Plenty of comparisons have historically been made between music and painting—Bill Evans’ liner notes to Kind of Blue summarize the concept perfectly—and yet it’s not often the opportunity arises to admire an artist’s visual painting and his music at the same time. That chance comes this weekend, when abstract expressionist and blues guitarist and singer Mike Henderson appears at the di Rosa Preserve. A faculty member at UC Davis for over 30 years, Henderson works with a paintbrush the way most bluesmen bend nickel-wound strings, and openly states his goal is to reveal a painting that has more questions than answers. As a singer, Henderson is rugged and rough-edged, with a style that cries for empathy. To benefit educational programs, he and his band perform above the lake at the di Rosa in conjunction with his current new work on display in the Gatehouse Gallery. Advance tickets, including VIP seating with buffet dinner, are required when Henderson struts his stuff on Saturday, Aug. 8, at the di Rosa Preserve. 5200 Sonoma Hwy., Napa. 7pm. $50–$100. 707.226.5991.Gabe Meline
.Aug. 8: Mike Henderson at the di Rosa Preserve
