Some sad news came to the Napa Valley Opera House this month when City Winery officially announced it would be leaving the historic downtown Napa space at the end of this year. Apparently, the venue has simply failed to sell enough tickets despite booking popular headliners.
The only silver lining is that City Winery will continue to offer a full slate of concerts up until Dec. 31, and this weekend is a prime example of their eclectic quality bookings. The venue’s week starts with surfer-turned-songwriter Donavon Frankenreiter appearing on Thursday, Sept. 17, with opener Peter Harper. Frankenreiter’s new album, Start Livin’, is a joyful call for simplicity, and drips with the singer’s thickly sweet vocals and intimate folk guitar.
Friday, Sept. 18, a songwriter of another color performs, in Deer Tick frontman John McCauley (pictured). The Rhode Island native’s introspective style has set a high bar for alt-country artists everywhere, not only through his work with Deer Tick, but through his many acclaimed collaborative projects like Middle Brother and Diamond Rugs.
As if that wasn’t enough, the weekend also sees former Hüsker Dü frontman Bob Mould playing an early “solo electric” show that will feature new songs, old favorites and a few surprises, on Saturday, Sept. 19.
City Winery, 1030 Main St., Napa. 707.260.1600.
