MENDOCINO CO., 11/5/24 – It’s another great week for live music in Mendocino County! The election is top of mind for many, and folks may be feeling anxious or stressed about the possible outcomes. One thing we all agree on – live music can soothe the soul.
On that note, bands touring the Mendocino Coast often struggle to find affordable or safe places to spend the night. To alleviate that, music-loving locals open their homes to touring acts to rest their weary heads at no charge.
Good Bones Kitchen in Caspar is looking to build a list of “Homestay Allstars” that are available to offer a comfy couch or guest room to musicians when they perform at the restaurant/music venue. If you house a musician or band, you’ll receive free tickets to the show. Contact Good Bones Kitchen at music@goodboneskitchen.com for more information.
Submit your upcoming music events by each Sunday for the Setlist to sarah@mendovoice.com.
Monday, November 4
Live jazz music – The Mendocino Jazz Society hosts a weekly jazz session. Swing dancing classes available from 5-6 p.m. All ages, 6-9 p.m., no cover (food or drink purchase required), Tall Guy Brewing, 362 N. Franklin St., Fort Bragg, (707) 954-9132, tallguybrewing.beer.
Live local music – Local musicians perform at a restaurant overlooking the Pacific Ocean. All ages, times vary, no cover (food or drink purchase required), Noyo River Grill, 1011 S. Main St., Fort Bragg, (707) 962-9050.
Tuesday, November 5
Roy Helsing – Every Tuesday Roy Helsing performs on his digital accordion, blending hundreds of instruments to create everything from a small combo to a full philharmonic orchestra. Helsing plays an eclectic mix of Americana standards, light jazz and rock, timeless ballads from the ‘50s through the ‘80s, and an array of Italian, Latin and French tunes. Seniors (60+) $5, under 60 years of age $8, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Redwood Coast Senior Center, 490 N. Harold St., Fort Bragg, (707) 964-0443, rcscenter.org.
Jan Kessner – Accordionist Jan Kessner performs in a relaxing, outdoor dining area every Tuesday. All ages, 5 p.m., no cover (food or drink purchase required), Cucina Verona, 124 E. Laurel St., Fort Bragg, (707) 964-6844, cucinaverona.com.
Deerlady – Presented by Good Bones Kitchen and Xa Kako Dile, the duo Deerlady comprises Mali Obomsawin (Odanak First Nation) and Magdalena Abrego perform anti-colonialist shoegaze. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. All ages, 6 p.m., $10-$30, Good Bones Kitchen, 14957 Caspar Rd., Caspar, buy tickets here.
Live local music – Local musicians perform at a restaurant overlooking the Pacific Ocean. All ages, times vary, no cover (food or drink purchase required), Noyo River Grill, 1011 S. Main St., Fort Bragg, (707) 962-9050.
Wednesday, November 6
KC – When she’s not hosting her radio show on the Skunk FM, KC plays piano each week at the Redwood Coast Senior Center. KC performs a repertoire of golden oldies through the ‘70s, including easy listening and rock. Seniors (60+) $5, under 60 years of age $8, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Redwood Coast Senior Center, 490 N. Harold St., Fort Bragg, (707) 964-0443, rcscenter.org.
Acoustic Wednesday – Local musicians perform acoustic music. All ages, 3-6 p.m., no cover (food or drink purchase required), Tall Guy Brewing, 362 N. Franklin St., Fort Bragg, (707) 954-9132, tallguybrewing.beer.
Joe Pardini & Joe Harris – Musicians Joe Pardini and Joe Harris perform in a relaxing, outdoor dining area every Wednesday. All ages, 5 p.m., no cover (food or drink purchase required), Cucina Verona, 124 E. Laurel St., Fort Bragg, (707) 964-6844, cucinaverona.com.
Lincoln Andrews – Relax to the smooth, groovin’ sounds of bass guitar by the incomparable Lincoln Andrews every Wednesday. All ages, 6-8:30 p.m., no cover, 5200 Lounge at the Herirtage House, 5200 N. Hwy 1, Little River, (707) 202-9000, heritagehouseresort.com.
Karaoke night – Belt out your favorite songs every Wednesday at karaoke night. 21 and over, 7-11 p.m., no cover (food or drink purchase required), Coyote Valley Casino, 77 Coyote Valley Blvd., Redwood Valley, (707) 485-0700, coyotevalleycasino.com.
Open mic – Everyone’s a star at open mic every Wednesday. 21 and over, 7 p.m.-12 a.m., donations accepted, Shanachie Pub, 50 B South Main St., Willits, (707) 459-9194.
Live local music – Local musicians perform at a restaurant overlooking the Pacific Ocean. All ages, times vary, no cover (food or drink purchase required), Noyo River Grill, 1011 S. Main St., Fort Bragg, (707) 962-9050.
Thursday, November 7
Billy Schieve – Pianist Billy Schieve performs in a relaxing, outdoor dining area every Thursday. All ages, 5 p.m., no cover (food or drink purchase required), Cucina Verona, 124 E. Laurel St., Fort Bragg, (707) 964-6844, cucinaverona.com.
Dezi 5 – Jah Work presents this month’s First Thursday Community Concert featuring Dezi 5, a Dallas rapper who will join forces with the Steve Bates Band to perform the West Coast debut of his new album “Dirty Laundry.” The Steven Bands Band will also perform their own set and Queer Country, too. All ages, 5-8 p.m., no cover, Piaci Pub, 120 W. Redwood Ave., Fort Bragg, (707) 961-1133.
Harrison Goldberg – Join musician Harrison Goldberg in the Fireside Lounge at the Sea Ranch Lodge to celebrate the release of “Goldberg’s Variations,” a two-CD retrospective album featuring 25 years of his recorded musical history in collaboration with eight local music groups. Goldberg will play both CDs. Kevin Village-Stone will perform on Native American flute at the beginning of the event and during intermission. All ages, 6-9 p.m., free, the Sea Ranch Lodge, 60 Sea Walk Dr., the Sea Ranch, (707) 579-9777, thesearanchlodge.com.
Karaoke night – Belt out your favorite songs every Thursday at karaoke night. All ages from 7-9 p.m., 21 and over after 9 p.m., no cover, the Thirsty Axe, 209 S. School St., Ukiah, (707) 238-8778, thirstyaxe.com.
Live local music – Local musicians perform at a restaurant overlooking the Pacific Ocean. All ages, times vary, no cover (food or drink purchase required), Noyo River Grill, 1011 S. Main St., Fort Bragg, (707) 962-9050.
Friday, November 8
Mendocino Fall Fest – Relay, play, and create at Mendocino Grove’s annual Mendocino Fall Fest. Guests can enjoy arts and crafts, locally sourced food and evenings filled with live music by Tom Hamilton, Jr., T Sisters, Wolf Jetta and the Gold Souls. Day, overnight and weekend passes available. All ages, times vary, $65-$260, Mendocino Grove, 9601 N. Hwy 1, Mendocino, (707) 880-7710, learn more here.
Billy Schieve – Enjoy a wide range of musical genres by master keyboard artist Billy Schieve every Friday. All ages, 5-8:30 p.m., no cover, 5200 Lounge at the Heritage House, 5200 N. Hwy 1, Little River, (707) 202-9000, heritagehouseresort.com.
Will Siegel & Friends – Long time local music fixtures Kevin Aiello, Les Boek, Steve Baird and Will Siegel perform a mix of vintage rock, country and rhythm & blues. All ages, 5:30-7:30 p.m., free, Dancing Crow Vineyards, 12141 Hewlitt & Sturtevant Rd., Hopland, (707) 230-6174, dancingcrow.com.
Robert Jackson – Jazz pianist Robert Jackson performs the music of Thelonious Monk. He’ll be joined by guitarist Chris Doering. The show is part of the Whale and Jazz Series of Gualala Arts hosted by Fred Adler. Food and drinks available for purchase. All ages, 6 p.m., Shindig Social Club, 35590 Verdant View, the Sea Ranch, (707) 791-0735.
Wolf Tree – Multi-instrumentalist and singer Wolf Tree performs. He plays a mix of alt country and Americana, alternating between guitar, mandolin and octave mandolin – often with harmonica accompaniment. If you enjoy Townes van Zandt, John Prine, Colter Wall, Son Volt, or Gillian Welch, you’re sure to hear something you love. All ages, 6-8 p.m., no cover (food or drink purchase required), Northspur Brewing Co., 101 N. Main St., Willits, (707) 518-4208, northspurbrewing.com.
Dezi 5 – Jah Work presents the continued West Coast tour and album release party for Texas rapper Dezi 5, who will perform tracks off his new album “Dirty Laundry” with the Steven Bates Band. The band will also perform its own set, and special guests will join the fun. 21 and over, 8-11 p.m., cover by donation, Shanachie Pub, 50 B South Main St., Willits, (707) 459-9194.
Lauralee Brown – Singer-songwriter and guitarist Lauralee Brown performs an eclectic array of covers and original songs, including tracks from her latest album “Nature of Belief.” All ages, 6-9 p.m., no cover (food or drink purchase required), Noyo River Grill, 1011 S. Main St., Fort Bragg, (707) 962-9050.
Saturday, November 9
Mendocino Fall Fest – Relay, play, and create at Mendocino Grove’s annual Mendocino Fall Fest. Guests can enjoy arts and crafts, locally sourced food and evenings filled with live music by Tom Hamilton, Jr., T Sisters, Wolf Jetta and the Gold Souls. Day, overnight and weekend passes available. All ages, times vary, $65-$260, Mendocino Grove, 9601 N. Hwy 1, Mendocino, (707) 880-7710, learn more here.
Saturday Session – Musicians of all skill levels are invited to join Kyle Madrigal and/or Gustavo Amaral for open jam. 21 and over, 3-6 p.m., donations accepted, Shanachie Pub, 50 B South Main St., Willits, (707) 459-9194.
The Music of Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk and Erik Jekabson – Gualala Arts, in collaboration with Fred Adler, presents an evening of jazz featuring iconic compositions by Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk and contemporary works by Erik Jekabson. The performance stars Erik Jekabson on trumpet, Robert Jackson on piano, Pierre Archain on bass and Gabe Yanez on drums. Additionally, 17-year-old violaist Lucy Khadder of Alameda will perform with Sea Ranch resident Chris Doering. All ages, 4 p.m., $25 in advance, $30 at the door, Gualala Arts, 46501 Old State Highway, Gualala, (707) 884-1138, buy tickets here.
Queer Country – Alt country band Queer Country performs. 21 and over, 5-9 p.m., no cover, Milano Bar, 300 E. Oak St., Fort Bragg, (707) 964-2785.
Guitars for Troops with the Funky Dozen – Popular cover band the Funky Dozen performs as part of Guitars for the Troops, an annual benefit for veteran causes hosted by the Rotary Club of Ukiah. All ages, 5:30 p.m., $20 per person or $30 with barbecue dinner, Alex Rorabaugh Center, 1640 S. State. St., Ukiah.
Alex Yanez – One of our coast’s musical gems, Alex Yanez’s breathtaking talent shines on the classical guitar every Saturday. All ages, 5:30-8:30 p.m., no cover, 5200 Lounge at the Heritage House, 5200 N. Hwy 1, Little River, (707) 202-9000, heritagehouseresort.com.
Ukiah Contra Dance – Enjoy an evening of traditional American folk dance! No experience required, and lessons will be provided. The Flatliners will perform, and Lea Smith will call the dances. All ages, dance lessons at 6:30, dancing from 7-10 p.m., $5-$15, Ukiah United Methodist Church Social Hall, 270 N. Pine St., Ukiah, (707) 272-4707.
Clay Hawkins Duo – Slide guitarist and singer-songwriter Clay Hawkins and upright bass player Andrew Robertson perform. 21 and over, 8 p.m., no cover (food or drink purchase required), Shanachie Pub, 50 B South Main St., Willits, (707) 459-9194.
Dress as Your Sign Dance Party – The Milano Bar hosts a horoscope-themed dance party with DJ Moist Magnolia. Guests are encouraged to dress as a representation of their horoscope sign. 21 and over, 9 p.m., no cover, Milano Bar, 300 E. Oak St., Fort Bragg, (707) 964-2785.
DJ Clusterfunk – Dance the night away to jams played by DJ Clusterfunk. 21 and over, 9 p.m., no cover, the Thirsty Axe, 209 S. School St., Ukiah, (707) 238-8778, thirstyaxe.com.
Live local music – Local musicians perform at a restaurant overlooking the Pacific Ocean. All ages, times vary, no cover (food or drink purchase required), Noyo River Grill, 1011 S. Main St., Fort Bragg, (707) 962-9050.
Sunday, November 10
Seaside String Sisters – Americana/folk quartet the Seaside String Sisters perform. All ages, 12-3 p.m., no cover, Headlands Coffeehouse, 120 E. Laurel St., Fort Bragg, (707) 964-1987, headlandscoffeehouse.com.
Boston Trio – The Gualala Arts Chamber Music Series presents the internationally acclaimed act the Boston Trio. The group comprises violinist Irina Muresanu, cellist David Hardy, and pianist Heng-Jin Park. All have distinguished careers as soloists, recitalists and chamber musicians. All ages, 4 p.m., $25 in advance, $30 at the door, Gualala Arts, 46501 Old State Highway, Gualala, (707) 884-1138, buy tickets here.
Live local music – Local musicians perform at a restaurant overlooking the Pacific Ocean. All ages, times vary, no cover (food or drink purchase required), Noyo River Grill, 1011 S. Main St., Fort Bragg, (707) 962-9050.