Southern Sonoma Country Life

Sonoma County Style - A House Party Concert With Foxes in the Henhouse

House concerts are the best way to enjoy live music and it just so happens that the music scene here in Southern SoCo has thoroughly embraced a revival in the popularity of these wonderully intimate gatherings. 

Look back through history and house concerts were amongst the most common occuring musical performances prior to the advent of clubs, concert halls and stadiums. A resurgence in the trend for these highly personal 'word of mouth' events in recent years has been given an extra boost from social media. 

Next up in the Petaluma area - Hotgrubb and Gazebo present a limited seating house concert featuring our foxy hometown favorites Foxes in the Henhouse, from 4 pm to 6 pm on Sunday, June 23rd. Bring your own beer and pot-luck picnics from 2pm. Location will be revealed after registering. 

"This will be bittersweet as we say farewell to two of our wonderful Foxes," says host Peg Grubb.  "Sweet Fox, Kathy Mezger will be relocating to the Pacific Northwest the end of the summer and we are so sad to say goodbye but excited for her as she embarks on this journey to her new home." 

Foxy Fiddler Linda Sullivan has also recently moved on to explore new musical projects.

"We are so fortunate to welcome our new 'Fiddle Fox' Alice Fitzwater to the Foxes," says Grubb. "Alice is a 'no holds barred' player and will blow you away. This will be Alice's Petaluma debut." 

Kathie Rothkop re-joins the line-up on June 23rd as official Fox percussionist, set to wow the party with her  unique 'Stump Fiddle'. A Rooster or two will be joining in on the fun of a super all-star SoCO band.

Contact Peg Grubb at 707  763-0100 for tickets. 

 

Annual Cherry Picking With Mr.Bing

Highly suited to the Pacific Northwest and California, the beauteous Bing Cherry is in harvest here in Petaluma, this June. 

It's such a treat to eat these red treasures straight off the tree, though the whole idea of a cherry picking party is to strip the tree in an orderly fashion before bagging up the bounty to distribute amongst friends.

This year's crop wasn't as time consuming to harvest as our pal,  Mr.Bing  had trimmed the tree since the last time I'd attended one of his lovely little backyard work parties.

Certainly not all work and no play - rewards for post-cherry picking prowess - lamb chop lollipops on the grill with fresh, juicy caprese salad. And lots of good, red wine. 

David Hockney's Monumental Landscapes from His Yorkshire Seasonal Series Coming to San Francisco's de Young Museum October 2013

The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco have announced the return of legendary pop artist David Hockney to the Bay Area with an exhibition featuring previously unseen new works and his monumental landscapes.

Opening October 2013 at the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park, the exhibition includes multi-canvas oil paintings, films shot with nine cameras and shown on nine screens and others shot with 18 cameras and shown on 18 screens, and the iPad drawings that have been a prominent part of Hockney’s recent practice.

Including selections from hugely successful exhibitions at the Royal Academy of Arts in London, the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao and the upcoming exhibition at the Museum Ludwig in Cologne, this much anticipated de Young show will be on display in San Francisco October 26th, 2013 through January 2014.

After a recent viewing of Bruno Wollheim's excellent documentary portrtait David Hockney, A Bigger Picture, I'm so excited to hear of this exhibit, featuring his compelling Yorkshire landscape works coming to SF.

This first major U.S. museum exhibition in six years highlights Hockney’s use of technological tools to produce monumental representations of the natural world of his childhood. Bright landscapes created on iPads, digital films that track the changing seasons, and massive oil paintings, all display Hockney’s unmatched curiosity and openness to innovation.

Having returned to coastal Bridlington in 1997, the artist set about capturing these rural, agrarian settings with obvious affection and familiarity. The works in the exhibition range beyond Yorkshire, including landscapes from California, where an ex-pat Hockney spent over thirty years. 

 “The de Young is thrilled to bring this major exhibition of David Hockney’s work to a U.S. museum,” says Richard Benefield, deputy director of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. “It’s clear from the pace at which Hockney continues to produce such important work—and the fearless nature of his innovation—that he has conceded nothing to his seventy-five years.”

Filmed over three years with unprecedented access, the documentary David Hockney A Bigger Picture followed the artist as he returned to England after 25 years in Hollywood. A chain-smoking, captivating, now 75-year-old Hockney was  approaching the age of 70 at the time that this documentary was captured in all weathers and seasons as he created the largest picture ever made outdoors. Premiered on BBC1, the film tells the story of an unusual homecoming and also an intimate portrait of what inspires Hockney at this later stage of life. 

Of course, the film caused quite a stir in the UK. After keeping his painting locales and schedule as quiet as possible for the duration of filming, Hockney's footprint has left as indelible a mark as his artistic legacy, hence the evolution of a Hockney Trail  throughout the region. 

Big thanks to man of taste, aka Mr.Bing, my friend Brian for introducing me to Hockney's wonderful most recent work. 

McEvoy Ranch Limited Edition (Red Piano) Olive Oil - Top Pick for the Foodie Pa

Grown and produced a few scenic miles outside of Petaluma, McEvoy's olive oil is one of the most outstanding regional products, sought after all over the country. This limited edition oil is available for purchase online and is sure to please even the pickiest of pa's! 

Yvette van Boven's Home Made Summer

Amsterdam-based illustrator, food stylist, editor and writer Yvette Van Bowen makes Paula, Ina and Martha look like a bunch of boring old farts with her delicious recipes, stunning photos, easy step-by-step instructions and hand-drawn, modern artwork.

Her new book Home Made Summer was inspired by her childhood in Ireland and frequent holidays in France. Here, this rising international foodie delivers a collection of traditional and contemporary seasonal recipes that call us into the kitchen.

For a tantalizing sampling, check out van Boven's blog for summer recipes. It's simply one of the most appealing sites I've seen in a while. 

And if you are a Bon Appetit Magazine reader, a June 2013 feature will send you out to the nearest strawberry fields with all sorts of culinary inspirations.

Serene Valley of the Moon Bed & Breakfast - Tanglewood House

We Brits love a top-notch Bed and Breakfast place. I think that we could do with a few more in wine country, outside of the region's most bustling locales, that is. Peace and serenity and a gourmet breakfast set within acres of private, lush landscaping is just the ticket for a couple of night's get-away or a week's retreat in some of the most beautiful, rustic scenery. 

Check out Tanglewood House, one of the most private little suites in wine country's Valley of the Moon, tucked away in a secluded parklike setting one mile from the hamlet of Glen Ellen. 

Rates for stay are reasonably priced when compared to similarly upscale hotels in the valley and, best of all, you don't have to put up with any wine country antics of any fellow guests.

 

Rivertown Revival - Art Boat Races, Local Food, Live Music, Aerial Acts - Celebrate the Greatest Slough on Earth July 20th, 2013

First Ever Secret Destination PopUp Dinner Wine Country - October 19th 2013

Imagine an enchanted al fresco communal dining experience with a group of friends or family where you don't have to step up as party-planning delegate to organize, decorate, arrange the music and all those other myriad details that festive entertaining entails. Here's a hot-off-the-press heads-up on one of the most unique and memorable dinner parties coming our way soon.

This October 19th (2013) for the first time, the increasingly popular, 'flash-mob'- style PopUp Dinner comes to Wine Country. As is the trademark of these special events, the destination remains secret until the day of (when its location will be revealed via email). What I can tell you is that the 5pm to 10pm Oct 19th event will be staged within the grounds of a spectacular Sonoma County landmark.  

PopUp Dinner Wine Country puts a modern twist on the elegant dining experience - an underground dinner meets outdoor picnic inspired by similar glamorous affairs literally popping up around the globe. 

Now it's our turn to gather those we have the most fun dining with and start making plans for this one-of-a-kind experience. Lucky for us the weather typically stays nice and balmy in Sonoma County wine country in October.

Based in the SF North Bay, the seasoned hospitality professionals of Hand Made Events production team have successfully staged PopUp dinners in San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles and Minneapolis/St. Paul over the past 3 years. The largest of which was San Francisco where over 5,200 guests gathered for feasting and fun, in 2012.

Such magical evenings are all about surprise, style, creativity, community, food and merriment.

As a guest, you're responsible for decorating your own table, packing a portable supper and bringing along your favorite wines (think formal picnic). 

Tickets for PopUp Dinner Wine Country are on sale from July 1st, 2013 at $35 per person. Ticket price covers all necessary permits for the space, security, lighting, bathrooms, tables chairs, live music and entertainment. For those who'd prefer not to tote in their own pot-luck group feast, Hand Made Events' team offers picnic boxes for purchase at additional cost. Email popup.winecountry@gmail.com to be put on the list to receive a link to buy tickets. 

Hand Made Events is anticipating a crowd of 1,500 for this first year in wine country. Want to know more? Take a look at the website. 

Sonoma County Designer Emma Gardner's Rug of the Month - Swirl

"This adaptation of a vintage Japanese textile changes so much with each different color way: here it reveals itself as a wind-blown field of fresh grass," says my favorite Sonoma County based textile designer, Emma Gardner of her inspiration for this serene and grassy composition in one of my favorite colors combos.    

Realized in 50% Chinese silk and 50% Tibetan wool hand-knotted in 5mm pile. Emma Gardner's exquisite, Goodweave Certified rugs are made to order in Nepal, custom color and sizes are available.

For more info call 877.377.3144 or contact@emmagardnerdesign.com

 

California Tea Time

Sausalito-based Heath Ceramics is having a summer sale. My friend Lara and I had a lovely little shopping foray in the factory store last Fall. I think it's soon time for another visit. 

An array of teacups was screenprinted on one of Heath's featured highy absorbant, textured cotton, natural hopsack tea towels pictured above, using water-based ink. Hand-made by Skinny laMinx (Heather Moore) in Cape Town, South Africa.

Alas, not in the sale, but so classic, this iconic Heath piece tea pot, designed in the 1940s to work with any of the company's ceramic dinnerware lines. It's copper handle is hand wrapped in leather. Tea for two under the shade of a silk mimosa tree. 

 

And every proper summer's afternoon tea table, even a makeshift set-up in the yard or on the porch must have its own bud vase and a fresh bloom or two.

North Bay-based Mighty Leaf exquisite Tea's add a splash of pizazz to the locavore's tea table, hot or iced.