Friday October 4 @ 7:30 pm. First Friday Live @ Occidental Center for the Arts presents SambaNoma! This exciting ensemble of accomplished local jazz musicians play an eclectic mix of Brazilian music plus original works. Featuring Ruth Ayers on sax/flute, Christian Foley-Beining on acoustic guitar, Jim Passerell on bass, and Kendrick Freeman on drums, expect jazzy tunes from Tonhino Horta, Airto Moreira, Nascinimento, Pascual, Gerry Mulligan and of course A.C. Jobim at our acoustic sweet spot with cabaret/concert seating and fine refreshments. $15 at the door. www.occidentalcenterforthearts.org. 3850 Doris Murphy Ct. Occidental, CA. 95465. Wheelchair accessible. Art Gallery open. 707-874-9392.
Skip the alcohol, and enjoy the music! Experience clean and sober FUN at this third ever substance-free music festival in Northern California. RockSoberFest is a safe space for families and all music lovers to enjoy music, and will be held at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds Gardenway Lawn and Stage in Petaluma on Saturday, September 28th 3-9pm.
If you sit quietly with the idea of a substance free music and arts festival, you will see that it’s a great idea. This idea comes from five crazy people in recovery. Please join us and hundreds of other music lovers for NorCal’s biggest annual fun and sober music fest with top notch talent in always cool and sunny Sonoma. Join us with your spirit and love for music, good vibes and fellowship!
RockSoberFest concert producer and promoter Jeffrey Trotter has been sober for 23 years, artistic director of Shakespeare at Stinson for 20 years, and has long felt the need for a substance free environment for music festivals. “It was clear that the time had come for a festival created for people who want to go out and have fun without mind or mood altering substances. We are putting on a wildly fun event where everyone can feel comfortable knowing they are with others who are like minded and supportive of uplifting entertainment.”
RockSoberFest is a special opportunity to celebrate the sober lifestyle surrounded by a community of substance-free music fans. All fellowships are welcome! Twelve-step meetings will be held before and after the shows. Several fantastic bands and other performers will get the crowds dancing under the summer sky. The stellar line-up features the following musicians: The Happys Formed in the San Francisco Bay Area, The Happys are a band composed of four twenty-something-year olds (Nick Petty, Alex Sanchez, Brett Brazil and Ryan Donahue) playing dysfunctional Surf Pop-Punk/Grunge, influenced heavily by Hip Hop and Grunge. Songwriter Nick Petty grew up writing music his whole life. Starting his career after overcoming addiction, depression and incarceration, powerful even strange songs started to form. The Happys have shared the stage with The Mad Caddies, Agent Orange, Del the Funky Homosapien, among others. Rick Bonde of Tahoe Artists Agency who has broken acts such as Blink 182, Sublime, Reel Big Fish, Monophonics and Brothers Comatose manages the band. Venus in Scorpio – An exploration of Northern California Soul, their music will move your body, lyrics will free your mind and the combination of beautiful power will ignite your soul. Venus in Scorpio wants you to feel love to its highest degree and share this rich and fulfilling experience through their sound. Soulful female lead vocals held by incredible musical geniuses, will have you dancing with elation! Let us shimmer with intense mojo and in turn amplify your vital force within. Paul Hayward An acclaimed singer-songwriter, Paul originates from Forest City, PA (population 1500). He currently lives in San Francisco, where he is an ordained non-denominational minister, songwriter and bon vivant. He has over thirty years experience performing regularly in such cities as San Diego, Chicago, Phoenix, New York, Seattle, Boston, Minneapolis, and Philadelphia. He has also lived/performed in London, Munich, Dublin and Vienna.Tyler Allen Tyler Allen is an acoustic rock artist from Santa Rosa. Imagine if Ben Harper and Neil Young wrote something over lunch together. He blends an unusual variety of genres from soul to rock in his songwriting and picks a wide range of artist to cover. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest Tyler had a fantastic exposure to all kinds of live music. He had a tradition music education in classical and jazz music but was always drawn to the folk, rock and soul the 60’s and 70’s. As he entered his formidable years he was drawn into Hendrix, Neil Young and Ben Harper. The Northwest rock scene that was exploding before his eyes was and still is a natural influence. He’s played everything from punk rock to soul in Seattle during his 20’s and then in 2005’ moved to the Northbay. These days Tyler is pursuing his own voice. He is determined to make something authentic, real and from the heart. No Account – A six-piece blues rock band based in Sonoma County, No Account brings great energy and big, crowd pleasing fun every time they perform. Angel Amador – A high school freshman at Drake High School, Angel plays passionate electric guitar music, and will sure will have you dancing during his solo performance. John and Camilla Ford – Original acoustic music played by a local couple who live in Bolinas. And other performers to be announced!
PSA – 30 Seconds: RockSoberFest is back! Skip the alcohol, enjoy the music! Join us at RockSoberFest on Saturday, September 28th 3-9pm at Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds in Petaluma, for NorCal’s biggest annual fun and sober music festival! Dance the night away to the amazing musical talents of The Happys, Venus in Scorpio, Tyler Allen, Paul Hayward, No Account, John and Camilla Ford, and Angel Amador, plus special guest artists. RockSoberFest tickets are $18 in advance and 22 at the door. Ages 16 and under $10. Get your RockSoberFest tickets and learn more at www.rocksoberfest.org PSA – 60 Seconds: RockSoberFest is back! Skip the alcohol, enjoy the music! Join us at RockSoberFest on Saturday, September 28th 3-9pm at Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds Gardenway Lawn and Stage, in Petaluma with hundreds of other music lovers for NorCal’s biggest annual fun and sober music festival! Bring your spirit and love for music, good vibes, and fellowship! Enjoy our top-notch musical performers and dance the night away to the amazing musical talents of The Happys, Venus in Scorpio, Tyler Allen, Paul Hayward, No Account, John and Camilla Ford, and Angel Amador, plus special guest artists. RockSoberFest tickets are $18 in advance and $22 at the door. Ages 16 and under $10. We’ll have an open meeting with an AA speaker at 1pm. Doors open for music and dancing at 2:00pm through 9:00pm. Get your RockSoberFest tickets and learn more at www.rocksoberfest.org Details:What:RockSoberFest PetalumaWhen:Saturday, September 28th 2:00 – 9:00pm (Gates open 2pm; Music starts 3pm) Where: Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds, 175 Fairgrounds Dr, Petaluma, CA 94952 Why: Chance to experience a music festival with other clean and sober folksTickets on sale at Eventbrite: $18 in advance ($22 at the gate), ages 16 and under $10. Visit festival website or ticket link for camping rates and details. For more info please call 415-578-0125 or visit www.rocksoberfest.org
The Clean and Sober Music Festival [email protected]www.rocksoberfest.org 415-578-0125 RockSoberFest is working under the umbrella of Shakespeare at Stinson, a California 501C3 nonprofit corporation #2073103 (TIN 91-1928035).
Sunday October 6 @ 7 pm. Occidental Center for the Arts welcomes Barbara Higbie and Cris Williamson! Grammy-nominated multi-instrumentalist and singer, Barbara Higbie, in duo with iconic women’s music pioneer, singer/songwriter, teacher and activist Cris Williamson (The Changer & The Changed), bring their uplifting mixture of new material and old favorites to one of their favorite venues! The very real friendship binding these two brings a powerful mixture guaranteed to delight, inspire, cheer and comfort. $28/Advance; $34 at the door (if available).Fine refreshments, wheelchair accessible, Art Gallery. Reservations advised (via BrownPaperTickets)@ www.occidentalcenterforthearts.org. 707-874-9392. 3850 Doris Murphy Ct. Occidental, CA. 95465
Saturday, Sept. 28 @ 8pm. Occidental Center for the Arts presents SonoMusette! This exciting Sonoma county-based ensemble features vocalist extraordinaire Mimi Pirard, with Robert Lunceford on accordion, Jan Martinelli on piano and bass, Issac Vandeveer, guitar/bass and Richard Andrews on drums.
Inspired by Piaf, Brel, Trenet and Django, SonoMusette will charm and transport you as they expertly recapture the moody and melancholic sound and spirit of mid twentieth-century Paris. $20 Adv/$23 at the door. Cabaret and concert seating. Fine refreshments. Wheelchair accessible. 707-874-9392. www.occidentalcenterforthearts.org. 3850 Doris Murphy Ct. Occidental, CA. 95465
Sunday Sept. 22 @ 4 pm.Jim Kweskin & MeredithAxelrod at Occidental Center for the Arts. We welcome back 1960’s Jug Band legend Jim Kweskin in duo with rising Americana star Meredith Axelrod to OCA’s acoustic sweet spot. Kweskin is a well known and beloved singer and bandleader who also created one of the bedrock guitar styles of the folk revival, and he continues to explore traditional folk and blues with the sophisticated sensibility of a jazz musician. He has found a youthful kindred soul in the authentic and engaging Vintage Americana singer/guitarist Meredith Axelrod. Don’t miss this delightful fusion of the best of Americana talent! $25 Adv/$30 at the door. www.occidentalcenterforthearts.org. 3850 Doris Murphy Ct. Occidental, CA. 95465
Sat. Sept. 14 @ 7:30 pm. The Musers & Late for the Train. Occidental Center for the Arts.! The Musers -Tom Kuhn on vocals/bass/percussion plus singer/songwriters Megan Mclaughlin and Anita Bear Sandwina make up this high energy multi-instrumental trio who can make you laugh, cry or stomp your feet with pure joy. Late for the Train is a San Francisco-based 4-piece modern string band that weaves folk, funk and bluegrass into powerful arrangements of original/traditional music that feels both fresh and familiar. $15 Adv/$19 at door. Fine refreshments, dance space. www.occidentalcenterforthearts.org. 707-874-9392. 3850 Doris Murphy Ct. Occidental, CA. 95465. OCA is wheelchair accessible.
Sunday September 8 @ 4 pm. Occidental Center for the Arts. Paul McCandless/Christian Foley-Beining Collaboration. Enjoy a Sunday afternoon concert with this sterling Sonoma County-based jazz quartet, featuring Grammy-winning multi-instrumentalist McCandless and guitarist Foley-Beining with Tom Shader on bass and drummer Tom Hayashi playing original instrumental jazz compositions. $18 Advance/$22 at the door. Cabaret/concert seating. Fine Refreshments. Wheelchair Accessible. Art Gallery open. 3850 Doris Murphy Ct, Occidental, CA. 95465. www.occcidentalcenterforthearts.org; 707-874-9392.
Friday Sept. 6 @ 8 pm. Occidental Center for the Arts. First Friday Live! The Dream Farmers. OCA’s local talent showcase presents The Dream Farmers. Headed by songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Randall Sequeira, this versatile band features mostly original and highly danceable roots, blues, soul, jazz, funk and world music with thoughtful lyrics and a positive attitude. Amanda Kirkland delivers the vocals. $15 at the door. Fine refreshments include wine and beer. www.occidentalcenterforthearts.org. 707-874-9392. 3850 Doris Murphy Ct. Occidental, CA. 95465.
Lil Nas X has made history by being the first-ever openly gay man to be nominated for a Country Music Award (CMA).
He was nominated for the Musical Event of the Year award for his song ‘Old Town Road (Remix)’ with collaborator Bill Ray Cyrus, with the awards ceremony taking place on November 13.
Although ‘Old Town Road’ was originally booted off the US Billboard country charts because the company said the song “does not embrace enough elements of today’s country music”, it made its way back into the charts after a remixed version featuring Cyrus was released.
The song then became the longest-running US number one of all time.
Country music has a reputation for being conservative, and the musician has previously spoken out about anti-LGBT+ stigma in country music, explaining: “Within the country and hip-hop communities, it’s not really accepting in either.”
He tweeted: “Thank you guys for this nomination!!”
The CMA nomination means Lil Nas X has made history twice this week, after becoming the first openly LGBT+ artist to take home Song of the Year at the VMAs on Monday, August 26.
Dressed in a red cowboy suit, he took to the stage with Cyrus to collect his first-ever award for his chart topping single.
The singer thanked Cyrus in his speech for helping him take his career to “the next level” and then he pulled out a fake scroll and became an instant meme on social media.
The awards highlight how much has changed for Lil Nas X in a year.
Last month the singer revealed that a year ago he had no money and was struggling to get his music played.
He wrote on Twitter: “Wow man last year i was sleeping on my sisters floor, had no money, struggling to get plays on my music, suffering from daily headaches, now i’m gay.”
Taylor Swift opened the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards on Monday with performances of “You Need to Calm Down” and “Lover.” The performance began with Swift, Todrick Hall and Dexter Mayfield sitting on lounge chairs as she sang the opening lines to “You Need to Calm Down.”
Dancers dressed in colorful ensembles moved around the stage before the drag queens featured in the music video appeared next to Swift as she sang the anti-hate anthem. The first number concluded with the words “Equality Act” largely written behind the performers.
Swift has been an advocate for the Equality Act and has urged her followers to sign a petition in its favor on social media. The House of Representatives passed legislation in May that protects those living in states where it’s legal to discriminate based on sexual orientation and gender identity when it comes to housing, employment and other services.