Category Archives: Music

Film, Music, news, People

Ashes to Ashes: David Bowie RIP 1947-2016

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bowieSo sad to hear about the passing of David Bowie just a few days after his birthday at the age of 69. There is no doubt the man was an icon, a legend, and helped change the face of music in the 70s & 80s. He will always be one of the greatest entertainers of our lifetimes and a star that will always shine bright not only as a musician but as an actor as well. For that reason, this week I will have his vinyl playing in the cellar and opening fine bottles of wine with friends in his honor!
#RIP #ZiggyStardust #DiamondDogs #RebelRebel #cancersucks

Read more about the amazing life of David Bowie
in this BBC article.

Event, Music, People, Travels

A Musical Feast: David J and the Gentleman Thieves

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My love of music runs deep, back to the days, and further, when I was a college DJ and wrote album reviews for the University newspaper. Especially 80’s music. I would say it equals my love of wine, a most beautiful pairing!

For that reason I am very excited to share this news from my friend Darwin Meiners about one of his current projects, David J and The Gentleman Thieves, which of course includes the founding member of Bauhaus and Love & Rockets.

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They are currently cutting their first single and video filming this month in LA with Linda Strawberry directing.  It will be released on a split 7″ with Darwin’s new solo song ‘Horrible Cocoon’ on the b-side to be released on Starry Records.

I recommend catching an extraordinary live show of David J and The Gentleman Thieves. Unfortunately for me I will be leaving for Miami to judge in the American Fine Wine Competition (more on that later!) while the NorCal shows are happening but perhaps you can report back in my stead. I am eager to hear more!

JANUARY 14TH @ THE LOST CHURCH in SF:  David J performs with Chris Vibberts & Darwin.  Darwin will also open with a short, acoustic set.  Advance Tix are recommended:  TICKETS HERE!

JANUARY 15TH @ THE BIG EASY in PETALUMA:  Dominic East (from Our Lady of the Highway) opens,  David J plays second (with Chris and Darwin). Following, Darwin’s band performs, David will then join for a few Love & Rockets tunes!  TICKETS HERE!

JANUARY 22ND @ LUNARIO DEL AUDITORIO NACIONAL in MEXICO CITY:  David J and The Gentleman Thieves perform. TICKETS HERE!

FEBRUARY 19TH @ UCO in OKC:  David and Darwin will be performing at the University in Oklahoma City.  There may be a few surprises in store as they were invited by those Flaming Lip fellows! TICKETS HERE!

Spread the word to your friends near & far!

Charity, Competition, Event, Food, Music, Tasting, Wine

Mix your wine with charity this weekend!

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bless1If you aren’t feeling the pull, like I am, to the Sierra Nevadas this weekend (see The Big Crush), then perhaps you can enjoy some local sips to support worthy North Bay causes?

On Saturday October 3rd you can Raise the Roof  along with an assortment of farmers, wineries, restaurants, hoteliers, insurance agents, realtors, event planners, civic leaders, local law and fire department personnel, and many other local Sonoma County businesses.   Proceeds go to help victims of the recent Valley fire in Lake County.

roof2Attend the event and participate in the silent auction while enjoying delectable wines from the most sought after wineries and sensational bites from featured chefs including Dustin Valette, Duskie Estes, Guy Fieri, Nicolai Lipscomb to name a few. Tickets are $100 pre-sale or $125 at the Sonoma Jet Center doors in Santa Rosa.

On Sunday, October 4th is the 15th Annual Blessing of the Animals at St. Francis Winery. Bring your best furry friend to the Winery to be blessed and spend the afternoon helping raise money for the Sonoma Humane Society.

Admission is FREE! Winery Dog of the Year Contest entry is $10. Wines by glass, raffle tickets, silent auction all contribute to funds raised for animals in need.
bless3

Event, Music, Tasting, Travels, Wine

My Big Crush in Amador County, Oct 3 & 4

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Finally getting a family trip away and you know there will be wine!  We will be trekking to beautiful Amador Wine Country just in time to experience Big Crush Harvest Festival on October 3 & 4.  It will include 42 Amador Wineries that open up their cellar doors and tasting rooms with ultimate hospitality paired with music, food and fun.  Presale tickets will be sold online until September 29.

amadorBC2015The BIG CRUSH is your ticket to the Shenandoah Valley and Fiddletown appellations, historic main streets of Sutter Creek, Amador City, Plymouth, and beyond!

Two days of bountiful cuisine, world-class wines, along with sounds of acoustic to rock & roll music wafting from every crush pad in the county.  Scenes of teeming vineyards, trudging tractors, bustling crush pads await!

Find me at a winery or follow my social media posts on Sunday Oct 4th to join in on the adventure!

Event, Film, Music, Wine

Get Back to the Future @St Francis on July 23

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This is the final installment of “stars under the stars” Outdoor Film Festival at St Francis Winery for summer 2015. Sorry to miss all the fun but you can have a fabulous evening!

Back to the Future
Starring Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd & Lea Thompson (1985)
Pre-show concert by: Windsor Jazz Ensemble
Thursday, July 23, 2015

future1Featured Wines
$8 per glass (Includes a keepsake St. Francis glass)
2013 Chardonnay
2012 Three Valleys Zinfandel

On the Menu by Executive Chef Bryan Jones
$10 per plate
Meatloaf Sandwich
Mac & Cheese

Admission & Popcorn are Free!
Wine, Food and Sweets will be available for purchase.

Feast It Forward, Festivals, Food, Music, Video, Wine

Reliving BottleRock Napa Valley Day 2

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Hard to resist enjoying “FEAST Chronicles – Day 2″ at BottleRock Napa is LIVE! Filled with food, wine, music and fun, our Feast it Forward Ultimate Airstream Adventures Northwest hosted Capital Cities, Brett Dennen, ZZ Ward, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Wild Ones, Grizfolk, Joe Kwon of The Avett Brothers and many more for intimate interviews and jam sessions while enjoying (lots!) Sullivan Vineyards and Miner Family Vineyards.

Stay tuned for “Day 3″, followed by each of our acoustic ‪#‎FEASTsessions‬ sets from participating musicians alongside a full episode of our ‪#‎BetweentheBottles‬ at the festival.

 

Feast It Forward, Festivals, Food, Music, Video, Wine

BottleRock Napa Valley 2015 Review Day 1

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Although it ended last week, Bottle Rock Napa Valley 2015 is still alive and kicking with all the live interviews that will be highlighted on FeastItForward.com over the next few months, as well as in a number of the articles I’m writing for more national publications.

So to get you primed, here’s a review of FEASTing Day 1 at the Williams-Sonoma Culinary Stage and great times spent with musical dynamos Imagine Dragons, Flavor Flav, Zella Day, and The Mowgli’s; star chefs Rick Moonen, Michael Voltaggio, Mei Lin, Victor Scargle, and the Forgone Family; Dave Miner of Miner Family Winery; MC Liam Mayclem; and Katie Hamilton Shaffer and the rest of the great Feast It Forward team!

You can also see some of my fun posts from the festival by visiting my Facebook page at Christopher Sawyer Sommelier or my Twitter/Instagram handles @sawyersommelier. And for more information about the sold-out festival and news on what will be happening in 2016, visit www.bottlerocknapavalley.com.