A Press Democrat Blog

Arts

Dan Taylor on the fine arts scene.

Where to watch the Super Bowl

Monday, at 8:27 by

After several decades of running sports bars, Armand Ausiello has come up with a suprising theory about Super Bowl Sunday: Sometimes it’s better for business if the home team doesn’t make it to the big game. “The slower days were the years the 49ers made it all the way to the Super Bowl, because all the fans threw big parties for their friends at home,” Ausiello observed. When the Niners get to the National Football Conference championship game and lose,… Read More »

Lucas Ohio plays Russian River Brewing Co.

Tuesday, at 11:10 by

How do you define an authentic Americana band? Well, if the group plays the Gilroy Garlic Festival, that’s a pretty good indicator. Lucas Ohio and the Shamblers, a very active Bay Area band since 2009, will play July 30 in Gilroy. But long before that, you can see the band at the Russian River Brewing Company in downtown Santa Rosa, and they promise something for everyone. “We combine elements of blues, folk, pop, jazz and country,” Lucas says. Lucas and… Read More »

Kennedy puts on a play at Murphy’s

Monday, at 12:04 by

It seems only right and proper to celebrate the St. Patrick’s Day season with a show staged by director Kate  Kennedy at Murphy’s Irish Pub in Sonoma. “The Beauty Queen of Leenan,” by Martin McDonagh, plays Murphy’s at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 8; Friday, March 11, and 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 15. The production also plays the Sebastiani Theatre at at 7 p.m. Monday, March 14. The play is about an aging Irish woman who plots to keep her daughter… Read More »

The Real Nasty plays Ukiah

Tuesday, at 10:00 by

In our ongoing quest to collect the cleverest band names we can find, here are two gems: The Real Nasty, a country rock power trio from Oakland, and Diego’s Umbrella, a gypsy rock band from San Francisco. Both groups play Thursday, Feb. 3, at The Ukiah Brew Company,102 S. State St., Ukiah. The music starts at 9 p.m. Admsision: $5. Information: (707) 468-5898, www.ukiahbrewingco.com. For more on the bands:  www.therealnasty.com, www.diegosumbrella.com.

Beer, bluegrass bash at Flamingo

Monday, at 5:00 by

The Sonoma County Museum stages “BOB3,” its third annual Big Oktoberfest Bash, from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 8, at the Flamingo Resort Hotel and Conference Center 277 Fourth Street, Santa Rosa. Taste locally made brews from Lagunitas, Moonlight, Russian River, Third Street Aleworks and others, as well as Ace Cider’s best.  The party also features barbecue, beer-making demonstrations and live bluegrass music by Old Jawbone. Tickets cost $40 at the door, and that price includes all tastings and… Read More »

Ugly Dog Stout for St. Pat’s

Monday, at 4:00 by

Sat. Patrick’s Day is Wednesday, March 17, and the word is already out about doings at various local pubs, but let’s not overlook Dempsey’s in Petaluma. For its 19th annual St. Pat’s celebration, the restaurant and brewery will feature its award-winning Ugly Dog Stout (one of my personal favorites) and Irish Ale. Always striving to reach a bit beyond normal pub grub fare, Dempsey’s will serve — yes, corned beef and cabbage, but also wood-roasted salmon and mussels steamed in… Read More »

Pliny the Younger has come and gone

Monday, at 12:22 by

An update for those of you who were waiting until the crowds thinned out for a taste of Russian River Brewing Company’s once-a-year-beer,  Pliny the Younger: Sorry. It sold out the same day it went on sale.  It was gone by 8 p.m.  Friday, Feb. 5. The pub sold 600 gallons in eight hours, mostly in take-home “growler” jugs. The line went outside the downtown Santa Rosa bar and down the block. This smooth and tasty triple India Pale Ale,… Read More »

Pliny the Younger returns

Thursday, at 1:13 by

Fans eagerly await the triumphant return of Pliny the Younger to Santa Rosa on Friday, Feb. 5. For those of you who don’t recognize the name … no, Pliny the Younger is not the latest hot rock band. It’s a beer, but it’s a special beer, made only once a year by the Russian River Brewing Company. And if you don’t think beer is a fit subject for an arts blog, you haven’t tasted this stuff. Vinnie Cilurzo, brewer and… Read More »