Weekly music
Healdsburg’s annual “Tuesdays in the Plaza” concert series begins next week. More than a decade old, the series features live music and local food each week.
Food vendors are open from 5 to 8 p.m. and the music is from 6 to 8 p.m. The city waives its alcohol prohibition for three hours each Tuesday and concertgoers can bring and consume alcohol in the Plaza from 5 to 8 p.m.
This year’s series launches, as it has in the past, with slide guitar master Roy Rogers, with his band the Delta Rhythm Kings. Rogers plays at 6 p.m. on May 30. The rest of the series:
June 6: Carlito Medrano & Sabor de mi Cuba (Cuban Folkloric)
June 13: Freddy Jones Band (Roots Rock/Pop)
June 20: Coffis Brothers & The Mountain Men (Folk/Country/Rock)
June 27: Kingsborough (Americana Roots)
July 4: Cahoots (Sonoma County Roots)
July 11: Luce (Alternative Pop Rock)
July 18: San Geronimo (Hard Charging Americana)
July 25: Soul Ska (Classic Jamaican & Wave Ska)
August 1: Stompy Jones (Jump Style Swing)
August 8; Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra (Soul Revue)
August 15: Volker Strifler (Blues Rock)
August 22: A Celebration of Latino Art & Music
August 29: Mustache Harbor (Soft Rock Explosion)
Local food vendors have been invited to set up and sell food during the Tuesday night events. This year, the food vendors include: The Wurst, Chalk Hill Cookery, Lola’s Market, Three Twins Ice Cream, Sonoma Coast Shuckers, Healdsburger and Mountain Mike’s Pizza.
Once a month, the city will host a family movie night after the concert, with a family friendly film screening about 9 p.m. (when it gets dark). The films are alcohol-free events and are produced in partnership with the Alexander Valley Film Society:
June 27 — Secret Life of Pets
July 25 — Toy Story
Aug. 22 — Finding Dory
— Ray Holley
Wednesday market
The Wednesday Evening Healdsburg Certified Farmers’ Market opens June 7 in the Cerri Lot, next to SHED on North Street near Vine.
The Healdsburg Certified Farmers’ Market is one of the oldest in the state. The Saturday market has been a mainstay for 38 years, and although the evening market is the same age it has always been smaller and has moved several times.
For a time it was on the Plaza, on Tuesday nights, but when it relocated to the Cerri Lot a few years ago the attendance of both vendors and customers dwindled; enough so the board considered cancelling it. Instead they decided it needed a boost. Hiring a new market manager was the first step. With a new set of eyes and fresh ideas the Wednesday evening market is being transformed.
Previously the market was from 3 to 6 p.m., but it was decided that 4 to 7 p.m. offered those getting off work time to attend and makes the market a dinner option.
The other change was to make it as important as the Saturday market. It’s been in the shadow for too long. Though it’s not as large as Saturday market, this year more than 25 booths of produce, meat, chicken, seafood, baked goods, craft and prepared foods will please farmers’ market fans. The cool of the summer evenings, in the tree-shaded lot makes for a very appealing environment for strolling and shopping.
Favorite farms like Bernier, Preston, Alexander Valley, Reyes, Middleton and Ridgeview will offer a wide range of produce. Heather’s Custom Meats, A4 Chicken and Anna’s Seafood will all be there. Raymond’s Bakery and Criminal Baking Company will offer up sweet and savory. Roasted almonds, gourmet spices and interesting crafts will add to the mix.
There’ll also be prepared food vendors. Big Boy’s Teriyaki Bowls, Tuck’s Indian and the Green Grocer will serve up a variety of dishes. Koffee Velo will have waffles and handmade ice cream.
June 7 is opening day, and to celebrate the market reinvention it will open with a parade.
The entertaining Hubbub Club will march from the market to the Plaza and encourage people to join them and march back.
In addition, on the stage the market will have Bob Culbertson performing on Chapman Stick, a very unusual guitar, because the Wednesday market will have music each week, just like the Saturday market. There are plans for a swing dance night and other special events.
Twice-weekly markets offer shoppers the option of buying in the cool morning Saturdays and the cool evening Wednesdays. Come to both and keep your food as fresh as possible. Plus it’s a perfect place to bring visiting friends and family for a fun evening activity in downtown Healdsburg.
The Cerri Lot is next to SHED on North Street, across the street from the Saturday locale. The hours are 4 to 7 p.m. No dogs allowed. Parking is at City Hall, the West Plaza lot and surrounding streets.
— Janet Ciel
Benefit run
Joel Billman, who damaged his spinal cord in a fall while hiking, is the beneficiary of the “Backbreaker Run,” to be held this Sunday, May 27. Billman is paralyzed from the waist down and is a familiar sight in Healdsburg, pedaling a special bicycle that he can power with his arms.
Even with health insurance, Billman and his family are heavily burdened with out-of-pocket medical costs for medication, supplies and physical therapy. His family hopes to purchase a van that will accommodate his wheelchair.
The 5K charity run for Billman will begin at 8 a.m. at Healdsburg Running Company, 322 Center St. in Healdsburg and travel the Foss Creek Pathway through Healdsburg. Organizers say the pathway is stroller safe. Registration closes this Friday, May 26.
More information about Billman is available at www.helphopelive.org/campaign
/6042. More information about the “Backbreaker Run” can be found at healdsburgrunningcompany.com.
— Nance Billman
Antique fair
The annual summer Antiques & Arts Fair in the historic Healdsburg Plaza will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 18 and again on Sunday, Aug. 27. Over 80 vendors, artists and craftsmen will display their treasures and artistry – old and new. The fair is sponsored by the Healdsburg Museum and Historical Society. For more information call 431-3323.
– Tom Devitt
