the King Tide swallows the land with all of nature’s majestic fury. And an apt metaphor for our current condition, no? It’s too grand for one song to cover it, so The Well Known Strangers wrote a whole album about it.

For more information on The Well Known Strangers, please visit thewellknownstrangers.com.

The Well Known Strangers are thrilled to announce a string of Bay Area shows and play to live audiences once again – outdoors and socially distanced, of course. Fresh off of the release of their new EP King Tide, The Well Known Strangers will be bringing their brand of California Country Soul to fans thirsty for live music, to a variety of local shows in Marin and San Francisco this spring. Friends and followers will be able to catch the band playing COVID-compliant shows outside at Glazed & Confused in downtown San Rafael on Friday, May 14, 6 – 9pm; Amado’s in San Francisco on Saturday, May 22, 6 – 8pm; Peri's Saloon, in Fairfax on June 5, 6 – 8pm; Jason’s in Greenbrae on Saturday, Jun 12, 6 – 9pm; The Bistro in Hayward on Saturday, June 19, 2 – 5:30pm and more.

The Well Known Strangers is a collective of seasoned Bay Area session musicians and friends, featuring powerhouse vocalist Amber Morris (Narada Michael Walden, Mark Karan Band); David Noble (Poor Man's Whiskey, Pardon The Interruption) on lead guitar and vocals; Joshua Zucker (Rowan Brothers, The Jones Gang) on bass and vocals; Austin de Lone (Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, The Fabulous Thunderbirds) on keys; Mick Hellman (The Go To Hell Man Band) on drums and vocals; Rob Anderson (emerging talent and repeat world champion cyclist) on guitar.

Their new album King Tide is available to stream and download on a variety of music platforms here: https://ffm.to/kingtide.

For further information on The Well Known Strangers and updates to their live shows and music, please visit thewellknownstrangers.com. Follow The Well Known Strangers on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.

The list of upcoming shows includes:

Glazed & Confused

WHEN:           Friday, May 14, 6 – 9 pm                  

WHERE:         Glazed & Confused (outside the shop on 4th Street, which will be closed to cars)

846 Fourth Street, San Rafael, CA

TICKETS:      Free admission, tips appreciated

Amado’s

WHEN:           Saturday, May 22, 6 – 8 pm;                 

WHERE:         Amado’s, 998 Valencia Street, San Francisco

TICKETS:      Free admission, Tips appreciated

Peri's Saloon

WHEN:           Saturday, June 5, 5 – 8 pm;                

WHERE:         Peri's Saloon, 29 Broadway, Fairfax, CA

TICKETS:      Free admission, but donations to ‘Help Save Peri’s Bar’ Go Fund Me appreciated

Jason’s Restaurant

WHEN:           Saturday, Jun 12, 6 – 9 pm

WHERE:         Jason’s, 300 Drake’s Landing Rd, Greenbrae, CA (Marin County)

TICKETS:      Free admission, Tips appreciated

The Bistro in Hayward

WHEN:           Saturday, June 19, 2 – 5:30pm

WHERE:         The Bistro, 1001 B street, Hayward CA

TICKETS:      Free admission, Tips appreciated

KC Turner Presents Cookout Concert Series at HopMonk Tavern Novato

The Well Known Strangers Opening for Bill Kirchen

WHEN:           Sunday, October 17, 6pm

WHERE:         HopMonk Tavern Novato Beer Garden, 224 Vintage Way, Novato, CA

TICKETS:       $30 (show only) to $46 (includes BBQ) available at KCTurnerpresents.com

For further information on The Well Known Strangers, their upcoming shows and music, please visit thewellknownstrangers.com

As California reopens for live music and concerts, Sound Summit is beyond thrilled to welcome back fans to the slopes of Mt. Tam on Saturday, September 11 for a day of great music and stellar views. Topped by dynamic Americana group Lukas Nelson and the Promise of the Real and indie sensation Father John Misty, the eclectic lineup of music will also feature retro-cool rock band Allah-Las, high-energy New Orleans brass ensemble Cha Wa, and local powerhouse vocalist Teal Collins. Charismatic Bay Area radio personalities Murph & Mac (aka Brian Murphy and Paul McCaffrey) return as the day’s dynamic Masters of Ceremonies along with KPFA’s “Dead to the World” radio host Tim Lynch. DJ Andy Cabic of Vetiver fame will, once again, spin tunes between sets.

Produced as an annual celebration of and fundraiser for Mount Tamalpais State Park by Roots & Branches Conservancy, Sound Summit is a musical gathering like no other in the Bay Area. The festival is staged at the historic Mountain Theater, a 4,000-seat natural stone amphitheater with stunning views of San Francisco Bay and beyond. Add a sun-filled day, a resonant cause, and a healthy dose of joy, spice generously with stellar music, and you have a recipe for a magical mountain brew. Fueled by past musical acts Wilco, Bob Weir & Phil Lesh, Herbie Hancock, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Jim James, Grace Potter, Los Lobos, Dr. John & The Night Trippers, Bill Frisell, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, The Mother Hips, The Stone Foxes, Con Brio, and many more, Sound Summit has donated $200,000 to Mount Tam to date.

“Being able to gather with friends and family again and celebrate high atop this treasured mountain after the long and challenging year we’ve all had is a truly joyful and liberating thought,” says executive producer Michael Nash. “We can’t wait.”

Tickets for the daylong festival go on sale Friday, June 25 at 10:00 am and are $115 for adults and $65 for youth 12 and under; children 2 and under are admitted free. To purchase tickets and for more information, visit SoundSummit.net.  Gates open at 10:00 am; music from 11:00 am – 7:00 pm.

About Roots & Branches Conservancy

Roots & Branches Conservancy is a San Francisco Bay Area-based non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of natural resources, both physical and cultural. The broad arc of our mission ranges from regional environmental and educational work to the preservation and evolution of artistic and cultural traditions – musical, visual, narrative, and beyond. Wherever possible, we aim to create intersections between the environment, education, and the arts to their mutual benefit.

Towards those ends, our interests lie in producing resonant community experiences in our events, providing educational components in our programming, and making meaningful contributions to worthy beneficiaries.

Roots & Branches Conservancy was born in the context of drastic cuts in the California State Parks budget and our belief in the power of art and community to gather force for a good cause.

WHAT:

Sound Summit

WHEN:

Saturday, September 11

Gates open at 10:00 am; music from 11:00 am – 7:00 pm.

WHERE:

The historic Mountain Theater, Ridgecrest Blvd in Mount Tamalpais State Park

TICKETS:

Tickets go on sale Friday, June 25 at 10:00 am

$115 for adults, $65 for youth 12 and under; children 2 and under are admitted free. To purchase tickets and for more information, visit SoundSummit.net.

WHO:

Sound Summit’s stellar lineup features musical performances by the following artists:

Lukas Nelson and the Promise of the Real

Lukas Nelson and the Promise of the Real is an acclaimed Americana rock band that has toured relentlessly for more than a decade, playing countless sold-out shows and festivals around the world and occasionally serving as Neil Young’s road band. Nelson served as a music consultant to the award-winning film A Star is Born, helping train Bradley Cooper for musical authenticity, and wrote many of the songs on the soundtrack album.

Riding out the beginning of the pandemic with his parents (father Willie Nelson) and his brother, Grammy Award-winning Nelson was forced to hit pause in 2020 for the first time in his life. His brand new album A Few Stars Apart is a testament to finding a human connection: between close family and friends, as well as one’s own heart. The songs reveal what it means to come home again, to be still, and to find community—and yourself.

Father John Misty

Father John Misty is the brainchild of singer-songwriter Josh Tillman. He has released four widely acclaimed albums and earned accolades from the likes of Entertainment Weekly, The Guardian, Rolling Stone, and Pitchfork. He’s appeared on Saturday Night Live, Austin City Limits, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Tonight Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live and Late Night with Seth Meyers. Father John Misty and his incredible live band have headlined The Hollywood Bowl and Red Rocks and have appeared at Coachella and Lollapalooza festivals.

Father John Misty recently released Off-Key In Hamburg, his first live album in March of 2020, and Anthem +3, a collection of covers of songs by Leonard Cohen, Yusuf/Cat Stevens, and Link Wray released in July of 2020. Combined, Off-Key In Hamburg and Anthem +3 raised over $150,000 for multiple causes including The Recording Academy’s MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund, CARE Action and Ground Game LA.

Allah-Las

Southern California-based Allah-Las mix melodic psychedelia, retro garage, and sun-filled surf into a hypnotic blend that draws you in from the first note. One critic referred them as “steeped in pop sensibilities … laced with Northern Soul and lo-fi funk.” Their latest album LAHS showcases their skillful melding of melodies and moods, and ventures into new, exciting territories. Indeed, their growth not just as songwriters, but as performers, arrangers, and producers — is clearly audible.

Cha Wa

Eclectic New Orleans brass-band-meets-Mardi-Gras-Indian outfit, Cha Wa radiates the energy of the city’s street culture. “Mardi Gras Indian songs are inherently songs about freedom,” the band’s drummer Joe Gelini says. “And that struggle is as relevant today as it’s ever been.” PopMatters describes the band as "a grand gumbo of singing, intoxicating rhythms, and deep funk grooves that are impossible to resist.”

Teal Collins

Teal Collins grew up in Mill Valley, CA bombing down Mt. Tam on a Schwinn cruiser, and finding a lot to love about The Beatles, Led Zeppelin and the Grateful Dead. Her early introduction to music was through her dad, famous Jazz disc jockey Al, "Jazzbeaux" Collins who taught her how to play the ukulele at the tender age of 5. Her own musical projects include The Mother Truckers, who spent a decade in Austin TX, winning multiple awards at SXSW Music Festival, (Best New Band & Best Roots Rock Band among them), releasing four albums, and extensively touring the U.S. and Europe, as well as penning songs for film and TV. The Teal Collins band blends the feel-good sounds of Rock, Soul & the California sun, all done with powerhouse vocal delivery.

DJ Andy Cabic is a long-time resident of the Bay Area who has filled rooms big and small with sound, both as a DJ and as the singer-songwriter of his group, Vetiver. 

KNBR morning show hosts Murph & Mac (aka Brian Murphy and Paul McCaffrey) will return as the day’s dynamic masters of ceremonies along with KPFA’s “Dead to the World” radio host Tim Lynch.

INFO:

For more information and transportation tips, including shuttle, hiking biking and driving, and an updated concert schedule, please visit SoundSummit.net.

The Well Known Strangers will continue to entertain live music fans with their brand of California Country Soul with newly-added summertime and autumn shows throughout the Bay Area and beyond. With upcoming gigs at Sonoma County’s Twin Oaks Roadhouse on August 13; Grass Valley’s 1849 Brewing Company on August 27; Forest Knoll’s Papermill Creek Saloon on September 3; Sausalito’s No Name Bar on September 4; the always-popular Mill Valley Concerts in the Plaza on September 12; an opening gig for Bill Kirchen at the Hopmonk Tavern in Novato on October 17, fans will have plenty of options to catch them live and boogie with friends. The full list of upcoming shows and event details are listed below.

The Well Known Strangers features powerhouse vocalist Amber Morris (Narada Michael Walden, Mark Karan Band); David Noble (Poor Man's Whiskey, Pardon The Interruption) on lead guitar and vocals; Joshua Zucker (Rowan Brothers, The Jones Gang) on bass and vocals; Austin de Lone (Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, The Fabulous Thunderbirds) on keys; Mick Hellman (The Go To Hell Man Band) on drums and vocals; Rob Anderson (emerging talent and repeat world champion cyclist) on guitar.

Their latest EP King Tide is available to stream and download on a variety of music platforms here: https://ffm.to/kingtide. “‘King Tide’ not only gives voice to inspiring and well-crafted ideas, but it also shows just how resilient humans can be in times of uncertainty,” writes reviewer Carolyn McCoy on the indie music site The Bay Bridged. The band is looking forward to releasing new songs from their forthcoming album this fall. Please stay tuned for details.

For further information on The Well Known Strangers and updates to their live shows and music, please visit thewellknownstrangers.com. Follow The Well Known Strangers on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.

The list of upcoming shows includes:

Twin Oaks Roadhouse (Age 21+)

WHEN:               Friday, August 13, 8 – 11 pm

WHERE:             Twin Oaks Roadhouse (in the Grand Ballroom), 5745 Old Redwood Hwy, Penngrove, CA

TICKETS:          Free admission, tips appreciated

1849 Brewing Company

WHEN:               Friday, August 27, 7 – 10 pm (opening band Stardust Trio at 6:30 pm)

WHERE:             1849 Brewing Company, 468 Sutton Way, Grass Valley, CA

TICKETS:          Free admission, tips appreciated

Papermill Creek Saloon

WHEN:               Friday, September 3, 7 – 10 pm

WHERE:             Papermill Creek Saloon, 1 Castro Street, Forest Knolls, CA

TICKETS:          $10 cover charge

No Name Bar

WHEN:               Saturday, September 4, 9 – 11:30 pm

WHERE:              757 Bridgeway, Sausalito, CA

TICKETS:          Free admission, tips appreciated

Mill Valley Concerts in the Plaza

WHEN:                Sunday, September 12, 11 am – 6:30 pm; TWKS start around 1pm

WHERE:             87 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley, CA

TICKETS:          Free admission

Hellman Harvest Stomp at Sweetwater Music Hall (all ages)

WHEN:                Sunday, September 26, Doors 7 pm; Show 8 pm

WHERE:             19 Corte Madera Ave., Mill Valley, CA

TICKETS:          $25 available at SweetwaterMusicHall.com

KC Turner Presents Cookout Concert Series at HopMonk Tavern Novato

The Well Known Strangers Opening for Bill Kirchen

WHEN:               Sunday, October 17, TWKS 6 – 6:45pm; Bill Kirchen 7 pm

WHERE:             HopMonk Tavern Novato Beer Garden, 224 Vintage Way, Novato, CA

TICKETS:          $30 (show only) to $46 (includes BBQ) available at KCTurnerpresents.com

GLIDE is proud to announce the GLIDE Annual Holiday Jam: Still We Rise, a live, in-person and livestreamed benefit on Thursday, November 18 at The Masonic in San Francisco. After a year and a half of upheaval and distancing, the GLIDE Annual Holiday Jam: Still We Rise returns as an in-person event bringing the community together for music, storytelling and celebration to support GLIDE’s mission. Musical guests include 10-time Grammy winner and legendary artist Bobby McFerrin, three-time Grammy awardee and NPR Tiny Desk contest winner Fantastic Negrito, and the renown and uplifting GLIDE Ensemble and Change Band under the direction of Vernon Bush.

Please note: GLIDE is closely monitoring re-opening guidelines and is planning an event that aligns fully with San Francisco health and safety guidelines. Proof of full COVID-19 vaccination is required. The program will be livestreamed for those who prefer to watch from home.

This year’s GLIDE Annual Holiday Jam: Still We Rise is dedicated to GLIDE co-founder and Holiday Jam creator Janice Mirikitani who passed away recently.

"GLIDE is looking forward to bringing people together safely to celebrate and recognize our collective service after a long time apart. This year is particularly special as we dedicate this event to our late and beloved Co-Founder Janice Mirikitani,” said GLIDE President and CEO Karen Hanrahan.  “The event will be celebratory while also highlighting how GLIDE continues to adapt and innovate to find solutions to address poverty, homelessness, and racial and social inequities.“

The past 18 months have been devastating for individuals and families most marginalized in San Francisco, as the COVID crisis has exacerbated economic, health, and racial disparities. Throughout it all, GLIDE has remained steadfast. The 2021 GLIDE Annual Holiday Jam: Still We Rise will both celebrate and raise awareness of GLIDE’s ongoing, results-oriented work to reduce poverty, homelessness, and inequity. The event’s honorary co-chairs are Guy Johnson, a writer and Maya Angelou’s son, and Alicia Garza, the co-founder of Black Lives Matter.

Each year, the GLIDE Annual Holiday Jam raises funds for GLIDE’s comprehensive services that provide opportunities to help more people off the streets and support policy reform and advocacy efforts to disrupt cycles of intergenerational poverty to realize a more equitable city.

During COVID, GLIDE expanded services including greater mobile outreach across San Francisco, COVID testing and vaccines in the Tenderloin, more than 10,000 free, nutritious meals weekly, and expanded access to health, housing, legal, and other resources for individuals and families.

Tickets are $50 - $100 for the in-person performance and include complimentary tasty bites. For tickets, and more information, including how to join our generous sponsors, with opportunities starting at $500, please visit glide.org/holidayjam, call 415.674.6145 or email [email protected]. Details of the livestream are coming soon.

About GLIDE:

GLIDE is a nationally recognized center for social justice dedicated to fighting systemic injustices, creating pathways out of poverty and crisis, and transforming lives. GLIDE’s integrated comprehensive services, advocacy initiatives, and inclusive community empower individuals, families, and children to achieve stability and thrive. GLIDE is on the forefront of addressing some of the most pressing issues including poverty, housing and homelessness, and racial and social injustice.

Treasured Bay Area holiday favorites the Christmas Jug Band announce list of upcoming gigs and a new single for the 2021 holiday season. For 40 years, the Christmas Jug Band has brought together some of the Bay Area’s most talented and beloved musicians for a yearly dose of tongue-in-cheek seasonal holiday hijinks, good cheer, and great music. Featuring long standing band members Austin de Lone (Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, The Well Known Strangers); Gregory Leroy "Duke Dagreeze" Dewey (County Joe & the Fish, Marty Balin); Tim Eschliman (Commander Cody, Etta James); Paul Rogers (Those Darn Accordions); Snakebite Jacobs (Kinky Friedman, New Orleans Nightcrawlers, Rhythmtown-Jive); and Blake Richardson (Bobby Hebb, Hot House); this year’s performances will also include the additions of Candy Girard (Jerry Garcia Band).

The Christmas Jug Band will be playing all the favorites as well as their new single “Christmas on the Moon,” an all-acoustic send-up of the newfound elitist escapism mindset and blends Americana, roots-rock, gospel, Moog Theremin synth, rich acoustic violin, piano and more. The instant classic will join a long list of original seasonal hits like “Santa Lost a Ho,” “Mistletoe Jam” and more. The Christmas Jug Band’s live performances feature these along with a raucous repertoire of original songs, parodies of unlikely classics, and Jug Band-izations of seasonal favorites. “Christmas on the Moon” is available on all music streaming platforms (Amazon, iTunes, Spotify, Deezer, Tidal, YouTube, Soundcloud, Pandora, Apple Music, and more) and will be available for purchase on USB Music Card -- bundled with the Christmas Jug Band’s latest album Live From The West Pole – at all upcoming shows and on GlobeRecords.com.

The list of upcoming shows Christmas Jug Band shows includes:

Ruhstaller Farm Brewery, Farm & Live Music (all ages)

When:       Friday, Dec. 17, 5 p.m.

Where:      6686 Sievers Rd, Dixon, CA, 95620

Tickets:     Suggested donation $10, available at the door

The Big Easy Petaluma (all ages)

When:       Saturday, Dec. 18, 7p.m.

Where:      The Big Easy, 128 American Aly, Petaluma, CA 94952

Tickets:     $20, available online and at the door

Reel & Brand in Sonoma (all ages)

When:       Sunday, Dec. 19 at 7 p.m.

Where:      Reel & Brand, 401 Grove St., Sonoma CA 95476

Tickets:     $15, available at the door

Freight & Salvage in Berkeley (all ages)

When:       Tuesday, Dec. 21, Doors: 7 p.m.; Show: 8 p.m.

Where:      Freight & Salvage, 2020 Addison St., Downtown Berkeley

Tickets:     $8-$16, available online at TheFreight.org

Sweetwater in Mill Valley (all ages)

When:       Wednesday, December 22 at 8 p.m.

Where:      Sweetwater Music Hall, 19 Corte Madera Ave., Mill Valley

Tickets:     $25, available online at SweetwaterMusicHall.com

For more info on the Christmas Jug Band, tickets and more, please visit christmasjugband.com/live.shtml.

Covid-19 policy for all shows: proof of Covid-19 vaccination required and face masks worn (when not eating and/or drinking).

Gestated during the locked-down summer of 2020, Back pOrchEstra, a collection of all-star West Coast musicians, has released its first album, Voices in My Head (Genre Whiplash), and announced a series of upcoming Bay Area performances. The band’s album and support show feature songs from a diverse American background - roots rock, Americana, country blues, western swing, Cajun, and New Orleans music with originals and reworked classics by Hank Williams, Taj Mahal, Dan Hicks and more. Back pOrchEstra is a recently-formed west coast outfit uniting some stellar but lately idle players. They may well have not ever come together were it not for the pandemic.

As the name implies, Back pOrchEstra came together during the locked down summer of 2020 on Tim Eschliman’s back porch with just Eschliman on guitar and vocals (Etta James, Commander Cody, Nick Lowe-produced Moonlighters, Jesse Colin Young, New Copasetics) and drummer Bowen Brown (John Lee Hooker, Tommy Castro, Rhythmtown-Jive).  When violinist Candy Girard joined, (Tanya Tucker, Jerry Garcia, Clint Black) the original assemblage jokingly referred to themselves as an orchestra. That became self-fulfilling when the core band grew to include bassist Beau Beaullieu (California Honeydrops, Gator Beat) and Gary Potterton (guitar, NRPS, Texas Chainsaw). The album also showcases contributions from Austin de Lone on piano (Elvis Costello, Eggs Over Easy, The Fabulous Thunderbirds), Jackson Allen on guitar (Narada Michael Walden), Jack Ohara on backing vocals (Eggs Over Easy), Vicki Randle on percussion (Dr. John, Mavis Staples, the Tonight Show Band) and Kathy Kennedy on backing vocals (Big Bang Beat).

The album is available now on all music streaming platforms (Amazon, iTunes, Spotify, Deezer, Tidal, YouTube, Soundcloud, Pandora, Apple Music, and more) and will be available for purchase on USB Music Card and CDs at all upcoming shows, some of your favorite record stores, Amazon, and on GlobeRecords.com.

Back pOrchEstra conducted several live streaming sessions and live outdoor shows in 2020 and 2021. Recognizing their potential, they recorded Voices in My Head (Genre Whiplash) at Globe Records in 2021. The album features 11 tracks inspired by the musicians’ collective influences and passions. In the new single from the album, “Might Hafta Go After It,” inspiration, contemplation, conversation, frustration and perseverance team up in a roots rock, Americana, indie soul track with big Jesse Ed Davis influences. “Just Fall in Love,” the album’s early released single, was selected for inclusion in the World National Indie Radio’s 2021 Best Radio Songs of the Summer.

Back pOrchEstra will perform a series of gigs to launch the new album. Covid-19 policy for all shows: proof of Covid-19 vaccination required, and face masks worn (when not eating and/or drinking). These are all planned as indoor shows, but due to the recent spike in Covid-19 cases, some of these shows may convert into outdoor shows, or Live streaming. Please check backporchestra.com for the latest updates.

Reel & Brand in Sonoma (outdoors, if need be, as weather permits)

When:        Friday, Jan. 28 at 6:00 p.m.

Where:       Reel & Brand, 401 Grove St., Sonoma CA 95476

Tickets:      $10, available at the door

Sweetwater in Mill Valley

North Bay Reveal with Sean Carscadden Trio & BackpOrchEstra

When:        Thursday, Feb. 3 at 8 p.m.

Where:       Sweetwater Music Hall, 19 Corte Madera Ave., Mill Valley

Tickets:      $17, available online at SweetwaterMusicHall.com

The Big Easy Petaluma (outdoors, if need be, as weather permits)

When:        Saturday, Feb. 26, 7p.m.

Where:       The Big Easy, 128 American Aly, Petaluma, CA 94952

Tickets:      $10, available at the door

Lost Church in Santa Rosa

When:        Friday, March. 11 at 8:15 p.m.

Where:        427 Mendocino Ave (enter on Ross Street), Santa Rosa, CA 95401

Tickets:      $15 adv / $20 DOS available at the door and online at TheLostChurch.org

For the latest info on the Back pOrchEstra, tickets and more, please visit backporchestra.com.

“Sun State,” the debut single from the Wreckless Strangers’ (formerly known as The Well Known Strangers) forthcoming project, When the Sun and a Blue Star Collide, is available today on all streaming platforms. The track features blues harmonica legend Charlie Musselwhite; and the album, scheduled for release on March 25, 2022, was produced by Colin Linden, nine-time Juno Award-winning and GRAMMY-winning producer/artist and renowned guitarist. The band announced Bay Area shows in support of the new album at  Point San Pablo Harbor on March 12 and Peri’s in Fairfax on April 8.

“So much fire – like when the sun and a blue star collide.” Thus spoke singer Amber Morris to guitarist/singer David Noble and band manager Mackenzie Brown over guitars and coffee one golden, late-summer morning in the hills of northern California. And with that hook “Sun State” was born, an Americana-rock epic paying homage to the band’s S.F. Bay Area roots and to those special people in our lives who shine brighter than the sun.

The Boot premiered “Sun State'' yesterday, calling it a “sexy, fiery track” and applauding the Wreckless Strangers' artistry, “With a mixture of powerhouse vocals, clever lyrical imagery and richly layered instrumentation, Wreckless Strangers show off their combined talents with every note” (The Boot).

Stream “Sun State” Now: https://linktr.ee/wrecklessstrangers

The list of upcoming shows includes:

Wreckless Strangers Live at the Clubhouse - Point San Pablo Harbor

WHEN:             Saturday, March 12, 2022; 2 p.m. Doors|, 3 p.m. Show

WHERE:           Point San Pablo Harbor, 1900 Stenmark Dr, Richmond CA. 94801

TICKETS:          $20 advance | $25 day of show, includes parking

Wreckless Strangers Live at Peri’s Saloon w/ Pardon The Interruption

WHEN:             Friday, April 8, 2022; 9 p.m.

WHERE:           Peri’s Saloon, 29 Broadway, Fairfax, CA 94930

TICKETS:          $10

About Wreckless Strangers:

Wreckless Strangers is a collective of six seasoned Bay Area musicians known for their collaborative songwriting and high-energy live shows, performing an infectious blend of music they call "California country soul." The band features Amber Morris (premier vocal coach noted for her work with members of Journey and Mr. Big) on vocals; David Noble (Poor Man's Whiskey, Pardon The Interruption) on lead guitar, vocals; Joshua Zucker (The Jones Gang, Rowan Brothers) on bass; Austin de Lone (Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, The Fabulous Thunderbirds) on keys; Mick Hellman (The Go To Hell Man Band) on drums and vocals; and Rob Anderson (repeat world champion cyclist) on guitar. Over the course of their six years together, the Wreckless Strangers have released two records and become fan favorites at the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival. Their upcoming album, When the Sun and a Blue Star Collide, is produced by GRAMMY-winning artist/producer/guitarist Colin Linden (Bob Dylan, Emmy Lou Harris, Keb' Mo, Alison Krauss & Robert Plant)

Wreckless Strangers, Bay Area Americana troubadours noted for their prolific songwriting and energetic live shows, are set to play the newly re-opened Peri’s in downtown Fairfax on Friday, April 8. Peri’s is a true original and one of Marin County’s most beloved live music venues. Closed since the pandemic began, Peri’s opened its doors to the public on March 17.

The Wreckless Strangers recently released “Ain't No Thing,” the second single from their forthcoming album, When the Sun and a Blue Star Collide. Scheduled for release on May 20, the album was produced by GRAMMY-winning and nine-time Juno Award-winner Colin Linden. Penned by Chris Stapleton and John Scott Sherrill, and originally recorded by Bucky Covington, “Ain’t No Thing” was a song the band was eager to make their own when they first heard Wynnona & The Big Noise perform it at the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival. The Sound Cafe premiered “Ain’t No Thing'' recently. Complimenting the Wreckless Strangers' natural ability to stretch musical boundaries, “The Wreckless Strangers’ music echoes their California Americana beginnings, while exploring endless combinations of the unique qualities of rock, country, soul and roots.” (The Sound Cafe)

Show Details:

Wreckless Strangers Live at Peri’s w/ Pardon the Interruption

WHEN: Friday, April 8, 2022; 9 p.m.

WHERE: Peri’s, 29 Broadway, Fairfax, CA 94930

TICKETS: $15, available online now

Stream “Ain’t No Thing” Now: https://featr.us/aintnothing

About Wreckless Strangers:

Wreckless Strangers is a collective of six seasoned Bay Area musicians known for their collaborative songwriting and high-energy live shows, performing an infectious blend of music they call "California country soul." The band features Amber Morris (premier vocal coach noted for her work with members of Journey and Mr. Big) on vocals; David Noble (Poor Man's Whiskey, Pardon the Interruption) on lead guitar, vocals; Joshua Zucker (The Jones Gang, Rowan Brothers) on bass; Austin de Lone (Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, The Fabulous Thunderbirds) on keys; Mick Hellman (The Go to Hell Man Band) on drums and vocals; and Rob Anderson (repeat world champion cyclist) on guitar. Over the course of their six years together, the Wreckless Strangers have released two records and become fan favorites at the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival. Their upcoming album, When the Sun and a Blue Star Collide, is produced by GRAMMY-winning artist/producer/guitarist Colin Linden (Bob Dylan, Emmy Lou Harris, Keb' Mo, Alison Krauss & Robert Plant).

Gestated during the locked-down summer of 2020, Back pOrchEstra, a collection of all-star West Coast musicians, announces a Bay Area-wide spring tour in support of its debut album Voices in My Head (Genre Whiplash). Enjoying six of the past seven weeks on the Alt Country Specialty Chart, the band is set to play The Backroom in Berkeley, Rancho Nicasio in West Marin, Hopmonk Sebastopol’s Peacetown Concert series, Murphy’s Irish Pub in Sonoma, and more.

With time on his hands due to the Pandemic’s pause on live music shows, Back pOrchEstra founder Tim Eschliman found ample time to craft original songs, bring together a combination of old and new cohorts, and also assemble curated historic covers that incorporated his many musical influences (roots rock, Americana, country blues, western swing, indie rock, Louisiana and Irish music) from four decades of playing and touring.

Jeff Burger from Americana Highways calls Voices in My Head an "...excellent album ...evokes artists from multiple decades over the last century and embraces everything from indie-rock and Americana to Celtic, Motown, and Western swing.”  Calvin Powers from Americana Music Show says “Subtitle of this album is Genre Whiplash, and I get it. You get everything from alt.rock to cajun, to country, to Brownie Ford era Western Swing. But the thing that keeps this set together is their excellent songwriting full of smooth never-miss-a-beat lines and vivid imagery." While Natasha James for Country Music News International states “…the beautiful and timeless rendition of 'Allons A Lafayette' by Back pOrchEstra, stands out as a harkening back to the stripped down, front porch family picking style straight out of the country shacks of Louisiana and Appalachia in the 1920’s.”

The album is available now on all music streaming platforms and is available for purchase on USB Music Card and CDs at all upcoming shows, local record stores, Amazon, and on GlobeRecords.com.

Upcoming shows include:

Murphy’s Irish Pub

When: Saturday, Apr 2 at 7 p.m..

Where: 464 1st Street East, Sonoma, CA 95476

Tickets/Info: Free

The Backroom in Berkeley

When: Thursday, Apr 23 at 7 p.m.

Where: 1984 Bonita Avenue Berkeley, CA, 94704

Tickets / Info: $10-$15

Rancho Nicasio, West Marin

When: Sunday, May 15 at 5 p.m.

Where: 1 Old Rancheria Rd, Nicasio, CA 94946

Tickets /Info: Free; online reservations required

Reel & Brand in Sonoma

When: Friday, May 27 at 6 p.m.

Where: Reel & Brand, 401 Grove St., Sonoma CA 95476

Tickets /Info: TBD

Hopmonk Sebastopol’s Peacetown Concert series

When: Wednesday, June 15 at 4:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Where: TBD Sebastopol, CA

Tickets /Info: TBD

Brewster's Beer Garden, Petaluma

When: Sunday, July 10, 1 – 4 p.m.

Where: Brewster's Beer Garden, Petaluma

Tickets/info: Free

Sonoma County Fair

When: Wednesday, August 10, at Time TBD

Where: Sonoma Co Fairgrounds, 1350 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95404

Tickets /Info: Free with fair admission

As the name implies, Back pOrchEstra came together during the locked down summer of 2020 on Tim Eschliman’s back porch with just Eschliman on guitar and vocals (Etta James, Commander Cody, Nick Lowe-produced Moonlighters, Jesse Colin Young, New Copasetics) and drummer Bowen Brown (John Lee Hooker, Tommy Castro, Rhythmtown-Jive).  When violinist Candy Girard joined, (Tanya Tucker, Jerry Garcia, Clint Black) the original assemblage jokingly referred to themselves as an orchestra. That became self-fulfilling when the core band grew to include bassist Beau Beaullieu (California Honeydrops, Gator Beat) and guitar and dobro player Gary Potterton (NRPS, Texas Chainsaw). The album also showcases contributions from Austin de Lone on piano (Elvis Costello, Eggs Over Easy, The Fabulous Thunderbirds), Jackson Allen on guitar (Narada Michael Walden), Jack Ohara on backing vocals (Eggs Over Easy), Vicki Randle on percussion (Dr. John, Mavis Staples, the Tonight Show Band) and Kathy Kennedy on backing vocals (Big Bang Beat).

Back pOrchEstra conducted several live streaming sessions and live outdoor shows in 2020 and 2021. Recognizing their potential, they recorded Voices in My Head (Genre Whiplash) at Globe Records in 2021. The album features 11 tracks inspired by the musicians’ collective influences and passions.

 For the latest info on the Back pOrchEstra, tickets and more, please visit backporchestra.com.

Wreckless Strangers are excited to announce the release of their debut album When the Sun and a Blue Star Collide. Out May 20, the project is produced by Grammy Award-winner Colin Linden (Bruce Cockburn, Alison Krauss / Robert Plant, Bob Dylan). The first single, "Sun State," is currently making waves on AAA and Americana Radio and features blues legend Charlie Musselwhite on harmonica.

Wreckless Strangers is a collective of top Bay Area session musicians and friends playing California Americana soul. "With a mixture of powerhouse vocals, clever lyrical imagery and richly layered instrumentation, Wreckless Strangers show off their combined talents with every note,” says The Boot. "Their brand of California Americana Soul is the end result of six superb musicians coming together with top-shelf material that echoes the past without ever imitating it," claimed Melody Maker Magazine.

The album will be available on all music streaming platforms on May 20 and will be available for purchase at upcoming shows, some of your favorite record stores, and more.

The band features Amber Morris (premier vocal coach noted for her work with members of Journey and Mr. Big) on vocals; David Noble (Poor Man's Whiskey, Pardon the Interruption) on lead guitar, vocals; Joshua Zucker (The Jones Gang, Rowan Brothers) on bass; Austin de Lone (Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, The Fabulous Thunderbirds) on keys; Mick Hellman (The Go to Hell Man Band) on drums and vocals; and Rob Anderson (repeat world champion cyclist) on guitar. Over the course of their six years together, the Wreckless Strangers have released two records and become fan favorites at the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival.

Wreckless Strangers will perform a series of gigs to support the new album launch. Please check Wreckless Strangers for the latest updates.

48th Annual  Beach Volunteer Firemen’s Barbecue

When:              Sunday, May 29, 1 p.m.

Where:            Santos Meadows, 2704 Muir Woods Rd, Mill Valley, CA 94941

Tickets:            $10 suggested donation

Mill Valley Memorial Day Festival

When:              Monday, May 30, 3 p.m.

Where:            Mill Valley Community Center lawn, 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley, CA

Tickets:           Free and open to the public

Album Credits:

Album Title: When the Sun and a Blue Star Collide

Produced by Colin Linden

Engineered by John Whynot

Assistant Engineer Sean Beresford

Recorded at Calliope West 

Cover Art by Stanley Mouse

All songs arranged and performed by Wreckless Strangers with Colin Linden 

Horns arranged and performed by Jim Hoke

For the latest info on the Wreckless Strangers, tickets, and more, please visit WrecklessStrangers.com 

On June 11, 2022 The Metro Film and Arts Foundation, with support from the J & J Arts Initiative, is presenting an evening of music, dance, theatre, poetry, comedy and animation arts with Breaking Down Walls: Celebrating Our Shared Humanity Through the Arts at The Cowell Theater in Fort Mason, San Francisco. The Breaking Down Walls project showcases how the performing arts can create common ground for recognition and celebration of our shared humanity. This event will also be offered online on June 26.

The diverse cast of performers will each debut new works created especially for this project, including Broadcast Music Award and Emmy nominee singer/songwriter Will Hammond, Jr.; Chris Hellman Dance Honor and Princess Grace Award winning choreographer Mia J. Chong in collaboration with Post:ballet, Emmy Award winner musician Vân-Ánh Võ; innovative and educational theatre group Teatro Nagual (TeNa); artistic poets Aileen Cassinetto, Tureeda Mikell, Kim Shuck, Maw Shein Win; and prolific animation director Jaroslav Baran. The evening’s emcee is Dhaya Lakshminarayanan, a San Francisco comedian and writer whose storytelling livens NPR’s Snap Judgment, The Moth Radio Hour and more.

The Breaking Down Walls project was conceived and is being produced by Ron Merk, Founder/Director of Film and Cultural Programs at The Metro Film and Arts Foundation. “The Breaking Down Walls project is a unique example of how we can find common ground to unite us, and allow us to see how much that person on the other side of the wall is more like us than different,” said Merk. “This kind of realization can lead to healing and solidarity, and to a better world for future generations.”

Refreshments will be available for purchase. General admission tickets are $25 in advance at eventbrite.

A documentary produced and directed by Ron Merk and Derrick Scocchera, which chronicles creation of the Breaking Down Walls project, will be available for streaming in 2023.

About J & J Arts Initiative

Funding from J & J Arts Initiative has made it possible for The Metro Film and Arts Foundation to support the work of more than 75 artists and theatrical production team members involved in the development and realization of the Breaking Down Walls project.

About The Metro Film and Arts

The Metro Film and Arts Foundation supports a wide range of arts and social issues through its programs. This includes filmmaking, theatre, film preservation, and individual grants to artists. This is a 501(c)(3) non-profit based in San Francisco, California, that relies on donations and grants to sustain the important work of preserving films and supporting the arts and artists.

About House of Ukraine

Founded in 1960, the House of Ukraine, Inc., a non-profit community organization, fosters a spirit of understanding and cooperation among the various national groups represented in the House of Pacific Relation, International Cottages in Balboa Park, San Diego CA. In addition to providing information to the public about art, history, customs, language and traditions of Ukraine, since the Russian invasion, members and San Diego community volunteers have successfully solicited, received and delivered much-needed humanitarian assistance to Ukraine.

Wreckless Strangers are looking forward to hitting the road this summer in support of their new album When the Sun and a Blue Star Collide, which is garnering great reviews and acclaim. With dates throughout the summer and gigs all through the Bay Area and Northern California, there is ample opportunity to catch them live. Wreckless Strangers is a collective of top Bay Area session musicians and friends playing California Americana soul.

“In their debut album, When the Sun and a Blue Star Collide, a 14-track jam-packed auditory pleasure dome, the Wreckless Strangers steak a strong claim to being one of music’s - of any genre - most interesting,” said Indie Pulse Magazine.

Produced by Grammy Award-winner Colin Linden (Bruce Cockburn, Alison Krauss / Robert Plant, Bob Dylan), When the Sun and a Blue Star Collide is now available on all music streaming platforms and will be available for purchase at upcoming shows, and more.  The first single, "Sun State," is currently making waves on AAA and Americana Radio and features blues legend Charlie Musselwhite on harmonica.

Fans can visit WrecklessStrangers.com for the latest updates and follow them on social media to catch “Wreckless Fans Fridays” featuring a new performance video every other week.

Wreckless Strangers’ Sun and a Blue Star Collide Summer Tour dates:

North Beach Festival

When:        Sunday, June 19, 1:45 - 2:45 p.m.

Where:       Columbus and Grant Avenues, in San Francisco's historic North Beach

Tickets:      Free and open to the public

KRSH Backyard Concert Series

When:        Thursday, July 14, Doors: 5:30 p.m., Music: 6 p.m.

Where:       3565 Standish Ave Santa Rosa CA, 95407

Tickets:      Free and open to the public

Golden Gate Park Bandshell

When:        Friday, July 15, 4:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Where:       Music Concourse Drive, San Francisco, CA 94118

Tickets:      Free and open to the public

Auburn Food Truck Fiesta

When:              Friday, August 19, 5 p.m.

Where:            Recreation Park, 123 Recreation Drive, Auburn, CA 95603

Tickets:            Free and open to the public

The band features Amber Morris (premier vocal coach noted for her work with members of Journey and Mr. Big) on vocals; David Noble (Poor Man's Whiskey, Pardon the Interruption) on lead guitar, and vocals; Joshua Zucker (The Jones Gang, Rowan Brothers) on bass; Austin de Lone (Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, The Fabulous Thunderbirds) on keys; Mick Hellman (The Go to Hell Man Band) on drums and vocals; and Rob Anderson (repeat world champion cyclist) on guitar. Over the course of their six years together, the Wreckless Strangers have released two records and become fan favorites at the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival.

Album Credits:

Album Title: When the Sun and a Blue Star Collide

Produced by Colin Linden

Engineered by John Whynot

Assistant Engineer Sean Beresford

Recorded at Calliope West

Cover Art by Stanley Mouse

All songs arranged and performed by Wreckless Strangers with Colin Linden

Horns arranged and performed by Jim Hoke

For the latest info on the Wreckless Strangers, tickets, and more, please visit WrecklessStrangers.com.

Sound Summit, a musical gathering like no other, announces the return of the daylong festival set on the slopes of Mt. Tam on Saturday, October 22. Featuring a day of great music amidst the Bay Area’s favorite season, Sound Summit’s lineup includes The New Yorker-named “best American rock band of this decade,” The War On Drugs; critically acclaimed singer-songwriter Faye Webster;  beloved indie folk-rockers Fruit Bats; and soulful local ensemble Wreckless Strangers. High-spirited KNBR radio personalities Murph & Mac (aka Brian Murphy and Paul McCaffrey) return as the day’s dynamic Masters of Ceremonies along with KPFA’s “Dead to the World” radio host Tim Lynch. DJ Andy Cabic of Vetiver fame will keep the groove going and spin tunes between sets.

Sound Summit is as much a community spirit as it is a community event. The San Francisco Chronicle has called the festival “a day of restorative celebration.” Produced as an annual celebration of and fundraiser for Mount Tamalpais State Park by Roots & Branches Conservancy, Sound Summit is staged at the historic Mountain Theater, a 4,000-seat natural stone amphitheater with stunning views of San Francisco Bay and beyond. Add a touch of Autumn glow, a resonant cause, and a stirring soundtrack, and you have a recipe for a memorable day in the late October light. Fueled by past musical acts such as Wilco, Bob Weir & Phil Lesh, Herbie Hancock, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Grace Potter, Lukas Nelson and the Promise of the Real, Father John Misty, Jim James, Los Lobos, Dr. John & The Night Trippers, and many more, Sound Summit has provided $250,000 to Mount Tam to date. This year, Marin County’s JAMBAR lends a helping hand to the good deed-doing as Sound Summit’s Peak Sponsor.

Tickets for the daylong festival go on sale Friday, August 19 at 10 am and are $120 for adults and $65 for youth 12 and under; children 2 and under are admitted free. To purchase tickets and for more information on the event, parking and shuttles, visit SoundSummit.net. Gates open at 10:00 am; music from 11:30 am – 6:30 pm.

About Roots & Branches Conservancy

Roots & Branches Conservancy is a San Francisco Bay Area-based non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of natural resources, both physical and cultural. The broad arc of our mission ranges from regional environmental and educational work to the preservation and evolution of artistic and cultural traditions – musical, visual, narrative, and beyond. Wherever possible, we aim to create intersections between the environment, education, and the arts to their mutual benefit.

Towards those ends, our interests lie in producing resonant community experiences in our events, providing educational components in our programming, and making meaningful contributions to worthy beneficiaries.

Roots & Branches Conservancy was born in the context of drastic cuts in the California State Parks budget and our belief in the power of art and community to gather force for a good cause.

WHAT:

Sound Summit

WHEN:

Saturday, October 22, 2022

Gates open at 10:00 am; music from 11:30 am – 6:30 pm

WHERE:

The historic Mountain Theater, Ridgecrest Blvd in Mount Tamalpais State Park

TICKETS:

Tickets go on sale Friday, August 19 at 10:00 am

$120 for adults, $65 for youth 12 and under; children 2 and under are admitted free. To purchase tickets and for more information, visit SoundSummit.net.

WHO:

Sound Summit’s stellar lineup features musical performances by the following artists:

The War On Drugs

The War On Drugs have steadily emerged as one of this century’s great rock and roll synthesists, removing the gaps between the underground and the mainstream, between the obtuse and the anthemic, making records that wrestle a fractured past into a unified and engrossing present. Led by Adam Granduciel, The New Yorker called them “the best American ‘rock’ band of this decade” in support of their album, A Deeper Understanding, for which they won the 2018 Grammy for Best Rock Album and were nominated for a BRIT Award for International Group of the Year. 2020 saw the release of LIVE DRUGS featuring live interpretations of songs throughout their career, including off their 2014 breakthrough, Lost In The Dream. Co- produced by Granduciel and Shawn Everett, their fifth studio album, I Don’t Live Here Anymore, “chips away some of their hazier edges in favor of sharper melodies, broadening the borders of the meticulous yet joyously simple sound [Granduciel] has perfected” (Pitchfork, Best New Music). It landed on numerous 2021 best albums of the year lists and garnered a second BRIT Award nomination. The band headlined Madison Square Garden in support of its release

Faye Webster

Faye Webster loves the feeling of a first take: writing a song, then heading to the studio with her band to track it live the very next day. When you listen to the 23-year-old Atlanta songwriter’s poised and plainspoken albums, you can hear why: she channels emotions that are so aching, they seem to be coming into existence at that very moment. Webster captures the spark before it has a chance to fade; she inks lyrics before they have a chance to seem fleeting. Her signature sound pairs close, whisper-quiet, home-recorded vocals with the unmistakable sound of musicians together in a room.

I Know I’m Funny haha is Webster’s most realized manifestation yet of this emotional and musical alchemy. Continuing to bloom from her 2019 breakthrough and Secretly Canadian debut Atlanta Millionaires Club, Webster’s sound draws as much from the lap-steel singer-songwriter pop of the 1970s and teardrop country tunes as it does from the audacious personalities of her city’s rap and R&B community, where she first found a home on Awful Records.

This year Webster will release Car Therapy Sessions, an EP of new and re-imagined songs backed by a full orchestra. Webster’s work takes on this orchestral treatment beautifully, her delicate and emotional delivery packing a gut punch when dramatized by the EP’s robust arrangements.

Fruit Bats

Formed in the late 1990s, indie folk-rock act Fruit Bats grew from the four-track recording project of songwriter Eric D. Johnson into a touring band with an ever-shifting lineup. Constant are Johnson's warm vocals and melodic sensibility, both of which often seem to split the difference between Lennon and McCartney.

As the creative force behind Fruit Bats, Johnson doesn’t spend a lot of time looking in the rearview mirror. “Maybe it speaks to some Midwest thing,” he says. “Don’t be overly reflective or navel-gazing. And as a songwriter, you always want to be looking forward, not backward.” But with the 20th anniversary of his first Fruit Bats release (2001’s Echolocation) on his mind, it seemed as good a time as any to take stock of his work—and he’s doing he did so in the form of Sometimes a Cloud Is Just a Cloud: Slow Growers, Sleeper Hits and Lost Songs (2001–2021), a two-disc collection that tracks the history of Fruit Bats from its earliest days to right now.

“I love how the best-laid plans are never what you think they’re going to be. I love the unpredictability of it. Recording and writing songs is often like, ‘Wow, that is not where I was expecting that to go.’ My whole career has been like that. This was not where I expected to go. But I mean that in a really good way.”

Wreckless Strangers

Wreckless Strangers is a collective of six seasoned Bay Area musicians known for their collaborative songwriting and high-energy live shows, performing an infectious blend of music they call "California Americana Soul." The band features Amber Morris (premier Bay Area vocalist and voice coach – members of Journey, Eric Martin Band) on vocals; David Noble (Poor Man's Whiskey, Pardon The Interruption) on lead guitar, vocals; Joshua Zucker (The Jones Gang, Rowan Brothers) on bass; Austin de Lone (Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, The Fabulous Thunderbirds) on keys, vocals; Mick Hellman (The Go To Hell Man Band) on drums and vocals; and Rob Anderson (repeat world champion cyclist) on guitar. Over the course of their six years together, the Wreckless Strangers have released two records and become fan favorites at the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival. Their current album, When the Sun and a Blue Star Collide, was produced by GRAMMY-winning artist/producer/guitarist Colin Linden (Bob Dylan, Emmy Lou Harris, Keb' Mo’, Alison Krauss & Robert Plant).

DJ Andy Cabic is a long-time resident of the Bay Area who has filled rooms big and small with sound, both as a DJ and as the singer-songwriter of his group, Vetiver.   

KNBR morning show hosts Murph & Mac (aka Brian Murphy and Paul McCaffrey) will return as the day’s dynamic masters of ceremonies along with KPFA’s “Dead to the World” radio host Tim Lynch.

INFO:

For more information and transportation tips, including shuttle, hiking biking and driving, and an updated concert schedule, please visit SoundSummit.net.

Elvis Costello announces “Elvis Sings Hunter-Garcia,” a benefit for Prader-Willi Homes Of California. The rare, intimate concert, a tribute to the iconic songwriting of Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter and the band’s visionary singer/guitarist Jerry Garcia, will take place the night of Friday, September 30 at The Great American Music Hall. There will be two shows: 7 and 10 pm. Tickets are $100 for general admission, available online at gamh.com/shows-elvis-costello-sings-hunter-garcia/, with special VIP seating available upon email request to [email protected]. All proceeds will benefit Prader-Willi Homes of California, formerly The Richard de Lone Special Housing Project, a nonprofit that helps establish and support residential living for individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome. Doors will open at 6 p.m. for the 7 p.m. show and at 9 p.m. for the 10 p.m. show.

“We are so lucky to have Elvis as a friend and adviser to Prader-Willi Homes of California,” PWHC Executive Director Austin de Lone said. “This is a momentous occasion, as we have purchased our first home and are making the final push to fund renovations and give our first residents the specialized care they and their families have been dreaming of. The overwhelming requests for placement in this first house reinforces the importance of PWHC’s mission to purchase and support the multiple homes for the large number of California residents with PWS who lack the kind of housing they need.”

Prader-Willi Homes of California (PWHC) is a nonprofit dedicated to creating state-of-the-art residential homes in the San Francisco Bay Area for people with Prader-Willi syndrome. More info: Praderwillihomes.org.

Calendar editors, please note:

What:          Elvis Sings Hunter-Garcia

                   A benefit for Prader-Willi Homes of California

When:         Friday, September 30 at 7 pm and 10 pm

Where:        The Great American Music Hall, 859 O’Farrell, San Francisco 94109              

Who:           Elvis Costello and an all-star band featuring Larry Campbell, Teresa Williams, Ruth Davies, Paul Revelli, and Austin de Lone.

Tickets:           $100 for General Admission

Available online at gamh.com/shows-elvis-costello-sings-hunter-garcia/

VIP packages available by emailing [email protected]

Info:            gamh.com/shows-elvis-costello-sings-hunter-garcia/

Bay Area music collective Wreckless Strangers brings California Americana Soul to top Bay Area fall festivals in September and October. With performances at Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival (Mill Valley, September 18), Hardly Strictly Bluegrass (San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, October 2) and Sound Summit (Mount Tamalpais, October 22), the band continues to expand its audience reaching more live music fans with old favorites and songs from their debut album When the Sun and a Blue Star Collide.

“The band has so much talent at their disposal, it's easy to forget you aren't listening to a private concert. The sound is impressive, and the depth and vibrancy of these songs is tops.,” said Hollywood Digest.

Wreckless Strangers’ fall dates include:

Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival

When:         Sunday, September 18; Wreckless Strangers play at 3 pm

Where:        Old Mill Park, 17 Cascade Ave. at Throckmorton Ave.,

                   Mill Valley, CA 94941

Tickets:      $15 in advance; $20 at the door

Info:            MVFAF.org

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass

When:         Sunday, October 2 (stage and set time TBA)

Where:        Golden Gate Park, San Francisco

Tickets:      Free and open to the public

Info:            HardlyStrictlyBluegrass.com

Sound Summit

When:         Saturday, October 22; Wreckless Strangers play at 11:30 am

Where:        The historic Mountain Theater

                   Ridgecrest Blvd in Mount Tamalpais State Park

Tickets:      $120/adults, $65/youth 12 and under; children 2 and under/free

Info:            SoundSummit.net

Wreckless Strangers is a collective of six seasoned Bay Area musicians known for their collaborative songwriting and high-energy live shows, performing an infectious blend of music they call "California Americana Soul." The band features Amber Morris (premier Bay Area vocalist and voice coach – members of Journey, Eric Martin Band) on vocals; David Noble (Poor Man's Whiskey, Pardon The Interruption) on lead guitar, vocals; Joshua Zucker (The Jones Gang, Rowan Brothers) on bass; Austin de Lone (Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, The Fabulous Thunderbirds) on keys, vocals; Mick Hellman (The Go To Hell Man Band) on drums and vocals; and Rob Anderson (repeat world champion cyclist) on guitar.

Produced by Grammy Award-winner Colin Linden (Bruce Cockburn, Alison Krauss / Robert Plant, Bob Dylan), When the Sun and a Blue Star Collide is now available on all music streaming platforms and available for purchase at upcoming shows, and more.  The first single, "Sun State," is making waves on AAA and Americana Radio and features blues legend Charlie Musselwhite on harmonica.

Fans can visit WrecklessStrangers.com for the latest updates and follow them on social media to catch “Wreckless Fans Fridays” featuring a new performance video every other week.

Album Credits:

Album Title: When the Sun and a Blue Star Collide

Produced by Colin Linden

Engineered by John Whynot

Assistant Engineer Sean Beresford

Recorded at Calliope West

Cover Art by Stanley Mouse

All songs arranged and performed by Wreckless Strangers with Colin Linden

Horns arranged and performed by Jim Hoke     

The 65th Annual Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival will take place amongst the redwoods in Mill Valley’s historic Old Mill Park.

WHEN: Saturday and Sunday, September 17 and 18, 2022. 10:00am to 5:00pm

WHERE: Old Mill Park

320 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley CA 94941

415-381-8090

WEBSITE: http://www.mvfaf.org

TICKETS: $20 GA, $15 Seniors, Free for Teachers, Students and Children under 12. Bicycle Rider Discounts. Free shuttle from various locations.

WHAT: Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and the longest-running West Coast juried art festival showcasing over 130 of the country’s top fine artists, plus an outstanding music lineup, delicious food, and a Children’s Grove with activities for kids of all ages.

WINNER: Pacific Sun’s “BEST ART FESTIVAL IN MARIN 2022!”

SPECIAL PRESENTATION: PLEIN AIR

FIRST TIME THIS YEAR: Festival attendees can watch art come to life right before their eyes. The Festival will feature “En Plein Air” the French-inspired art of painting landscapes outdoors as the light changes throughout the day. World-class painters will be creating live paintings in and of the beautiful redwood trees.

MUSIC LINEUP:

SATURDAY SEPT 17
Noon ....Lowell Levinger (‘Banana’ from the Youngbloods, Americana, solo Instrument & vocal)
1 pm......Crying Uncle Bluegrass Band ( 5-piece Acoustic )
2 pm .....Ladys Of Ace & the Wild Knights (4-piece Rock & Soul)
3 pm .....Joy Alive (Rock & Soul, 3-piece w/percussion)
4 pm ..... Richard Howell Jazz (Tenor Sax)

SUNDAY SEPT18
Noon ......The Millbillies Trio ( Localgrass 3-piece Acoustic )
1 pm ......Michelle Lambert (Pop/Folk w/California roots )
2 pm ......The 421s (4-piece Rock )
3 pm.......Wreckless Strangers (6-piece Rock )
4 pm ......Mitch Woods (Solo Piano & Vocals)

Bach’s Daughter Presents Eve, An Opera on October 28, 2022, at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco during the final weekend of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Eve, An Opera is a multi-genre opera featuring original music, vocals, and dance that explores women’s exploitation, liberation, and healing.

Created by Bolinas-based composer, Andrea Densmore and her two sons Antonio and Hobart Owen, the opera is based on a personal story of surviving an abusive relationship, and the transformative healing that followed in its wake. Spinning trauma into fine art, Densmore infuses the wretchedness and despair of domestic violence into dynamic instrumental compositions that also shine an invaluable light on survival and forgiveness. This story will be brought to life through a cast of over 60, including chamber musicians from San Francisco Opera and SF Ballet, New Century Chamber Orchestra, numerous major Bay Area symphonies,  members of the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir, with powerful soloists, as well as aerial, ballet and modern dancers from the greater Bay Area.

“This opera is a collection of work: my opus. It is also my story,” says Densmore. “To be able to create this art, after all that I’ve been through, is the most tangible proof of my actual healing. May it serve to heal those who have been shut down, oppressed, held back, interrupted, abused.”

The opera weaves a compelling tapestry of fine art, humor, and courageous truth-telling while shining a light of art and beauty on this enigmatic issue. Allowing others to safely examine their own experiences through a different lens helps to remove the stigma of shame and blame.

Eve, An Opera will be presented Friday, October 28 at The Palace of Fine Arts, 3301 Lyon Street in San Francisco. Doors open at 7:00pm; performance at 7:30pm. Tickets range from $25 - $300 and are available here: https://www.showclix.com/event/eve-an-opera

What:  Eve, An Opera

When: Friday, October 28, 2022, Doors open at 7:00pm; performance at 7:30pm.

Where: The Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco, 3301 Lyon Street
San Francisco, CA 94123

Who: Andrea Densmore, Creator/Composer

          Antonio Owen, Writer/Composer

Tickets: Online at https://www.showclix.com/event/eve-an-opera

Packages Include:

General Admission: Sliding scale; $50 suggested donation

First come, first serve seating

Producer: $150 (1 Premium Ticket)

Upper middle-level seat, center section

* $100 tax-deductible

Director: $200 (1 Premium Ticket)

Middle-level seat, center section

* $150 tax-deductible

Performer’s Circle: $500 (Includes 2 Premium Tickets)

Orchestra-level seats, center section

* $400 tax-deductible

Composer’s Circle: $1,200 (Includes 4 Premium Tickets)

Premium orchestra-level seats, center section

Includes a post-performance meet-and-greet with composers, musicians, and dancers

* $1,000 tax-deductible

Info: For more information, please visit: https://www.eveopera.com/

The Bay Area’s Wreckless Strangers are thrilled to welcome the new year and bring their unique blend of “California Americana Soul” to a variety of winter gigs across Northern California. The band continues to grow its fanbase through its high-powered live performances and with airplay of their 2022 debut album When the Sun and a Blue Star Collide, which recently made WMOT Radio’s list of “Most Played 100 Albums of 2022.”

"With a mixture of powerhouse vocals, clever lyrical imagery, and richly layered instrumentation, Wreckless Strangers show off their combined talents with every note." said The Boot. Fans (aka Wreckless Hearts) can visit WrecklessStrangers.com and follow the band on social media to catch all of the latest updates.

Wreckless Strangers’ winter shows include:

Wreckless Strangers at Rancho Nicasio

When:             Saturday, January 21; 8 pm

                         Dinner reservations from 6 pm - 8:30 pm; Music @ 8 pm

Where:            Rancho Nicasio, 1 Old Rancheria Road, Nicasio, CA 94946

Tix & info:        $15 in advance; $20 at the door (does not include dinner); Ranchonicasio.com

Notes:             Tucked away, among the rolling hills of West Marin, sits the quaint village of  Nicasio ("the hidden one") - a town that has been unspoiled by time.

Wreckless Strangers at Anderson Valley Brewing Co.

When:             Friday, February 3; 4 pm

Where:            Anderson Valley Brewing Co, 17700 Boonville Rd, Boonville, CA 95415

Tix & info:      Free and open to the public, all ages

Notes:             Renowned for a wide selection of seasonal and “permanent” beers, Anderson Valley Brewing Company is a great place to stop and enjoy a handcrafted microbrew at the taproom bar.

Wreckless Strangers at Moe’s Alley Blues Series

When:             Sunday, February 5; 4 pm

Where:            Moe’s Alley Blues Series, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz CA 95065

Tix & info:     $15 in advance; $20 at the door; moesalley.com

Notes:             Moe’s Alley is a 21+ live music venue with a full bar and outdoor patio, located in Santa Cruz, CA.

Wreckless Strangers at Almost Famous Wine Lounge

When:             Saturday, February 25; opening band 5:30 pm.; Wreckless Strangers 7:30 pm

Where:            Almost Famous Wine Lounge, 2271 S Vasco Rd, STE D, Livermore, CA 94550

Tix & info:      $5-$25; Eventbrite

Notes:             21+, Almost Famous Wine Lounge is an award-winning, new tasting room and venue located on Vasco Road in the heart of Livermore's wine, spirits, and brewery district.

Wreckless Strangers is a collective of six seasoned Bay Area musicians featuring Amber Morris (premier Bay Area vocalist and voice coach – members of Journey, Eric Martin Band) on vocals; David Noble (Poor Man's Whiskey, Pardon The Interruption) on lead guitar, vocals; Joshua Zucker (The Jones Gang, Rowan Brothers) on bass; Austin de Lone (Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, The Fabulous Thunderbirds) on keys, vocals; Mick Hellman (The Go To Hell Man Band) on drums and vocals; and Rob Anderson (repeat world champion cyclist) on guitar.

Produced by Grammy Award-winner Colin Linden (Bruce Cockburn, Alison Krauss / Robert Plant, Bob Dylan), When the Sun and a Blue Star Collide is now available on all music streaming platforms and at upcoming shows, and more.

Bay Philharmonic (formerly Fremont Symphony) is thrilled to present The Kings of Soul & Swing on March 4 and 5 in Union City. The evening will feature Hamilton: The Musical star Julius Thomas lll and Glenn Miller Band lead vocalist Mark Kopitzke as they join forces to showcase popular hits from Broadway’s Hamilton, Michael Bublé, Stevie Wonder, The Jackson 5, Tom Jones, and more. Thomas III and Kopitzke will also share inspiring stories, from growing up with hopeful dreams, to reaching the top of the musical world. These two iconic, one-of-a-kind voices will be accompanied by the world-class Bay Philharmonic and conducted by Jung-Ho Pak. Tickets ($35-$67) and full program information are available on the new Bay Philharmonic website, bayphil.org.  

Julius Thomas III is an NAACP Theatre award-nominated actor from Gary, IN. He starred as Alexander Hamilton in the smash hit musical, Hamilton, and as Berry Gordy in the mega box office hit, Motown: The Musical. His resume boasts four Broadway shows, six Broadway national tours, a host of regional theatre roles, and TV appearances on Modern Family, Sesame Street, and more. For the past nine years, Mark Kopitzke reverently evoked 1940s nostalgia with his honey-toned vocals and charismatic stage charm as a soloist and occasional frontman with the Glenn Miller Orchestra’s international contingent. Kopitzke experienced the worldwide love of this timeless music performing in over 200 shows throughout Australia, Thailand, New Zealand, the Philippines, and more.

Under the leadership of newly appointed Executive Director Barett Hoover and Artistic Director Jung-Ho Pak, the Bay Philharmonic begins a new era of arts and entertainment experiences for all audiences. Executive Director Hoover joined the organization in July of 2022. Before his work with the Bay Philharmonic, Hoover held a leadership position as General Manager with Chamber Music Hawaii, and with the Leeward Theatre and Hawaii Opera Theatre.

Hoover’s appointment coincided with the announcement that Jung-Ho Pak would take a larger leadership role as Artistic Director and Conductor to elevate the organization’s mission and impact in the community. Pak joined the organization in 2018 and helped navigate its artistic direction through the COVID-19 pandemic. Pak has also held the same title with the Cape Cod Symphony Orchestra in Massachusetts since 2007. With this new role, Pak will elevate Bay Philharmonic into an exciting new era.

“Our name reflects that we belong to the entire Bay Area and beyond. Our community gives us the energy to captivate millions to its shores to live, work and dream. Its beauty inspires us to create high-quality music and theatrical experiences. The word Philharmonic means the "love of harmony, " meaning we are a source of beautiful sounds and diverse co-existence. We invite you to see for yourself just how the Bay Philharmonic creates an experience built for you,” said Barett Hoover. “With much beauty and joy, our goal is to present the most imaginative and extraordinary shows. We believe that our audience is the primary reason we exist, and we want to exceed their expectations at every performance,” continued Jung-Ho Pak.

What:        Bay Philharmonic Presents The Kings of Soul & Swing

When:        Saturday, March 4, 7:30 pm

                   Sunday, March 5, 3:00 pm

Where:      James Logan High School Performing Arts Center, 1800 H Street, Union City, CA 94587

Tickets and info:        Please visit BayPhil.org

Who:          Julius Thomas lll, vocalist

                   Mark Kopitzke, vocalist

                   Jung-Ho Pak, Artistic Director/Conductor

                   Barett Hoover, Executive Director, Bay Philharmonic

About Bay Philharmonic:  

For the past 56 years, Bay Philharmonic has served the Bay Area as the Fremont Symphony. The Bay Philharmonic has a unique mission. With much beauty and joy, their goal is to present the most imaginative and unusually entertaining shows. They believe that their audience is the primary reason they exist and want to always exceed their expectations.

The word “Philharmonic” means the "love of harmony", which means they are a source of wonderful sounds and diverse co-existence.

Expect plenty of picking-and-grinning when music-loving friends and family join forces for the Hellman Spring Stomp at Sweetwater Music Hall on Sunday, March 19. The evening of American roots music will feature the Go To Hell Man Band - the children, grandchildren, friends and band mates of the late, great Warren Hellman, founder of the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival. The band was formed so that his family could carry forward their own expression of roots and Americana music, which Warren so loved and worked so hard to bring to larger audiences. There are now five separate Hellman combos, most of whom will be performing at this semi-annual Hellman Stomp. This promises to be a fine and fun evening of music and surprises, including special guests, The Quitters.

Opening band The Quitters trio consists of a right-side up finger picker (Stevie Coyle), an upside-down flat picker (Glenn “Houston” Pomianek), and an upright bassist (Chris Kee). They were the three original members of The Waybacks quintet.

Doors open at 5:30 pm; music starts at 6:30 pm. Tickets are $20 per person. Sweetwater Music Hall is located at 19 Corte Madera Avenue in Mill Valley.

WHAT:            Hellman Spring Stomp

                        An evening of excellent American Roots music and good times

WHERE:          Sweetwater Music Hall, 19 Corte Madera Avenue, Mill Valley

WHEN:            Sunday, March 19; Doors 5:30 pm; Show 6:30 pm

WHO:              The Go to Hell Man Band

                        With opening band The Quitters

TICKETS & INFO:      Tickets are $20. Tickets & info, SweetwaterMusicHall.com

Wreckless Strangers, Bay Area Americana troubadours noted for their prolific songwriting and energetic live shows, return to Marin County with a show at Peri’s in downtown Fairfax on Friday, April 7. Dating back to 1948, Peri’s is a fourth-generation family-owned establishment and one of Marin County’s most beloved live music venues. Tickets for the show are available online now.

Wreckless Strangers, fresh off a successful Southern California road trip, features Amber Morris (premier Bay Area vocalist and voice coach for members of Journey, Eric Martin Band) on vocals; David Noble (Pardon The Interruption, Poor Man's Whiskey) on lead guitar, vocals; Joshua Zucker (The Jones Gang, Rowan Brothers) on bass; Austin de Lone (Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, The Fabulous Thunderbirds) on keys, vocals; Mick Hellman (The Go To Hell Man Band) on drums and vocals; and Rob Anderson (repeat world champion cyclist) on guitar. Over the course of their six years together, the Wreckless Strangers have released two records and played countless gigs around the greater San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. Their latest album, When the Sun and a Blue Star Collide, was produced by GRAMMY-winning artist/producer/guitarist Colin Linden (Bob Dylan, Emmylou Harris, Keb' Mo’, Alison Krauss & Robert Plant).

Musically, the band maintains a touch of that freewheeling, rough-around-the-edges spirit. The six seasoned performers have a broad range of influences which combine to create an intoxicating sonic potion enhanced by lush, riveting harmonies and showcasing lead vocalists Amber Morris and David Noble. Longtime fans agree the Wreckless Strangers have evolved as a unit, expertly honing a sound that they have aptly dubbed “California Country Soul.” Fans can stream their music on a variety of music platforms.

WHAT:             Wreckless Strangers Live at Peri’s

WHEN:             Friday, April 7, 2023; 9 p.m.

WHERE:           Peri’s, 29 Broadway, Fairfax, CA 94930

TICKETS:         $10-$13, available online now

About the Wreckless Strangers

It began by happenstance — a Sunday jam session among strangers in an airy barn off the Old Redwood Highway in Northern California. The chemistry was undeniable as the musicians bonded over their shared love of dark, lowdown songs of heartbreak and despair. Six years, two records, countless shows, numerous plot twists, and one global pandemic later, the Wreckless Strangers have emerged as torchbearers writing a new chapter in the storied Bay Area rock and roll tradition.

While holding fast to their Americana roots, the Wreckless Strangers have expanded their scope, both musically and thematically, for their upcoming album When the Sun and a Blue Star Collide. The project is produced by Colin Linden, nine-time Juno Award-winning and Grammy-winning producer/artist and monster guitarist who has toured with Bob Dylan, Emmylou Harris, and the Band, recorded on countless albums, and served as a major contributor to the music of ABC’s Nashville.

All six Strangers contributed to the songwriting which explores a vast array of themes, painting a vibrant, relatable portrait of California Americana -- from the sun-kissed radiance of the coast to the cosmic secrets of the mountain; from a bursting springtime romance to the darkest corners of love and loss; from the cacophony of social media to the most intimate travails of the aspiring artist.  

The bond between the members, both personal and musical, has blossomed through the years now manifesting itself as a close-knit family, ironically called “Strangers.” Get to know the Wreckless Strangers and what each unique personality brings to this quintessential musical collective.

North Bay’s acclaimed singer-songwriter Susan Z brings her all-star band to the historic Ranch Nicasio on Friday, April 28 for Susan Z and the Winding Road: A Celebration of Sheryl Crow. The evening will pay homage to Sheryl Crow -- one of the most accomplished and gifted songwriters to emerge from the 1990s. The night’s setlist will stay faithful to the soulful rock icon’s huge body of work with catchy tunes and classic rock rhythms that are sure to stir memories of a dusty hometown, an endless summer, and the loss of innocence. Tickets are $20 (plus fee) and are available online now. Dinner reservations can also be made online.

Susan Z (Zelinsky) is a multi-talented singer-songwriter, actress, children's performer, and the founder of Wine, Women & Song, the annual benefit concert that has raised nearly $400,000 for the fight against breast cancer. She has headlined numerous San Francisco and Marin clubs and toured with the all-female festival She's Out There and ‘60s tribute band Casino Royale. Susan has performed and recorded with Eddie Money, Pablo Cruise, The Doobie Brothers, Eric Martin and more. During the pandemic, she spent countless hours writing songs and adding to her collection of original music. She has also enjoyed covering and performing songs by some of her favorite musical influences -- Sheryl Crow, Sarah McLaughlin, and Alanis Morrissette.

What: Susan Z and the Winding Road: A Celebration of Sheryl Crow

When: Friday, April 28 - Dinner reservations from 6 pm - 8:30 pm; Music @ 8 pm

Where: Rancho Nicasio, 1 Old Rancheria Road, Nicasio, CA 94946

Who: Bandmembers include:

Susan Z: lead vocals, acoustic guitar

Liz Pisco: backing vocals, percussion

Mike Anderson: bass guitar, backing vocals
Dave Sampson: guitar

Rob Hooper: drums, backing vocals

Jon Mitguard: pedal steel, guitar

Raliegh Neal: piano, organ

Rob Rangel: drums, percussion

Tix & info: $20 (does not include dinner); Ranchonicasio.com

Fresh off their debut performance at SF Jazz’s “Americana Roots Week,” ISMAY announces additional Bay Area and Northern California shows, a new single, and a video. Recently featured as one of a select group of artists from around the world participating in the Apple TV+ Show My Kind of Country, produced by Kacey Musgraves and Reese Witherspoon, ISMAY is enjoying newfound fame and an expanding fanbase.

“Stranger in the Barn,” the new single from ISMAY’s forthcoming album will be available on May 2 on all streaming platforms. The accompanying video will be released on May 16. The track is a collaboration with prolific folk/Americana multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer Andrew Marlin of Watchhouse (formerly Mandolin Orange) recorded at Echo Mountain Recording Studios in Asheville NC. ISMAY will share the stage with Misner & Smith in Davis on May 5 and Santa Rosa on May 6, and with Sunny War in San Francisco on May 26, in support of the new single. See further show details below.

There’s music you hear and there’s music you see, the best kind achieves both. ISMAY creates intimate folk/Americana songs that transport you straight to the land where they were written - deeply rooted in the heart of Sonoma Mountain. Melding the experience of taming wild horses, escaping wildfires, and birthing lambs with warm guitars and delicately graceful vocals, it is an original soundscape that is a delight to the ears as well as the imagination.

Driven by singer/songwriter Avery Hellman (they/them or she/her), ISMAY released their debut full-length album Songs Of Sonoma Mountain in 2020, to widespread acclaim. It was named one of the 10 Best Albums in the Bay Area by KQED Arts and garnered features in American Songwriter, No Depression, Sonoma Magazine, and more. Blending field recordings and intricate melodies with live, guitar-based inventive composition, it is a proper introduction to the old-world charm of ISMAY.

Hellman’s musical talent is no surprise, growing up backstage at their grandfather Warren Hellman’s Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival, where they were inspired early on by artists such as Emmylou Harris, Gillian Welch, and Hazel Dickens. Since then, ISMAY has appeared throughout the West Coast at music festivals such as Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, Strawberry Music Festival, The National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, The Lantern Tour, and at renowned venues such as the Great American Music Hall, Slim’s, the Golden State Theater, and the Mystic Theater. They have opened for acclaimed artists including Steve Earle, Watchhouse (fka Mandolin Orange), Justin Townes Earle, Robert Earl Keen, John Doe, and Chuck Prophet.

What:          ISMAY / Misner & Smith @ The Melon Ball

Where:        Watermelon Music, 1970 Lake Blvd, Suite 1, Davis, 95616

When:         Friday, May 5; Doors 7:30 p.m.; Music 8 p.m.

Who:           ISMAY

                   Misner & Smith

Tix & info:        $20; watermelonmusic.com,  (530) 758 4010

What:         ISMAY / Misner & Smith @ The Lost Church

When:         Saturday, May 6; Doors 7:30 p.m.; Music 8:15-10:30 p.m.

Where:        The Lost Church, 427 Mendocino Ave, Santa Rosa, CA 95401

Who:           Misner & Smith

                   ISMAY

Tix & info:   $20; thelostchurch.com

What:          Sunny War / ISMAY / Elizabeth Lubin @ Bottom of the Hill

When:         Friday, May 26; Doors 8 p.m.; Music 8:30 p.m.

Where:        Bottom of the Hill, 1233 17th Street (17th @ Missouri), San Francisco, CA 94107

Who:           Sunny War

                   ISMAY

                   Elizabeth Lubin

Tix & info:   $15; bottomofthehill.com, 415-626-4455, [email protected]

About “Stranger in the Barn”

“Stranger in the Barn” is based on Avery's real experience at their family's ranch. The story is about taking down our walls and offering curiosity rather than meeting the unknown with contempt and anger. Ismay collaborated with prolific Folk/Americana multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer Andrew Marlin of Watchhouse (formerly Mandolin Orange) at Echo Mountain Recording Studios in Asheville NC. The song features Jamie Dick on drums (Allison Russell, Rhiannon Giddens), Clint Mullican on bass (Watchhouse/Mandolin Orange), and Andrew Allen-Fahlander (T Sisters) on guitar. and was engineered by Grammy award-winning Julian Dreyer (Steep Canyon Rangers, Rising Appalachia).

Highlights:

●              "It is so exciting to see ISMAY perform...ISMAY has an incredible future." - Orville Peck

●              ISMAY is featured in Reese Witherspoon and Kacey Musgraves' My County of Country on AppleTV+

●              "Every song weaved around the sights, sounds, and feel of the surrounding land and guided gently by ISMAY’s meticulous

guitar and delicately captivating vocals." -American Songwriter

●              Debut album Songs Of Sonoma Mountain was named one of the 10 best Albums in the Bay Area in 2020 and garnered

features in American Songwriter, No Depression, Sonoma Magazine, and more.

●              Working on their sophomore album with esteemed Folk/Americana multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer

Andrew Marlin of Watchouse.

●              Opened for acclaimed artists including Steve Earle, Watchhouse, Justin Townes Earle, Robert Earl Keen, John Doe, and

Chuck Prophet.

•           Performed at music festivals such as Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, Strawberry Music Festival, The National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, and The Lantern Tour, and at renowned venues such as the Great American Music Hall, Slim’s, the Golden State Theater, and the Mystic Theater.

After a successful Southern California road trip and tour, the San Francisco Bay Area’s Wreckless Strangers are excited to hit the road again and bring some “California Americana Soul“ to the Pacific Northwest. The band continues to grow its fanbase through its high-powered live performances and airplay of their 2022 debut album When the Sun and a Blue Star Collide, which landed Twangville’s “Readers’ Pick: Best Album of 2022” spot. "When the Sun and Blue Star Collide is one of the best debut collections to come out and years and certainly one of 2022s best," said Mo Bangles.com. The band is set to play Talent Club in Talent OR on April 26; Volcanic Theatre Pub in Bend, OR on April 27; and Emerald of Siam in Richland, WA on April 28. Further details are below. Fans (aka Wreckless Hearts) can visit WrecklessStrangers.com and follow the band on social media to catch all of the latest updates.

Wreckless Strangers is a collective of six seasoned Bay Area musicians featuring Amber Morris (premier Bay Area vocalist and voice coach for members of Journey, Eric Martin Band) on vocals; David Noble (Poor Man's Whiskey, Pardon The Interruption) on lead guitar, vocals; Austin de Lone (Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, The Fabulous Thunderbirds) on keys, vocals; Joshua Zucker (The Jones Gang, Rowan Brothers) on bass; Mick Hellman (The Go To Hell Man Band) on drums and vocals; and Rob Anderson (repeat world champion cyclist) on guitar.

Produced by Grammy Award-winner Colin Linden (Bruce Cockburn, Alison Krauss / Robert Plant, Bob Dylan), When the Sun and a Blue Star Collide is now available on all music streaming platforms and at upcoming shows, and more.

Details for Wreckless Strangers’ Pacific Northwest tour include:

Wreckless Strangers at Talent Club on April 26th

When: Wednesday, April 26; show at 8 pm

Where: Talent Club, 114 Talent Ave., Talent, OR 97540

Tix & info: $20, Talent Club, Phone: (541) 535-2721

Notes: 21+; The Talent Club originally opened in 1905. It has been a landmark and favored watering hole in the town of Talent, Oregon for over 100 years.

Wreckless Strangers at Volcanic Theatre Pub

When: Thursday, April 27; doors 8 pm; show 9 pm; w/ Eric Leadbetter Band

Where: Volcanic Theatre Pub, 70 SW Century Drive STE 100, Bend, OR 97702

Tix & info: $15 advance; $20 at door, VolcanicTheatre.com, Phone: (541) 323-1881

Notes: Volcanic Theatre Pub is committed to enhancing Central Oregon's cultural environment by providing a unique artistic venue and making an essential contribution to the High Desert community. All of this in one cozy intimate black box warehouse furnished with comfortable sofas, recliners, four-tops, and bar tops, and equipped with state-of-the-art projection and sound while serving many of the best local and regional beers and wine. Providing some of the best live music, live theatre, and special events in Bend, Oregon.

Wreckless Strangers at Emerald of Siam

When: Friday, April 28; doors 8:30 p.m.; show 9 p.m.

Where: Emerald of Siam, 1314 Jadwin Avenue, Richland, WA 99354

Tix & info: $10 - $150 (includes VIP table and 10 tickets), Eventbrite, Phone: (509) 946-9328

Notes: Authentic Thai and Live Music Since 1983. The full menu is available until

9:30 p.m. on Friday nights. Late-night menu available after 9 pm. All ages until 11 p.m.

Roaring out of the fog-shrouded hills of Sonoma and drowning out the chatter, prog-pop troubadours PARDON THE INTERRUPTION (aka PTI) are taking their place and asserting their voice in the storied musical conversation of the San Francisco Bay Area. Available worldwide April 14, 2023, PTI’s sophomore release HOT N’ FRESH finds the band in full stride with nine original tracks mining every corner of the indie-pop-funk spectrum, always with a self-effacing smile and a nod to the progressive rock of the ’80s and ’90s that is the quartet’s uniting influence.

With a powerful energy and a unique sound, PARDON THE INTERRUPTION is a 4-piece fusion outfit that creates original music pulling from genres including rock, roots, funk, soul, ska, reggae, and more. One foot is planted firmly in the past, paying homage to some of the most singular and iconic artists of the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s. The other is stepping boldly forward, producing original material that is at once nostalgically familiar while also entirely modern and unique. But the nuanced complexity of their music never overshadows the raw energy and pure joy that characterize PTI’s live performances, perpetually keeping audiences glued to the dance floor and ready for more. It’s undeniably fun. It will make you dance. It’s like a perfect pepperoni pizza. It’s HOT N’ FRESH!

Band leader, lead singer, and guitarist David Noble has assembled three of the finest, most versatile session musicians in Northern California, and as PARDON THE INTERRUPTION they have fostered a cohesion that transcends music. PTI’s love for each other and for their craft is visceral. You can feel it. Engineer/co-producer Sean Beresford captured that same energy in the sessions that laid the foundation for the HOT N’ FRESH album, recorded live with minimal overdubs at Calliope West in San Rafael, CA.

David Noble is a San Francisco native who has made stops in Denver and L.A. and is himself among the top echelon of Bay Area guitar-slingers when not fronting PTI with groups like Wreckless Strangers and Poor Man’s Whiskey. As a child of the ‘80s, Noble’s writing successfully synthesizes his love for pop legends like David Bowie, Talking Heads, and The Police with groundbreaking Bay Area art rock/ska artists like Mr. Bungle and Fishbone — deeply personal and deceptively intricate songs sugar-coated with accessible and catchy hooks.

Bassist Rob Fordyce (Peer Pressure, The Ring, Big Brother and the Holding Company) is a force of nature. Yes, he brings the funk, but that descriptor is far too narrow. Fordyce’s propulsive groove and unstoppable enthusiasm are the engine of PTI, the heart and the soul that power the machine, and his explosive chops rival the best the Bay Area has to offer.

Drummer Rob Hooper (aka The Other Rob) may be the most in-demand Americana drummer in Northern California, bringing his gravitas, experience, and rock-solid beats that were honed and hard-earned over decades in Austin, TX, where he worked with Jimmy Dale Gilmore, The Resentments, Carolyn Wonderland, and countless others.

Jamison Smeltz (D8FeX, mRthKon, Ten Ton Chicken) is George’s brother. (Just kidding!) He’s the wild card — the joker — playing an eclectic array of instruments with jaw-dropping proficiency. Smeltz melds the art-pop sensibilities of Bowie and Prince with his shameless love for progressive rock icons like Yes who first inspired him to take up…the saxophone? Yup, that’s Jamison!

With each show PARDON THE INTERRUPTION is demanding the attention of fans of funk, pop, ska, jam, prog, and just plain rock n’ roll. Their new album captures a band at the peak of their skills and creativity, poised to break into major venues and festivals nationwide. Best to catch them while they’re HOT N’ FRESH!

To hear the new HOT N’ FRESH single “Cindy Will Prevail” please visit: https://lnk.to/CindyWillPrevail

The Wreckless Strangers have been busy on the road this spring playing to new fans in the Pacific Northwest and Southern California. The band is excited to return home to the Bay Area, hit some Sierra mountain towns, and expand their tour further across the country to the East Coast over the next few months. From historic watering holes and outdoor festivals to free community celebrations and beer gardens to Zen barns, there are a variety of places to catch the Wreckless Strangers and their brand of “California Americana Soul” over the coming months.

Wreckless Strangers will be performing some fan favorites as well as new songs off their forthcoming album set to be released in the fall. The new album, produced by Dave Way, features the soulful ballads, barn-burning blues, and downright dirty rock ’n’ roll that characterize the live set while also delving into new emotional and stylistic terrain.

Fans can visit WrecklessStrangers.com and follow the band on social media to catch all of the latest updates.

Details for Wreckless Strangers’ Spring/Summer tour include:

What:                          Wreckless Strangers at Lucca Bar & Grill

When:                        Saturday, May 13; 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Where:                       Lucca Bar & Grill, 439 First Street, Benicia, CA 94510

Tix & Info:                 Free, Luccabar.com, (707) 745-3749

Notes:                        Free, outdoor show in Benicia's one & only beer garden, featuring live music, a full bar, 20 beers on draft, and great food.

What:                          Wreckless Strangers Kickoff the Cloverdale Friday Night Live

When:                        Friday, May 26; 7 to 9:30 p.m.

Where:                       Cloverdale Downtown Plaza, 112 Broad Street, Cloverdale, CA 95425

Tix & Info:                 Free, Cloverdaleartsalliance.org

Notes:                        Experience the best of small-town America and free family-friendly concerts Cloverdale’s Friday Night Live at the Plaza.

What:                          Wreckless Strangers Play Union Street Festival

When:                        Sunday, June 4; 3:30 – 6 p.m.

Where:                       The intersection of Union Street and Webster Street, San Francisco, CA 94109

Tix & Info:                 Free, UnionStreetFestival.com

Notes:                       Featuring artisan food and drinks from local vendors, top local musicians, kid attractions, and high-end local craft vendors.

What:                          Wreckless Strangers Kickoff the Corte Madera Summer Concert Series

When:                        Sunday, June 11; 5 to 6:30 p.m.

Where:                       Piccolo Pavilion, Menke Park, @ Redwood Ave. and Corte Madera Ave.,

                                     Corte Madera, CA 94925

Tix & Info:                 Free, CorteMaderaCommunityFoundation.org

Notes:                        The Corte Madera Community Foundation continues its long-standing tradition of sponsoring music for the community this summer.

What:                          Wreckless Strangers Play Woollystar Festival

When:                        Friday, June 16; 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Where:                       Woollystar Ranch, 1287 Carson River Road, Markleeville, CA 96120

Tix & Info:                 $50-$200, Woollystar.com

Notes:                        Woollystar is an intimate weekend of live music, film, camping held at Woollystar Ranch in California's smallest County.

What:                          Wreckless Strangers Play Iron Door in Groveland

When:                         Saturday, June 17, 9 p.m.

Where:                       Iron Door, 18761 State Hwy 120, Groveland, CA 95321

Tix & Info                  $10, IronDoorSaloon.com, (209) 962-8904

What:                          Wreckless Strangers Play Summer Jam at Mammoth

When:                         Friday, June 23; time TBD,

Where:                       The Village, 6201 Minaret Rd, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546

Tix & Info:                 Price TBD, VillageatMammoth.com, (760) 934-1982

Notes:                        The two-day Mammoth Summer Jam is fun for the whole family.

What:                          Wreckless Strangers Play Healdsburg’s Tuesdays in the Plaza

When:                        Tuesday, July 11, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Where:                       At Center St and Matheson St., Healdsburg, CA, 95448

Tix & Info:                 Free, ci.healdsburg.ca.us

Notes:                        Weekly summer concerts in the Healdsburg Plaza provides an eclectic and unique line-up of bands.

                                    Food vendors will be on-hand to offer locally sourced food for sale starting at 5 pm, with the music beginning at 6 p.m.

What:                          Wreckless Strangers Play the 50th Gravenstein Apple Fair

When:                         Sunday, Aug. 13, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Where:                       500 Ragle Road, Sebastopol, CA 95472         

Tix & Info:                 $10-$23, gravensteinapplefair.com, (707) 837-8896

Notes:                        Enjoy live music on two stages, all things Gravenstein in our new “Apple Alley”, fabulous local food, art & crafts vendors, activities for kids, farm animals, and demonstrations, craft ciders, microbrews, premium wines, and VIP Lounge.

What:                    Wreckless Strangers play the San Geronimo community foundation concert

When:                   Sunday, Aug. 20, 5pm - 8pm

Where:                  @ Giaco's Road House, 625 San Geronimo Valley Drive San Geronimo, CA 94963

Tix & Info:            $25, info TBD

What:                   Wreckless Strangers play New Park Brewery

When:                   Wednesday, Aug. 30, 7 pm

Where:                  New Park Brewery, 485 New Park Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06110

Tix & Info:            Price TBD, newparkbrewing.com, [email protected]

Notes:                   New Park Brewing is a small-batch craft brewery located in West Hartford, CT with great live music and tasty beers.

What:                    Wreckless Strangers play CHIRPS (Concert Happenings in Ridgefield's Parks)

When:                   Thursday, Aug. 31, time TBD,

Where:                  Ballard Park, 485 Main Street @Gilbert St., Ridgefield, CT

Tix & Info:            Free, chirpct.org

Notes:                  CHIRP will present free outdoor family concerts open to the public in Ridgefield’s Ballard Park every Tues. and Thurs. from Tues. June 6 through August 31, 2023

What:                    Wreckless Strangers play the Zen Barn

When:                   Friday, Sept.1, time TBD,

Where:                  Zen Barn, 179 Guptil Road, Waterbury Center, VT 05677

Tix & Info:            Price TBD,, zenbarnvt.com

Notes:                   The Zen Barn hosts live music featuring a diverse array of local and touring artists and entertainers

About Wreckless Strangers

Wreckless Strangers is a collective of six seasoned Bay Area musicians featuring Amber Morris (premier Bay Area vocalist and voice coach for members of Journey, Eric Martin Band) on vocals; David Noble (Poor Man's Whiskey, Pardon The Interruption) on lead guitar, vocals; Austin de Lone (Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, The Fabulous Thunderbirds) on keys, vocals; Joshua Zucker (The Jones Gang, Rowan Brothers) on bass; Mick Hellman (The Go To Hell Man Band) on drums and vocals; and Rob Anderson (repeat world champion cyclist) on guitar.

Produced by Grammy Award-winner Colin Linden (Bruce Cockburn, Alison Krauss / Robert Plant, Bob Dylan), When the Sun and a Blue Star Collide is now available on all music streaming platforms and at upcoming shows, and more. 

The Junction in Mill Valley is pleased to present Los Angeles-based instrumental supergroup Circles Around the Sun who is set to play the venue’s first outdoor concert of the summer on Wednesday, June 28. The band was initially formed with the purpose of creating music for “Fare Thee Well,” a series of reunion concerts played by the surviving members of the Grateful Dead. The response was so positive that they continued with follow-up projects even after undergoing a fundamental transition in 2019 with the death of lead guitarist Neal Casal. Tickets are $30 and are available online now.

Live Music at The Junction takes place on their outdoor stage set against the backdrop of Mt. Tam.  With a venue capacity of 500 for live music shows, ticket holders can arrive early and eat dinner or grab a tasty beverage before the show starts.  With two firepits and 20 permanent patio heaters, the venue is comfortable no matter the weather. A free shuttle service is provided from the nearby Manzanita Park N Ride at Highway 101 at the Mill Valley exit..

What:               Circles Around the Sun Plays The Junction

When:              Wednesday, June 28; Doors: 5 p.m.; Show: 7 – 10 p.m.    

Where:              The Junction, 226 Shoreline Highway, Mill Valley, CA, 94941

Tix & info:        $30; Info: TheJunc.com; Tickets: SimpleTix.com

Who:                CIRCLES AROUND THE SUN:

Los Angeles-based supergroup Circles Around the Sun is a contemporary instrumental rock band, initially formed with the purpose of creating music for “Fare Thee Well”, a series of reunion concerts played by the surviving members of the Grateful Dead. Those shows celebrated the band’s 50th anniversary and served as their official send-off, while Circles Around the Sun was designed to reflect the Dead's overall spacy and groove-laden feel. After the tour, the group released a self-titled album from the Fare Thee Well gigs, supporting the record with their own road trip. The response was so positive that they continued on with a follow-up project, Let It Wander, in 2018. This record was less influenced by the Dead and more free-form, delivering on the roots influence of jazz-funk, soul, and fusion. The band underwent a fundamental transition in 2019. After completing the Meets Joe Russo EP and a third album, their guitarist Neal Casal committed suicide on August 26, 2019. He left his bandmates a note asking for them to continue in his absence– to continue recording, touring, and playing together. The band decided to carry on with a rotating cast of guitarists, landing on John Lee Shannon as the permanent replacement.

In this metamorphosis, Circles Around the Sun spans both heartbreak and hope. Doors close; windows open; new directions extend themselves in mysterious ways. But sometimes you know it’s real from the first beat. It just clicks. It’s just how Neal would want it. It’s Circles Around The Sun.

ABOUT THE JUNCTION: Located in Tam Junction, our taproom was born out of a serious love for beer and a dream of a chill place to hang out after playing in the mountains. We have 30 rotating taps so you will find new & interesting brews every day - mostly from local breweries. we also have a solid lineup of wine, cider, and booch on draft. The Junction is kid-friendly, dog-friendly, and bike-friendly!

*PLEASE NOTE: Beer, wine, soft drinks & pizza will be available throughout the show. No outside food, drinks or dogs allowed. Outdoor, all-ages show. Tickets are general admission seating, first come first served, and non-refundable.

Sound Summit, the intimate annual music festival staged high above San Francisco Bay returns to the slopes of Mount Tam on Saturday, September 9. This year’s soundtrack to the most stirring backdrop around features performances from cosmic folk-rock storytellers Lord Huron; spellbinding Americana songstress Sierra Ferrell; captivating modern-day troubadour Kevin Morby; a special reunion of acclaimed Bay Area music collective Brokedown in Bakersfield (Nicki Bluhm, Tim Bluhm, Dan Lebowitz, Steve Adams, Scott Law, Dave Brogan); and Marin County’s own beloved funkmasters Vinyl.

High-spirited KNBR radio personalities Murph & Mac (aka Brian Murphy and Paul McCaffrey) return as the day’s dynamic Masters of Ceremonies along with KPFA’s “Dead to the World” radio host Tim Lynch. Andy Cabic of Vetiver fame will keep the groove going all day long, spinning records between sets.

Sound Summit is as much a community spirit as it is a community event. The San Francisco Chronicle has called the festival “a day of restorative celebration.” Produced as an annual celebration of and fundraiser for Mount Tamalpais State Park by Roots & Branches Conservancy, Sound Summit is staged at the historic Mountain Theater, a 4,000-seat natural stone amphitheater with stunning views of San Francisco, the Bay, and the Pacific beyond. There is no venue like it anywhere in the Bay Area. Fueled by past musical acts such as Wilco, Bob Weir & Phil Lesh, Herbie Hancock, Tedeschi Trucks Band, The War On Drugs, Grace Potter, Lukas Nelson and the Promise of the Real, Father John Misty, Jim James, Los Lobos, Dr. John & The Night Trippers, and many more, Sound Summit has provided $250,000 to Mount Tam to date. And it just recently funded the restoration of the Steep Ravine Trail, the mountain’s most popular, which had been closed to the public for over six months.

Tickets go on sale Friday, June 2 at 10:00 am (PDT) and are $120 for adults and $60 for youth 12 and under; children 2 and under are admitted free. To purchase tickets and for more information on the event, parking and shuttles, visit SoundSummit.net.  Gates open at 10:00 am; music from 11:00 am – 7:00 pm.

About Roots & Branches Conservancy

Roots & Branches Conservancy is a San Francisco Bay Area-based non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of natural resources, both physical and cultural. The broad arc of our mission ranges from regional environmental and educational work to the preservation and evolution of artistic and cultural traditions – musical, visual, narrative, and beyond. Wherever possible, we aim to create intersections between the environment, education, and the arts to their mutual benefit.

Towards those ends, our interests lie in producing resonant community experiences in our events, providing educational components in our programming, and making meaningful contributions to worthy beneficiaries.

Roots & Branches Conservancy was born in the context of drastic cuts in the California State Parks budget and our belief in the power of art and community to gather force for a good cause.

WHAT:

Sound Summit

WHEN:

Saturday, September 9, 2023

Gates open at 10:00 am; Music from 11:00 am – 7:00 pm

WHERE:

The historic Mountain Theater, East Ridgecrest Blvd in Mount Tamalpais State Park

TICKETS & INFO:

Tickets go on sale Friday, June 2 at 10:00 am

$120 for adults, $60 for youth 12 and under; children 2 and under are admitted free. To purchase tickets and for more information and transportation tips, including shuttle, hiking biking, and driving, and an updated concert schedule, please visit SoundSummit.net.

WHO:

Lord Huron

Evoking wide-open vistas and the spirit of travel, American indie outfit Lord Huron emerged in the early 2010s on the heels of the indie folk boom, bringing together an expansive and dynamic blend of folk, rock, pop, and threads of Americana. Led by Michigan native Ben Schneider, the Los Angeles-based Lord Huron -- who take their name from one of the five Great Lakes -- found mainstream success in 2014 with the release of their lush, Western-inspired second album, Strange Trails, whose closing track, "The Night We Met," reached an even larger audience in 2017 thanks to a key placement in the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why. They returned in 2021 with the streaming concert series Alive from Whispering Pines and their fourth full-length album, Long Lost.

Sierra Ferrell

Sierra Ferrell is honored to be nominated for the 2023 Artist of the Year by the Americana Music Association. With her spellbinding voice and time-bending sensibilities, Ferrell makes music that’s as fantastically vagabond as the artist herself. Growing up in small-town West Virginia, the singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist left home in her early 20s to journey across the country with a troupe of nomadic musicians, playing everywhere from truck stops to alleyways to freight-train boxcars speeding down the railroad tracks. After years of living in her van and busking on the streets of New Orleans and Seattle, she moved to Nashville and soon landed a deal with Rounder Records on the strength of her magnetic live show. Now, on her highly anticipated label debut Long Time Coming, Ferrell shares a dozen songs beautifully unbound by genre or era, instantly transporting her audience to an infinitely more enchanted world.

Kevin Morby

Kevin Morby is a Kansas City-based singer/songwriter. With his seven acclaimed solo albums and myriad records of various collaborations, Morby has become a true musical auteur. His singular vision, evocative lyrics, and aptitude for catchy, dense songwriting have placed him firmly among the ranks of modern icons. Each Morby record possesses its own unique persona and explores intriguing themes and fertile terrain through shifting, focused textures, and dexterous, dedicated skill. This Is A Photograph, Morby’s latest album, finds him making an Americana paean, a visceral life and death, blood on the canvas outpouring. The creatively invigorated songwriter has managed to align his finest songs, best vocal performances, most incisive lyrics, and most lush arrangements to date.

Brokedown in Bakersfield

Back together for the first time in nine years, Brokedown in Bakersfield is a collective of acclaimed artists joining forces in a spirited tribute to the Bakersfield sound: California country music made raw and rocking, spiked with twang and sweetened with heartfelt harmonies. First appearing to hundreds of music fans on a sunny Saturday morning at the 2011 High Sierra Music Festival, the group features Lebo of ALO on pedal steel, Scott Law on Telecaster, singer Nicki Bluhm of Gramblers fame, Tim Bluhm of The Mother Hips on vocals and acoustic guitar, along with rhythm section – Steve Adams of ALO on bass and Dave Brogan, former ALO drummer. Drawing from the powerful songbooks of Merle Haggard, Buck Owens, Gram Parsons, and more, Brokedown in Bakersfield showcases the striking songwriting and instrumentation of guitar-slinging country sounds that added oil to the Dust Bowl life of ‘60s- era Southern California – on the road, in the truck, out the back, and at the honky tonk.

Vinyl

Born in a garage in Mill Valley, California in 1995, Vinyl has become synonymous with Marin County music, Sweetwater, and good times. Their notoriously high-energy shows and seamless instrumental mix of salsa, Afrobeat, reggae, and funk have kept their crowds dancing for nearly 30 years. The band toured nationally and internationally for over two decades and played late-night/early-morning shows post-Jazz Fest in New Orleans for 15 years in a row. Vinyl has been joined on stage by a wide range of stars including Bob Weir & Phil Lesh of The Grateful Dead, Huey Lewis, Joan Baez, Les Claypool (Primus), Bernie Worrell (P-Funk), legendary Jamaican guitarist Ernest Ranglin, Poncho Sanchez, Sugar Pie DeSanto, Jerry Harrison (Talking Heads), and a long list of others.

DJ Andy Cabic is a long-time resident of the Bay Area who has filled rooms big and small with sound, both as a DJ and as the singer-songwriter of his group, Vetiver.   

KNBR morning show hosts Murph & Mac (aka Brian Murphy and Paul McCaffrey) will return as the day’s dynamic masters of ceremonies along with KPFA’s “Dead to the World” radio host Tim Lynch.

Paper Moon Presents is thrilled to welcome the return of popular “jam-pop” band ALO (Animal Liberation Orchestra) to the beautiful and intimate Cal Shakes/Bruns Amphitheater for a two-day festival on Saturday, August 5 (5 p.m.), and Sunday, August 6 (1 p.m.) set amongst the scenic redwoods and eucalyptus in the East Bay hills just outside Berkeley and Oakland. Concertgoers will enjoy two full sets of ALO, plus the debut of Dead & Company drummer Jay Lane & The Mayhem (*Sunday only), pop-up performers throughout the festival grounds, craft vendors, and more.

ALO call their music “jam-pop,” and the description is apt – meticulously-crafted and accessibly-hooky compositions laced with improvisational departures, in which the band melds into a single organism in voice and consciousness. They’re always exploring, but never wandering. There is always intention and momentum, with patience and confidence that can only be wrought from a quarter century of collaboration and water under the bridge. The inaugural performance of Jay Lane & The Mayhem features legendary drummer Jay Lane fresh off the Dead & Company U.S. tour. Lane has been playing drums professionally for over 40 years. His longest run was with The Grateful Dead founding member Bob Weir’s American rock band RatDog, but he has also worked with Primus, Further, Charlie Hunter Trio, Alphabet Soup, and many more timeless talents. Lane's versatility as a musician has put him in the mix with every genre from funk to ska, to rock-and-roll and has extended his roots deep into the music industry.

“These live music shows at the Bruns are truly something special. It is the quintessential Northern California spot,” said Matt Lawsky of Paper Moon Presents. “Set amongst the redwoods and eucalyptus, there is no backdrop more magical and spectacular for an outdoor concert than this,” added Luna Oxenberg of Paper Moon Presents.

Doors open at 5 p.m. for the 7 p.m. show on Saturday, August 5. Doors open at 1 p.m. for the matinee 3 p.m. show on Sunday, August 6. Tickets range from $45 (General Admission) to $75 (Limited Reserved Terrace) and are available now on etix.com. For further information, line-up announcements, event details, parking, and more, please visit Papermoonpresents.live.

WHAT:

ALO (Animal Liberation Orchestra) @ The Bruns Amphitheater

A two-day music festival set amongst the stunning redwoods and eucalyptus in the East Bay hills. Featuring “jam-pop” band ALO, legendary drummer Jay Lane & The Mayhem (*Sunday only) plus more acts to be announced soon.

WHEN:

Saturday, August 5, 2023: Doors at 5 p.m.; Show at 7 p.m.

Sunday, August 6, 2023: Doors at 1 p.m.; Show at 3 p.m.

WHERE:

Bruns Amphitheater (Home of Cal Shakes)

100 California Shakespeare Theater Way, Orinda, CA

*Mere minutes from Oakland and Berkeley, the 750-capacity venue modeled after The Globe feels like a world away.

WHO:

ALO, Jay Lane & The Mayhem, and more to be announced.

TICKETS & INFO:

Tickets range from $45 (General Admission) to $75 (Limited Reserved Terrace) and are available now on etix.com. For further information, line-up announcements, parking, and more, please visit Papermoonpresents.live.

Prepare to embark on a soul-stirring expedition through the realms of emotion and musical innovation as Highway Wolf, led by Mick Hellman, unveils their debut single, "Silver Springs." Highway Wolf takes listeners on a transformational journey, relatable to anyone who has been challenged by ‘The Call’ and all that comes with answering the beckoning.

Highway Wolf's debut album, Purdie's Dream, takes listeners on an extraordinary voyage through the eyes of Mick Hellman’s beloved dog, Purdie, who embodies “the Highway Wolf.” Filled with covers that encapsulate Mick's formative years, recorded at the Laughing Tiger Studio in San Rafael, CA, the album was produced by Tal and Amber Morris, with Mick as the executive producer. Purdie's Dream features Hellman's cherished friends and family, boasting the talents of Gabriella de la Cruz, Austin de Lone, Kevin Hayes, Laurel Hellman, Barbara Higbie, Ryann Morris, Dave Zirbel, and Joshua Zucker.

Each track on Purdie’s Dream was carefully selected and ordered within the record to tell the mythical journey of “the Highway Wolf.” "Silver Springs," the iconic Stevie Nicks song, stands as a testament to the Highway Wolf's introspective yearning for what might have been after navigating the ups and downs of their adventures of life. Through the howling and longing of the Highway Wolf, listeners come to understand these stories through another lens.

"Silver Springs" is just a taste of the musical odyssey that awaits fans within Purdie's Dream. Fans can learn more about the project by visiting https://www.highwaywolfmusic.com/. Listen to "Silver Springs" Here: https://highwaywolfmusic.bandcamp.com/

Bay Philharmonic (formerly Fremont Symphony) is proud to announce its ‘23/’24 season, which opens with Bay Phil Presents Broadway’s Best, on Sunday, October 1 at their new premier venue, Chabot College Performing Arts Complex in Hayward, CA. Bay Phil Presents Broadway’s Best will feature a 50-piece philharmonic orchestra with all-star performers from Broadway including Lissa deGuzman (King Kong, Aladdin, Wicked), Jason Gotay (Evita, Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark), and Julius Thomas III (leading star of Hamilton).

Bay Philharmonic has taken on a new direction with renowned and esteemed Artistic Director and Conductor Jung-Ho Pak. Described by The New York Times as a conductor who "radiates enthusiasm" and the LA Times as "a real grabber," Jung-Ho Pak is known for his unique approach and vision for symphonic music. Pak brings more than 35 years of experience conducting acclaimed professional and conservatory orchestras around the world. As with every show and especially with Bay Phil Presents Broadway’s Best, Pak will infuse his own style of creativity, knowledge, connections, passion, and enthusiastic conversational personality. Pak will keep the audience entertained with his original style and lively interactions with the performers as they enlighten the crowd on what it means to be a Broadway star, and other “behind the scenes” tidbits never-before shared with a live audience.

The three acclaimed vocalists, Julius Thomas III, Lissa deGuzman and Jason Gotay, will sing hits from their Broadway shows plus music from West Side Story, My Fair Lady, Funny Girl, Rent, Sound of Music, Les Misérables, Mamma Mia, and so much more.

Jung-Ho Pak, Bay Philharmonic’s Artistic Director, and Conductor, feels that there is an important difference between a typical orchestra and what he’s bringing to the Bay Philharmonic orchestra. “I try and put as much of my own humanity into our performances, we focus on popular upbeat music, and I try and bring as much theatricality to our shows. When people think of symphonies, they imagine something rather staid and traditional. We see ourselves as being almost like a theater troupe of talented, orchestral, and cross-genre artists. So, this is not your typical concert where singers come and go singing their songs. We want the audience to get to know the performers and know why we all love this music so much. It’s not just what we do, but who we are that makes a difference.”

“When you come to a Bay Philharmonic production, you can bet that it will be imaginative, entertaining, and always a joyful time,” said Barett Hoover, Executive Director of Bay Philharmonic. “This is not your grandma’s symphony.”

 The new Bay Philharmonic season also features:

•  A Holiday Spectacular on Sunday, December 17
•  Celtic Celebration on Sunday, March 17
•  Tchaikovsky Gold on Sunday, June 23

Individual show tickets are $25 to $67 and are available on the Bay Philharmonic website, bayphil.org.  Season subscriptions are $85 to $228 and available at Bayphil.org/subscribe.

What:        Bay Phil Presents Broadway’s Best

 When:       October 1, 2023, 3:00pm

 Where:     Chabot College Performing Arts Center

                 2555 Hesperian Blvd, Hayward, CA 94545

Tickets/info:     Please visit BayPhil.org,  510-723-6976

 Who:                                    

About Jung-Ho-Pak:

Artistic Director and Conductor of the Bay Philharmonic. Previously, Pak was Director of the Cape Symphony, San Diego Symphony, Orchestra Nova, and the New Haven Symphony Orchestra.  He was the Music Director at many major music schools including University of Southern California, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, U.C. Berkeley, Disney Young Musicians Symphony, Debut Orchestra (Los Angeles), Colburn Chamber Orchestra, and Diablo Ballet. Pak was Director of Orchestras and Music Director of the World Youth Symphony Orchestra at the Interlochen Center for the Arts. Guest conducting has taken Pak around the globe, leading groups in Europe, Russia, South America, and Asia.

Pak is a frequent speaker on television and radio, including TED Talks and National Public Radio, and appears as a clinician and conductor at major music festivals nationwide.

About Julius Thomas III:

An NAACP Theatre award-nominated actor from Gary, IN. He starred as Alexander Hamilton in the smash hit musical, Hamilton, and as Berry Gordy in the mega box office hit, Motown: The Musical. His resume boasts four Broadway shows, six Broadway national tours, a host of regional theatre roles, and TV appearances on Modern Family, Sesame Street, and more.

About Lissa DeGuzman:

Lissa deGuzman is thrilled to be singing with the Bay Philharmonic and has performed in several Broadway shows and tours: King Kong, Wicked (Elphaba), Aladdin (Jasmine), Fiddler on the Roof, Camelot, Legally Blonde), West Side Story, Les Miserables and more.

About Jason Gotay:

Recently performed his autobiographical solo show Where You’ll Find Me at the Minetta Lane Theater (available on Audible). He made his Broadway debut in the original company of Bring It On: The Musical written by Lin Manuel-Miranda, Tom Kitt, Amanda Green, and Jeff Whitty, nominated for the Tony Award for Best Musical. Other Broadway/New York credits include Peter Parker/Spider-Man in Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark, Che in New York City Center’s acclaimed revival of Evita, Irving Berlin’s Call Me Madam and more.

About Bay Philharmonic:

For the past 56 years, Bay Philharmonic has served the Bay Area with their unique mission Enrich the Soul. Inspire the Mind. Delight the Senses. The Bay Phil presents the most imaginative and entertaining shows that will amaze audiences from the beautiful Bay Area and beyond. Our charismatic Artistic Director and Conductor, Jung-Ho Pak, curates a magical experience, bringing his talents and enthusiasm to every performance and guaranteeing an engaged and happy audience.

The word “Philharmonic” means the "love of harmony", which means we are a source of wonderful sounds and diverse co-existence.

Under the leadership of Executive Director Barett Hoover and Artistic Director Jung-Ho Pak, the Bay Philharmonic begins a new era of arts and entertainment experiences for all audiences. Hoover joined the organization in July of 2022. Before his work with the Bay Philharmonic, Hoover held a leadership position as General Manager with Chamber Music Hawaii, and with the Leeward Theatre and Hawaii Opera Theatre.

About Chabot College Performing Arts Complex

One of the East Bay's premier live events venues, with top-quality acoustics, beautiful esthetics, and ADA accessibility. It is centrally located right off the freeway, with ample FREE parking, and a short, pleasant stroll to the venue.

Wreckless Strangers are thrilled to announce their fall tour schedule and forthcoming EP. With exciting new shows in some of the Bay Area's most legendary concert halls - The Fillmore Auditorium, The Independent, Golden Gate Parks' Bandshell, Sweetwater Music Hall, Moe's Alley, and more - there's ample opportunity for Wreckless Strangers' fans to catch them live. The band will perform fan favorites and new songs off their forthcoming, eagerly awaited EP, Orange Sky Dream, which comes out on September 29. The six-piece band teamed up with 4x Grammy Award-winning producer Dave Way (Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Sheryl Crow, Phoebe Bridgers, Moonalice) to bring Orange Sky Dream to life with their distinctive fusion of blues, R&B, Americana, and rock 'n' roll. Pre-order Orange Sky Dream here.

Wreckless Strangers' EP release party will take place at the iconic Sweetwater Music Hall in Mill Valley, CA, on December 7. They will be co-billing the night with Mark Karan's Buds. Tickets are available here.

Fans can visit WrecklessStrangers.com and follow the band on social media to catch the latest updates.

Details for Wreckless Strangers' fall shows include:

What:               Wreckless Strangers @ The Fillmore opening for Thee Sacred Souls

When:               Thursday, September 28, 8 p.m.

Where:             The Fillmore Auditorium, 1805 Geary Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94115

Info:                  livenation.com

Tix:                   Sold Out, resale tix avail at livenation.com

What:                Illuminate Live in association with SF RPD presents Wreckless Strangers @ Golden Gate Bandshell

When:               Friday, October 27, 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Where:             Golden Gate Bandshell, @ Bowl Drive and Music Concourse Drive, San

Francisco, CA (between the de Young Museum and the California Academy of Sciences)

Info:                  goldengatebandshell.org

Tix:                   Free, open to the public

What:               Wreckless Strangers @ Auburn Odd Fellows Lodge Opening for Moonalice

When:               Friday, December 1, Doors 7 p.m., WS 7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Where:             1226 1/2 Lincoln Way Auburn, CA 95603

Info:                 keepsmilinpromotions.com

Tix:                   eventbrite.com

 
What:                Wreckless Strangers EP Release Party with Mark Karan's Buds

When:               Thursday, December 7, Doors 7 p.m.; Show: 8 p.m.

Where:             Sweetwater Music Hall, 19 Corte Madera Avenue, Mill Valley, CA 94941

Info:                  sweetwatermusichall.com

Tix:                   $20; etix

Notes:              Co-headliner Mark Karan sometimes describes himself as "sort of a male Bonnie

Raitt filtered through a psychedelic blender." A modern-day classic, Karan oozes passion and rock and roll spirit, presenting his music in creative ways that make folks perk up, dance, and think a bit after the shuffling is done.

What:               Wreckless Strangers @ The Independent (supporting Nth Power)

When:               Thursday, December 14, Doors 7:30 p.m.; Show: 8 p.m.

Where:             The Independent, 628 Divisadero, San Francisco, CA

Info:                  theindependentsf.com

Tix:                   $20; ticketweb.com

What:               Wreckless Strangers @ Moe's Alley (supporting Nth Power)

When:               Friday, December 15, Doors 8 p.m.; Show: 9 p.m.

Where:             Moe's Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz, CA 95065

Info                  moesalley.com

Tix:                   $20; ticketweb.com

What:               Wreckless Strangers @ Lost on Main (supporting Nth Power)

When:               Saturday, December. 16, 8 p.m.

Where:             Lost on Main, 319 Main Street, Chico, CA 95928

Info:                  eventbrite

Tix:                   $20 eventbrite

About Orange Sky Dream

Orange Sky Dream features soulful ballads, barn-burning blues, and downright dirty rock' n' roll that characterize the live set while delving into new emotional and stylistic terrain.

The album derives its name from a powerful and timely source of inspiration – the pressing environmental crises gripping the planet, particularly in the band's home state of California, where orange skies blanketed San Francisco in 2020 due to wildfires. Beyond environmental advocacy, Orange Sky Dream explores diverse themes, from female empowerment to fostering empathy in a world that often seems divided. These messages are skillfully woven into a musical tapestry of rockin' guitar solos and captivating beats.

Orange Sky Dream will captivate audiences with its unique blend of musical genres and poignant message, serving as a testament to Wreckless Strangers' commitment to delivering a musical experience that entertains and inspires.

The first singles, "Shudda Known," “Fast Girls,” and “Grace of God,” were recently released and are available on streaming platforms now.

About Wreckless Strangers

Hailing from the Bay Area, Wreckless Strangers is a tight-knit collective of six talented musicians whose journey began in 2016 as an informal jam session. Fast forward seven years, and the band has released three original albums and performed countless captivating shows. Wreckless Strangers masterfully blend blues, R&B, Americana, and good old-fashioned rock 'n' roll to craft a distinctive sound that strikes a perfect balance between unique, familiar, and just plain fun. The band features Amber Morris (Premier Bay Area vocalist and voice coach – members of Journey, Eric Martin Band) on vocals; David Noble (Poor Man's Whiskey, Pardon The Interruption) on lead guitar, vocals; Joshua Zucker (The Jones Gang, Rowan Brothers) on bass; Austin de Lone (Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, The Fabulous Thunderbirds) on keys, vocals; Mick Hellman (The Go To Hell Man Band) on drums, vocals; and Rob Anderson (repeat world champion cyclist) on guitar.

About Mark Karan  

Best known for his extended time around the Grateful Dead scene as lead guitarist for Bob Weir & Ratdog, Mark Karan is far more than his time in the "land of the Dead" might imply... a consummate team player for many years, his six-string contributions have added something special to tours with Ratdog, The Other Ones, Delaney Bramlett, Dave Mason and Paul Carrack... and as a "value-added" guest for impromptu sit-ins with the Allman Brothers, Trey Anastasio, Gov't Mule, Jackie Greene, ALO, Levon Helm, Chuck Leavell, Little Feat, Phil and Friends and many more.

GLIDE is excited to present the Annual Holiday Jam: Keep On, a live benefit concert, on Thursday, November 9, at The Masonic. This event celebrates the 60th Anniversary of Reverend Cecil Williams’ impactful arrival at GLIDE, featuring a star-studded lineup led by famed songwriter and performer Valerie Simpson, alongside the renowned GLIDE Ensemble and the Change Band.

This celebration will spotlight special guests, including:

    D'Wayne Wiggins of Tony! Toni! Toné!
    R&B visionary Goapele
    Soul singer Martin Luther McCoy

Together, they will deliver heartfelt tributes to Cecil, accentuated by the timeless music of Ashford & Simpson. Priya David Clemens of KQED will serve as the Mistress of Ceremonies.

Celebrating Reverend Cecil Williams

Reverend Cecil Williams, a beacon of liberation, justice, and love, has crafted a movement that transcends time. The Holiday Jam honors Cecil’s extraordinary legacy, simultaneously casting a light towards the future, anticipating another 60 years of GLIDE’s dedication to his vision of an unconditionally loving community.

Musical Legacy: Valerie Simpson and Ashford & Simpson

Valerie, with her late husband, Nick Ashford, crafted some of music history's most endearing hits, including “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” and “You’re All I Need to Get By.” Simpson proclaims, “We all have to keep on keeping on and continue to work in unity and lead with love!”

Supporting Comprehensive Services and Expanded Outreach

The GLIDE Annual Holiday Jam annually raises funds for GLIDE’s comprehensive services, providing support for more individuals to move away from the streets, while also advocating policy reform to disrupt intergenerational poverty. Throughout the COVID pandemic, GLIDE magnified its services to include wider mobile outreach, COVID testing, and vaccinations, over 10,000 free weekly meals, and amplified access to resources for health, housing, and legal support.

Tickets and More Information: Visit glide.org/holidayjam, call 415.674.6180, or email [email protected].

Event Details

    What: GLIDE Annual Holiday Jam: Keep On
    Where: The Masonic, 1111 California Street, San Francisco
    When: Thursday, November 9, 2023; Doors: 5:30 p.m.; Performance: 7:00 p.m.
    Tickets: Starting at $75. Sponsorships available from $500.

About GLIDE

GLIDE stands as a nationally acknowledged social justice center, committed to combating systemic injustices, forging pathways from poverty and crisis, and transforming lives by providing comprehensive services and advocating for justice and social equity. GLIDE aims to create an inclusive, just, and loving community, mobilized to alleviate suffering and break the cycles of poverty and marginalization.

Immerse yourself in a spellbinding auditory adventure as Highway Wolf, the brainchild of the seasoned musician Mick Hellman (known for his work with Wreckless Strangers, The Go to Hell Man Band, and Marco & the Polos), unveils its highly-anticipated debut EP, “Purdie’s Dream.” This musical marvel is released just in time to harmonize with the Hunter’s Moon on October 28th, accentuating the wolf-themed mystique intrinsic to the project.

The EP’s title pays homage to Mick’s cherished canine companion, Purdie, named in reverence of Bernard Purdie, a legendary drummer whose “Purdie Shuffle” left an indelible mark on the 1970s music scene. Purdie's memory continues to illuminate San Francisco's streets, much like Bernard Purdie’s rhythms still reverberate through today's music.

“Purdie’s Dream” extends an invitation to its listeners to surrender to “The Call,” a journey through the raw and untamed emotions that define our existence, ranging from ecstasy and desire to resilience and introspection. Each track on the EP breathes new life into beloved classics, meticulously selected for their ability to inspire Mick to unleash his inner “wolf” and embrace the night. The EP commences with the uplifting “Back In the High Life Again,” transitions through the urban odyssey of “In the City,” delves into the intricate dance of duality in “Father & Son,” explores the quest for connection in “Blue Letter,” and culminates in the haunting beauty of “Silver Springs.”

Throughout the creation of “Purdie’s Dream,” each creative endeavor opened doors to uncharted artistic territories, allowing Mick and his team to delve deeper into the essence of Highway Wolf. “This journey was serendipitous at every turn, from reenvisioning timeless hits with a fresh perspective, to venturing into the realms of graphic art and animation, enhancing our narrative and artistic scope. I am profoundly thankful to the brilliant collective of artists who joined us on this odyssey, infusing Highway Wolf and Purdie’s Dream with vitality and soul,” shares Mick.

A pervasive theme emerged as the project blossomed, highlighting the multifaceted nature of our beings. Mick elaborates, “In this project, we see reflections of ourselves in the innocent puppy, the vulnerable human, and the bold, assured wolf. As we navigate the complexities of life, we draw upon these diverse facets of our identity, finding solace and happiness in the journey.”

“Purdie’s Dream” was meticulously crafted at Laughing Tiger Studio in San Rafael, CA, under the expert production of Tal and Amber Morris, and with Mick Hellman at the helm as executive producer. The EP features a stellar line-up of Bay Area musicians, many of whom share a personal connection with Mick, including (listed alphabetically) Gabriella de la Cruz, Austin de Lone, Laurel Hellman, Barbara Higbie, Kevin Hayes, Ryann Morris, Amber Morris, Tal Morris, Dave Zirbel, and Joshua Zucker.

Dive into the sonic odyssey of “Purdie’s Dream” here: https://ffm.to/purdiesdream

ABOUT HIGHWAY WOLF

Step into the captivating world of Highway Wolf, a musical odyssey curated by Mick Hellman and his artistic compatriots, Tal and Amber Morris. This project transcends the boundaries of traditional music, offering a collection of reinterpreted classics that speak to the soul. Highway Wolf invites listeners on a transformative journey, exploring the human experience through the primal howls and yearnings of the wolf, offering a unique and profound perspective on life’s most poignant moments.

Bay Philharmonic is excited to announce A Holiday Spectacular on Sunday, December 17, at their new premier venue, Chabot College Performing Arts Center in Hayward, CA. Celebrate the holiday season in joy, gratitude, and inspiration. This heartwarming and inspiring tradition, Bay Phil's A Holiday Spectacular, will be a stocking full of notable guest artists singing and dancing to some of the most beautiful and uplifting holiday music. Bay Philharmonic's artistic director and conductor Jung-Ho Pak will lead a multi-media, multi-sensory, and multi-genre extravaganza of rich, diverse cultures and traditions from around the world with notable performances by soprano Erica Gabriel, vocalist and harpist Deanna Loveland, jazz pianist Steve Pietkiewicz, Ballet Folklórico México Danza, the San Francisco Girls Chorus, Yoko's Academy of Dance and Performing Arts Group along with the entertaining 50-piece Bay Philharmonic.

"We are pulling out all the bells and whistles to bring you an extraordinary celebration you won't soon forget, says Jung-Ho Pak. “with tremendous variety in music from pop to classical, dancing from ballet to cultural, multi-media visuals, an ‘Awe Shucks’ tribute to A Charlie Brown Christmas, plus festive holiday décor and drinks, and even a visit from Santa Claus.  The entire family will be highly entertained and make A Holiday Spectacular their annual tradition."

Adding to the fun, Asian-inspired and East Bay-based Dokkaebier will bring their unique collection of craft beer to the festivities. Dokkaebier is the leading craft brewery inspired by Asian-inspired ingredients and aims to refresh the soul and bridge cultures through a one-of-a-kind drinking experience.

Bay Philharmonic has taken on a new direction with renowned and esteemed Artistic Director and Conductor Jung-Ho Pak. The New York Times describes him as a conductor who "radiates enthusiasm" and the LA Times as "a real grabber," Jung-Ho Pak is known for his unique approach and vision for symphonic music. Pak brings over 35 years of experience conducting acclaimed professional and conservatory orchestras worldwide. As with every show, Pak will infuse his style of creativity, knowledge, connections, passion, and enthusiastic conversational personality.

Individual show tickets are $25 to $67 and are available on the Bay Philharmonic website, BayPhil.org.

The Bay Philharmonic season continues with:

• Celtic Celebration on Sunday, March 17
• Tchaikovsky Gold on Sunday, June 23

Wreckless Strangers are thrilled to play a mini–Northern California tour as the support act for soul, funk, rock, and rhythm and blues band The Nth Power. The Wreckless Strangers will bring their unique blend of blues, R&B, Americana, and rock as they kick off shows at The Independent in San Francisco on December 14; Moe's Alley in Santa Cruz, on December 15; and Lost on Main in Chico, on December 16.

Wreckless Strangers will get the evenings started as they play fan favorites and songs from their new EP,  Orange Sky Dream, produced by four-time Grammy award-winning engineer/producer Dave Way (Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Tracy Chapman, Stevie Wonder, Sheryl Crow). The Nth Power will keep the jam going with their relentlessly funky and soulful songs as they tap into an energy that is simultaneously sexy and spiritual, inspiring audiences to dance and groove the night away.

Fans can visit WrecklessStrangers.com and follow the band on social media to catch the latest updates.

Details:

What:              Wreckless Strangers @ The Independent (supporting The Nth Power)

When:             Thursday, December 14, Doors 7:30 p.m.; Show: 8 p.m.

Where:           The Independent, 628 Divisadero, San Francisco, CA

Info:                theindependentsf.com

Tix:                 $20; ticketweb.com

What:              Wreckless Strangers @ Moe's Alley (supporting The Nth Power)

When:             Friday, December 15, Doors 8 p.m.; Show: 9 p.m.

Where:           Moe's Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz, CA 95065

Info                 moesalley.com

Tix:                 $20; ticketweb.com

What:              Wreckless Strangers @ Lost on Main (supporting The Nth Power)

When:             Saturday, December. 16, 8 p.m.

Where:           Lost on Main, 319 Main Street, Chico, CA 95928

Info:                Eventbrite

Tix:                 $20 Eventbrite

About Wreckless Strangers

Hailing from the Bay Area, Wreckless Strangers is a tight-knit collective of six musicians whose journey began in 2016 as an informal jam session. Fast forward seven years, and the band has released three original albums and performed countless captivating shows. The band features Amber Morris (Premier Bay Area vocalist and voice coach – members of Journey, Eric Martin Band) on vocals; David Noble (Poor Man's Whiskey, Pardon The Interruption) on lead guitar, vocals; Joshua Zucker (The Jones Gang, Rowan Brothers) on bass; Austin de Lone (Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, The Fabulous Thunderbirds) on keys, vocals; Mick Hellman (The Go To Hell Man Band) on drums, vocals; and Rob Anderson (repeat world champion cyclist) on guitar.

About The Nth Power

Formed during an impromptu late-night jam at Jazz Fest 2012 in New Orleans, the relentlessly funky and soulful band The Nth Power believes in music as a higher power tapping into an energy that is simultaneously sexy and spiritual, with songs that will inspire audiences to dance, groove, make love or stand there with goosebumps. The trio hails from diverse musical backgrounds, races, and creeds. Female powerhouse Nikki Glaspie was Beyonce’s world-touring drummer for five years before she joined Ivan Neville's New Orleans funk outfit, Dumpstaphunk. Bassist Nate Edgar of Groovechild and John Brown's Body perfectly complements singer and guitarist Nick Cassarino, who came from the Jennifer Hartswick Band and toured with Big Daddy Kane. The Nth Power’s inspirational sets have floored audiences at Electric Forest, Bear Creek, Catskill Chill and North Coast Music Festivals. The band has been relentlessly touring and writing for the past four years since their inception and continues to grow in their mission as they spread love and healing through music across the land. Although the band members are based across the East Coast, they maintain New Orleans as their spiritual home, and the celebratory essence of that city’s music culture is audible in each performance. Together, The Nth Power wants to change lives through a message of musical love and understanding.

Wreckless Strangers are excited to kick off 2024 with a dinner show at one of their favorite Marin County hotspots, Rancho Nicasio, on Saturday, January 13. After closing out an adventurous 2023, where the band not only released a new EP, Orange Sky Dream, but played to new audiences in the Pacific Northwest, Southern California, and even the East Coast, the band is looking forward to more fun times at live shows in the new year.

The Rancho Nicasio show starts at 8 pm, and tickets are $20. Dinner reservations (not included in the ticket price) are from 6 pm to 8 pm. Show tickets can be purchased, and dinner reservations can be made online at RanchoNicasio.com. Fans can visit WrecklessStrangers.com and follow the band on social media to catch the latest updates.

Hailing from the Bay Area, Wreckless Strangers is a tight-knit collective of six musicians whose journey began in 2016 as an informal jam session. Fast forward seven years, and the band has released three original albums and performed countless captivating shows. The "California Americana Soul" band features Amber Morris (premier Bay Area vocalist and voice coach – members of Journey, Eric Martin Band) on vocals; David Noble (Pardon The Interruption, Poor Man's Whiskey) on lead guitar, vocals; Joshua Zucker (The Jones Gang, Rowan Brothers) on bass; Austin de Lone (Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, The Fabulous Thunderbirds) on keys, vocals; Mick Hellman (The Go To Hell Man Band) on drums, vocals; and Rob Anderson (repeat world champion cyclist) on guitar. Their new EP, Orange Sky Dream, produced by four-time Grammy award-winning engineer/producer Dave Way (Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Tracy Chapman, Stevie Wonder, Sheryl Crow), is now available on all music streaming platforms and at upcoming shows.

What:              Wreckless Strangers at Rancho Nicasio

When:             Saturday, January 13, 8 pm

                        Dinner reservations from 6 pm - 8 pm; Music @ 8 pm

Where:           Rancho Nicasio, 1 Old Rancheria Road, Nicasio, CA 94946

Tix & info:      $20 in advance (price is for admission only. Dinner is not included in the ticket price). Ranchonicasio.com

Notes:            Tucked away among the rolling hills of West Marin sits the quaint village of Nicasio ("the hidden one"), a town that has been unspoiled by time.

Bay Philharmonic is excited to announce Celtic Celebration on Sunday, March 17, at 3 p.m., at their premier venue, Chabot College Performing Arts Center in Hayward, CA. Celebrate St. Patrick's Day, promising an exciting, lively, soulful, educational, and entertaining experience. “Bring out the green. This concert will get the entire family in the Irish spirit.”

Bay Philharmonic's artistic director and conductor, Jung-Ho Pak, will share colorful stories about the Celtic culture and traditions. Notable performances by Annie Dupre (vocals/violin), Caroline McCaskey (award-winning Scottish fiddler), Culann's Hounds (Irish band), San Francisco Scottish Fiddlers (beloved Bay Area fiddle group), Todd Denman (Irish uilleann pipes), Bill Wolaver (piano/arranger), Kennelly School of Irish Dance (Irish dancers), and Dunsmuir Scottish Dancers, along with the entertaining 50-piece Bay Philharmonic orchestra.

"We are pulling out all the stops to bring you an extraordinary and unique St. Patrick's Day celebration with wonderful Celtic musicians, singers, dancers, and storytellers," says Jung-Ho Pak. "Along with engaging video, gorgeous lighting, and stunning sets, concertgoers will get a true immersive Celtic experience. If you're looking for luck o' the Irish, this show will fill your pot of gold!"

The festivities start at 2 p.m. when the doors open, welcoming all guests to enjoy pre-show Celtic entertainment, festive beers, beverages, and snacks (available for purchase). The primary performance begins at 3 p.m.

Bay Philharmonic's renowned and esteemed Artistic Director and Conductor Jung-Ho Pak has been described by The New York Times as a conductor who "radiates enthusiasm" and the LA Times as "a real grabber." Jung-Ho Pak is known for his unique approach and vision for symphonic music. Pak brings over 35 years of experience conducting acclaimed professional and conservatory orchestras worldwide. As with every show, Pak will infuse his style of creativity, knowledge, connections, passion, and enthusiastic conversational personality.

Individual show tickets are $25 to $67 and are available on the Bay Philharmonic website, BayPhil.org.

The Bay Philharmonic season culminates with:

    Tchaikovsky Gold on Sunday, June 23
    Bay Philharmonic will announce the upcoming season soon

Red Barn Productions is proud to announce its latest Bay Area event, Ceili On the Lake, an Irish Dance & Music Festival, on Saturday, April 27, and Sunday, April 28, bringing a love of traditional Irish culture to beautiful Lagoon Park at the Marin County Fairgrounds.

Festivalgoers are invited to come “join the dance” in this inaugural two-day Ceili (pronounced KAY-lee) - Irish Gaelic for a party of neighbors and friends with music, dancing, food, and drink! Local Irish dance studios will present a variety of traditional and modern dances performed in Irish hard or soft shoes. Newcomers and novices are also welcome to celebrate the springtime season with Irish dance, as instructors lead two open sessions of Ceili dancing each day.

Ceili On the Lake will have something for everyone. Popular Bay Area musicians from the traditional and modern Irish music scenes will be performing, while festivalgoers have the chance to play in the Musicians’ Snug in seisiún format, an open session in which anyone who can play Irish music is welcome!

Along with traditional Irish music and dance, sheepdogs will put their wooly friends through their paces in daily sheep-herding demonstrations presented by the Redwood Empire Sheep Dog Association. Festivalgoers of all ages will also discover Celtic history, culture, and lore coming to life through readings of Irish poetry and storytelling.

Local crafters, artists, and booths representing Irish cultural organizations will also be on hand. Traditional favorites from the British Isles along with contemporary new flavors will be served from a circle of food trucks, while an Irish pub will pour draft Guinness, Harp, and other libations to wet festivalgoers' whistles and have them ready to dance a jig! Other options include non-alcoholic Guinness, lemonade, and sodas.

“We feel this is the perfect time to create a new celebration to share the joys of music, dance, good food, and drink with neighbors, family, and friends. Irish traditions are well-loved and are meant to make everyone feel welcome,” says event producer Drew Patterson.

The Patterson family knows about making merry. They created the original Renaissance Pleasure Faire, which was held at Black Point Forest in Marin for 30 years. They continue to produce the much-beloved Great Dickens Christmas Fair each holiday season at the Cow Palace in San Francisco.

The rhythmic footwork of Irish step dancing, soul-stirring melodies of traditional Irish ballads, and mesmerizing tales spun by skilled storytellers will all contribute to the enchanting experience awaiting attendees at Ceili On The Lake.

So, grab your lawn chairs, instruments, and dancing shoes and gather with friends and family for a day on the green and a celebration of life and all things Irish!

What: Ceili On the Lake, an Irish Dance & Music Festival

When: April 27-28, 2024, 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Where: Lagoon Park at the Marin County Fairgrounds

Tickets and info: $20 for adults, $10 for children 5-11. Purchase online at ceilionthelake.com

Who: Appropriate for the whole family!

Wreckless Strangers and Pardon the Interruption return to Peri's in Fairfax, CA, for a night of high-energy, rock 'n' roll fun on Friday, April 12.

Fresh off their Pacific Northwest tour as the opening band for powerhouse trumpeter and vocalist Jennifer Hartswick, Wreckless Strangers are excited to return to Marin County and play to local fans. Hailing from the Bay Area, Wreckless Strangers is a tight-knit collective of six sought-after session musicians whose journey together began in 2016 as an informal jam session. Fast forward seven years, the band has released three original albums and performed countless captivating shows in legendary venues and popular music festivals in the San Francisco Bay Area like The Fillmore, Sweetwater Music Hall, The Independent, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, Sound Summit, Union Street Festival, and more. Wreckless Strangers features Amber Morris on vocals, David Noble on lead guitar and vocals, Joshua Zucker on bass, Austin de Lone on keys and vocals, Mick Hellman on drums and vocals, and Rob Anderson on guitar. Members of Wreckless Strangers have worked with Elvis Costello, Miley Cyrus, Peter Rowan, Bonnie Raitt, Boz Scaggs, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Poor Man's Whiskey, Laurie Lewis, and more! Their latest EP, Orange Sky Dream, was produced by four-time Grammy Award-winning engineer/producer Dave Way and is available on all music streaming platforms and at upcoming shows. Fans can visit WrecklessStrangers.com and follow the band on social media to catch the latest updates.

Roaring out of the fog-shrouded hills of Sonoma and drowning out the chatter, New Wave/Prog-Pop troubadours Pardon the Interruption (aka PTI) are taking their place — asserting their voice — in the storied musical conversation of the San Francisco Bay Area. One foot is planted firmly in the past, paying homage to some of the most singular and iconic artists of the '70s, '80s, and '90s. The other is stepping boldly forward, producing original material that is nostalgically familiar and entirely modern and unique. It's undeniably fun and will make you dance. Band leader, lead singer, and guitarist David Noble (Wreckless Strangers, Poor Man's Whiskey, Nina Hagen) has assembled three of the finest, most versatile session musicians in Northern California and fostered a cohesion that transcends music, including force of nature bassist Rob Fordyce (Peer Pressure, The Ring, Big Brother and the Holding Company), in-demand Americana drummer Rob Hooper (Jimmy Dale Gilmore, The Resentments, Carolyn Wonderland), and saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist Jamison Smeltz (D8FeX, mRthKon, Ten Ton Chicken). With each show, PTI is demanding the attention of fans of funk, pop, ska, jam, prog, and just plain rock 'n' roll. Their New Wave stylings are infectious and stand apart from the typical NorCal sound.

WHAT:  Wreckless Strangers and Pardon the Interruption live at Peri's

WHEN:  Friday, April 12, 8:30 p.m.

WHERE:  Peri's, 29 Broadway, Fairfax, CA 94930

TICKETS:  $10 available online now