FREE Live Music around Sonoma County!
Who doesn’t love FREE entertainment! One of the best things about summer in Sonoma County is the plethora of weekly options available to music lovers! If you enjoy getting out to see local Live Music, take a look at what is happening around Sonoma County this summer! Healdsburg In The Plaza Tuesdays 6:00pm - 8:00pm 2022 Tuesdays in the Plaza June 14 – Jesus Diaz y su Qba (Afro-Cuban Ensemble) June 21 – The Carolyn Sills Combo (Spaghetti Western Swing) June 28 – The Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra ft. Terrie Odabi (Blues/Soul) July 5 – The Coffis Brothers (Folk Rock) July 12 – Marshall House Project (Electric Soul/Funk) July 19 – Los Pinguos (Latin Rhythm/World) July 26 – Soul Horizon (Reggae) August 2 – Luce (Rock/Alternative) August 9 – Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys (Rockabilly/Western Swing) August 16 – Sal’s Greenhouse (Funk/Soul) August 23 – Boot Juice (Bluegrass/Folk) August 30 – The Rubinoos (Power Pop/Pop Rock) Montgomery Village - Sounds Summer Concert Series Santa Rosa Sundays 3:00pm - 6:00pm Village Sound Summer Concert Series June 12 – Pop-Rocks June 26 – Stax City July 10 – Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers July 24 – Mercy and the Heartbeats August 7 – Wonderbread 5 August 21 – Pop Fiction KRUSH Backyard Concerts 3565 Standish Ave, Santa Rosa Thursdays 6:00pm Backyard Concerts 2022 June 16 – Kid Andersen June 30 – Achilles Wheel / Dgiin July 14 – Wreckless Strangers / Amy McCarley July 28 – Janiva Magness / Alex Jordan August 11 – Taylor Rae / Dream Farmers August 25 – Blues Defenders & Soul Fuse September 8 – Full Moonalice / THUGZ Acoustic September 22 – Sonoma County Super Jam Live at Juilliard Park 227 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa Sundays 5:00pm - 7:00pm Live at Juilliard July 17 – Paul Steward July 24 – Lee Vandeveer Band July 31 – Aki Kumar August 7 - Batacha August 14 - Down Dirty Shake August 21 - Caitlin Jemma & The Goodness Wilson Artisan Wineries Summer Music Series Healdsburg Fridays 6:00 – 8:30pm Summer Music Series June 10 – St. Anne’s Crossing, Sonoma Shakers – Rock & Roll, Blues | Wine Country Artisan Pizza June 17 – Mazzocco, The Funky Dozen – Funk, Party | Fa Nino’s June 24 – Jaxon Keys, Solid Air – Americana, Rock & Roll | Wilson Artisan Grilling Team July 1 – Delorimier, The Hots – Rock, Pop | Wine Country Artisan Pizza July 8 – Soda Rock, The Poyntlyss Sistars – R&B, Dance | Dino’s Greek July 15 – St. Anne’s Crossing, Humdingers – Rock & Soul, Jazz | Chad’s Soup Shack July 22 – Mazzocco, The Harvest Band – Motown Soul | Dino’s Greek July 29 – Coyote Sonoma, Nicole Marden Band – Country | Coyote Sonoma August 5 – Soda...
🎃 In Sonoma County, autumn is so much more than pumpkin spice lattes…
For those of us who have the great pleasure of residing in the wine country throughout the seasons, we are undoubtedly spoiled. With unparalleled views of rolling hills, amber skies at sunset, and the smell of crisp, fresh air during fall — the wine country experience falls nothing short of stunning. Now that autumn is in full swing, we get to indulge not only in a beautiful display of colors, but we also reap the season’s newest crops. Here, autumn is so much more than pumpkin spice lattes. With most of Sonoma County’s restaurants committed to the farm-to-fork philosophy, we can be sure dishes will be made with this season’s freshest harvest: apples, dates, figs, pears, squash, and eggplant, to name a few. And with a vast choice of wines to top it all off… Really, what more can we ask for? A Guide to Sonoma County's Pumpkin Patches: For those seeking that true fall experience, our family farms feature a variety of gourds for your autumnal mood and Halloween creations. Check out this list of local pumpkin patches where you can find entertainment for the little ones, do a little wine tasting, and pick the perfect pumpkins. The Matheson and Roof 106 Open in Downtown Healdsburg: Recently, Healdsburg native chef Dustin Valette opened his much-anticipated new restaurant, the Matheson. The tri-level experience includes the upscale restaurant, a sushi counter, two bars, and a rooftop lounge. Oh, and did we mention 88 wines by the glass? Meet EarthSEED, Sonoma’s First Afro-Indigenous Farm: Located in Sebastopol, EarthSEED honors traditional agriculture, where founder Pandora Thomas practices and teaches African agricultural skills that have endured and evolved despite centuries of slavery and diaspora. The farm boasts fresh fruit, flowers, herbs and yes, even popsicles. ...
Sonoma County Summer Fun ☀️
Summer in the wine country brings with it scenes of lush vineyards, blooming meadows of lavender, and long, warm sunny days perfect for a beach day, outdoor wine tasting, or dining al fresco. Below discover more of what’s new this summer in Sonoma County! Live Music Returns to the Wine Country: In yet another welcome sign of a slow return to normalcy, the music is back, more intimately yet just as exuberantly, at these tuneful Sonoma County wineries. Reservations are required and physical distancing is factored into concert setups. Camp in Style this Summer: Let’s face it: Camping it a lot of work. It’s also a lot of fun. If you’d like to maximize the latter and minimize the former, consider booking one of these six “glamping” destinations in Sonoma County in which the shiny Airstreams, towering treehouses, and luxury canvas tents are awaiting—no assembly required....
Don't Miss Sebastopol's Gravenstein Apple Fair this Weekend!
This year marks the 100th! Anniversary of Sebastopol's first ever Gravenstein Apple Fair in 1910. Billed as "The Sweetest Little Fair" in Sonoma County, it is a celebration of Sonoma County's long tradition of agricultural delights. Now many of the apple orchards have given way to vineyards, and Sonoma County apples have long been less competitive on the world markets than those from Washington State and China, but the early ripening Gravenstein apple is still a hallmark of the best in local farming and fruit! Thanks to Sonoma County Farm Trails for keeping this tradition alive! If you can't make it to Sebastopol this weekend, Sonoma County Farm Trails offers a great on-line and printed guide to year round food tasting activities and events at Sonoma County's many small farms and markets. ...
Wine Country and Ducks, Part III: Ducks and People find Happiness in Sonoma County
These mallard ducks return every Valentine's Day for spring break by my pool in the Russian River appellation of Sonoma County. They know what Sonoma County humans know, according to a recent Gallup poll, which ranked Sonoma County as the happiest place in California, and the fifth happiest place in the US....
Guide to Sonoma County Christmas Tree Farms-Share an enduring tradition
Before I ever moved to Sonoma County, I looked forward to my annual expedition to buy a fresh-cut Christmas tree at one of the many family-owned farms here. Many people from all over the Bay Area make the annual trip to Sonoma County's 20 plus Christmas tree farms. It is a far superior alternative to visiting the mall or Home Depot for a tree. It's a great excuse to get out doors in the fresh air and have some fun with the family. Farms from Knights Valley to Petaluma, Santa Rosa to Sebastopol offer stunning wine country vistas and a chance to cut your own tree, or buy a live tree. Many have picnic areas and other attractions such as tractor rides for the kids. You can find Christmas trees of every variety, wreaths and cedar garlands. What a great way to spend a day or two this holiday season! Drive through some of the most gorgeous country on earth, take a hike in the fresh air, drink some free cider, gobble up some candy canes, and come home with a very fresh Christmas tree for your holiday celebrations. There are at least 20 farms in Sonoma County that offer cut your own or live Christmas trees for sale. Most of them offer free apple cider, candy canes and coffee. Many offer tractor rides to the kids and Santa Claus is even know to visit a few. There are farms in Sonoma, Petaluma, Penngrove and Santa Rosa, but Sebastopol is the Christmas Tree Farm capital of Sonoma County with 12 farms in all. Tree farmers seem to be a dying breed as many folks go to a parking lot at a mall to buy trees trucked in from who knows where. Visiting a local tree farm sure is a lot more fun. Follow the link below to Sonoma County Uncorked for a beautiful slide show, map and guide to all the Christmas tree farms in Sonoma wine country. Feel free to comment with your favorite Christmas tree farm! ...
Horse Lovers! Don’t Miss the 2nd Annual Sonoma Change Fundraising BBQ
Last year's inauguaral Benefit BBQ for the Sonoma CHANGE Program (Coins to Help Neglected and Abandoned Equines) was a great success! A fun event in a beautiful venue that raised significant money to help coordinate efforts in Sonoma and Mendocino Counties to save neglected horses from abuse and neglect. In 2009, your help is needed more than ever. It seems that ticket sales are down this year due to the economy, and the need to help abandoned horses is greater than ever. This year's event is at the beautiful Shone Farm of the Santa Rosa Junior College, on the border of Healdsburg, Forestville and Santa Rosa. Please visit the Sonoma CHANGE website to buy your ticket for this fun event coming up soon on Sunday, September 20, 2009.  You'll enjoy a great day with wonderful food, friends and family and lots of equestrian entertainment from dressage and jumping demonstrations, the chance to see and learn about all kinds of horses from Mustangs to Percherons and Friesians. Enjoy drill teams, vaulting and carriage driving. There will even be a Unicorn! What a great way to spend a September Sunday and to benefit a great cause--the health and well-being of horses throughout the North Bay. See you there! If you can't make it on the 20th, the CHANGE website will still accept your donation. If you would like more information about CHANGE, the video below will fill you in....
How far do I have to walk home from wine-tasting? or Cyrus?
You can take advantage of Cyrus' two Michelin stars and have less than a 1/2 mile walk home. ...
Wine Country and Ducks Redux, or just how early is spring this year?
The mustard is about a foot high with brilliant yellow flowers, the daffodils have just begun to bloom after pushing up since early December, and it was 74 degrees the other day. We have had two weeks of unbroken glorious weather which is lovely but we are finally getting some severely need rain. Grapegrowers are worried about early bud break, because we still have frost at night and will for some time. Today my thoughts turned to the pair of mallard ducks who spend their spring break by my pool, bordering some old vine zinfandel that belongs to a neighbor. Generally the last few years, they seem to miraculously show up right around the same time they spring into my mind. Perhaps they are not the only ones tuned into the lengthening days and warming weather? One of the things I love about living in the country, and being out and about early every morning to feed the horses at more or less the same time each day, is that I feel tuned in to nature in a way that I didn't quite get living "in town". Maybe I should set up a duck cam so I can capture their arrival this year? Last year they showed up on February 25th. I'll keep you posted when they return, meanwhile, here they are in 2008.  I guess I have intermittent spring fever....
Camels and Dressage?
OK I really am working on a more serious post about the 4 year high in home sales we experienced in Sonoma County real estate for the month of October 2008, with plunging inventory, but first this fun video for my horse (and camel) friends, from @WalkingHorse, a Twitter friend. ...