Music in the Air … with Mark ‘Fenny’ Fenichel: Days are longer, flowers are blooming and live music is coming out

Friday Night Music Series coming this summer to the Morgan Hill Amphitheater

By Mark Fenichel

Mark “Fenny” Fenichel

As the days get longer and spring gets closer, wineries, patio music, art & wine festivals and other outdoor music are starting to kick in. More hours in the day and warmer weather means more music in South County.

Clos LaChance continues to be the leader in pairing wine with live music with their very successful “Tunes On the Terrace,” which is going strong from noon to 3 p.m. every Sunday. They are also adding a series of “After Dark” dance parties with the first one March 28 featuring JJ Hawg followed by additional  “After Dark” Saturday night dance parties with David Johnson and others leading into their ever popular “Groovin’ In The Grove” series beginning early May with many top local acts.

Word is out that they will be showcasing a very special sit-down show at the beautiful Clos LaChance outdoor theater.

It will be the top-notch event called “Still Crazy,” a Simon & Garfunkel tribute lead by Peter Filice and featuring a collaboration comprised of many top Bay Area musicians. The show is slated for an 8 p.m. start July 31 with a gala wine and cheese reception prior. For tickets and more information on all the events at Clos LaChance visit their website at www.clos.com.

This year’s Morgan Hill Mushroom Mardi Gras will present an outdoor acoustic stage both days (May 23 and 24) with top local acoustic acts. This will be a nice addition to their tradition of top Bay Area bands on both the Amphitheater Stage adjacent to the Community and Cultural Center and their popular Fourth Street Stage. The full line up will be coming soon.

Guglielmo has just set their Vines & Vibes Series which is a free concert every Wednesday from 6 to 9 p.m. for 13 weeks beginning June 3.

This year’s bands are:

June 3 — Phil’n the Blanks

June 10 — Snarky Cats Band

June 17 — The Rockafella’s

June 24 — Country Cougars

July 1 — Beach Cowboy Band

July 8 — Engine Room Band

July 15 — BENT

July 22 — No Vendetta Band

July 29 — Kaye Bolher Band

Aug. 5 — Rusty, Rock, and Roll Band

Aug. 12 — Arena Band

Aug. 19 — Lyin’ I’s Band, www.lyinis.com

Aug. 26 — Knee Deep Band

You can purchase wine by the glass or bottle, bring a picnic basket with food or buy food there. No outside wine and no children allowed at this event.

Seeker Vineyard has a strong line-up for their 2020 Concert Series the first and third Saturdays through October with bands including The Country Cougars, Rock The Heat, The Cook’n Fenny Combo, Steel Horse, JJ Hawg, Moondance, Lavender Fields, Undercover, and Trainwreck. All music goes from 1 to 4 p. m.

Visit www.seekervineyard.com or their face book page for all the band dates and make it to their kick-off event April 18.

Satori Cellars is one of the hot spots all summer long with live music every Saturday and Sunday from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

In addition to free music you can bring the family and they are pet friendly, too. This has to be one of my personal picks as a favorite place to play outdoor music and owners Tom and Sandy are great hosts with a staff that is fun and super friendly.

On another note … “American Idol” contestant Morgan Hill singer-songwriter Demi Rae Moreno is performing every other Friday at GVA Café from 4 to 7 p.m. As of this writing, she has auditioned and her segment on American Idol has been taped and should be airing on NBC very soon.

Good luck Demi and hope you advance to Las Vegas. Demi would often come to the Chris & Friends open mic at GVA and try out new songs and entertain the crowds with her beautiful voice. Stop by and see her in action and show your support for local music. Also, GVA will have a “Hanging Party” the first weekend in April. She asks that you bring a drill, hammer and a few nails to help her re-hang her collection of automobile memorabilia. You may recall she had quite a bit prior to renovating the inside. Also in April, Renee will be celebrating her 8th anniversary and her birthday which is April 18 with food fun and live music. She knows how to throw a party so put these dates in your calendar and plan to attend.

And finally, Music As Language is having a Bon Voyage Party and Sale from 1 to 5 p.m., March 28. It’s your last chance to hear their wonderful performance team as Majhon and Noah will move to New York City. They will also sell their equipment, office supplies and furnishings. I want to wish them good luck and a heartfelt thanks for all the great things they’ve done for so many kids and the music community.

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