I'm pretty disappointed in Healdsburg Jazz. They seem to focus on money and not Jazz. My experience…read morehas mostly been in the SF Jazz community. Here, they don't seem very open to building relationships and seeking out and creating jazz experiences. They are consistently overpriced and I often leave disappointed. Marcus talks to much and the organization tries to manage its members, rather than focusing on creating events that blow the listeners socks off. It's very sad.

What unfettered fun! Sit outside in lawn chairs enjoying food and wine while listening and…read morewatching to professional Jazz bands! It's all history now, but the afternoon's experience changed many of us who attended: We want to do it again and many of us want to go to New Orleans to see first hand what we sampled! (It would have been a hard sell to get me on a plane to New Orleans before I heard the Dr. Michael White Quartet.) There are many venues during the Healdsburg Jazz Festival - this one was New Orleans Jazz hosted at the Dry Creek Winery on Lambert (Laaaaaambert!) Road. Three groups performed: Russian River Ramblers are a local group of musicians which play traditional music (All of Me). MJ's Brass Boppers Brass Band played an eclectic repertoire that included brassy riffs that caused individuals to get up from those comfortable lawn chairs and dance! The last performance was Dr. Michael White Quartet. Dr. White prefaced each tune with a bit of interesting history on the piece of music and jazz history in New Orleans. One of his original pieces was "Sunday Morning" which Dr. White composed after the Katrina flood that devastated New Orleans. He explained that jazz bands in former times would parade through neighborhoods playing on Sunday morning to lead people to church. I'd never heard that before, but the image of a parade of people following a jazz band to church on a sunny Sunday morning is a good one! The highlight of the performance was when Dr. White was off on his clarinet solo when accross the street, someone's car alarm goes off. I instantly had homicidal thoughts about the car's owner to ruin Dr. White's magnificent solo... when I noticed a nearly imperceptible change in tempo and Dr. White incorporated the car horn into his riff!! Pitch and tempo of the car horn was as if that car horn was designed to accompany the music. That was a dandy demonstration of improvisation that I will not likely forget for a very long time! I hate large crowds. This crowd was small and festive. People I enjoyed being with. I do not know if all the events at Healdsburg Jazz Festival are as good as this one, but if they are half as good, this is an experience worthy of anyone's time.

Very surprised over this last weekend at the Blues Festival. Surprised that attendance was down -…read moreway down! With such a good line-up the only thing I can think of is that it's just not the way it used to be. First of all, the vendors have become scarce. We talked to one of them who said they no longer go because it's become much too expensive to be there anymore. Then the swimming in the river is something I always look forward to but that got axed as well. They put a barrier of kayaks right in the middle so you couldn't swim in the deep part. I swear I sat in the water and it barely went up to my neck. I literally had to scoot around on my butt to get around. I like to swim not scoot! The wine garden didn't have as many tasting booths either. Only four but that didn't matter because there weren't that many people. In the previous years, the place was booming with so much vibrancy but this year we found it to be deficient. I really feel that it affected the musical ambience.

This is a good year...but event has been s bit spotty the last few years. Past was great family…read morefriendly event with people in river, beach area....pretty much everywhere. Currently a bit subdued but beautiful weather & good groups. Bobby Rush was GREAT. Excellent performer....a real treat. Keep the blues alive ;-)!

The Summer dance series: great music+ Outdoor dance party= fun evening!…read moreI attended the first of the series last weekend and had an amazing time. The event takes place in the outdoor pavilion near the Coppola pool. A different band rocks the "house" for patrons from 7-10 pm. What I think I loved best about this was the outdoor venue; I love to dance but hate stuffy nightclubs. So what can be better than enjoying an amazing band, under the twinkling of the stars and fresh air? If you're not a dancer (or you just need a quick break to catch your breath) and want to enjoy the scene, there is a poolside bar set up with all the standard Coppola libations for purchase. Sip, Salsa, and great people, what more can you ask for?!

We had the FABULOUS experience of having Carl Vast and three other of his co-musicians provide the…read morelive music for the ceremony, the cocktail reception, and the dinner portion of our daughter Lily's wedding at the Highlands Estate in Cloverdale. Honestly, five stars is not enough. For the pre-ceremony ("greeting" music) and for the ceremony itself we had Carl on the guitar, Jeff on the woodwinds (flute, clarinet and saxophone) and Kathryn on the cello. For the cocktail reception and dinner we added Steve, with a bass. I am a big music lover, and for me, the music was maybe even my number one highlight of what was from start to finish a fabulous wedding. Carl was able to arrange it so that the type of music that was played CHANGED for each segment of the event (mentioned above), just enough so that it all flowed together, yet each portion of the event had a distinctively different "feel" to it. I don't know my music terminology very well, but Carl explained that in addition to the wedding music used during the ceremony, they also played jazz music, classical, Bossa Nova and Variety types of music. (All of these types of music can be heard on Carl's website.) Carl speaks the "language of music" very well and was able to be specific with me prior to the event so that we were able to set the mood for each segment of the wedding exactly as we wanted. Also, he was able to tailor certain segments with special requests. My daughter had something a bit more contemporary that she wanted to use for walking down the isle during the ceremony, and for a minimal extra fee (something like $40) the group learned the music and had it ready to go. In the months leading up to the wedding, Carl was extremely helpful when it came to the logistics of what would be played and when. He also went the extra mile when deciding where the musicians would set up the instruments during the ceremony and then during the reception. This enabled the sound to be optimilized (it was an open-spaced outdoor event) and the musicians to be seen and enjoyed, yet people would not be bumping into them (this DOES happen at events if the planning isn't done right). Carl, if you happen to read this, I want you to know that my absolute "high point" of our daughter's wedding was when, towards the end of the dinner, your group played my husband's and my special request, The Ashokan Farewell. We ADORE this piece, and when your band started to play it, my husband and I instinctively got up, walked away from our dinner plates and seated ourselves on a bench near the band. I get choked up just thinking about it. It was at that moment when, fully enraptured in your music and sitting among the rolling hills of the Highlands Estate, when I was finally able to calmly take it all in and reflect. Our past, our present, and our future as a family and how it felt to figuratively release our daughter into the world swept over me swept over me like a swiftly moving San Francisco fog. Thank you, Carl, for everything. But especially for that one moment.

My wife and I were looking for a different speed for our wedding (April 2021) music as a "DJ"…read moredidn't fit the vibe we wanted; Carl and his team were just what the doctor ordered! They played "Paris cafe" type music at our request and even made some recommendations with additional musicians to foster that vibe. They were wonderful! Our guests loved it and we got so many compliments! We highly recommend Carl and his team!

My husband and I have been part of Sonoma County Taiko for a year so far. Seven performances, four…read moreworkshops, and over 35 classes later, we've grown to love our involvement in the group and are so glad we joined. I love music, but aside from playing the violin in elementary school, I don't have much of a musical or performance background, so was initially intimidated. But SCT is a supportive, inclusive, and community-focused group, and it's been a fulfilling first year learning and evolving as a person, taiko drummer, performer, and member of a group. I appreciate SCT's involvement in the community and its passion for sharing its love for taiko and Japanese culture.

What a cool place to enjoy a nice glass of wine- or look at local art- or buy vinyl!! The wine (we…read moretried a Rosé and a Chardonnay) was good but the vibe of the place- from the front room to the back patio- was great. The patio has a few different seating areas- all with comfy chairs or padded benches- and plants everywhere- it felt like drinking in a secret garden. You can request an album to play, as well as purchase from their varied and cool selection of vinyl!

A very interesting experience. Our server, "Duncan" was very entertaining and very knowledgable…read more The space is just lovely with fabulous artwork. Their wines are quite unique, especially their Riesling and their "orange" wine, Ribolla. Highly recommended. Reservations are recommended but not necessary but we would suggest you do that, especially in the summer.

Lots of changes since prior reviews. All new spacious…read morehigh-end cushy seats & Nice carpets. Upgraded Bathrooms. You can actually walk in front of someone seated! For such a small town, we are blessed to have this theater. This drive-in is one of the last remaining drive-ins in the US. Just like the old days!! So Fun!!

Well, I wasn't expecting much as movie theaters are a dying breed. The seats were comfy, the…read morepopcorn was delicious, and the movie was great. We didn't have drinks, but I wished they had a variety of bottled drinks. Because I like me some unsweetened tea, but I know it's hard to stock everyone's favorites. As stated by other reviews, the bathrooms were pretty dirty, and even though they are old, giving them a good scrub down would help. Again, I understand theaters are usually run by a younger crowd, and cleaning is usually not on the skill set yet-so I wasn't surprised or aghast. lol. Overall, it was as advertised, and we had a great time!

Our local theater company puts on great shows. They use local authors and brand new fresh material…read more They even gave us Push Back plays this year as a sign of the times. Support this company by donating time or money or just sit back and enjoy the show.

Saw a great collection of 6 short plays last month and had a great time! Nice theatre and very…read moretalented actors--one of whom is my daughter. (Hope that doesn't go against your critique rules!) Went out for some local sushi afterwards. All in all, an excellent time was had by all!