Fourteen months into the Covid-19 pandemic, the North Bay’s restrictions are slowly, but surely, lifting on social gatherings.
With that, one of the region’s most popular past times–live music–is making its way back with socially distant, outdoor concerts like the upcoming SOMO Grove Dinner & Music Series.
The series is curated by event producer, booker and promoter Bryce Dow-Williamson, who worked with venues and organizations like Second Octave, Railroad Square Music Festival, SOMO Concerts, and The Mystic Theatre before the pandemic.
For this new pop-up series, Dow-Williamson blends locally sourced meals and locally sourced bands for seated, outdoor shows.
“Its been strange times for so many,” Dow-Williamson says. “People are hungry to see music.”
Located under the redwoods at the SOMO Village in Rohnert Park, the series starts on Friday, May 21, with the already sold-out show by Sonoma County folk trio Rainbow Girls with Daniel Steinbock, Caitlin Jemma and Eric Long.
Following that, North Bay band Kingsborough (fronted by Billy Kingsborough and lead guitarist Alex Leach) and King Dream (songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jeremy Lyon) team up for a royal rock show on Friday, June 4.
Next, soulful rock outfit Highway Poets pair with new project TERRIER (Ben Morrison of Brothers Comatose and Erika Tietjen of T Sisters) for a concert on Friday, June 18.
Each night has a limited 200-person capacity and safety protocols such as face coverings and social distancing will be in effect. Tickets sell in pairs and groups of four or six starting at $30 and going up to $35 ten days before the show. Ten dollars of each ticket goes towards the cost of dinner.
Dow-Williamson hopes to add more shows in July, and he’s keeping the lineups local to showcase the North Bay’s array of talented artists.
“It’s so satisfying for me to work with folks who are from here,” he says. “We have so many of these acts that are gaining momentum. It’s a good time to be able to help these bands out in that way and sell something that has some heart in it.”
The SOMO Grove Dinner & Music Series takes place on Fridays May 21, June 4 and June 18, at 1100 Valley House Drive, Rohnert Park. Doors 7pm, Show 7:30pm. $30-$35. Tickets available on Eventbrite.
