Home » Music » Music on the Square
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 Music on the Square 2011
Fridays 6:00-8:00pm
May 6 - October 7, 2011
Courthouse Square (map)
Thank you so much for attending our 2011 Music on the Square Series! We have re-listed all of our concert dates below in case you wanted to visit some of the bands websites. We would also greatly appreciate your feedback on our Friday Night Series. Please click the button above to fill out our online survey. Thank you in advance for your time. |
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 May 6 • Rock and Roll
The Houserockers
sponsored by 98.5 KFOX
One of the hottest and hardest working bands in Northern California, The
Houserockers are a 10 piece Rock & Soul band from Los Gatos, CA that plays
the greatest songs ever recorded. The band is known for their
eclectic, high energy, set lists that brings the music of The Rolling
Stones, Earth Wind and Fire, Tower of Power, Stevie Wonder, Springsteen,
Van Morrison and much more to life. Fusing elements of rock, blues, funk,
60's soul and R & B - the band turns every performance into a house party.Rock & Soul the night away with The Houserockers! |
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  May 13 • Journey Tribute
Arrival
sponsored by 96.5 KOIT - Lite Rock Less Talk
ARRIVAL takes their audiences on a musical Journey to an era in rock classics covering top hits from 1978 to 1996. They are hailed by critics and fans alike as the most authentic and endearing Journey Tribute Show in the country. Based in California, ARRIVAL has performed countless shows since its inception in 2005. ARRIVAL delivers a high energy enthusiastic show, and of course note for note accurate renditions of JOURNEY classics. ARRIVAL recreates the feel of being at a LIVE JOURNEY concert. |
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May 20 • Blues
Preston Shannon
Hailed as the reigning "King of Beale Street", Memphis' own Preston Shannon is a powerful guitarist with a compelling and soulful voice that sounds like a cross between Otis Redding and Bobby Womack. Shannon toured for a couple of years as a member of soul singer Shirley Brown's band; in concert he sang Womack's part in the soul duet Brown had done years before with Womack himself. Known to have performed on Bourbon Street and in Memphis area casinos, Shannon is a singer guitarist who can solo himself through a fire-breathing set of slick, urban blues. Preston exemplifies to many listeners the power of Southern "deep soul" - hoarse, gritty vocals, brassy arrangements, and an emotional way with both party tunes and aching ballads. |
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May 27 • Salsa / Afro Cuban
Orquesta La Moderna Tradición
From the first note, you’ll want to jump out of your seat. Violins and flutes weave lilting melodies against the backdrop of driving Afro-Cuban rhythms. Orquesta la Moderna Tradición's repertoire ranges from traditional Danzón and Cha-Cha-Cha to the latest salsa and timba grooves with surprising twists: you should hear their spin on the old church tune “Golden Slippers.” As one critic put it: “Imagine a blend of Tito Puente and a tango, and you'll begin to get an idea of the power and beauty of this music.” When performing their traditional repertoire,you are transported to an era of sensual danzones and swinging cha-chas - the music of the Havana social clubs of the 1950s. When playing their own brand of modern charanga, the Orquesta will have you cutting the rug with their blazing rhythm section, swinging strings and winds along with fine tuned vocals.
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 June 3 • Indie Rock
Handful of Luvin'
A rock quartet featuring a rocking classically trained violinist, Handful refers to their music as "fiddle driven roots rock," and their cheerful blend of folk-rock, reggae and world rhythms, plus secondhand baroque and Celtic influences with catchy pop hooks, strongly recalls the vintage sound of Actual Tigers, the madness of Flogging Molly, and the moodier, more experimental side of Wilco.
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 June 10 • Eagles Tribute
Boys of Summer
sponsored by Oldies 103.7
Life after “The Eagles” for Don Henley was a display of the man’s intellect, heart, poise, emotion, and cause. Each solo album with a different feel, attitude, and contribution by some of the finest musicians and songwriters alive today. With every release one thing remains obvious, this man can sing the bolts out of a battleship, high or low, soft or hard, sweet or soulful. He does it all, no one compares! It is with this in mind and with the deepest respect for Mr. Henley and his work, we hope to recreate a fraction of the experience that is the music of Don Henley. We can only hope it is as fun for you as it has been for us, and we look forward to sharing that experience with you.
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June 17 • Irish Rock
Tempest
Since forming in 1988, Tempest has delivered a globally-renowned hybrid of high-energy folk rock fusing Irish reels, Scottish ballads, Norwegian influences and other world music elements. The last 20 years have seen the San Francisco Bay Area based act release twelve critically acclaimed CDs and play more than 2,000 gigs. Hailing from Oslo, Norway, founding member and lead singer/electric mandolinist Lief Sorbye is recognized as a driving force in the modern folk-rock movement. Fiddler Michael Mullen, a favorite with the fans, is the original fiddler for the group. Bassist Damien Gonzalez, a native Californian, is also an accomplished drummer who may occasionally breathe fire. Native of Devon, England, and a former member of the UK's folk-rock band Equation, guitarist James Crocker combines a deep-rooted British folk sensibility with a life-long rock experience. Cuban-born drummer Adolfo Lazo, an original Tempest member, colors the band's sound with inventive percussion. |
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 June 24 • Pop
Livewire
sponsored by 102.9 KBLX
LIVEWIRE is a high-energy 6-piece dance cover band based in the San Francisco Bay Area. As an in-demand party band, Livewire is frequently hired to perform at private parties, country clubs, weddings, festivals, top clubs, and resorts including Bimbo's 365, Cache Creek Casino Resort, the Red Devil Lounge, and Harry Denton's Starlight Room. Showcasing an eclectic mix of the best songs from the 70's and 80's through current rock and dance hits, the band accurately covers a wide range of music, from Journey to The Jackson 5, to Rihanna. Livewire performs an interactive and energetic show that adds fun to any occasion.
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  July 1 • Country
Whiskey Dawn
sponsored by 95.7 The Wolf
Whiskey Dawn is California’s hottest country band. With the release of their first original album, Dear Nashville, Whiskey Dawn’s popularity has sky-rocketed to unimagined heights. Regularly featured on 101.9 the Wolf in Sacramento, Whiskey Dawn’s music has been heard on multiple country stations up and down the State of California. They’ve performed with several Nashville acts including Eric Church, Luke Bryan, Bucky Covington, Lady Antebellum, Julianne Hough, and more. Quickly becoming the favorite band at each new venue, Whiskey Dawn captivates audiences with precision harmonies and dynamic instrumentation.
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July 8 • A Tribute to Steely Dan
Aja Vu
sponsored by 98.5 KFOX
Aja Vu celebrates the music of Steely Dan with a show that features their most popular and danceable hits. From "Hey 19" and "Reelin In/Years" to "Rikki Don't Lose That Number" you can hear the tight chunky horns, vocals and solos note for note back up by an unparalleled rhythm section. This eight piece group recreates the combination of rock, jazzy blues and unique storytelling that has made the Steely Dan sound endure throughout pop culture for thirty plus years. |
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July 15 • Reggae
Native Elements
San Francisco's reggae favorite Native Elements (now in their 10th year as a cohesive unit) never fail to bring positivity and niceness to all of their music gatherings. As recording artist's they spin a curious fabric of lovers rock, roots and conscious dance hall wrapped cozily in a bright "frisco-pino" treatment. A family before anything else Native Elements strives to make their show a warm and inviting experience for all; young and old, blue and green and everything in between.
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 Redwood City Blues Festival Kick-off!
July 22 • Blues
Earl Thomas
This San Francisco-based band achieves its distinctive sound from the international heritage of the blues, which is reflected in the multi-ethnic composition of the ensemble featuring musicians whose backgrounds embody both San Francisco’s cultural diversity and the stylistic roots of the blues. Accompanying frontman Earl Thomas, the band is comprised of musicians of African, Asian, East Indian, and European descent who collaborate in performances that fuse contemporary styles with rich vocals and compelling showmanship.
"A paragon of clarity, economy, and tastefulness…” -Blues Revue Magazine |
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July 29 • Johnny Cash Tribute
Cash Tribute
sponsored by 95.7 The Wolf
The Cash Tribute Show featuring James Garner presents the Man in Black's music with stunning accuracy and heartfelt sincerity. Between performances of Cash's biggest hits, Garner recounts the stories of Johnny's childhood, entrance into the music business, and the highs and lows experienced in a career that spanned 48 years. Audience members will find themselves tapping their toes and singing along with the train-like rhythm that became synonymous with the songs of Johnny Cash & the Tennessee Three. |
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August 5 • Santana Tribute
Caravanserai
Now in it’s fourteenth phenomenal year, Caravanserai has established itself as the most widely known Santana Tribute band in the country. This is the group the San Jose Metro declared “The Top Santana Tribute” and the San Francisco Examiner called “The Country’s Pre-eminent Santana Tribute Band”. Originally a replication of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band Santana's legendary early days, Caravanserai has grown to include material from all eras of Santana's 45-year history.
The Caravanserai show explosively recreates the rhythms, drive and the atmosphere of sounds that have made Santana a mainstay in the history Rock Music for the past five decades!
From Woodstock to today, this show is a must see! |
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August 12 • Jump Blues
Mitch Woods & His Rocket 88's
Mitch Woods and His Rocket 88’s are the torch bearers of a great American musical heritage. Taking their inspiration from the great jump n’ boogie outfits and swingin’ little big bands of the 40’s, they breathe fresh life into the music that gave birth to rock n’ roll. Mitch takes his cue from his jumpin’, n, jivin’, shoutin’ n’ honkin’, pumpin’ n’ poundin’ predecessors, Louis Jordan, Cab Calloway, Joe and Jimmie Liggins, Louis Prima, just to name a few. Mitch’s pile drivin’ piano licks and energetic stage persona combine with the Rocket 88’s swingin’ horns, thumpin’ bass, rockin’ guitar, and jungle drums to send a crowd into dancing delight. They are one of the first bands on the West Coast to reach back to an earlier time in American music using humor, style, musicianship, and showmanship to forge their own swinging brand of music, which they coined rock-a-boogie. Mitch & the 88’s have distilled the essence of jump, swing , boogie woogie, made it their own, and deliver it to the present.
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August 19 • The Best of Cream & Eric Clapton Cream of Clapton
Paying tribute to Eric Claptons' great songbook. Spanning "Cream to Unplugged." Featuring Kevin Russell (guitar & vocals) and Sammy Hagar's Wabaritos; David Lauser (drums & vocals) & Mona Gnader (bass & vocals)
This show is spellbinding and brings to life these wonderful songs.
This is a "must see" show!
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 August 26 • Bruce Springsteen Tribute
The Rising
The Rising is a brotherhood of friends, some with ties that date back nearly two decades. Much like Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band, they take the stage more like a gang, than a band. They collectively roll up their sleeves and go to work, night, after night. They were all cut from the worn denim of blue collar towns, and paid musical dues playing dive bars, and juke joints. Performing songs spanning the nearly five decades of Bruce Springsteen's catalogue; from "Greetings From Asbury Park" through Springsteen's 2009 release "Working On A Dream", they deliver each song with the same power, heart, and soul as Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band.
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September 2 • Police Tribute
Stung
This San Francisco Bay Area band has quickly made a buzz wowing audiences at the hottest Area night clubs and events around the Bay (SF Black & White Ball, Bay to Breakers "Footstock" Concert, Bimbo's 365 Club), and around the world (Holland Tribute Band Festival). Having even been blessed by a sit-in performance by Police founder / drummer STEWART COPELAND at his Beverly Hills Birthday Party, this trio of gifted musicians have established themselves as the premiere Police experience! STUNG remain dedicated to bringing back that authentic sound that audiences have missed for so long...the sound of the early, the original...The Police.
Some say it's the best Police performance in the Bay Area since Day on the Green '83...the last real Police show the Bay Area would ever see. So come and see for yourself. Come and get STUNG!!!
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 September 9 • Michael Jackson Tribute
Foreverland
 Sponsored by 98.1 KISS FM
Foreverland is a 14-piece tribute to one of the most amazing entertainers in the world, Mr. Michael Jackson. Based in San Francisco, the group was formed in March of 2009 to honor Michael's musical genius and legendary showmanship. With four lead vocalists, four horns and a six-piece rhythm section, the ensemble is best described as a "Remarkable and Rocking Michael Jackson Revue." Rather than be limited by a MJ impersonator and pre-recorded backing tracks, the band's unique approach is to celebrate the larger than life performances, imagination and infectious spirit of this legendary artist. The result is a fabulous and thumping 14-piece show band that pays homage to MJ's undeniable talent and timeless dance music. As the band likes to say, "Don't Blame It On The Sunshine, Don't Blame It On The Moonlight, Don't Blame It On The Good Times, BLAME IT ON THE BOOGIE! |
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September 16 • Bill Joel Tribute
Joel: The Band
JOEL is the premier rock and roll Billy Joel cover band on the West Coast! The band performs Billy Joel's timeless repertoire as well as original musical works! They are blazing hot and will have you on your feet rocking out.
Fresh off of the national tour of Billy Joel's Tony award-winning rock musical “Movin' Out”, Piano Man, Kyle Martin and a group of professional musicians are creating a buzz around the Sacramento area. Forrest Hartman from the Reno Gazette - Journal says, ”Kyle Martin isn't just good, he is spectacular!” The Modesto Bee says Kyle has a ”strong, agile voice. He made the audience happy....” |
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 September 23 • Salsa
Mazacote
Mazacote is the hard-swinging, old-school salsa group led by legendary percussionist Louie Romero, who came to fans’ attention as the longtime timbales player for famed salsero "El Cantante" Hector Lavoe. Louie is also renowned for his work with Willie Colón, Rubén Blades, Celia Cruz, Ron Carter, and other salsa and jazz stars in his native New York. Based in San Francisco, Mazacote plays a crowd-pleasing, high-energy mixture of classic salsa favorites and original latin jazz tunes. It’s no wonder that Latin Beat magazine called Mazacote "one of the premier salsa ensembles in Northern California." Recently, the band released the album “Timbalero.” Its title track is a fresh take on Louie’s classic 1972 recording of the song with Hector Lavoe and Willie Colón. The album -- filled with soulful and danceable salsa, cha-cha, latin jazz, Cuban guajira, and bomba -- is receiving rave reviews from dancers, DJs, and music critics alike. |
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 September 30 • Tower of Power Tribute
Bump City
For over 40 years, Tower of Power has been creating their own kind of soul music. Since 1968, Tower of Power has delivered their unique brand of music to their fans, appearing before sold out crowds as they tour the world each year. Tower’s sound can be hard to categorize, but the band's leader and founding member, Emilio Castillo, has labeled their sound as "Urban Soul Music."
Tower's rhythm section lays down a groove like no other band. The band’s horn driven sound is unique, and the way they approach everything, from writing and arranging to mixing and performing, is totally their own. Combine all of that with an outstanding lead vocalist and you have one of the most dynamic groups of musicians to ever hit the stage.
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 *New Performer*
October 7 •The Ultimate Rock Show
LIXX
sponsored by 96.5 KOIT
Tribute to 80s, Playing Bon Jovi, Van Halen, Guns and Roses, ACDC & More!
LIXX...is a world class touring rock cover band. Playing songs by the greatest bands from the wildest era in music, LIXX performs the hits of the 80's to perfection. They also include some of the late 70's rock that defined a generation. The name says it all: great guitar riffs, powerful vocals and a rhythm section that rocks the house. LIXX performs songs from Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, AC/DC, Motley Crue to The Scorpions, Van Halen, Judas Piest, Journey , Guns and Roses, Kiss and many many more! Featuring Eric Sage, as the bands frontman/ vocalist who has recorded for some heavyweights of the rock world, including Slash of Guns ‘n’ Roses/Velvet Revolver and Vince Neil of Motley Crue. He is also the new lead singer and recently recorded and toured with rock legends, the Bay City Rollers. You may also recognize Eric from movie roles in hit films like Wayne’s World where he played the “guitar salesmen”. |
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