Guerneville Thursday Concerts on the Plaza

ANNOUNCING: Guerneville 

Concerts on the Plaza

I would like to take this time and invite you to the kickoff of the very first "Friends of the Guerneville Plaza" kickoff series of the communities first Concert Series, yes on the Guerneville Plaza! The event is start this Thursday on August 11th and will run till October 8th. The program starts at 4:00 pm and run's till 7:00 pm. and starts off with Nils Molin's IMPULSE with special guest Gwen Avery.
The night will open with Jason Cool on Sitar.
· Thursday, August 18th will feature Angelina Gorgano.
· Thursday, August 25th will feature Mountain Dawg.

This event it FREE - please bring your own chairs. Alcohol and pets are not permitted!

For more information please call
 707-869-3865 or 707-869-9000. 

What a great way to bring the community together and enjoy the plaza surroundings and walk to the middle of the bridge and look west and east, and enjoy the beautiful Russian River views, and just think why we love this community! One new start of some Fresh Energy in the our beloved Community.

Please pass this on to your friends and neighbors. Support is needed, and yes any production like this costs $! We have been able to raise  $4,135.to date, and our budget is $5,000.00, to work on covering our costs. If you can help with any amount we truly would appreciate it. This in our hopes is just the beginning to a 2012 Concert series that would run all summer long and could include a farmers market, and several types of art show and cultural events that would embrace our whole community.

So please come by and support the program and while in town let me invite you also to several of local business and restaurants, for some great food and beverages. We all need each to other, so we can make this OUR community a great place to live and to continue to support each other. A combination of success which will carry this from the entrance of Guerneville all the way to the Coast. Thank you all for any support and good thoughts you may give to us and our community.

I thank you all, 
Herman
Herman J. Hernandez, CRB,CRS,SRES
Frank Howard Allen Realtors/Russian River

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Altenberg Trio performs in Occidental

Rare Chance to Hear Masterful

Altenberg Trio Visiting From Vienna

at the Redwood Arts Council concert in Occidental

8 PM on Saturday, April 2

… played it with insightful, precisely controlled fury…nothing short of stunning. 

~The Washington Post

Since its debut in 1994, the Altenberg Trio has given over 1000 performances and earned a reputation as one of the most daring and consistent ensembles of its kind. The trio appears on April 2nd at 8 P.M. in the Occidental Center for the Arts with a program of Haydn’s Trio in d minor, Chausson’s Trio, Opus 3, and Brahms’ Trio in B Major, Opus 8.

One of only two ensembles ever awarded the Robert Schumann Award of the City of Zwickau since 1964, the trio’s repertoire encompasses over 200 piano trios, among them works composed specifically for the trio. It is the Trio-in-Residence of the Vienna Conservatory, and the trio performs regularly at the International Brahms Festival in Austria and provides master classes in Europe and the U.S.

The Altenberg Trio takes pride in remaining faithful to the style and tradition of the “Viennese sound” so often admired in reviews. Violinist Amiram Ganz plays a violin by Goffredo Cappa (1686) and cellist Alexander Gebert plays a cello by Nicolas Vuillaume (1800-1871). The trio currently has 10 recordings on the Challenge label in repertoire ranging from German and French classics to American music.

Pianist Claus-Christian Schuster was born in Vienna in 1952. He studied in Vienna, at Indiana University in Bloomington, and at the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory. From 1976 to 1986, Mr. Schuster taught at the Vienna Musikhochschule. He won awards at several international piano and chamber music competitions, performing as a soloist until 1984 when he founded the Vienna Schubert Trio, a regular guest at the most important music centers and renowned chamber music festivals. In 1994, he founded the Altenberg Trio Wien with his colleagues Amiram Ganz and Martin Hornstein.

Violinist Amiram Ganz was born in Montevideo, Uruguay in 1952. At the age of eleven he won the Jeunesses Musicales Competition and then continued his studies in the U.S. He then studied at the International Academy of Chamber Music in Rome, and between 1974 and 1979 at the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory. He became first concertmaster of the Orchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg in 1980. In 1994, he became a founding member of the Altenberg Trio of Vienna. Mr. Ganz teaches at the Strasbourg Conservatory and as a member of the trio, leads seminars for music majors at the Vienna Conservatory.

Cellist Alexander Gebert was born in 1977 to a musical family in Warsaw. He studied cello at the Turku Conservatory in Finland and later at the Sibelius Academy. From 1995 to 1998, he received a Polish state scholarship to study at the Chopin Academy in Warsaw. After graduation, he continued his studies at the Paris Conservatory. Mr. Gebert won his first international contest at the age of 16 and additional prizes as his studies progressed. In 2000, he played with the Orchestre de la Susse Romande, with Heinrich Schiff conducting. He performs widely both as a soloist and chamber musician at many prestigious venues. In 2004 he was invited to join the Altenberg Trio Vienna.

The concert takes place in the new Occidental Center for the Arts, located at the west end of Occidental. The new home for the Redwood Arts features great acoustics and excellent sight lines to the stage. 

This outstanding concert takes place at 8 PM on Saturday, April 2. Tickets may be purchased through brownpapertickets.com, at Handgoods in Occidental, and if available, at the concert. Prices are $25.00 for general admission, and $10.00 for full-time students with ID. Infants and very young children not recommended. For further information, visit redwoodarts.org or call 874-1124.

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Beth Zucchino performs at Church of the Incarnation

On Friday evening, October 8, an audience of approximately 35 people were beautifully entertained by Beth Zucchino at the 30 minute “Twilight” concert at Church of the Incarnation. Beth performed the “Sechs Stuecke in kanonischer Form,” Opus 56, by Robert Schumann. The six studies were originally written for pedal-piano.

The passion that Beth has for this music was clear by both her performance and in the remarks she made about the music. Beth made the music come alive without overstating any selection. All six were well balanced as a group.

Beth began learning Opus 56 last July. She chose it because it is gorgeous music, her own personal love of the literature, and because 2010 is the 200th birth anniversary of Schumann. Beth spoke of the zeal which both Robert and Clara Schumann had for the contrapuntal works of J.S. Bach and spoke of the personal and professional setting in 1845 for the Schumanns.

In the program notes, Beth listed each selection with its intended expression in German, with a brief English translation. Beth volunteered that her effort in translating the German was of particular interest to her:

Nicht zu schnell = not too fast
Mit innigem Ausdruck – with intimate expression
Andantino = faster than a moderately slow tempo
Inning = inmost, heartfelt
Nicht zu schnell = not too fast
Adagio = slowly, at ease (literally)

I asked Beth about her registrations. She has generously described them all, even though she never actually wrote them down, either at home or at Church of the Incarnation during her preparation. (Perhaps they are still on Memory Level 16):

No. 1 8’, 4’ and 2’ (flues)
No. 2 8’ flues (two combinations), opening one more fully, second more diminished to follow closing dynamic indicated
No. 3 8’ and 4’ (flues), two manuals used throughout
No. 4 8’ (flues), more full as above, plus swell oboe 8’
No. 5 thru mixtures and reeds in both manual divisions and pedal
(coupled, boxes closed)
No. 6 8’ strings, flutes, celestes plus 16’ and 8’ in pedal (keeping it light) –
Beth’s description of this is “moosh!”

Beth used the swell pedal with discretion, mostly following the composer’s indications.
The inner structure and character of each study was presented very clearly by Beth through her articulation and registration choices. The overall structure had a momentum from beginning to end. An underlying gentle, rhythmic pulse gave the entire program a sense of vitality and momentum.

After the concert I asked Beth if I could look at her score. Several days later I realized there were hardly any pencil marks in it from her study and practice. I asked her about this. Beth wrote back that “she has always had a strong sense of playing various styles sans academics. She wanted to leave her heart free to interpret in any given moment what inspired her.”

I then understood why I had tears in my eyes as Beth was nearly finished playing Study No. 6 and I wished she would repeat the entire program. All sorts of visual images were going through my mind. It was as though the story was ending and I was a captivated reader not wanting to close the book. Certainly all of us could have listened to another 30 minutes of such an expressive and well-tailored program

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Cloverdale Heats up Friday Night Live

ORGONE’S 

COSMIC GROOVE POWERS 

UP THE NIGHT

…DOWNTOWN CLOVERDALE 

AT THE PLAZA

LA-based Orgone brings its heavy brand of raw funk power to the Friday Night Live stage in downtown Cloverdale. With funk, soul, afrobeat, and deep rhythms, Orgone is known for searing live sets and original instrumentals.

The original 5-member band put their own gritty takes on tunes by the likes of the JBs, the Meters, Booker T. and the MGs, Grant Green and Funkadelic among many others. They grew fast to include a powerful three-piece horn section and a fiery soul singer, Fanny Franklin.

RELIX magazine says, “Their music is terrifically unfussy, big slabs of grizzled R&B, greasy as fatback and thick as a very particular kind of smoke…recalls the majesty of Sly & the Family Stone.” XLR8R raves “lead singer Fanny Franklin fits in very nicely between Sharon Jones and Amy Winehouse. Orgone’s sound is…organic, rooted in soul, funk, boogaloo, and jazz, with a classic appeal that’s…contemporary, smooth and soulful.

Friday Night Live fans should come ready to get down and party. Expect one non-stop cosmic groove!

Friday Night Live festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. with the Cloverdale Certified Farmers Market which offers fresh local produce, arts, crafts and food, or sample local restaurants offering early bird and late night specials. Music starts at 7 p.m. Arrive early for limited seating or bring your own lawn chair. Craft beer, local wines, non-alcoholic beverages are available for purchase. Friday Night Live respectfully asks that you help us comply with the conditions of our ABC permit by not bringing outside alcoholic beverages to the concerts and disposing of any alcoholic beverages purchased at the shows before you leave.

Friday Night Live is produced by the Cloverdale Arts Alliance with underwriting support from the City of Cloverdale and a number of generous local businesses and winery sponsors. The Orgone concert is underwritten in part by Antiques & Uniques. Winery sponsors are Hanna Winery and Long Gamma. Major sponsors for the 2010 series are Furber Development, A&M Satellite/Dish Network, Lagunitas Brewing Company/Miller Lite, Redwood Credit Union and Real Goods Solar. Media Sponsors are Cloverdale Reveille, KRCB-FM and KZST-FM.

Out-of-town visitors can receive a lodging discount by calling Historic Inns of Cloverdale at (800) 894-1737 and mentioning Friday Night Live. For more information visit www.cloverdaleartsalliance.org or call (707) 894-4410. Or www.orgonespace.com; www.myspace.com/orgone.

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Classical Sonoma - MUSIC REVIEWS

Log on to this web site Classical Sonoma - below - to learn about concerts performed by exceptional musicians in the Classical tradition. Beth Zucchino turned me on to this site and organization and I want to share her passion with you... specifically a review of organ music performed by Shin-Ae Chun. But there's more - save the site with Bookmark so you stay informed of classical music concerts in Sonoma County: http://classicalsonoma.org/

POISE AND VIRTUOSITY IN ALL-BACH ORGAN RECITAL
by James Harrod
Sunday, March 21, 2010

Organ music enthusiasts had the opportunity March 21 to hear a flawless recital of Bach’s music, played by Shin-Ae Chun at Resurrection Parish on Stony Point Road. Ms. Chun is choir director and organist at Toledo’s First Congregational Church and her Santa Rosa concert was produced by the Creative Arts Series.

Honoring Bach’s birthday (March 21, 1685) in the program “Dancing Bach,” Ms. Chun played compositions representative of the Leipzig master’s organ music over his lifetime. Included were the youthful Prelude and Fugue in G, BWV 550, the Concerto in D, BWV 596 (composed in Bach’s Weimer period), Pastorella, BWV 590, Prelude and Fugue in g, BWV 535, Vivace from the Trio Sonata in G, BWV 530, Schmuecke dich, o liebe Seele (from Chorales, BWV 654), and Piece d’Orgue, BWV 572.

In the opening work Ms. Chun immediately showed great poise at the console with a clean articulated Baroque touch, even tempo, and steady “dancing” foot tapping energy. She played at a quick pace in virtuoso style with perfectly clean lines. The fugue was presented with clear phrasing and unclouded thematic figures. In the same way her interpretation of the G Minor Prelude and Fugue showed Bach’s recurring figures in perfect balance and measured touch. The lightning fast arpeggios of the first and last movements of the Piece d’Orgue were executed brilliantly. The Vivace from the Trio Sonata, arguably a great test of an organist’s nervous system, was played elegantly with three perfectly balanced musical voices.

The five short movements of the Concerto in D gave us a different but important Bach at the organ. In contrast to the church sounds of the Chorale Schmuecke dich and the majestic middle section of the Piece d‘Orgue, the Concerto is a transposition from a Vivaldi composition, written for a small string ensemble in the Italian style of the period and adopted by Bach for the organ in 1717. Ms. Chun played the concerto delicately with light articulation, even phrasing, and expressive registration, apropos of Vivaldi’s original.

The most discerning interpretation in Ms. Chun’s program may have been the Pastorella. This composition, often misplayed by organists with muddy sonics, was presented here with the clean delicacy of dew on a quietly pasture at dawn. Soft foundations were used for the opening 8/12 meter rocking rhythms and bell tone flutes and a “bag pipe” reed solo in the responding movements. The effect was refreshing!

Throughout the program, Ms. Chun used appropriate and varied Baroque stop registrations for Bach’s music which were sensitive and never too loud, the rich tones never overbearing.

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Marshall, Bolt & Harr CD Release

Jackalope recording Artists
MARSHALL, BOLT & HARR
Original Americana, Blues, Boogie & Celtic music
Saturday, Nov. 14th 7pm No Cover
Coffee Catz, Highway 12 Gravenstien Station, Sebastopol

CD is in final design stages and....We are working on scheduling a CD release party at the Last record Store on Mendocino Ave in Santa Rosa. Still working on a date hopefully in December just in time for the Holiday. Please check the website for updates.
www.mbhmusic.com

Members of this trio have shared the stage with Dan Hicks, John Lee Hooker, Commander Cody, Norman Greenbaum and others.

MARSHALL, BOLT & HARR IS A TRIO OF MUSIC INDUSTRY VETERANS THAT HAVE COME TOGETHER FOR THE PURE LOVE OF SONGWRITING AND THE CREATIVE PROCESS.
In every rehearsal and performance the ego's are left at the door and replaced with the joy and love of creating "music in its natural state." MB&H lives by the tongue and cheek credo..."We are living proof you should never take yourself too seriously." For MB&H performances are always a tremendous joy but the experience of co-creating original music is what drives this very original and talented songwriting team. Their collective professional experience spans some 40 years.
MARSHALL, BOLT & HARR are now recording their first CD together as a trio with Jackalope Records in Santa Rosa California with the considerable production talents of Doug Jayne.

MARSHALL, BOLT & HARR.
Original Americana, contemporary folk, blues, boogie, Celtic...and wee bit of tomfoolery.

North Bay music veteran PHIL MARSHALL is our "Baron of the Base Guitar." None finer or more versatile. Phil also contributes his considerable arranging savvy and talents to the trio compositions. PHIL MARSHALL uses a traditional stand up base, an electric acoustic masterpiece by Klein/Taylor and a fretless base on the selections of the Woodbine project. PHIL MARSHALL cut his professional teeth back in the 60's and 70's with Norman Greenbaum and Crossfire. He has recorded in every major studio in L.A. Phil's versitility as a player keeps him in demand to play with others in the North Bay like Blue Moon, Smile'n Iguana's, jazz and Dixieland quartets.

ROGER BOLT: Classically trained singer and songwriter, Acoustic steel string and electric guitar. Roger's international and world travel has influenced his original composition to a broad musical pallet of Latin, Celtic, Early American Folk, Rock, Blues, Boogie, Jazz and styles we don't have a name for. ROGER BOLT began his musical journey in the South East with his first band the Inmates, playing for the men and women leaving Ft. Benning Georgia for the war in Viet Nam during the late Sixties. After moving to California in 1967 He connected with other kindred spirits and formed other musical projects like Woodbine, the rock band BOLT, Los Gringos, Noble Bolt and others. Roger has also spent many years in broadcasting with NPR affiliate KRCB FM, KPLS Country music and KMLS Cable 1 rock radio.

The haunting Celtic song "Hooligan's Dream" from the Woodbine CD; Moonlight Memory is currently appearing in the movie "Hilo de Cristal" or "Thread of Glass", from Grial Producciones, Spain. All songs are available on this website, playable and down loadable.

STEVE HARR: Singer songwriter, Guitarist, arranger and citizen of the cosmos. STEVE HARR has performed and recorded for many years in the country and AOR markets. STEVE HARR has shared the stage with Lightning Hopkins, Dan Hicks, Commander Cody and many others. His country compositions have been in the top 10 of the international Billboard. STEVE HARR brings a natural ease to his work often spiked with earthy humour of the common man and the human condition.

Together these three talented singers and songwriters translate their joy of the creative process to every audience they perform before. From moody introspective ballads to toe tapping boogie and blues MARSHALL, BOLT & HARR connects to listeners and fans wherever they play.

Check Out our Myspace www.myspace.com/rogerbolt

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Bob Dylan - Revisited Past & Present

Bob Dylan/ 10/10-11/09

Newport, RI, folk festival, 1963

By Terry Wright

The two forms exploded out of the crowd, grabbed the door latch on my 47 Chevy and breathlessly piled in chanting “we gotta go see Dylan”. Margie and Louise, bedecked in Woody Guthrie denim folk attire are on the warpath, we careen through the crowd to the big field and somehow shoehorn into a parking place and we are off at a run to the workshop tent.

OK, Dylan, I'd heard some echoes of this new guru through folk circles, even had the first album, and had started singing his early songs. We’d even scoured Washington Square for the dude to no avail one dark misty night in NYC, and here we were.

We made a grand entrance..high on our energy, working our way through the crowd, and there’s this guy, I check him out. And he checks me out, scraggly beard, tousled hair---check. Stained work shirt with 1/2 smoked pack of Galoises in the pocket ----check. Battered Levis, cowboy boots----check. Guitar over one shoulder—check. I look at him and say “what's with the bullwhip?” He touches the coiled serpent on his shoulder, smiles and says “Joanie and I are blowing minds doing bullwhip tricks around the pool at the motel”. “Cool, sounds like fun”. And off we go.

We are blown away, the poetry most of all, and the style…gravelly voice, great guitar in all modes, and unassuming air. “Baby let me follow you down”, “Don’t think twice” “House of the rising sun”, all done in a howling style, immediately adopted by all folkies around. And the world had changed for folk music.

Newport RI folk festival 1965

The multitudes are gathered to hear the famous guru of folk, Dylan is now a superstar, with a mane of hair, followed by a wave of marmidons crossing the field to the workshop. You have to shoehorn into the crowd and fight for a space, and the poetry flows and the music bites hard into the words, the guitar sings for us all to hear.

We gear up for the evening concert, a big crowd in the football field, packed in to do homage to the new god of folk. But, there is a setup for a rock band, unheard of at Newport, and finally they come out, Paul Butterfield, band and Dylan with a very poor rendition of some songs, out of tune, feedback screeching, people outraged, a wave of booing running through the crowd. I’ve been talking to Pete Seeger, who was seated in front of me with his mom, Ruth Crawford, and he is outraged, jumps up and heads back for the stage. I hear later that he was going to pull the plug on the performance with an axe. Butterfield and Dylan screech some more, and finally quit. Bob comes out and does one song to mollify the crowd, still with boos echoing, and finally bows out, no apology, just an experiment in a new genre that the folkies weren’t ready for.

This set the pattern for his career, and each time we heard a new set of tunes and a new band (most notably The Band), a new page was written in the bible of Dylan. Nashville Skyline with some great country ballads, Slow Train Comin, songs of his Christian phase, Time out of Mind with some uptempo ballads. He continued the poetry, and the captivating presence in concert.

So when we heard about the Greek Theater concert October 10, it was time, I stalked the Ticketmaster website and scored 2 tickets in the first public minutes, and was off to the music event of the year.

The Greek was packed, we got there at 5 and stood in line for good seats, which we got no problem, center up 10 rows behind the mixers, huge electronic affairs, studded with computer screens. We prepped for cold, and bundled up, with low back chairs, blankets and partied. The house beer and wine was lousey, so we had a little reserve and mellowed out, watching the people. I wore an Uncle Sam top hat so our late friends could find us. We got an early taste of the band during the sound test from the parking lot, and they were solid, with punching bass lines rumbling our chests

On time, they came on and introduced Dylan as an icon of American music and master of many styles and genres. A shout went up from the crowd as he entered the stage, dressed in black hat, double breasted black jacket and red scarf, launching into the solid big beat reverberating around the amphitheater.

The playlist was eclectic, (see Bob Dylan website for list and other reviews) with versions of Mama you been on my mind and the Lonesome death of Hattie Carroll with very creative arrangements; interfaces with Highway 61 revisited during which I cried with happiness, Thunder on the Mountain and old classics Like a Rolling Stone and finishing with All along the Watchtower. All done in the same style, big beat, up tempo, Dylan’s voice was gravelly and low as always, and occasional snippets of words came out, but I knew most of them and sang along. The faithful in the mosh pit were packed in, and well-behaved, and let out a collective spine chilling scream every time a favorite line came on. The crowd in general was mellow, I thought we were going to have some loud people behind us, but they mellowed out as soon as the music started.

The best part for me was to watch Dylan sing with his body, small movements and twitches, sometimes arms raised, leaning into the music, emphasizing the words with his body, Pushing into the lines sent chills up and down my spine. You can see him playing with the words.

“Oh God said to Abraham, "Kill me a son"

Abe says, "Man, you must be puttin' me on"

God say, "No." Abe say, "What?"

God say, "You can do what you want Abe, but

The next time you see me comin' you better run"

Well Abe says, "Where do you want this killin' done?"

God says, "Out on Highway 61."

This says it for the poetry, It has always been a creative tour de force, and he can spout out rhymes with amazing words like a fountain. There is a clip in Pennebakers film where he is given 5 words and makes up poetry for 10 minutes, and incredible feat.

The band was solid, Charlie Sexton on lead guitar is top notch and the pedal steel, standup bass, and drums equally talented. They did make a lot of noise, but that’s what its all about in the new Dylan mode. The tour continues across the country, first to LA, then Las Vegas and ends up in Boston Its worth flying to.

Submitted by:
W.H. Terry Wright, PhD
Emeritus Professor of Geology, SSU (retired)
terrywrightgeology.com
terrysworld007.blogspot.com -
picasaweb.google.com/terryw100


If by some fiat I had to restrict all this writing to a single sentence, this is the one I would choose: The summit of Mt. Everest is marine limestone. - John McPhee

...and while you're at it - check out this web site where the photo of Bob came from:
http://tonemarrowreviews.wordpress.com/

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Monte Rio - Vacation Wonderland

So Much Happening in Monte Rio!

By Dawn Bell

Monte Rio has long been known as the “quiet” river community. Quiet in the way of a smaller population and fewer businesses than other river communities perhaps, but not quiet in the number of activities and events. Four miles west of Guerneville, Monte Rio beach offers a stunning setting and an active community that offers visitors and residents alike a vast variety or things to do, places to stay and food to eat. But if you are beach oriented only, Monte Rio has much to attract you. Canoe and kayak rentals are incredibly inexpensive here. In fact, you can even rent one at a 50% “sunset” special rate Monday through Friday. The beach concession serves up juicy burgers and other favorites and some pretty incredible garlic French fries too! You’ll get 20% off your food purchase when you rent a canoe or kayak! You really can’t lose on this deal.

Residents and visitors are fond of walking to restaurants and stores and taking the opportunity to observe the water fowl and other wildlife that thrives in this area. If you’re lucky, you’ll have the unique experience of watching one of the nesting Osprey fish for dinner. This time of year you will also see bramble after bramble of ripening blackberries and many people picking them.
In answer to the question of what to do with so many blackberries and other area fruit, Monte Rio Recreation and Park District has begun the Russian River Canning Co-operative at the Community Center kitchen. All are welcome to bring berries and other fruits, along with their canning supplies, and $5 for kitchen use, twice monthly to share their knowledge or to learn from more practiced canners, the art of preserving our local foods. Russian River Canning Co-operative meets on alternate Sundays from 10AM to 3PM - Please call for times in September (707) 865-9956

Speaking about food, local restaurants in Monte Rio boast some of the best food in all the Russian River. Café Les Jumelle’s breakfasts are nearly legend, but what is less well known are their equally enticing lunch and dinner fares prepared by chef-owner Robert Holmes. Across the river the Village Inn’s Sunday
BBQ’s with live jazz has become a favorite gathering spot where co-owner Mark Belhumeur works at the grill. They’re also open for dinner Wednesday through Sunday where among many delicious choices, chef John Crespo’s steak frites will leave you speechless. The Highland Dell serves up hearty meals with a penchant for German flavors. Owners Herwig and Ingrid Loose pride themselves on their hospitality and the beauty of the renovated restaurant and inn. The restaurant is open every day but Wednesday. And of course the scene would be incomplete without The Pink Elephant on Main Street where libations and pizza are served daily. Never forgetting the standing Thursday night performance from favorite local band The Thugs!

If you prefer the cool and quiet setting of a movie theater, well, Monte Rio has that too, with the historic Rio Theater showing first-run movies all year long.
And for those are truly in the mood for privacy, it’s impossible not to recommend a good bottle of wine, some cheese and a baguette from Sophie’s Cellars to enjoy at home. Sophie’s Cellars boasts rack after rack of local and international wines in price ranges for everyone. The shop is also beautiful and owners John Haggard and David Defries are always on hand to find exactly the right wine for you. Twelve area restaurants waive their corkage fees when you bring your receipt from their shop.

Summer is setting for many different events here too. The Russian River Car Show takes place in the Community Center parking lot on Saturday, August 29 from 8AM to 3PM. A pancake breakfast will be cooked in the Community Center that morning prepared by volunteers of the Monte Rio Fire District. Various vendors, including ribs from the Village Inn Restaurant, will be on hand for the lunch crowd. This car show invites American Made cars from 1973 and earlier to show off their beauty and rev their engines. This event is free to the public.

The Monte Rio amphitheater may be known to many as the home of the annual Bohemian Grove Variety Show – which can proudly proclaim the event with the highest attendance – more than 1300 this year! But the amphitheater is also preparing for much more this year.

On August 15th the Monte Verde Music, Art & Sustainable Technology Fair will take over the grounds from noon until 10PM. Jorge Santana and Peace are the featured performers along with Midnight Sun, Creation, and West County African All-Stars and others. Teams of vendors will complete the event providing interest for everyone. Visit www.monteverdefestival.com for details.

In the true spirit of community, we want to encourgae you to attend a “Fun” raising concert for the Friends of Villa Grande, that benefits the Patterson Point Restoration Project.

“A Sunday In New Orleans” on September 6th at the charming Monte Rio Amphitheatre. Go to riverwoods.us for details. All proceeds go to the Patterson Point Restoration Project, and helps promote the under utilized Monte Rio Amphitheatre as well. A great time, a great place, and a great cause.

On Friday, September 18th, golfers and epicures alike can enjoy the 2nd Annual Golf & Gourmet event and silent auction. This event began last year and earned the attention of many local golfers and food lovers. The nine-hole tournament at the beautiful Northwood Golf Course will conclude with a one-of-a-kind food experience created by chef Maria Vieages at the Monte Rio Community Center.

On Sunday, October 4th the Monte Rio Recreation & Park District will host the Autumn Faire and Market at the amphitheater. This is a double event that begins at 10AM with a free admission fair and market with a Latin flair. Local notable chef Gerard Nebeski, famous for his paella, will be on hand as will KGGV radio show host and personal chef Maria Vieages. The Monte Rio Chamber of Commerce will serve up spicy sausages while artisans show their wares and children delight in piñata bashing. Many other Children’s activities will be offered including pumpkin decorating and face painting. The farmers market and artisan fair will offer delectable and interesting items for all. When the fair ends at 4PM the grounds will be converted into a concert venue that will include a flamenco band and dancers, Cuban music and other Latin sounds. The concert will be a ticketed event benefiting EcoRing.

So you see, Monte Rio for all its appearances of quietude, is still jumping with events and activities for everyone to enjoy. Visit us soon and enjoy the best of West County recreation.

www.mrrpd.org or on Facebook at Monte Rio Parks or Russian River Canning Cooperative

Village Inn & Restaurant – 707-865-2304 - http://www.villageinn-ca.com/

Highland Dell – 707-865-2300 - http://www.highlanddell.com/

Café Les Juemelles – 865-9500

Sophie’s Cellars – 865-1122 - http://www.sophiescellars.com/

Rio Theater - 865-0913 - http://www.riotheater.com/

Monte Rio Chamber of Commerce - 707-865-2304 - http://www.monterio.org/

The Pink Elephant - 707-865-0500

EcoRing - http://ecoring.org/

Google Map of Monte Rio: http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Monte+Rio&state=CA&address=9925+Main+Street&zipcode=95462+

KGGV-LP 95.1 FM –The Bridge” Guerneville: http://www.kggvfm.org/

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A Bit of Musical Pleasure for You - Why Not!

African Thunderstorm

This fun YouTube video features a 1980s pop classic. The rock band Toto scored their biggest hit with Africa in 1982. The song is instantly recognizable. But it has been reinvented.

Perpetuum Jazzile is an a cappella jazz choir from Slovenia. It’s hard to think of something further from an ‘80s rock band. But their version of Africa may best the original. The group has amazing voices.

But the beginning of this video is really striking. Group members simulate an African thunderstorm with their hands. It’s really something to see and hear.

http://videos.komando.com/2009/06/18/african-thunderstorm/

Life is Fun when you take the time to enjoy it!

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Riggy Rackin - Somewhere in Between

Hi Everyone !
I am so happy to tell you that today I am finally bringing forth a project reflecting my life's work in an album titled Somewhere in Between.

It defies categorization and covers the genres of my journey: English Folksong, Renaissance Art Song, English Country Dance instrumentals, Irish Sea Songs, American Country and Pop ballads.

Stellar singers and musicians provide top-notch support, while veteran producer Jeff Martin has made magic of it all!

The CD and samples are easily available thru my website: www.riggy.com
or you could Download Somewhere in Between if that's your preferred way to gather your music !

Thanks so much taking time to look & listen.

Riggy

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ONCE-Mini Music & Film Review

Music that Inspires - Film that Touches the Soul
A street musician meets a his musical match - a love story without lust & sex - just mutual inspiration. Hits top notes in both music and film.

By Vesta Copestakes

This isn't my turf, but I just have to recommend a film and CD because it's one of those experiences that leaves a trail in your mind. I love those kind. You see a movie and it haunts you because it's good - not because it's scary or intensely emotional. In this case, because it's sweet, and honest and so very human and real. And the music - the music just took up residence inside my head and heart.

I found this movie simply because I asked Joe at The Movie Library in Forestville to help me find something to take to Alan's house for an evening of watching a movie while lounging on the couch. I fail miserably with my movie choices, even when I bring three. I get lured in by intriguing visuals and off-the-wall plot descriptions. Amazing how bad some movies can be. So I asked for Joe's advice.

He told me about a movie that he hadn't seen but that many people had told him about. People said they recommended it highly - so heck - why not.

Right away I was drawn to the characters, so real and appealing. People I would want to meet. Their story was friendship. Not love and attraction and passion and lust - and certainly not even a hint at violence. Just good friendship. Two people who meet and start making music together. They never fall in love, never jump into bed together even though there's a little hint that they could. Their lives have complexities that are real without drama - just real. Their music and the evolution of the music that comes from their friendship is real and - well - musical! They pull together other people to play with them. The relationships they have with other people in their lives - the whole movie - it's just real. And yet it's a movie.

I like the music so much, Alan bought me the CD for my birthday, and with it is a DVD of how they made the movie. Even that's interesting. Amazing actually!

So I'm passing Joe's advice on that he got from others. Apparently “Once” has left a trail of recognition from Sundance Film Festival out into the universe. Pick up the movie and enjoy. And if you're like me, the music will lure you to wanting to hear it more. And you get the bonus of the DVD that gives you the inside story of how this all came together. I am so impressed.

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