A Press Democrat Blog

Arts

Dan Taylor on the fine arts scene.

New Freedom Jazz Choir performs in Santa Rosa

Tuesday, at 7:00 by

The new HJF (Healdsburg Jazz Festival) Freedom Jazz Choir, a chorus of more than 100 voices, led by jazz bassist Marcus Shelby and accompanied by his 17-piece orchestra, will perform Saturday, May 18, in Santa Rosa. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. in the Glaser Center, 547 Mendocino Ave. Admission: $20. The program will include “Soul of the Movement: Meditations on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” a jazz suite written by Shelby. Performers will include Faye Carol, and Adam Ivey’s… Read More »

Documentary follows Raven Players’ production of ‘Gypsy’

Monday, at 1:42 by

Sausalito filmmaker Scott Roberts’ first documentary, “The Raven and the Gypsy,” makes its premiere at 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 7, at the Raven Theater, 115 North St., Healdsburg. Roberts filmed the Raven’s resident theater company, the Raven Players, as the troupe staged “Gypsy,” its closing show of the 2011-12 season. Roberts, holds a bachelor’s degree in theater from UCLA. His other projects as a director include the satirical music video “The Nair Song” and the narrative feature “Letters Home,” which… Read More »

Mickey Hart plays March 7 in Healdsburg

Wednesday, at 9:52 by

Percussionist Mickey Hart of Grateful Dead fame brings his own band to Healdsburg to perform March 7 at the Raven Theater. The Mickey Hart Band, which staged a sold-out, 15-date tour in December, the Mickey Hart Band band includes Tony Award-winning singer Crystal Monee Hall, singer Tim Hockenberry, bassist Dave Schools, drummer Ian Herman, guitarist Gawain Matthews, percussionist Sikuru Adepoju and keyboardist Ben Yonas. The show will feature both new material and music from Hart’s solo and Grateful Dead careers.… Read More »

Echorev plays Raven in Healdsburg

Monday, at 8:13 by

When the Los Angeles-based, German-American indie band Echorev plays Nov. 26 the Raven Theater in Healdsburg, it will be more than just another stop on the tour. It’ll be a homecoming of sorts. Echorev singer-guitarist Johnny Nicholson is the son of wine broker Robert Nicholson of International Wines in Healdsburg. The trio also includes Jörn Bielfeldt and Ann Driscoll. The band’s debut CD is “Find North,” from Monkey Rock Records. The show opens at 7:30 p.m. with Sonoma County singer-songwriter… Read More »

Raven Players present ‘Pirates of Penzance’

Tuesday, at 1:17 by

Looking for some rowdy fun?  Then go to Healdsburg, where there be pirates. The Raven Players close their current season with “Pirates of Penzance,” Gilbert and Sullivan’s beloved comic operetta, directed by John DeGaetano. The production, based on the 1979 Broadway revival of the 1879 classic, opens with performances at 8 p.m. Friday, June 24, and continues through July 24 at the Raven Theater, 115 North St., Healdsburg. Admission: $15-$30. Information: 433-6335, raventheater.org.

Dan Hicks plays the Raven

Tuesday, at 9:30 by

Dan Hicks is one of those guys that is always coming out to play one more gig, and it’s always fun to see him. Hicks and his Hot Licks will stage their seasonal concert, “Holidaze in Hicksville,” at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18, at the Raven Theater, 115 North St., Healdsburg. ($25-$35. 433-6335, raventheater.org.) His sense of humor is evident in everything he does, so it fits that his holiday CD is titled “My Main Man Santa.” And one of… Read More »