Lots to do in the months of July and August! Check out these summer events and add them to your calendar!
JULY 3
Funky Fridays: Enjoy live music in a beautiful spot, as this popular outdoor summer concert series in Sugarloaf Ridge State Park presents dance music by the Funky Dozen from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The series continues with a different band every Friday through Sept. 4. The concerts raised more than $30,000 for the park last summer. $10, 18 and younger free.
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, 2605 Adobe Canyon Road, Kenwood, 707-833-6288, funkyfridays.info
JULY 4
Fireworks Spectacular: Celebrate Independence Day at the Green Music Center, with seating available both in Weill Hall and on the back lawn. The Santa Rosa Symphony, led by conductor Michael Berkowitz, performs with singer Megan Hilty, who played Glinda in “Wicked” on Broadway, at 7:30 p.m., followed by fireworks. $20 and up.
Green Music Center on the Sonoma State University campus, 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park, 866-955-6040, gmc.sonoma.edu
JULY 4
The Wallflowers: The annual outdoor summer concert series at Napa Valley’s Robert Mondavi Winery opens with the rock band Wallflowers, led by Bob Dylan’s son, Jakob Dylan, at 7 p.m. The show also features Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness. $85-$115.
Robert Mondavi Winery, 7801 St. Helena Highway, Oakville, 888-769-5299, robertmondaviwinery.com
JULY 9
Concert Under the Stars: The Montgomery Village Shopping Center’s free outdoor summer concert series features beloved Bay Area blues, swing and jazz band Lavay Smith and Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers from 5 to 8 p.m.
Village Court, Montgomery Village, 911 Village Court, Santa Rosa, 707-545-3844, mvshops.com
JULY 11
Martina McBride: The four-time Country Music Awards female vocalist of the year performs at 7:30 p.m. at the Green Music Center’s Weill Hall and lawn. Her hits include “Wrong Baby Wrong” and “I’m Gonna Love You Through It.” $35 and up.
Green Music Center on the Sonoma State University campus, 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park, 866-955-6040, gmc.sonoma.edu
JULY 11-25
Mendocino Music Festival: Gather to hear sweet sounds by the sea during Mendocino’s 29th annual salute to music of all kinds. The program includes classical, contemporary, rock, folk, soul and other musical styles. The main venue is a huge tent on the Mendocino Headlands overlooking the ocean, with performances also at other venues around the town of Mendocino. $12-$53.
707-937-2044, mendocinomusic.org
JULY 12
Dawg Day Afternoon Bluegrass Festival: Hear some of the finest pickers alive when the David Grisman Sextet and the Del McCoury Band perform, and dobro master Jerry Douglas presents the Earls of Leicester. The festival’s name comes from mandolin master Grisman’s name for his own style of bluegrass, jazz and more: “dawg music,” a term originally coined for him by his longtime friend, Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead. The show starts at 3 p.m. at the Green Music Center’s Weill Hall and lawn. $25 and up.
Green Music Center on the Sonoma State University campus, 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park, 866-955-6040, gmc.sonoma.edu
JULY 17-18
Broadway Under the Stars: The Transcendence Theatre Company, a troupe of actors, singers and dancers with Broadway and national touring credits, continues its annual summer series of live outdoor musical revues with “Fantastical Family Night” at 7:30 p.m. both nights. $29-$129.
Jack London State Historic Park, 2400 London Ranch Road, Glen Ellen, 877-424-1414, transcendencetheatre.org
JULY 18
The Rivertown Revival: Witness a wacky race on the Petaluma River, including boats made of bicycle parts or maybe an old sofa. Enjoy live local music, art, food and drink. More than 40 local vendors will be on hand. The festival runs from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Steamer Landing Park, D and Copeland streets, Petaluma, rivertownrevival.com
JULY 18
Kevin Spacey: Hear the actor in concert. Yes, he sings as well as acts, directs and performs comedy. Remember him as Bobby Darin in 2004’s “Beyond the Sea”? The star of the hit TV series “House of Cards” sings standards from the American songbook at 7:30 p.m. at Green Music Center’s Weill Hall and lawn. Presented in collaboration with Napa Valley Festival del Sole. $40 and up.
Green Music Center on the Sonoma State University campus, 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park, 866-955-6040, gmc.sonoma.edu
EDITOR’S NOTE: The printed version of Sonoma Magazine gave an incorrect date of July 19th for the performance with Kevin Spacey. The correct date is Saturday, July 18.
JULY 24-AUGUST 9
Sonoma County Fair: Now in its 79th year, Sonoma County’s annual salute to its agricultural heritage and hometown traditions combines exhibits of all kinds, livestock competitions, horse races, family activities, carnival rides, food booths and live concerts by pop, country and rock ’n’ roll musicians. $11; $5 for ages 7-12; age 6 and younger free.
Sonoma County Fairgrounds, 1350 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa, 707-545-4200, sonomacountyfair.com
JULY 31-AUGUST 23
Music in the Vineyards: Hear chamber music performed by internationally known musicians in the most congenial of settings, at wineries scattered across Napa Valley. Star soprano Dawn Upshaw returns this year. Prices vary by venue. Check the website for a full schedule.
707-258-5559, musicinthevineyards.org
AUGUST 15
Randy Newman: The perennially popular Rodney Strong Summer Concert Series continues with a performance by the famed singer, songwriter, arranger and composer. Surrounded by acres of beautiful vineyards, concert-goers can enjoy fine wines and stunning scenery while picnicking at the winery’s outdoor venue, the Concert Green. $70-$100. The series closes Sept. 5 with guitarist and singer George Benson. Check the website for the full schedule and ticket prices.
Rodney Strong Vineyards, 11455 Redwood Highway, Healdsburg, 707-431-0998, rodneystrong.com
AUGUST 30
Pink Martini: This stylish and sophisticated little orchestra with a big sound and a wide repertoire performs at 4 p.m. at Green Music Center’s Weill Hall and lawn. $25 and up.
Green Music Center on the Sonoma State University campus, 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park, 866-955-6040, gmc.sonoma.edu