Since 1965, nearly 350,000 murder and manslaughter cases have remained unsolved, while as many as 75,000 John and Jane Does remain unidentified. This number continues to grow as more than 4,400 unknown bodies are recovered each year on U.S. soil.
Recent advances in forensic DNA testing have made it possible to identify victims and suspects with remarkable success, even decades after a body is found. But these new technologies aren’t being used to their full capacity—because legacy gatekeepers are unwilling to collaborate with private forensics companies that have developed these new tools.
Last March, the nonprofit National Academy of Sciences (NAS) convened a two-day workshop on law enforcement and genomics, exploring the reliability, accuracy and impact of emerging technologies for forensic science. The subject matter experts behind these technologies are predominantly from the private sector. But workshop organizers did not include a single private-sector forensic practitioner or representative of any of the technologies being explored.
This omission of the private sector will result in an incomplete assessment. And because government bodies often view NAS reports as the authoritative word on technological matters, the forthcoming flawed report will have a lasting—and likely detrimental—impact on the adoption of critical new tools that could help make communities safer.
The contribution of the private sector goes back decades. In the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, private forensics teams worked under contract with the New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to help identify some 20% of victims by utilizing then-new technology to recover genetic information from minuscule DNA samples.
Closing cold cases is vitally important. Private companies can help and already do so every day. We would be even more effective at bringing justice to victims and closure to families if forensic science gatekeepers would embrace private sector investment and technology.
David Mittelman and Mike Cariola are both CEOs of private forensic DNA laboratories.
I arrived early for my DMV appointment and was shocked to see a large crowd and no signage telling me where to go. Another customer directed me to a line for people with appointments or disabilities. There were only four people in front of me, but I had to stand in line for over 40 minutes!
For the first 30 minutes, there was no one at the counter. Finally, someone showed up and alternated between people in my line and in the much longer line for people without appointments. The whole point of having an appointment is so that you don’t have to wait!
When it was finally my turn, I handed over my paperwork and was told, “You don’t have an appointment today.” I had saved the text from the DMV showing the date, time and place of my appointment and showed it to her. She gave me a “ticket” and told me to wait until my number was called in “about two hours.”
The wait was only about 40 minutes, and there was a place to sit before the vision test, verification of information and thumbprint. Both people I worked with were rude and impatient.
Finally, it was time for my photo. There was hardly any wait, and the woman had a pleasant smile!
I once read about an experiment in New Mexico in which buttons were installed at each DMV window and customers were invited to rate the service as Wonderful, Good, Fair, Poor or Horrible. All of a sudden, employees were motivated to do their job well, resulting in much needed improvement.
This should be done at the Corte Madera DMV and at all the DMVs in California.
Ann Troy, M.D.
San Anselmo
Let’s Talk
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A fundraiser for music education in Petaluma’s public schools, the 17th Annual Petaluma Music Festival features live performances across three stages. This year’s lineup includes The Greyboy Allstars, ALO, Monophonics, Moonalice, New Monsoon, Rising Tide, The Eagle Rock Gospel Singers, Crying Uncle Bluegrass Band, El Radio Fantastique, Spike Sikes & His Awesome Hotcakes, Eki Shola, Dirty Red Barn and Los Arrendajos de California. Food, drinks and merch available too. “We hope that music lovers will come out to enjoy a fantastic day of great music and community, and with their attendance, help support the music programs in our local schools,” says the festival’s executive director, Cliff Eveland. “It’s for our kids!” Gates open at 11:30am, with performances continuing until 9:30pm, on Saturday, July 27, at Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds, 175 Fairgrounds Dr., Petaluma. Tickets are $70 for general admission, $179 for VIP and $25 for students (13-17, available only on the day). Children 12 and under are free. More info and tix available at petalumamusicfestival.org.
Santa Rosa
Monster Trucks
It’s all in the headline—“Monster Trucks”—the zenith of gladiatorial, mechanized mayhem, is coming to a coliseum (or fairgrounds), near you! Watch out, Sonoma County—this year’s roll call includes such colorful contenders as “Playing for Keeps,” “Enforcer,” “Survivor,” “Skull Krusher,” and for those like us with attention deficits, “Scattered.” All shows start at 7pm (doors open at 6pm), beginning Thursday, Aug. 8 and continuing through Saturday, Aug. 10, with a cavalcade of mechanical menace featuring the aforementioned “Monster Trucks,” “Tuff Trucks” and “Quad Wars.” This culminates on—Sunday! Sunday! Sunday!—Aug. 11, with a demolition derby. All this motorized madness can be witnessed at the Sonoma County Events Center at the Fairgrounds, 1450 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa Rosa. Tickets on sale now until the fair begins at bit.ly/soco-monster-trucks.
San Rafael
Restored ‘Rabbit’
The California Film Institute and Miramax will present the U.S. premiere of the 4K remastered film, Rabbit-Proof Fence, at the Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center. Directed by Phillip Noyce, the 2002 film tells the true story of three mixed-race Aboriginal girls who escaped a reeducation camp in 1931, embarking on a harrowing journey across the Australian Outback along the “rabbit-proof fence” to return to their families. The 4K remastered film offers an enhanced viewing experience, bringing new life to the stunning cinematography and Golden Globe-nominated score by Peter Gabriel. Following the screening is an on-stage conversation with Noyce. Showtime is 7pm, Saturday, July 27, at the Smith Rafael Film Center, 1118 Fourth St., San Rafael. Tickets are available online at bit.ly/rabbit-proof.
Mill Valley
E-Waste Collection
It’s time to clear out that tech junk responsibly with Mill Valley Recreation and the Conservation Corps of the North Bay, who are teaming up for two free E-Waste Collection events. Cruise by the Mill Valley Community Center parking lot from 9am to 2pm, Friday, July 26, and drop off unwanted electronics—no appointment necessary. This is a drive-thru affair, so no need to even leave the car. Just make sure to leave hazardous waste and household appliances at home. Properly handling e-waste—including old phones, computers and electronics, etc.—is crucial to prevent harmful chemicals from seeping into our environment. For the full rundown of what’s accepted, head to the Conservation Corps North Bay website at ccnorthbay.org. The MVCC is located at 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Aries singer-songwriter Lady Gaga has written many songs, both for herself and for other artists. She has famously declared that some of her most successful songs took her just 10 minutes to compose. They include “Just Dance,” “Poker Face” and “Born This Way.” According to my interpretation of the astrological omens, you could be rising to Lady Gaga levels of creativity in your own sphere during the coming weeks. And I won’t be surprised if your imaginative innovations flow with expeditious clarity, like Gaga at her most efficient.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): During the winter, some animals hibernate. They enter a state of dormancy, slowing their metabolism, breathing and heart rate. Other animals enter a similar state during the summer, conserving energy when the weather is hot and dry. It’s called estivation. According to my analysis of the astrological omens, many of you Tauruses would benefit from a modified version of estivation in the next couple of weeks. You’re in prime time to recharge your energy through deep relaxation and rest.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): The English word “amphibian” is derived from the Greek term “amphibios,” which means “living a double life.” The original meaning of the English word was “combining two qualities; having two modes of life,” though eventually it came to be used primarily to describe animals that function well on both land and in water. You Geminis are of course the most amphibious of all the astrological tribes. You can feel at home in a variety of situations. This may sometimes stir up confusion, but I see it as one of your greatest potential strengths. In the coming weeks, I hope you enjoy it to the maximum. It should serve you well. Wield it to take advantage of the sweet perks of versatility.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): I dreamed that a young elephant appeared on the back deck of my house and stuck its trunk through the open sliding glass door. I got up from my chair and gently pushed the animal away, then closed the door. But after I woke up, I was sorry I had done that in my dream. What was I afraid of? The elephant posed no danger—and may have been a good omen. In some cultures, elephants in dreams and visions are symbols of good luck, vitality, long life and the removal of obstacles. So here’s what I did. I dropped into a deep meditative state and reimagined the dream. This time, I welcomed the creature into my home. I gave her the name Beatrice. We wrestled playfully and had fun playing with a red rubber ball. Amazingly, later that day, a certain obstacle in my actual waking life magically disappeared. The moral of the story, my fellow Cancerian: Welcome the elephant.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Some bamboo species grow very quickly—as much as 36 inches per day. I suspect your capacity to burgeon and blossom will display a similar vigor in the coming weeks. You may be surprised at how dramatic your development is. I’m hoping, of course, that you will be acutely focused on channeling your fertility in positive ways. Don’t feed an urge to recklessly gamble, for instance. Don’t pursue connections with influences that are no damn good for you. Instead, decide right now what areas of your life you want to be the beneficiaries of your growth spurt. Choose the beauty and power you will encourage to ripen.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): For months, we heard and saw crows pecking on the roof of our rental house. Why? Were they grubbing for food? It was mildly annoying, but seemingly no big deal. Then one night, their small, regular acts of mayhem climaxed in an unexpected event. Rain began to fall around 8pm. It was constant, though not heavy. At 9, the ceilings in five rooms began to leak. By 10:30, our house was flooded. We managed to rescue most of our precious items, but the house was damaged. We had to find a new place to live. I don’t expect anything nearly this drastic to befall you, dear Virgo. But I do encourage you to check to see if any small problem is gradually growing bigger. Now is a favorable time to intervene and forestall an unfavorable development.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Two Scottish veterinarians researched the health of rhesus monkeys that are compelled by human handlers to dance on the streets of Islamabad, Pakistan. When I first learned about this, my response was, “Wow! Don’t those doctors have anything better to do? That is the most obscure research I have ever heard of.” But later, I decided I admired the doctors because they were motivated primarily by compassion. They found the monkeys were under severe stress, and they publicized the fact as a public service. Their work will ultimately lead to better treatment of the monkeys. In accordance with astrological omens, Libra, I advise you to seek out comparable ways to express altruism in the coming weeks. By engaging in noble and idealistic acts, you will attract good fortune into your sphere both for yourself and others.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Do you place any limits on how deep and expansive you allow your yearnings to be? Are you ever worried that maybe you desire too much and are at risk of asking for too much? If you answered yes to those questions, Scorpio, I will give you a temporary license to rebel against your wariness. In accordance with astrological rhythms, I authorize you to experiment with feeling the biggest, strongest, wildest longings you have ever felt. Please note that I am not advising you to immediately go out and actually express those longings to the hilt. For now, I’d like you to simply have the experience of entertaining their full intensity. This will be a healing experience.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): You will never guess the identity of the strongest animal on the planet. It’s not the gorilla, tiger or elephant. It’s the dung beetle, which can lug loads that weigh 1,141 times as much as it does. The equivalent for you would be to pull six double-decker buses crammed with people. I’m happy to inform you that although you won’t be able to accomplish that feat in the coming weeks, your emotional and spiritual strength will be formidable. You may be surprised at how robust and mighty you are. What do you plan to do with all that power?
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): By age 35, you have already shed over 50 pounds of skin. The flesh that covers you is in a constant state of renewal. In the coming weeks, I expect your rate of regeneration to be even higher than usual—not only in regard to your skin, but everything else in your life, as well. Here’s a proviso: Renewal and regeneration are always preceded by withering or dwindling. To enjoy the thrill of revitalization, you must allow the loss of what was once vital but is no longer.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Among people who go hiking a lot, “death march” is a term that refers to a long trudge through boring scenery in bad weather. Let’s use this as a metaphor for your life. I believe you have recently finished your own metaphorical version of a “death march.” Any minute now, you will begin a far more enjoyable series of experiences. Get ready for an entertaining meander through interesting terrains in fine weather. Be alert for unpredictable encounters with inspiration and education.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Alex Larenty gives massages to lions at the Lion Park near Johannesburg, South Africa. They especially love foot rubs. Even Jamu, king of the local beasts, rolls onto his back so Larenty can get a good angle while caressing and kneading his paws. I bring this to your attention, Pisces, because it’s a good metaphor for the unique power you will have in the coming days: a knack for dealing successfully with wild influences and elemental powers through the magic of kindness, affection and service.
Although the Bay Area proper ushered in more great thrash acts than should be humanly allowed (i.e., Exodus, Possessed, Testament, Death Angel, and more), it was the bands on the peripheral, like Antioch’s own Sadus, that played some of the nastiest and most ferocious guitar riffs around.
Today, founding member/vocalist/guitarist Darren Travis and drummer Jon Allen are out playing live after a seemingly never-ending hiatus. Backed by touring members guitarist Claudeous “Scooby” Creamer (Possessed) and bassist Bobby Real (Deconstruct), the band is chomping at the bit to play live for their friends before tackling some of the most prestigious metal festivals abroad.
As luck would have it, Sadus are playing Petaluma’s longest-running and greatest live music venue, The Phoenix Theater, both a home and safe-haven for area teenagers and anyone else that wanders through its always unlocked front doors.
For those not in the know, the band issued its first full-length – “The Shadow Inside” (November 2023), after an unnerving 17-year wait. And while bassist Steve DiGiorgio was noticeably absent from the studio recording this time around, Travis stepped up to the plate playing all instruments but drums and hit yet another thrash metal grand slam. Propelled by songs like “First Blood,” “Scorched and Burnt,” “Ride the Knife,” and The Devil in Me,” it’s wholly evident Sadus has not lost a step.
Numerous accolades and mentions from all over the globe have helped their cause considerably, and the quartet has been yielding countless festival and headlining show offers from some of the world’s most disparate regions.
We caught up with local promoter and all-around nice person Stacy Maisenbach to get the 411.
Stacy Maisenback is the founder of Evil Eye One Promotions.
Bohemian: When did your new (er) company start and why?
Stacy Maisenbach: I started Evil Eye One Promotions about two years ago. I noticed that small music venues were shutting down and there was only one promoter in my area. I wanted to help the music scene and keep it alive. I’ve also been playing music in bands, promoting shows, and hosting various radio, podcast and live-stream video for years.
Bohemian: How many shows have you done to date, and in what cities.?
Maisenbach: I have promoted about ten shows in Ukiah and Petaluma. The Phoenix Theater is my favorite venue. It’s a great place for anyone and everyone to see a show. It’s also a nonprofit. Manager Tom Gaffey keeps it open so locals have something to do during the day and night.
Bohemian: Who are some of your favorite local bands and why?
Stacy Maisenbach: Hellbender is my favorite local band at the moment. They are super fun to work with because they help put up posters and get people out to the shows. Some local bands are easier to work with than others, while some bands just want to get paid and don’t bring anyone out.
Bohemian: Sadus rarely ever play the area and this is their only California show until they head overseas for festival dates and more. How did that come about?
Stacy Maisenbach: I’ve always loved Sadus. I saw them when I was younger and soon became friends with them. They reached out to me and asked me to put on this show. It was that easy.
Doors open at 7:30pm and the show kicks off at 8pm, at the Phoenix Theater located at 201 Washington St., in Petaluma. Sharing the bill are Hellbender and Negative Sixxx. Tickets are just $20 advance and can be purchased at the door or www.thephoenixtheater.com. All ages are welcome.
An equally controversial proposal down in the Sonoma Valley area is in the spotlight this month, thanks to a new short film by local filmmaker and environmental educator Carolyn Scott.
Carolyn’s half-hour film, called “Small is Beautiful: The Quest to Save the Valley of the Moon,” takes a look at one developer’s wild proposal for turning the spooky, abandoned Sonoma Developmental Center site near Glen Ellen, which used to be a mental hospital campus of sorts, into an entire new neighborhood — complete with 900-plus homes, tons of shops, a luxury hotel and a conference center.
“This region, nestled at the base of Sonoma Mountain and serves as a crucial wildlife corridor, which will be destroyed by this development,” Carolyn’s website says. “Also, this area is in a high fire zone area which has already experienced extreme fires, putting lives at risk during an evacuation.”
The film just debuted last weekend with a sold-out screening at the Sebastiani Theatre in Sonoma, and will show again next weekend at the Sacramento Underground Film & Arts Festival. Check out the trailer here.
And here’s the latest on the proposed development at the heart of the documentary, courtesy of the Press Democrat:
A coalition of Sonoma Valley citizens groups objected to the plan and filed a lawsuit. After reviewing the lawsuit, in April 2024 Sonoma County Superior Court Judge Bradford DeMeo ruled that the county had violated the California Environmental Quality Act by failing to clearly define he number of housing units allowed; respond to community concerns in the draft environmental impact report (EIR); adequately assess impacts on biological resources and wildlife evacuation; and address the cumulative impact of a project planned at neighboring Hanna Center.
“I was thrilled and delighted to read the judge’s ruling,” [filmmaker Carolyn Scott] said. “Bravo DeMeo! He clearly recognized the duplicity and illegalities in that EIR, and he recognized the need for a plan that actually addresses the environmental sensitivities of this particular region. However, Rogal already submitted another plan on July 2, so the fight is far from over. And we have to look at the big picture of these mandates overriding all environmental laws and local controls.”
One American Indian tribe’s bold proposal for a massive new resort and casino in the ranch lands east of Windsor just took a baby step forward, in the form of a nearly 300-page “environmental impact statement” compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs. You can check out the document here.
Officials from the bureau are asking the public to submit any input on the doc by Aug. 26. You can send your opinions to Chad Broussard, an environmental protection specialist for the bureau, at ch************@*ia.gov. (Using the subject line “EIS Comments, Koi Nation Shiloh Resort and Casino.”)
There will also be a virtual public hearing at 6pm on Tuesday, July 30. Register here to attend.
The Shiloh Resort & Casino would be located on 69 acres of unincorporated land between Old Redwood Highway and the Shiloh Ranch Regional Park, currently quilted in vineyards. It butts right up against a Windsor neighborhood, so it has some nearby residents spooked.
A Pomo tribe from Lake County called the Koi Nation of Northern California reportedly bought the land for around $12 million a few years ago, and now they want to make good use of it. Here’s their proposal, from the new federal report:
The Tribe proposes to develop a casino-resort facility that includes a three-story casino, five-story hotel with spa and pool area, ballroom/meeting space, event center, and associated parking and infrastructure. The gaming component of the facility would be approximately 538,137 square feet and include 2,750 gaming devices with 105 table games. The hotel component of the facility would be approximately 268,930 square feet and consist of 400 rooms.
Approximately 5,119 parking spaces would be provided on the ground floor of the casino, as well as in a four-story parking garage and a overflow surface parking lot on the eastern side of Pruitt Creek. An enclosed clear-span pedestrian bridge would connect the parking garage with the casino-resort approximately 12 feet above Pruitt Creek. Other supporting infrastructure, including the proposed water treatment and wastewater treatment facilities would be located on the southeastern portion of the Project Site.
At first, their proposal seemed like a long shot — especially since some other tribes nearby that run their own casinos pushed back. But since then, the Koi have announced the support of “a broad coalition of 18 California tribal governments, several political figures and one key ally in state government — California Treasurer Fiona Ma,” the Press Democrat reports.
The Koi argue: “The property site is just over 10 miles from the Tribe’s historic lands within California’s Pomo territory. It gives life to negotiated treaty rights dating from the 1850s, undoing decades of woeful federal mistreatment.”
According to Sonoma County government officials, tribe leaders have asked the feds if their property can be “placed into trust to become sovereign tribal land.” The Koi application is still under review — but if it’s approved by the U.S. Department of the Interior, the county says it will “not have regulatory jurisdiction or decision-making authority” over whether the casino is allowed to open.
In any case, the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs is going ahead with the environmental impact process.
Here’s some more info from the Casino.org industry mag:
Chad Broussard, an environmental protection specialist with the BIA, wrote in the abstract that the Shiloh Resort and Casino poses numerous environmental threats.
Broussard concluded that the destination would create potentially significant impacts to groundwater and biological resources, public services, traffic noise and congestion, wildfire hazards, and wildlife evacuation. But those concerns could be addressed, he said.
All potentially significant impacts would be minimalized or avoided with recommended mitigation measures,” Broussard wrote.
… The tribe is partnered with the Chickasaw Nation in Oklahoma, one of the nation’s richest gaming tribes. While the Koi Nation would own Shiloh, the Chickasaws would manage the resort and share in its profits.
It’s pretty much official: One of Santa Rosa’s last indie movie theaters, Summerfield Cinemas across from Howarth Park on the east side of the city, is being replaced by a new outpost of the Planet Fitness gym chain, according to the Press Democrat. “The decision dealt a blow to a growing chorus of cinema buffs and community members who have joined in support of Summerfield Cinemas,” the paper reports.
Neighbors on nearby streets were notified a few months ago about the potential takeover, and started pushing back. They even held a protest outside the theater on Wednesday, braving this crazy heat to fight for arthouse cinema. But by the next day, Santa Rosa’s city “zoning administrator” had reportedly approved the gym-conversion permit.
The Press Democrat reports:
The approval marked another sign of the end of an era for the theater, operated for the past 14 years under the business umbrella of the Tocchini family.
“We put all our love and care into that space since 2010 and before that,” said Dan Tocchini. “It’s sad. No question about that.”
Reached Thursday afternoon, Tocchini was informed by a reporter the conversion had been approved. He had already been put on notice by the new owners of the Lakeside Shopping Center that a decision was imminent.
Tocchini said he’d yet to receive formal notice requiring the theater to close and he planned to continue operating “until we have to leave.”
More from the PD:
The Summerfield theater in its current form dates back to the 1980s, but some cinema buffs can remember watching movies there as early as the late 1960s.
About 30 people, including the theater’s manager and other cinema staffers, rallied outside Summerfield on Wednesday to drum up support ahead of the hearing. The group launched an online petition in early June that had been signed by more than 1,300 people and even purportedly reached famed Hollywood director Quentin Tarantino, who wrote that he saw the 1994 comedy “Clerks” there during a trip to the area.
Stefan said he wasn’t surprised the permit was approved but he hoped the growing opposition would make the new property owners reconsider their plans. He vowed to keep the campaign going and indicated that members are considering appealing Thursday’s decision and thinking of other ways to keep pressure on the owners.
“If the community is overwhelmingly against it, it could be putting this Planet Fitness organization into a very negative light if they choose to demolish this beloved landmark,” he said.
This new season features indoor-outdoor concerts from popular artists including pop music sensations Colbie Caillat and Gavin DeGraw; American music icons The Beach Boys; chart-topping country artist Niko Moon; Reggae/Pop legends UB40; and singer and songwriter; businesswoman, author, television celebrity, and two-time Latin Grammy Award winner, Chiquis. Concerts take place in Weill Hall with seating both in the hall and on the outdoor grass and terraces of Weill Lawn. Lawn tickets for most performances are $30 (kids 12 and under are half off).
Summer at the Green will also host two summer arts festivals this summer. Festival del Sole returns to the Green with international stars including violinist Viktoria Mullova, cellist Nina Kotova, pianist Olga Kern, violinist Pinchas Zukerman and the Zukerman Trio, Tenor Joseph Calleja, as well as a screening of the film performance of Sibylle Szaggars Redford’s The Way of the Rain: Hope for Earth featuring Robert Redford, who will be present for the screening. PianoSonoma’s chamber music festival will include performances by pianoSonoma’s artists in residence led by acclaimed pianist Peter Dugan.
View the full Summer at the Green lineup, and buy tickets at GMC.Sonoma.edu.
Back with a bang. Photo by @brennanspark-201
4th of July Fireworks Spectacular
Santa Rosa Symphony Transcendence Theatre Company Thursday, July 4 at 7:30pm Tickets $40-75
The biggest fireworks display in Sonoma County returns with a bang! This family-friendly celebration featuring Sonoma County’s own Transcendence Theatre Company and Santa Rosa Symphony in an evening of show tunes and patriotic classics, followed by a spectacular post-concert fireworks show!
Supported in part by Exchange Bank and Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards
UB40 is turning 45.
UB40 Red Red Wine Tour with special guest Inner Circle
Sunday, July 28 at 7 p.m. Tickets $40–$75
UB40 is one of the most successful and influential British groups of all time, with more than 100 million albums sold, and more than 50 charting singles in the UK, including their trademark global #1 hits “Red Red Wine” and “(I Can’t Help) Falling in Love With You”; and U.S. Top 10s “Here I Am (Come and Take Me)” and “The Way You Do The Things You Do.” The reggae/pop legends set the stage for their highly anticipated 45th Anniversary celebrations this year.
Supported in part by Balletto Vineyards and Oliver’s Market.
The 2024 summer concert season has something for everyone.
Colbie Caillat & Gavin Degraw
Friday, August 9 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets $40–$75
Grammy Award-nominated multi-platinum singer and songwriter Gavin DeGraw’s inimitable voice and soulful style boldly bloomed on his platinum-certified full-length debut, Chariot. It included the gold single “Follow Through,” as well as both platinum hits, “Chariot,” and “I Don’t Want To Be.”
Colbie Caillat is a 2X Grammy Award-winning, 5X Grammy Award-nominated singer/songwriter whose catalog has amassed over 15 billion global streams. Her debut album Coco hit #5 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart and is certified 3X Platinum, while her Platinum-selling follow-up album Breakthrough landed at #1 on the Billboard album chart.
Supported in part by The Press Democrat and Willow Creek Wealth Management.
The Beach Boys are one of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful bands of all time.
The Beach Boys
Wednesday, August 28 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets $30–$110
For more than six decades, The Beach Boys’ music has been an indelible part of American history. Their brilliant harmonies conveyed simple truths through sophisticated, pioneering musical arrangements. The Beach Boys transcended their music and have come to represent Californian culture. They provided fans around the world with a passport to experience love, youthful exuberance, and surf culture. The Beach Boys are one of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful bands of all time, with over 100 million records sold worldwide.
The Beach Boys are led by lead singer and critically acclaimed chief lyricist Mike Love, who, along with longtime member Bruce Johnston, musical director Brian Eichenberger, Christian Love, Tim Bonhomme, Jon Bolton, Keith Hubacher, Randy Leago and John Wedemeyer continue the legacy of the iconic band.
Supported in part by Redwood Credit Union and Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards.
An official and authorized symphonic celebration of the works of Whitney Houston.
The Voice of Whitney A Symphonic Celebration
Sat, Sep 7 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets $35–$115
The Voice of Whitney: A Symphonic Celebration is an original tribute concert celebrating the “most awarded female artist of all time” (Guinness World Records), Whitney Houston. This dynamic production celebrates the singer’s astounding musical legacy with new, original orchestrations of her sweeping catalog performed live. From her legendary Super Bowl XXV performance of “The Star Spangled Banner” to timeless hits “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” “Higher Love,” “I Will Always Love You,” and “How Will I Know,” among many others, audiences will be immersed in the world of Whitney as the evening weaves through her iconic songbook, film performances, intimate home videos, and rare never-before-seen photos and footage.
This official and authorized production is a collaboration between Pat Houston and the Estate of Whitney Houston, Park Avenue Artists, and Primary Wave Music. For the first time ever, the performance will showcase the original master recordings of Houston’s voice.
Movies at the Green
Supported in part by Sonoma State University Involvement and Sonoma State Alumni Association
Brought to you by Bank of America
Lawn tickets only $5 per person | 12 and under free
View the full listing of performances including UB40, Colbie Caillat and Gavin DeGraw and more at GMC.Sonoma.edu or call 707.664.4246.
About the Green Music Center
Nestled in the foothills of Northern California’s esteemed Wine Country, the Green Music Center (GMC) at Sonoma State University is a focal point for arts in the region. It is comprised of the spectacular 1,400-seat Weill Hall, an acoustically exceptional venue with a modular rear wall that opens to terraced lawn seating, providing picturesque views of the surrounding countryside, and the 240-seat Schroeder Hall, a cathedral-like recital hall designed specifically to accentuate instruments, organ and voice in a small, intimate setting. The Green Music Center presents year-round programming of top classical, contemporary, jazz, and world music artists and is home to the Santa Rosa Symphony.
View a complete listing of the Green Music Center’s upcoming events at GMC.Sonoma.edu.
Weill Hall | Schroeder Hall
Green Music Center | Sonoma State University 1801 East Cotati Ave, Rohnert Park, CA 94928
Pop quiz: When the press calls you a narcissist, causing your new Broadway show to close on opening night, and you need to find a do-good thing to save your career, should you: a) build houses with Habitat for Humanity, b) end world hunger, or c) “help” a lesbian high-schooler in Indiana go to prom?
If you are Broadway diva Dee Dee Allen (Daniela Innocenti Beem), fading star Barry Glickman (Tim Setzer), chorus girl Angie Dickenson (Chelsea Smith) and Julliard-trained ex-sitcom star turned waiter Trent Oliver (Jeremy Berrick), there’s only one answer. Hitch a ride with a touring production of Godspell (non-equity, of course), as you’ve got a PTA meeting to crash!
Based loosely on the real incident where a small-town PTA canceled prom rather than allow same-sex dates, The Prom (music & lyrics by Chad Beguelin, book by Bob Martin, music by Matthew Skylar, directed/choreographed by Jonathen Blue and music direction by Dr. Christina Howell), now playing at Sonoma Arts Live through July 28, is a chaotic trainwreck of funny silliness with a surprisingly non-schmaltzy heart that’s impossible not to smile at.
Sure, on opening night, there were a few foibles, such as inconsistent sound levels and some sloppiness in the large production numbers. Every time the lights in the house went up or down, the audience was blinded, and there was a disconcerting moment when the cast sang behind the audience, which was overwhelming in that space. But the cast seemed to be having so much fun that those things didn’t matter much.
Beem’s Allen was spot-on, and it was oddly logical for Smith’s Angie to be wearing a Roxy Hart costume offstage. Julia Holsworth’s PTA president, Mrs. Greene, was surprisingly nuanced, and Emma Sutherland’s Kaylee’s overt confidence was compelling. However, the standouts of this show were Hannah Passanisi’s Emma (the aforementioned high schooler) and Setzer’s Barry.
Passanisi plays Emma with a grounded stability and quiet dignity that allows her to avoid any of the angsty pitfalls the script could easily fall into.
Setzer’s Barry could have been just a stereotype. However, the truthfulness of the pain Setzer displays when Barry’s emotional scars start to show and the honesty of his performance lends his big fabulousness a poignancy that keeps it from becoming kitschy.
If you’re looking for a fun night with big songs, big laughs and big egos, order a corsage and call a limo—you’re going to The Prom.
Sonoma Arts Live presents ‘The Prom’ through July 28 on the Rotary Stage at Andrews Hall in the Sonoma Community Center, 276 E. Napa St., Sonoma. Thurs – Sat, 7:30pm; Sun, 2pm. $25 – $42. 707-484-4874. sonomaartslive.org.
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Petaluma
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